About Blood 33: Carnally Professional

33: Carnally Professional

The small, multi-coloured tents where the travelling prostitutes plied their trade were positioned as far from the village as possible. While the main area of the carnival was lit by great fires, this area was lit sparsely by small lanterns. Several young girls and women stayed near them, altering between trying to look as seductive as possible and rubbing their hands near the fire. Their sparse clothing offered little protection for the cold of the bright spring night. Still they smiled as best as they could at the people walking by. Drunkards slurring obscenities, husbands looking around guiltily, young men pretending like they were just passing through and travellers that smiled as they calmly measured beauty against their wealth. There were some housewives too, looking around angrily, though some of them looked disappointed after it was revealed the travelling brothel had no male employees.

When Talek and Montaron arrived, there was a short silence. Most people in the town didn’t seem inclined to spend too much attention to them though, merely avoiding the general area around him. Some of the girls paled as they saw Talek and rushed in the tents. Some others looked as if they wanted to follow but kept their position. Talek didn’t notice though, as he was carefully studying the magically enchanted boots he was wearing.

“Tsh… lots of young ones. And quite a lot still out here at this time of night.” Montaron said. “If ye don’t mind, I’m gonna check around. You just stay right here, have a look around.”

“Y… you’re gonna leave me here?” Talek said in a panic.

“You shall have to find the courage in your heart to pull through.” Montaron said in a sarcastic tone. “Oh for Mask’s sake, boy. They’re just a bunch of women and girls, and most of them look ready to run! Ye didn’t seem scared of them when you punched that woman in Beregost in the face.”

“That was different.” Talek said.

“Hmm, that reminds me.” Montaron’s face became serious and he lowered his voice. “Listen boy, ye like killing a lot, and I don’t mind. It’s a skill that’s always in high demand, and it saves a lot of time. And I’m willing to deal with the fact that ye draw that sword of yers rather quickly. Ye kill a noble, a beggar, a soldier or a priest and all I ask is that ye try to do it without getting attention to us, but that’s another matter.”

Talek nodded.

“It’s like this. Ye got certain rules about kiddos. And that’s perfectly fine. I wasn’t planning to start doing that, but I’ll keep it in mind, just like I’d never go after Imoen, right? And I know that if I DID, ye’d be out to kill my ass. But we both know that ain’t gonna happen.”

Talek nodded again.

“So what I’m saying is basically just a friendly information regarding some of MY little hang ups. It’s a personal thing, and I’m sure ye’ll take it into account. So don’t get what I’m saying the wrong way. I still trust ye and all that.”

“What are you saying then?” Talek asked. Montaron beckoned Talek to come closer and Talek crouched down.

“Ye ever hurt or kill a streetwalker, and I swear I’ll cut yer balls off. The reason for that is my business.” His voice was quiet but threatening. Talek flinched for a moment. Then he nodded.

“Right.” He paused a moment. “I wasn’t… planning on doing that anyway though.”

Montaron grinned as if nothing happened. “Good to know. I’ll be going then. You just hang tight.” With that he took off.

Talek nervously looked at Montaron leaving. He was only staring at the ground for a few minutes, trying very much not to spend any attention to the going-ons at all. So he was quite surprised when a middle aged, rather plump and very drunk woman suddenly glomped him from behind.

“Yesh…. I knew there were boytoysh here. Come to mama… oooh they dreshed you up in shainmail even…”

Talek choked back a scream. “I’m not… No… wait… Montaron… where are you?”

Luckily for Talek, the woman had been drinking the whole night and passed out, allowing Talek to flee to safety, where he made sure to keep his eyes on the surroundings with a paranoid expression.

