The Price of Power [MF] [Fantasy]

**CHAPTER 1**

**Revelry and Fate**

Nalan never really felt comfortable in his Finsternal robes. The thick red material was void of any interesting shape. It draped over him like a curtain and hung below his knees. It was awkward to walk in, awkward to sit in and was prone to cause itching in places where it directly touched skin.

“Well, I think it makes you look rather dashing,” teased Tanja, she had caught his doubtful glare in the dressing mirror. He eyed her back through the crisp reflection.

“If I manage to look dashing in this overly shaggy bathrobe, imagine how I’d look if I were dressed like an ordinary person instead of a twat.”

“Most ordinary people will be dressed like twats tonight, I guess.” she replied, turning to walk out of the room “and I’m glad you’re so concerned about your appearance, you’ve been cooped up in your own head. I think some social stimulation will do you some good! Maybe you’ll find a pretty young lady, and she’ll treat you to some other type of stimulation.”

Nalan was glad Tanja had turned around and couldn’t see him blush. She was a pretty young lady herself, but they’d both had made a nonverbal commitment to avoid any situations that might provoke the household peace.

It was true that he was deep in his own head recently. He’d had 8 jobs in so many months. Each time he’d get fired. His employers liked to give reasons like “unmotivated” or “not a team player.” But Nalan found it particularly difficult to get seriously motivated about things like accurate church donation account books, or a new law so specific and incidental that it’s only use might be to affect a livestock dispute 38 years from now.

Nalan and Tanja made their way to the front door of the modest household when they were ambushed by Sir Kastner, who seemed to burst through the pantry on their left with the same explosive energy as the fireworks that were prematurely being set off outside.

“There’s my daughter!” he yelled, pulling her into an all-consuming hug. Sir Kastner was a very large, very round man, and his arms enveloped his somewhat scrawny daughter entirely.

“Look how beautiful you are! If only your mother could see you now.” he beamed so widely and honestly that Nalan could read it through the thick brown mustache and beard that otherwise obscured most of his face.

He was glad Sir Kastner was in a good mood, he was never quite the same since the lady of the house passed away 2 years prior. The plague had been nasty that year and seemed to target indiscriminately.

“Be careful out there tonight,” said Sir Kastner as he looked at both of them.

“Remember the Wolfsohn boy who went missing last year? Yes, well they still haven’t found him. Nor the Eibner girl from the year before. I know the Finsternal is an important night, just… Take care of each other.” he pleaded with a wary smile.

Nalan knew he wouldn’t attend. While the Finsternal was a celebration for everyone under the moons’ presence, the revelry and rowdiness of the streets attracted the youth, while those older sometimes watched the celebration from their homes or private parties. From Sir Kastners’ loose nightclothes and comfy slippers, he assumed the old man had opted for the former.

“We will,” said Nalan as he reluctantly engaged the man in a hug offered with just as much vigor as he’d shown to his daughter.

Nalan was eternally grateful that the Kastners adopted him, but he still often felt like an outsider to the family. He’d rejected Sir Kastner’s offer to take up the family name. Nalan Date felt truer than Nalan Kastner.

* * *

Nalan agreed that Tanja looked beautiful. She managed to pull off the religious garments in a way that he couldn’t. Her long brown hair had been let loose of its usual tight buns. The calves that she’d elected to show below her robes seemed to glow in the night sky. A contrast to Nalans’ medium brown skin and pitch-black hair.

The streets of Ostendorf spread out in front of them. The city had grown exponentially in recent years. Factories had sprung up to the north. Ugly and imposing but thankfully dark and quiet tonight. Tanks of Luna were still being carted back and forth through the bustling streets, though now struggling to find its way through the thick crowds. The tanks were the lifeblood of the basin, powering everything from light bulbs to machinery. The royal army had even found a way to weaponize it. The new weapons were rare, but Nalan had already seen a few soldiers carrying them earlier that week.

As Nalan and Tanja made their way to the Eastern square, they passed a priest on a streetcorner yelling words of wisdom as priests are ought to do. Of course, they no longer called themselves priests, but ‘Aufsehers’ instead. An archaic word that no longer held any meaning. But ancient things have power of their own, as if time itself had proved its legitimacy.

“The lady Finsternis has opened her eye!” He gestured confidently to the full moon in the center of the sky, its bright light bathing the white stones and red rooftops of Ostendorf.

