Chapter Five.
 

Ballor slid off the back of Cochet, stretching up.  "He's not the smoothest ride," he complained.

"So get something smoother," Xahar said dryly.  "I like him.  He's good enough for me."  He slid off and took the reins to lead his horse off, wandering along the rows of horse sellers behind his guards.  He heard a jingle and turned, pulling his sword and running after the person who had just stolen his bag.  Not the one with the money in it, but his CD player.  "Give it back!" he shouted, pouncing him and shoving him into the ground.  He took the bag back.  "Stupid idiot.  Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, and I was hired to get that!" he shouted, trying to avoid the fist holding the sword that was trying to hit his face. "Please, Xahar!"

Xahar finally nailed him and then stood up, checking his precious device on the way back to his horse.  "Someone guarded the money, right?" he demanded, seeing the missing bag from the back of Liset's saddle.  She held it up.  "Good!"  He tied his precious device back on and climbed back up.  His horse gave him a backwards look.  "What?" he defended.

"Boss, do us all a favor," Ballor said drolly.  "Find your favorite outfit, your favorite CD, and go dance in one of the bazaar's inns until you feel better."

"I'm fine!"

"You're acting like you haven't slept in two days," Liset pointed out.  "You're very, very cranky.  We'd like to not have to save you from a war this week either."  Xahar gave her a dirty look.  "Seriously, Xahar.  I'll go with you. Ballor can pick out his own horse for yours to jump."  She rode off with him, taking one of his reins to lead the pouting dancer away before he could drive the price of Ballor's new horse up even more.

Ballor looked at them.  "You still have the money!" he called.  Liset tossed back a small bag.  "Thanks."  He jingled it then looked inside.  "Not that much," he said dryly. He looked at the seller, who only smirked.  "He didn't make a lot on his last job.  It was a fairly small village and mostly farmers."  He shrugged.  "The dragon was the one who killed my horse."  Liset came trotting back and took that bag, handing him another one, taking that one to find her own. "You left him alone?"

"Reginus was there."

"You found his former guard here?  In this bazaar?" Ballor said impatiently.  "After the man was dropped off half a world away?  What was he doing *here*?"

"I don't know, Xahar said to leave him with Reginus.  That he was sober for a change and could watch him pout."

"At least he's admitting that he's pouting," the horse trader offered.

"It's a start, but not that much," Liset told him.  "He'll still pout for the rest of the day unless we get him to wear that anger out."

"So either a dance, a fight, or a lover?" the trader asked with a smirk.

"Or worse, all three," Ballor admitted.  He looked at the horse he liked, then at Liset.  "Like him?"

"He's too small to keep up with my mare, much less the new stallion."  She got off and walked around the stalls, finding one who might keep up but he looked pretty rough.  She kept looking, letting Ballor lead her mare after her wandering.  She finally found a group of knights in very shiny armor talking about a few good horses.  She coughed and they stared at her, then burst out laughing.  She kicked one in the chin, then looked at the others.  "My fellow bodyguard needs a good gelding or stallion.  Where did you find those?"

"With the prostitutes over in the Ravanda Inn," one sneered.  "Where you should be."  He saw Ballor groan and shake his head, then he didn't see much after her fist hit him the first time.

Liset finally got off his bleeding, groaning body and looked at the others.  "Which inn?"

"Ravanda," one of them said politely.  "Where that new act is rumored to be.  That guy."

"That would be our boss probably," Ballor sighed.  "Pale guy, long dark hair?"  The knight nodded.  "Was he working out his cranky mood?"

"Hopefully.  Most of the inn maids were hitting on him shamelessly," the polite one offered.  "You need a new horse?"  He looked at his groaning friend, then at Ballor again.  "I'm not sure he's going to need his."

Ballor smiled.  "No, I don't need something that tough.  I don't wear armor that heavy or joust.  Instead I chase after those who would steal Xahar."  He handed Liset back her reins.  "Thank you for your assistance, Sir Knight."  He walked off, heading that way.  He'd been here before, this was where Xahar had found him the first time.  "At least he picked a place that had pretty inn maids.  I used to like to spend my time there to admire them."  He snapped his fingers.  "Timinus."  He headed off at a jog, going to a horsetrader he had known for a while.  He smiled as he walked up to where his stall was, grabbing him in a fierce bearhug.  "I believe you still owe me a skin of wine," he said fondly, letting him go.

"Ballor!" he shouted, turning to give him a hug.  "You're back?  For good?  Did your contract with that pretty thing fail?"

"No, he's at the Ravanda at the moment wearing out his temper."

"Ah!  I heard someone was over there wearing out the barmaids."  He nodded, looking at Liset.  "Pretty company you keep."

"She's tougher than I am," he admitted with a smile.  "We work together to guard Xahar."

"Unfortunately, we ran into a dragon recently," Liset told him.

"Ah, now I see why you come to me," he said with a taunting smile.  "Thinking I'll have a good deal for an old friend?"

"Well, I could take the cost of the wine you owe me out of your hide?" Ballor taunted back, smirking greatly.

His friend laughed and led him to the horses he had.  "How about these?"

"My boss rides a Chopee stallion," he said dryly.  "Big, white stallion.  Has jumped about every mare in existence," he offered.  "Including hers."

Liset nodded.  "Unfortunately.   I'll be finding a temporary replacement in a few months."

"Preggers is she?" Timinus teased.

"We think so.  It's been about six or seven times.  His horse even knocked me out of the saddle once."  Her mare nuzzled her.  "Yeah, I know, you bit him back for that.  Thank you for that, dear."  She patted her on the neck.  "So, find one already."

