Skyler and Diantha

“Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred.” The merchant counted as he let the silver coins fall into Skyler’s open hand. “That’s what we agreed upon.”
The black dire wolf nodded: “Yes, it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
The two had retreated into the humans warehouse so they would be safe from the bustle of the street and the pickpockets there. The wolf let the coins rain into a small purse that then vanished into his doublet: “Thank you, just make sure you avoid the southern route next time you travel to Mahenandra.” Skyler said.
“Would you like to come to my brother’s tavern?” The merchant asked.
“No thanks, I have other plans.” Skyler replied as he turned and left. Immediately, he was surrounded by the heat, the humidity and the noise of the city. Despite the civil war that had raged for a while all over the countryside, Kolmarkarr was still – or again, a busy trade center. A place, where you could see travelers from all over Western Thylis: Humans from the free cities along the coast. Foxes from the northern forests, wolves from the plains and hyenas from the desert. The majority of the population consisted of humans and felines though, mostly cats. They loved the head and the luxury of this land – very much unlike Skyler who was more used to the temperate climate to the north. But he was a warrior, he could deal with such a minor inconvenience and after all, this journey had been well worth it. One hundred silver, really not bad. He should save a part of it for his clan back to the north. They loved metal and fine fabrics they couldn’t craft themselves and maybe, he could even get something nice for his girls back home.

The male looked around attentively. With all that money, he needed to be careful but few would dare to try and steal from a tall, athletic warrior like he was. Especially when he was wearing his light armor and sword by his side. This was the first time he was this far south in all these years he went out adventuring and in a sense, this city was overwhelming. He had been in the cities of the empire, but those were spread out over larger areas, with open squares and broad streets. Nothing like this busy anthill of various species and languages. And still, he was quite happy that he was here finally.

How long had it been? Two years? Maybe even three that they had met the last time? During his adventures he had teamed up with a feline from this land occasionally. At their first meeting he had valued her as of little use. She wasn’t particularly strong, nor an expert in close or ranged combat. She didn’t know how to open locks or disarm traps and she certainly wasn’t able to cast spells. And still, she had managed to convince him to team up and he had learned that Diantha indeed had other skills. She had been able to solve a few dangerous situations with a seductive glance or her connections. She knew how to talk to nobles as well as to bandits and well, while not the world’s best fighter, she sure knew how to defend herself.

She did have to return home due to some responsibilities she had but had told Skyler where he could find her. Now it was just a matter of finding the “delighted king” this city just had too many taverns.

It took Skyler at least one hour to find the tavern, even though he asked a number of times, it was just too easy getting lost in the narrow streets and one house looked like the other with these clay and wood buildings. Anyway, he finally made it. Looking up, he grinned at the ragged depiction of a crowned person with a goblet in his hand, dancing or something. The “delighted king”. Skyler caught himself setting his robe straight before he entered. Why? He could hear from the singing and shouting indoors that it certainly wasn’t a nobleman’s court and he knew Diantha for quite a while now. Still, he didn’t want to appear as an unwashed, rude barbarian in front of her.

As he opened the door, warmth and the smell of food reached his nose. A few oil lamps cast their light into the room but it was still somewhat dim at least in the more remote corners.

Roughly half the chairs were seated, it was well visited but now crowded. Few took notice of him and those who did soon returned to their beer, their chatting or their gambling. The wolf let his gaze wander through the room. He saw a few humans, a lot of felines and members of different, more exotic species – at least, exotic in this part of the world. But he didn’t see the brown cat he was looking for.

Skyler wades his way to the bar. The innkeeper, an elder human with a turban wrapped around his head greeted him with a simple nod.
“You have a beer for me?” Skyler asked.
“Certainly.” The innkeeper replied, turned to tap one and then placed the crock onto the wooden bar right in front of the warrior.
“You’re new here?” The innkeeper said.
“Is that so obvious?” Skyler replied.
“Well yes, you are wearing traveling clothes and your kind is rare here. But don’t worry, we get a lot of foreigners here. So, what brings you to Kolmarkarr?”
“My work.” Skyler replied, petting his sword by his side.
“Ah, you’re a mercenary, a bodyguard maybe.” The innkeeper replied.
“Yes, kind of.”
“So you want to spend some time while waiting for another assignment?”
“Yeah, maybe, to tell the truth, I didn’t think about what to do next, but I’m here because I’m looking for someone.”
“Oh, and that someone would be?” The innkeeper asked.
“A friend of mine. Her name is Diantha, you know her?”
“Oh, of course I do know her.” The innkeepers facial features lit up.
“Where can I find her?” Skyler asked.
“Oh, just wait here, drink your beer and relax, I’m sure she will be here later today.”

