Dirk’s legs felt a little wobbly as he walked out of the farmhouse towards his horse, Cora following after him with a dreamy look on her face. It had been a good night, and thankfully peaceful once the two had fallen asleep.
Cassidy was already up, waving at them as they walked up, “so boy-boss, what’s on the agenda for today,” she drawled, seemingly forgetting the awkwardness of the previous day.
Dirk almost wanted to lie and tell her he was going to town, but he sighed, “Cora tells me Tom’s ranch is just a two hour’s ride from here, I think it might be worth going over there to see if he heard anything, maybe the vandals hit him too.”
Cassidy stared a moment, then slowly nodded, “right… I’ll hold down the fort here.”
“Glad I can count on you Cassidy,” Dirk said mildly, walking to the barn with Cora behind him.
…
In the flatter parts of the empire Dirk supposed he would have been able to see Tom’s land from his own, as it was in the thickly jungled countryside of the Queendom, it took two hours through the serpentine green passageways winding through unseen and overgrown hills and valleys before a clearing opened up, another vast island of grass in a sea of greenery and vines.
Tom’s auroch herd was larger than his, Dirk noted with a scowl, he hadn’t been lying about that it seemed. For some odd reason Dirk did feel a bit of satisfaction seeing that Tom’s farmhouse wasn’t as nice as his own, the structure was serviceable of course, and seemingly built in Amazon size, but where the home Dirk inherited from his aunt and uncle was two stories and had a broad first floor for entertaining, it seemed Tom’s was a more private residence, squat and rectangular, with roof only slightly sloped. Alongside it were four cabins, housing for his ranch hands.
A pair of amazons spotted them quickly and rode out ahead of the rival herd of aurochs to meet them. Dirk couldn’t help but notice one of them, a round faced woman with short cut red hair, seemed to be much bigger than the average amazon, probably eleven feet by his guess. The other he recognized as Flora, one of the two that had accompanied Tom into town when they’d last seen each other.
“What business have you two got here?” Flora asked, resting a hand on her sword pommel.
“We had some bandits hit our ranch last night,” Dirk said, “in the spirit of community I decided to come see if my good friend Tom was okay.”
Flora couldn’t help but smirk at the “good friend” remark, “Atla, you want to bring these two up to speak to the boss?”
“Tom’s not out in the fields?” Dirk asked, raising an eyebrow.
“He can ride with the best,” Atla said, glaring daggers at Cora who returned the angry look, “but he’s up tending to the house, like a proper man,” she grinned as she led the pair up towards the farmhouse “Tommy serves us a home cooked meal every night, how well do you eat over at the Northstar place?”
“Dirk is a great cook,” Cora replied, casually tapping a finger on her own sword pommel, “don’t worry about us.”
Dirk’s mouth quirked in amusement as they came upon Tom, leaning in a rocking chair with his fiddle in his hands, singing slowly, “a holiday, a holiday, the first one of the year,” he sang, “Lord Donal’s wife came into the church, the gods word for to hear…”
He paused, giving a friendly smile as he saw Dirk and Cora approaching with Atla, “Why Dirk Sommer, I heard you got hurt, I’m glad you’re on your feet again, that Cynthia is a miracle worker, isn’t she?”
“That she is,” Dirk said, dismounting.
Behind him Cora did the same, and Atla walked ahead of them up onto Tom’s porch, causing the floorboards to creak under the massive Amazon’s weight. With a smug look she leaned against the wall of the house behind her boss’s chair and nodded politely. She stood over the grinning Tom like a looming gargoyle, a massive colossus of a woman who loomed a full head taller than Cora, a sword on her hips that looked like it was nearly as tall as Dirk himself.
Dirk saw another Amazon, seated in a chair with her leg raised and wrapped in bandages, sitting at the far end of the porch, Suzette, Tom’s other guardian when they’d gone into town.
“Oh,” Dirk said almost mockingly as they stepped up under the shade of the porch with the others, “did something happen to your leg?”
“I slipped while hunting and fell on my own spear,” Suzette snapped, glaring back.
He smirked at her, causing her to scowl, before turning back to Tom, “I don’t suppose you would know anything about the trouble we had a few nights ago?” he asked in a low voice.
