A Mythical Match Up IV - Futures Market Part III

Nathan had traveled a lot with his family when he was young. They'd visited twelve other U.S. states and six other countries before Nathan had even turned fourteen. He'd enjoyed these trips, but the one to Thailand always stood out in his mind. Even now he could vividly recall strolling through the Bangkok night market, gazing up and around in awe of the seemingly endless expanse of brightly lit multicolored tents; vendors hawking everything from fresh fish to bootleg DVDs, the sizzle of street food cooking on grills, the warm, humid night air and the babble of a thousand cheerful and frantic conversations.

            Walking along the wide and winding streets of Do va Iesk stirred memories of that night. Not because Do va Iesk resembled Bangkok (it didn't) but because the experience was so alike - of exploring a strange, exotic world of which he knew very little.

            The sheer diversity of the city's population was astonishing. Representatives of nearly every being from human mythology - ancient and modern - seemed to call Do va Iesk home. Nathan spotted an anthropomorphic sphinx draped in coarse, heavy brown robes walking solemnly down the street, head hung, paws held together as though in prayer. The sphinx stepped aside as a small squad of armored soldiers marched past. All the soldiers were some species of beastfolk - raccoons, some wolves, a rat, two foxes, at least a half dozen elk, three bears and few others Nathan couldn't quite identify. They varied greatly in height and build, the smallest soldier standing barely three feet tall while the largest towered over Nathan. All carried spears and wore shiny bronze cuirasses over thick tan fabric shirts with red stripes running along the sleeves, iron kettle helmets - some modified to accommodate antlers - cuffed red and brown striped trousers and thick leather sandals with straps extending halfway up their knees. They marched with well-honed discipline and precision, though some of the smaller members had to take long strides to keep pace with their larger comrades. The sight would have been comical were it not for the grim, professional expression each soldier wore.

            A peal of laughter rose above the din of the crowd. Nathan turned and saw a trio of voluptuous women standing at a street corner. All three wore rather revealing clothing - silky, tight-fitting skirts and loose, diaphanous peek-a-boo blouses designed to emphasize their prodigious cleavage. Despite this they looked more alluring than trashy. One of the girls appeared elven but had a furry goat-like lower body complete with hooves. The second was an anthropomorphic tigress - the only one Nathan had seen in the city so far. As for the third girl, well, while humanoid - and very feminine - her entire body was translucent. She had no bones, no organs, and no skin; she seemed to be made entirely out of a bluish gel, notwithstanding her scanty garb.

            The gelatinous girl noticed Nathan gazing at her. She gave him a coy smile and kissed the air. Nathan quickly looked away and silently thanked his lucky stars Melinanatha wasn't present.

             In truth, Nathan was attracting more attention than he'd anticipated. It was usually a subtle kind of attention - people whispering, nods and murmurs of courteous greetings from folks he passed. Every so often a cluster of beggars, street merchants or other opportunistic sorts would start approaching him but then scatter after Gnesh - his orc bodyguard and guide - met them with a harsh glare.

            Nathan clutched his right pocket tightly, feeling the reassuring bulge of his wallet within. Maybe he shouldn't have brought it along. It wasn't as though they'd card him or accept Visa. Still, he hadn't been comfortable leaving it behind at home or Northkeep. He also felt the small belt pouch he'd purchased at Snail's Rest. It held a considerable sum of coins he'd acquired through the currency exchange service on Mythical Matches. Losing the pouch to a pickpocket wouldn't be as big a deal as losing his wallet, but it would still suck.

            Nathan looked up and around. Beyond its multiplicity of people Do va Iesk boasted some impressive specimens of pre-industrial architecture, with plenty of arches, gables, pilasters and other archaic elements. The vast majority of the buildings were built from sandstone and marble. Others - particularly the homes closer to the river - were made of mottled wooden planks likely scavenged from old watercraft. Some of the larger towers approached the height of skyscrapers - something Nathan knew should be impossible without modern steel girders. While most buildings adhered to some tradition and style that resembled something from Earth, odd nuances and patterns in their construction subtly differentiated them, imbuing them with an exotic, almost alien quality.

