The next day they had a late start. After a hasty breakfast, they continued through the woods towards Viridian City. They passed a trader heading towards Pallet. He had a tauros loaded with wares and a couple of bodyguards taking up the rear. Gary asked him if there was any news about Cerulean, but he was unaware of any developments.
By noon, they cleared the woods. It was a hot day, so they doubled back into the shade of the trees to stop for lunch.
After their break, they each put on a hat and proceeded towards Viridian City. Ash's backpack was feeling lighter. They had used up half their provisions, but planned to stock up before leaving Viridian.
Eventually, night approached and Gary told Ash to hurry up. Viridian Kingdom was not a place to be out at night. Eventually Ash started huffing so Gary took the backpack, much to Ash's surprise.
"It's past nightfall. You can fight better without it," Gary said. "Hurry up."
Gary led the way into Viridian City and through the streets. Soon they reached The Nidorino Inn without incident. It was a three-storey building of elegant design, obviously an expensive place to stay. Upon entering, Gary returned Ash's bag and introduced himself at a counter.
"Ah, Prince Gary, welcome back," said a well-dressed gentleman. "A room for your highness and his companion has been prepared."
"Thank you, Charles," replied Gary.
As Ash and Gary were led up to their room, Ash looked at his surroundings. The finely carved furnishings and colourful decorations looked costly and the armed guards stationed around the inn looked intimidating. They entered a small but comfortably furnished room, with two beds against opposite walls and a curtained window in between.
"What's with all the guards?" asked Ash when they were alone.
"They can't afford not to," Gary explained. "This place specializes in royalty and other wealthy guests in a city full of thieves. If it wasn't well protected, they wouldn't get any business."
"So how much is it costing your grandfather?"
"Ash, some questions are better left unasked."
Ash took that to mean that his one night's stay here was probably costing more money than he'd seen in his life. Oh well, at least he'll live in luxury one night in his life.
"Let's go down to the dining room," said Gary. "Hopefully we're not too late for dinner."
It turned out they were not too late, and they were served a delicious meal with some excellent Pewter wine, though Gary made sure they both stayed sober. Their waitress was young, perhaps their age, very friendly and very good looking. She seemed to know Gary already.
"How's Prince Pallet?" she asked, putting her arm around his shoulders.
"Top of the world, Dolly. Now that you're with me, even better."
She glanced at Ash. "Who's your pal?"
"He carries my luggage, among other things."
Ash winced inwardly. Still, he should be thankful—Gary could have been a lot harsher.
"What are you up to tonight?" she asked, moving her face closer to his.
"Nothing I can't change," he replied.
"Want to do something together?"
Gary paused for a moment, then nodded in Ash's direction.
"I thought he looked too good to be a porter," she said, turning to Ash. "Meet you after work, say in an hour." She then went about her business.
Gary and Ash finished their meal, bathed, shaved and made their way back to their room. Shortly there was a knock on the door. Gary opened it. No surprise, it was the waitress.
"Newbie," Gary told her, and left.
Ash had been suspicious before, and now that he was sure what was going on, he didn't know what to do. This must be Gary's way of repaying him for saving his life. He sat on his bed and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to figure a way out.
"So... Ash, is it?" she asked and sat next to him.
Ash nodded.
"Are you another royal I know nothing about?"
"Huh? I work on a farm."
"Well Ash, you picked the right place to be tonight. Tell me, where do you get your good looks from?"
"How am I supposed to answer that?"
"You could ask me where I got my good looks from. You'll never score a girl without some flattery."
Ash looked uncertain.
"You don't think I'm pretty?"
"Oh no! You look real nice, but... it's what you do for a living."
"It's an extra service for our customers. I've never had a complaint before." She pouted her face at him.
"Uh-huh."
"Why don't you try me out?" she said, reaching out and touching him on the cheek. She stroked it with her finger, moved down his neck to his chest, exploring his muscles. "Mostly I have to put up with men older than my father. But tonight... I'm going to enjoy this."
She moved closer, making sure her bust touched his arm, and pressed her lips against his. Ash felt a surge of adrenalin.
"You must be an important guy, travelling with a prince," said Dolly.
"Uhh..." Ash tried to come to his senses. "The king chose me to go with him—I don't know why."
She kissed him again, embracing him this time. It felt beautiful.
She pulled her lips away. "Got a difficult job ahead?" she asked.
Ash was in a daze. "Gotta meet King Flint. Kinda scary."
"You'll be fine," she assured him.
She kissed him again. Whatever she was doing, Ash felt she was doing it well. She nudged him down. They fell, intertwined, onto the bed.
Ash found the choice he had to make unbearable. The pleasure was drawing him in, urging him to let it continue. On the other hand, he had made a promise to his king. The king was insistent on that point, and was trusting Ash to keep his word. Feeling like it was the biggest mistake of his life, he rolled over and pulled away.
"Sorry... uh... you're real nice... but uh... I feel sorry for Gary," he lied, struggling to control his breathing. "We were... attacked by robbers last night... and he nearly got killed. Let him... uh... do it with you."
"Alright Ash, if that's what you really want." She looked perplexed and disappointed.
She went out of the room and shortly returned with Gary. He gave Ash a queer look, then shrugged it off. Ash left them and went for a walk around the inn. He had never been aroused like that before and found the nagging feeling hard to shake off. Eventually, he made his way downstairs to the bathroom. His bathwater was still there, but it was cold. That suited him perfectly.
After getting dressed, he walked around a bit more. By this time, the guards were eyeing him suspiciously, so he went back upstairs to his room. All was quiet. He gingerly opened the door. Dolly had left and Gary was lying alseep on the bed.
He looked so peaceful, his face so gentle. Ash found it hard to believe how much vitriol could come out of his mouth. Gary had nothing on, so Ash pulled the sheet over him. He then got undressed, turned out the lamp, and went to bed.
♦
About two hours later, in a nearby building, a mysterious figure sat behind a desk in an unlit room. Moonlight entering the window behind him failed to illuminate his face, making him look even more mysterious.
Another man, much younger, was standing in front of the desk.
"Lord," said the younger man, "Prince Gary is in town, at the Nidorino."
"What brings him here?"
"He says he's visiting Pewter. But the waitress milked him as usual."
"And?"
"He's planning to free the Cerulean princess."
"Follow them. Help them if necessary. Then bring them here."
"Yes, Lord." The younger man bowed and left.
