17 Chapter 16
Auron and Marlena arrived at the port only to find the red priestess waiting for them there without any luggage.
Marlena gave Auron a bewildered look on why a red priestess was with them but she was hesitant to ask that it may cause disrespect.
Auron sighed and said, "Long story, she will accompany us throughout our journey... Unfortunately."
Melisandre kept her poker face despite hearing him say that.
Marlena nodded and lifted their things.
'At least our coins have increased, otherwise, we will be having trouble with another mouth to feed. I'm not going to let her freeload me, hehehehehe.'
You might have wondered if Auron didn't manage to get any skill from Melisandre. Well, he saw her skills but the problem is, it's grayed out and there's an 'unextractable' tag on her rings. Auron have a theory that she was protected by her god as her powers were originally from the Lord of light. Still, it was just a theory and he doesn't have a way to prove if it's true.
The three of them has gotten into the ship with no problem. The ship waited for another quarter of an hour before leaving the port sailing towards the city of Lys.
As Auron was having his time enjoying the sea breeze, what he did on those two nights in Volantis began to spread, his stories and performance became the talk of the drunkards and sailors alike. For some reason, he gain his most hated nickname once again, 'The Storyteller'.
--
After nine and half day of traveling by the sea, they finally arrived at the port in the city of Lys. It took that long since they weren't sailing at night. If they were to sail day and night, it would only take four and half days of travel. Auron didn't mind and regarded the long travel as part of the experience.
There are only three things he'd like to achieve in this city. Visit and sightsee the famous city, acquire tears of Lys and experience the city's specialty for himself which is the pleasure houses. In his mind, this city will be his main contributor of gold the moment he began to sell contraceptives in the free cities.
Auron's plan is just to spend one or two days here before going to Tyrosh where they're going to stay for a week.
As the three of them climbed down from the ship, Auron finally laid his eyes upon it. The land is mostly covered with palm and fruit trees. Magnificent buildings stand proudly with designed of combined Spanish Middle-eastern style. The whole island was surrounded by a wall yet it failed to cover the tall and majestic architecture of the island.
Auron took a deep breath, the air was salty but not unpleasant. The city reminds him of Miami, a city in the US in his past life. It's kinda nostalgic for him.
After adjusting his mood, he led the three of them to search for an inn to stay. They managed to find one and decided to stay for two nights.
They settled down on their own room to rest. When the night came, Auron went out of his room and knocked on Melisandre's room. The red priestess opened the door after a few seconds.
"I have a task for you tomorrow. I don't tolerate freeloading, alright."
"No need to say more, I will do it."
Auron raised his eyebrow and said, "That easy? I haven't told you what your task is."
"Isn't that what we have agreed? Even if you want me to warm your bed, I'll do it."
"Uhhhh no thanks. Can we go inside?It should be of utmost secrecy."
"Of course, come in."
"Thanks."
After Melisandre closed the door, Auron reached for his belt while Melisandre undressed her robed.
When auron looked up, he was stunned. She stood before him bare naked.
'Damn this perky breast and pink nipple, If I knew her age, I would've probably long gone fucking this bitch.'
"What are you doing? Although I'd love to enjoy the sight but that's not what I'm here for."
"No? I thought you want me to serve you when you reach your belt. What a pity."
Though disappointed, she still didn't wear her robe and just left it lying on the floor. She walk slowly on her bed without any care if Auron stare at her or not.
Auron gulp and said, "Well, I was fetching my coin purse secured in my belt soo..Ahem! Let's get to the main point."
Auron came back to his senses regaining a calm demeanor. Then he toss his coin purse towards her which she managed to catch.
"Your task for tomorrow is to buy me tears of Lys worth that amount. I presume you already know the price, check if it's enough to buy a small amount."
Melisandre checked the amount and nodded, "I can get you a small bottle for this. I'm curious to whom this would be intended to?"
"It's for you."
Melisandre's pupil constricted and she stared at Auron.
Auron shrugged and said "Just kidding, don't worry it's not for you. This is for emergency. I got a feeling we will be needing it soon."
Melisandre's heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Very well, you can get it from me tommorow evening."
Auron nodded and left Melisandre's room. He look outside through the inn's window and saw the sky has started to bleed. There's still time and he can't waste it. He donned his black hood once again to look for a pub.
He found three pub so far but chose the one near the port. He assume customers here are all sailors and it will be more impactful once he performed the tale of the shadow.
His guess didn't fail him and he manage to haul a lot of coins far more than in Volantis.
He immediately returned to the inn afterwards to keep his earnings and then he grab some for the pleasure house.
He once again went outside heading out to the pleasure house.
Outside of the tall building, Auron took a deep breath wondering if be should go in now or just continue this tommorow. He was nervous and excited at the same time. This his first time going in this kind of place that's why he was a bit uneasy.
He braced himself and went inside. As he look around, all he see was red in color. An old lady approach him and led him to a lobby with dozen of girls chatting around.
'I suppose this is the part where I choose one... Maybe two girls to accompany me hehehe.'
He chose two girls in particular, a young woman with long blackhair and a more mature woman with shoulder length brown hair. The young one look like a Lebanese and the mature woman who look around 30 years old has an Irish look.
The two girls led him to a room with a big bed at the center. The moment he came inside, he was instantly enraptured by the performance of the two. He didn't know how many times he came that night but he hump them anyway to kingdom cum.
He left the pleasure house in the middle of the night with smile on his face as he confirmed Lys' reputation when it comes to pleasure houses.
--
Next day, Marlena and Auron went to the market place while Melisandre went her own way to acquire tears of Lys.
Along the street among the goods that the hawkers were selling, Auron found a two inch piece of lodestone. He was able to buy for a copper star because the vendor doesn't know what it is. He carefully packed it and put in his inner pocket.
After that, they continue their way towards the slave trade area. Auron wanted to buy two excellent body guards for Marlena. It was to protect her along the way to White Harbor.
Also to browse the skills among the slaves. As they approach the area, two men greeted him and offer to show their 'goods' to them.
"Good day my good man, I can smell that you're in need of a good slave. Come with me, I'll show you my wares." The slaver enthusiastically ushered them towards an alley full of life-size cages. There were also men in rugged clothes lining up as their hands and feet were in chains.
Auron nodded following the slave trader with Marlena in tow. They were not the only customers browsing, there actually a lot of wealthy merchant here.
Auron slowly browse the slaves, one by one, he checked on them. The physique, their size and demeanor. All of it was considered by him.
As he was checking, he suddenly stop at a skinny old man with black teeth. His skin was so tan and dry that it actually form some cracks. Floating in his head was one of the skills he finds very useful to his journey. Both of them were black ring with gold aura. The skills were 'Master Shipbuilder' and 'Sail Master'. He quickly extracted the rings and kept them in his inner pocket.
Further along Auron spotted another unique slave. Seeing Auron interested in it, the slave trader introduce the slave to him.
"Ah! That one was unique indeed, he came from Tyrosh and said he was brought from the North, beyond the wall. 'Wildlings' as they call it. But this one was rather quiet."
Auron ontm the other hand leaned closer to it as if checking the slave's face carefully.
Then he turned around walking forward once again like he lost interest with it.
However, Auron was rejoicing in the inside because what he extracted from that slave was a Gold ring. Due to sudden happiness, he almost wear the ring on the spot despite not knowing the ring's side effect. The skill he extracted was called 'Skinchanger'.
