A Mythical Match Up IV - Futures Market Part V

            "...Twenty-four, thirty, thirty-six..." counted Nathan under his breath as he stacked coin after coin on the burgeoning pile, a clink punctuating every addition.

            Maeve took another swig from her pewter tankard, the dull, flickering orange flames of the nearby ensconced torches dancing on its silvery reflective surface. The buxom vixen sat on the side of the table opposite Nathan. Behind Nathan stood Gnesh - watchful as ever. The trio had relocated to a smaller but far more salubrious tavern a good distance from the river to debrief. The bat beastkin landlord had greeted them warmly despite the late hour and offered each a beverage of their choice; only Maeve had accepted. The tavern and surrounding neighborhood were quiet, but not completely silent. The soft conversations of the half-dozen or so other patrons and burble of the fountain in the adjoining plaza coupled with the cozy air in the taproom lent the place a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere - a welcome balm for the hectic night they'd been through.

            "...And...three hundred," finished Nathan, placing the final thick coin on the table with the others. He reached down and closed his now nearly empty belt pouch.  

            "Thank you," sang Maeve gleefully. She scooped up the coins, pinched the neck of her dress with her other paw and then deposited them in her cavernous cleavage. Her breasts jiggled as they absorbed the currency.

            Nathan blushed slightly and averted his eyes.

            "Now, are you certain there's nothing else Maeve Marigold can do for you?" she inquired as she adjusted her blouse.

            "Uh, no," said Nathan quickly. "I have a pretty good idea of who's behind everything but I'll need to do some fact checking. I can take care of that myself - tomorrow." He hesitated. "But...say I did want to hire you again. How would I get a hold of you?"

            "Hm? Ah yes. Send a messenger to Righak at the Gutted Wasp," said Maeve absently. She took another drink. "Though I should warn you I will be leaving Do va Iesk in a few days' time and shan't return for a while." She sighed. "A shame, really. There was so much more I wanted to do here, but one mustn't tarry when there's work to be done."

            "Oh, uh, okay," said Nathan.

            There was an awkward pause.

            "Before we part ways, perhaps there is something you can help me with," said Maeve.

            She produced a small rectangular slip that Nathan quickly recognized as a photograph. It depicted a guy (a human) in his twenties, somewhat athletic, lean-faced, with short brown hair and light brownish-green eyes. Next to him stood a woman (also human) of about the same age with the same color hair and eyes, though she wore glasses and was a bit bulkier than her male counterpart. Both were smiling.

            "Do you know this young lady, by chance?" asked Maeve, tapping the image of the woman with a fuzzy digit. "Her name is Shelia."

            Nathan leaned closer to get a better look.

            "Nope."

            "Are you certain?"

            "Never seen her before, sorry," he said, sitting back and shaking his head.

            "Ah, well," sighed Maeve. "If you ever encounter her in the Realms - or Earth, for that matter - please send word."

            Nathan nearly asked why she was searching for the woman but recalled Dovon's advice not to get involved and simply nodded.

            "I don't believe she is in any danger but my client is eager to find her."

            "Sure, sure," said Nathan, stifling a yawn. It had been a long day - and night.

            He hesitated. Her eccentricities aside, Maeve had been very helpful.

            "Here, let me at least take a photo of her," he said, digging into his pocket. "I'll ask around too - you never know."

            He brought out his phone. Immediately understanding, Maeve held the print out so he could get a clear shot. Nathan carefully positioned his phone until the photo was perfectly in frame. Then, he tapped the screen. A soft, ersatz click filled the air. One of the nearby patrons looked curiously at Nathan's device but then shrugged and turned back to his cup.

            Nodding, Nathan put away his phone.

            "Such useful contraptions," remarked Maeve as she slipped the photo back into her cleavage. "I really should acquire one. You know, I attempted to create my own not too long ago."

            "You tried to make your own smart phone?" said Nathan, more than a little incredulous. "How?"

            "With magic, of course," sniffed Maeve. "I borrowed one of my client's phones and employed Makkar's Lesser Ritual of Creation - a rather misleading moniker, admittedly, as it merely assembles a copy of an existing object from raw materials. True creation is the domain of the gods. One could use it to make a sword from an iron ingot or, say, a fine dress from cotton, silk, and ivory (for the buttons). Sadly, these phones seem to be made of substances other than glass and steel."

