Shaking the Foundations [ * * ]

Crossing my arms over my chest, I let out a light sigh while looking at the enticing butt with all of its intimate secrets laid bare before me.

"What is even the meaning of this?" I ask more in amusement than actual curiosity.

~Help me, Step-Master, I'm stuck,~ Ianthe whimpers seductively through our Whispers, unfortunately, unable to wiggle her ass due to her restrictions.

I swear I'm going to figure out a way to control Shino's means of communication with the other women.

"Ianthe is in trouble, Master…" Sirgia adds with her sweet face colouring more and more. "I don't know what to do… Maybe she could get out of it if you… pushed really hard?"

Shaking my head at the clever play of my lovely Dwarf, I start walking closer while taking hold of my belt. Her eyes lock on it eagerly, the rosy blush adorning her cheeks deepens into stronger scarlet as she realises I decided to humour them and play along. 

But, before I reach the duo, I pause, tilting my head at the sight as I examine it once more.

"Where's the rest of her exactly?" I wonder out loud, just now thinking of it.

Sirgia blinks at me a few times before ducking her head timidly. "In the other room, Master… But, don't worry… There's no one there…"

Snorting quietly at the image of the front of our sexy Oread poking out of the other side of the wall, I cross the remaining distance and pat my clever mate's head. A small smile appears on Sirgia's lips as she sneaks a few peeks at my face and my waist. Receiving a gentle nod from me, it grows into an excited one and her fingers jump to my belt to take care of it for me.

Letting my petite lover unfasten it and pull my pants down, I lean forward to offer her a chaste kiss. She peppers my lips back with affection as her hand rubs the tent set up in my underwear. Sighing longingly, she withdraws a little and finds my eyes again.

"I'll get you ready for her, Master," Sirgia whispers softly.

Without waiting for my response, she frees my cock from its confines while dropping to her knees. With one cute peck to the tip, she wastes no more time and takes my member into her warm mouth, slowly caressing it with her skilled tongue. I brush her cheek lovingly, watching the devoted girl give her best to make it feel as pleasant as she can, and turn my attention to the exhibit in front of me.

I can't ignore our dear Den Mother forever, can I?

My hands move to the pale flesh of this gorgeous ass sticking out of the wall. I feel Ianthe's arousal spike at the contact and further increase when my fingers sink into her soft buns. It surges again when I spread her cheeks apart, perhaps anticipating the inevitable next step, but since I've been suppressing everything related to our mental connection that I can, she is completely blind to what's happening to this particular portion of her figure.

And so far, it seems to be working wonders for her.

I knead Ianthe's tender butt for a while, listening to Sirgia's honest efforts at sucking me off. She knows well I won't bust out of nowhere so my petite wife doesn't pull her punches. Employing every technique she's learned over the length of our time together, she bathes my length in heavenly pleasure. I still remember her first attempts at taking me deeper and they are such a stark contrast to how bravely she can now deepthroat me while looking into my eyes with such pure affection.

When I bring one palm to her face and get ready to show my gratitude for such love, Sirgia quickly pulls back and moves to caress my orbs with her supple lips.

"You should save it for Ianthe first, Master," she says. "Would you perhaps like me to get her ready too?"

Smirking a little, I shake my head. "No, thank you. Feel free to have some more fun down there while I do that."

Nodding obediently, she returns to suckling on my precious jewels while stroking my shaft with her dainty fingers. In the meantime, I brush my thumb over the dripping slit before me, lazily stroking Ianthe's beautiful pussy up and down from the outside. More nectar leaks out of her eager flower the faster I caress it and I can tell she's dying to feel my fingers inside.

Well, she's already flooding Sirgia's face with her fragrant juices so much so it would be cruel to make her wait any longer. My Dwarf mate notices my intentions and steps aside, letting me rest both hands on Ianthe's bubbly ass and take aim. The leader of the stone Nymphs stays blissfully unaware until I violently plunge myself into her slick channel.

A muffled cry of intense pleasure reaches our ears and she peaks on my cock just from that single motion. I hastily silence the area covering both rooms before her moans get us in trouble. No one might see her with the room being empty, but that doesn't mean no one will hear her cumming her brains out.

