Chapter 11

M'lar slipped her cape over her shoulders and moved to the door waiting for Fallon to follow, "Baloq, take the keg up to Room 5 and secure it for Mr. Stormbringer. He earned his keg."

"Yes ma'am."

M'lar took Fallon out the front door and led him down the street. This is the main street of New Damara. New Damara is the capital city of the island of Tal Shandor. On your right you will notice that most of these buildings are very old and of drow make. They are more of a style of Myth Drannor, which at one time had been a very beautiful city before it was over run with some of the most vile and darkest elements that inhabit this world"

Fallon glanced at her standing by his side and found she would fit comfortably against his body if they were to slide their warms around each other's waists and walk with the same stride. He smiled listening to her running dissertation of the city and its origins. "We have an arch Mage that was originally a knight of Myth Drannor and is summoned back to battle for his families properties. I hope you get to meet Shaderick Baenre, whom was descended directly from Gromph Baenre has a tower and compound on Noble Island not far from here."

She paused in front of a large elaborate building with rich embellishments on the outside and a scripted sign posted over the door that stated it was the Golden Dice. "This is Morgan's place. You met him one night."

"I know who Morgan Manshak is and I was curious. Why have you not bonded to him and taken him as a husband?" M'lar stiffened and flushed a delicate deep shade of red, the color moving up from the collar of her dress to her ears and then her cheek bones.

"Morgan has asked me for my hand in marriage and offered me his protection. He has not offered me the most important element that I require when I take a mate and that is love."

She had stopped walking with him standing locked in place on the wood planked sidewalk. He noted she was trying to compose her manner and was taking deep breaths to force her body to clam. "He really does get to you. Why?"

M'lar was not comfortable with the conversation not because he was questioning her about it but because she had never fully examined her own feelings for Morgan. "I suppose because I was wrongly accused of conspiring to have him murdered. I never wanted him dead, I wanted him to pay for the death of one of my sons. I was consumed with grief and knew in my heart he had pain a professional assassin to kill him."

He watched with a curious rush of concern seeing how pale she had grown with the memories of those days. "I see and so you were put on trial and what happened?" He had folded his arms over his chest watching her with anticipation of how she would respond to his questioning and he knew he had pushed her out of her comfort zone. That coupled with the fact he knew for a fact that Morgan Manshak was a very dangerous man and if threatened not many survived his brand of justice.

"I was found not guilty. I was released from prison but rest assure Mr. Stormbringer, I would have faced the gallows had the council found me guilty of the charge. Ironically, it was Morgan that plead my case and put the sole blame squarely on the shoulders of Rahvin Bloodthorne. A necromancer that had thought he had fallen in love with me."

She was fidgeting with the recounting of this story. "You had a necromancer as a boyfriend? That sounds kind of morbid. You are so full of life and a zest for living, why on earth would you be drawn to a necromancer?"

M'lar moved to the door of the Golden Dice. "Shall we go in and I can have Finnlaya show you around and tell you what they offer here." He had hit a nerve and realized she was not about to answer his question. Following behind her they entered the large building that held the exotically sweet smell of perfumed whores and high-class liquors. It had three levels. Looking around he saw a grand staircase that moved from the bottom entry to the ground floor and moved up to the second story with a square shaped balcony that peered below.

Those must have been the rooms they had for rent and that the whores used to ply their trade. He saw the elegantly long bar with a highly polished counter and decorated with golden accents in hand carved scripted design. It like the balcony above was square shaped and had four tenders that worked all four sides of the bar. The crystal glass were hung by their stems on racks that were situated overhead in the center of the bar area along with a cabinet that held the liquors.

To the right were small tables and chairs that allowed for intimate conversations, to the left was a gaming room with dice tables and card tables that appeared to be fairly busy for this particular time of day. Turning he saw there were armed guards posted around the room in various positions to circumvent any problems that might arise. In the rear he noticed that there was an archway and from where he stood it appeared to have a ring with seats for viewing a challenge or fight of some type.

M'lar stood poised close to the front door, she looked uncomfortable her eyes drifting to stare at two doors that rested against the right side wall. On one door was denoted as "Office Manager." His gaze drifted to another door situated more to the left of the Office Manager's door and instinctively Fallon knew this must have been Morgan's office.

"Why Council woman M'lar! I am surprised you lowered your standards to darken our door." A tall stately and very attractive red head moved towards M'lar.