“She watches us tonight more than ever! Watching who will sin and who would instead devote themselves to her! The lady Finsternis gives tenfold back than what she receives! She is watching, eager to give back to her creation, she is eager to reward us! Only a fool would deny such divine aid!”

Nalan found it odd that any random asshole could become an aufseher and claim to speak for the goddess. He also found it odd that acts of devotion and piety often directly benefited the Palm, the Basin’s biggest religion. As people placed money in the bowl at the aufseher’s feet, Nalan had no doubt that the wealthy Palm would be just that bit wealthier and powerful tomorrow. Perhaps with a few more eager recruits eager to give their lives for eternal reward.

The crowds grew tighter and Nalan found himself pressed closer to Tanja as they entered the square. People clothed in the same bright red robes converged in the square as merchants lined the edges of the large open space, offering delicate foods and rich wines for those with coin to spare. Bards played strange instruments and sang about the glory of the moon and the power of unity. People of all sizes and colors danced and made merry as the sky was lit with the cracking thunder and silvery flare of fireworks.

Nalan’s head had begun to ache. An unusual ache, centered at the top of his skull, as if the Lady Finsternis herself were hammering a nail home.

He’d almost lost Tanja, before spotting just to the side of what had become a dance floor. He had to push through a few dancing couples to get to her and when he did, she was hunched over and looking down, shielding her eyes with her hands. He held her shoulders and spoke into her ear.

“What’s wrong?” Eloquent conversation was impossible amidst the noise and distraction of the crowd.

“It’s all very bright, don’t you think? I might-” Tanja was cut off by a group of boys and girls swooping through them. Nalan recognized some of them, they were Tanja’s friends, people she’d often spoken fondly of. They were her crew, and not people he’d choose to spend more than a moment with. They offered him even less than that as they swept her away in a wave of cheering and spilled drinks. Tanja looked back at him with a smile that was both reassuring and wary.

And just like that, Nalan was alone. It was curious how easy it was to feel lonely when surrounded by so many people. As he wound through the crowd he spotted a cute dark-skinned girl and considered introducing himself, but his headache had worsened into a pounding drill of searing pain.

A short while later he instead found himself sitting on a sloping rooftop 2 blocks away from the square with a large bottle of swirling dark wine that he’d swiped from a distracted salesman. He’d only been brooding for a few minutes when he heard someone clamber up next to him.

This was a mild cause for concern. While his perch offered a good view off the street, he thought the chimneys and walled edges had hidden him from view.

* * *

To his relief, his unwarranted company was a pretty young woman. He lowered his guard and took a swig of wine. A woman could spell trouble just as much as a man, but they often made for more entertaining company.

“Mind if I join you? the celebrations are rather dull this year.”  Her voice had a confident edge to it that he wasn’t expecting.  “and after the week I’ve had, I’m rather not in the mood for celebration.”

Another thing he didn’t expect was for her to swipe his booze and take a swig, before sitting down next to him before he could answer, but she did that too. Nalan wondered who this woman was.

She was slim and tall and about his age. her long golden hair was done up in an elaborate fashion that spoke of servants and wealth. Her robes were tailored and fitted to be more of a dress than a religious garment. On her breast of her garment was a family insignia, often seen on the garb of one of the big 5 families of Ostendorf. Nalan couldn’t quite make it out in the dark, even with the unusually bright moon.

Another loud burst of fireworks triggered another swig of wine from the woman. He noticed that her fingers were adorned with  silver rings, and fingernails perfectly painted red. His new drinking buddy was someone far removed from his usual social circle.

“So what are you in the mood for,” Nalan broke the silence.

“Tonight? A friend perhaps.” She rubbed her back. Nalan assumed she wasn’t used to sitting on hard, sloping roof tiles. Perhaps she’d be comfortable in a mansion.

“It’s not often that a pretty girl steals my wine and then asks to be my friend,” Nalan joked, stroking the stubble on his chin he tried to pass off as a beard.

She turned away from the explosive spectacle of the Finsternal night’s sky to give him a smile and a raised eyebrow,

“I’ve been rude, I’m not usually like this,” she looks mildly displeased with herself as she sheepishly handed the bottle back. But he also saw a guilty joy in the lines near her eyes.

“Ricenza Dansas.”  she offered with a held out hand.

He shook it. He felt a tingle of electricity shoot down his spine. Her grip was strong, though her skin was the kind of soft and delicate reserved for rich women.