Ballor rolled his eyes. "Impatient."  He walked along the rows of tied up horses, finding one he liked the looks of.  "What's this one?"

"That one's a mare, but she's an older mare.  Probably couldn't handle a lot of traveling anymore.  Used to belong to a female warrior."  He shrugged.  "Not too bad."

Ballor shook his head.  "We travel at least four moons out of the year," he complained, looking at the last row.  He looked in the back room, then at his friend and pointed.  "And him?"

"He's taken," he sighed slowly.  "Not the sort you'd want anyway.  He's not that friendly.  He belongs to your cousin actually," he said with a fond smirk.

"Oooh, yay," Ballor said flatly, moving on.  He came back and looked again.  "Ilarin's in?"  He nodded.  Ballor shuddered.  "Ewww.  Well, I still need a horse."

"Mmph, let's try next door.  He's got a few good ones recently, but they might have original owners who're still living.  They just passed through a convenient warzone."

"No, I'd rather not have a stolen mount.  With my luck, the owner would show up," Ballor told him.  "Any other ideas?  Helver didn't have anything worthy of me either."

"Mmph, yeah," he said suddenly, smirking.  "I do know of one."  He led the way to a tent outside the walls, pointing at it.  "In there, old friend.  Travelers, some knights, and some grand ladies all ride them.  You should be able to find something worthy in there."

"We'll see."  He walked that way, patting the side of the tent to alert them to his presence.  "My friend is a horsetrader and said that you had one to sell?" he asked the young man coming out. "My name's Ballor and I guard Xahar."

"He's inside, one of our guards just brought him," the young man said with a grin.  "He's very pretty for a prostitute."

"He's not.  He's a dancer.  Xahar!"  He walked inside and picked Xahar's former guard up by the back of his neck, looking at him.  "Hello again," he said fondly, smirking at him.  "What did you do to the boss?"

"Nothing.  He's drunk, I moved him to safety."

"And his horse and clothes and money?" Liset asked as she came in.  "Cochet!"  She heard a neigh and went to find him, stripped of course.  She came back.  "Totally barebacked."  Reginus swallowed and she smirked.  "You will pay. You know that, correct?"

"I'm fine," Xahar slurred.

"Shut up, boss," Ballor snorted.  "You're drunk.  Just sit there and shut up."  He shook the former guard, making him squeal like a girl seeing her first pony.  "I'd go get it back, all of it, before I take it out of your hide."

"Ooooh, let me, it was my stupidity.  Xahar said he could be trusted," Liset said coldly, staring at him.  "There'll be others around here who'll help, of course.  After all, I saw Kuroz."

"You saw his ex?" Ballor said, wincing a bit. "That's a problem."

"No, that's a solution.  She'll be a problem later," she said sweetly.  She walked out, going to find the big, buff warrior woman Xahar had once taken up with.  She found the center of the bazaar and got up on the edge of the fountain.  "Kuroz!" she yelled.  "Reginus just tried to sell Xahar and stole everything from him!"  The huge warrior woman came out of an inn, already looking pissed.  "Sister," she greeted, clapping her by the wrist.  "I foolishly trusted Xahar's taste in former bodyguards.  I'm Liset."

"I know," she said smugly.  "Where might he be?"

"In the tent outside the walls.  Where his clothes, his CD player and CD's, and his money are, we're not sure.  Reginus apparently gave them to someone."

"Oh, they'll reappear in *perfect* condition," she promised, strolling off.  "Ballor?"

"Is there, he's looking for a new horse.  We recently had to fight a dragon and it nearly killed him and did get his horse."

"Hmm.  I heard something about that.  Pity that dragon wench isn't dead."  She continued to stroll off in the direction of the inn they had been in, banging the doors open.  "You took something from my man," she sneered at the innkeeper.  "You took many things from him.  I'll have them back and they'd better be in perfect condition, or else."  She glared at the women, everyone else was slowly heading for an exit.  "No one leaves!  My warriors will make sure of it!"  She clapped and six male, buff, slightly smaller men walked in and started to gather things.  "The shiny things scratch easily, be very gentle with them," she ordered.  Her men nodded and did as she ordered.  They knew better than to not follow her commands.  Even if they were jealous of her former lover.  It took all of them to satisfy her now, he had only needed himself. They gathered the rest of the offered things, showing them to her.  "That's not all of it," she said firmly.  "I know what he came here with.  I want it all back, or else this place will become my new favorite fighting grounds."  More things were brought to the pile, even some things that didn't belong to Xahar or any current resident of the bazaar.  It was all nicely bundled up by her warriors and handed to her.  She looked at the stuff in her hands, then at them.  "Is that *all* of it?"  Everyone nodded.  "Fine.  Boys, stay here.  I'll return after I walk this to Xahar."  Three more packs were tossed and one jingled.  "Ah, that's where that went.  Thank you, barkeeper.  Boys, play nicely."  She walked the bags to the tents outside, handing them to Ballor.  "Is he all right?"

"Reginus seems to have gotten him quite drunk on dwarven wine," he said grimly.  "You know how weak he is for that."

"Oh, I remember," she agreed with a fond smirk.  "Should I bring him back to rest with my people?  And you, of course.  I remember what a bear you are about his safety."

"If it wouldn't be so much trouble.  We could all use some quiet and rest.  I'm sure you won't take advantage of him or try to steal him."

"No, I had him.  I love my little dancer, but I'm not that good for him.  After all, he never created with me," she said with a suggestive smirk at him.

"I'm not touching him," he said with a blush.  "I'm not like that, Kozur."  He walked back into the tent, kicking Reginus out, but carrying the mumbling Xahar out in his arms.  Liset brought around the horses and he followed the warlord carrying the rest of their stuff.  "Is my stuff in there?" Ballor asked her once they got to her house.

