Book of Trirealm. Master Of Elements [BL]

CHAPTER 2. Escape, punishment, escape

The last thing Chief Mechanic Cerp wanted to see was Tens.

For one thing, there was a far more pleasant sight before him – the unattainable star of a young demon sitting in the center of the room. Although the mechanic would not have had the money to touch the hem of his golden robes, all guests were allowed to look at the priest.

For another, his new acquaintance in pink possessed a pair of truly beautiful hands. At the moment they were right under the table, bringing the chief mechanic a lot of joy. Tens's untimely appearance wasn't welcome.

"Get out of here," Cerp said gruffly upon hearing the purpose of Tens's visit.

Tens shrugged. He didn't care if the mine was working; his well-being didn't depend on it. He was about to leave when a voice from another table called out to him.

"Hey, boy, come here," said a richly dressed woman, whom Tens recognized as the sister of the town mayor. "What is it about stopping work?"

Mechanic Cerp nearly jumped out of his seat. He had been so engrossed in the pleasures his new friend was inducing that he hadn't noticed this important lady at the next table. And now there was a good chance he would get an earful from the owner of the mines.

To his fury, Tens, all innocence, was already telling her the story of the broken mechanism. Before the boy could finish, Cerp pulled up his pants, jumped up, and grabbed Tens by the neck. He bowed obsequiously to the lady and assured her he was on his way back to the mines.

"You do that," the lady said, giving Cerp a scornful look.

Tens grinned gloatingly, but remembered quickly that quarrelling with the chief mechanic was a bad idea, and made a serious face. Cerp was dragging the boy toward the exit, when the girl in the pink dress, who had been serving him, shouted indignantly:

"Hey, handsome, aren't you forgetting something?"

Immediately they were surrounded by huge guards who looked like fierce werewolves. The chief mechanic appeared to be trying to leave without paying. Everyone's eyes turned to them.

Only the Golden Deity continued to flirt gracefully with another rich client and even went to his table, ignoring the rabble.

The chief mechanic tried to stop the guards with apologetic gestures.

"I'll pay," he babbled, "I'll pay. I forgot, is all. My mistake. My mistake."

This scene was so amusing that Tens had to turn away so that Cerp wouldn't notice his laughter. Again his gaze fell on the beautiful priest, who, with a smile on his scarlet lips, was having a drink with the mayor of the town and his guests.

What a sight! thought Tens. And how do other priests tolerate such a rival? I guess the High Priestess has to hire special guards for him to keep him from being killed or kidnapped.

At that moment the mechanic's heavy hand came down on his neck again.

"What are you looking at, you little bastard?" he asked angrily. "Craving the local treasure, are you? You think just because you were sent here, you can stare at him for free? Get out!"

Cerp shoved Tens roughly toward the exit, and the boy almost hit the doorjamb with his forehead. The mechanic did not hide his anger. Such a disgrace in the eyes of the mayor's sister – ditching work in favor of entertainment! And to be accused of evading payment at the Temple of Bliss! In public! And who better to vent his fury on than the little messenger? Besides, Cerp could see clearly that the boy was enjoying himself.