“Dansas.” Nalan pondered distractedly, “Like the gun?”

The new Luna powered weapon he’d seen soldiers toting was called the Dansa 1638. He’d read about it in the Weekly Shine.

“My uncle owns the factory that makes weapons for the soldiers, and that new instrument of death is named after him, yes.”

“You disapprove?” It was Nalans turn to take a swig. The alcohol and the conversation with Ricenza helped numbed some of the pain that was now coalescing in two points above his forehead. *Finsternis’ cunt!* He thought. He’s head felt as if it might split in three.

“Creating new ways to kill people isn’t my scene.”  she paused, massaging her back again. “You haven’t returned my introduction.”

“It seems I’ve been just as rude,” He reached out, seeking permission. Ricenza realized his intent and nodded with a smile. He began to stroke her lower back. The effectiveness of his impromptu message somewhat diminished by the thick red Finsternal robes. Nalan hated the Goddess-damned robes.

“I’m Nalan,” he continued. He was beginning to like this Ricenza. He hoped he was leaving a similar impression.

“Nalan D-”

“Nalan Date.” She finished. “I know, I’ve been looking for you. I was beginning to wonder if you were the right man. It would’ve been disappointing if you weren’t.”

“How so?” Nalan asked before he could stop himself.

“Would be a pity to leave such a charming man up here all alone.” she teased.

The night held a pause. Even the fireworks seemed to stop for a moment. Nalan held the moon and the stars, and decided to rewind.

“I had a feeling this visit held some venom. Why have you been looking for me?” he asked suspiciously.

“I’ve noticed you stopped rubbing.” she eyed him with another sly smile. Nalan had a feeling Ricenza was used to getting what she wanted. He obliged her, he needed answers. He was also tired of rubbing the blanket-like cloth. He slipped his hand through the gap in the buttons at the back of her dress-robe and rubbed her skin directly. If she was offended by his candor, she did not show it.

“I’m supposed to bring you to someone, and I’m not supposed to tell you anything. But that’s rude and you’ve been rather polite,” she paused, “So what I will say is that it’s tied to tonight. It’s also part of the reason why my back has been aching.” her tone of voice changed. She seemed more brittle. Scared.

“Has someone been hurting you?”

“What? No.” She seemed surprised by his incorrect deduction. “Have you been feeling any sudden pain?”

“My head has been feeling like it’s about to crack open,” he said honestly. He didn’t quite know what was going on, but Ricenza seemed genuine.

“You poor thing,” she scooted closer and pulled his head into a hug. causing him to almost drop the wine.

“Have you ever heard of the Nacht-Teufel?” She asked.

“The devils of the night? They’re stories used to scare children.” Nalan said wearily, he wanted to crawl back home and pass out.

“The Nacht-Teuful exist. Do you know what they really do?” she asked. Her arms were comforting. He closed his eyes.

“Do they isolate young men and drink their blood? I’m going to be very pissed if you do that.”

She laughed. The pause indicated to Nalan that she was considering her next words carefully.

“Have you been feeling horny?”

Nalan almost choked on his own tongue.

“Uh, No.” he said through gritted teeth. Partly because his face was somewhere near Ricenzas armpit, and partly because his head still really fucking hurt. Still, he was grateful for her touch.

She released the hug and held his face in her hands. She was entirely too close. She smelt entirely too good. She had a tiny black spot, just under her left eye, which he noticed as she pulled him in for a kiss.

It was hot and wet, and his heart began to beat somewhere in his throat. His hand didn’t quite know what to do to her back, but it was there. He also didn’t quite know what to do with her tongue, which had also become involved. Before he could figure it out, she quite ungently bit his lip, and all too soon, pulled away.

“Sloppy,” she giggled.

“I’ve been out of practice.” He was a little out of breath, and no doubt his brown complexion was a shade a two redder. “And you’ve been giving me plenty of questions and no answers.”

“Hmm.” She mused with a devilish smile, “We’ll have to rectify that. Will you come with me?”

“To meet your mysterious friend, or to make out some more?” he asked half jokingly. The celebrations were beginning to wind down. Families beginning to return to their homes.

She glared at him. If she was going to kidnap or murder him, this was a rather elaborate plot. The more he tried to think, the more his head pushed back in pulsing defiance. He needed answers.

“Let’s go,” he said.

* * *

Source: reddit.com/r/sexystories/comments/kymzr6/the_price_of_power_mf_fantasy