            "Huh? Oh, yeah, I don't think it'd be easy to get a hold of plastic and...rare earth metals around here," said Nathan, scratching his head. "Still, you could make a copy of anything if you had the right stuff?"

            Maeve nodded.

            "That's impressive," said Nathan, whistling. "I'm surprised you haven't put all the craftsmen out of business."

            "Oh foo, as though we would spend decades studying thaumaturgy just to be able to manufacture trinkets," said Maeve, waiving a paw dismissively. "I suppose it might be worthwhile for truly valuable objects, but most magic users have better things to do. Besides, even a skilled wielder of the arcane arts (such as myself) could only cast that spell a dozen or so times in a day before mana burn would set in. And we could not make anything new or novel - just replicate that which already exists."

            Maeve drained the last of her drink and wiped her lips. She rose and extended a fuzzy paw. Nathan stood up as well and shook it.

            "A pleasure doing business with you, darling," she said happily. "I hope you're able to deal with the villain plaguing your affairs and reconcile with your lady friend. Speaking of reconciliation..." She grinned saucily at Gnesh and licked her lips. "Do come and see me if you have some free time, Gneshy. I'd love to...catch up."

             Gnesh did not react beyond twitching slightly.

            Giggling, Maeve turned and made her way to the exit, her bushy red tail and wide, ample posterior swaying behind her. Numerous eyes followed her as she stepped out into the city.

            "Thanks for recommending her," said Nathan once she was gone, turning to Gnesh. "I can see it wasn't easy for you."

            Gnesh frowned and nodded.

            "She...too much," he said.

            "Yeah, I know the feeling," muttered Nathan. He paused. "Come to think of it, thanks for everything today. Couldn't have pulled it off without you."

            "Nope. Couldn't have," agreed Gnesh.

            "Whatever Melinanatha paid you, you're worth every penn-...every talent."

            Gnesh stirred as though suddenly uncomfortable. He unfolded his arms

            "Should be gettin' back, boss," he said, sounding equal parts concerned and tired. "It's late. Da lady said to keep you safe. Didn't say to stop even after you two had dat fight."

            "Yeah, probably should," said Nathan. "Like I said, I have a pretty good idea of who's behind all this shit, but there are a lot of...missing pieces. Going to figure this out in the morning. And hopefully Melinanatha will be in a better mood by then."

            Nathan started walking towards the door. He paused mid-step, turned to Gnesh, smiled softly, and gave the massive orc a pat on the arm before heading out. Gnesh nodded curtly and followed.

* * *

            Melinanatha scowled as she strode down the long, airy corridor, passing numerous fine oil paintings and exquisite tapestries hanging from the smooth sandstone walls. The dragoness wore a milky white garment somewhere between a toga and gown, with a soft, loose skirt that extended just past her knees and a shawl-like extension of the upper portion draped over one shoulder. Like most formal Draco garb, her dress was embroidered with colorful geometric patterns. Every one of her ponderous steps was followed by a soft click as the tips her stubby black talons tapped the floor. She lowered her head slightly while passing under a small low-hanging chandelier - currently unlit as the early afternoon sun was shining brightly through the windows.

            She stopped suddenly at a door and stared at it. For moment she appeared unsure, almost anxious, but quickly readopted a haughty expression and opened it.

            Nathan was inside sitting on his bed, which was covered in scrolls, parchment and other documents; he was in the middle of reading one of them. His hair was messy, his face unshaven and he only had a pair of khakis and a faded blue T-shirt on. He looked up at her. His eyes were sunken but not bloodshot.

            There was a long silence.

            "You were not present at breakfast," growled Melinanatha slowly, folding her beefy green arms.

            Nathan sighed resignedly. He dropped the paper he'd been reading.

            "Didn't think I'd be welcome," he said. "Didn't think you'd want to see me again so soon."

            "I did not," snorted Melinanatha. "However, by failing to appear not only for last night's supper but this morning's breakfast you have insulted our host Lord Vasarian twice over." She grimaced. "As though my dominion could suffer more ignominy!"

