Mon'Ter

Chapter 14: The Red Night of Bliss

Having spent the better half of her time waiting for the clock to hit ten around food stalls, Elyenora had a happy smile on her face as she chewed on some barbecue skewers.   

‘It’s almost ten o’clock now, I should head towards the red-light district.’ Elyenora thought, munching on the last part of her food as she shifted her gaze towards the turning streets.   

The night had already fallen and many magical street lights had begun shining to illuminate the surroundings, the crowds around the main streets lessened significantly however the absence of people didn’t last long.   

After walking for a while across the streets, Elyenora finally entered the red-light district which was filled with its many night time activities. The people there were once more abundant and there was a bountiful number of loosely dressed women vying for the attention of the passing men, seeing them as potential customers.   

Walking through the thick crowds, she hummed in a low tone since she was pleased at the fact that she had found the information on this anti Jalid Talherd group, the guy definitely needed to be put down as it already was, so this would definitely be a huge help in her endeavors.   

Soon enough, she found herself standing before a particular building that had a red colored sign with the appearance of a starry sky on it and a small heart in the bottom left corner.  

Its name was written into the top part of the sign.   

“The red night of bliss, huh? Guess this is it.” Elyenora murmured, walking up to the building’s porch which had a few columns holding up the second and third floor above.   

Knocking on the door, Elyenora watched it open as a woman in her late forties appeared before her, she wore a crimson red dress and held a smoke pipe in her hand. The woman had dirty blond hair that was tied up in a bun and also brown colored eyes.   

The woman smiled widely while saying an obviously pre-rehearsed line with a wink.   

“Welcome to your very own red night of bliss dear customer! Our girls are-” She cut off, opening both eyes widely and seeing that a woman had arrived instead of the usual older men and or new adults whom she would still consider as boys. “Oh my? A girl is it? Well, I’m sure some of our hard workers are into that so...” She mused with a finger on her chin.   

“I’m not here for that,” Elyenora shook her head, looking up at the woman seriously. “Other business, may I enter?”   

“Sure...? What do you need then girl? You do know this isn’t an inn, right? It’s a brothel... Oh! Are you perhaps interested in-” The woman got cut off immediately.   

“No!” A flustered Elyenora shouted, “Ugh... Just listen...” she said, holding her head as to calm herself down from the assumption.   

“‘On the red night’s eve, we shall strike at the dungeon’s core’.” Elyenora said in a calm, serious tone. Trying to get her message across.   

The forty year old woman’s gaze immediately shifted as well, her voice changing to a more cold one, “Oh dear, it would seem that we have quite the interesting guest here. Come on in, there’s someone you must want to meet.” She said and let Elyenora into the building.  

“Yes, thank you.” Elyenora sighed, walking in together with the woman.   

Inside was a rather comfortable looking place, it was lightened up with red candles that gave some soft lime light to the interior with quite a few couches made with red fur which were undoubtedly expensive.    

There were a few men sitting around at a pub-like area with numerous girls surrounding them, giving the rather innocent Elyenora a feeling of embarrassment as she looked away.   

‘I don’t understand why people come to such places at all...’ She thought to herself, walking together with the woman to the staircase leading up.   

On the second floor, there was a long hallway with numerous doors each leading to a bedroom for the patrons to use, at the end of that hall was another staircase which then led to the third and final floor above.   

Climbing up the stairs, they were met with a door that blocked off the entrance to the area. The woman took out a key and unlocked the wooden door, opening it up to reveal a large roomy area with a few people inside.   

There were both men and women alike, sitting around and discussing their own topics amongst themselves.   

"Melissa! Who's that! How dare you bring an outsider inside here!" Said one of the men with a bald head and one of his teeth missing in the front part of his mouth.   

"Calm your baldness, Jorky. I don't want to hear any of your nonsense. This little girl here came in with the secret password."   

"What? Who are you?" Asked Jorky back with suspicion in his eyes that squinted at Elyenora’s figure.   

"Well, if that’s not a sexy lady over there." Whistled the other men while he winked at Elyenora. He had curled up blonde hair and a longbow strapped on his back, donning on leather armor which was covered in greenish fur.  

Elyenora glanced at the two men, speaking up. “My name is Ely, I’ve come to both aid you in your endeavors and to ask for your assistance in saving the kidnapped children from the city streets and other towns.”   

"Ely... What a lovely name. I'll be your hand, Ely. As so I will help you in the time of your need, no matter if it is charging through the enemy ranks or warming together with you in bed." Replied the blonde archer as he walked up to Elyenora and held her hand to show off his most charming smile.   

"Bah! We are not playing around here, George! Keep your act together!" Reprimanded the bald man as he turned his face at Elyenora, "And you, who sent you?"  

Elyenora ignored the blond archer, solemnly replying, “A poison maker from the black market, his name was Derek.”  