            He was slowly getting used to the smell. 

            "We're here."

            Nathan blinked. He stopped, turned and looked at Gnesh, who was pointing at a building to their right.

            "Huh?" said Nathan, tearing himself from the vast cityscape.

            "We're here," repeated the orc.

            Nathan examined the place Gnesh had brought him. It appeared to be some kind of a tavern. Like most buildings in Do va Iesk its walls were plastered with white lime, though unusually thickly in this instance so it was difficult to tell if the structure was made of stone, brick or wood. In addition to a set of wide double Dutch doors, the facade featured four glass windows - something of a rarity in the city - on the ground floor and five windows on the second. A large bronze sign affixed to the wall proclaimed the place to be 'The Wemic's Rest.'

            Nathan stared at the tavern and then at Gnesh. He'd asked the orc to take him somewhere he'd like to see and wondered how the big guy had interpreted his request. Then, he spotted something he'd missed when he first laid eyes on the tavern. He hadn't noticed it before because it was something very familiar to him. It just happened to be in a very unfamiliar place.

            A neon 'open' sign hung behind the window closest to the door. The sign's bright orange glow was barely visible in the warm afternoon light. A small plastic poster with the Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club International logos had been attached to the window underneath the neon sign.

            "Oh," said Nathan, surprised. "So, er..." he looked questioning at Gnesh.

            "Dis a place where lotta humans go when they visit th' city," said the orc. "Figured you'd be interested."

            "O-kay," said Nathan uncertainly.

            Visiting a place like this first felt like such a...tourist-y thing to. Then again, maybe it'd be a good idea to meet some other people from Earth who'd visited the city before.

            "Uh, thanks," said Nathan, nodding towards Gnesh. "I'll check it out," he hesitated. "You...wanna come in?"

            "Yeah," said Gnesh, sounding mildly offended. "Gotta follow you. Gotta protect you."

            "Okay," said Nathan. He entered the tavern. Gnesh followed.

            The interior of the Wemic's Rest was dark and cool. The main taproom held at least a half dozen wooden tables and two wooden chairs, all built of thick dark oak. The bar was built from a lighter wood, possibly cedar. It dominated the wall opposite the entrance. The shelves behind the bar were stacked with bottles, jugs, plates, small kegs, cups and other miscellanea. The tavern's smooth cobblestone floor was actually sunken a few feet into the ground; Nathan nearly tripped over the short set of steps leading down to the interior as he walked inside. It was quiet. The sour smell of beer permeated the air.

            As Nathan's eyes adjusted to the gloom he spied a few customers. Two were lounging at a corner table. One was perched on a stool at the far end of the bar nursing a drink. Another sat by himself at table...

            ...Staring at a laptop.

            Nathan blinked. He looked up and saw a half-dozen modern translucent lights. Each glowed with a soft white radiance. He then looked right and saw a flatscreen television mounted to a corner of the ceiling. It was playing a commercial for a painkiller.

            Unsure what to do next, Nathan slowly approached the bar. He risked a few glances at the other patrons. The guy with the laptop was certainly human; apart from the computer he wore beige khakis and a black sweater. Nathan wasn't sure about the pair in the corner, however; one of them had long, pointy ears and he couldn't get a good look at the other. The woman sitting at the bar was also human. Though she wore garb more appropriate for a renaissance fair she also had a pair of designer glasses. No one seemed to be paying him - or Gnesh - much attention.

            A figure emerged from a doorway behind the bar. Nathan stepped back in surprise, nearly colliding with Gnesh.

            "Come in, come in," intoned the figure in a soft, melodious baritone. "What can I get you?"