            "In my defense, nobody told me we'd be eating breakfast together," said Nathan. "I woke up around ten, asked one of the maids for something to eat and she brought me some bread and cured ham - least I hope it was ham. She didn't say a thing. Hell, I haven't even left the room." He took a deep breath and exhaled. He stood. "But...you're right. I'm sorry, Melinanatha. I should have checked in. And I'll apologize to Lord Vasarian. Hopefully he'll forgive me."

            Melinanatha's expression softened, but only a smidgen. "What are you even doing?"

            Nathan gestured vaguely at the documents on the bed.

            "Going over some records that Zeszintha sent over," he said. "I asked the maid if I could send a message to Northkeep. Apparently there's some kind of spell that can send a copy of a document - basically a fax. Had to pay for it with the last of my Realms currency. I'm tapped out until next week."

            The mention of her castellan nonplussed Melinanatha. She cocked her head.

            "What...what records? And for what reason?"

            Nathan suddenly looked directly in her eyes.

            "That's a long, long story," he said. His lips tightened "But before I go over that, there's something we need to talk about."

            He glanced down at the papers littering the blanket and absently pushed them on top the pillows. He then scooched to the middle of the bed and motioned for Melinanatha to join him. She gave him an odd look but complied. She hunched and tucked her wings close to her body as she passed through the door but still had to squeeze her massive hips through the frame. Once inside, she shut the door, stepped over and carefully lowered herself onto the bed beside to him. The bed was a bit larger than queen-sized and built from solid oak yet it buckled and groaned under her ponderous weight. Nathan even swore he heard a crack. He moved a little to the left to give her space but the even then he was mere inches away. He could feel the heat radiating from her body and smell her sweet floral perfume. His cheeks reddened.

            "Well?" said Melinanatha.

            Nathan cleared his throat.

            "Remember that talk we had right after the dinner with your folks and Coskitrask?" he began.

            Melinanatha nodded slowly.

            "We...I said I wanted to take a step back from our relationship. That we needed to slow down and actually date - court - and..." he swallowed "...I also mentioned the possibility of seeing other people. Very, very vaguely," he admitted. "And you said you couldn't because of the decree of the Vassal Council..."

            He paused and looked directly up at Melinanatha. She was staring at him expectantly, her beak-like nose and mouth pressed together in a frown. Her bright blue eyes were locked on him. He swallowed and continued.

            "The thing is...I have been seeing another person. A girl - a human."

            There was silence.

            "We've...gone on a few dates," continued Nathan miserably. "We've...kissed. Once. She knows I'm seeing another person and is fine with keeping things casual. I don't know if she wants it to be anything else."

            Nathan then shut his eyes and braced for the worst - a loud, furious tirade, a sobbing excoriation, physical violence or all of the above. He waited. Nothing happened. He slowly opened one eye.

            Melinanatha was still staring at him, but her expression had changed. Rather than enraged or distraught, her countenance was neutral. If anything, she appeared slightly relieved - maybe even amused.

            Nathan opened his other eye and returned her gaze, perplexed. He wondered, a little pit of dread opening in his stomach, if the news had been so devastating that she had entered some kind of fugue - a state of utter despair where she'd laugh rather than weep because there weren't enough tears.

            "Oh Nathan," said Melinanatha in a strange, gentle tone. She reached over and held his hands in her massive scaly paws."At last you confess. I had began to despair you would never speak the truth."

            Nathan's jaw dropped.

            "You...you knew?" he said, scooting away.

            "Yes."

            A shiver ran through Nathan.

            "For how long?"

            "Oh, soon after your first...tryst."

            "How did you find out?"

            "I perused your phone while you were in the privy during one of our outings. I believe it was at that quaint osteria with the queer sticks of buttered bread."

            "You looked through my phone?" gasped Nathan, shocked

            "I was bored," said Melinanatha, almost peevishly. "You had previously loaned me your device so I thought I'd amuse myself with it while you were gone. Imagine my surprise when a missive appeared from a stranger thanking you for a wonderful night."

            "Wait, when did I ever..." Nathan trailed off as he remembered the time at Olive Garden when he'd left his phone at the table in his haste to make it to the bathroom. "Oh shit."

            "Indeed," said Melinanatha.

            Nathan shook his head, bewildered, as a flurry of emotions assailed him. He felt ashamed for not telling Melinanatha about his girlfriend sooner, angry at Melinanatha for violating his privacy, angry at himself for leaving his phone on the table, ashamed for being angry for leaving his phone on the table, confusion at how she was reacting and relief for finally getting all this off his chest. It felt, at least for a moment, as though his heart were about to explode.