"Hello Finnlaya, may I present Fallon Stormbringer. He has just made port and has been at sea for several months. I believe he is seeking soft companionship for the evening. I am sure that you can help fit his needs and see he is properly cared for while in town."

Finn turned and eyed Fallon with a hungry and lascivious lick of her lips. "he looks healthy and quite yummy M'lar."

"Fallon may I present the Lady Finnlaya. She is the manger of this establishment and I am sure she can see to the soft and tenderness you were seeking. Now if you two will excuse me, I really do need to get back to the Hoch. I did leave Baloq alone."

Finn glared watching M'lar retreat from the Dice. "She really is uncomfortable in here. Which makes me happy. I don't like her." She muttered, turned and put a bright smile on her lips and eyed Fallon from head to toe. "Now what is your pleasure? Redhead, blond, brunette, elf, human, or dwarf?" She moved to hook her arm through his and lead him around the room.

Fallon had watched her go out the door and sighed. "Oh forget that one my dear. She is as cold as the ice slopes of our mountains. Now if you want a hot and very sensual experience, may I present Lisette? She can show you more of a good time than what just walked out that door."

Fallon turned that very charming smile on the woman holding onto his arms. "What about the redhead on my arm? Is she as fiery temperament as that hair?" Finn was tempted but knew Morgan would have a fit if she took one of the customers to her bed.

"Unfortunately, I am not available tonight. I am available tomorrow and could come to you if you wish. Are you staying at the Hoch?" Fallon turned to look into those deep green eyes and smiled lifting her chin he leaned over and gently ran his tongue over the outer edge of her lips teasing her. Finn gasped at his audacity, when her mouth opened he plunged his tongue into her mouth and kissed her deeply.

Breaking the kiss he smiled that devil may care smile and whispered softly in her ear. "I am staying in room 5 at the Hoch. I would love to treat you to dinner and we could go back to my room for a nice night of getting to know one another better." His intentions were to subtly glean information from her about M'lar. He had been successful to a point to get some information but she had shut down when she felt he was accusing her for poor tastes in picking men to share her life.

Finn smiled and there was a hard glint in her gaze. However this handsome man that M'lar had just dumped her in her lap also intrigued her. If she believed there was such a thing as heaven she wondered why she rated this little piece of it that had just turned her world sideways with an unforgettable kiss.

M'lar moved with some force down the street. A part of her was infuriated with Fallon for being so nosey about her life. She was feeling resentment at his inferences of making poor choices in her romantic interests. Just who the hell did he think he was to suggest such a thing? She had her head down and was moving with a ferocity that had sent her skirt's hem dancing forward with each forward thrust of her feet.

That is when she ran full force into the body of a large man. "Oh!" She gasped popped her head up and stared wide eyes into the twinkling blue gaze of a man that had to be an old sea captain. He must have just landed in the port and was making his way to find a place to spend the night.

" Scuse aye malady! I be sorry for impeding ayre forward movement." He tried to smile a charming smile. However, hidden behind that grizzled scruffy beard he looked more like he was grimacing.

"It is I that should apologize. I fear I let my anger get the better of my good judgment and I was not looking up to see you standing there." She had stepped back breaking his hold he had on both her slender arms.

"Aye be thinkin aye be the softest an nicest bit of womanhood I had agin me old shabby body fer awhile!" His eyes had raked her form from head to toe and he definitely knew she was not human and he did see the hint of the small pointed ears so she was half elf. She was a buxom and lovely bit of fluff but knew she was no street whore. He had seen her coming from that fancy fest hall and wondered if she was one of the high-class whores that worked there.

"I be a wonderin if aye might know whar a man like meself that been ta sea for a while could find a comfortin' pair of arms ta hold him tonight?" He doffed his seaman's hat. "I be Cap'n Bloodworth an was sent dis way ta find a Fest Hall called the Golden Dice, Aye not one of the gerls from thar ayer aye?"

He knew immediately he had offended her. He could see the wall of reserve slam down between them and she had drawn her body up to her full height of five feet.

"I am terribly sorry if you have that impression but no I do not work at the Golden Dice. As a matter of fact I am a competitor of the Dice. I am Lady M'lar. I manage the Hoch that Bar and Inn across the street and that way one block. I do not run a Fest Hall Captain. I run a respectable Inn. I just escorted a customer to that inn to see his pleasures form the girls there and will not instruct the same to you."

