Chương 168: Chapter 166: Conversation with Jellia

The massage goes on for well over an hour. There isn't a clock in here or anything. She just takes her time working her way down my body, then lifts each leg and starts to massage my feet. As she massages my feet, I contemplate proposing marriage to her on the spot. There is just so much pleasure in those fingers that I don't want her to ever stop. I can't hold in my moans of pleasure. I let my eyes drift open a little, and I can see that my sounds of enjoyment are making her happy.

Once she's done with my feet, she helps me turn over without the sheet exposing anything, and goes to work on the back of my legs. She spends a lot of time on my back and shoulders.

"It's rare to be able to massage this part of the body without the wings getting in the way," she explains.

"Do you massage people's wings?"

"Yes," she says, "but only very gently. You have to be careful, as wings are incredibly sensitive. I have known several men who have orgasms from the touch of their wings alone. It's flattering, really." I feel like I could orgasm from the massage. But I notice that I tense up a bit when she rubs my butt, and I think she notices it as well. She never made a move towards that part of my front. Maybe she's planning on doing it later, maybe she isn't. I don't know.

I don't really care, either; I'm just enjoying the massage. It does eventually come to an end. Sooner than I'd like, but that was always going to be the case. I would have been happy to have her continue working for many, many hours. But all good things must come to an end eventually. She ends with her hands in my hair, her fingers kneading my scalp. My eyes roll back into my head, and I almost propose marriage again. I think my tongue might have lolled out at some point.

When she is done, she rests her hand on the back of my neck, tracing her fingertips over my skin and sending pleasant chills down my spine.

"When you are ready, feel free to get dressed. I will wait for you outside of this room. Take your time." I hear the door close, but I don't immediately get up. I just float there a little bit, enjoying the endorphins running through my body. I feel more relaxed now than I can ever remember being. That was as close to a happy ending as I've ever had. She never did anything inappropriate. It was like she was reading my desires in the movements of her hands. And I suppose that's exactly what she was doing.

I get up a few minutes later and slowly put my clothes back on. I don't put on my armor, but I do put my boots on. I feel like this place is probably pretty safe; no need for weapons and shields and stuff. Maybe I'll get that stuff out before we leave, but I think we're probably pretty safe here. Jellia is waiting for me with a glass of water when I step out of the room.

"Would you like to come share a meal with me?" she asks. I nod, and she leads me down the corridor, away from the main room. We soon find ourselves in a garden in the middle of the large building. It's completely enclosed, and there is a fountain in the center. There are a few musicians idly plucking at strange stringed instruments, giving a pleasant and relaxing sound track to the whole experience. She takes me to a small stone table with pillows on either side, and gestures for me to take a seat.

We both sit down, and soon a young child comes out carrying a tray of sliced fruits and cheeses. He is fully clothed, and seems to be just as content as everyone else in here. He sets the food down on the table, then returns with a pitcher of water that is glistening with condensation. He gestures to it, and frost climbs up the outside of the pitcher.

"Thank you Andrew," Jellia says to the young man. He smiles at her and then heads off, leaving us relatively alone. Jellia gestures for me to eat and to drink.

"You need to regain your strength," she says to me.

"The massage has loosened you up, and you must recover a bit." The fruit is sweet, the cheese is sharp, and the whole experience is very pleasant. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Tell me about yourself, Caleb," she says.

"You are from far way. Tell me of your homeland." I start talking about Elmspire. The idea of a city sized tree fascinates her. I have to let her down a bit when I tell her that I never went all that high up into the tree, but she is still amazed that there are that many thousands of people living in a single tree. She has never heard of elves, and she is fascinated to hear about their green skin and their gentle nature.

She asks a lot of questions that show she is interested, and she laughs at the little jokes I throw in. The conversation is extremely pleasant. Everything is. So much so that there's a gnawing suspicion in the back of my mind. I know that they get money out of this. I understand that she's just playing a role to get that money. But I have to wonder if there is something else, some ulterior motive, to her asking me all these questions. Is she plying me for information? She's doing a remarkable job at it.