Tom chuckled, and behind him Atla just smirked, “Of course not Dirk,” he lied, “I don’t know anything about it, I’ll be sure to have one of my girls stay on lookout though. You know if it’s all too much, my offer to buy still stands…”
Dirk spared another glance at Suzette, with her wounded leg propped on an ottoman, “Right… well I hope those that came learned their lesson, or next time they might not come back, who knows maybe we might come over to their place and start tearing things up, raising a little hell…”
Tom’s face grew serious, “None of the people who were at your ranch tried to kill you, be careful you don’t turn a range war into a real one.”
“I’m not some backwoods farmer or a greenhorn out of the city,” Dirk snapped, “this land baron stuff isn’t going to work on me and Griselda’s not out here to make us play nice, any more fooling around?” he gestured at Suzette, with her wounded leg still propped up, “then my aim might start getting better.”
“Fair enough,” Tom growled, “would be a shame if someone got hurt…” The smile returned and Tom softened, “I was actually quite upset to hear about your encounter with the razorlizards, the animals here are a lot more dangerous than they are back in our home country, I’m glad you recovered.”
“I’ll bet you are,” Dirk snarled.
Tom raised an eyebrow, “Believe what you want,” he said finally, “a real man defeats his rivals, but wishes them well otherwise.”
“A real man better not be making that same scalloped potato dish for dinner,” Atla muttered behind him, causing Suzette to snigger until Tom shot her a quick look. He leaned back at Atla, staring down the woman who stood almost twice his size.
“I’ll have you know it’s chili,” Tom retorted, amused. He regarded Dirk a moment, then stood up, “wait here, I’ve got something of yours.”
Dirk shot a look back at Cora, who shrugged. They waited awkwardly, not saying a word to either Atla or Suzette. Finally, Tom returned, stepping out of his house with a tattered leather bound book. He stepped towards Dirk, handing it to him.
“What is this?” Dirk said, frowning as he thumbed through the pages, they were handwritten in ink, “two cups sugar… heat forty five minutes?” He flipped the cover back over, reading “Markus Northstar” scrawled across the top. “Was this-“
“Your uncle’s,” Tom confirmed, “knowing your way around a kitchen can get a man pretty far here, I owe a lot of success to that volume.”
“I’d have quit this place a year ago if not for the food,” Atla agreed, and Suzette chuckled and nodded, she licked her lips and looked down at Tom, “and other benefits…”
“Where did you get this?” Dirk asked, an edge to his voice.
“Your relatives and I weren’t friendly,” Tom said, “but we did have a friend in common who passed it along to me.”
“And when did you last see Cassidy?” Dirk asked, meeting the other man’s eyes.
“A gentleman never tells,” Tom replied, “but…” he chewed his lip a moment, and an uncharacteristic look came over his face, concern, “if you get the opportunity, maybe make her your uncle’s cinnamon rolls, they were… they are her favorite.”
Dirk scanned the other man for mockery, and was surprised to find none. He slowly nodded, tipping his hat slightly as he turned back towards his horse, the recipe book tucked under his arm.
…
“So what do you think?” Cora asked as they rode back to their own ranch.
“There’s something between Cassidy and Tom,” Dirk replied, looking at the recipe book in his hands, “and for some reason that bastard actually cares about her, whatever is going on I don’t think she’s a hired spy…”
“But we still can’t exactly trust her,” Cora finished, nodding.
Dirk sighed, looking down the dirt road as he thought, by all rights I should just fire her and not worry about this anymore… but… he swore under his breath, he liked Cassidy, he liked the way she always looked out for him, annoying though it could be, and he didn’t want to believe she’d be in a plot against him like this.
“Cassidy stays,” he said quietly, causing Cora to frown a moment. He sighed, seeing her expression, “for now anyway…” He looked back at her, “would you mind moving into the farmhouse with me? For the foreseeable future I think I’d like to be close to you.”
Cora’s eyes lit up, “y-yes, of course Dirk! I’ll tell my parents, I’m sure they’re happy to see my finally leave my childhood bedroom…” she giggled, biting her lip in excitement.