            At first glance the bartender appeared to be a leonine beastfolk. He sported a long, luxurious golden mane in place of hair, round, fuzzy ears, short whiskers and a muzzle tipped with a black triangular nose and prominent white-furred jaw. Fangs protruded from his lips. But there was something off about the way he moved. Then, Nathan caught a glimpse of his body behind the bar and saw that the bartender's lower half was in fact that of feral lion. That is to say, he had four quadrupedal legs - like some kind of a lion centaur! He wore a simple red felt vest and leather belt over his upper body, a few pieces of jewelry and little else.

            The bartender grinned toothily as Nathan stared at him.

            "Ah, first time here, eh?" he said "I know that look."

            "Uh, yeah," said Nathan, quickly regaining his composure. "Sorry."

            "No need to apologize, cousin," said the bartender smoothly. "Do va Iesk - The Realms of Shaltae - it can be overwhelming."

            "Actually I've visited the Realms before - a lot of times," said Nathan, not wanting to come across as a complete newbie. "Just not Do va Iesk."

            "I see. How did you find us? My name's Dovon, by the way. Dovon R'rakma," he added, growling the R's on his last name.

            "Oh, my guide recommended the place," said Nathan, pointing back at Gnesh.

            The orc bodyguard issued Dovon a curt nod.

            "Well then, brother, it seems I owe you for the referral," said Dovon happily. He turned to the shelves. "How about a drink on the house?"

            "No drinking - on a job," said Gnesh.

            "Oh, er, a soft drink, then?"

            "No drinking - on a job."

            Dovon shrugged his broad shoulders. "Alright. How about you?" he said, addressing Nathan. "We have drinks from the Realms and Earth."

            "Um...surprise me," said Nathan hesitantly. "Just...nothing too strong."

            Dovon nodded and took a few bottles down from the shelves. Nathan sat at one of the stools. Behind him, Gnesh folded his arms and stood there impassively. The leonine bartender poured and mixed a few drinks and then passed Nathan a small pewter mug filled with an amber liquid. Nathan raised it to his lips and hazarded a sip. He raised an eyebrow and then took a full swig. It was tart and effervescent but had a surprisingly full body.

            "That's...really good," said Nathan, putting the drink down. He wiped his lips.

            "It's a hybrid of our two worlds - an American IPA and Iskian ivory stout. A signature of the house," said Dovon proudly.

            "Nice," said Nathan, grinning, finally relaxing a bit.

            The bartender nodded appreciatively.

            "So, uh, I gotta ask," began Nathan. "How did you...how are you powering the lights? And how are you getting..." he looked over his shoulder at the television "Reception? I mean, I think that's a live game between Dallas and Philadelphia. And...the credit cards?"

            "Through no small expense and a friend or two in the mage's guild and Byteiye," said Dovon. He lowered his voice. "It is possible to maintain permanent low-level portals between our worlds such that information, but not solid matter, can pass freely. We even have...what was it called? WiFi," added Dovon, winking.

            "Really?" said Nathan. He dug his phone out of his pocket and, sure enough, saw a single wireless network called "wemicrest.'

            "The password is 'chestnut,'" said Dovon.

            "Wow, thanks!" said Nathan, amazed. A flurry of notices, emails and updates appeared as soon as his phone connected to the network. "How do you know about all this Earth stuff?"

            "I was among the first to use Mythic Matches," said Dovon. "I learned much."

            "Ah. Makes sense."

            "So, what brings you to Do va Iesk?" inquired Dovon. "Sightseeing? Meeting a friend?"

            "Long story," said Nathan, wincing a little as he remembered why he'd come to the city in the first place. "Very long story. My, uh...partner has business in the city and I'm here to help her."

            "I see! Who is the lucky lady?"

            "Uh, Melinanatha. She's a Draco."

            "Aren't we the daring one!" laughed Dovon approvingly.

            "Yeah, yeah."

            "Perhaps not as daring as those who court salamander or jotunkin," said Dovon. "But the Draco are a proud and imperious people in my experience. Particularly the nobles."

