Haru's Honeys--We Deliver!

[Darastrix]

Haru stepped onto the dock at Ronduin, surveying the area with a calculating look in his narrow blue eyes. The stewsman had left Morilanta on the premise of delivering some of his "wares" discretely to a wealthy foreigner. His clients paid well to use his women to diffuse the evil in their souls; it was only fair that he offer the unenlightened of Naruta the same service (at a premium, of course).

A soft jingle of chains drew his attention from the surrounding docks, and he turned to look at the young woman standing meekly behind him. She was wrapped in deep midnight robes that concealed her well-formed body completely as well as hiding the slave bracelets on her wrists and ankles. Though they'd probably just look like some strange exotic jewelry to most, Haru hadn't wanted to take too many chances. What he was doing was risky enough as it was.

"Two days," he stated, facing forward again as he began to walk. "Then the crossing to the other side, north of Sensatia, then continuing north. You should be delivered to your new home in less than three weeks if the weather holds."

"Yes, Master Haru," she murmured, the light chain links of her 'jewelry' jingling as she followed.

[Deleted]

Not far ahead of Haru stood two women, one an obvious native to Ronduin, the other had the look and manner of a merchant. They seemed to be arguing over something but before it could break out into a shouting match, the native spotted Haru and slowly blinked.

Ivy glanced at her companion and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Ivy was neither a merchant, nor a thief, but her companion was; it was a mildly irritating fact, but something one could live with. Today she was told that there would be someone at the docks willing and able to sell to her certain things that she needed before heading out.

However, it seemed that that kind merchant was no where to be seen. On the other hand...she approached Haru, her friend following behind with unseen smirk on her face. "Hello," Ivy said. "You certainly don't have the look of one born to Ronduin, sir. Are you a new merchant, perhaps?"

((I can re-work this, if it doesn't fit. I do have something of an idea, and this is just a start.))

[Darastrix]

Haru made a sound of irritation and gestured behind himself. "Do you see a cart behind me? Or workers bearing crates of goods?" He rolled his eyes. "Clearly, I am no such thing. I'm just passing through."

The woman with him made no comment, nor did she even look at the two other women. She just moved closer to Haru, as though trying to hide behind him.

[Deleted]

Ivy studied the both of them curiously, a bit put off by his manner. However, she didn't want to stand in his way so she stepped aside to let them by. Turning to her companion, she whispered, "I don't really like the looks of them; what did you get from them?"

Sayumi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Not much. Just a sense of irritation and perhaps something like..." she made a small gesture with one hand to indicate that whatever it was, it wasn't something easily identified.

Ivy sighed. She really hated this but she said, "Follow them, but not too closely." Sayumi returned the sigh but nodded. She couldn't really say no, especially since Ivy was the one who fished her out of trouble in the first place.

[Darastrix]

Haru brushed past the women without a backward glance. He obviously didn't consider them worth his time. Besides that, he was tired, travel-weary, and just wanted to find an inn to rest in. The woman with him, Sonata, pressed closer to Haru as they passed. She was wary of strangers, and even moreso in a strange land.

Haru slowed and allowed Sonata to come beside him, then wrapped an arm securely around her waist before walking onward. Sonata was grateful for the gesture, though it made her nervous in another way. She didn't turn her head to look about, but her eyes darted about anxiously, looking for any sign that someone recognized her master. She would be as glad to leave Ronduin as she had been to leave Morilanta. It was just too close for comfort.

The man paused to get directions to a nice, mid-class inn from a local and headed in that direction, Sonata practically glued to his side.

[Deleted]

Sayumi followed them from a distance, but not far enough away as to loose sight of them. She really didn't see why Ivy was so interested in those two, but, she determined that it must be something of interest.

Carefully she noted where they turned, who they talked to and anything else they did as they walked.

[Darastrix]

The pair did nothing out of the ordinary on their way to the inn. To the casual observer, they were merely a tired couple seeking a night's lodging. A more careful spectator might note that the woman shied away when passers-by walked too closely to her, and that Haru would tighten his arm about her waist possessively and glare at the person passing them, be they man or woman.

Regardless, they reached the inn without incident. Haru quickly secured a room for the next two nights, specifically requesting a room toward the back of the inn, overlooking the adjacent alley. The proprietor argued a bit half-heartedly--there were rooms available with better views--but it was what the man wanted, and he was paying in advance.

Once they were in the room, Haru locked the door and turned to Sonata. "Take off that robe," he said, his tone making it clear that he was issuing an order. "And get on the bed."

There was a quiet rustling of cloth, a soft jingling, silence, and then the sound of gasping and muffled cries and whimpers.

[Deleted]

Sayumi's face turned several shades of red before she turned herself away from listening at the door. She hadn't wanted to listen to them having...well, she didn't want to finish the thought, and it disgusted her, so she sent a mental note to Ivy telling her what she had seen and heard.

And though Sayumi knew Ivy couldn't send a reply back the same way, she had a pretty good idea that Ivy would want to be coming here.

Sure enough, about an hour later, she arrived and the two of them got a room near to the other two. They argued quietly about the reasons for tailing them, and why Sayumi didn't think it was important, while Ivy thought that it was.

Then they rested and rose with the dawn.

[Darastrix]

The pair in the room began moving about a bit after sunrise, the noise they made faint, indistinct, and not any different than what could be heard in other rooms. Finally the man spoke.

"We're heading out in the direction of Sensatia come morning. I'll buy some extra supplies today while we're here. Damn island probably won't have any horses to speak of, though."

"Will we be stopping at the Mind nation, Master?" Sonata asked quietly.

There was a pause, as though Haru was considering the idea. "No," he answered flatly. "Too risky. I don't want any damn nosy Minds in my head. We'll skirt the area. Besides, the season grows late, and I want you delivered by spring."

"Why...why can't you just...?" The woman's voice trailed off.

"We have had this discussion before. You will go to your new home and accept it, and I will return to mine. Anything else is too risky."

"But Haru, I--"

Whatever Sonata had been about to stay was cut off by a sharp noise, like flesh striking flesh.

"This is why," he growled, and struck her again.