"I'm just concerned," Brennan was saying, glancing at the caravan behind them. "He might die, or explode, or something."
Lily smiled mischievously. "But look at his face! It gets all red and purple, with that one big vein. That's not even a little funny to you?"
They were most of the way to Highwater, having left Rellam's Crossing three days prior. Brennan had gotten the two of them signed on as caravan guards, protecting a shipment of raw iron bound for the city. Because of the adventurers regularly traveling out to the Crossing the route was notoriously safe, so their pay was negligible, but Brennan had figured it would be a good preliminary experience for the succubus - a quick sample of traveling and camping with a group, before they delved into something more challenging.
She'd been doing well, for the most part. Her role as a wide-eyed elven girl who'd never seen human lands was relatively easy to play, since this was her first real foray into civilized territory. She didn't have to fake being confused or awestruck when appropriate. It helped that Kurt, the caravan master, was a steady and reasonable sort, as was Joanna, his guard for the past three years. Brennan had traveled with them a few times before for mutual protection and company, and Kurt had been understanding with the girl's unusual behavior.
Lily, however, had been a tease the entire journey.
"Did you see this morning? He kept talking to me with his back to the group, so I wouldn't see his bulge." Lily's smile widened. "Joanna was giving him the strangest look, I could hardly keep from laughing."
Brennan sighed, smiling at the corner of his mouth. "Well, he woke up to you getting dressed, which I'm sure was on purpose."
"We elves just don't understand human modesty customs," she said, batting her eyes. "It couldn't be helped."
"He can't even rub one out, with how close he has to keep to the wagon," Brennan said, keeping his eye on the fields ahead of them. There were farmers bringing in the harvest half a mile out, which meant they were close to the city. "I'm sure it's awkward with Jo around as well - they've been making this run together for three years now."
Lily stole a look at the caravan. "Do you think he could? Explode, I mean. Metaphorically or otherwise."
They reached the city two hours later. Kurt passed Brennan a small pouch of copper coins once they were in sight of the city gates. They parted ways as the city watch looked over the caravan's paperwork and made a cursory check for contraband.
Highwater was a massive port city on the coast of the Western Deep, shipping to most of the ports on the continent. It was renowned for both the diversity and magnificence of its architecture. Squat dwarven pubs bordered graceful elven spires, cramped alleys winding circuitous paths behind grandiose estates and cluttered slums.
"It's almost getting close to evening, but the guild hall will be open past sundown," Brennan explained, shouldering past a group and indicating the direction of the adventurer's guild. "We could spend some time in the city first, if you like. There's a lot to see since you're new to the place."
Lily was shunted to the side as a dockworker stepped around her. There were so many people, all moving at once! No one was paying attention to what she was doing, which was both confusing and a relief. "I, um. I guess so," she said, trying to look around at everything while following Brennan.
"It's a lot to take in for you, I imagine. Let's stop someplace quieter first, to get our bearings. Here," he said, holding out his hand, "you don't want to get lost." Lily's held his hand tightly, as though afraid she would be swept away in the crowd.
They walked for twenty minutes, turning several times to eventually arrive at an arched iron gate. Massive hedges extended into the distance on either side, and the entrance was flanked by a pair of plate-armored men with axes at their belts. Brennan reached inside his tunic, showed one of them a slip of paper, and was waved inside.
"White Iron Mercenaries," he said after they were out of earshot. "Respectable group. Most districts of Highwater hire private militia groups to keep the peace, since the city watch is spread so thin." Brennan gestured grandly at the carefully paved streets and graceful, ivy-clad buildings. "Farhaven Estates is one of the nicest parts of the city. Mostly merchant houses and minor nobility live here, and the majority of those are elven. A few others," he smiled, "like highly-ranked adventurers can also acquire passes.
"The Wayward Dryad is the best inn in Highwater. I stay whenever I'm in town and I have some extra coin."
The building seemed modest next to the splendor of the elegant estates nearby, but it radiated a kind of quiet coziness. It was surrounded by an immaculately maintained garden, a tasteful blend of local wildflowers and exotic blossoms. A young elven man took Brennan's baggage as they entered, gaze lingering on Lily for a moment before moving upstairs.
