The duo spent the rest of the day exploring. First, they went to Arcadia's Cauldron.
"Mind if I use your Alchemy table? I will, of course, use my own ingredients, and can offer some of my potions to you at a reasonable price." Yew said.
"Hm. That's fine. It's always good to observe someone practicing the alchemical arts. A lot of people use different methods to achieve subtly different results. Alchemy is as much an art as a science." Arcadia said.
"Well, I'll show you how I do it." Yew said. He spent a bit of time making a few potions and talking shop with Arcadia. Even managing to sell a couple.
"I hope to see you around. Not too many people in this city truly appreciate Alchemy. Besides what the potions can do for them of course." Arcadia said.
"Yes. It's good to discuss things with a fellow traveler. And trade options with them. I shall most certainly see you later." Yew said with a bit of a bow. Then Yew and Greta left.
Next was Belathor's general goods.
"Another Breton huh? I suspect you're from High Rock? Not one of those damn Reacherman savages." Belethor said. Yey involuntarily twitched at the use of the term "savage" but he was able to remain cool. Different world, different standards.
"I am indeed from High Rock." Yew said.
"Hm...you wouldn't happen to be one of those uh...Druids would you?" Belethor asked.
"Correct again." Yew said.
"Huh. I've heard a couple come to preach in town. Occasionally they would trade or negotiate on behalf of the wild back in High Rock. Wasn't expecting to find you here, thought the order pretty much stayed in High Rock." Belethor said.
"We journey elsewhere on occasion. After all, our objectives are the preservation of the world. Not just High Rock." Yew said.
"Ha. Of course. Anyway, feel free to check out my wares. I've got a lot on offer." Belethor said. Yew and Greta looked it over, but ultimatly purchased only a couple of books.
They also spent some time in the bustling marketplace. Two traders, in particular, caught Yew's eye.
The first was Ysolda. She was a very attractive woman. Lean but with generous curves distributed the way Yew liked. So he decided to speak with her, while Greta was examing some other merchant's wares.
"Hello, beautiful." Yew said.
"Hey yourself stranger. My names Ysolda, merchant extraordinaire. What's yours?" Ysolda asked.
"Yew Fey, of the Druids guild." Yew said.
"Oh. You must be a traveler then. I don't think I've heard of any Druid's guild. What is this guild?" Ysolda said.
"It's an order of mages dedicated to safeguarding the wilds, and keeping the balance between nature and civilization, as well as preserving nature's internal balance. We also serve a similar function as most other Mage's guilds." Yew said.
"Huh, that's quite fascinating. I suppose that means your quite the seasoned traveler." Ysolda said, she was looking Yew up and down, clearly attracted to the androgynous Breton.
"Yes. I've traveled all around High Rock. And from High Rock to here." Yew said.
"Hm. And your also a skilled magic user." Ysolda said.
"There are many in my order more powerful. But I can manage myself in a fight." Yew said.
"Huh. Then there might be something you could do for me. A quest a brave adventurer like you might undertake." Ysolda said.
"Hm. I might. What is it you'd like me to do." Yew said.
"I require a mammoth tusk. It is essential for a...client I'm working with. Bring me that and I can pay you a fair sum for your work, and you'll earn my gratitude." Ysolda said.
"Ok. I think I can do that. Though it might take a while." Yew said.
"That's fine. It's not that urgent but...please get it to me when you can." Ysolda said.
"I will." Yew said. In his mind, a pop up notification appeared. It gave the following information:
Ysolda's Request
Summary: Find a mammoth tusk for Ysolda and return it to her.
Rewards: ? Gold
? EXP
Possibility to romance Ysolda
This was Yew's first quest notification. And it certainly gave him some useful information.
Yew bid farewell to Ysolda and Yew and Greta continued to walk about the marketplace where Yew found his second interesting woman. Carlotta Valentia.
"A new traveler huh? Please don't proposition me. I have enough suitors as it is." Carlotta said warily. She was stunningly beautiful, so Yew could very much understand why.
"If you don't desire it, then I have no desire to. I am only interested in women who are interested in me." Yew said. As much as he savored the idea of laying with her, he didn't want to be the kind of guy who forces their advances on people who don't desire it.
"Thank you. You seem different from other men. Almost...womanly." Carlotta said.
"Of that, I have been told." Yew said.
"Could you maybe help me out a bit? This bard named Mikeal keeps harassing me. Talking about how he will conquer me like a nord conquers any harsh beast. If you could find a way to stop him, I'd be very grateful." Carlotta said.
"I'd be happy too." Yew said.
"Thank you. I'm not expecting much, the man's a stubborn fool. But even an attempt would be nice." Carlotta said.
"We'll try our best." Greta said.
Another notification in his mind.
Carlotta's Request
Summary: Convince Mikeal that he should stop pursuing Carlotta.
