3. Karul

Ichuckle when I think about the events of several nights ago. I sent my idiot Father to bed thinking his rebellious little upstart of a son had finally seen the light and would tow the family line.

"Ha," I bark out triumphantly, knowing this is anything but. I murmur to myself, "I won't have those leeches riding off my coattails."

Little does my Father know. I have no intention of following through with his marriage plans. The family can be damned as far as I am concerned. I would watch in pleasure as it fell into the sea.

I let out another chuckle, thinking of him smiling himself to sleep for the past three nights. Snoring and farting himself to dreamland, the vile creature that he is.

"What's so funny?" Aqura asks. He's dressed like a clown, as usual. He has no sense of style whatsoever.

"Your tunic," I reply.

"I will have you know this magnificent tunic coat five Ipia, my man," Aqura protests.

"They must have seen you coming, dear Aqura," I scoff, "Or perhaps your purse."

"You're such a bastard, Karul, you know that," he says as he folds his arms, leans back on the seat, and sulks.

"Come now, I only jest. I'm just jealous. It's a marvelous tunic, surely to be the envy of every dandy elf in town," I tell him.

He perks up, "You think?"

"Yes, I do, Aqura, and we, my dear fellow, have arrived," I say as the carriage slows to a stop.

We sit and wait for one of my servants to open the door. A handy little fellow called Tommus who can source almost any vice or depravity in town.

"Sir," Tommus says as he opens the carriage door.

I rise and exit the carriage with my usual grace, "I will need you to accompany me inside. Your skills may be required." I tell him as I stop and bow to let several ladies on the street pass me by, "Ladies."

They giggle and immediately unleash their fans. I can smell their wanton sin.

"Come, Aqura, I have business to attend to," I shout back as he flutters about the carriage like a mad papilion.

"I've lost my purse!" he calls out from inside.

I look at Tommus, who gives me a wink and tosses me Aqura's purse.

"Don't worry, my dear Aqura, it'll turn up. I'll cover your expenses until it does," I shout to him.

Aqura stumbles out of the carriage. "You're such a good chap, Karul. I appreciate that."

"Tommus, make sure the driver searches the carriage for poor Aqura's purse," I say.

"Consider it done, sir," Tommus replies.

"Come, Aqura, time waits for no elf," I grab his arm, and we walk to the grand steps of the auction house.

"Driver, find that purse or I'll have your balls!" Tommus shouts behind us.

As expected, the grand doors of the auction house open just in time for us to pass handsomely through. I look around and see that it is busy today, expected as the word is there are some fine females on offer.

One, in particular, seems to be causing the dirty little elf rumor mill to go into overdrive.

"Are you sure about this?" Aqura asks me.

"As sure as I know you will keep your mouth shut," I tell him with a look that he understands.

"You have my word, but with your marriage but a week away, this will bring trouble, my friend," Aqura says.

"Let's get you a drink," I tell him, and he smiles. A sober Aqura can sometimes be troublesome.

"Indeed, it is more than past eleven," Aqura joyfully states.

I look around and notice that Tommus has already worked his magic as a waiter hurries toward me with a rather large tray of drinks.

"Sir, may we indulge with our very fine selection?" The rather tall human waiter asks.

"Yes," Aqura replies, "You may." Taking a drink in each hand.

"I'll refrain," I tell the waiter, "But be sure to shadow my friend. He has quite a thirst."

"Karul," A loud voice calls from across the room. I turn to see my contact here, Ishus. He owes me from that time I managed to unstick him from a rather sticky mess he'd got himself into.

"Good to see you again, Ishus," I smile as ever.

"If you will follow me to the VIP, I will personally ensure you have everything you need," Ishus says. He leads, and we all follow, including the tall human waiter still at Aqura's side.

Ishus leads us up a small flight of rather beautiful stairs to a door with an oversized, low-born dark elf guarding it. As we approach, the elf moves to one side as Ishus leads us in.

And oh, is this VIP on my level, with lush sofas and naked human females serving drinks and most likely everything else. I turn to see Aqura looking like he has just arrived in paradise.