"Huh, that old fart?” Melissa spoke up, “Usually, that senile idiot would not take any serious matters into his job, he's a coward." She chimed in on the side while she widened her eyes in surprise.   

"Maybe he’s had a change of heart. Don't be too hasty in judging people, Melly." Commented the last man who had a big posture in the room with a double handed great sword beside him. He had a ruffled hairstyle with black hair and eyes.   

“Yep! Siya agrees with what Drull said, Siya also thinks that people can shift their views at times.” Another woman, or girl, who referred to herself in third person added.   

She was of quite the petite stature, perhaps 5’1’’, having curly white hair and silver eyes with a big smile on her face.  

“In either case, he told me you knew where the kids were, as well as more information on the matter.” Elyenora spoke, bringing the attention back to herself.   

"What a brave and kind spirit. I have fallen for you more, the beautiful lady Ely." Said George on the side while he flipped his hair and made a blow kiss to Ely.   

Making a weirded-out expression, Elyenora replied. “Okay that’s enough, stop pushing your luck buddy.” She said while placing a hand on his shoulder.  

"Let me push my charisma instead, my love?" Responded George as he showed his perfect, white teeth.   

“So, who is your leader?” Elyenora asked, ignoring the man on the side.  

Shortly, the last woman who had been silent for the entire ordeal finally spoke out in introduction while she frowned, "Ely is it? My name's Nadia and I would be the leader of this small party."  

Nadia was a petite woman no older than Elyenora herself, perhaps even younger and with the same height.   

She wore a pretty blue dress with a few white stripes over it, her hair was an auburn brown and short with twirls reaching on each side of her shoulders, her eyes were that of a black color which seemed to hold a spark of light within them that made them resemble polished obsidian.  

“Great, let me cut to the chase,” Elyenora said, “I would like to temporarily join your group and help launch a raid onto Jalid Talherd’s base of operations, I’m sure you’ve already considered it, no?”   

"Sure, one more person would result in more strength to the party. However, I’d like to speak to you in private before you can be welcomed to the group." Nadia said, crossing her arms.  

“Of course.” Elyenora replied solemnly and walked towards Nadia.  

“Hey! Nadia! I don’t trust her! What if she hurts you?” Jorky shouted, a bit worried over the prospect that Elyenora could be an enemy.  

“She won’t.” Nadia simply replied, as she and Elyenora walked to a door at the other end of the large room.  

“Siya says bye, bye to Nadia!” Siya waved across the room enthusiastically, earning herself a glare from Jorky who in turn was glared at by Drull.  

Once they were through, Nadia closed the door and walked past Elyenora who was standing on the side and gazing around at the interior.  

“This is your office I take it?” Elyenora asked, looking over the smaller sized room.  

There was a few wardrobes and cabinets with a couple of chairs placed before a desk behind which stood a window looking on to the streets.  

“Indeed, now then, take a seat.” Nadia said, sitting down behind her desk.  

“Thank you,” Elyenora replied calmly and sat down, “So, what would you like to talk about, miss Nadia?” She asked.  

“Well, as you said before. I’ll cut to the chase, princess Elyenora.” Nadia said, her obsidian eyes glowing slightly while she held her hands together on the desk.  

Furrowing her eyebrows, Elyenora looked to the woman before her, “Oh? How do you know my real identity? Do I know you by chance?”   

“Not at all,” Nadia replied, “I simply happen to be of noble birth myself you see.”  

Gazing at Nadia’s eyes, Elyenora asked. “Your magic eyes can tell my identity?”  

“Precisely,” Nadia replied, “it’s not a particularly useful power, however it does let me see the names of those whom I gaze at. Common people have names in shades of red, while nobles such as us have ones that are colored blue.”  

“Mmm,” Elyenora mused, “In this case however it seems to have helped, no?” She smiled.  

“Haha! Yes, so it would seem.” Nadia chuckled, “I do happen to wonder what the great ‘Dancing Sword Princess’ Elyenora is doing here in this city, however I could care less as long as I can gain someone of your stature’s assistance in my plans.” She said with a hint of confidence flashing in her eyes.  

“What might this assistance be then?” Elyenora asked, curious as to what the girl’s plans might be, other than saving the children.   

“I’m sure you’ve met my father a few times before, have you not? Your highness?” Nadia asked with a slight grin.  

“Your father is it? And who might that be.” Elyenora asked once again.  

Nadia smirked, giving her the answer.   

“Jalid Talherd.”  

With her eyes popping from the surprise, Elyenora glared at Nadia, “What is the meaning of this then? Don’t tell me I’ve been caught in a trap, have I?” She asked, slowly grasping for her sword.  

“Oh! No, no... Not at all, your highness.” Nadia lightly bowed her head across the desk. “This is most certainly a serious group with serious intentions.” She raised her head, looking over at Elyenora with ferocity in her eyes.  

