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Deal of a Lifetime

Chapter 3

The sound of the chimes above the doorway was the first thing Aston noticed when Tulion escorted him into the mysterious building he'd brought him to. A soft, pleasant jingle ringing softly in his ears as the hectic clamor of the busy, nighttime street outside faded away to be replaced by the eerie stillness of indoors as the door fully closed behind them.

Second, was just how ostentatious the new space he now found himself in was. Glancing around as they padded through a small foyer and into a larger parlor Aston was surprised and maybe a little appalled by the décor. Attention shifting from one odd feature of the room to another as he silently observed his surroundings.

The lavish sitting room was gaudy looking to be sure. Something akin to how Ebonhill's noble family decorated their abode if the tales his sisters brought back from their work were true. Covering the floors was a lush, emerald green carpet with matching wallpaper plastered on the walls. Its surface covered in cutesy golden hearts and large framed paintings of overly romantic imagery and lovers embracing in the nude.

The furniture too matched this overall, lovey-dovey aesthetic. Several long, green velvet couches covered in heart-shaped pillows placed around the room along with matching cushioned chairs. The whole collection forming a semicircle around a rounded table covered in an entire bakery's worth of goodies that made Aston's mouth water the moment he caught sight of them.

Seeing the way his little guest's eyes locked onto the deserts Tulion grinned. “You can have some if ya want." He kindly said. “That's why we got'um out here. Suppose ta show off how hospitable we are or something."

Not needing to be told twice Aston rushed over to the table and plopped down onto chair. The closest cake he could reach jammed hungrily into his mouth with an eye-fluttering moan. The first of many more treats to meet the same fate as he rapidly continued to eat several more! Practically wolfing them down in the process.

It was greedy behavior on his part, he knew that. But it had just been so long since Aston had the chance to eat anything with actual flavor in it! Most of the meals he and his family had eaten since falling on hard times consisted of moldy bread or watery broth.

The food during his trip to Kelston hadn't been any better. Dried out strips of jerky and maybe a rock-hard biscuit if someone felt like sharing. It was a wonder Aston had been able to keep the bit of belly he had after living off such scraps.

Coming up behind the gorging man Tulion patted his back gently. “Looks like ya got yerself one big sweet tooth there Little Guy!" He said, full well knowing the answer. “Just don't go eating it all. My partner gets real fussy when the sweets run low."

“Partner?" Swallowing down what had to be his tenth cake Aston peered up at Tulion in alarm. This was the first time he'd mentioned working with anyone else. “What… sort of partner are you talking about?"

“The kind that does all the hard work and won't dare let ya forget it." Tulion joked. Then glancing around, he frowned. “Speaking of that, she should be out here in the sitting room, but she ain't."

Walking around the table the horned man absently scratched his muzzle. “Guess I better go on and find her so we can get ya set up." Tulion continued distractedly. “Why don't ya stay here in the meantime? Shouldn't be gone fer more than a few shakes of my tail."

Though still a little worried about this mystery person Tulion was going off to get Aston nodded back at the blue-scaled dragon nervously. "Um… okay sir." He replied.

Another deep chuckle from Tulion. “Good boy." He said. “Oh, and feel free ta keep on eating them cakes! I love it when people enjoy my handiwork."

Surprised to hear that it had been Tulion who had made the delicious cakes he'd been enjoying Aston watched the large man with renewed interest. Who knew that Dragkin could bake? Maybe he wasn't as suspicious as the farmer initially thought.

But it was as he thought this that Tulion did something that quickly had Aston second-guessing himself again. Not counting the main entrance, the sitting room they were in had two additional doors on each side of the room. Aston had assumed when he said he was going to look for his partner that Tulion would be using one of them.

Shockingly though, instead of going over to one of them he approached a random section of wall at the very back of the room and placed a hand upon it. When Tulion did the sounds of turning gears could be heard. The mechanical rumbling was followed by an illuminated seam that quickly traced a large rectangular shape before sinking back and then to the side to reveal a hidden door behind it.

Then after giving one quick grin over his shoulder Tulion silently opened and went through this mysterious entryway. Big blue frame squeezing through it before disappearing from sight after he closed it behind himself. A strange exit that left Aston more concerned than ever as he was left to ruminate over what he'd just seen.

First a mystery partner and now a secret door, huh? Call him a bit of a worrywart, but Aston felt as if this Tulion character was starting to look a little shady. Maybe it would be for the best if he just cut his losses then and then and make a run for it. The front door was unguarded, he could easily slip away without Tulion or anyone else known.