"It should be.  I'm pretty sure I saw your journal and things."  She dropped everything into one room.  "I'm sure you're used to being together?"  Liset snorted and nodded.  "Go ahead and put the horses in the stable, they'll be fine."

"His stallion likes mares, a lot," Liset offered.

"I heard," she admitted with a grin.  "That's one reason why his former owner decided to retire, before he had to pay people for the use of their mares."  She chuckled as she walked off.  "I'm going to get my boys, make sure nothing else has turned up.  Put him to bed, Ballor."

"Of course."  He laid Xahar in the middle of the bed, covering his nearly naked form up.  "So, can we go get Reginus?"

"Sure," she agreed.  "He's probably heading back to Ravana's."  She smirked wickedly.  "You want first stalk or shall I?"

"Go for it," he offered.  "Since you didn't realize and all."

"Yeah, but now that I do, he's open and fair game," Liset said smugly, heading out in a casual stroll to look for her newest prey.  He was going to be a lot of fun.

Ballor walked over to the doorway, watching as the warriors, some as big as he was, walked in chatting merrily about their new guests.  He smiled and nodded at those who stared at him. "He's in bed.  Reginus got him with dwarf's wine."  They all shuddered at that, Kozur had forbidden them to ever drink it. "Exactly.  He's a bit soused and trying to nap it off.  Don't worry about being quiet until the middle of the night."  That got some laughs and the guys handed over the remaining things they had been given back before going to put aside their armor and take up casual clothes for the rest of day.  A few glanced in to look at the fabled one, then shrugged and walked off.  He was probably more handsome when he was awake and sober.

Kozur peeked in.  "He okay?"

"He's fine, napping it off.  Liset went to find Reginus," he said with a smart grin.

She punched him on the arm, making him wince.  "Ooh, did I hurt you?"

"I've still got an open wound from the stupid dragon that stole him.  Speaking of which, I still need a horse.  Know anyone who's selling a good one?  I'll need one to put up with his stallion.  Probably a gelding."

"From what I heard about his former owner, that might not be enough," she teased, pinching him on the arm.  "Let me look at your arm in the kitchen.  I've got some good gels and cremes in there for bruises and things.  Like my boys?"

"I think they're adorable," he offered with a grin, following her.  No one here would touch Xahar. Kozur would kill anyone who touched him.  She had in the past.  She had started an inter-clan war over him in the past.  So he assumed his boss was safe and so were they - at least until they wanted to leave.  He sat down where she pointed, taking off his tunic so she could get to his arm.  He even was polite enough to take off the bandages for her, exposing the old wound to the air.  She looked and winced.  "She got me with a side-claw when she got my poor horse," he admitted dryly.  "Gutted her side completely."

"At least it's clean and not infected."

"No, the herbwoman at the village near those mages who create things did wonders until we left," he assured her.  "Took care of the poison and all."

"Excellent.  I'll have to stop in there the next time I'm pillaging up that way."  She brought over a small jar of creme and sat down next to him, salving it for him, then taking the old bandage and refolding it to reapply it.  "There, that should help quite a lot.  I've used this before on dragon scratches on my horse."  Ballor smiled at that.  "Yes, I still have her.  She's in the stables.  I have her son to ride, but she still gives me fond looks when I come in to pet her."

"I thought she'd be dead of strain by now.  Your armor weighs nearly as much as you do."

Kozur chuckled and nodded.  "Yes, but it hasn't failed me yet," she pointed out.  She stood up.  "Let me change then I'll have someone start on some dinner.  You must be famished."

"No, Cochek got us up at dawn again this morning demanding his breakfast so we all got some," he noted, smirking at her.  "But we wouldn't turn down dinner."

"Good."  She went up to her room, taking the time to put away her casual armor carefully and to bed one of her boys so he'd quit pouting about the pretty men downstairs. When she was done, she stroked her boy's side.  "Do you think we could keep all three?" she asked quietly.  He got up and stomped off, pouting even worse now.  "Sorry."

"I'm still not like that!" Ballor called a few minutes later.  "Besides, you scare me, Kozur!"

"Thank you, dear, I love you too," she called back, pleased to know that she hadn't lost her touch.

***
 

Xahar woke up, still bleary headed, and wandered out at the food smells, sniffing Kozur on his way past.  He stopped and blinked up at her.  "Hi again."

"You're staying here until certain problems are solved, like your last guard trying to sell you into slavery."

"But Ballor and Liset love me," he complained, pouting a bit.

Kozur chuckled.  "Reginus, Xahar.  The former one."

"Oh, him.  I'm guessing that's why I'm still drunk too."  He nodded once and headed for the food, collapsing next to Ballor's seat in the corner and opening his mouth like a baby bird.  His bodyguard thoughtfully filled it with meat, earning a grin.  "I knew you wouldn't sell me," he promised once he had chewed and swallowed.

"The thought has crossed my mind a few times, boss, but only when you're drunk," he assured him with a sweet grin.  Xahar chuckled and stole some more meat, nibbling away at Ballor's dinner.  Ballor nodded at the meat tray and someone made Xahar a plate of his own, letting Ballor take half of it back before handing it off.  "Here, eat.  I need food too. You'd still get stolen."

"Did everything come back?"

"Plus a few new things," he assured him.  "Even two new CD's, boss."

Xahar looked up at him.  "Who else got stolen by the many trunks guy?"

"I don't know, but apparently there was one," Ballor admitted.  "We'll go looking later."  Xahar nodded, eating his own dinner. "We also made a two gold profit."

