Page 38 of The Dragon and the Exiled
"I did!Some of the ones in my ears were a right bitch.Some of the more personal ones you will never see were even more difficult, but I didn't want to leave the forest to get someone else to do it, and back in my homeland such things are done by family anyway.What piercings were you hoping for?"
"My nipples," Dipak said, and sighed as she giggled, his face burning.
Minali grinned as her laughter faded."Come back in an hour or so hunter, and I'll have everything ready.You'll have to trade for the jewelry, as I'm assuming you don't have that."
"I assumed I'd have to acquire it before getting the work done.I just wanted information."
"I have the jewelry, I'm a bit of a magpie that way, wholly apart from what I need as a witch.One hour and you'll get your wish."
Dipak smiled."Thank you, truly.Let me know what you want in trade."
"I'm getting old.Come spring you can help me with the chopping."
"Old, please.You're the spryest thing in this forest.Deal, though, of course."
"Get along with you, then, hunter.I'm sure you've lots and lots to do.See you again soon."
"Count on it."
He went to see Pitambar next, handing over a pheasant in exchange for several repaired articles of clothing that he returned to an elf who lived all the way at the western edge of the forest, his house built right up a large rock wall that would seem out of place if Dipak wasn't well aware of the caves that littered the forest, the remnants perhaps of mountains that no longer existed.
When about an hour had passed, judging by the shifting daylight, he returned to Minali's house.
"Sit on the table, so I can better reach'em," she said with a smirk.
"I knew you'd be merciless with the teasing," he said with a sigh as he stripped off all the necessary layers, carefully piling everything by the door so no stray dirt or whatnot would make a mess of her floors.He sat on the edge of the table and spread his legs so she could get close.To say the situation felt strange was putting it mildly.
No doubt there was many a person who would love to be in his position for more amorous reasons, but though he'd bedded plenty of women, this just felt like having a particularly bratty older sister entirely too much in his space.
Laughing, Minali said, "Who could resist?Our fierce, stoic hunter wanting something a little bit naughty.I'm guessing to please Euclid, hmm?"
"Maybe," Dipak muttered, face hot.
She giggled and pinched his cheek."All right, here we go.A potion to numb the area, then I'll do the work, and give you a tincture that will speed healing.Should be completely fine and ready in a few days.Don't want it to heal instantly because otherwise the holes could close up wrong and just cause problems.A bit of the tincture in the morning and evening."
"Understood."
It didn't really take any time at all, she worked so quickly and deftly.The numbing lingered, so he didn't really feel them yet, could only stare in wonder at the gleaming gold hoops in a place he'd never expected to see such a thing.
After she'd cleaned up, and he'd dressed again, she walked him to the door.Where, of course, she smirked again, eyes sparkling with mischief."Some people like to string a small chain between them, can be lots of fun when it's pulled on."
"I dislike you immensely, you brat," Dipak said, which just made her giggle like a little girl again, sweet and charming.He had the sense she hadn't been allowed to do such things, where she'd lived before life had led her to the Forbidden Forest.
She pinched both his cheeks, then kissed one."Get on with you, little hunter.Enjoy your new jewelry when your lover wakes."
"Thank you, Minali.It's good to have a real friend.Call my name if you need me.Stay warm."He kissed her cheek, waited until she'd closed her door, and then headed out to continue with his day.
The piercings were exactly as distracting, delightfully, torturously distracting, as he'd feared they'd be.Hopefully that would settle down as he got used to them, or maybe he could cover them with something to make them less distracting while he worked.For the present, though, all he wanted to do was jerk himself off right there in the woods.
Instead, he focused on his work, bound for his own cabin to do some odds and ends there.
Just as he reached the cabin, though, anawarenessrippled through him, and suddenly he just knew that Abhishek had called his name, and he was at the edge of the forest where the military camp had been.Was this what Euclid felt all the time, when everyone in the forest called for him?Definitely would take getting used to.
Still, Abhishek was back, which was great news.He slipped easily through the shadows to the edge of the forest, stepping out from behind a tree."Abhishek!"
He noticed too late that someone was with him—the royal steward, Lord Jagadisha.Dipak tensed to leave, but Abhishek hastened forward and gripped his arms, both in friendly greeting and silent plea to remain."Sorry," he said quietly, "I didn't know how to warn you.But he means no harm.He wanted to apologize and thank you.Also make you an offer, I think, though he hasn't said as much aloud."
"An offer?"Dipak stared blankly, thoroughly puzzled."So everything went well?"