But even as that seemingly reasonable idea crossed his mind another thought occurred to Aston. If he did leave right then, what would he do next? All his coins were gone now. If he wanted to go back home he'd either have to go begging or find a job somewhere in Kelston. An idea that frankly frightened him after hearing just how dangerous working in the factories in Kelston was from a pair of orcs he had passed by earlier that day.

Apparently, It wasn't uncommon for workers to get caught in machinery. The costs of being rescued and taken to a company-approved "doctor" afterward to have any mangled limbs hacked off deducted from their paychecks. That is if they survived the experience at all.

“I really don't have a choice do I?" Aston said sadly to himself.

The Voice cackled at his despair. 'No, you don't idiot! Look at what you got yourself into!'

Aston sighed, realizing that the Voice was right, vision drifting over to the closed secret door, then back to the table of sweets. “Well… if this is a trap then at least I'll die with a full belly." He reasoned morbidly. “Better than going hungry."

Resigned to whatever fate was coming his way Aston returned to eating the cakes and cookies in front of him. Each bite he took savored to its fullest as he patiently waited for Tulion's return. Which thankfully for his waistline, wasn't too long.

A few minutes after he had vanished Aston began to hear Tulion's deep voice once again from behind the secret door. The cheery man sounded overly excited now as he spoke animatedly with some unknown companion.

“The boy's right in front my Lovely One!" Tulion could be heard explaining. “Ya won't believe how cute he is either! All freckle-faced and plump!"

Aston nearly choked on the mouthful of cake he'd been chewing at being described like that. 'PLUMP!?' He thought, mortified.

After returning the half-eaten treat to a plate he then placed a hand on his belly, pouting when he realized that the Dragkin might have had a point. He'd always had a bit of a paunch no matter how little or much he ate. Baby fat his mother always called it.

'Alright, I'll give him that one.' He reluctantly agreed. 'Still, ouch!'

Listening again, a female voice could be heard responding to Tulion's excited utterances. Its cadence was haughty as whoever it belonged to began scolding him like a naughty child. “That's what you said about that one little urchin Tully and look what happened!" They said. “I swear! Every other month you bring home someone that we have to deal with! It's getting stressful!"

“But I'm telling ya he's a perfect client!" Tulion insisted desperately. “Will ya please, please, please just talk to him fer a bit? For meeeeee?"

There was a long, dramatic groan after that bout of begging. "Alright! Alright! I'll do it!" The unknown woman snapped. "But you owe me a three-layered fudge cake for this! No complaints. Just do what I want and do it with a smile on your face, understood!?"

There was a deep, amused chuckle. “Bake ya a cake? Anytime my Lovely One!" Tulion said through the still-closed secret door. "Now let's get out there before he disappears on us. Boy looks like a runner."

“Oh, this is already looking like a disaster." The woman lamented back.

With the small argument over the concealed door suddenly opened again. It swung back to reveal a still very eager, but also slightly nervous, Tulion who sheepishly reentered the room followed by someone Aston hadn't expected.

Judging from the way they had been interacting, Aston had assumed Tulion's partner would be another Dragkin. An obviously larger and thus far more intimidating one considering just how badly the heavyset reptile had been groveling to them.

But surprisingly, the woman Tulion ended up escorting into the overly decorated sitting room turned out to be human. A plump, buxom, middle-aged brunette with her styled hair piled high upon her head. Her wardrobe consisting of an overly frilly, teal dress barely able to contain all of her abundant glory as she sashayed her way into view.

As soon as this dolled-up diva appeared she leveled her gaze in Aston's direction. Red lipsticked lips turned downwards in a no-nonsense glower and her heavily mascaraed eyes narrowed. "Is this the one you're raving about Tully?" She said flatly. "Mr. Freckle Faced and Plump?"

Awkwardly, Tulion nodded back at the fierce woman's question, this the signal for her to glide her way over to the befuddled Aston with alarming speed. A small folding fan removed from her cleavage as she moved so she could cool herself while circling the confused young man, looking him up and down as she did.

“Fine. I'll admit it. He's adorable." She acquiesced after an uncontrollably long stretch of silence. “But being cute won't cut it if his personality isn't up to snuff!"

Stepping back the woman raised a hand and snapped her fingers. The sharp sound causing both men to flinch. "TULLY!" She barked. "Chair! Now!" Then in a softer voice, "And some tea, please. I'm parched."

