After drinking far too much cider for my own good, I left Ditto and Ivy to take a nap while I headed for the bath. Macsen staggered to his room in hopes of sleeping off the stomach full of beer. I wished him good fortune in his efforts. He would need it.

That left me alone and free to explore and planned to explore I did. I wanted to experience the peaceful village to its fullest. To visit the shops, farms, and meet the villagers to gain an understanding for how they viewed the world. Perhaps I could learn a few things. Foremost, though, it had been far too long since I had cleaned myself… the last time being when I nearly got killed by the Water Mimic. Just thinking about it caused a shiver down my spine. That had been… unpleasant. Very, very unpleasant.

That was in the past, and now, things were looking up. A giddy emotion bounced within me. Smiling, I felt like I could finally breathe. The weight was off my shoulders. I could take it easy and rest. I planned to wash off the near-pounds of grime sticking to me while reading some of Chaos’ tome. Mortalis was a terrifying place. No doubt there. But, there was no denying myself interest in it. Magic. Demihumans. Deities. Goddesses. Everything was just waiting for my discovery, and I wanted to learn.

So, I would take a bath while reading since Chaos supposedly made it waterproof. It would be such a great break!

“Finally…” Letting out a sigh of relief, I walked down the stairs with a skip to every step. At the bottom I glanced around. Downstairs was still a moderately busy ruckus, but now with a lot of patrons heading out to return to their afternoon work. How they planned to accomplish that while drunk, I had no idea.

Croon wasn’t tending the bar anymore. Instead, a rather cute barmaid had taken up his position. Brown pigtails, a determined look glinting in her yellowish eyes, she rushed about trying to serve the patrons still there. Whenever a patron wanted something from the higher shelves, she valiantly stretched, standing on the tips of her toes, and hopped to collect the desired item. When she did, her slightly shorter skirt lifted up enough to show off her lean, upper thighs.

Naturally, the first time my eyes looked. I couldn’t help but appreciate her lithe form. A second later, I glanced away respectfully. I noticed, however, that the men at the bar did not share my respect and instead leered at her like predators desiring after meat. It filled me with disgust. If any of them looked at Ivy that way… I wouldn’t stand for it. Worse still, they continued changing their minds to prolong the girl’s bouncing.

“No, not that one. I wan the brandy brandy…” one slurred, pointing to another bottle.

She stretched up to reach it. “Kay. I’ll… get it… in a sec…” Straining to reach it, she hopped again. Her skirt betrayed her and flew up a bit more, revealing her light colored panties hidden beneath. The men clapped and howled, earning a confused look from the girl. She was completely oblivious to their bullying.

“I want that one next,” another said, pointing toward the highest shelf. She nodded and stretched. Her fingers brushed vainly at the air, not even touching the shelf’s bottom. She crouched a little, prepping to hop again. The men grew quiet in anticipation. Their eyes locked onto her skirt’s hem.

‘Like dumb mules leering at a carrot hanging before them… always in sight, but never in reach…’ I thought to myself as I walked over to the bar. My patience was gone. Placing my hand on the edge, I hopped over and behind her. It was an easy affair to up and grab the bottle. She jumped a little in surprise and turned to look back at me in bewilderment.

“Wear a longer skirt,” I commented, then turned back toward the men.

They were all glaring at me.

One sneered drunkenly and threw his hand at me in anger, “Eay, ya stupid boar. Get outta there. You don’t work there.”

“Yeah, getta out ya dumb Mox…” another said, lifting his pinky and thumb, outstretching them and curling the rest in some sort of hand sign; looking slightly like he was making a telephone motion. The gasp from behind me made it obvious it was something akin to flipping someone off back home.

“Go get yer own fun.”

“My own fun. Like… playing with you?” An idea formed. Something dangerous, but something I needed to try and they would make the perfect guinea pigs; emphasis on pigs. Grasping at my connection with Chaos, a surge rocked me slightly as it snapped into place; but, I remained standing.

All the men stared at me. A flash of fear ran through them. They turned and shuffled off. Hurriedly. Gritting my teeth, I turned off the connection. The overwhelming surge of strength’s ebbing flow nearly caused me to faint, but I held to the bar’s edge and stayed. I wasn’t about to embarrass myself in front of the girl.

“Are… are you okay, ser?” She asked worriedly. She moved to my side and tapped my shoulder.

I gave a half smile and nodded, “I’m fine.” The bottle was still in my hand, so I set it down. She fell silent and shifted awkwardly. A slight red tinted her cheeks. My comment had caused her to realize what game they had been playing. “Just get a longer skirt and you’ll be fine.” I walked to the bar’s exit and slipped out.

She kept her eyes on her feet, “Thank you, ser…”

“Do they do that a lot?”

“I don’t rightly notice… but Mister Croon gets after ‘em a lot.”