…
The next two weeks were a blur of work and exhaustion, as the wet season wore on rains pelted the ranch, and Dirk was forced to spend several days with his two Amazonian ranch hands replacing fenceposts on the edges of the jungle that had become loose and nearly washed away. In the muggy heat Dirk often found himself soaked with sweat, his sleeves rolled up and his skin tanned a darker shade than it ever had back home. In such conditions he would find himself sitting on a hillside, catching his breath after a long day of physical labor that left him drained, even as Cora and Cassidy carried on roping, riding, and fencing long after he’d been spent.
Cassidy seemed to sense the suspicion towards her, and alternated between cold and distant, and overly friendly, joking with the pair and trying to take on extra work, as if to win them back over. Finally, after days of this, they’d settled into something resembling normalcy, and while his doubts lingered, he, Cora, and Cassidy were able to share meals at the farmhouse at the end of the day again, laughing over the shared jokes and comradery that blossomed from shared labor.
…
“Saddling up to head into town again?” Cassidy asked, chewing a piece of hay and leaning against the expansive barn while she watched Dirk and Cora preparing to leave.
“I’ve got business with the bank and with the temple,” Tom said with a shrug, “that and Cora’s got to go get the rest of her things since she’s going to be living here now.”
“Should I start hacking trees down to build her a cabin of her own?” Cassidy asked with a teasing smirk.
“Won’t be necessary,” Dirk replied, returning the grin, “I’m sure you’re going to lecture me on how improper it is.”
“I just assumed you were going to temple to pre-emptively ask the Goddess for forgiveness,” Cassidy said with a shrug, “that, or write your old priest and tell him, or her to get your faith’s blessing,” she thought a moment, “who talks to your gods for you in the Empire anyway? Do you have men tending the temples back there too?”
“Whoever’s best for it,” Dirk replied, “or so they say.”
Cassidy’s face grew serious a moment, “are you… sure you trust me here alone?”
Dirk looked up at her a moment, the light of the sun was blocked from her eyes by his deceased aunt’s rose trimmed hat, “I trust you enough,” he replied finally, “don’t make me regret it.”
“You won’t,” Cassidy said with a sincere nod, “you and Cora have a nice trip into town…”
Dirk nodded and tipped his hat as he swung into the saddle.
…
“So, you can handle dealing with Hardstone for me?” Dirk asked.
“All I’ve got to do is give her the money, right?” Cora asked, padding the small coin purse at her side.
“Also ask her for a copy of the loans my aunt and uncle took,” Dirk said, “I’m curious as to how they owed so much money against the ranch in the first place, we aren’t getting rich out there, but even with Tom’s ladies paying us a visit we’re turning a profit… why’d they mortgage it? And for that matter where did that money go?”
“I’ll do my best,” Cora said uncertainly, “but I’m not great with money stuff.”
“Don’t worry about,” Dirk said dismissively, “if Hardstone gives you trouble… well you’re twice her height Cora, use it to your advantage.”
“I can’t just tear up the bank Dirk,” Cora giggled.
“I mean just be firm,” Dirk said, chuckling himself at the idea of Cora lifting Hardstone’s desk overhead, turning the little woman’s sour expression to shock.
“So, you’re expecting to spend the whole day with Cynthia?” Cora asked.
“For as long as she wants,” Dirk sighed, “she knows something about all of this too, and if I’ve got to go get consecrated anyways I might as well try to get it out of her.”
Cora bit her lip, fighting a laugh, “Well uh… you could always do something to make her really happy with you…”
Dirk shot a look back at her, “so you’re really telling me if her demand is that I lay with her, you’re fine with that?”
Cora shrugged, “Cynthy got even less attention from men than I did growing up, she’s so strange sometimes, and she’s so tiny… We used to tease her that she was just really one of the Little Sisters even.”
Dirk rolled his eyes, only in the Queendom is a seven and a half foot tall woman “tiny…”
“It’s really good she turned out to have magic,” Cora continued, “otherwise I don’t know what she would have done… she mostly read books and avoided swords and spears.”
“I know the type,” Dirk said with a nod, it almost sounds like the poor girl would have been better off in the Empire… Amazons don’t seem to have a lot of room for ones that don’t fit the mold.
“I guess what I’m saying is, if you made her happy I could approve of that,” Cora said finally.