"Interesting."  Xahar ate a bite of roasted vegetable.  "I should see if I want to dance here before we go back."

"Since I still haven't found a horse yet, we probably have the time," Ballor admitted.  "Yours hates me."

"He thinks you're stealing my attention."  He stole another piece of Ballor's dinner with a grin.  "Gonna finish that?"

"Yes," he snorted, eating more quickly.  His boss was a horrible mooch at times, especially when he was drunk enough to become playful.  This was why everyone thought they were together. He slapped the hand coming back for some of his vegetables, letting out a little growl.  Xahar poked his stomach, staring at it. "Go dance, boss.  Remember how much Kozur likes to watch you dance?"

"Mmm, maybe," he agreed, getting up to stretch up.

"Please dance, Xahar, I want to see your new things," Kozur chuckled, smiling at him.  "Dance for Ballor there so he'll let you steal from his plate."

"Ballor's a big sweetie, but he likes Liset," he said with a fond grin at his guard.  "Where's she?"

"Hunting Reginus," Ballor said dryly.  "I get him tomorrow."

"Ooooh," the assembled men wince and shuddered.

"He tried to steal me and rob me," Xahar defended.  "She can have lots and lots of fun with him."  He stretched in a different direction.  "You sure you want to see just the new stuff?" he asked his ex. "It's mostly filler for when he was captured."

"Then I definitely want to see it," Kozur demanded.  "Dance, Xahar, or I'll expect a kiss in payment from Ballor for housing you tonight."

"Hey, set that up with him.  I don't determine who he sleeps with," Xahar said mischievously.  "You two would look good together."  He noticed Ballor was blushing again so he laid off him, remembering which one he usually started with when he only did the inflammatory things.  He started off, moving gently, like he was bound and struggling.

The warriors watched, one leaning to the next one.  "He's good," he hissed.

"He's better when he's not drunk," Kozur told them.  "Much more fluid and graceful."  She grabbed her favorite boy out of the group and pulled him closer, just in case she needed him. Then she caught Ballor's eye and winked, earning another blush.  It made her chuckle.  Such a big man would easily be worn out with her boys if he had wanted.  She would never steal Xahar's fun or his boy.  Xahar moved into another dance, this one much more sexual.  Her boy knew what to do when she got hot, and did it willingly.  She smiled when a few of the men tossed Ballor coins while staring at Xahar.  He was just that sort of dancer.  He made you want to pay for him.

***
 

The next morning, Xahar woke with a moan.  "Ow."

"Reginus gave you dwarven wine," Ballor said quietly in his ear.  "We rescued you because he was going to sell you into prostitution once he had taken away all your stuff.  Apparently he's running the Ravana inn now."  He handed his boss some cool water.  "Here.  You'll probably need it.  We're at Kozur's and you had a lot of fun showing off the new naughty parts you've created in those stories for her and her warriors.  They're still in the dining room sleeping it off."  Xahar took the water, opening one eye to glare at him.  "We got you back and she got most of your stuff back. You're missing about three outfits and your bottle of body oil," he said gently.  "You made a good profit last night before you drove them to enjoy each other."

"Kozur?"

"Liset's idea.  She knew she'd protect us in your vulnerable state."  He refilled the water from the pitcher beside him, helping Xahar sit up to finish his second glass.  "Drink, you need it."

"Of course I do," he agreed, gulping it greedily.  "Where is Liset?"

"Fixing you some toast."  He pushed the glass until his boss finished it and held it out for a third.  "It's up to you if we stay another night.  You danced the naughtier stories last night for them.  That's why they're all still in the dining area."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, boss.  She was quite busy with her six boys."  He smiled as Liset walked in with his toast and their breakfast.  "Any ideas on a horse?"

"Yeah, we head through the other trader's market," she offered.  "There's nothing here but pleasure horses."

"Good idea," Xahar agreed. "It's closer to home anyway and I'd like to be there for at least a week before the season starts."  They both nodded.  "I remember something about my CD's?"

"You got two new ones," Liset told him, sitting next to him.  She thoughtfully put her plate beside her, her boss's stomach was often touchy when he drank. "The woman who was stolen was at Ravana's last month but she left.  The sorcerer who stole you is still here however."  Xahar perked up at that.  "Boss, you can't go back.  I cornered him and he said he couldn't guarantee that you could get back to the same spot."

"What about the same world?"

"Not likely," she admitted.  "He's in a room at a nearby inn if you wanted to speak to him."

"I'd like to gut him," Ballor said grimly.  "Apparently he did it again?"  She nodded.  "Didn't we warn him about that?"

"Yes, and he's scared spitless we will.  That's why he's staying to talk to Xahar about sending him back for a single day, our time."

"With one of us," Ballor said firmly.

"Of course."  She grinned at him.  "I'll offer."

"I doubt it," he snorted.

"I'm smaller, it could be based on weight," she defended.  "Besides, you get all the good following jobs.  You're the one who got to follow him into the harem last winter.  Plus into that academy of healing."

"That was gross, not fun," he retorted.

"Guys, headache," Xahar said dryly, breaking into the argument.  "We'll see."  He finished his water and started on his toast.  He didn't want to eat, but he knew he'd better.  "Horses?"

"Still don't have one," Ballor admitted.

"Ours are fine, Xahar," Liset offered gently.  "He's gayly had most of the mares in the stable already."  Xahar snorted and ate another bite.  "I'm sure Kozur will be quite happy when her old mare and your stallion have a kid together."  He choked and Ballor patted him on the back.  "Sorry," she said with an impish smirk.  "Bad mental image?"