Hesitantly taking his eyes off of the scary lady staring him down Aston watched as Tulion, or “Tully" if you will, sprang into action. A rather humorous sight as the large, cumbersome lizard clamored to retrieve one of the many chairs in the room and slide it behind his female partner just as she went to sit down. Both her bottom and the seat settling into place at the same time.

“Thank you, dear." The woman said sending a thankful nod in the Dragkin's direction. Then suddenly, she shifted her attention back onto Aston. "Harriet Vanderman. Welcome to the Jade House." She curtly greeted. "Now if you would. Your name please?"

Verbally stumbling because of the quickness of the question Aston tittered nervously. “A-Aston Bakson!" He supplied, an uneasy smile forced onto his lips. “And… Jade House?"

The derisive snort Harriet gave made Aston feel as if he'd just asked the stupidest question ever. “It's the name of our Negotiator House dear." Without looking she accepted the saucer and teacup Tulion was just handing to her. “One would think, at the very least, that you'd know the name of the negotiator's house you're trying to hire Mr. Bakson."

“Of course Ma'am." Aston winced, hoping that he hadn't made too bad of an impression by being clueless.

“I prefer it if you call me Miss Vanderman as opposed to ma'am, Mr. Bakson," Harriet instructed without missing a beat. Taking a quick sip of her tea she quickly moved onto their business. "Now Tully claims you're in the market for a Hallarian accord. Is that correct?"

“Yes ma'am… I, uh mean Miss Vanderman!" Aston said, rushing to correct himself. Damn it! He kept messing up! “I've traveled a long way to make one actually. All the way from Ebonhill in the eastern lands."

“The eastern lands you say? That's quite the long trip." Harriet said slowly and precisely. "Did you take a caravan here or travel by foot? How long did it take you to get here also?"

A quick, nervous nod from Aston. Was he being interrogated? It felt like he was being interrogated. “I came by caravan and it took about a month and a half." He said carefully. “Not completely sure since keeping time while traveling wasn't easy."

“See Harriet! Told ya that he was determined ta make a contract!" Tulion happily announced from the perch he had taken on a couch. But when his enthusiastic outburst earned him another chiding look he ducked his head. “Sorry."

“It's fine Tully." Harriet absently assured before continuing on with her interview. “Now that we've established your dedication and that you're not a liar Mr. Bakson, tell me, what is your reason for seeking out a Hallarian accord in the first place?"

That was simple to answer, Aston reasoned. “I… I heard about the money you can get when you agree to one." He told her, feigning a smile.

When he noticed the way Tulion tensed and Harriet glared Aston quickly dropped the grin and rushed to further explain. “The money's not for me!" He quickly added. “It's for my family back home."

To Aston's great relief, his clarification seemed to get him back into Harriet's good graces. Her face softened a little as she placed her tea down. "Your family, you say?"

“Y-Yes, our farm was hit hard by the famine you see." Aston continued sadly. It hurt having to think about what his family was still going through. “When the crops failed we tried other ways to earn money, but it wasn't enough. I figured if I could enter into a Hallarian accord I'd be able to… be able too..."

“Send money back home to help?" Harriet finished for him. When she got a silent nod from the younger man she nodded in understanding. “Your story is actually a real common one these days. So many have come to Kelston looking for help. Many of them seeking out accords, hoping for better lives."

“That's exactly why we're here! Ta help folks like you find their destined Dragkin!" Tulion added, face hopeful as he turned to Harriet. “So…" He drawled. “We gonna take him in?"

“I suppose we could," Harrier said with a roll of her eyes. "But what I said still stands! No more strays for six months, and that cake? It will have a triple chocolate pudding filling!"

Tulion stood, all smiles and grins as he bounded over to Harriet. “Yer wish is my command my Lovely One." He said with a small bow and a wink. “I strive ta cater to yer every whim."

To his credit, Tulion's theatrics earned him a snorting giggle from the stuffy woman. Tough facade vanishing for the briefest of moments before it returned in an instant. “Good! Now go and get me the usual paperwork Tully!" She lightly ordered. “We don't have all night to spend sputtering about."

Heeding the order Tulion ambled off back through the same secret door as before. His departure suddenly leaving Aston all alone with Harriet. An outcome he wasn't too sure he was completely comfortable with to be honest considering just how harrowing their conversation had been up until that point.

Thankfully, Harriet didn't seem all that interested in grilling him any further. Instead, she daintily returned to sipping at her tea while nibbling on a cookie. She did seem to want to keep talking though. The renewed conversation she drew Aston into this time was far more casual and light, unlike the previous intense cross-examination.

