The feast and Edna's background

The feast had succeeded, and the townspeople were trying to go beyond their limits as they tried to really empty all the barrels in town. After all, their count would pay for it, and that was a joyous rarity they had never experienced before.

Mortis worried about how Edna would be received by the people, but to his surprise, dwarves were very welcome. Mortis thought it might be the mentality, as both races like to party and both like to talk plain. He quickly noticed this when he saw how Edna dealt with others. So in the evening he became curious about the dwarf woman who followed him so readily and accepted the quick proposal.

Edna told Mortis that she had experienced a lot of hatred and oppression because of her anomaly and was always called an elf, which didn't suit her at all because she too was a follower of the dark alves. But that wasn't even the worst of it. She just kept feeling drawn to the outside, where the light is. When she realized she had talent for being a Druid, it became even more complicated, because she really wasn't drawn to her people. So she decided to run away from home and stay with the humans, since the races didn't act very different after all, except that she was a dwarf to the humans, regardless of her hair color.

Mortis smiled and loosened up. "Oh, that's good. I was beginning to think you'd escaped because of an arranged marriage, and I'd have to be careful who I met on your continent lest I be pursued by some clan." But Edna smiled wryly, took a sip from her cup, and turned slowly so she wouldn't have to look Mortis in the eye. "Don't tell me there's more to come?" asked Mortis.

"Well, even though the normal people liked to make fun of me, there were some clans that showed interest in me. And when my parents decided that I should get married, I disappeared," said Edna a little nervously.

Mortis looked deep into Edna's eyes and said, "I can understand that many are after you. Besides, it would be boring to have a peaceful journey through your continent. So let them just try to separate you from me. I'm not giving you away anymore." Edna turned all red and just nodded.

When a question crossed Mortis' mind and then he asked her seriously, "Why did you follow me right away and why did you choose me as your partner when even some other nobles were after you?" Edna was caught off guard by the question and thought again herself. Then she smiled and said, "Because you make me feel as if I were an exposed forest, bursting with life. Also, you're very strong."

Mortis got a smug smile on his face and straightened his sleeve as Helga sat down on his lap and said, "Yes, strong he is. After all, he carried me several miles when I was unconscious. Isn't that right, my darling?" asked Helga, not waiting for an answer but giving him a kiss right away. When they disengaged, Mortis said, "Of course, darling. I see you are getting better and better. I'm glad," said Mortis, gently stroking Helga's cheeks.

But before things got more romantic and they both lost themselves in each other's eyes, a soldier nervously cleared his throat. "Sir, we have some guests from Bayreuth." "We have what?" asked Mortis, and when he turned around, he saw Count Lares of Bayreuth standing with his wife, the count smiling while scowling. Helga got off her lap so Mortis could stand up and greet the other count. "It is an honor, Count Bayreuth, to welcome you to my city," Mortis said. But the count only looked around to find his daughter, and when he saw her, he rushed toward her with his wife, ignoring Mortis. "Why did I get up in the first place? Was clear what was happening?" he grumbled to himself, watching as the count and countess bombarded them with questions.

Valeria, sitting next to Leonie, had to slide to make room for the newcomers. As she did so, she slid over to Jasmin and her parents, who were chatting happily and wondering when their daughter would produce offspring. Jasmin would have preferred to sink into the ground, but Valeria got it all and added to it. "Yes, Jasmin, when is the time? Tonight would be a good opportunity. Tomorrow there are preparations and then we won't see him for a long time, because Lumina is hogging him. After that, it's Marina's turn right away. So it's today or never. As a concubine, you don't have to wait until the wedding. If you want, I'll even help you."

Jasmine would have liked to slap Valeria, but when her mother also almost pushed her off the chair and she thus fell into Valeria's arms, she was completely helpless. But then something shocking happened: Valeria suddenly stood up and pulled her toward Mortis with all the strength she could muster. Mortis was surprised to see both of them standing in front of him, but he asked coolly, "What can I do for my cat and my dancer? What is your desire?"

Valeria didn't think twice and whispered in Mortis' ear, "Tonight is our turn. After all, you'll leave me a long stretch then. So, my darling, I'll see you later." Then Valeria pulled Jasmin further towards the castle.

Mortis smiled and wondered if he should start running right away. But he didn't want to seem like a wild dog. Besides, he wanted to take advantage of the festival to get more impressions of his people and everything that was around him. But as soon as there was some calm again and there was some space, Helga and Edna moved closer to him to cuddle and pick up pats. Mortis and the soldiers supervised everything so that the feast was not ruined and nothing bad happened, while the population kept drinking.

After a few hours Mortis had had enough, since he didn't drink anything anyway, and neither did his wives. Only Edna had drunk some beer, complaining that it was more like water. As they walked to the castle, the Count of Bayreuth naturally followed, preferring not to leave Leonie's side. But when he suggested staying, she and her mother pushed him through the portal into the cellar. Kathrin watched the spectacle while Lumina was in the castle a little earlier to put the children to bed. She did so gladly and could hardly hide her anticipation of getting married soon.

Mortis stood nervously outside his room. After all, he didn't really know what to make of being caught between the two. If he did it with Kathrin and Valeria together, he would be the center of attention. Besides, Kathrin had no other inclination, so he could open up there. But now he actually felt quite uncomfortable. Because he didn't want to force himself on Jasmin, and when he thought about her sexual inclination, he already wanted to turn around and rather make it look like they did it while they slept next to each other in bed just for one night. But now Valeria was in the room, and if he left, rumors could spread. For if Mortis had overheard anything, it was that these walls had more than just ears. Here, strangely enough, everyone seemed to overhear everything.

So Mortis swallowed his doubts and entered the room where Valeria and Jasmin were waiting for him in their nightgowns. Mortis smiled sheepishly, because it seemed that his thoughts had run away with him, and he thought he would find them differently.