            Nathan looked around the bar. The man in a sweater was still focused on his laptop, the couple in the corner table were still quietly conversing and the woman at the bar, well, she had just risen from her seat and was walking out of the tavern. Dovon collected a handful of copper coins she had left on the counter. 

            "Seems a bit quiet around here," commented Nathan. "Uh, no offense."

            "None taken, cousin. We do not usually get busy until evening."

            "Do you get a lot of humans? Or is it mostly just locals?"

            "A good many of both," said Dovon. "Humans appreciate a watering hole with familiar comforts and those of the Realms, well, even if they're not here to meet humans they appreciate the novelty," he said, gesturing at the television.

            Nathan nodded. He noticed that Gnesh had wandered over to the television screen and was gazing up at it. He seemed entranced by the flickering box.

            "It's called football," called Nathan.

            Gnesh jerked, and then looked back at Nathan.

            "Sorry, boss," said Gnesh, sounding almost sheepish. He started walking back to Nathan.

            "No, no, it's okay!" said Nathan, waving. "Go ahead and watch. I'm pretty sure we're safe here."

            Gnesh hesitated, but then nodded appreciatively. He turned and continued watching the game. Nathan chuckled.

            "Do va Iesk receives many human visitors," said Dovon. "It's one of the reasons I started the bar."

            "Why?" asked Nathan. "I mean, why do some many humans come here?"

            "Ah, well, that I cannot say for certain," said the barkeep, shrugging. "Many cities in the Realms are no stranger to your kind. Perhaps it's Do va Iesk's wealth? Its beauty? Its many, many varied peoples? Perhaps it's simple good fortune."

            "Well, the guards at the gate certainly seemed happy to see me," said Nathan. "They waived us through instead of making us wait. My guide said it's because we spend a lot here. Makes sense. The exchange rates here are insane."

            Dovon cocked his head.

            "Well, it's true your kind are wealthy," he said slowly. "However, your extraplanar origin... it engenders a certain respect among the denizens of the Realms mere riches cannot."

            "Huh?"

            "You hail from another plane of existence, cousin," chuckled Dovon. "Not unlike the Celestials and Infernals. In fact, many mistake your kind for a new breed of Celestial. Or Infernal. Regardless, such beings are always shown respect here. Many cannot help but view you with a degree of wonder even after they learn you are incapable of using magic. Your technological marvels certainly don't hurt."

            "Hmm," said Nathan, digesting all this. "Wait...humans can't learn magic?"

            "No human can perceive or manipulate mana," explained Dovon. "If you cannot see and wield mana, you cannot shape it into spells. Now, I have heard some of your kind have learned the basics of alchemy and runic magic. Both manipulate mana through external, indirect means. But beyond that, no."

            "But magic still affect us," said Nathan.

            "Of course."

            "Seems kind of unfair, if you ask me," grumbled Nathan, taking another drink.

            "Hah!"

            A small group appeared in the doorway and descended the short flight of steps leading to the taproom. Nathan glanced back at them. He spied a pair of canine - possibly lupine - beastfolk, a man and a woman. Both wore rather impressive clothes - the man a green silk vest with silver trimming and a large floppy hat with a peacock feather and the woman a finely-tailored cobalt dress. Behind the couple stood a white anthropomorphic unicorn with long, gorgeous grey tresses and expressive baby-blue eyes. He wore a loose black shirt and tight brown linen pants.

            The couple sat at an unoccupied table while the unicorn took a seat at the bar a few stools to the left of Nathan. A fourth figure - one no more than three feet tall wearing a dark-brown hooded cloak - appeared from behind the first three. At first Nathan mistook it for a child but then noticed its clawed reptilian feet and scaly tail. It was a kobold. 

            "So...I'm sorry, what was your name, cousin?"

            Nathan blinked and turned to Dovon.

            "Nathan," he said.

            "So, Nathan, forgive an old wemic's curiosity, but why don't you tell me more about this Draco you're seeing?" said Dovon, grinning.