“...” having been silent for a moment, Elyenora spoke up again, “I take it you have your reasons then...?” She said, but still softly held onto the handle of her rapier.  

“Indeed,” Nadia spoke, “to most who know of my group, they take it as a rebellious party towards the city lord who’s been unjust towards the citizens. I have their utmost support in the aspect of not tolerating his actions. All of this is for the people, you might say.”  

“So you say...” Elyenora responded, “But, there’s more reason to it, correct?” she smirked, gazing at the woman’s soul.  

‘There’s no way a daughter with a murky colored soul like this would go out of her way to fight against her own father for the sake of her citizens.’ Elyenora thought, before concluding. ‘I wouldn’t call her evil, but she is definitely a very selfish and naïve person.’  

“Haha,” Giggling to herself, Nadia replied, “Yes. It’s more about myself really, and a tad bit of vengeance.”  

“Vengeance?” Elyenora mused, crossing her hands as she spoke. “Hmpf, to think Talherd even did something cruel enough to his own daughter to warrant for her to take revenge.” She scoffed.  

“Not me in particular, no.” Nadia said, “However...” She cut off, her head casting downwards.   

“He did cripple the man whom I loved most... Threw him in some jail cell to rot after he had asked for my hand in marriage...” She spoke in a hushed tone, her voice cracking slightly, “I will not forgive my father for that. I’ll take his damn seat as the lord of this city and save my fiancé!”  

At those words, Elyenora smiled lightly, thinking to herself that it was a favorable situation.   

Nadia then raised her head, looking towards Elyenora with determination, “Your highness, Princess Elyenora, I ask thee of one thing and one thing alone. Kill my father, and I will launch the assault party whenever you ask.”  

Still smiling lightly with a kind expression, Elyenora replied, “Of course!” Prompting a smile from Nadia. “However, what would I gain in return for it?”  

“Huh?” Nadia stood up, “What do you mean? I thought you just wanted to save the children!” She bellowed in confusion and rising anger.  

“I do.” Elyenora spoke coldly.  

“Then why do you need compensation?” Nadia asked angrily.  

She was anxious to gain Elyenora’s help, hearing a requirement after knowing about the princess’ intentions had not crossed the young noble lady’s mind at all.  

“Killing Jalid Talherd isn’t a priority, you’re making it one. You’re also aiming to become the city lord, that being with my help. So, I’m asking for compensation.” Elyenora replied, putting her hands together. “Let’s sign a blood contract, shall we?”  

“A blood contract is it?” Nadia spoke in a relatively calm tone, “Do we have to use such a method?” She asked, her hands shaking a little to the side. 

'Tsk...  A blood contract, she takes no chance for betrayal huh...' thinking deeply about the sudden offer, Nadia still showed a calm smile on her face while she thought, 'What could she possibly have in mind to go that far?'  

Once one has signed a contract with their own blood, they no longer can go against it.  

“Yes, I do find it necessary for such negotiations, do you not?” Elyenora smiled kindly while supporting her chin with a hand on the desk, yet the feeling Nadia got from it was rather cold.  

Then, Nadia replied, still with her smile, "Do you not trust me, princess? That does oh, so break my heart."  

Letting out a fake giggle, Elyenora replied, "Well, it's not that. I just wanted to know how far your sincerity goes, after all, a trust with a very powerful binding creates a good partnership, don’t you think?"  

“But...” Nadia spoke up, “You have to admit that’s a little extreme, right? I will definitely abide by your request so-” Before Nadia could finish, Elyenora cut her off.  

“If you don’t accept, I can just leave and go do this on my own, might take me a bit longer but I’ll get the children out by myself.” Elyenora shrugged.  

“Tsk...” Clicking her tongue, Nadia replied. “Fine, I don’t seem to have much of a choice if I want my father dead... Your assistance will be worth it, so what is your request, princess?” She asked, taking out a piece of paper from her desk drawer.  

Nadia handed it to Elyenora together with a quill.  

She took the paper and quill and began drawing and writing on it with a hint of magic being absorbed into the quill from Elyenora’s hand, using it as ink for the purpose of the document.   

“I simply require your support.” Elyenora replied solemnly, pushing the paper contract back to the middle of the table.  

There was a row of sentences written at the top, signaling Elyenora’s involvement with Nadia.   

A magic circle in the middle with two smaller ones on the top and bottom part of it.

And a second row of sentences meant for Elyenora’s request.   

Its conditions had been written in and completed, now the two simply needed to agree and accept it by putting a drop of their blood in the smaller circles.  

Nadia then replied in a surprised tone, “With what?” she asked, confused as to what Elyenora meant.  

She was already going to support her in retaking the children, that was the plan from the start, so what could this princess possibly want?  

With a soft smile, Elyenora gave a short and cheerful reply.  

“Taking the crown for myself.”