"Have you ever considered a career as a spy?" I ask her. She laughs at that.

"You are not the first to bring up such a possibility," she says.

"To be truthful, being a spy is part of being a courtesan. We are the best informed people in the area. Nothing happens without us knowing about it. People like to talk, especially when they are comfortable. And we like to make people comfortable."

"It seems like that would be a great way to get information out of captives, having a courtesan." She nods.

"Indeed. The great lord's personal torturer is a courtesan. She used to work here, in fact."

"Torturer?" She laughs.

"Don't worry, it's not what it sounds like. The title is a traditional one. But she does not get information by causing pain. She doesn't need to, unless that's what the person prefers. She gets people to talk by plying her skills as a courtesan. It is said that no one can resist her charms."

"I believe it, judging by yours." I say. She blushes.

"That is very kind of you," she says.

"But I am but a drop in the bucket compared to her. She is a true master."

"You're being modest," I say. She shrugs.

"Perhaps," she says.

"But my skills still pale in comparison."

"Do you all share information?" I ask her. She nods.

"So you are all very up to date on all the local gossip and goings on."

"I am," she says.

"Why? Are you looking for information?" Am I? That's a good question. She might be able to give us a little bit of information. But what do we need to know? I don't care about the political situation. I don't even care if there is a war brewing. It's not our war, and it's not likely to get in our way. I don't really need to know about anything like that. What do I need to know about?

"Do you know anything about the mountains?" I ask her.

"I've never been," she says.

"But I know a few things. People try to climb them every so often. Legend has it that there are great treasures at the top. But I have not heard of anyone actually climbing them and returning to tell the tale. So the legends might just be stories that people tell."

"Do the legends speak of anything other than treasure on the mountains?"

"Of course," she says, giggling a little.

"There are trolls and drakes and monsters a plenty on the way up the mountain. That's why no one goes there and returns alive. Are you planning to seek your fortune up the mountain?"

"Something like that," I say. The smile disappears from her face for the first time, and there seems to be genuine worry there.

"Please be careful," she says.

"Your life isn't worth the promise of treasure."

"My friends and I are adventurers," I say.

"Risking our lives for adventure is what we do."

"But what about the drakes and other monsters?"

"We've fought drakes before," I say.

"And many other monsters. We've ridden on dragons. I've fought lava lords and undead and dire lynxiths and demon lords." Her eyes grow wide.

"You must be very powerful," she says.

"But I see that you are only level forty six. How have you managed such deeds?"

"We're not from this world," I tell her.

"We're special. When we die, we come back, though we are reduced in level when that happens."

"So you have died before?" her eyes are even wider, but I can tell that she believes me. I nod.

"Several times," I say.

"This is my first time to this level, but I have been through the levels many times before."

"So death doesn't stop you," she says it with wonder in her voice.

"That's incredible." I smile.

"My friends are incredible," I say.

"I'm merely impressive." She laughs at that.

"I disagree," she says.

"I have seen your whole body. I would call you more than impressive." I blush at that. I know she saw everything, even if she didn't touch everything. She giggles at my embarrassment.

"So you will make it up the mountain," she says.

"You must promise to come back and tell me what you find up there. I would love to know the truth behind the legends."

"I can't make any promises, but I will do my best," I say.

"I'm sure having that information would be of value to you."

"Indeed," she says.

"Knowing the truth of the legend would be very valuable. Possibly worth several services in exchange, in fact." I feel bad that I brought up the matter of payment, but now that it's out there, I suppose I should get down to it.

"Speaking of," I say, "what do I owe for today's services?" She names a price, and I don't even try to haggle. I might be able to do so, but I think she deserves every gold coin she asks for and more. She only asks for five, and I give her eight. I don't know if tipping is a thing in this world or not, but I'm going to tip. She deserves it.