He bowed, "Aye beg aye pardon me lady M'lar. I dinnae mean ta insult aye. Aye thankee for the directions and will bid aye a good evenin'" He watched her step around him crossing the street and disappearing into a larger building down the street. He smiled. He knew hat name and he knew that Darius D'Armond and Fallon Stormbringer had been sniffing after her like a bitch dog in heat. He could see why after bumping into her.

She would be worth a lot in Calimshan. He might even be able to take her directly to the Sultan Vezhera. He would find her interesting and most definitely something worth putting in his harem. He might have to consider having his boys pay her a little visit and taking her so he could get a nice piece of coin for her. That coupled with the fact that she had caught the interest of his worse enemy he was liking this idea the more he thought about it.

M'lar moved into the Hoch and whipped off her cloak and hung it up on the peg near the door. She would need to be mindful of the places she frequented if she was giving the impression of being one of Morgan's girls. Moving to the bar she looked around the room and noticed that a few of the regulars had shown up. The room looked sparse and she was restless. "Boss I know that look, why not call it a night. Jodi and I can handle the night and you could go and do what ever you feel you need to do."

"You might consider repaying me that dinner date you own me." Morgan had entered from the dimensional door in the center of the room. M'lar forced her body to not tighten up. She really did not need Morgan tonight. She had a rough time of it as it was and to be trapped with him in his home dancing delicately around the subjects he was trying to force on her. It was not her idea of a perfectly relaxing evening. Turning slowly she saw he was dressed formally for dinner.

"Come my dear, you still owe me three dinners for the dresses I bid on and a dinner with the wearer of those dresses." He extended his hand and a smile. M'lar looked at the hand and then down at her dress and sighed.

"I really should change." She spoke softly trying to find a way to postpone the inevitable. He stepped forward and placed his arm around her shoulders.

"Nonsense my dear, I have already collected the dress I wish to see you wear tonight and it awaits you in your room at my estate. Now come along and be a good girl and pay off a portion of your debt." The words were said with steeliness intent. He felt her stiffen. "Now relax, I promise to be on my best behavior and I will not bite you. . . Much." He said softly and chuckled at his small joke.

He led her across the room through the dimensional door that had been held open and was black as pitch and cold.

"Baloq, are you sure you can handle the bar tonight?" She looked over her shoulder to Baloq with a look of helplessness and a hint of uncertain fear. Baloq saw the dark cold look Morgan had shot at him behind her back.

"Yes Ma'am the scro took care of business for the night. So you are perfectly free to attend to the dinner that Doctor Manshak is proposing. Have a nice evening ma'am." The last she saw of Baloq was when he turned to go into the kitchen. The bar's interior disappeared when she stepped into the blackness of the dimensional door.

They stepped through the door directly into the room that Morgan had termed her room. She felt disoriented from the trip through the door and wondered why she was feeling so weak. Morgan guided her to the vanity chair and seated her on the stool. "Now, I was looking at the dress you wore that night and actually found I rather enjoy this one much more." He moved to pick up the one he had selected for her when they had been in Waterdeep. "I had Mrs. Johnson lay out all the accents. I will await you in the small dining room downstairs when you have bathed and changed."

M'lar looked at the elaborate dress in elvin silk that laid in a southern type belle dress. It was very pretty in its soft teal coloring of iridescent shimmering colors. The bed held the dress a slip for wearing underneath; shoes of the same color as the dress and a necklace of such exquisite make it did not seem real. "I had Mrs. Johnson prepare you a bath. I await your pleasure below." He smiled bowed and left her alone in the room.

M'lar sighed stood moving to the bathing room. Looking to the gilt tub filled with warm water that was heavily scented with rose petals. Looking around she wondered how she had allowed her life to come to this being at the beck and call of a man she could barely tolerate. Tying her hair up she slipped out of her dress lying it across a stool in the room.

Moving to the tub she slipped into the warm water and sighed. She had to admit it did feel good. Sliding down into the water she closed her eyes and thought about what she was doing here and how would Marstoq react to her once again being at the mercy of Doctor Manshak. It made her half sick thinking about his anger and disappointment in her for being here. Allowing only enough time to force her muscles to relax and giving her a chance to recoup her nerve she regretfully left the bath. Wrapping a plush thick towel around her body, she moved to her bedroom and found Mrs. Johnson waiting for her.

"Malady M'lar, the doctor sent me up to dress your hair. Do you need my help in dressing?" She watched M'lar move to the bed and look at the various pieces of the dress.