Montaron was walking around the area in the meantime. It was small but rather busy, and it was hard to spot anyone. Finally his eyes lit up in recognition. He walked towards a woman that had a small stand selling magical potions. Most of them had rather explicit drawings on them, showing male members of impossible sizes. Behind her was a smaller cabinet with much more discreet bottles. As Montaron reached her, she took one of them and handed it to one of the girls. The woman’s hair was still brown without a patch of grey, but her face had grooves in it that suggested a harsh life. Her body still looked attractive, but had lost the ideal proportions of a young girl. She had a piece of cloth wrapped around her head, covering her face where her right eye was supposed to be. A red line came out from under the fabric, almost to her mouth, causing the woman to look like she was giving a sardonic smile.

“Hey, Karna. Long time no see.” Montaron said.

The woman looked down at the halfling. “Waukeen’s mercy, if that ain’t Montaron. What are you doing outside the Gate?”

“Business.” Montaron said simply. “I see ye’ve retired.”

“You don’t last long in this profession. I’m way past my prime, and I thought I’d better get used to do something else before I’m doing beggars for coppers. Besides, after my last customer, I’m damaged goods.” She moved her hand to the cloth.

Montaron’s eyes darkened a second. “Ye need any help arranging an accident?”

“I’m a big girl, Montaron. I can take care of myself.” Montaron nodded as the woman continued. “So, what brings you here? Not just polite chit-chat with a retired whore right?” There was no bitterness in the voice, just some weariness.

“Hm, that’s kinda is what I’m coming to talk about. Girls here are all pretty young. Ye’re the only face I recognise.” Montaron said.

The woman nodded. “Yeah. Times are tough with the crisis and the threat of war. Tons of girls down to this to make ends meet. And they’re pretty desperate, so they’ll do all the things you better don’t. Been selling more healing potions than I care to. And with current prices, that leaves them pretty much flat broke.” She sighed. “Heh, maybe we should start a guild and fix prices or something.”

Montaron chuckled. “Yeah, and maybe ye could get the leader of the guild in the Council of Six down south.” He became serious. “Problem is that those girls are all just farm girls out of luck. I need a professional. Preferably someone I know.”

“Hm, ye’re not lucky then Montaron. Gelara is in Athkatla after a fight with the caravan master, Kelian managed to scrape the money together for her own bar in Waterdeep and Belores passed away this winter. Pneumonia.” The woman said.

“Shit.” Montaron said. “Belores WAS a stubborn one about the cold. Didn’t think she’d actually die though.” He gave Karna a look. “There’s someone else here though.” He pointed at Karna.

The one visible eyebrow frowned. “Montaron, you know better than to offer me charity cases.”

“And ye should know me better than to think I’d offer charity. Ye’re the one that I trust most on this bloody carnival. I hire some girl who still smells of the stables to do this and things could get messy. Not bloody I think, but the guy I’m thinking off could be seriously freaked out if the girl he’s with suddenly starts crying or something. And he ain’t exactly the most wanted customer here.” Montaron said.

“Ah, I think I know who you’re talking about. Playing matchmaker for yer companion, eh?” The woman smiled. “Not a charity case at all then. The mystery customer is the murderous, half-demonic, criminal, cross-dressing terror of Nashkel himself.”

“Ye got it in one…. Wait... cross-dressing?” Montaron shook his head. “Never mind. Anyway, ye know I wouldn’t send him to ye if I thought he’d be a ‘bad client’ but I just don’t want him to be any more screwed up than he already is.”

“What? He’s that sensitive about that stuff? Is he a bit under endowed perhaps?”

Montaron shook his head. “Nope, it’s just that when it comes to shagging, he’s as innocent as a paladin’s squire.”

The woman’s eye went wide open. “No kidding! Virgin? Him? They say he killed crazy Noober with his bare hands.”

Montaron looked away. “I can’t tell ye more about that, but he’s about as virgin as they get. So ye see why I prefer to go with someone I know has the savvy to handle this kind of thing. So I thought I’d drop him off here and tell him to come back tomorrow at noon”

The woman pursed her lips. “Hmm… fifty gold.”

Montaron jumped up. “Fifty gold? I’m asking ye to break in a boy, woman, not have an orgy with a bunch of ogrillons!”