Taking a deep breath, I pull back and slam myself forward once again, plunging through the tight and comfortable pussy of the ancient lady. They want me to let all my stress out on it, so they will get what they are asking for. Holding onto the available part of Ianthe's sides, I ram myself repeatedly into her lewd passage, my waist slapping against her butt with a loud smack of flesh hitting flesh. With the added noises of rough lovemaking, it turns the room into a quite debauched place.

Not to mention the abundance of glistening nectar that stains the wall between her spread legs, flowing in copious amounts from her roughed up slit currently firmly wrapped around my cock like a glove. Ianthe's love juices splash against our bodies but the majority streams down the polished surface. That's unavoidable with how she's poking out of it just a bit above her feminine mound, additionally positioned at an angle supporting the physics of certain liquids.

Not a way I ever expected to paint the walls but I have to admit that it looks quite arousing.

As I continue fucking the sly Oread senseless, I take a glance to the side to check how is my adorable wife doing. But, to my surprise, I don't find Sirgia next to me. I catch a hint of her below and lean past the plump rump obstructing most of my vision, finding her right under the immobilised pussy.

At some point, Sirgia moved underneath all the action and ended up in a crouch with her back pressed against the wall. Her shorts are gone and her upper garments are pulled above her modest chest as she keeps her knees spread to the sides. With her dainty fingers rubbing circles over her cute clit and adorable nipple, she has her head tilted to the back and face directed upwards. She watches intently from up close as my hard member pistons into the pale woman's sex, making a real mess out of it and sprinkling her freckled face with our combined juices.

This little pervert.

Sensing that both girls are not that far from reaching an orgasm now, I come up with a quite mischievous plan to give them both what they need to be pushed past the edge of ecstatic bliss. Preparing a useful substance in one hand, I gently prod Ianthe's upper hole with my thumb while also adjusting my thrusting to not make her cum too fast. She doesn't seem to notice anything suspicious in my movements, perhaps assuming I'm just playing with her butthole for the sake of it.

"Master…" Sirgia whimpers beneath us, her sensual sighs growing increasingly more laboured and lustful.

She must have been trying to hold herself back to match with me too, it seems. I chuckle inwardly at that. No surprise my genius wife would think of the exact same thing as I did. Such a dedicated mate of mine. She wants us to cum together even when I'm deep in the seductive Oread.

Well, not like I should be saying that as it's been my intention too.

"I have a present for you." I grunt lightly, capturing her attention. "So enjoy the view to the fullest."

With one last plunge into Ianthe's pleasant channel, I pull completely out, catching a flash of Sirgia's surprised face looking at the action through the created gap as she roughly flicks herself. Her eyes widen at my sly grin, understanding dawning on her in a blink. Her slender fingers line up before her gorgeous slit as I coat my cock with something much slicker than Ianthe's juices and hastily slam it right into the Oread's unexpecting backdoor.

It feels as if the wall vibrates from the woman's orgasmic scream and I let out a satisfied groan too, flooding her ass with waves of hot cum while pumping into her narrow ring a few quick times. Sirgia's slightly subdued and charming moans grace my ears as she rides her own climax after she's thrust her digits between her pouty folds in perfect timing with my shove, watching zealously as Ianthe's empty now pussy spasms, twitches, shivers and spurts more nectar during the Oread's powerful peak.

The three of us slowly come down from our highs and I rest my forehead against the wall, sighing contentedly. As I pull out of Ianthe's ass, Sirgia pushes herself off and stumbles into me, immediately wrapping her gorgeous lips around my member to clean it off. Chuckling at her commendable goodwill, I support her lithe frame as she sucks me clean like it's her favourite activity to do.

When she's done, I bring her up to her feet and invite my Dwarf lover for a deep kiss, caressing her pert behind softly. "Did you like it?"

She lets out a shy giggle. "I did, Master… Watching Ianthe's pussy squirm was very erotic… But it was also a bit… rude…"

"I guess you are right. She's earned that load and I took it away from her. Though, I don't think she's going to complain." I smirk devilishly.

"Definitely not." A quiet laugh escapes her delicate lips again. "What are you going to do now… Master…?"

She glances at me shyly, a hopeful glint in her clever eyes. Sliding my palm down her smooth tummy, I let my fingers run into her hot and very drenched mound, evoking a sharp gasp of need from the lewd Dwarf.