"Brennan, such a delight to have you with us again." A well-dressed dwarf with a carefully sculpted beard stepped out from behind the counter, taking the knight's hand and shaking. "Will you be with us for the night, or an extended stay?"
"At least a few days, Karl. And it's good to be back." Brennan turned toward his companion. "This is my friend, Lily. She'll need a room as well."
"Of course! Any friend of Bren's is most welcome, doubly so when she's a comely lass. You look fresh off the road, you must be famished. Make yourself at home, I'll have dinner ready momentarily," the dwarf said, ushering them toward a group of comfortable cedar-wood tables before disappearing into the kitchen.
Lily collapsed into her seat, running her hands distractedly through her chair as she looked around the dining area.
"Are you alright?" Brennan asked, sitting down across from her.
"I'm fine, I guess. I didn't know there could be so many people all in one place. I suppose I'd imagined the Crossing, but a little bigger." She exhaled slowly and looked up at him. "I am excited, though. It's just a lot to take in."
Karl arrived with dinner ten minutes later, setting a wooden tray in front of each of them: grilled corn, buttered sweetbread, and generous slices of honeyed ham, accompanied by a large bowl of strawberries and a smaller one of cream; he left and returned shortly with a bottle of wine and a pair of glasses.
They were mostly through their meal when the door opened and a tall, immaculately dressed elven man stepped inside. He was accompanied by a manservant who immediately made for the stairs, dragging a large luggage trunk behind him. The elf began conversing with the innkeep, though they were too far away to be overheard.
Lily caught Brennan's eye. "Darling," she murmured, licking cream from her lips suggestively. "I'm still hungry. I need you to fill me up with something else." Brennan felt her foot rubbing up and down his leg.
"Brennan!" called the newcomer, striding over to the table. "I had hoped we'd run across each other soon."
Brennan nudged Lily's leg away before standing up. He inclined his head, then reached out and shook the man's hand. "Lord Revariel," he said. "Always a pleasure. This," he indicated Lily, who was giving him an irritated look, "is Lily, my apprentice. Lily, this is Jonathon, first speaker of House Reviariel."
"The pleasure is entirely mine, I assure you. Lovely to make your acquaintance, miss. You've a fine instructor there, no question. You don't mind if I sit for a moment?"
"Not at all."
"Thank you." Lord Revariel pulled back the chair at the head of the table, and Brennan sat at the same time. "Business has been well, I trust?"
Brennan gave a tight-lipped smile. "I can't complain. It's been a good season - no major disasters to speak of."
"Glad to hear it. We haven't gotten a chance to speak since you tracked down that missing caravan for me, and I'd wanted to thank you personally. I had trouble just registering the quest with the guild, you know - I wasn't sure anyone would be willing to delve into Troll Country to track the brigands down."
Brennan opened his mouth to reply and stopped. From under the table, he could feel a foot slide up against his crotch, gently stroking his bulge.
Lily smiled. "That sounds like a big, hard job for you to handle by yourself," she said, caressing his growing erection.
"Ah, yes," Brennan stumbled. "It is... was... very hard. Uh, very difficult." He glared at her, then turned back to Lord Revariel. "Fortunately, I had a good team with me. Nothing we couldn't handle."
Somehow Lily had undone the buttons to his trousers, deftly maneuvering the knight's cock out of his pants. Was she wearing stockings again? How did she do that?
"Saved the house quite a bit of trouble," Lord Revariel was saying. "Even took two of the thieves back alive to stand trial."
"Oh my," Lily said. "He must have been quite firm with them." She leaned back slightly in her chair, bring up her other foot and rubbing the underside of Brennan's cock, which was now fully at full mast; it twitched eagerly as she stroked him, sliding his member between her arches. "I've heard those types don't often come quietly."
"Quite so," said Revariel. "Tell me, Brennan, do you have any work scheduled six weeks from now? I've something coming up for which I'll need professional assistance, and I'd prefer to have you on the contract, if you're available."