"Very.  She wanted me to father a child on her," he coughed.  He finally got himself calmed down and his cheeks wiped off from where his eyes had leaked.  "Bad, Liset."

She smirked. "I try every now and then.  Makes up for all the cleaning I do."

He snickered, leaning over to give her a hug.  "What am I wearing to see that sorcerer?"

"I'd say some dance pants, but that might stun him too much," Ballor admitted.

"Let him wear those blue practice pants," Liset offered.

"Can't, they're stained," Ballor told her.

"Oh."  She grimaced. "Since when?"

"Since it looked like they had stains on them," he said with a small shrug.  "We'll let you at the laundry when we finally get home."

"Fine," she complained.  She got up to look through his clothes, coming up with a dark green pair of light pants, tossing those over behind him.  "Wear those."

"Sure," he agreed, getting up to wipe himself down and check his hair, putting those practice pants on.  He tied the waistband low on his hips and followed them out, going to search for this sorcerer.  He really needed some stuff from there.  Liset led the way into a dark and grimy inn, and up the stairs.  Someone made a protesting noise until Ballor pulled his axe, then they decided they had never seen him, they saw nothing in fact. Xahar took point, knocking on the door Liset pointed at.  The sorcerer answered and immediately started to drool.  "I want to talk to you."

"Of course, Xahar," he offered, letting them all inside. "Have you reconsidered taking me on as an apprentice?"

"No," he admitted plainly.  "You still aren't that flexible.  You'd have to learn it like I did, from the masters who taught it."  He looked at the Trunks of Many Places the man traveled with.  "You're missing one?"

"It's under the bed," he admitted, sitting down on the bed.  "Why?"

"Because I need things from there.  My CD player is scratched and I want new music to create to."  He strolled over, tipping the man's chin up, giving him a little smile.  "Don't you want to see *new* things from me?"  The man started to drool and nodded quickly.  "Then I need to go back to where I was."

"I'm not sure I can," he pleaded.  "I could end up sending you somewhere horrible."

"That's why Liset's going with me," he said firmly.  "So she can guard me. I can even bring a sword with me if I need to."  He smiled gently, using the finger tipping the sorcerer's chin up to stroke his lips instead.  "I really would appreciate it, Thongis."

He swallowed and nodded, walking over to the one he used the last time.  "I'll try.  Think really hard about where you were the last time.  Bring her with you by holding onto her."  He watched as they stepped into the trunk together, holding arms.  They slowly sank until only their heads were visible, then a flash went off.  He looked at Ballor.  "How long should I give them?"

"Until dark tonight.   Does time run the same there?"  He nodded.  "Good."  He looked around.  "You didn't take anything from him?"

"His pendant," he admitted, taking it off his neck to show off.  "He gave it to me, said it came from a friend."  He stroked it while looking it over.  "It's very pretty but I can't use it for magic."

"I'm surprised you're keeping the trunks."

"They're handy," he said fondly.  "Now I charge for people to go places.  I'd charge him but what I want he said I can't have."  He moved closer.  "What about you?"

"I like Liset," he said dryly.  "How much?"

"Fifty gold."  Ballor counted it out and handed it over.  "Thank you, Ballor."

"You're welcome.  Anything to keep him out of trouble."

"Oh, I'm sure he's in trouble," the sorcerer said, sitting on his bed again.  "He probably went to dance at one of those strip clubs he mentioned the last time.  Quick cash for one such as him, especially with someone guarding him this time."

"You mean he'll be naked?" he demanded.

"Quite possibly.  Though, from what he said, no one will be able to touch him."

"Good!  That's more dangerous than I had expected!"  He stared at the trunks, then shook his head with a moan.  "I hope he's all right."

"I tried to send him back to the club where he worked before," he said patiently.  "He'll be fine.  He should have appeared in the center of the club."  Ballor nodded at that.  "You could go do something and come back later."

"I could, but then you might take off with the trunks and them.  Then I'd get very upset," he said coolly.

The sorcerer looked at him.  "I stayed last night, I could have run then and probably should have run then, but I stayed.  I won't run today."

"I can make sure of it too," Ballor noted. He had heard the person following them and opened the door, finding a young woman there.  "You are?"

"I want to learn how to do what you and that other woman does," she said firmly.

Ballor looked her over.  "Have you even trained with a sword, young lady?"

She nodded.  "My mother was a guard in Dorek.  She taught me what she could before her joints got too bad.  I've taken some lessons now and then after that."

"Fine.  Stay here and guard him.  I've still got to go find a horse," he said grimly.

"Try the Mage's section, sir.  They just got a new shipment and most of them wouldn't know what to do with one other than eat it or ride it to death.  They always get the best ones as payment."

"Point.  I hadn't thought of that.  Fine.  He and his trunks stay.  I'll be back in two turns of the hourglass."  He looked at the sorcerer.  "I will be evaluating her skills," he said smoothly, walking away.  He'd pay her later and if she was any good, he'd suggest a good teacher for her to start with.  She still needed training.  A long bow?  It was an odd choice for a warrior.  He walked out of the inn and ran into Kozur.  "He's in one of the trunks with Liset trying to find new music."

"Ah," she said, nodding.  "Interesting.  The young woman?"

"Wants to be Liset," he said happily.  "If she can keep the sorcerer from running, I'll make sure she finds a good and decent teacher.  Possibly even my own cousin."

"Very interesting.  By the way, your cousin ran off last night.  He left Illarin at the Boar and Boast."

"I'll pop around there tonight, once we get those two back.  I'm off to the mage's section to see if they're selling horses."

