The next few days passed without major incidents. Sigrid kicked him out of bed every morning and dragged him to class. He took both Introduction to Geomancy and Introduction to Pyromancy in parallel. Jarl had never liked studying and unfortunately the College was no different. There were some interesting moments when the Masters demonstrated magic, but most of it was just theory and safety precautions. Apparently, it was quite common that acolytes accidentally burned off non-insignificant parts of their or their fellow student's bodies or made buildings collapse in on themselves, to the chagrin of everyone around them, most of all the finance department. Furthermore, Mirja spent more and more time with her new friends and only came to visit quickly every evening to replenish the bond. After he confronted her, she had confessed that she had been drawing power from him ever since the first time they coupled. She claimed that she was almost at the second tier of Coitumancy and first tier of Procreamancy, but she was not allowed to pass any tests until she had mastered the theory. And he did not have to worry about siring any children with her, at least not until she wanted to. Jarl had done a second take at that, but she just laughed and told him not to worry. She had made it up to him several times that night. But, as Sacreday evening approached Jarl was getting bored.
"I am going to go find Irese," he told Sigrid as the fifth bell chimed and the study week was officially over.
Sigrid frowned. He had been studying up until the bell rang, just as they had agreed. It was kind of hard arguing with someone who threatened to cut your fingers off if you disobeyed. But he couldn't argue that the threats worked. He had learned quite a bit about both basic elementical properties of common objects and symptoms of magical overuse in the last four hours. The artefact that Mistress Varja had created for him not only let him understand and speak Imperial. It worked on reading as well. He could not tell that the texts were in Imperial, it looked like Nordheimr as soon as he wore the medallion. As soon as he took it off it was the same gibberish as it had been before.
"What?"
"I did not say anything," she said adjusting her armor and counting all her knives.
She did that when she was upset. He had started to get to know his bodyguard by now. Not that there had been much to guard against. He had gotten into a shouting match with the Idiot the day before. It was much easier now that he could understand what the git said and could answer in kind. But Sigrid ended all the fun when she pushed Jarl away.
"Are you coming?" Jarl said and located the piece of paper that Irese had given him as they debarked the Longrunner.
Sigrid grunted.
"Was that a yes?"
She nodded.
"Good. Let's go," Jarl said and headed out with Sigrid three steps behind.
They headed down the hill passing the inn that Jarl now knew was called Fortune's Favors where he spent most evenings. He asked directions from a merchant after he had purchased two steaming meat pies from the man. It was about half a bell's walk away. They could have hired a cartrunner, the damn things were just everywhere, but Jarl felt like walking. Sigrid did not comment. They passed out from the College Hill district and entered the Parchent Hill district. Jarl had no idea why it was called that, but it was where they were going. It was lucky that Irese was just the next district over, Jarl had learnt that Eldor had no less than forty-six districts and it took more than a day to walk from one end of the city proper to the other. Then there were the adjoining villages. It was huge.
Parchent Hill had less book shops and stationary shops than College Hill, but far more inns and pubs. It was a sprawling place. Merchants were trying to outsell each other, and Jarl ended up with no less than four walking sticks before Sigrid grabbed his purse and forbade him to buy any more. They stopped for another quick bite before he asked a young woman for directions and got a strange look and a smile as she pointed up the street they were on. Ten drops later they stood outside of the establishment she had indicated.
"Right," Jarl said as he looked up at the very graphical portrait of a woman and a man in an anatomically difficult position. "Do you think that they have hung it upside down?" Jarl asked and tried tilting his head.
Sigrid grunted.
"Nope. It is the right way around. Let's head inside shall we?"
Sigrid grunted again. A wall of perfume hit Jarl as he stepped past the threshold. The reception room was decorated with even more of the though-provoking paintings. I must get me some of those, Jarl thought as he looked up at a spectacle including no less than six people and what looked like a misshapen table with ... anatomical parts.
"May I help you sir?" said a woman's voice from behind him.
Jarl turned around. A middle-aged woman with a long green gown was looking up at him. She was a nexus of eyelashes and long nails, as well as being a significant source of the perfume scent.
"Ah. Yes. I am looking for a woman named Irese," he said smiling widely.
The woman blinked once and then smiled at him.
"You mean miss Shayla," she said nodding.
"Do I?"
"He does," said Sigrid from behind him.
The woman beamed.
"Come, come. She will be ready in just a moment. May I offer something to drink beforehand?"
Jarl let himself be led into an adjoining room and did not complain when a bottle was opened, and a glass poured and put into his hand.
"Will your friend be joining as well?" the woman asked as Jarl sipped the drink.
Jarl looked over at Sigrid.
"Good question. Will you be joining?" he asked with a smirk.
The Sister's hand twitched and reached for her knives that Jarl knew were located inside her thick leather belt. Her hand stopped halfway, and she shook her head.
"Voyeurs are half price."
"Voyeur will be fine," Jarl said taking a big gulp of the drink that burned its way down his throat. "Won't it?" he said looking at Sigrid.
She stared at him for a blink. Then she nodded.
"Excellent," the woman said. "Miss Shayla will be ready in just a few drops. Make yourselves comfortable in the meanwhile. I am madam De Launay. If you need me just pull one of the velvet cords and I will be with you shortly," the woman said backing out of the room.
"Well, well," Jarl said after the woman had left. "So, our Irese is a lady of the night. Who would have guessed?"
Sigrid sighed and rolled her eyes and went to stand by the window looking out. Jarl leaned back in the soft chair and looked up at an inspiring painting in the ceiling. Hundreds of little creatures out of fairytales were performing the most debased acts. Jarl nodded approvingly.
"My prince," came Irese's voice from the door.
Jarl looked over at her and stood up. She took a step into the room. Sigrid turned around by the window. Irese startled at the sight of her and then a look came over her face that Jarl couldn't interpret.
"Irese," Jarl said walking towards her. "So good to see you again."
He took her hand and kissed it. Irese smiled widely. She was wearing a long red dress that accentuated her large bosom. Jarl tried his best to keep his eyes on hers and almost succeeded.
"Shall we?" Irese said indicating one of the stairs.
They ascended together and Irese let them into a room that was dominated by a large bed with a silken ceiling.
"This is where you work?"
Jarl looked around the room. It was actually very nice. Heavy tapestries covered the walls and the two windows overlooked a small park.
"As if you didn't know," Irese said pouring three glasses of liquor.
Jarl looked at her. She was offering one of the glasses to Sigrid who refused. Irese looked confused and put the glass down on the windowsill and went over to Jarl.
"I didn't. Not until today. Is it a good place?"
"As Parlors go, I cannot complain," Irese said smiling and throwing a look at Sigrid, the sister was staring out the window.
"Is this one of the ones run by the College?"
Irese let out a laugh.
"Oh no. We are a regular establishment, you have nothing to worry about," she said smiling.
Jarl smiled back but did not quite understand what she meant. He nodded, that always did the trick. He took a step towards her and pressed a kiss on her lips. She leaned in towards him and sighed.
"I did miss you," she whispered. "I ..." she trailed off.
"I promise that I'll come visit more often. And you are always welcome up at the College whenever you want."
Irese looked up at him with a curious look in her eyes. Then she smiled and shook her head.
