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Jalo Korskinen examined both rings critically then straightened up in his seat. 'A duel, you say?'

'Yes. Von Kruppe had beginner's luck I'd say. Terrible hunting shot but maybe anger is what gave him good aim.' Timeo was poker-faced.

Jalo raised a brow and couldn't resist a smirk. 'Or he had help from a different source. Whatever the truth of it, I'm glad they're gone. By the time you came back, the House was abuzz with rumour. They thought the duel was over one of the more prominent women in the house they like so much.' He chuckled then scooped up the rings. 'These I will have destroyed. But I think you've done a sterling job, difficulties aside.'

For a moment he paused. 'I'm not sure I'd call it discreet. I wish they weren't as well-known as they actually are, as far as names go, but it's something that can be smoothed over. It's not as if there aren't other bigger names who'll be glad they've gone.'

Timeo coughed meaningfully. The 'not discreet' part had not gone unnoticed but to be honest, it had been a very fine line between discreet and then going all out to blast holes in them. He was honestly just glad it was over. 'I just did my job.' He said modestly. 'But for now I think I'd better take my payment.'

The goat's ears perked and he nodded. 'Of course! And please, don't take what I said seriously. The fact is that this would have been known eventually. It'll go down as a duel gone wrong and nothing more.' He stood up from behind the desk and smiled. 'For a job well done, I think the extra thousand on top per target will do very nicely. I'll get that sorted for you.'

Now came the part he'd been quietly dreading. The other part of the payment. Had Torsten told him? Had Timeo maybe guessed?

His eyes strayed to the partly open door. He debated closing it but he'd thought about this. All the other times he'd had the door open, he'd had thick equine cock buried within enough that his stomach had bulged a little and not cared that any could walk past and, dare he suggest it, watch.

And he recalled that what he had witnessed a couple of weeks ago had been a blatant display of exhibitionist tendencies he shared in. It was worth a try.

'Before I do, there's another part to this. I am not sure what you were told before coming here but... I wanted to thank you in another way.' Here it went. 'There is nothing more I'd like than to for you to fuck me senseless.'

It came out in a rapid sentence, one he'd been wringing his hands throughout. He'd envisioned all sorts of ways this could have turned out. Timeo shaking his head and walking out, refusing to do business, maybe mocking him.

A heavy blue paw with white tips rested on his shoulder. Jalo hadn't been aware of it but he'd closed his eyes too.

'Now was that so hard?' Timeo sounded amused. The goat opened his eyes slowly then blinked. Looking up into the gentle amber eyes, he saw no sign of falsehood in what Timeo had just said. 'Just tell me what you'd like and I'll do my best to please. Although it's not always for free.' Then he winked.

Oh. That was easy. He relaxed a little and bit his lip. Now it was really coming to it, he felt awkward saying out loud what he had dreamed of. It wasn't as advanced as some of the woodcuts he had. It was just being throatfucked until he was drooling, then on his own desk to be used as a living cocksleeve. It was simple. But trying to say it felt like an inner and stricter voice would chime in and cut him off, denouncing its sinful nature.

Timeo was still watching him. The gentleness was still there but some concern had tugged a brow down. 'Is something wrong?'

'Not as such... No. But I don't quite know how to say it.' Jalo finished lamely. 'All I've really known is that I wanted to, er, really... Oh, fuck it. Over the desk, just not giving a single damn about anything else, not the politics, the work. Just... Maybe I just want to have someone else fuck the brains out of me and make all the decisions for once.'

Timeo glanced at Jalo, then the desk. It was shorn of all papers as though that had been deliberate. He noticed the door but made no move to close it.

He was in his thirties but somehow age had settled on him like northern snow. He'd started looking older since his late twenties when some of his facial fur had started going light blue then white but the military life had done most of ageing him. Being drilled by sergeants with tempers as bad as their breath, bearing witness to some of the bloodiest battlegrounds and then the direct impact much of that had on his own family life, it had all conspired for him to see the world in a different lens.

He'd learned you didn't get by on wishing and waiting. For good or ill, you had to grab it and demand it. If he had wanted to fuck someone's brains out in a dingy alleyway, he'd just do it, provided they said yes first. He wasn't that sort of soldier and it was far more fun when they did say yes, often over and over. .

He'd known Jalo had wanted him to turn the goat into a writhing horny mess the moment he'd set foot in. But he'd waited because there was wanting then there was the actual reality. He patted Jalo's shoulder. 'I'll tell you what. Let's work slow at this okay? I'll take the helm but the moment I step out of line, you have got to tell me, right?'

A nod. 'How shall I tell you?' The goat recalled something about it not completely being free, but his mind was now locking into horny mode. He'd probably recall later.

Timeo had started to remove his coat already, draping it over a chair. 'Be direct. It's the only way any of us are going to learn how we work, right?'

Jalo nodded. That made sense. He was more used to his retainers who knew him well enough to predict his wishes. Here, it was starting from the beginning. Somehow this made it all the more exciting.

With the coat removed, Timeo smirked and retrieved a long length of leather from a pocket. 'Turn around, arms behind you.'

It was a gentle but firm command. Jalo saw the cord and knew what was coming, He turned around eagerly, his tail wagging furiously. As the cord was looped about his wrists snug but firm, Timeo lowered his head to a flopped ear. 'This is just to stop you touching yourself. I'm in charge so I'll see to it that you get your turn. But you tell me if it's too tight or too much, alright? And if your mouth is otherwise occupied, stamp your hoof twice, quickly.'