"I hadn't thought of that," she admitted. "They do get some good ones in payment and don't ever use them."  She shrugged. "I'll make sure my boys help keep an eye on that sorcerer."  They both heard the yell and Kozur opened the inn's door. "He has to be alive, dear."  She closed the door again, smirking at him.  "Go."  He nodded, heading off.  She wouldn't let him be hurt.  Kozur walked up the stairs, smiling at the young woman.  "Did you have to stab him?"

"He was trying to lock one of the trunks.  I didn't think that was right."

"Good idea," she agreed, smirking at her.  "You know, Ballor has a cousin who trains."

"Really?"  Her face lit up as she smiled.  "I'd like more training.  My mother was a guard in Dorek."

"I think I remember her.  If I remember right, I ran her through the side once."  The girl nodded, beaming at her.  "You don't harbor a grudge?"

"Nah, that's when she did most of my training, while she was healing," she said with a small shrug.  "That was also when I hit my womanly stride as it were and I needed her there more often for a few months.  It was good timing on your part, ma'am."

"I like you," Kozur decided, clapping her on the back.  "If he can't get his cousin to train you, which I'm pretty sure she will, I'll help you find one.  You'll go far in this business, young lady."

"Pames."

"Pames.  A strong name," Kozur assured her.  She looked at the sorcerer.  "Surely you wouldn't *think* about harming Xahar, would you?" she asked sweetly, smiling at him.  The man shuddered and shook his head, curling up on his bed.  "Good, sorcerer."  She walked over to pat him like she would a hunting hound.  "For that, you deserve a treat."

"Escaping with my life and things when he's back?" he suggested.

 "If that's all you want," Kozur said gently, still smiling.  "I was going to offer you a reward if you made sure they both came back healthy and happy."

"Yes, Warlord," he said with a swallow.  "I'll do my best, Warlord."

"Good boy."  She walked out, clapping the girl on the back again.  "You stay here.  Ballor should be back fairly soon.  If he can't get her, come see me later tonight."  She walked downstairs, taking an ale as she walked past the bar.  The man it had belonged to gave her a dirty look but nothing further.  They all knew better here in the horse bazaar.

***
 

Xahar came out of the trunk first, turning to help Liset out since she had most of the bags.  He had a few tied to his back but nothing else.  He looked at her, and she looked behind her, sighing as she had to go back for the ones that had been left. Xahar shimmied out of his bags and went back into the trunk, coming back with another few bags.  He climbed back out of the trunk and counted, then looked at Liset.  "Is that all of them?"

"Hopefully.  I'm tired of that smelly world, boss."  She counted and groaned, going to get the three remaining ones from the person standing in their rented room.  "Sorry.  Forgot these," she said, walking through the portal hanging on that side.  She climbed out of the trunk one last time and let it slam.  "This had better be all of it," she warned.

Xahar leaned over and gave her a hug.  "You spoil me rotten," he teased.  "I love you for it."

"Good, then you get to buy us dinner."  She looked at Ballor, then at the girl beside him.  "New contract?"

"She's going to train with Nesium.  We did a mage call and she agreed.  It's on our way.  I didn't think you'd mind the warrior-in-training escorting us?" he asked dryly, looking at all the bags.  "Boss, did you make a lot of money and overspend?"

"Yeah," he sighed, nodding, but he was happy.  "The same as I do when I find native clothing."  He started to pick up bags.  He could carry them this time so it would be easier.  "Are we staying with Kozur again tonight?"  Ballor nodded, giving him a long stare.  "What?"

"Do I even want to know?"

"No," Liset said promptly.  "We landed in this very dark inn-like place he called a strip club.  They were only doing women but the owner knew of somewhere he could dance.  He put on three shows, made quite a lot of money, and managed to spend it all, plus one of the clients just happened to run into us in the music store and paid him more for a long chat with him and the opportunity to play with his hair.  Ooh, the hair stuff," she said with a wince.

"It's in my bags," Xahar said patiently.  "I packed them first."  Someone tapped on the trunk so he opened it, smiling at the woman in it.  "Hi."  He took the bags she had, nodding politely.  "Thank you, my dear."

"You're welcome."  She smiled and sat up, kissing him as passionately as she could.  "That's more than payment enough."

"That's good because you've got to stay here for a day while the trunk recharges," the sorcerer said dryly.  She looked horrified.  "Hopefully you don't have anything small and whiny to take care of?"  She shook her head. "Good.  Think of all the stories you can tell."

"Write them down, become a famous author," Ballor offered.  "We could always use more scrolls."

"Just not songs," Liset said with a shudder, handing him a few of the bags.  "Here, you can heft and tote too.  That's why you're stronger than I am."  She gathered up the last few bags and walked out with Xahar.  "Did you pay him?"

"I did," Ballor called, following behind with the young woman.  He looked at the young warrioress.  "Most of the time, it's a rewarding job," he said patiently.  "But then again, there are times when it's not."  She chuckled and took a few of the bags from him, and Xahar let her handle a few more.  "Thank you, Pames."

"You're welcome," she said cheerfully.  They walked back to Kozur's house.  "Did you forget to tell him about the horses?"

"Oh, yeah.  Hey, boss?"  Xahar looked back as they got to the door.  "The mages were selling some unspelled horses.  I got us two for the price of one.  That way certain mares can have time off to have their foals.  Fairly nice geldings.  Pure black so we'll look good against you, and a matched set of former carriage horses.  Good gaits and all.  I tried one in a joust."

Liset smiled at him.  "Thank you, Ballor.  That was very sweet of you."  She kissed him on the cheek before walking in.  "He's back!" she yelled. She heard Kozur chuckle.  "Let us drop his shopping."

"You have a bag in here too," Xahar said patiently.  "We got you a new vest, Ballor."