            "Why didn't you say something?" he managed.

            Melinanatha simply stared at him, waiting.

            "You wanted me to tell you myself," he breathed. Then, he realized something else. "That's why you've been so..." he searched for the right, least offensive word "...Distant with me lately."

            Melinanatha shot him a hard look.

            "I had hoped you'd confess during the journey to the city," she said. "Indeed, it is why I insisted we travel by palanquin rather than portal." She coughed. "Well, that and the expense."

            Nathan slowly lowered his gaze.

            "I'm...sorry, Melinanatha. I should have been more...I should have been honest with you."

            "You were at first," she said. "You made it abundantly clear you were not ready to wed; that our relationship, born from mutual necessity, was too inchoate. And that your responsibilities and pursuits on Earth precluded it." Her voice softened. "I admit I was angry and bewildered at first, but upon further reflection, I began to appreciate your position." The enormous dragoness fidgeted slightly in her seat. "Perhaps I should have been more...understanding."

            "I'll break up with her," said Nathan. "I'll tex...no, I'll call her up and tell her I'm...that I just can't see her anymore."

            The words had spilled from his mouth more or less automatically, prompted by no conscious thought. Nathan blinked, almost surprised he had uttered them, but did not feel the slightest inclination to take them back. He looked up and met Melinanatha's gaze with firm, sincere eyes.

            "No, no," said Melinanatha kindly, shaking her head. "If the two of you are happy you shouldn't cut ties for my sake."

            "It really is - was - a casual thing," insisted Nathan. "I don't-..." he trailed off.

            A sudden awkwardness filled the room. Nathan and Melinanatha looked away from each other. Several seconds passed in silence, broken by the call of a seagull flying by the open window. Then, Nathan cleared his throat and turned back to her.

            "Do you...do you want to hear about what I found?" he said diffidently, motioning at the papers he had pushed aside.

            "Oh. Oh Yes! Of course," said Melinanatha, dabbing the corner of her eye with a clawed digit. She smiled wanly. "Go on."

            "Okay! Uh, well, first thing, you were right - I should have been more cautious. I'm saying this now because I don't want to pretend I'm blameless." He took a deep breath. "That said I didn't exactly get drunk last night. I was drugged."

            Strangely enough, Nathan found himself relaxing a little as he spoke. Discussing the criminal conspiracy working against them seemed far less stressful than talking about their relationship.

            "Drugged?" exclaimed Melinanatha in shock. "You were poisoned?"

            "Yeah. Someone followed me to the bar and slipped a candidus cameo in my drink." He paused. "Uh, candidus cameo is a potion that-"

            "Yes, I know that particular concoction," said Melinanatha grimly. "It used to be the bane of many a gathering of noble Draco before it became commonplace to test drinks for it."

            "Well, you can probably guess what happened afterwards. It was just bad luck on my part that the Fredritchs were at the same tavern, but even if they hadn't been there I think whoever had been following me would have spread the word just the same."

            "How did you learn all of this?"

            "Some good old fashioned detective work and a lot of help from Gnesh and a mage he recommended," said Nathan. "Seriously, that orc guy is rock solid. Whatever you're paying him, he deserves a bonus. Saved my ass more ways than one."

            "I...admit to having some reservations hiring a goblinoid. I am pleased he proved my misgivings unfounded."

            Nathan looked askance at Melinanatha before continuing.

            "Anyways, to make a very long and grisly story short, we tracked down the one who slipped me the potion and found out who hired he-...them. Their name is Deuxtrassineaii."

            Melinanatha sat bolt upright in the bed.

            "A Draco," she hissed.

            "Yeah, I figured," said Nathan, nodding. "I sent a message to Zeszintha asking if the name meant anything to him. Apparently, Deuxtrassineaii is the son of a dominator by name of Sarcoelinanie, who has business interests in Do va Iesk. Apparently, Deuxtrassineaii works closely with his family's trade house - the House of the Silver Stag."

            "House of the Silver Stag?" said Melinanatha suddenly. "Are you certain?"

            "Uh, yeah."

            Melinanatha reached into the folds of her dress and produced a scroll.