Dirk blinked and shook his head, fighting a laugh. Every time he thought he was getting used to how things were here, there was one more bee in the hive…
…
Cynthia eagerly threw open the arched doors to the temple as they approached, “Y-You came bac-“ she cleared her throat and collected herself, “I see the infidel male has been brought to me,” she said, looking up at Cora and nodding.
“Yes, he’s all yours for the day, I expect him back fully blessed and consecrated, shine his shoes too,” Cora said with a smirk.
Cynthia’s face went red, “C-Cora, you have to take this seriously!”
Cora was about to say something, but Dirk shot her an annoyed look, and she sheepishly bit her lip and nodded, “Yeah… sorry,” she muttered, “take good care of Dirk okay? He’s very important to me.”
Cynthia spared a grateful glance at Dirk, “the goddess cares for us all,” she said imperiously, or as imperiously as she could manage to Cora, who stood nearly two feet taller. With a flourish of her ceremonial robe she grabbed Dirk’s hand, and he grunted as she pulled him into the temple, her bleached skull hat shining brightly in the morning sun as she led him inside. Cora waved to Dirk one final time as Cynthia flicked her wrist, a blue glow enveloping the doors as the magically slammed shut.
Cynthia giggled excitedly as she turned around, looking down at Dirk, “I’m really glad you decided to return,” she said, never letting go of his hand as she pulled him in.
“I uh, said I would,” he replied, trying and failing to pull his arm back. She kept a firm grip on his hand, making him feel almost like a child as even this smallest of amazons casually led up him to the altar of her temple.
“Now just stand right here,” she said, firmly placing him in the middle of the raised platform before the rows of seats.
Dirk looked down at the temple, the main room seemed almost the same as the ones back in the Empire, A painting of the goddess Diana hung large against the back wall, and the widows, while not stained glass like he was used to, were wide and arced, letting ample light into the building.
“Let’s get the first part out of the way,” Cynthia said, holding out her hand. Dirk felt the tingle of magic in the air as her staff flew into her waiting fingers, and with a smile she held it high, “I, Cynthia Highrock, priestess of the great and benevolent goddess Diana, do hereby ask for her cleansing blessing upon this male!” Her staff shone, and Dirk flinched a moment as a light seemed to envelop him, “Let all demons be cast out!” she shouted, her voice beginning to echo as her eyes glowed and magic filled the air, “let all curses be lifted, let this man serve your will and bring your light and peace to the world!”
Dirk felt himself lift off the ground, and blinked as he felt the magic run up and down his arms, definitely divine magic, he thought, his mind racing, what is it- He gasped as he felt his arms stretch out from his body, a sense of peace flowing through him for the briefest moment before he slowly descended back to the ground. His feet returned to the stone altar while Cynthia looked on, beaming.
“How do you feel?” the priestess asked, removing her ceremonial skull helmet, revealing a short cut bob of dark hair.
“Good,” Dirk muttered, looking at his hands, flexing them slightly. It was hard to describe exactly how he felt, almost like he’d just gotten up from a lengthy sleep, or that first day of full health after a long sickness.
“It’s truly not too different from a blessing you could get from your own priests in the Empire,” Cynthia admitted with a blush, “I’ve studied some of your foreign gods, they seem… noble enough,” she said, “now, you must know what comes next?”
He pursed his lips and nodded, “an act of submission?”
“Very good,” Cynthia said with a grin, “Now…” she bit her lip, walking up to him a moment with a certain sway to her hips until she was looming over him, hands on her hips, “what would be a good demand to make of you?”
Dirk thought a moment, then gave her a grin, “I guess… I would be willing to do anything you desire Priestess.”
Cynthia squeaked excitedly, “Uh…” she cleared her throat, “w-well Dirk, y-you could of course sweep the temple chimney, or perhaps re-cushion the front pews…” she licked her lips, taking a breath, “or please me as a man does to a woman?”
She’s giving me ways out, Dirk thought with a chuckle, with a sigh he made his decision, “I’ll take the last one.”
Cynthia’s eyes had that blue glow to them, and Dirk suddenly felt nervous as magic filled the air again, “just to be clear,” Cynthia said, her face flushed and smiling as her hair blew slightly in a non-existent wind, “this is your last chance to re-cushion that pew.” When he just grinned at her in response she squealed in excitement, then she held out a hand as she harnessed the power she’d filled the room with.
