Courtesans - English version

18 Red

Day of Oranor

Harod entered the room without knocking and stood by the bed with a commanding gaze. The red-haired woman sat on the bed, still drowsy, and as soon as she noticed the half-breed, she grimaced.

"What is it, Harod? Have you finally tired of running your brothel into the ground?"

"Stop joking."

"You're keeping your best courtesan in a tiny, flea-ridden attic room? Not even letting her down to the ground floor? You're an idiot!"

Harod's earlier firmness seemed to crumble easily, as he now endured the insult without a word. He acted as if he hadn't heard anything at all.

"Get dressed, Siss. Today you're going to the tavern too."

"Oh? So, I've finally served my punishment? Or what's the reason? Need money?"

Harod seemed to be losing his patience, leaning down towards Siss, grabbing her arm, and shouting directly into her face. "Don't you get it? I locked you up here for all our sakes! I couldn't let you behave recklessly! You were going to stab her in the eye with those scissors!"

The woman grinned at him, close up. "Recklessly? I saw you last night, Harod! "You were drunk out of your mind, and acting completely pathetic, letting your jealousy get the better of you! So don't you call me reckless!"

The half-breed let go of her arm with a jerk and turned away. Running his hand through his hair, he paced the room before turning back.

"Let's stop this bickering, Siss. Put aside your jealousy too. We both know there's trouble with that bitch. Why don't we work together instead?"

The woman didn't answer, only sighed softly. Then she threw off the blanket and searched for her slippers with her feet.

"Wait. Lie back down."

Harod's face didn't show much emotion, but the fact that he started loosening his belt hinted at something.

Siss, however, burst out laughing, clearly not intending to obey. She stepped out of bed and headed for the door.

"Forget it, Harod!" she laughed.

The half-breed stared after her, open-mouthed. "What...?"

"If that whore can say no to you, then so can I."

Harod barked back indignantly. "What on earth is going on, Siss? You've never said no to me!"

"I won't be less than her! Don't expect that!" she raised her voice threateningly. "I'll leave you to your little darling. Let her toughen up too. Now I have things to do, I need to get ready for the evening."

The woman shot the half-breed a fake smile, then slammed the door behind her. Harod was left there, his belt loosened, speechless. Finally, he cursed and kicked the bed.

Siss's face was set with determination as she stepped across the threshold of the tavern. Her eyes scanned the space. Familiar men sat on the bench next to her, she had seen most of them before—more than just seen them. But she didn't care about that now. Only one thing mattered.

Suddenly, someone from the table grabbed her from behind and laughingly pulled her onto his lap, while the men around them roared with laughter. Perhaps there were some compliments, but Siss didn't really hear them. She didn't push the hand away, remaining on the man's lap, but she wasn't paying attention to him at all. She let him enjoy himself for a few minutes while she continued to scan the room.

She spotted Morrighan but moved her gaze on, passing over Oghren as well. Then her eyes settled on someone. Alistair, leaning back, was observing Leliana chatting with Morrighan from a distance. Siss's lips curled into a wicked smile. She'd found the weak link.

She slowly stood from the guest's lap and silently made her way toward her target. The group at the table might have called something after her, but Siss ignored them.

She passed in front of Alistair, smiling sweetly at the knight, fluttering her lashes. He turned after her, coughed awkwardly, then quickly looked away. Siss sat in an empty chair, directly across from him. She leaned back, resting her arms comfortably on the backrest as though sitting on a throne, her eyes never leaving the knight.

Alistair blinked frequently, but he glanced back at the red-haired woman from time to time.

A little time passed like this, and when it became clear he wasn't going to move towards her, Siss waited like a good hunter, until the knight finally rose from the table. Then she sprang to her feet and hurried after him.

She caught up with Alistair at the back exit, in a hidden spot out of everyone's sight. She gently touched his shoulder, and the knight immediately turned toward her, though his expression remained nervous.

"Uh, madam... the truth is, I, um...," Alistair stammered, looking up, to which Siss responded only with a smile that seemed kind. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. The knight looked at the arms encircling him, then up at the woman standing so close.

"I just want to offer you some relief, my good sir," the courtesan chirped.

"Oh... Do I look like I need relief?" Alistair grinned awkwardly, but he didn't push the ever-closer woman away.

"Only you would know that," Siss whispered, tilting her head to one side. "Maybe I can help you impress the lady of your heart too."

"What? What lady of my heart?" Alistair instinctively denied it.

Siss just smiled knowingly and closed her eyes, signalling to the knight that lying was pointless.

Alistair's face fell, a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes as he gazed at the woman so close to him. Perhaps he wasn't even seeing her anymore.

"How...?" came the quiet, admitting question.

"I could give you a few lessons, good sir. Trust me, if anyone knows what a woman needs, it's me. I can also tell you what you should say to get her to notice you."

Alistair stared at the smiling woman swaying her hips before him. For a moment, he seemed unable to speak, but then he shook himself and, closing his eyes, said, "No, no, thank you, but..." He swallowed. "I'm not the type who says yes to such an opportunity. It's not right to pay for..."

Siss let out a soft, throaty laugh. "Oh, sir, who said I'd ask for money?"

Alistair looked back, puzzled. "Then... what would you ask for?"

The woman just smiled broadly.