"Thanks, boss," he said happily.  "Will it fit me?"

"Should.  I picked it out," Liset offered.  "He thought it looked too big."

"Better than the last two he bought me, which were very tight," Ballor joked back.  They dropped everything in their room and they all watched as Xahar took things apart and repacked them in the new bags he had gotten over there.  There were now eight more of those multiple CD carriers and a few spare players, plus a bag of just oil and things for Xahar's hair.  Ballor hid his smirk.  That man was horrible about his hair. Everything was put away and Xahar put on one of the new CD's, which sounded like a forest at night, only it had music with the wind, croaks, and cheeps. "I like that," Ballor admitted. Xahar smirked and turned it off, letting Ballor pull him up and they went to find their hostess, who got presented a bottle of smelly oil that she'd probably adore.  She hugged him gently and then handed him a plate. Ballor took his with a nod.  "I hope you don't mind, we brought Pames."

"No, I like her.  I ran her mother through once."

Liset nodded.  "I figured you would have.  You seem to hit a lot of towns every year, Kozur."  Their hostess laughed and clapped her on the back.  She took her smaller plate and handed Pames hers.  "It went fine.  He did three nights of dancing.  He made about six hundred of their dollars, about a tenth of a gold here, a night. Then one of the people who tipped him very well bought him more music."

"Interesting.  Very interesting," Kozur agreed.  "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"We should," Xahar offered with a grin for her.  "We don't want to take up more of your time and I do have to get home to spend some downtime before the usual spring party season starts.  I'm usually terribly busy all summer you know.  No time for resting at all."

"We're heading to Iness in two days.  You could wait and go with us," Kozur offered.

"That's opposite from home," he said with a teasing grin.  "You just want to make me a camp follower so your boys there have someone to flirt with."

"Well, that too," she admitted with a grin of her own.  "Sure you won't?"

"Unfortunately I do have patronage and have one in about a week," he sighed.  "Then I'll get two whole days off before my next event, then one that night, the next three nights if I remember right, then two garden parties for tea, and the annual solstice one.  Then maybe three days off and I'll spend most of that traveling."

Kozur shuddered. "I couldn't stand that life," she admitted.  "You deal with too many snobby Court people for my tastes."

"It makes things easier in the long run," he said fondly.  "I don't like the Courts any more than you do.  There's always some scandal or another."  Kozur nodded.  "Then again, I escaped from one of those when I was kidnaped to learn how to dance."

"Are your parents still living?"

"My father is," he admitted, settling in between his guards to eat.  "He's still complaining about my choice of profession.  Thinks I should just fight with my skills.  I told him I was much too pretty to fight all the time and he snorted and offered to find me a marriageable partner so I could give him grandchildren to turn into knights like he was."  Liset shuddered.  "That was about my reaction," he promised, patting her on the leg.  "He wanted me to marry a princess or a Count's daughter," he said with a smirk for her.  "Can't you just imagine me at Court all the time?"

"No, I believe that would be the ruin of that court," Ballor admitted.  "The old biddies would scandalize themselves to death over your dancing and your wife would become so obsessed that she'd never do more than stare at you and forget to eat until she died of it.  Then her father would get upset and you'd have to defend yourself, and all the others who secretly wanted you would have to come to your defense, and the court would all die off in one epic battle over your hips."  He stuffed his mouth.

"No, that's nearly happened once when some princess tried to keep me when I had just gotten back from my training," Xahar said thoughtfully.  "I'd probably escape and go back on the road more often, thereby assuring that she'd have to chase me and the court would slow down and generally die when I couldn't be found due to the next kidnaping."  He ate a small bite of meat.  "What is this, Kozur?  Horse?"

"Goat," she offered.  "We had one that was getting a bit old.  Why?  Does it taste off?"  She ate a bite and shrugged.  "Tastes fine to me."

Xahar wiped off his fingers and let Ballor have it, who nicely shared with Liset and Pames.  "Sorry, I have bad issues with goats at the moment.  One killed my warmare while I was being held by a dragon."

"I heard.  There's all sorts of rumors about why she wanted you, dear."

Xahar smirked. "I took a bribe so I can't tell the real story," he said smugly.  "I can however entertain by reading tonight. I got a few books too."

"You read?" one of the warriors asked, looking stunned.  "Why?"

"Because I spend a lot of time waiting around," he said dryly.  "I learned from the same people who taught me to dance.  Unfortunately my father doesn't enjoy any of the arts and hates to have them around.  I taught my sister to read too before she was married off."

"What happened to her? I haven't heard anything from around there in years," Kozur complained.  "We haven't gotten up that way recently either."

"Her husband was stupid and built a bonfire inside the house and burned them all to death.  My father killed his father and it started another scandal.  He's good at that."

"Your father?" Liset asked dryly.  "Why?"

"Well, when he was young he was found to be ...seeing a certain Prince's politically arranged wife.  She was half-elf and my father apparently found her very pretty.  It threw the whole line of the prince's succession into question.  We always thought that's why he ran into that holy statue in that elven village, to pay them back for ruining his reputation. Then my uncle was killed in a duel for sleeping with the same princess.  She thought he was my father and killed him for daring to touch her against her will.  My mother basically left after that and headed off with my sister to another Court.  That's how she met and married the stupid human she ended up with.  Father was happy enough, he ended up with a grandson, who was as soft as I was.  Her husband actually got drunk with my father once and they decided I had fathered my own nephew, which brought me home to whip both their hind ends in a duel.  At once.  My father quit sneering at that time about my dancing, but said it was still too fancy on a real field.  I pointed out that the people he had let steal me were great conquerors and didn't come to our lands because of the long sea voyage.  He huffed off, going to bandage his wounds and drink himself into a sulk. My brother-in-law decided to lay there on the lawn and keep his drinking outside that night.  Good thing, my sister came after him later that night and it would have hurt my father's heart to see how his precious, girly, feminine daughter beat his hind end as badly as I did."