            "Late this morning I received a missive bearing the seal of that very trading house," she said, handing it to Nathan. "It is an offer to lease my copper mine."

            "Lease?" said Nathan curiously as he unrolled the scroll.

            "For a period of no less than two years, during which time any and all ore mined there would belong to the House of the Silver Stag." She harrumphed. "The temerity of the proposal - to let a dominatrix's holdings as though it were a room at an inn!" She sighed and deflated slightly. "Yet...I may just accept it. With word of the dire state of the mine spreading throughout the city and beyond there are no reasonable prospects for the original terms. And their offer is quite generous. Not only will they pay a yearly lease but repair the mines. When they depart in two years' time my domain will reap the fruit of their labor."

            Nathan was already reading through the scroll. He ran a finger along the cursive text, silently mouthing the words.

            "Hmmm...kind of a privatization agreement," he muttered after a time. "Well, not really - more like one government sponsored entity leasing a tangible asset from another government. Still, it's a lot like letting a foreign company come in and harvest your natural resources for a cut of the profits. That doesn't always turn out well." He looked up at Melinanatha. "But this adds another piece to the puzzle," he said, tapping the parchment.

            "What do you mean?"

            "See, Zeszintha did a little research into Deuxtrassineaii, Sarcoelinanie and the House of the Silver Stag. Most of the records on hand were family trees and heraldry - not terribly useful." Nathan grinned. "Then, he checked their vassal records and apparently Sarcoelinanie is the vassal of a certain red-scaled blonde Draco we all know and hate. Can you guess who?"

            It took less than a second for Melinanatha to put two and two together. Her eyes narrowed. Her nostrils flared. Her claws curled into tight, trembling fists.

            "Coskitrask," she growled with a vitriol one might reserve for a child-murderer.

            "Yep. And the vassalization is pretty intense. Like, Sarcoelinanie's domain is effectively an extension of Coskitrask's. My guess is that he uses his trade house when he wants to do business on the down low - like a proxy. To be honest, I suspected it was Coskitrask the second I heard Deuxtrassineaii's name but I needed to confirm it." He gestured at the papers. "Thank God you keep such detailed records on each other's domains and families."

            Melinanatha rose from the bed and silently paced back and forth in the room. Her face was locked in a mask of unbridled fury. Nathan quietly watched, waiting for her to calm down.

            "That...conniving, hateful little pustule!" she fumed through gritted fangs. "One would think he learned his lesson yet still he torments us!" She whirled around, facing Nathan. "And he had the cheek, the nerve - the audacity - to poison and muddy the good name of my consort? My betrothed?" She shook her head, chuckling evilly. "Oh, if any action warranted a declaration of war it would be this. I will send word to Zeszintha immediately and have him issue the writ to the Vassal Council!"

            "That's...one option," said Nathan carefully. "But we both know Zeszintha has a lot of armed men at his disposal. I don't know if we could take him in an armed conflict."

            "Hah! His retinue consists of little more than a gaggle of mercenaries, loyal only to his coin! My forces and the militia of Snail's Rest are hardened warriors! And I have little doubt my sire and dame will join us once they hear of his further duplicity!"

            "Look, I've spent the last hour or so going over the records Zeszintha sent up here," said Nathan. "This guy is rich and connected. Hell, he even has contacts in Mythic Matches. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he were the one who flooded the market with copper way back when we first met. He has stakes in a bunch of mining concerns."

            "What? He was behind that as well?" roared Melinanatha, wings flaring.

            "It's just an educated guess - honestly, more of a hunch," said Nathan patiently, raising a hand for her to calm down. "Easy there."

            Melinanatha growled but slowly furled her wings.

            "He might have just known there was going to be a glut in the market through his connections and took advantage of it. It almost doesn't matter."

            "We cannot let this stand! We need to act!"

            "We need to be smart about this," said Nathan firmly. "We need to figure out what Coskitrask wants and why."

            "He seeks to usurp my domain, of course!" snapped Melinanatha, folding her arms.

            "I would have agreed with you on that until you showed me this," said Nathan, holding up the scroll. He stood. "It's your mines. He just wants your mines."

            "My...mines?" Melinanatha lowered her arms. Curiosity seemed to cool her temper.