            Nathan hesitated.

            "Uh, don't you need to help them?" he said, pointing a thumb back at the newcomers.

            As if on cue, the door behind the bar opened and a cute feline beastfolk emerged. She maneuvered around Dovon's bulky form - winking saucily at Nathan as she passed, tail high in the air - and approached the pair of nobles at their table.  

            Nathan sighed, took a long swig from his cup and spoke.

            "Things are...complicated between the two of us."

            He paused. Dovon waited expectantly.

            "Our whole relationship feels like an accident," he continued. "I didn't know the app was real when I signed up but I guess that's pretty common. But the second I meet her she gets me wrapped up in all this politi-...family bullshit that came really close to ending my life as I know it. And I'm still dealing with the fallout from it." Nathan froze, feeling a little ashamed, but kept talking. "She never seems to understand how much trouble she's causing me - how much she's interfering with my life. She expects me to drop everything and cater to her every whim the instant she comes calling. It's way beyond irritating."

            "Well, you two are courting," observed Dovon.

            "I don't know what to call it," exclaimed Nathan, shaking his head. He took another drink. "Up until a few months ago I felt like an indentured financial consultant who would occasionally get sexually harassed by their client. Next thing I know she and her parents are making wedding plans and pressuring me to change into a goddamn Draco permanently! When I tell her I don't think I'm ready to get married because, among many other reasons, we've barely actually dated before she gets all huffy and now I don't know where things stand."

            "I see," said Dovon, stroking his leonine muzzle. "So...how would you like things to stand?"

            "Huh?"

            "Let me put it this way," said Dovon, leaning closer. "If you could end your relationship with this Draco with no consequences whatsoever - no harm coming to you or her - would you?"

            Nathan blinked.

            "I...well...I guess I'd...." he trailed off.

            Dovon grinned.

            "Hah! You've already answered," he said, leaning back. "The very fact you hesitate means this girl is special to you."

            Nathan's face reddened. His cheeks felt warm - though it might have just been the alcohol.

            "It's not that simple," he protested. "I can't be her...consort and have a career on Earth. I don't want to give up my whole life."

            "There are always ways of making things work," said Dovon vaguely. "And...surely she has some qualities that endear her to you."

            "Yeah, she's big, beautiful, sassy, smart and surprisingly open-minded. But did I mention the baggage that comes with all that? Her family alone?" He sighed. "Honestly? I just can't see us being a...a real couple. Let alone married."

            "Perhaps you two would make a splendid couple," said Dovon. "Perhaps not. Not all relationships lead to marriage. And that is perfectly fine. However, you should know it is only natural to feel drawn to this Draco. See, the soul resonance employed by Mythic Matches is more powerful than most realize. When it matches one of your kind with a denizen of the Realms, there is inevitably some...spark - something the two will find in the other that fulfills them, even if it doesn't result in romance." Dovon winked. "But you must discover this spark on your own. This demands courage - a willingness to explore and experiment. But above all, it takes work."

            Nathan frowned. He stared thoughtfully into space. To his left, the cat barmaid handed a mug to the unicorn.

            "Huh," said Nathan after a while.

            "Food for thought," said Dovon.

            "...Sounds like you speak from experience," said Nathan, draining the last of his cup.

            "Hah, well..." said Dovon, smiling oddly. He tilted his head and gazed at something behind Nathan. "Forgive me, cousin, but I should greet Lord Fredritch - the fellow is one of my best non-human customers and appreciates the personal touch."

            "Before you go could you, uh..." Nathan meaningfully raised his empty mug. "And...thanks."

            "Certainly," said Dovon, smiling. He took two bottles from the shelves and poured an allotment of each into Nathan's vessel. He then returned the bottles and padded around the bar.

