亚洲综合中美

“Xen...” followed a horrifiedly excited Mandl, “-why did we break cover?”

“Honestly friend, are you na?ve on purpose?”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Igna took notice of the noble’s flushed expression, more than excited, the man held tangible embarrassment, “-don’t worry, I’m not mocking,” he reassured and casually tapped Mandl’s shoulder, “-follow me, let’s get you some action.” A young night for many, and a tired one for Igna, sudden activation of the Shadow Realm was similar to popping a balloon.

Ladies in waiting, some in their late forties, others in the earlier twenties – depending on the noble families and those wise to send their daughters as political bargaining chips, most of the ladies sought approval and love, as confided in popular romance novels – originating from the land of the unclean, Hidros. In a way, the social stigma of said land being a place of heretics hadn’t fully grasped the Elendorian population. Most knew what freedom was, they knew what it meant to be alive and accountable for their actions. Next step into establishing the lifestyle the church wanted and craved, an authoritarian state, the generations who experienced freedom certainly needed to be culled. Naturally, on overlooking the dancefloor from the first floor, Xen grabbed a glass of strong liquor and sipped. Mandl wandered to and fro, the adorable face was reason enough for admiration. In a way, Xen, who survived quite the attack, became reclusive, instead, channeling the newfound fame into bringing out Mandl’s charm.

Thoughts of what the kingdom would become flooded the mind, ‘-culling the population, removing obstacles who know what freedom is... I wonder if the fake war is at play or was the battle true. Not that it bothers me,’ the eyes carried to the King’s entourage of high-profile figures, ‘-a knight of the crown,’ he sipped, till a soft, “-Hello,” whispered in his ear.

.....

“Pardon me,” he turned and smiled, “-how can this bleak fellow help?” a mother, by the first glance, rich, nice clothing, not extravagant but quality – lowkey golden jewelry, a dark-complexion, and nicely tied hair. Her arms weighed heavy with a babe, “-are you Xen?” she inquired.

“With the bloodied uniform, sure hope it’s me,” he scoffed and greatly paid attention to the babe, “-excuse my asking, are you the mother?”

“Why?” returned a slightly chipper tone.

“Bemused actually,” he leaned and whispered, “-you look more like an elder sister, as for the gun, best not use it.”

The cheerfulness sapped, “-what gun?” she whispered.

“Oh, that won’t do,” he stepped away, “-whispering the question sadly christens thee as the culprit, madam.”

She hurried into his face, “-inside voices.”

“Right,” hands raised, “-you got me,” he leaned against the railing, “-was never my intention to offend.”

Footsteps cackled in the distance, “-Xen,” gleamed a newly born Mandle, “-are you?” a scan told of a differing situation, the young noble skillfully gestured and call the guard’s attention, “-that baby is fake,” he narrowed, “-else, it would be crying... don’t you think?”

“My friend is quite right,” he reached and took a sip, “-pressing your chest so close to mine is bound to suffocate that poor toy, and sorry.”

“Why apologize?” she stepped off.

“Sorry for the toy, the latter was crushed between muscle and bones, it’s bound to hurt when the male holds the gentleness, I’d associate to a lovely lady...”

“Enough,” she dropped the bundle of joy and pulled a gun, “-stand down else I shoot.” Marching stormed the first floor, each side blocked escape routes, “-gentlemen,” spoke Xen, “-this here is my friend, Irene, a fellow adventurer from Hidros. ‘Twould be nice for our foreplay to remain, you know, foreplay.” The Royal Guard leader smugly turned to his men and nodded, the heavy steps clamored down the stairs, leaving an anticlimactic taste in the observer’s mouths.

“Xen, sure she’s a friend?”

“A feral cat is the most likely fit,” he shrugged, “-anyway, we best talk,” he grabbed her wrist, “-alone,” came a wink.