“Hey, first timers are a lot more work than regulars. And ye want me to stay till noon. I’ve got a shop to run here. Besides, you told me I’m the one you want. Supply and demand and that stuff.” She smirked

“He can wait a few days till we get in another village.” Montaron countered. “And as ye said, times are tough. Are ye sure ye can afford to let this deal slip? fifteen gold.”

The bartering went on for a while, till a deal was made. Karna got some other girl to look after the shop and went into a nearby, small two person tent. Montaron headed back to where he had left Talek. The scene he saw made him groan. One of the blonde, young girls had gathered up the courage to walk up to the jumpy Talek, and had then found she had run out of courage. She and Talek were holding a conversation that seemed to consist mostly of apologizing, stammering meaningless sentences and avoiding to lay eyes on each other. It was hard to say who was the more terrified.

“Hey, loverboy!” Montaron called out. Two pairs of eyes looked at him with a relieved expression. “I’ve taken care of the financial crap. Come on.” The girl stammered another apology and fled, while Talek gulped and followed Montaron to the small tent.

Montaron motioned him to enter. “Ye can sleep there as well. We’ll see ye tomorrow at the inn. Have fun and all that.”

Talek looked at the entrance. “Do I have to?”

Montaron rolled his eyes. “No boy, ye don’t. But unless ye feel a sudden urge to vow an oath of chastity, ye’re gonna have to go through this sooner or later, and the first time won’t get any easier than this. Not to mention I’ve already paid.” He ended in a dry tone.

Talek nodded. “Okay… euh… here goes nothing I guess.” He entered the tent.

It was dark inside. A small lamp gave just enough light to make out the contours of the woman sitting on the bed, dressed only in a revealing tunic. Talek immediately froze.

“Well hello there.” The voice sounded friendly, with a teasing edge. “Nobody told me the terror of this village had a pretty face.”

Talek gave a very nervous giggle. “Heh… euh… thanks…” he paused a second. “My name’s Talek. Talek Gorionson.”

“If you want, you can call me Karna.” The woman said. “Unless you want me to play some other girl.” Again the teasing edge.

“N… no that… that’s not necessary. Karna is fine.” Talek wiped his forehead. He was standing absolutely rigid in place.

“No need to keep standing there. I don’t bite… unless you want me too.” It seemed Karna had to go through some trouble not to deadpan that last remark.

Talek gave another terrified chuckle and walked towards her. His eyes lingered for a moment on the cloth in front of her eye, before being drawn to the tunic, that was made too be too short at the cleavage and the thighs, so that it was hard to make out whether it completely covered the parts of the body that decency required obscured. Talek stared for a few seconds.

“Like what you see?” She asked.

Talek jumped up and averted his gaze. Even in the dim light, his blush was obvious. “I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

There was the soft rustling of cotton as Karna undid a strap and the article of clothing fell to the ground. She softly grabbed Talek by the side of his head and pushed his head so he looked at her uncovered body.

“There’s no need to be ashamed, Talek. I’m used to getting looked at. And you’re here to do more right?”

Talek’s mouth was dry. “I... I…”

She gave him a smile, uneven because of the scar. “You’re not cheating on anyone and I’m doing this out of my free will. There’s no reason to be ashamed of what you want. Now… take off your gauntlets. You want to feel right? No need for them here.”

Talek didn’t reply and numbly and clumsily took off the gauntlets, letting them fall to the floor. The chainmail and belt with the sword and belt knife on it followed. Karna went down and undid the magical boots and bracers, pulling off the socks and seeming pleasantly surprised for a second when they were rather clean. Breathing shakily Talek lost the tunic, shivering as his muscled but smooth chest was uncovered to the air. There were a few scars visible.

“It is cold. We should go to bed.” Karna put her hands around Talek’s torso and pulled him closer to the bed. She sat down. “There’s just one more thing that needs to go.” She looked straight at the pantaloons, clean but simple, held up by a cord in a knot.