"I could reward you for looking so hard after my mental and physical health, but…" I steal her mouth for a few more kisses, tickling her dainty tongue with mine. "I'm starting to feel bad for Ianthe so let me finish what I started first, alright?"

"I can wait…" Sirgia replies, swaying her hips back and forth to rub herself over my palm. "Please, give her your reward first…"

While I'm sure she speaks the truth, I would hate to set my understanding wife aside once again. Therefore, I decide to try something else. Grabbing Ianthe's protruding butt, I reach inwards for the powers I have gained from her as the Oread Den Mother and feel her slight surprise and confusion as I easily change her body's position inside the wall.

Flipping it over, I set her so that she is facing the ceiling now with her legs spread wide. Her torso cuts off slightly above her belly button and her knees are pulled back, phasing into the vertical surface too. That leaves her pretty pussy fully exposed and her alluring mound becomes even more pronounced, creating such a tempting view. 

I have also brought her a little bit lower in general, which will require me to bend my knees a bit, but this is perfect for my plan.

Helping Sirgia out of the rest of her gear, I make mine disappear too, leaving the three of us completely naked. Perhaps that should have happened a while ago, but I know the two of us enjoyed seeing each other do fairly indecent things while partially clothed. Now, my attractive Dwarf spouse can't help but act even more shy and timid.

Unfortunately, we can't have that for the next part.

So, I grab Sirgia's soft sides and lift her up.

"M-Master?" She flushes stronger, eyeing my waist and raising her knees to the sides as if expecting me to drop her onto my dick just like that.

It's a fun prospect, but not this time.

However, what she does helps me out a tiny bit as I bring her to the overturned Ianthe and sit her down on the Oread's underbelly. Perplexed at my action, Sirgia follows the movements of my hands as I grab her ankle and guide it through the gap between the wall and the other woman's supple thigh. Holding the petite girl steady, I do the same on the other side. Finished, I take a step back and rest my fists against my hips, admiring my creation.

Sirgia glances down and finally grasps the concept, allowing herself an embarrassed giggle. I stand before two spread pussies one atop the other after I have tangled their legs together. This way, I can fuck Ianthe's pale slit to my heart's content while affectionately making out with my genius girl above. Mustering a lot of courage and bravery, that very girl gives me a faint grin and uses her hands to further open up her and the other lady's feminine secrets, showing how ready they are for me, and making my cock twitch in anticipation.

"You naughty little thing…" I mutter under my breath, watching her flush crimson and nibble on her pouty lip.

Before I waver in my resolutions, I approach them again while stroking myself unhurriedly as a form of some payback for this Succubus-like teasing. It certainly works as Sirgia can't take her eyes off it, starting to do more than just spread herself with those capable fingers of hers. Finding myself right in her face, I peer deep into her gorgeous eyes as she stares back into mine, and thrust in.

Sirgia shudders, but then realises that something is wrong, her gaze skipping south. A massive pout twists her dainty lips as she finds me buried balls deep in Ianthe's snatch instead of hers and I openly laugh at such an honest expression. 

She soon joins me and we both snicker and giggle at each other, bringing our foreheads together and starting to brush our mouths in tiny hints of affection. Her hands wander over my chest before moving to my neck and chin, pulling me into a deeper kiss. I let our tongues dance with passion just as my lower half begins drilling a certain snug hole below the two of us.

"And you are calling me a genius, Master..." Sirgia sighs happily into my face. "Will I get my turn too or…?"

"Of course." I rub my cheek against hers until she giggles again. "That's the whole point of this."

In one swift move, I shift my hands from Ianthe's magnificent thighs to Sirgia's lithe frame and slip from one pussy into another.

"Mmmmhhhmmmm~" A delighted moan escapes her as heavenly tightness welcomes my cock into her embrace. "Thank you, Master… Ahhhhh~ Ahhh~ Ahhhhhnnn~"

We make out lovingly as I explore her small slit the way she always likes. Showing how thoughtful and considerate she is, my crafty wife caresses our companion's folds as we go at it, not leaving Ianthe aside. I join her with one hand and soon we are both fingering the sexy Oread to the rhythm of my pounding.

"Ahhhh~ Ahhhh~ Ahhhh~ Switch to her, Master… Ahhh~" Sirgia requests out of kindness and I politely oblige.