            "Here's what I think went down," said Nathan. "After the meeting with your parents Coskitrask kept tabs on us best he could. Maybe he learns that the mines have been shut down. If the miners are out of work it's kind of hard to hide the fact. Maybe he even knows it's because they're falling apart. But with the added security at the castle and the mole out of the picture he can't get as much information as he normally does."

            Nathan started pacing himself.  Melinanatha watched and listened intently.

            "Then, he catches wind of our trip to Do va Iesk so he sends word to his man down here. That guy arranges for someone to follow us around and learn why we're here. Well, unfortunately the spy does a great job. So Coskitrask sees an opportunity. He makes sure everyone in town knows we're desperate to cut a deal - maybe he calls in some favors to be sure no-one will do business with us. Then, once we're good and eager, he makes an offer to buy us out through a proxy. He knows you'd never knowingly do business with him but figures you'd snap up the first reasonable offer you receive after being turned down over and over again and not worry about the details." Nathan stopped to catch his breath. "There's just one thing I can't figure out."

            "Which is...?" said Melinanatha. She took a step closer.

            "Why he's so damn set on getting a hold of your mines," exclaimed Nathan. "I mean, assuming he is the one who flooded the market with copper, why does he need your mine? I thought he was just using copper to leverage control, but this," he waived the scroll in the air again "This means it was always about the mines."

            Melinanatha considered this.

            "Perhaps he seeks total dominion over the copper market and fears Northkeep could challenge it."

            "No offense, Melinanatha, but your copper mine is small potatoes compared to Coskitrask's assets. If he can lower copper prices so drastically he already has a functional monopoly in the region," said Nathan. "Again, that's assuming he was behind it. Either way, I just don't buy it." Nathan paused, thinking. "Is...Northkeep strategically important? Like, is it the only fortified castle between two warring kingdoms?"

            Melinanatha hesitated but then shook her head.

            "Okay. Are there any...clauses in any vassalization agreements that say Coskitrask will be, I dunno, elevated to a higher rank or something if he acquires Northkeep?"

            "It is always possible, but unlikely," said Melinanatha. "Zeszintha is scrupulous in matters of vassal obligations involving my domain. He would have warned me if there were such a clause. Besides, you said Coskitrask only seeks my mines, not my domain as a whole."

            "Right, right, shit," sighed Nathan, rubbing his head. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he does want your domain and sees acquiring the mines as gaining a foothold."

            "No, Nathan," said Melinanatha quietly. "Your first instinct rings true to me."

            "Then...hell, I have no idea," said Nathan, throwing his arms out. "I know you hate him, but the guy doesn't actually seem to hate you back. Comes across as a pragmatic type. I don't think he'd screw with us out of spite. At least, not only out of spite. And he did hint there was some kind of big plan in the works right before he left your castle."

            "Hah!" chuckled Melinanatha. "The memory of him scurrying out of my domain with his tail between his legs still brings joy to my heart."

            "Yeah, me too," said Nathan, grinning. "I loved seeing that smug, slimy bastard lose it."

            Smiles and sniggers quickly turned to laughter - loud, uproarious laughter. Then, just as suddenly, their laughter petered out. Nathan looked up at Melinanatha's face, noting, as though for the first time, her big, beautiful sapphire eyes, her long, shimmering ebony hair and the cute pair of horns adorning her crown. Melinanatha gazed down at Nathan with equal intensity.

            It happened almost simultaneously. Nathan lunged forward and Melinantha grabbed him. The two locked lips and kissed - deeply, passionately - as Melinanatha pulled him closer, pressing his body against hers while Nathan's hands roamed her enormous, curvy form, touching and squeezing through her silky dress. His eyes rolled back in bliss. Her tongue was long, flexible yet surprisingly soft, and her scaly lips were warm and moist. As she drew him closer, he gasped as he realized the two colossal, squishy mounds between his head were her boobs. Feeling bold, he reached up and started massaging them, reveling in their fleshy, pliant mass. Melinanatha moaned huskily in surprise but did not seem in the least bit displeased.

            "Oh, Nathan..." she whispered.

            Nathan's shirt fell to the floor. He didn't even remember taking it off and didn't care. The sound of ripping fabric filled the room as Melinanatha briefly released Nathan to tear her dress off. He felt it slide over his head and face. He looked up and blushed. Though her white toga-like gown still clung to her body by her ultra-wide hips she was now completely naked from the waist up. She smiled naughtily. Nathan couldn't believe this was actually happening. He couldn't believe this was real. He'd been with Melinanatha for a year now and knew she liked him but he'd never imagined it'd actually come to this.