“Tully is such an attentive drake isn't he?" She said fondly. “Always eager to do what I tell him without making a fuss. Such an absolute dear he is."

Despite his brain telling him to remain quiet Aston couldn't help but ask a question he'd had on his mind since meeting the older woman. “So… are you Mr. Jadescale's boss?" He asked. “I mean… I never imagined that a Dragkin would work for a human."

A long, loud peal of laughter erupted from Harriet at that. Full-figured body shaking uncontrollably from the force of her own amusement. "Tully's boss? ME!?" She managed through her giggles. "Goodness no dear! The Jade House belongs to his family. I just help with the business side of things as an employee."

Pursing her lips though, Harriet then added. “Though by Draterran law I'm officially considered his “Accord-mate" first and foremost." She further explained. “Ah! I can still remember when we signed our contract! Heh-heh, Tully was so cute that day!"

A wave of confusion hit Aston. Harriet had signed a Hallarian accord with Tulion? As in the same deal he was seeking out? “But… if that's the case then why does Mr. Jadescale let you… order him around?" He blurted out. “Shouldn't he be the one doing it since you're his… well… you know? His…"

As Aston struggled to find the appropriate words Harriet's once friendly smile slowly faded away. The pleasant mood that had settled between them dissipating as she narrowed her eyes at him, a dangerous aura emanating from her very being.

“Aston dear… what do you think I am to Tulion?" She asked slowly. “Please, be precise when you speak."

“Um… that you're his slave, right? Or is it servant? His maid?" Aston rambled, the unease he felt increasing with each word he spoke. “That's what happens when you sign an accord, isn't it? You become the property of the Dragkin you sign it with."

In an instant, Harriet's attitude became chillingly frigid. Rage overtook her features as she stood from her seat, eyes flashing as if she were about to commit a murder. A frightening repeat of the way the man in the bar had reacted when Aston asked him about Hallarian accords.

That was when Tulion chose to make his reappearance. The dutiful dragon appearing suddenly beside the two humans, a rolled-up scroll in hand as he gave them his usual oversized grin.

“I found the contract!" He sing-songed. However, upon noticing the mood what merriment he showed quickly shifted to concern. “Did I miss something?"

Keeping her eyes on the younger man who had dared upset her Harriet folded her arms over her ample bosom. "Yes Tully, you most certainly did!" She fumed. "Why don't you tell him Mr Bakson? Repeat what you just told me happens to humans who sign contracts with Dragkin!"

Aston felt himself shrink when Tulion focused his attention on him as well. He'd said something very, very wrong apparently. But as to what that "something" was he didn't have a single clue. All he had done was repeat what he'd heard from those men back at his hometown bar.

“T-That the Dragkin owns them?" He tried again. “You know as a slave?"

A long, stagnant pause followed that response. Tulion's jaw fell in shock for several moments before he turned to Harriet with a groan. “Oh boy!" He winced. “I really gotta learn ta ask questions before bringing folks around, don't I?"

“You never asked him any… … … YES TULLY! You need to ask questions!" Harriet snapped with frazzled exasperation. “You know what you have to do now don't you?"

“Of course my Lovely One." Looking apologetic Tulion handed Harriet the papers he had gotten and approached Aston. “Look um, Little Guy. I'm sorry but I gotta ask ya ta leave now." He said, helping him to his feet. “Oh, and don't worry about them cakes. Consider them compensation fer wasting your time and all."

“What!? Why? I-I have to leave?" Aston cried out, Tulion firmly nudging him towards the front of the building. “You said you were going to help me make an accord deal! Why are you kicking me out!?"

Walking behind the struggling pair Harried huffed out a bitter-sounding laugh. "We're “kicking you out" because you've gravely misunderstood what it is we do here." She growled. “In fact, what you said about Hallarian accords is an outright insult to its history!"

“It is!? B-But then… please tell me what I said wrong!" Aston desperately pleaded back. Digging in his heels he glanced over to Harriet, pleading as hard as he could with his eyes. “If you're not Mr. Jadescale's slave o-or his boss or whatever then what are you to him?"

A puzzled expression overtook Harriet's angry face at Aston's fervent plea. One that never left as she made a quick hand motion that had Tulion stopping in his tracks. "Alright, Mr. Bak-son. I'll play along." She slowly began after studying him for a moment. "No. I am not Tully's boss, slave, or anything of the sort. Quite the opposite actually."

Going over to the large blue Dragkin she placed a hand on his arm. Slowly tracing up its length with her fingers until she came to cup his cheek which she caressed with a tender touch. "I'm his beloved paramour."