The young wolf did as he was told. From time to time, his ears would flicker as he listened to the talks in the tavern. It was the usual talk. Some needed to tell about the adventures on their journeys, others wanted to share their knowledge of dangers of the possibilities of successful trade. Many just bragged with their achievements while others were interested in what lay closer by. Where there was good food, good entertainment or the most skilled prostitutes in this town. Nothing of it interested Skyler in particular and so he emptied not one, but three mugs of beer before he heard a kind of turmoil in the back of the inn. Some tables were moved, guests left their places and lined up along the wooden wall and additional oil lamps were lit. Definitely, this caught Skyler, all the more as four musicians. One with a flute, one with an unfamiliar string instrument and two with drums entered and took a seat next to the now open spot.

Curiously, the Wolf turned around just in time to see a heavy, red curtain being pushed aside by two slender hands. With a smile, he recognized the feline that stepped through the now open curtain. She smiled to her audience and the wolf had to grin as well when he noticed the wide open eyes, mostly of the male audience. The cat had always been an attractive female and she had never been shy about showing that. But now, here, it was a different level. Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders and her back, accenting her pointy ears decorated with gold rings, gold also shimmered on her forehead and on her arms and wrists. Even her dancer outfit was outlined with golden decorations, while that bra and her high cut skirt were from red silk. The dancer outfit showed not only her delightful cleavage, but also her toned abdomen, her long, slender legs and that shapely behind, leaving just enough to keep her audience’s imagination busy.

Her yellow eyes sparkled from joy and excitement as the music started to play. Slow and heavy drum beats and an almost sad song played on the flute as she started to sway and wave left and right. She took a step forward, exposing her long leg, then rolled her hips seductively before moving back again, then she lifted those arms up and turned, always following the music with every step she took. As she did so, she saw Skyler and for the blink of an eye, their gazes met. No one else might have noticed it, but the male knew that her seductive look was only directed towards him.

She kept on dancing, moving left and right, her upper body remaining almost unmoved as she swayed her hips and moved her legs, then again her entire body seemed like a grass stalk moving in the wind. The music soon became faster, more demanding and she too accelerated her movements, bending and flexing, leaning backwards to accent her chest nicely causing some in the audience to let out sounds of approval as she did so. All the time, a smile remained on her face as if that was just a game for her, an enjoyable dance that seemed to just flow from her effortlessly.

Soon, she whirled, her skirt flying from her hips, even revealing the panties she wore underneath and as she kept on dancing, she slowly advanced. Two steps forward, than one back again, one forward, one to the side, locking gazes with Skyler from time to time. As it became more obvious what her destination was, Skyler got up as well, standing and watching. Many of the watchers clapped their hands to the challenging sound of the music by now and Diantha matched the heavy beats as her body seemed to flex and jerk to it. As she was only an arm’s length away from Skyler, she again turned around, back towards him, smiling for her audience as she took one more step back and reached behind her. Her left hand stroke over Skyler’s exposed thigh for a fried moment as she turned her head and smiled at him, her right arm moved up and then reached around as well, touching him at his shoulder before she whirled around. The wolf reacted immediately, wrapping his arm around her waist as she turned.

“Don’t dare to leave after my performance.” She whispered into his ear, then she ran two, three steps, sank down onto her knees, before jumping up like a bird taking flight. A moment later, her movement seemed to stop as the music did and then her slow, fluent movement started again, her arms stretched out, the muscles of her abdomen flexing and rolling like they had a will of their own. And as the drums became more challenging, she moved faster again, jiggling her chest, the jewels jingling. She stepped back further, turned around, then her hands flew to her back and the moment the curtain closed again, her bra fell.

The audience cheered and acclaimed, many had gotten up, males and females were excited, but after a while, the cheering waned again and the guests returned to their chatting and drinking. Skyler too sat down, looking into his mug, grinning inwardly as he waited.