Chapter eight B.

I admired the building as I approached and walked up the stairs. It was a splendidly crafted building that was made from finely polished dark wood. The whole thing had a warm glow about it. I opened one of the double doors and stepped inside. The interior was well lit by large windows along the walls, which provided ample natural lighting. To the right of the entrance was a counter with a young woman standing behind it. She was human with dark rich black hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had a tanned complexion, a friendly face, and a smile. A pair of delicate gold spectacles rested on her nose. Her uniform was odd. It was black and came all the way up her neck, like a turtle neck. It was form-fitting, but the front had been cut out in a deep diamond that barely left her front unexposed. The top ended just above her belly button.

To the left of the counter was a wide set of stairs leading up to the second floor. The rest of the room opened to the left, with a bar counter on the far wall. Booths and tables were set up throughout the room. There was a dozen or so patrons drinking and smoking throughout the room.

I approached the young woman behind the counter, and she said, "Good day Lord Grayson, will you be desiring accommodations from us today?" she said, having obviously been informed of my arrival. The rest of her uniform was little more than a tacit attempt to cover her. The mini skirt, which to its credit was the same shade of black, only came to the tops of her thighs. Her legs sported a simple simi-translucent white stocking that ended just out of sight in her mini skirt. A pair of black slip-on flats decorated her feet.

"Yes, I do believe that will be acceptable. And what is your name?" I asked, still trying to maintain the air of nobility but almost tripping over my words once I got a full view of her outfit. It was meant to be enticing, no doubt about it. 'Just keep both your heads together until we figure out what's going on. How can that be a work outfit? Remember she's probably a slave. Is that… oh just get to your room. And sort this stuff out.' I thought to myself.

"My name is servant Elizabeth Lord. We have some finely appointed rooms, also some excellent suites available."

"If you have a suite available that overlooks the harbor that would be most acceptable for me. As well I was wondering if you have a current map of the city?"

"Excellent my Lord. I have an updated pamphlet map here for guests. You are in luck that I have the master suite available that overlooks the marina. The accommodation is one gold coin per night. There is of course a menu provided in the room that lists all of our other services." Elizabeth said with a playful smile.

I got the impression that she was hinting at something, and I could only imagine the marina club would accommodate any request I made. "Excellent servant Elizabeth, if you would be so kind as to make the arrangements. Also, if you can start a tab for my room."

"Of course, my Lord." She said as she pulled the key from a hook behind her as well as a paper folded in thirds. "I will have servant Erin show you to your room."

I took the key and paper from her as she rang a small silver bell. Another beautiful woman in what could only vaguely pass as a maid's uniform came out from a side door. She stood at only five foot six inches in height (167.6Cm); her dusk honey-colored hair fell straight down her back. Soft brown eyes met mine, and her dusty rose lips parted in a smile. "Hello my Lord, I am servant Erin and if it will please you to follow me, I will show you to your room." Erin said as she performed a polite curtsy.

I followed the swaying hips of Erin up two flights of stairs into the third floor of the building. At the end of the short hallway, there was a door with the silver number nine embedded on it. Erin placed the key in the door and opened it, stepping into the room. She waited by the door and bowed her head as I walked into the master suite.

The entry sitting room was beautiful and large. Along the far wall, four windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling and looked out over the marina. There were couches and lounge chairs throughout the room. To the left side of the room, there was a door that led into a large bedroom with a massive bed in it. The windows along this wall looked out at the marina as well as looking out across the upstream of the river. The far right-hand side of the sitting room was a well-appointed dining area. There were large glass doors set in the bedroom and sitting room that led out onto a balcony, with chairs and tables.

The room was not overly garish, but everything was finely crafted and had a roguish polish that made everything glow with a warm light. Dangling from the ceilings were chandeliers made from varying sorts of antlers that had warm glowing orange balls instead of candles. I smiled at Erin and said, "Thank you very much Erin, what should I do if I require further assistance from you or another?"

"All my Lord has to do is pull this rope here by the door and one of the servants will immediately be up to attend your every need." Erin said the last as a small blush filled her cheeks.

I could only imagine what needs these women would be called on to service. Erin's form-fitting maid uniform, tightly braided dusky hair, and soft pale skin left my mind wondering just what I could do with her. "Very good, very good. I shall ring if I need further assistance."

"Good day then my Lord Grayson." Erin said as she performed another curtsy and left the room.