“Pair-a-more?" Aston repeated back, fully baffled as he processed the unfamiliar word. “And that means…?"

Harriet rolled her eyes at the simple man. These Raisteria country folk! “It means lover!" She elaborated. “His swain! His leman! His ladylove. His very eager in-am-o-ra-ta." A small smirk appeared. “Which... if you were to enter into a similar union with a Dragkin would also be your place in their life."

Though not entirely understanding half the words that had been used Aston eventually grasped what Harriet was trying to convey. The sudden realization of the true nature of her and Tulion's relationship made crystal clear when the Dragkin leaned down to press his scaled lips to hers. The two sharing a rather gentle, intimate moment as Aston watched on in shocked surprise.

It made sense now. The way everyone in Kelston had reacted when he said the words Hallarian Accord! Those two pushy men from the wagon who lamented him being “wasted" on a Dragkin. Haddish's cryptic remark about how serving a Dragkin was “Backbreaking, yet not entirely unpleasant work". That angry man at the Bloody Hatchet that called him a “Lizard Loving Idiot".

Those who made Hallarian accord deals didn't end up becoming indentured servants, no! They ended up becoming the sexual playthings for some depraved Dragkin! Something that most living in Raisteria would consider the greatest taboo imaginable. It akin to the most perverse acts one could commit. You know the ones.

“You mean that… y-you and him are?" Aston started to say, not truly believing what he'd heard. When he received a nod from both Harriet and Tulion he paled. “A-And if I were to sign a contract too… t-then I'd be agreeing to let a Dragkin… let them… l-let them..."

Offering help Tulion made a circle with his thumb and forefinger and repeatedly jabbed the latter's twin through the newly formed shape. “Yup, just like this!" He confirmed. “But… It'll be different from when I do it to Harriet I assume. Not that any Dragkin cares. When we find ourselves a human we can care fer we can't resist bending them over and having fun together."

“Tully! Don't be so vulgar dear!" Harriet chastised. Though she didn't appear to be all that upset by what he'd said. A vindictive grin on her face as she eyed a still stunned Aston.

For the first time that night, Tulion didn't listen to his Rubenesque lover. Clawed hands still performing his obscene pantomime act without pause. In fact, he actually increased the speed at which he did so, smirking the entire time.

“I didn't hear ya complaining about me being vulgar this morning." He pointed out. "All ya did was giggle and palm the back of my head after I hauled ya up on the counter and ate out yer—"

“—Not now Tulion!" Harriet mercifully cut in, a little flustered.

Focusing on Aston again she haughtily looked down her nose at him. "So as you can see Mr. Bakson we clearly can't help you here." She motioned for him to be escorted away again. "Here at the Jade House, we are in the business of helping people find loving Dragkin partners. Not selling them off to be made slaves of! So go!"

This time Aston offered up no resistance as Tulion resumed pushing him out. This was it. There was no way he could get the money for his family now and what was worse was that he'd made a fool out of himself in the process. Not just by asking around town about a "sex contract", but also by telling his parents and siblings back in Ebonhill that he was going to be their savior.

Now he'd have to go back home with his tail between his legs. The idiot who had wasted so much time and money chasing a damned drunken rumor he hadn't even understood correctly. Then and there he truly wanted to slink off and wither away. Never, ever to be seen again.

But just as he began to fully fall into the pit of despair he'd dug for himself the heartbroken farmer suddenly realized something. Why couldn't he still make the bargain he'd come to Kelston to make? It wasn't as if he had changed his mind about sacrificing himself for the good of his kin. He'd just be doing so in a far, far different way than he originally intended.

Yes! He would do it! To save their farm. To save his mother, his father, and his siblings! Aston would sacrifice himself like the Raisterian prince of old and become the toy of some lecherous Dragkin pervert! Standing tall and proud while doing so.

Or… at least he would until he was forced into whatever degrading position he'd be forced into to get the disgusting deed done!

Resolve set Aston grabbed hold of the sides of the Jade House's front door just as he was about to be pushed through it. His arms straining and his expression determined as he frantically pleaded for the large man behind him to stop.

“WAIT!" Aston shouted. “Please Mr. Jadescale! Miss Vanderman! I-I still want an accord!"

Withdrawing his hands Tulion blinked down at Aston. “Ya sure about that Little Guy?" He asked, sharing a befuddled look with Harriet. “I told ya before Hallarian accords are serious business around here. Only say something like that if ya really mean it."