“Ok,” said Xen, “-I guess I’ll go join my newly made companions.” Upbeat music rattled in the background, doors to a terrace opened – a bench held an unconscious drunk with bottles at his feet, opposite the men laid a hunched duo talking inaudibly over the balustrade.

“Tell me, stranger, why the gun?” they shuffled to the end of the terrace, a far enough distance from the others.

“Thought my name was Irene, from Hidros...”

“Right, my bad,” he chuckled, “-Irene from Hidros, how goes it,” he observed the view, “-the weather’s nice.”

“Weather talk?”

“Small talk,” he sipped, “-tell me, what is it you want?”

“Every bit the man I imagined,” she scanned top to bottom, “-arrogant, obnoxious, and overwhelming.”

“Confident, charming, and exciting,” he quipped, “-surprised the king’s hidden guard detail has any women in it...”

“Ahhh,” she exhaled and licked her lips, “-the sexist king, I get it,” she nodded very condescendingly, “-don’t worry, the girls and I are quite competent at protecting our queen.”

“Doing a bad job at it.”

“Sorry?”

“Listen, I’m not from around here, nor do I care to learn the common sense. It’s painfully obvious the king’s using her as leverage, throwing her from bed to bed. Not saying it’s wrong... never mind, was never much of a thinker.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Queen Ela’s wise to take care of herself.”

“Suppose she is,” he sipped, “-so long, Irene.”

“Huh?”

Stopped shy of the drink, “-it’s the part where you scurry along. I’m sure the secretive guard’s unit has more on their plate. How’s this for attention,” he pointed to the garden, “-someone’s about to be murdered.”

“Ha-ha, nice joke.’

“I’m serious,” *BANG,* echoed a distant gunshot, “-there he goes, the lovely couple of earlier has died. I find it amusing,” he turned to nothing, the lass vanished as quickly as she arrived. The glass felt empty – liquor in his mind and festivities on the horizon, Xen walked inside and joined the drunk Mandl. To each their own, the noble – quite a name in the kingdom, sat with slumped shoulders beside Xen – they watched as the other, more stable men, danced.

“A few too many drinks,” said Mandl, “-I feel amazing, my head’s spinning, and my stomach’s heavy.”

“Absolutely no puking,” shunned Xen, “-hear me well, soldier, we mustn’t waste good booze,” and before the sentence registered, Xen kindly pushed Mandl’s head to the side, there, the latter hurled onto a familiar face, “-God damn it,” said a loud sigh.

“Doubt it,” he shrugged, “-excuse me, can someone help in cleaning my poor ol’ friend’s mishap?” *grunt,* an avalanche of smelly innards spewed. Maids came in twos and threes, unfamiliar faces, “-I’ll take care of him,” shoulders around Mandl, “-Irene, as you change into another bland outfit, care to bring a change of clothes?”

“I’m a bodyguard, not an errand girl.”

“Say that again without the puke and foul smell.”

“You’re annoying,” she rolled her eyes and left.

“I think you mean attractive,” the voice carried, she spun and pulled her tongue in a grimace. The mess boldly threw the celebrations into a land field of crude remarks. Deaf to their stares, they carried on, “-I’m so sorry about this, Xen. Don’t humiliate...”

“No my friend, the night’s only getting started. Besides, none’s going to remember this tomorrow.” Between the stumbling and motion to hurl, the guestroom finally came in sight with a surprise, Lessie waited opposite the door – her attention laid amidst the freshly painted ceiling.

“Hey,” he nodded, “-care to help?”

“Sure,” the lock clicked, “-are you ok?”

“I’m fine, more worried about this fellow,” once inside, he undressed Mandl and threw him into a slowly filling bathtub. The showerhead rained much-needed clarity, “-I’m leaving the door open. Wash yourself and have this,” he forcibly pushed a potion down the noble’s mouth, “-get better,” quick to grab the towel, “-right, Lessie,” he dried his hands, “-how’s the night been?”

There laid a concerned look on her visage, “-what?” he paused, “-something on my face?”