I made my way around the room, sitting in the chairs and bouncing on the bed a few times, testing for the comfort as well as the cleanliness of the room. The bathroom was amazing, and thank all the divines, there was a toilet that seemed to operate just like one would expect. There was a large marble bath that was definitely sized to fit three or four people. As well as a large shower that could easily hold the same number.

"Well, I guess when one's living the high life you might as well have some fun," I said to myself, chuckling. I pulled the menu from its holder by the door and relaxed into a large chair as I perused it. The folder was divided into different sections. The first was for food and drinks. Everything on the long list looked more than appetizing, except for maybe the prices. The next section was services such as laundry, scribes, musicians, and entertainers. The last section of the folder was geared more towards sensual desires. In it was a list of both males and females of varying races and ages. All that were listed were described as full flesh slaves. The list was composed of two pictures and a name, one a close-up of the face the second of a full-body photo. I was relieved to see that none of the photos included any children. The men and women in the photos were at least in their late teen years, if not their twenties.

The prices varied and started at fifty silvers a night for some of the younger-looking flesh slaves. The lowest was five silvers a night for a slightly older-looking refined woman. The distinction was that they were all human. When I flipped to the very back of the folder and saw women of other races, it became clear how humans valued other species. The highest price I saw in the Demi-human section of the folder was one silver per night, and the lowest was one copper. I could not imagine this establishment serviced the lower end of the docks and city. The pricing was, therefore, more intended to showcase the class barrier between humans and Demi-human.

I set the folder down on the coffee table and picked up the map that Elizabeth had so kindly provided for me. On the front of the folded parchment, stylized letters that read an imperial guide to the city of Laga'vast. On the inside of the pamphlet was a large map that showed the different sections of the city and the various shops that could be found within. On the map were numbers, and on the back was a list of the same numbers that described the shops that could be found within the city.

As I reviewed the map and the shops, I received a notification [You have learned the skill Mapping: novice. Can draw and read maps.] After reviewing the map, I formulated my plan of action. First and foremost, I needed money, then clothes and finally some general supplies.

I had the bag that I made with me, but I had left the bones and hide of the bear thing on the Ever Grove, along with the bolt of cloth. In the bag, I had the suspected beast core along with some of the gold, silver, and gemstones I had collected by dredging the bottom of the river. I would hold off on finding somewhere to trade the hide and bones; instead, I would focus on trying to convert the raw materials to currency.

I left my room, locking it with the silver key Erin had given me. Down the hallway, then stairs, and out the front doors of the marina clubhouse once more. The sun was high overhead, and the air held a rich must of river water. The large cobblestone of the marina gave way to the large gray-white stone of the noble district. The four beast men in chainmail armor, with halberds, eyed me as I walked through the gate, but apparently, I passed their litmus test as to who was allowed entry.

I drew the eyes of many of the women walking along the sidewalk as I made my way to the bank. Their fine dresses revealed little under the silk and lace. The pets they kept revealed far more; as I passed women walking from shops and into parks, they were trailed most often by beast kin of some kind, but more than a few had elves walking on all fours behind them led on leashes as well. The outfits of the slaves had one thing in common, they were all the most scintillating display of vulgarity I had seen.

Catgirls on leashes walked demurely behind their mistress's, heads bowed, while little more than transparent lace-covered them. Wolf kin girls crawled on all fours as their ladies strolled about the city. Their orifices were plugged in every conceivable way, from plugs which gave extra tails to the already tailed beast kin girls to ones with jewels sparkling from between flesh and fur. Whimpering elves crawled behind their owners; groaning from what was lashed inside them, the juices from their torment left to leak down their legs and soaking onto the ground, where it wafted into the air as a heady sweet perfume that clung to the back of the throat. their long, graceful ears and unearthly beauty marking them distinctly.

I was shocked by the open display the formally dressed women paraded around themselves. Even mothers with bassinet strollers walking into the parks had beast kin women, elves, humans, and a host of other races dressed in next to nothing. Though I did note that none of the presumed mothers had their slaves crawling and putting on a show as they walked through the park I passed.

I drew many eyes as I made my way to the bank, and I could only imagine it was due to the ridiculousness of my onesie. It's not like I was covered in gore or smelled or anything.

After about fifteen minutes of walking, I arrived at what was labeled on the map as the Imperial Royal Bank of Tagin. The building was a monstrosity of Corinthian columns and white marble. Full plated guards sat to either side of the large double doors. Above those doors in dark black obsidian was the name of the bank.