Talek’s hands reached for the cord and grabbed the end that would undo the knot. His hands shook.

“I… I can’t do this.” He walked backwards and let himself drop on his backside. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry.” Karna said. “You’re not the first one that I’ve seen choke.”

Talek breathed heavily. “It’s just… I’m scared I guess.” He chuckled. “That’s twice in a day.” He sighed. “This is stupid. I cheerfully charged a bunch of kobolds that were using me for target practice but I bloody choke up for this. Something every last bloody bastard outthere manages.”

“Everyone’s scared the first time.” The woman said.

A bitter chuckle. “Hey, I’m normal for a change. That’s refreshing.” As long as Talek kept his eyes to the shadows and away from the naked woman on the bed, his nerves seemed to calm down. “I guess it’s been a crazy day since I came out the mines. Lots of things changed… And I’m still pretty happy that they did. But Imoen… Imoen probably wouldn’t like this. With Gorion gone, she’s about the only person from the 20 years I lived in Candlekeep that means something to me. But I couldn’t keep it up… either the world had to change or I had to… and the world is the same everywhere I go…”

He shivered. “You know, I never even told Imoen this. But there were times in Candlekeep, late at night after REALLY bad days, that I’d be playing with a knife… wondering how many of the bastards I’d be able to take down with me before someone put me down. Scared myself shitless of course. Bad enough when you just have bad dreams while you’re asleep. But I always said things would change. That’s what Imoen said too. But they didn’t. I thought for a while they might have, but they didn’t. So I changed. And I feel better. I really do. I look forward to waking up tomorrow, knowing that I DON’T have to worry about what people think of me. Of not caring that they call me scum,” He smiled. “because I know they’re right, and I’m fine with that. I don’t regret the choice, but I'm… worried about Imoen.”

He laughed, looking at the woman before remembering she was naked and looking away again, the blush returning. “Euh… Sorry about that… I guess I shouldn’t blabber on like that…”

The woman made a dismissive gesture. “I’m used to it. You’d be surprised how many people feel like talking. Though usually, it’s after the sex.”

Talek’s blush deepened. “Yeah… euh… about that… I… euh…” He fidgeted with his fingers.

Karna raised the visible eyebrow and grinned. “You wanna give it another go?”

“Euh… yes.” He scratched his hair.

“The night IS cold. I wouldn’t keep sitting there then if I were you.” She hid her body under the hide covers.

Talek got up and inhaled deeply, then let his last article of clothing fall to the ground. Then, without drawing another breath, he slid under the covers.

Only seconds later, he jumped out again, breathing heavily and his face now pale. “Shit, shit, SHIT. I’m sorry…. Oh SHIT, SHIT, SHIT! Bloody hell… I…” He inhaled deeply. “Screwed up, screwed up, screwed up.” He held his head.

“Hey, hey, hey… Calm down!” Karna got up. “That one REALLY happens to a lot of guys.” She reassured him.

“Wha…? But I…”

“You’re nervous and you’re inexperienced. That kind of thing is normal for a first time. And it REALLY doesn’t bother me. I’ve had this happen plenty of times.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Heck, if you think this is bad, there’s other guys who were so nervous they euh… couldn’t do ANYTHING anymore. Now that’s embarrassing. Heh, I could consider this a compliment. I’ve still got it, as they say.” She grinned.

“But… that just lasted a few seconds. I mean…” Talek seemed to be getting better.

Karna stifled a chuckle. “Oh boy, you really ARE innocent as a paladings squire like that. You said you’re twenty right? I’d be highly surprised if you’d be unable to try that again this night.” She embraced the worried young man from behind and moved back to the bed. “Now… Montaron paid for me to take care of you till past noon tomorrow. Let’s see if I still remember all my tricks to speed up the ‘recovery process.’”

Talek didn’t answer, and just allowed himself to be dragged under the covers again.