"This is why I like hanging out with you," Aqura tells me as we settle into our little section with the best view of the auction floor.

"Enjoy. I hope you find what you seek." Ishus says as he backs away, disappearing before our eyes.

Aqura downs another drink. He's now in a successful state that I can manipulate.

"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Aqura says, slightly slurred.

"Perfection is what I seek, Aqura, perfection," I tell him.

"But, my dear Karul, perfection comes in many forms, good hips, big tits, or a face that is so innocent, yet would it suck the life from your cock. It's all relative."

"Yes, any of those would, of course, do. All I need is a bride. Yet, why settle for diamonds when there is a chance, at a risk, of zanthenite? Hold tight, Aqura. Hold tight." I tell him.

I feel the need for a drink, but I resist. The time for celebration will come, but it is not now. I need my wits about me.

"Welcome, welcome," A voice calls from the stage before us. A well-dressed dark elf steps into the stage light, his teeth bright and eyes wide with delight.

"I am Fedorus, and I shall be your auctioneer and, more than that, your guide through the most beautiful human females and, of course, not forgetting the best jewels you will ever set eyes on!" Fedorus announces, much to the excitement of the audience.

"They hoot like minotaurs, or the Mother forbid, orcs," I say.

Aqura quickly refrains from hooting and says, "Animals, the lot of them." and takes another drink.

And so it begins, the steady stream of what I admit are some of the most beautiful boxes of delight I have ever seen. But, I must not let my judgment be ruled by the erection that has grown from this caravan of pleasure that assaults my eyes.

I remain calm as this first round of bidding begins.

"That one, Karul!" Aqura shouts at me, "Surely that one. Look at her tits, her lips, those eyes. How my other self grows stiff in their gaze."

"Sold," Fedorus calls out over and over. Every time, he does a little dance that annoys me yet seems to excite my fellow elves.

"Act, man, act, there will be nothing left," Aqura tells me.

Yet, something tells me to hold tight. I scan the room and notice a few other elves that are composed and, like me, appear to be waiting, not to shoot a load too soon.

"Patience, Aqura, Orthani was not built in a day," I tell him.

"I want to fuck them all!" Aqura cries out. He gets a cheer from the crowd below, which means nothing to me. Because I have, and I am not here for that. I am here for a doll.

"A doll," I whisper, still needing a drink but still resisting because I am playing a game that these fools will never understand. "Deliver me a doll."

"A what? A drink?" Aqura asks, more drunk than the last time he spoke. I look to Tommus, who stands in the corner, understanding everything. And I nod to him. He is ready.

"And now, my gentle elves, it is time to reveal, that's if you are ready and have not cum in your breeches at the sight of those beautiful creatures that have paraded their possibilities before you," Fedorus calls out to now a primarily drunk bunch of horny elves.

"Only those with money or dark intent are left," I say, but Aqura is too busy asserting the rights of humans with an older dark elf on the table next. Who, quite rightly, objects.

"Silence, please!" Fedorus calls out, and a hush descends upon the room. It's not often a jewel is revealed and put on the market. I hold my breath, for this would be the icing on their cake.

"I gave you Jasmine," Fedorus does not shout those words. He merely speaks to them as he knows what steps onto the stage is not a jewel. It is a doll. It is the most exquisite form that I have ever seen. And it will be mine.

"By the Hedonist!" Aqura exclaims.

"Indeed," I reply and nod to Tommus, who rushes out the door. We have work to do.

"The first bid, please, gentle elves," Fedorous says.

Now is not the time to raise my hand. I need to let Tommus work his magic. So I wait as her price climbs higher but yet I smile as those bids are fewer.

Do your work, Tommus.

It is down to the last two when Tommus slips back into the room. His presence reassures me that I am good to go.

I raise my hand, and the room gasps. It is a high price, but ultimately, my father will pay. The room is silent; we wait, but I know no more bids will come.

"Going, going… gone!" Fedorous proclaimed. Then all eyes in the room turn to me, but I move back from their view, fetch a drink from the tall human, let it flow down my throat in one, and fall back onto the sofa.

"Fetch her, Tommus," I command.