Another quick slide back and forth and I'm drilling Ianthe's channel once more. The moans I've been enjoying so much are replaced with quieter sighs and hums as my petite lover refocuses on kissing me. Honestly, it feels a little weird making a mess out of someone's pussy so much it splatters you both with lots of nectar and hear not a single squeak from the owner, the only thing present being obscene sounds of intense sex.

I guess I should be used to it already though, after spending my time with the cute Hecate.

Ianthe's slim channel constricts at me more, bringing both of us to higher peaks of pleasure, but I can feel her not being fully there yet. A bit confused, I let my gaze slide over Sirgia's exquisite front, stopping only briefly at her modest breasts, and locate the cause right away. The sly Dwarf is pushing her butt into our companion's underbelly as she sits atop it, making Ianthe even tighter than before as the action applies additional pressure onto her vagina from outside.

And she has the gall to grin at me mischievously too, this girl.

Making use of her little trick, I pound into the alluring Oread with everything I have while setting my forehead against Sirgia's, glaring at her fiercely so she understands perfectly well what awaits her when I'm done with my current partner. Her breathing hitches at my intense gaze and her fingers start rubbing her mound faster. My palms sinking into the silver flesh of the Den Mother, I speed up and up until it feels like the very room is shaking from the mighty hammering.

Not waiting for her to burst this time, I plunge myself into her depths and release first, coating her lascivious passage and needy womb with the hot creamy delicacy. Ianthe peaks right when my seed crashes into her sensitive insides and I feel her quiver in my grasp, giving the exquisite lady a few more thrusts for a good measure while she jolts.

Pulling out after she's enjoyed my presence enough, I admire the sight alongside Sirgia, watching both of her enticing holes drip with my love. The scheming Dwarf doesn't stop masturbating for a second so I immediately drive my still-hard cock into that unashamed pussy, evoking a wanton yelp and a strong shiver from my beloved.

"Master! Ahhhhnnn!" Sirgia wraps her arms around my neck as I give her what has been promised. "Please! Harder!"

Looks like she's been left wanting for too long if she is so desperate. It's my responsibility to satisfy the needs of my mates so I give her what she desires without a second thought.

"Ahhhn! Ahnnn! Ahhhhn!" My petite Dwarf can only tickle my ear with her melodic voice amidst all the pleasure. "I'm going to cum, Master! Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahnnnnnnnnn!"

She shudders once more as I drive her off the edge. Pushing Sirgia into the wall with my much broader body, I keep nailing her tiny mound to it as she moans up a storm, cumming and cumming over my cock for a good minute after she's been stimulated so much by watching me fuck Ianthe and occasionally stick it in her. I kiss and nibble on her neck during her entire high, showering her with all of my love and affection.

We stay connected even after she fully finishes, her soft breaths calming down atop my shoulder. I caress my lover's hair and back, waiting for Sirgia to complete relishing in this bliss and comfort. With a quiet moan, she pulls herself straight to look right into my smiling face and places the tiniest of kisses on my lips.

"Thank you, Master," she whispers with a precious little grin. "You are too good for us, always playing along even if you don't have to."

Snickering lightly, I boop her on the nose. "Don't underestimate how fun it is for me to take part in your mischiefs. I want to make love to all of you. It makes me happy. And I'm sure this little guy agrees."

My gaze flicks to my waist and she giggles sweetly, wiggling her hips a bit to rub me against her comfy insides. But, we can't stay like this forever so I slowly pull myself out while letting Sirgia observe every moment of it, including me plopping out of her puffy folds, making her sigh longingly.

Since she keeps holding onto me, I bring her out of the leglock and place the freshly-fucked Dwarf by my side. She takes it gladly, snuggling to my chest with lots of affection. Next, I message our friend to let her know that the fun is over and pull on these marvellous thighs, phasing the rest of the proud Nymph into the room.

Ianthe slips instantly and falls into my arms, her knees so weak they actually tremble a bit. She groans and whimpers into me, making Sirgia chuckle lightly. 

I snort and give Ianthe's butt a good smack. "That's what you get for tempting me."