"Your sister could fight?" Kozur asked. "I never knew that."

"No, she took a hot frying pan to him, and when that got knocked aside, she picked up a stick of firewood," he said proudly.  "The guards had to rescue him and carry her back into her room, then locked her in there to make sure they could have the rest of the night off.  It nearly woke Father, but he just took another drink and went back to sleep."

"Your family sounds like fun," Pames offered with a grin for him.

"Oh, wonderful fun to watch," he agreed, smirking back.  "Should I read to entertain tonight?"

"No, dance more," one of the warriors demanded.  His mistress hit him across the back of the head.  "Ow!  Sorry, Mistress.  I won't be impertinent again."

"Thank you."  She looked at Xahar.  "He's not the most civilized."

Xahar raised an eyebrow.  "Do you want me to remark on that?" he teased.  "You nearly stoned a bard to death for saying a woman wanted to be kissed in a couple's song."

She grinned.  "That girl was puny if that's all she wanted out of life.  She needed to pick up a sword, gut her intended, and go find some man who didn't wear lace and gold buttons.  What man would do that?"

"One in a Court," Ballor said dryly.  "Like his father."

"Father looked horrid in lace and gold," Xahar assured him.  "As do I."

Liset looked at him, then nudged him.  "You looked good in that blue lace shirt you bought that one time."

"I didn't buy that, it was a gift," Xahar said patiently.  "I had to wear it when the former owner could see it.  It got me a discount at his store."

She snickered.  "You're so bad," she chastised.

He smirked.  "I know."  He winked and got up, stretching a bit.  "What should I do?"

"More things to enthrall our lady," one of the warriors said quietly.  "Like last night."  He glanced at her and a few of the guys.  "It was fun."

"I can't promise it.  I don't remember what I danced last night."

"The outtakes of the second series and the two new ones you were working on," Ballor offered.  "Plus that new third story one."

"Interesting.  How did it look?"

"Choppy, you were tired, boss."

"Point."  He shrugged and moved into doing one from his time in captivity, which was still inflammatory.   He noticed their host starting to shift and decided it was probably a bad thing so skipped ahead at an appropriate point, which made her smile.  She knew he had skipped, she had watched him many times.  Probably more than he knew.  A few of the warriors hooted when he started a purely sexual part, and then Kozur grabbed him to kiss him.  He pulled back, looking at her.  "Didn't we break up because you couldn't stand my life?" he asked drolly.

She nodded. "Yes, but the offer still stands to travel with me instead," she offered lightly.

"Dear, I love you, but I'd miss my house and all that stuff.  I'm not going to quit dancing and too many people like to watch me for me to give it up permanently.  Sorry, but no.  If and when I settle down, it'll be when my body aches every day and I can't dance any longer."  He gave her another kiss and stood up.  "How about I read to you guys instead?"

"No thanks," the guys groaned, giving their warlord a dirty look.  Xahar pulled Ballor and Liset up.

"Can't you finish?" one of the guys whined.

"No, it's much too dangerous.  I'm tired of being stolen this month," he noted.  "Sorry, guys."  He led the way back to their room, closing the door so he could lean against it.  "Pack," he mouthed.  Liset nodded, moving to gather everything into saddlebags.  "Spare horse?"

"Has a saddle," Ballor admitted.  "Mine was ruined in the attack, boss."

"That's fine.  We can load it up this time.  Do you have one, Pames?"  She nodded.  "Good girl.  Go pack, we'll be leaving tomorrow."  She nodded so he let her out, looking at Kozur.  "Good thing he found a two-for-one deal," he said dryly.  "Saves us having to redistribute the weight on our horses."

"Why don't you travel with a cart?"

"Too easy to attack," he admitted.  "I do for really long trips.  Besides, my old one needs fixed."  He shrugged.  "Thank you for hosting us, Kozur."

"Don't leave because I got fresh," she complained.

He leaned closer to give her a hug.  "I'm not.  Like I said, I have to get home so I get some time off."  He let her go.  "We'll go about dawn.  That'll get us the best food deals from the market before we go.  Stop by if you're in town, I've got a few spare rooms too."  She nodded, stomping off.  He closed the door and leaned against it again, looking at his guards, who shook their heads.  They'd get up really early instead of trying to sneak out now.  It'd be easier.  They settled in to catch a few hours' nap, then got up and silently dressed and gathered their things, running into a sleepy warrior outside their door.  Xahar drew him into a kiss, then smiled at him.  "Thank you for hosting us.  You've given me great inspiration," he purred, letting his guards escape.

The warrior smiled. "I'm not supposed to let you go.  She'll cut me into a girl."

Xahar kissed him again and the man moaned, dropping his weapons to hold him.  That's when he applied careful pressure to the back of his neck to knock him out.  "It's more than just a dance, remember that," he said softly, checking their room.  He found his and Liset's cloak and one last pack, bringing it out to the stable.  Liset was staring at the locks on the stall doors so he bent to release them.

"You've got to teach us that," Liset complained, pulling her mare out to saddle and bridle quickly.  Ballor got his and the spare one.  Xahar got his horse saddled and bridled, then they rode out, going to pick up Pames from the central fountain area.  She had food in her pouch so they only had to make a quick stop before they snuck out of the horse bazaar.  By the time dawn rolled around fully, they were on the road safely away from Kozur and her ideas of keeping them.
 
 

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