"No I think I can figure out the dress Mrs. Johnson. Thank you for the kind offer. I am not sure what is this?" She lifted up the corset and held it by two fingers.

Mrs. Johnson chuckled. "My dear put on the chemise and then I will help you with the corset. They are used for support of your breasts."

M'lar laid the corset on the bed turned and lifted the light weight under garment that was a chemise. Sliding off the towel she slid the chemise over her head and then turned to peer at Mrs. Johnson. "Now what?"

Mrs. Johnson hid her amusement behind a polite mask of business first humor later. "Hold your arms out to the side." She waited for her to do as she instructed. When she did she slide the corset to the front of her body and wrapped it around her slender form and under her breasts drawing it tight to her body. "The idea is to give your beasts support so that you are more perky and it enhances the shape."

M'lar felt like a vice had been placed around her body and was cutting her in half when Mrs. Johnson began to lace up the corset. She had to admit that it did push her breasts up and gave her a better form. When she was laced up properly, Mrs. Johnson slide a long slip down her form then put the layered dress over her head and watched it fall down her slender body to drape gracefully on the floor. Once again Mrs. Johnson began to button and lace up the dress. When she was done she turned M'lar around and sat her on the stool in front of the vanity mirror.

"The Doctor picked out this necklace, so I will accent your hair with diamonds and emerald pins. I think this dress calls for your hair to be pulled up on top of your head and we will take your natural curls to drape down over her shoulders." M'lar leaned forward and studied her image in the mirror. She wondered what Mrs. Johnson saw when she looked at her.

"I trust your judgment Mrs. Johnson. I am sure you know what the doctor prefers. So by all means do what you feel is appropriate. This is a dinner that I owe him. I know we tried once before but the birth of a baby and injuries interrupted that dinner."

Mrs. Johnson worked her magic and soon had M'lar's hair curled and combed up where it fell in graceful long curls down her back and over her shoulder. The high placed curls had been pinned in place with diamond pins accented by emerald pins. "M'lar, come here and look at how beautiful you look."

Mrs. Johnson stood by the full-length mirror and waited expectantly for her step in front of the mirror. She paused and her eyes widen seeing her image. Mrs. Johnson had out done herself. She had her hair looking lovely and the affect of the hair lying on her bare shoulders and the gown's off the shoulder sleeves made her look ethereally mystical. With a tilt of her head the jewels caught the light and flashed in her hair.

The dress accented her figure to its most complimentary view. The corset had pushed her breasts up so that the once hinted thought of what was her femininity was now more pronounced. The dress fell directly to the floor to pool in a soft fold of material. The tell tale slippers peaked out from the folds of material. "My dear M'lar you look beautiful. You are breath taking and the doctor will be very pleased with what we have accomplished."

"Well it looks like you did make a silk purse from a sows ear?" She had teased at what she felt others thought of her only to be called down for being so negative about her appearance.

"M'lar never allow others dictate what you think about yourself. Most women on this island that don't like you are jealous of your beauty and your intelligence. You are beautiful and the doctor recognized this in you that is why he is paying you so much attention. I would not be surprised if he asked to court you."

M'lar suppressed a shiver. The last thing she needed was more attention from Morgan. This was growing out of control and perhaps tonight she would be able to finally put to rest this ridiculous idea that he was interested in her for no other reason he did not trust her.

M'lar moved down the stairs lifting the skirt of her dress to keep from tripping over it. Moving across the hallway and down to a door on the left hand side of the grand foyer she knocked lightly on the door. "Enter." M'lar opened the door and stepped into the room that had been his library. She noticed he had his back to her, so she took the opportunity to look the room over and felt like salivating. The room was filled with books.

She had been so preoccupied with the books in the room she had not noticed he had turned and was standing looking at her and in awe of how utterly enchanting she looked in that dress. She was a vision of loveliness and knew that he would be the envy of all the island if he claimed her as his wife. He studied her unguarded look while she took in his library. He smiled. "My dear M'lar may I say how absolutely lovely you look. Please come join me and after dinner if you wish to peruse my library then you may do so."

M'lar blinked and brought her attention back to the man in the black dress suit. She took a deep breath and did not realize it only accented the swell of her breasts when she did. Stepping forward he met her and slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body leading her to the chair of the small table that had been set up in the library. She saw the candle light dinner awaiting them and she cringed at the thought of what this should represent.

He was attempting to seduce her with dinner and his books. Shaking her head slightly she forced a tight smile to her lips and spoke softly, "Thank you Morgan."