Dirk almost cried out in shock as he suddenly lifted off the floor again, his shoes, socks, pants, shirt, hat, and everything else on him flew off his body, instantly stripping him in a split second as Cynthia’s invisible telekinetic tendrils went to work.
Telekinesis, Dirk thought, his old army training kicking in, deploy explosives to disrupt thought pattern- He shook his head and forced it away, trying to keep a smile on his face and let himself enjoy the moment.
Cynthia growled lustfully, and he felt himself pulled through the air until he was just in front of her, “Yes what a wonderful specimen of a man,” she said, tracing her hands over his chest and the slowly down, skipping her fingers down his abs playfully until she reached his crotch, and then finally wrapping her slender fingers around his manhood, rapidly rising from her attention and giving a quick tug, “a good size too, yes this will be a fine offering to your priestess!”
“Does your goddess approve of using your powers like this?” he teased.
His answer was his body jerking through the air, turning about so Cynthia could deliver a hard spanking to his ass, causing him to grunt in surprise, “Firm…” she giggled, “and yes Dirk, Diana not only approves, there are several holy scriptures available only to priestesses on such applications of her gift!” she twirled her finger and Dirk slowly rotated back around to face her, slowly descending to the ground as she draped her arms around him, pulling his naked form close so she could look down at him.
Dirk’s heart was pounding, he’d expected something like Cora’s almost animalistic mounting, albeit less intense, this was something else though… The light of magic was shimmering in Cynthia’s eyes as leaned down for a rough kiss, cupping his bottom and squeezing roughly, enjoying him as she moaned with lust.
“When they told me I had the gift of magic, I was so happy Dirk,” she cooed, “I rubbed myself raw that first night thinking of all the amazing things I was going to learn to do with it!” she tossed him over her shoulder with a grunt, slapping his bottom again for good measure as she practically skipped towards her bedroom in the building’s rear, “I know so many things now…” She shoved the door open with her shoulder, grunting as she heaved Dirk onto a wide Amazon sized featherbed.
Dirk managed to flip over, looking up in awe as Cynthia began throwing her ceremonial robes off, revealing a soft and slender physique. Unlike the other amazons she didn’t have the sharp muscle tone on her arms from hours of swordplay, and as he looked down her body he caught sight of her womanhood, shaved as bare as his own nethers.
Despite her more feminine appearance as her seven and a half foot form climbed over him, pinning him down, he was reminded that she was very much still an amazon.
Her grip on his wrist was strong as she held it away from his body, enjoying another rough kiss, “fight it!” she said in a lustful tone.
“What?” he asked, frowning.
“Try to throw me off of you! Come on, do your best!” she pleaded.
He growled and pressed back against her, his arms shaking with exertion as he just barely forced her up. Cynthia grimaced, gritting her teeth and grunting as she tightened her grip on his arms, slowly but surely forcing them back to the mattress and to his sides. Dirk tried to twist out of her grip, but her legs came up on either side of his body, pinning him in place.
“Yes!” she crowed, “that’s it, fight back, lose!”
He realized that even against this smallest of amazons he was losing the contest of strength, he almost howled in frustration as, with his veins popping in his arms and his face red, he was slowly but surly pinned in place beneath Cynthia. He exhaled sharply as his muscles gave out, going limp and feeling jellylike as she cackled at her victory.
“That’s right,” she panted, her face flush, unlike Cora it was clear that, in spite of his defeat, she’d had to work for it at least, “accept it, you’re mine!”
Even a “small” bookish Amazon can overpower me, he realized, feeling a bit awed, he wondered just how much Cora had been going easy on him that first day when they’d wrestled.
“Now to claim my prize,” she groaned, slowly releasing his tired arms and climbing up his body. Her glistening womanhood hovered over his panting face, and without giving him so much as a warning she came down on him, her womanhood smothering his face as she ground against him. As he stuck his tongue out to begin licking at the flooding opening above he felt her fingers curl tightly in his hair, pulling him close and grinding him against herself.