“But I-I do mean it, sir! Honestly!" Aston desperately asserted as he stumbled back into the building. "It'd be an honor to enter into an accord with one of your people! Especially now that I know it's to become their… lover."

Aston tried his best to look sincere as he said all that. Though in truth it was total hogwash. Just the thought of being some monster's glorified pet made him queasy in the gut. That and… strangely a little hot in the cheeks. A worrying sensation he did his best to convince himself meant nothing.

“You're honestly saying you want to be with a Dragkin now?" Harriet inquired, seemingly catching onto the subterfuge. "Because from the way you acted, you seemed to be disgusted by the idea."

Aston had to think fast to excuse his original reaction. “I was… just surprised to hear the great news!" He lamely lied. “I truly thought I'd be a slave but to hear I'll be some pretty Dragkin woman's bedmate instead? Oh, It's like a dream come true!"

“A “Drake"." Tulion gently corrected.

When he got a confused look from Aston the large man chuckled. “That's what we call male Dragkin." He further explained. “Female Dragkin don't really look fer accord-mates so you'd probably end up with a drake, a male Dragkin like me."

'Sounds right up your alley Aston.' The Voice spoke up meanly. 'You are always thinking about men in that way after all.'

Aston however chose to ignore the vicious words and laughed nervously. “B-But lady Dragkin do still come in here sometimes right?" He tried. “I… I could find one of them and sign a contract with them."

Harriet and Tulion shared a look. "Yes?" They both said together, though sounding unsure.

“GOOD! Then that's what I'll do!" Aston said regardless. He couldn't back down now. Not after everything he'd done to get to this point. “I really… can't wait to hop into bed with some beautiful Dragkin d-dame! Doing things to her and the like. YAY!"

One perfectly shaped eyebrow rose upwards on Harriet's face at Aston's overly enthusiastic response and strained smile. It almost appeared as if she had seen through his ill-thought-out charade. However, just as it looked as if she were about to expose him she shook her head with a low chortle.

“Well isn't that lovely to hear!" She happily cheered, a hand placed delicately on her cheek. “Let's just hope you're being completely honest my dear boy." Suddenly her expression hardened, teeth barred in a frightening looking grin. “Because if you're lying there will be ~con-se-quences~. Truly… dire... ones."

Only partially recoiling as the dangerous woman before him looked him dead in the eyes Aston felt a cold chill travel down his spine. It was shocking how someone in such a poofy, flowery dress could be so utterly terrifying. She even gave that gray Dragkin from the tavern a run for his money.

“I p-promise I'm not lying Miss Vanderman." Aston hastily assured. “Just tell me what I have to sign and I'll do it no problem."

And just like that Harriet appeared to be appeased. Twirling around with a spin of her dress she returned to her previous seat and motioned for both Tulion and Aston to join her with a flick of the wrist. A silent command they both instantly obeyed without a second thought.

“Alright, now that the interview's over let's move on to the next step," Harriet said, all business again.

Unrolling the scroll Tulion had retrieved she looked over it for a moment before continuing. “As a precaution let's clarify a few of the general terms of the Hallarian accord contract you'll eventually be signing. Just to make sure there are no more misunderstandings on your part Mr. Bak-son."

Ignoring the trepidation he felt Aston nodded in response. If he was truly going to do this then it would be best if he understood as much as he could about the process. "Sounds fine to me Miss Vanderman." He agreed.

“First point!" Harriet began promptly. “If you were to enter into a Hallarian accord you'd have to surrender your Raisterian citizenship and officially join the Draterran Empire."

That didn't surprise Aston. He had figured long ago that he wouldn't be considered a Raisterian citizen anymore if he went through with his plan. How could he? Aston was about to do something most people in the kingdom considered the ultimate taboo.

“I'm fine with that, I suppose," Aston said, sighing a little.

Harriet gave a short, approving nod at that answer. “Next, as the “Seeker" of an accord you're allowed to add any and all demands you wish to the contract we'll create. Be it physical goods, property, or momentary compensation for either yourself or others of your choosing."

“I can make demands?" Leaning back in his seat Aston considered that new bit of information. All he thought he'd get was money out of this deal. “It can be anything I want?" He checked. “As in anything, anything?"

This time it was Tulion who replied to his question. “Yeah, but I'd be careful about what ya ask for." He warned. “The more ya demand the less likely it'll be that anyone will want ta make an accord with ya."

“Very true." Harriet agreed with a sagely nod. “Recently we had a dreadful client who practically demanded the moon and the stars! Not a single Dragkin in the entire city would have anything to do with them by the end and he left."