            Still grinning, Melinanatha cocked her head as though to say 'what are you waiting for?'" Taking the hint, Nathan stepped forward and buried his face in her cleavage while squeezing her breasts. Their fine scaly texture was a bit off-putting at first but Nathan soon grew to love it. It was like sleeping on the warmest, most comfortable leather pillows in the universe. While he motor-boated her Melinanatha rubbed his hair, pausing occasionally to lick his ears and cheeks.

            Not entirely sure how far this was going to go but eager to find out, Nathan slowly reached down to unbuckle his khakis.

            There was a sharp knock at the door.

            "Master Veles?" called a high-pitched voice from the other side.

            Melinanatha and Nathan froze. They looked over at the door.

            "Lord Vasarian wishes to convey a message."

            Melinanatha and Nathan looked at each other.

            It was as though a spell had been broken. Saying nothing, they quickly let go of each other and began hastily donning their discarded clothing.

            "Enter!" barked Melinanatha once they were decent.

            The door opened and a little beastkin otter maid trotted inside. She looked up at Melinanatha and blinked in surprise.

            "Oh, pardon me, dominatrix," she squeaked, curtsying. "I did not know you were visiting Master Veles."

            "Well, I am," huffed Melinanatha, brushing back an errant lock of hair. "The message?"

            "Ah yes! Er, Lord Vasarian wants to know if Master Veles will actually be attending tonight's feast," she said. She coughed meaningfully. "He has grown...weary of setting a table and chair that is never occupied."

            "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be there this time," said Nathan distractedly. "You can, uh, tell him he has my word."

            The maid looked at Nathan and then Melinanatha. The former's face was flushed, his hair was messy and his ears, lips and cheeks were slick with moisture. The latter's dress was ruffled, her hair was also a mess and her tail was twitching irritably.

            The maid covered her mouth to (unsuccessfully) stifle a giggle.

            "I will inform the lord at once," she said.

            With that she turned and left, though she paused half-way out the door to give Nathan a knowing smirk.

            Several seconds passed in silence. Nathan looked over at Melinanatha, somewhat hopefully. She gave him a sad smile. Nathan sighed and found he agreed with her unspoken sentiment. The moment had been spoiled.

            "And it was the same goddamn maid," he muttered.

            "Hmm?" said Melinanatha.

            "Nothing," said Nathan.

            There were another few seconds of silence.

            "We still haven't figured out why Coskitrask wants your mines," he observed.

            Melinanatha nodded.

            "I shall retire to my chambers to freshen up," she said, tugging at a crinkled fold in her dress. "We will convene at the loggia - the west terrace - in a demi-hour to continue this discussion. Perhaps we will come to the solution if we give our minds time to rest."

            "Yeah, good idea."

            Melinanatha smiled coyly at him.

            "As for the other...thing, I think we should continue where we left off after dinner." She winked. "In my bedchamber, this time."

            Nathan felt his heart flutter in his chest.

            "O-Okay!"

            She blew him a kiss, turned and stepped towards the door. She opened it and stepped through. Again, she had to squeeze her massive hips through its tight frame, but she took her time doing so, slowly wiggling her beach ball-sized rump back and forth while her green tail swung hypnotically in the air. She turned to give Nathan one flirtatious look before popping through the door and shutting it behind her.

            Nathan stood there for a time. Then he slowly stepped back and flopped on his bed, sending many of the documents flying in the air. He didn't care. He just lay there, grinning like a madman, as the papers fell to the ground around the bed.

            "Wow," he breathed.

            He shifted his body and felt the hard shape of his phone in his pocket. He glanced down at it and his shit-eating smile slowly faded.

            "Might as well tell her now and rip off the band aid," he murmured.

            He yanked it out and swiped the screen only to remember there was no actual service in the Realms of Shaltae. And Mia didn't have the app.

            "Crap, keep forgetting," he said, feeling a little foolish.

            He gazed down at his phone's glossy surface. There was a hair-line crack across the right side of the screen cover. He made a mental note to replace it when he got back to Earth.

            "Wait a minute..." he whispered to himself as he stared thoughtfully at his device.