“I did it,” she giggled, “no magic, no powers, I just… took you, like a real amazon!” she shivered, enjoying the sensation of his face against her most intimate place. “Oh goddess, imagine if I had used my powers too… you wouldn’t stand a chance!” she giggled, looking down at his face, now wet with her juices. She smiled as he made eye contact, “there are so many things a priestess like me can do to a man she fancies,” she said huskily, grunting as another wave of pleasure shot through her, “I could make you climax in your sleep thinking about me,” she bit her lip, “cast a charm to make my womanhood taste like the finest and sweetest thing you’ve ever had, I could simply wave a hand whenever I felt bored and send you to paradise, doubling over as you pleaded for mercy!” She moaned again, her legs clamping down on either side of him as she rode his face to orgasm, “yes!” she howled, “completely and utterly defeated, mine!” she spasmed a final time, and Dirk did his best to keep up his motions before she finally rolled off of him, spent.
She slowly pulled him close to her in the bed, a dreamy expression on her face as she stared at the ceiling, “I’m sorry if I said some things that were… strange,” she said quietly.
“It’s fine,” Dirk assured her, “I’m getting used to some… unconventional stuff.”
She leaned over him again, running her hand through his hair, “no, I… I really enjoy dominating a male, on so many levels…” she sighed, “thank you for indulging me.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said, looking down at his unattended erection and hoping she would take the hint.
She spared a glance down his body, then looked back to him with a mischievous look. She casually puffed her cheeks and blew once, like she was putting out a small candle. His eyes went wide and he felt a wave of bliss crash down on him as he instantly reached orgasm, his hips bucking the air and swearing in surprise as his seed sprayed across the bed. It was an intense, lasting nearly a full minute as he twisted and spasmed while Cynthia looked on, giggling.
“Wow,” he breathed as it finally subsided, “you weren’t kidding about the magic…”
“No, I really can visit you in your dreams and make you mess your bed if I want,” she teased, “one of the priestesses who taught me magic claimed she could bring her husband to orgasm with a thought from up to a mile away…” Cynthia sighed, a dreamy look on her face, “could you imagine?”
Dirk gulped, not sure whether the idea thrilled or terrified him.
“Want to see another trick?” she asked, grinning. She held her finger up to him, crooked, slowly she straightened it, and as she did he felt himself growing hard, his manhood pointing straight up with her fingertip.
“I’ve never heard of an imperial mage doing that,” he chuckled.
“Now go back into the other room and find your clothing,” she ordered, standing up, “we do have a few other matters to discuss…” She casually looked down at his revived erection and gave a wry grin, “oh, why not, one more real quick!” she puffed her cheeks and did that tiny blowing motion, causing him to writhe in pleasure while she burst into laughter, watching.
…
“Come back here,” Cynthia said, leading Dirk, now dressed and cleaned up somewhat, through a back hallway in the temple and to a small office.
Books were stacked neatly above a piece of furniture that towered next to Dirk, but to an Amazon was a simple writing desk. Cynthia sat in a small chair with a sigh and gestured for him to approach her. Slowly she put a hand on his shoulder, and he frowned as she pressed down, gently forcing him to a knee. He watched, confused, as she kicked off her shoes, placing one of her feet in his waiting hand.
“A foot rub would be lovely,” Cynthia said, not so much as a request as an order.
You’re hers for the day, he thought with a sigh, starting to press his fingers against her soles in a way he’d found Cora enjoyed.
“Oh that’s nice,” Cynthia moaned, “now… on to more serious things…” she sighed, “I want you to know I am serious about pursuing justice for your aunt and uncle, so I’m going to share a few things I’ve found… but you must keep them secret!”
Dirk’s ears perked up, “of course!”
“And I don’t want you to blunder into a dangerous situation trying to solve this yourself!” she warned, “this is the Queendom after all…” He nodded, biting his tongue, and she continued, “as part of my duties as Priestess I prepare burials and funerals, as such I am aware of how your aunt and uncle were killed.”
His heart leapt, “what weapons were used? Anything odd?”
Cynthia sighed a moment, “I don’t want to get into the grisly details in front of a man, but while most of their wounds were from swords and a few arrows, each of them had been hurt with a gunpowder weapon, much like the ones you carry.”
Dirk snarled, “Tom…”
“No, Thomas is innocent,” Cynthia insisted.
Dirk sighed and stopped rubbing her feet, “I know he’s good looking and he’s charming, but-“
“He did not kill your aunt and uncle,” Cynthia said firmly, “the night they were attacked he was with someone else, someone I trust to tell the truth of these matters.”