Alright, so he had to be careful what he asked for. “All I truly want is enough money to help my parents I guess." Aston reaffirmed. “That and maybe somewhere conformable to sleep."

For the first time since he upset her Harriet spoke kindly to Aston. "No worries there Mr. Bak-son." She told him. “Your accord-mate is expected to provide you with food, shelter, and clothing. Failing to do so is punishable by fines, imprisonment, or even execution if any mistreatment is egregious enough."

Again, Aston was surprised by what he'd just heard. Did the Dragkin really treat the humans they owned that well? Not even the nobility or royal family of Raisteria, whose supposed jobs were to take care of the people they ruled over, were that generous.

“Finally Mr. Bak-son, you're expected to remain faithful to any potential partner and/or partners you choose to sign with." Harriet continued on. "No affairs. No making other deals with other Dragkin. No funny business of any sort."

That wouldn't be hard Aston reasoned. It wasn't as if he would ever go looking around for another Dragkin lover. Having to sleep with one big scaly monster was more than enough. However, it was as he was scoffing at the idea of sleeping around that he suddenly realized something that had been said. A very important detail he'd almost missed.

“I'm sorry but did… did you just say partner “and/or" partners?" He asked incredulously. “As in more than one?"

Harriet smirked meanly. "Yes, I did." She said smugly. "It's not uncommon for a couple or even a larger group of mated Dragkin to seek out a singular human. All of them sharing whichever lucky person they end up taking home between them."

To his horror, Aston started to feel that same creeping heat from earlier return when Harriet explained that little tidbit. An uncomfortable warmth that grew stronger and more intense as images of him in a bed with two or more Dragkin raced through his mind. Their big, burly forms hovering over him as they took turns doing all sorts of naughty, indecent things to his helpless self.

Again the Voice chimed in. 'Why are you imagining “big burly" Dragkin though?' It asked. 'S_houldn't you be thinking about female ones like you're claiming you want_?'

Aston cursed himself when he realized that the Voice was right, yet again. The imaginings he'd conjured up shoved to the very back of his mind as he spoke up. “W-What will happen if one of those couples or… um, more pick me?" He asked, swallowing thickly. “Will I have to go with them?"

Despite still being quite upset with the young man before her Harriet responded to his worry with a hint of kindness again. “No dear. You are the only one who makes the decision of who you make the accord with. No one else." She said gently. “Be it with a single Dragkin or a dozen. No one will force you into anything you're uncomfortable with."

Pushing aside several of the snacks on the table Harriet gently laid the contract upon it. “With that explained all that's left is for you to sign Tully's negotiator's contract."

Glancing down at the parchment Aston pursed his lips, confused. “Negotiator's contract?" He parroted back. “You mean the Hallarian accord contract right?"

“Nah, this one's different," Tulion said speaking up for the first time in a while. Going over to the farmer he held out his palm revealing a capped inkwell and quill. “We Dragkin like our contracts and this sucker is an agreement between you and the Jade House saying that we'll look after ya fer free while ya search for your perfect Dragkin."

“But only for four months." Harriet cut in quickly. "After that, you'll either have to pay us rent to stay here or find somewhere else."

Moving a finger down the contract she pointed to a blank space on the very bottom. “It also states that you'll agree to a confidentiality clause concerning our House's operations and that you'll pay a total of fifteen silver coins for our services as official Hallarian accord negotiators."

Hearing of the small fortune he'd have to pay for all this contract business Aston gasped, panic returning in full force. Fifteen silver equaled fifteen hundred copper! Aston didn't have that sort of money. Hell, he'd never even seen that much coin in one place before.

Thankfully Tulion saw his apprehension and offered up an alternative to the dilemma at hand. "If ya don't got the money ya can always ask yer accord-mate ta pay in yer contract." He said. "Lot's of humans do that actually."

Again, Harriet was there to put a damper on things. "But if you can't find such a partner, you'd still be expected to pay in full." She said sternly. “We aren't running a charity here."

“O-Of course." Aston quietly replied.

Taking the quill from Tulion's clawed hand Aston gingerly dabbed it into its accompanying inkwell, its blackened tip then brought down to the contract he was supposed to sign. However, before it met the line his name would go above he froze. Completely paralyzed by overwhelming apprehension as he considered the gravity of what he was about to do.

Despite his repeated self-assurances that he was prepared to do whatever he could to help his family, the very idea of signing his life away was incredibly intimidating. Entering a Hallarian accord was a whole lot more complicated than he originally thought. Not just because of the sexual component he now knew of, but also all of the other nitty-gritty details.

