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Copyright 2014 by High Smut
All characters and events in this story are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
*****
THE TRIALS OF VALERIYA
BACK IN BONDS
Chapter 1 (of 15)
Vorderreuth, Alfeld
Summer, 1003
The Plodding Mammoth inn was packed to the rafters. The stagnant air smelled of a peculiar combination of wood smoke, fried mutton, freshly hurled mead and men-sweat. The din of merrymaking was loud enough to rival even those of the fabled dwarven mead halls.
These Alfelders know how to have a good time.
Valeriya upended her drink and slammed the empty tankard down on the bar-top. "Another one, Ser Innkeeper!" she shouted merrily.
Valeriya had been drinking since eventide—mostly without having to pay for the drinks herself. Well, not pay with coin that is. Her stunning looks, paired with a loose sense of modesty meant that she was instantly popular in any public houses she walked into. If she overlooked the occasional stroking of her bare back and thighs, or the recurrent groping of her scantily-clad bottom, Valeriya figured she could get an unending river of mead flowing her way. Although those hands possessing the habit or tarrying on no-man's-business, usually find themselves broken or burnt severely.
The patrons kept buying her drinks in hope of getting her drunk and having their way with her. What they failed to realize was that Valeriya could drink most men—and a great many dwarves—under the table any day of the week. Tonight's admirers seemed to have given up rather soon, the blonde sword-maiden felt.
The more fool them, then.
She could hold her liquor, true, but Valeriya wasn't the kind of girl to spend your coin and then not put out—not if she could help it. In most such occasions, after she'd had her fill of alcoholic beverage, Valeriya would make one lucky man's—generally the cleanest and most well behaved one's—dream come true.
But she was done drinking for the night anyway. One more and she'd grab one of the blundering buffoons and be off to—
...What's that?
What broke her reverie? The crowd seemed to have quietened down a little. Then she heard it again: "Sing little man!" someone screamed angrily. Valeriya twisted her neck from her stool and located the source of the ruckus. A large man was looking down on someone with a rather aggressive posture. The blonde leaned further to her right without leaving her seat to get a look at the person who had drawn the bully's ire, but to no avail. Perhaps he really
was
what the bellicose Alfelder had called him.
Reluctantly she got up to her feet and started for the commotion. The big Alfelder shifted and Valeriya spotted the "little man" he had cornered. And it was just as she suspected—a Cincuman. Everyone knew there's no love lost between the Alfelders and their neighbors—the little marsh-folk. Cincu had been a part of Alfeld once—until the lowly marsh-folk chomped off a healthy bit of land for themselves, with backing from the hated Laski Empire, no less. That was nearly a hundred years ago, but the Alfelders still hated the Cincumen with passion.
What's this fool doing here?
Valeriya wondered.
"Just leave me be," the Cincuman said with a level voice. "I just want food and lodging."
He's keeping his head,
Valeriya thought.
Good.
If it's one thing she disliked, it's the big bullying the little.
"Not until you sing little man!" The Alfelder poked the Cincuman on the shoulder with a thick forefinger, causing him to stagger back a step. Cincumen are a merry folk, renowned for their humorous songs, with the Alfelders being the butt of the jokes in many such ballads.
"Get off me!" The Cincuman shoved the big Alfelder with both hands, but failed to budge him even an inch.
Ooo ... A feisty one!
Valeriya thought, perhaps too brave for his own safety.
"Why you little—" The Alfelder grabbed the little man by the lapel of his coat and raised his fist, intent on pounding some marsh-sense into him.
Valeriya did not want the Cincuman beaten up—she was quite fond of the gentle people.
But what could I do? If I interfere, the big guy would then have a problem with me! He's too big to handle bare handed, and if I use magic or steel against an unarmed man, the whole of Vorderreuth would then have a problem with me!
Valeriya remembered the big guy buying her a couple of drinks. Though not a charmer by any means, she supposed he behaved well enough.
Now what did he say his name was?
"I think you've got me all tanked-up, Jan," Valeriya stumbled onto the big Alfelder, leaning heavily onto his raised arm. Her breath smelled of mead, her voice was slurred, her legs all wobbly. The blonde belle looked positively inebriated. "Take me away from here, my head hurts."
The man, clearly annoyed at first, soon realized what had just landed on his lap, and was instantly in a quandary. What should he choose? Punch the offensive runt? Or pound the capricious wench? "It's Jörg, babe. And I'll be just a minute." He managed a somewhat reassuring smile, and tried to free his arm from her. "Let me take care of
him
first," he pulled the Cincuman closer.
"Oh!" Valeriya gasped, holding the fingers of her raised right hand in front of her mouth, looking positively taken aback, leaving no doubt whatsoever about what she made of the situation. Inside her head she laughed, and gave herself a pat on the back for her acting prowess. It
did
look like the big Alfelder was going to make out with the little Cincuman from the way he was holding him now. "Jan ... where are you, Jan?" Valeriya stumbled back the way she had come from.