“Who!?” Dirk asked angrily.
Cynthia shook her head, “I learned where Thomas was that night from a very guilt ridden member of my congregation, who confessed the matter to me in confidence.”
Dirk sighed, “fine…” I have a feeling I know who that might’ve been… He thought a moment, “are there any Amazons that use guns?”
Cynthia shook her head, “most warriors here prefer more traditional weapons, not to mention that…” she smirked, “well Dirk, most of the girls here have hands a little to big to use your boomsticks properly.”
He chewed his lip and nodded, it made sense, “Thank you Priestess Cynthia, is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Just relax there until Cora returns,” she said, pulling a large sheath of papers off the top of her desk as Dirk resumed rubbing her feet. She glanced at him and smirked, then wrote something down.
He glanced at the folder, then frowned as he saw “DIRK SOMMER” written across the outside, “what’s that folder?” he asked suspiciously.
“My matchmaking files,” Cynthia said casually.
“What!?” Dirk asked, “why do I have one?”
“I keep a dossier on all the unmarried men of age in Rain’s End and the surrounding communities,” Cynthia said with a shrug, “once upon a time it was the role of the priestess to plan marriages for such wayward men, obviously we’re now much more… respectful of men’s wishes.”
He fought a snort, from his place on his knees, rubbing her feet, he didn’t feel particularly respected… even if a part of him didn’t exactly mind it.
She just rolled her eyes at his reaction, “I wish for men to embrace their proper roles, that doesn’t mean I want your lives ruled without your consent. I simply keep these files on marriageable men and try to… push them towards good matches, from there I am hands off!”
“Let me see mine,” Dirk growled, slowly lowering her foot.
Cynthia burned red, “No! Absolutely not, you’re just an impudent male and- HEY!” Dirk was too quick, managing to leap at the folder and get it from her before she wrapped those strong arms around him, pulling him roughly into her lap.
“Best matches,” he read a few sentences from each entry, ignoring her protests as she tried to get it from him, eagerly he scanned the page.
Cora Spearwall – good chemistry, poor ability with native men, foreign male a plus?
Dirk nodded, that one made sense, he kept reading.
Cassidy Clearshot – protective, loves doting on men, already familiar with
Lady Griselda – needs a new husband, could show Dirk the best of the Queendom, could improve diplomatic relations, NOTE: Check if Dirk has noble heritage
Priestess Cynthia – obviously Dirk would make an excellent temple boy and husband for me, while impious he does seem to enjoy-
“I can’t help but notice that last one is in fresh ink,” Dirk said with a chuckle as the amazon finally forced the folder away from him. He looked up at the other folders, then frowned as he saw one was noticeably thicker than the others, “who’s is that?”
“Oh that’s Thomas’s,” Cynthia said with a scowl, replacing Dirk’s folder higher where he couldn’t reach it, “he has… many women interested in him.” She forced him out of her lap and crossed her arms as she stood up, looming over him with an annoyed grimace, “these files are mine, and therefore sacred! No more reading them!”
“Sacred,” Dirk smirked, “got it.”
Cynthia huffed, “I don’t understand you, sometimes you are the most wonderful and respectful man, and sometimes you are just the most impudent fool of a male I can imagine!”
…
Cora led Dirk’s horse up to the temple, smiling as she saw the pair waiting for her outside, “Is Dirk a proper Queendom man yet?” she asked.
“No,” Cynthia said, ruffling his hair affectionately before giving him his hat, “but he’s getting there. Consider him to be carrying the blessing of the Goddess.”
Cora gave him a knowing smile, and he sighed and nodded in a silent confirmation of her suspicions as he placed his hat back on his head. He climbed back in his saddle and tipped his hat one last time to Cynthia as he and Cora turned to go.
“So how did things go?” Cora asked with a giggle, “did she do anything to you I haven’t yet?”
“You can ask her,” he retorted, shooting her a grin as they reached the jungle roads heading out of town.
Cora’s face turned serious, “did she tell you anything useful? About… who might’ve killed your aunt and uncle?”
“Yeah,” Dirk said, thinking on an old recipe book that now sat on his nightstand at home, “but I’m going to need to confirm some of it myself I think… Cora, is there anyplace around here where a man could buy cinnamon?”