“No, no,” she shook her head, “-I don’t get it, you’ve changed, the way of speech is different, there’s a tinge of, I don’t know, smugness?”

“Guess my way of speech did change,” he shrugged, “-who cares really. About my question, I’m still waiting,” he toggled the television and settled on the couch. Lessie rose from the bed and followed into the other room.

“I wish I could have betted on the match, Xen, are you truly normal?”

“If tis about my dialect, I’m offended. Can’t a man change when he drinks?”

“Change, sure, not like this – you’re different, freed almost.”

“You have no idea,” he smiled and threw his feet on the table, “-kindly check on Mandl.”

“Wasn’t he, your responsibility?”

“Fine,” he stood, “-at least check the door, someone’s going to knock.”

“I didn’t hear any,” *knock, knock,* ‘-how?’ the tap came as soon as he vanished into the showers, ‘-weird,’ she thought and went to greet the visitor.

“Lessie.”

“Irene... what are you?”

“Came to deliver clothes,” her taller stature made it easy to glance over Lessie’s head.

“I’m about done here, darling,” echoed in the distance, “-the guy’s dead, you may have pressed his neck too harshly.” Fear washed Lessie’s face, “-I’d have loved to have died in whence I came.”

“Let me in,” she pushed the ajar door and hurried to the bedroom, “-XEN, I’M TAKING YOU IN!” her steps hurried with fear,

“For questioning?” he returned nonchalantly with legs crossed on a beanbag, “-now ladies, I understand the allure my friend exude’s quite irresistible. I do implore for a little bit of tact...”

Staring them was the third eye, “-don’t look surprised,” commented Xen, “-you pull a gun, so does my friend, it’s self-defense.”

“Honestly,” exclaimed Lessie, “-have the decency to coverup.”

“Sorry for being in my room?” narrowed Mandl, “-Xen, who are these’s women?”

“Your entourage for tonight. Personal heaters, I mean, that one is packing heat.”

“Tell me about it,” they exchanged meaningfully suggestive winks.

“Men will be men,” sighed Irene, “-next time, I’ll shoot you,” she flashed her gun at Xen, “-the jests will do more harm than good one day.”

“Don’t talk about morals,” he rose, “-clothes, have you brought any?” a package flew overhead shortly after, “-get dressed, lord Mandl.”

“Hey,” he reached and grabbed Xen’s sleeve, “-thank you. Call me And, we’re friends.”

“Xen for me,” he returned a sincere smile, “-take your time, have a nap if needed, I’ll be in the next room.” The puffy cheeked And escorted the trio out of the bed, after which it clicked, leaving Xen, Irene and Lessie before a low volume television.

“I ought to return.”

“Me too.”

“Right,” he vaulted over the couch and dropped, “-close the doors on the way. I’ll be here if anyone asks, though I doubt the crowd will care for a simple fighter,” *click,* escaped in the distance, ‘-she’s right,’ he rested on his back, ‘-I feel and speak differently. What’s happened, I’m usually nonchalant and serious... there’s a certain smugness in my tone. Was it because of Lucifer?’ the palm opened to a mini-representation of the wings, ‘-without this, there’s no way you’re able to harm another deity, let alone demi-god or demon. Curse my soul to never reach godhood, and I take away the source of pride and power. Tit for tat,’ he yawned, ‘-tit for tat.’

.....

*Gasp,* ‘-where am I?’ he rose to a half-naked lady over the adjacent couch, ‘-still in the room,’ he sat upright and looked around, ‘-when did these women come?’ feet on the warm-carpet, ‘-beautiful maidens, I certainly had no influence here...’ he stopped, ‘-I’m even thinking strangely, what’s happening?’ a yawned stole the sudden worry. *Stumble,* boomed in the next room, he walked and pulled the handle, the door unlocked into a bed filled with women. And slept in the middle with arms around a pillow, ‘-I was right about the allure...’ he blinked, ‘-did I?’