Knowing well that the bath won't be of use, we open the suitcase instead and go clean ourselves in our own facilities. Submerged in steaming water, our stone friend recovers quickly and gushes about how magnificent the dicking she received was and how incredible it is to be fucked without seeing or hearing anything, taken completely by surprise and unexpectedly drilled hard without having the inkling of an idea about when, how, where, and how roughly.

I might have just awakened something new in her by accident.

After we dry up, I suggest moving to the bedroom, but the girls insist on returning to the inn. I agree to it since I'm all for experiencing the full package. Back in our rented place, I first use a bit of magic to clean the completely messed up wall and the floor below it. It kind of looks like a full-blown orgy happened here instead of a simple threesome.

Nymphs are just something else.

And well, I guess Primordials too.

We choose to give the current bed a try. As previously considered, I wrap myself around Sirgia's petite body and cuddle up with my short Dwarf near the edge of the mattress. Ianthe embraces me from behind, pressing her impressive peaks into my back. Somehow, we manage to fit in and doze off together, basking in the aftermath of our intimate moment.

In the morning, we dress up and ready to head down for breakfast. Ianthe declines our invitation, not wanting to cause trouble, and disappears into the wall to fetch her sisters and the rest of our group before the departure. The two of us show Diana our appreciation for her guarding duty with a lot of fluffing, rubbing, and kissing. She's clearly not used to being smothered in love but accepts it with her tail swinging like crazy. Diving into my shadow afterwards, she urges us to continue with our day while she protects us from within the darkness.

We get a few unusual looks when we get to the table and order something to eat so it seems like a bunch of people heard Ianthe's initial scream of ecstasy. Worried about my image, Sirgia hops into my lap and starts acting very lovey-dovey, making it more than obvious how happy she is to be in my hands. So, I play along and we feed each other while chatting and laughing together. At some point, we kind of forget that it's an act and she even nuzzles her face into my cheek as I pepper her in kisses.

Our bellies sated and the patrons perplexed, we head for our main objective. Hopefully, the rumours about us that are going to spread from here will be more positive than negative. I can bear being called Dwarf Lover or even Dwarf Fucker rather than Dwarf Abuser.

The town is brimming with life from the early morning so I hoist Sirgia up onto my shoulders once more and push through the crowd, receiving some bewildered stares. She leads us to the address we received from the clerk yesterday and spots our potential client before I do, enjoying the height advantage.

"Looks like things aren't going well for her just as we expected," she comments thoughtfully.

"Should I let you meet her first so that you can ease her into it?" I ask.

Sirgia shakes her head, tapping my cheek to let her down. "No. If she doesn't accept Master even in the middle of a serious crisis, she doesn't deserve our help."

So, we continue together as I get the first look at the distressed lady. She is the owner of a small open wagon loaded with crates, boxes, barrels, and chests. It's not in the best state but doesn't show any major issues. Looks like she is done packing and the only thing she still needs to take care of is to attach it to a horse.

And find an escort, I guess. I don't see anyone in such a role anywhere around.

Mevana Shaftmiller is an embodiment of a true female Dwarf. She has this stocky and short build, being of similar height to Sirgia. But, that's where the similarities end. While male Dwarves tend to either be round or brawny, their women usually fall into categories such as plump or stout. The current specimen standing before my eyes seems to fall somewhere in between and is best described as deliciously thick.

Her hips and shoulders are as wide as mine, which paired with her short stature creates an interesting combination. I could fit almost two Sirgias side by side in her place with how thin and petite my Dwarf lover is. Her racial sister has just so much body, and from what I can see, it's not exactly all folds and rolls of fat.

No, instead she looks very healthy and even to some extent lean for someone this wide and bodily. She has thighs for days that have no idea what a gap is, childbearing hips begging to be grabbed, a hefty and firm trunk proudly poking out, a broad and captivating waistline you could rest your head for hours on, massive tits still in the realm of logic and possibility, thick and brawny arms that speak of dedication to a craft, and to top all of that, an attractive and round face with big doe eyes, lusciously plump lips, and chubby cheeks currently twisted into a fierce expression due to significant anger. She dons her dusty red hair short while keeping two braided loops extending to the side from behind her head, one of the traditional hairdos for young girls of her kind.