Rewards: ? Gold
? EXP
Carlotta's Gratitude
Improved realtions with Carlotta
Huh. That was interesting. Yew wondered if he would ever get more specific numbers for the gold and exp. If there was perhaps some way of improving his interface. Still he was happy to help Carlotta solve her problems. Putting a smile on this weary woman's face would be payment enough. Everything else was just gravy.
They bid farewell to Carlotta and ended up back in the Bannered Mare, shortly thereafter. They had dinner and set to drinking and waiting. As the night grew on and everyone became more and more intoxicated things began to change. Hualda sat in the stool next to Greta, patting her on the bum and whispering sweet nothings as Greta laid her head on Hualda's breast.
Yew began looking around for potential targets. He needed to find someone down for a one night stand. His druidic lust was insatiable and the drinking hadn't done much to lower it. Mikeal sat around strumming his lute. He wasn't half bad to look at, but he doubted he would be able to talk him into bed. He saw a large Nordic mercenary clad in iron armor. He was quite attractive and Yew couldn't help but wonder if the weapon in his pants was as big as the weapon strapped to his back.
Finally sitting in the corner was an androgynous, amazon of a woman wearing iron armor. Her name was Uthgerd, Hualda and Greta had told him that. She was powerful looking and had her own rough kind of appeal.
Yew had to make his choice and he chose the mercenary. He felt like he had his best chances with him, and he couldn't resist his charms.
"Hail warrior." Yew said, striding up to the mercenary. Yew saw the warrior was eying up Yew's swaying hips.
"Hail. Your a pretty little thing aren't you." The man said, his voice deep but smooth.
"You are yourself, for a sellsword. Seem like the kind of guy who'd be covered in scars." Yew said.
"Warriors covered in scars are warriors who've failed." The man said.
"Oh, so you haven't ever failed?" Yew said.
"Not in battle." He replied.
"Oh. Then where have you failed?" Yew said.
"Many places. In love especially." He said.
"If you want, then I could comfort you from your losses." Yew said.
"Careful. You don't want to make promises you don't intend on fulfilling." The man said.
"I very much intend on fulfilling them." Yew said. The man slapped Yew on the bottom, and Yew gasped slightly.
"Then follow me upstairs." The man said. And up he walked. Yew followed quickly behind him. Closing the door as he entered.
The man stripped off his armor quite quickly. It was clear this man had done such many times before. Yew had to gasp at his naked form. He had an exceptional body. Lean yet muscular and Hollywood level good looks. His cock was impressive, rock hard and probably about 7 inches, and very well shaped. Yew was practically salivating.
"Clothes off. You don't want me to rip them from you." He said, his blue eyes piercing through Yew. He did as was requested. All the while the mercenary was staring at him.
"Good." He said approvingly. Apparently, he liked what he saw. The mercenary crossed the room and began kissing Yew hard and grabbing his backside forcefully. Yew felt the press of the Mercs cock in his belly. Then he pulled away.
"On the bed. On your knees. Arse up. I'm going to take you." The merc said.
"Yes sir." Yew said and did exactly as he told him. He wanted it, he craved his cock inside him. Soon the Merc was inside of him filling Yew deeply. The merc seemed to know exactly how hard Yew liked it. Yew enjoyed every minute of it, cumming as soon as he felt the merc ejaculate inside him.
The Merc removed himself.
"That was good. You are exceptional." The merc said.
"So are you." Yew responded.
"How much do I owe you." The merc said.
"You owe me nothing. I gave myself freely." Yew said.
"That is...convenient. I've rarely stumbled across such conveniences." The man said.
"I am a druid. My lusts shape me." Yew said.
"Huh." The man said. There was silence as they recovered from their sex.
"You do owe me one thing." Yew said.
"What." He responded in a flat tone.
"Your name." Yew said.
"...Ivan." He said.
The two lay apart for some time and fell into an uncomfortable sleep.
Downstairs, Greta was still getting along well with Hualda. She felt so comforted in her embrace, and she was intoxicated enough that she didn't mind any looks she might be getting.
"Would you like to come back to my room, love?" Hualda whispered. Greta nodded.
"Then let's go. Cmon." Hualda said and she took the young woman into her room. When Greta was in the room and sitting down on Hualda's bed, she sobered up pretty quickly.
"I...I don't...I-I'm not...I can't..." Greta said.
"Sh, love. I know that you have struggled with your desires. To me and other women. But it is fine. Dibella and Mara accept all love, regardless of gender." Hualda said.
"I-I know." Greta said. Hualda was beautiful, and Greta wanted her. But a wave of guilt hit her. She was afaid of being selfish. Afraid of hurting someone.
"Give in honey. I'll be kind to you. Gentle. I'll show you what you've been missing." Hualda went over to her and gave Greta a kiss. Greta kissed back a bit, but then stopped. There was still resistance in her.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm not ready. I...I can't." Greta said.
"I understand love." Hualda said with a sigh. Greta was hurting. She understood why, but it was still so difficult to see someone suffer like that.
"I...I'll go stay in my room." Greta said.
"You go do that. Sleep well." Hualda said.
Greta sobbed in her bed. Hating herself and hating her weakness.