Still, as Aston had to keep telling himself, there was no turning back now. Not after having traveled so far to be there. Not with his family still very much in need back home. He truly didn't have any other choice but to keep moving forward with this harebrained scheme of his and hope he'd get through it mostly unscathed.

That final bit of resistance battered down Aston hesitantly wrote down his first and last name upon the contract. The final swipe of the quill's tip sealing his fate as he fully committed himself to the conditions of the contract between him and the two strangers he'd only just met.

As soon as the farmer finished signing their contract Harriet snatched the quill away from him and returned it to Tulion. The large man gleefully chuckled as he proceeded to scribble his own signature onto the parchment under Aston's.

That was when something utterly strange happened. Gazing down as Tulion finished his signature Aston witnessed both their names begin to glow with a low, golden light that began at the first letter and followed the natural flow of their writing until it faded with a small sizzle at the last. A truly amazing sight that left him gobsmacked as he stared at the now normal piece of paper.

“Thank goodness that's over with!" Tulion suddenly proclaimed, breaking Aston out of his curiosity as to what had just happened.

Twirling the quill around his fingers the large man gave a click of his tongue. “I really hate all this boring business talk." The drake continued. “Really ruins the romance of helping all you cute humans find your destined Dragkin."

“Which is why I'm cursed to do all the hard work for you, Tully," Harriet commented, suddenly sounding bored. Unlike her accord-mate, she found the art of negotiating thrilling. "As for you Mr. Bak-son, will you be staying with us or somewhere else?"

“H-Here I suppose," Aston said. Thoughts a bit scattered after having signed the contract. "I… I, um don't really have anywhere else to go."

“Alright then." Looking to Tulion she motioned to the other side of the room. “Tully? Would you be so kind as to find a place for Mr. Bak-son back in our dormitories with the other clients?"

Tulion grinned excitedly at the prospect of a new human under his watch. “It would be my pleasure my Lovely One!"

Turning to Aston he motioned for the younger man to follow him. “Alright Little Guy, let's go and get you settled in!" He said excitedly. “Have you eaten? I can make ya something if ya haven't! Maybe some sandwiches? We have fruit too if ya prefer that. OH! There's also a stew I made that you'll just absolutely lo—"

Only half listening as Tulion began rambling on about food Aston closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The weight of what he'd done fully settling onto him as he sat there, silently lamenting.

There went his freedom. For the rest of his life he was going to be owned by some Dragkin he hadn't even met yet. If he was lucky, that is. If he couldn't find anyone then Aston would be spending the rest of his days in some factory, probably fingerless and covered in filth as he worked to pay off the heavy debt now on his shoulders

Either way, he was terrified to the core.

But alongside that deep-seated fear, there was also a small spark within Aston that felt pride. If by some miracle everything did work out, then he would accomplish what he'd set out to do. He would have saved the farm. Saved his family from ending up on the streets or worse.

Aston just hoped when all was said and done that he'd be remembered for what he was doing for them and not the perverse sexual slave he'd no doubt end up becoming under the rule of his future Dragkin master.

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The stench that hung in the air was enough to make most people nauseous. An acidic, bitter scent that permeated every inch of the large storehouse as its occupants were forced to endure it, unable to leave thanks to the thick iron bars that surrounded their living spaces.

Walking between these small prisons, a sneering purple Dragkin made his way towards one of them in particular. A small cell at the very back of the area housing a single occupant. An emaciated young man that didn't move an inch as the large, scaled man came up to him.

“Wake up boy!" The Drake commanded roughly rattling the cage. “You got someone here to see you."

At this the starving man finally moved, head turning ever so slightly so he could stare up at the Dragkin with dull, listless eyes. "I-I do?" He asked, his voice barely audible.

Unlocking the cage with one of the many keys he carried on a ring on his belt the reptile reached inside and yanked the human out and onto his feet. "Yeah, you do." He huffed as if annoyed. "Real shame too. You were my favorite."

The boy whimpered as the large creature began dragging him towards the exit. Memories of the horrible things he and others like him had done to him haunting his every thought. He'd been in this hellhole for over two months now. Each and every day he spent there a nightmare.

Part of him was glad he was leaving now. Another part worried about where he was going. Worried that something even worse awaited him beyond the doors that led to the front part of the building they were in. If it was going to be bad then at the very least he hoped it finally ended him. That way he wouldn't have to suffer any more than he already had.

Then he could be happy. Happy like he was before he ever heard those awful, awful words, “Hallarian accord".

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