I blame all my mates and partners for turning me into a man who starts to wonder what she looks like under her clothes, which certainly hide quite a bit of the mentioned features. Though, the tight leather pants, green linen shirt, and hardened brown hide vest strain to conceal all those enviable curves. I might not be a Dwarf, but I know when I see someone who takes good care of themselves and elicits numerous jealous stares.

Not to say that the women we've passed before were just fat and ugly, of course. My eyes wandered to a chest or ass once in a while and Mevana isn't exactly unique with her build, but most seem content letting themselves go a bit over the chubby level. Even if our potential client was a bit plumper than right now she would still be worthy of a more thorough physical examination.

Nevertheless, I get rid of any unnecessary thoughts as we near our target, who is currently engaged in a heated discussion with a heavily bearded Dwarf guy, belonging to the bloated category. They exchange lots of expletives while shaking their fists at each other, and let me tell you, the lady is not losing. A smile makes it onto my lips as she curses the poor bastard like an old sailor with a grudge. I bet she could whack some sense into that thick skull of his too if only she wanted.

Sirgia decides to walk up to them instead of waiting and I follow slightly behind her.

"Fuck off you ugly cunt! If you think I'm gonna fall for this moronic scam then your whore of a mother must have dropped you on the floor after childbirth, slipped on your vile mug, and smashed that sorry excuse of a dick the size of a fucking pinky into a mush with her fat and wrinkled ass!" Mavena shouts furiously. "Disappear before I crush your rotten balls to complete the job she couldn't bring herself to finish after mutilating you badly enough!"

The man is so red he seems on the verge of attacking, but noticing our approach, he just spits at her boots and stomps away, shoving aside anyone daring to obstruct his path. She scowls at the action and kneels to wipe her shoe off with a cloth.

"Fucker cost me a full dinner and now doesn't even find it honourable to pay back... Disgusting swine…" the stormy woman mutters to herself, then finally spots my dainty wife next to her. "What? Want a piece of me too, huh? Get out of here before I fold you in half, Sticky. I'm not in the mood for more swindlers and two-faced assholes."

Sirgia sighs softly, shaking her head. "I understand why you are so angry, but we just want to talk. A clerk from the trading centre directed us to you. If you calm down a little, we could see if it's possible to come to an understanding regarding your departure."

"Hah! You should have come yesterday if you still hoped for me even to consider believing you, lanky bitch." Mevana sneers to the side. "I want you gone before I get up or it won't end as nicely as for the last guy."

My gentle companion rubs her eyes. "Who did you even offend to wind up like this…"

The woman stands up and spins towards her, pushing a finger into her chest and getting right into her face. "Listen here, you little shit. You know nothing about me, you understand? So get your underfed, malnourished, teeny weeny little ass out of my sight before I shove whatever pitiful trace of tits you still have back inside your chest with my fists! Begone!"

Resting a hand on Sirgia's shoulder, I stop behind my mate and look down at them. "That would be an extremely unwise thing to attempt, in my honest opinion."

Mevana's eyes widen to the brim as her face rises to meet mine and meets my serious expression. She stumbles back onto her thick ass and pales a bit, looking aghast.

"Humans?!" She lets out a startled squeak.

I glance around myself. "Are you drunk or in need of glasses?"

Sirgia steps closer, extending a hand to the fallen girl. "That's Alastair, a Human mercenary and my current escort. We are heading the same way so I'm looking to join someone. Most merchants won't accept a single guard so we came to ask if you wouldn't like some assistance. We can form an agreement at the trading centre if you wish to."

Mevana looks between my mate's delicate face and proffered hand. For a moment, it looks like she is going to take it, but she smacks it away instead, standing by herself with a scoff.

"Don't bother. I can't afford to hire another just to have them bail on me twelve hours later." She pats her clothes out, which does things to her voluptuous chest. "You are better off trying elsewhere. No one here will join us."

"We aren't from here," Sirgia replies calmly. "Therefore, we don't care what others might say about either of us. As I said, I don't know who might be the one finding fault with you, which I assume is correct after seeing your earlier reaction, but I'm a Forgegraver, so the chances that they can do anything to me are near zero."

The burly girl's eyes bulge out at the unexpected reveal, beads of sweat starting to gather on her forehead. "I—"

"Not the main branch," my kind wife cuts in and the woman relaxes visibly. "But, they don't need to know that."