            Nathan turned on his stool and surveyed the taproom, sipping his drink. The anthropomorphic unicorn was watching the game. Gnesh had actually taken a seat at the bar beside him. The orc's rapt gaze was still locked on the flickering screen. The feline barmaid was chatting up the guy with the laptop. It was, in fact, the first time the latter had looked up from his computer since Nathan arrived. Dovon was conversing with Lord Fredritch and the other noble. The kobold had taken a seat in a corner and was nursing a single drink. At first Nathan swore the diminutive creature was watching him but upon closer inspection it became clear the kobold was simply staring into his cup. The pointy-eared couple still hadn't moved from their table.

            More visitors entered the tavern. To Nathan's mild surprise, one of them was human - a twenty-something guy wearing jeans and a black and green plaid shirt. He was a bit heavyset but good-looking in a dopey sort of way. He was accompanied by an adorable white-furred mouse girl half his height. She wore a tight, brown leather bodice and a long blue skirt. The mouse girl was gleefully clinging to the guy like he was an oversized stuffed animal.

            Maybe it was his growing buzz or the increasingly festive mood pervading the tavern. Whatever the reason, Nathan felt an urge to cut loose. And indulged it.

            "Hey, hey!" he called, waiving at Dovon. "Round of drinks for everyone! On me!"

            Cheers filled the taproom.

***

            It took a good ten seconds or so for Nathan to realize he was walking. Or, more accurately, staggering along while clutching someone's arm.

            "Wh'uzzit?" muttered Nathan. The sting of hard liquor lingered on his tongue.

            "We're headin' back, boss," said a gruff voice.

            Nathan grimaced. His mind was a dull slurry of thoughts, sensations and urges. His arms and legs felt like overcooked wet noodles. "Wheer...wer r' we?" he said, looking around through half-lidded eyes. The world had transformed into a black void punctuated by clusters of distant, hazy yellow lights. There was a chill in the air.

            "We're headin' back, boss," repeated the voice. "It gettin' dark."

            A name floated to the surface of Nathan's alcohol-saturated brain.

            "'Nesh?" he said, looking up at the orc's stoic face.

            "Yeah?"

            "Wha-...wha happ'n?"

            "You bought a lotta drinks for everyone," said the orc bodyguard. "Talked to lotta people. Said a lot. Den drank a lot. Too much."

            Nathan's eyes widened. He slowed down only to be pulled forward by Gnesh.

            "Ah, dammit," groaned Nathan. "I don'...I almost never do this sorta thing," he said, somewhat more coherently.

            The very fact he'd realized he was drunk seemed to have sobered him up. A bit.

            "Shit," hissed Nathan. "Melana-...Melanina...Melinanatha wanted me to be back by sundown. She gonna be pissed."

            The orc said nothing. He continued half-carrying Nathan along the now quiet streets of Do va Iesk. Overhead, the stars twinkled.

            "Did I...did I say anything stupid back there?" asked Nathan, realizing he could barely recall half of his conversations after the fifth drink.

            Had Nathan been less inebriated, he would have noticed Gnesh's lips tighten before the orc replied.

            "...Wasn't really listening," grunted Gnesh. He paused. "Nobody dere seemed angry with you before you left, boss."

            "Okay...okay...could have gone worse..." said Nathan. He smacked his lips and then reached down with his free hand to feel his pockets. His wallet was still there. His belt pouch, though considerably lighter, still had coins inside. Nathan permitted himself a weak grin. It had been a blast. True, he'd pay for it in the morning - in more ways than one - but he'd had a great time.

            "Gnesh?"

            "Yeah, boss?"

            "Pretty sure I'm gonna...gonna throw up in a little bit. Try to get out of the way when I do. Don' wanna mess up your boots...or clothes..."

            "Thanks, boss."

            As the two lurched down the street, a pair of narrow yellow eyes observed them from the gloom of a distant alley. Then, a dark figure detached itself from nearby shadows. The pair of eyes turned to meet the figure. There was a hushed conversation followed by a clink of coins. The dark figure nodded, turned and vanished. The watcher remained.