‘So they do.’ I nodded and sat down on one of the now empty stools. An unpleasant heat was still there from the previous patron in addition to his unpleasant smell. I decided to stand. They were just perverted men. Nothing too abnormal… and yet, the sense of disgust I held for them was unnatural. Unhealthy. If I was asked to take their lives, I doubted I would refuse. After all, they were just simple peasants. No one of importance. They had no right to defy me. Such thoughts poured through me and I imagined myself ripping them apart with my tentacles. Or at least smacking them around a fair bit.

‘How disconcerting…’ I looked at the wraps that now covered my Thalwesse runes. ‘I have to remember that this power does not give me the right to be a dictator. Or I’ll really become a monster…’ I knew it was going to be a struggle, because the easier and more violent way was not usually the most moral way.

“Ser?” the girl asked, noticing my darkened features.

Glancing up, I smiled again. “What is your name?”

“Oh…” She smiled back shyly, “Anniate Piarrs.”

“Well met, Miss Anniate Piarrs. I am Chaon. I was hoping to acquire some hot water for bathing, if I may.”

“Immediately, ser Chaon…” With a quick nod she hurried to do so, bumping into the bar clumsily in her movements. She dipped her head, blushing more, and vanished into the hallway. As if her aura took a one eighty, she was the opposite of earlier. A far cry from the determined and agile girl she had just been while servicing the bar. I also caught her taking a quick peek my way before hurrying off.

‘Now that is quite the change. I wonder why she is so sheepish now…?’ Glancing at the bottle in front of me, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I was still that handsome devil with short, slightly unkempt wild-style hair that gave me a bad boy vibe. Better yet, my muscles rippled under my tunic, not too large, but not small either. I smirked, a chortle escaping.

I knew what had happened. ‘The valiant rogue saves the damsel in distress. No wonder.’ I thought about flirting with her, but since I had no intentions on following through, that would just be too cruel. I wouldn’t play with someone’s heart like that. But… for certain purposes, I could use my charms to get things done. ‘I could be a total playboy if I wanted. Thalwesse, handsome, strong, brave… well, working on the brave part, but still… this could come in handy.’

As I waited, I thought about the usefulness of a being attractive. Far moreso than in my previous life. Previously I had been plain. But here… I looked far better. Far far better. And I could use it for all sorts of things. Maybe try having multiple lovers? Woo the most beautiful of woman and curl them around my fingers? And yet, that didn’t sound too appealing. What was the point of having a lover without the love? And love was bland if it was only skin deep… I shook my head, that wasn’t me. While having sex and delighting in the feminine form was innately desired, it didn’t hold the sway, or emotional want within. I didn’t want a husk of a relationship. I wanted something rich. Vivid.

Just the thought brought me back to Ivy. I didn’t know about marriage in Mortalis… but I had every intention of marrying her. Or maybe the Summoner’s Contract was even stronger than marriage itself? Either way, when I thought of love and desire, Ivy came to my mind.

“Ser?” Anniate abruptly pulled me back to the present.

I jerked a little and quickly looked her way, “Yes?” I immediately noted her bangs had been adjusted. Some water had met her cheeks to give them a slight shine to accent them. The blush was still there.

‘Yep, Cupid shot her in the heart… oops.’

She offered a little bow, “Your bath is prepared, ser.”

“That quickly?” How? If they heated the water normally it… ‘Oh! Magic. Right.’

“I know a little water magic, ser…” she said bashfully.

“Very impressive. Thank you for your efforts,” I said, slipping around her and heading toward the back bathing room. As I passed her, my arm brushed hers. A simple, trite matter. Yet, she let out a rather cute gasp of passion and dashed away in embarrassment and surprise. I just watched her go, now quite confused. That definitely wasn’t normal. Touching her should have earned some sort of embarrassed movement. Maybe a step back. But a sensual gasp and then outright fleeing? Very odd.

Though I wracked my mind, I had zero ideas as to what it could be. So, with a shrug, I just focused on my bath.

“Haaaaa… this is the life…” I murmured to the empty, steam filled room. I lay in a large wooden tub full of hot water, with a dash of lavender added for scent, the petals spinning lazily around my nakedness. My arms propped on the bath’s edges. My head lay back. I didn’t move for a while. Just enjoying it.

I nearly fell asleep a few times as well but managed to stay awake. I opted to forget about Chaos’ tome and just waste time in the moment. I could start the studying… ‘Tomorrow… tomorrow will be my serious day. For now, I’ve earned a rest.’ After near an hour someone knocked on the door.

“Yes?” I called out.

Anniate quietly asked, “Is… everything to your liking, ser Chaon?”

“Indeed it is, Miss Anniate. I feel alive again. Thank you very much for working your magic, literally,” with a chuckle I slowly began to rise, the water splashing loudly. ‘I should probably get out before I morph into a raisin.’