Mevana bites her lower lip, glancing between us hesitantly. "I'm… grateful. Really. But I meant it when I said literally no one will join even if we go looking or offer a mountain of gold. Every single person I spoke to has either straight up turned me down or changed their mind before the day ended. Or like the last guy and his crew, dined and wined on my tab promising miracles just to fuck off a moment ago. Fuckers were even offered a percent of the profit from sales as payment after arrival."

"That's perfect, then." Sirgia nods to herself.

"What?" The merchant lady blinks at her stupidly.

My tiny mate taps my chest with the back of her hand. "Mast—Alastair is the owner of the strongest mercenary troupe in the Human Kingdom. Others would only get in his way. We have been planning to find a transport we could go alone with or simply continue our travels on our own. I assure you that you and your goods can't be any safer with him by your side."

Judging by the sceptical look on her face, Mevana isn't too inclined to instantly believe such boastful words, but I don't think I can do anything to show off without causing a bigger scene on the street. People are already staring and gossiping.

"Assuming that's true, it sounds way above my payroll." She grunts quietly.

"How many people were in the group that ditched you?" I ask.

"Ten. Why?" Mevana glances up at me.

"I'll ask for one-tenth of what they wanted, then," I reply, stroking my chin. "It was a delayed payment, right?"

"One-tenth?" Her brows pinch together. "But that… might end up almost nothing if my stuff doesn't sell really well. And considering how much trouble I have even with finding people for transport…"

Worrying about the morality of the deal instead of taking it right away shows a hint of her real self underneath that tough and foulmouthed shell she seems to be surrounding herself with. She is also conscious of her situation, making it clear that there are some smarts accompanying that pretty face. Sirgia notices it too, a faint smile curling her pouty lips up.

"I'm not exactly in need of money right now so I'll take that gamble." I smirk confidently. "Just do me a favour and share your experience with your friends and associates after the task is completed. That would do much more for me than a few coins in my pocket."

Gazing up at me with a gradually softening expression, which I have to say makes the short lady so much more charming, she then grimaces and flicks her hand dismissively.

"Doesn't matter anyway. It's not like I'm going anywhere." She turns away from us and puts her stout hands on her flaring hips, sighing heavily.

"Why?" Sirgia tilts her head, trying to figure out why she's suddenly giving up.

"The horse I rented fell ill. Just look into that shed and see how full of shit it is. Poor bastard's asshole turned into a boundless turd fountain." Mevana snickers to herself dejectedly then sighs again. "I should have kept my stupid mouth shut. Fucking idiot."

The latter part appears to not have been meant for us to hear but we can't help picking it up due to our sharpened senses. It's obvious she's been sabotaged even in that regard. The victim is most likely aware of that too. I can't help but pity the woman a little, and sharing a glance with Sirgia, it becomes clear that she does too. 

A flicker of understanding passes between us and we smile at each other warmly.

"Does it have to be that horse pulling your wagon?" I turn to my upcoming employer and travelling companion.

Mevana glances back at us. "At this point, I would do with a half-dead donkey, but it's not like anyone is going to sell me one."

Sirgia walks up to the front of the coach and eyeballs the space meant for a draft animal, shooting me a tiny nod.

"Then I think I have a solution for you." I grin at the curvy merchant cryptically. "And it won't cost you a copper. What do you say?"

She swallows thickly and takes a deep breath. "That sounds like a deal with the devil, but whatever, I have already reached the bottom. Give it to me, pretty boy."

I overlook her little snip, chalking it up to her nerves and desperation, and snap my fingers. Shadows pool at my feet and Diana emerges from the darkness, jumping into the spot between the two wooden beams extending from the cart. Her fierce snout gives one of them a few sniffs before she directs her striking purple eyes our way, her tail flicking lightly against the driver's bench.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I look towards Mevana. "So, what do you—"

Just to see the red-haired woman flop onto her back with her eyes rolled up. She recreates the perfect impression of a starfish on the stone pavement as a few squeaks and yelps echo from the opposite direction, where I'm fairly sure the spectators have been gathering this entire time.

Sirgia's charming giggles reach my ears as I scratch my head. "Looks like that was a tiny bit too much…"

Well, some say how you enter is the most important factor, but I think nothing leaves people talking as hard as a memorable exit.

And thankfully, we are just on our way out.