The Hunter’s Gather was crowded that day. Almost every chair was occupied, and almost everybody was staring at a table in the center of the tavern, staring at her. Silenva Hyacinth, the only child of the ruling couple was sitting there, enjoying a game of cards with Nedra Foxglove, one of the regulars, a known gambler and playboy. The young woman was as always dressed extravagantly. She had no interest in the traditional exoskeleton armor and silken tunics. Instead she wore a top that consisted of leather and silver chains and a long black skirt. Her black hair was in a complicated updo and decorated with countless gems.
She was laughing and leaning close to him. Nedra, who was not as stunningly good looking as Silenva but still quite pleasant to look at, was leaning close to her as well and staring at her, or rather at two very specific parts of her body that were barely covered. Glasses filled with fine red wine and several bottles were standing on the table between the two. It seemed as if Silenva and Nedra were having a really good time – the other patrons were already speculating whether he was her new lover – when Silenva suddenly threw her cards onto the table and glared at him.
Nedra obviously didn’t know what was happening. He just stared at her open-mouthed. At that Silenva rose from her chair and pointed at the door. „Out!“ she exclaimed. „I’m tired of you, Nedra. I thought that you, with your reputation and your experience would be able to challenge me and entertain me, but you are just like the rest of them. You see the daughter of the ruling couple, suddenly turn into an idiot and start drooling like some petching dog, as if I’m a prize to be had. I have enough of you lickspittles. I want a real man, somebody who is my equal.“
Nedra just stared at her for another little while, then he wordlessly packed the cards and exited the tavern. He was one of the regulars and almost part of the furniture, but you didn’t argue with the Sweet Poison if you valued your life. Once he was out of sight, Silenva sat down again, sighed deeply and smiled before she let her gaze sweep across the men and women that were gathered around her.
„Who wants to try and entertain me and gain my favour next?“ she asked.
She was laughing and leaning close to him. Nedra, who was not as stunningly good looking as Silenva but still quite pleasant to look at, was leaning close to her as well and staring at her, or rather at two very specific parts of her body that were barely covered. Glasses filled with fine red wine and several bottles were standing on the table between the two. It seemed as if Silenva and Nedra were having a really good time – the other patrons were already speculating whether he was her new lover – when Silenva suddenly threw her cards onto the table and glared at him.
Nedra obviously didn’t know what was happening. He just stared at her open-mouthed. At that Silenva rose from her chair and pointed at the door. „Out!“ she exclaimed. „I’m tired of you, Nedra. I thought that you, with your reputation and your experience would be able to challenge me and entertain me, but you are just like the rest of them. You see the daughter of the ruling couple, suddenly turn into an idiot and start drooling like some petching dog, as if I’m a prize to be had. I have enough of you lickspittles. I want a real man, somebody who is my equal.“
Nedra just stared at her for another little while, then he wordlessly packed the cards and exited the tavern. He was one of the regulars and almost part of the furniture, but you didn’t argue with the Sweet Poison if you valued your life. Once he was out of sight, Silenva sat down again, sighed deeply and smiled before she let her gaze sweep across the men and women that were gathered around her.
„Who wants to try and entertain me and gain my favour next?“ she asked.