“Y… you don’t need to end… I didn’t mean to disturb you…”

“I was planning on getting out soon anyways, Miss Anniate.” I pulled myself out and dried off with a slightly scratchy towel. It wasn’t the most pleasant thing, but, it dried well enough. I wrapped it around my waist and headed to the small room where they did laundry right outside.

I thoughtlessly opened the door and bumped into Anniate. We looked at each other in surprise. I noticed immediately she was wearing perfume now, some sort of fruity tinged spice. And she had once more adjusted her hair, turning the braids into a crown topped with a flower. Her skirt seemed shorter, with some of it tucked in to show off more thigh. The three buttons on her blouse were unpinned; the crack of her cleavage easily seen. She backed up stiffly, face red, face down, lips pursed as she died in embarrassment. Then, oddly, she took a solid step toward me.

I naturally stepped back. “I am terribly sorry, Miss Anniate. Please excuse my thoughtlessness.” She said nothing. She took another step toward me and I stepped back again, now a bit worried. This was highly bizarre. “Miss Anniate, are you okay?” I asked quickly.

When she turned her eyes toward me, her cheeks were flushed from desire, not from embarrassment. Her bright eyes were duller now. Faded. As if she were partly asleep. They stared into me with an ever growing lust. Her hand reached up and lay on my bare chest.

“…you’re… so beautiful… ser…” Her whispering words were fragmented. As if she had a foggy mind. As if in a trance. Now I was quite worried.

I grabbed her shoulders and lightly shook her. “Anniate? Can you hear me?”

A groggy smile appeared, “…will you… take me, ser?” Both her hands started sliding down toward my crotch and I pushed her to arm’s length. She reached forward. Trying to touch my manhood. “…please…?” By then I was panicking. I had no idea what was happening. All I knew was something was very wrong with the girl.

“Croon!” I shouted. “Croon, are you there?” I hoped he was in the kitchen or somewhere close by.

“Aye, what’s the issue?” he shouted from somewhere distant. Likely the kitchen or the front of the hall near the bar.

“Come here, please. There is something wrong with Anniate!” I knew how bad it would look… me in a towel and Anniate in front of me, reaching for my ‘family jewels’ like someone possessed… but for all I knew, she was possessed.

Feet pounded on the floor. The door burst open and Croon stepped in. “Wha-” his voice caught in his throat as he looked at the scene. Me, holding her off. Wearing only a towel. A tinge of anger laced his voice, “What the damned feline are ya doin?!” He hurried over and pulled Aniatte away. She softly struggled against him, her eyes never leaving me.

I threw up my hands in innocence, “I came out from the bath and bumped into her accidentally. Then, her eyes glaze over and she tries to grab me.”

“What kinda excuse is that? I…” turning the girl’s face toward him caused his allegations to fall. He lightly slapped her cheek. “Annie? Annie?” He gave her a few more light smacks and suddenly she snapped back, her eyes clearing, the blush fading. A look of utter shock overcame her.

“Wh… what?” She looked at Croon. Then at me. Her face turned tomato red, practically, and I could imagine steam pouring off of her. She wiggled out of Croon’s grasp and dashed out of the room without a word; leaving Croon and I dumbfounded. Speechless.

We exchanged glances.

“Did ya use magic on her?” he asked, not accusingly, but just as a question.

“Nay. I did not…” I muttered. “I have not the slightest idea why she acted like that.”

Croon crossed his arms and nodded, “I believe ya. That was some sorta trance, rightly. Too weak for a potion. A lower level invocation I wager.”

“But why did she try to…” I asked. I pointed hesitantly to myself, “…to me?”

“Don’t know. I’ll look ‘round and see if someone prank’d her. Sorry fer the trouble, Sir Chaon.” He dipped his head in a simple bow.

I shook my head quickly, “It is of no trouble. I just hope Miss Anniate is alright.” I walked over to my folded clothing. I had asked them to be washed, and now they were dry and fresh. I couldn’t wait to wear them.

“I’ll go check on ‘er, so don’t worry none, sir Chaon.” He started heading out, but paused as his hand touched the doorknob. “That type of magic works right well when they got a little affection there already. You ain’t planning on breakin’ her heart, are you, sir Chaon? We folks here don’t take to heart heisters kindly.”

I curtly stated, “Whatever feelings she harbors are her own, Mister Croon. I have no intentions of dishonoring them, or her. However, I shall not be returning any affections and I shall make that clear to save ourselves the time and trouble.”

Croon nodded and headed out. He closed the door behind him.

I started changing quickly. The fresh clothes felt wonderful, but that sudden oddity had me on edge. Something had put Anniatte in a trance that made her practically try to rape me. Just, luckily for me, she was a simple girl without much strength.

‘Dodged a bullet there… but I need to find out what the heck all that was.’ I wondered who had done it. And, I was hoping it wasn’t accidentally me.