His voice held the ghost of a purr behind it. The touch was gentle yet practised. As the cord was tightened, he felt his wrists being tested. It was tight enough but still allowed for some free movement. 'How's that?'

'It's good.' Jalo's voice shuddered as he sought to keep some semblance of control. 'But wouldn't I be better without all this on?' Especially since it was feeling very tight between the legs now, he noticed and wished he hadn't. He'd always been so easy to tease and excite.

'More fun this way, for now.' But a treacherous hand had snaked its way to the source of the tightness and the goat silently pleaded for relief as fingers stroked over and accentuated the bulge even more.

The fingers didn't stop. Up then down, pausing at points then sometimes pressing a little firmer. Jalo felt the pressure of the other arm across his chest and Timeo's weight pushing closer. He closed his eyes as every touch seemed to conspire to push him over that edge.

The strength hidden in the arm holding him upright, every twitch of the muscle beneath the shirt, he felt it all. The fingers stroking faster then slowing down, teetering on the bold outline of the head of his cock before they sank back down and brought him back from that edge.

'So easy to please.' Timeo sounded somehow different. Still gentle but there was a commanding growl amidst the gentle cadence of his words. Long floppy ears twitched, taking in every word. 'You just have to say it. What do you want?'

That was close to his ear. A resonating purr accompanied those words that time, although Jalo had also heard it as a growl. Both would have worked as the damp patch on his trousers became wider.

'I-I don't want to.. Not yet...' He became aware his breathing was tight. He'd been trying so hard to hold back. 'I want...' He gulped. 'I want you in my mouth. Please.'

The stroking ceased. The arm supporting him however moved away only slowly and gently spun Jalo around. The cat gave him a look as if checking in then reached past to the table. The papers had been removed but what hadn't been was a jug. 'What's in this?'

'Um, coffee. Might be a bit cold now-' Jalo blinked in puzzlement.

'Don't care. Here.' The sounds of pouring then the aroma of semi-cold coffee filled the room in their immediate vicinity. 'I'd prefer water but this'll do. Drink up before this next bit.'

The cup was offered and Jalo accepted, Timeo tilting it to allow Jalo to swallow. It did at latest soothe his throat from the heavy breathing earlier and he nodded. 'Thank you.'

Feeling steadier on his feet, the extent of the teasing was noticeable. Not quite the entire front, but a good amount of the fabric was damp and making its way down one leg. It was off-white too and very noticeable. The embarrassment he felt for a second was offset by the realisation this was just what he wanted. And it was even better than he'd imagined it.

His attention was soon drawn to Timeo. The cat seemed to have wasted no time in shedding his clothing completely. The waistcoat, shirt and woollen breeches were set aside, all extremely neatly and on the pile, the slightly corroded pince-nez. And now he was fully naked before Jalo's eyes, the lurid gaze travelled from head to toe to drink it all in.

He was.. No, not perfect. No one was. But in this moment, right here and now, he was the personification of all Jalo's desires. What he'd seen some nights ago was merely a glimpse into what he'd desired for so long.

His gaze travelled lower to the slight roundness in the belly and just below, the sheath partially retracting from what he had seen earlier, the soft pink of the cock that indicated Timeo was not unaffected by earlier. Not its full size yet but even so, bigger than he'd thought. Jalo licked his lips and looked up as Timeo beckoned for him to kneel. This he did with some care, his tail wagging furiously.

'You look so beautiful right now,' he managed, his gaze drifting back to the cock that oh so very soon would be in his eager mouth.

'Flattery gets you everywhere.' Timeo's chuckle was warm. 'Now then... What can I do here?'

His hands found their answer. Kneeling and maybe looking a little wobbly at moments, they found the buttons keeping Jalo's decency in. The fabric was eased apart and the slender sheathless cock within was exposed to the air with a teasing touch. The heavy balls beneath were freed not long after. 'Well, well. Someone's excited. I think you need a distraction.'

The touch had been so gentle that Jalo whined when it was withdrawn. That wouldn't last though. Shuffling to get comfortable, he tried to distract himself with where those hands went next and-

His eyes lidded over almost instantly. Thumbs dragged along his horns from the tapered rounded tip to the base and paused to massage there. 'I knew someone who's weak spot was just here. Maybe it's yours too.' The words seemed to come through hearing as if through a filter. All the goat could do was nod.

The thumb was joined by a finger then another. The horn itself was not sensitive but when those white-tipped digits played at the base and lingered, oh that was pure bliss! He seemed to taking his time with every stroke and if he didn't stop soon. Jalo would soon have his first no-touch peak, he was sure!

'Please..' He begged. His hands twisted in the leather wrapped about the wrist.

'Please what?' Timeo sounded strained too. The touch was still gentle but as his whole hand was now in prime grabbing range of those horns, it couldn't be long before those strong fingers gripped a little firmer. 'You've got words. Use them.'

The goat's eyes fixed onto the cock that was not too far from him now. If only he could move his head forward, take it all in from the rounded head that sported the flexible barbs, let his tongue explore every inch of it... He almost did but he felt the fingers begin to grip a little tighter as he made even the slightest move. 'I want to suck your cock.'

'Funny that. That's just where I want you too.'

Fingers gripped the horns tight. Perfect control as Jalo was guided closer to the tip. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth, ready for what came next. Timeo then thrust forward sharply.

Above him, a growl laced with need. The fingers tensing as with one shove, the open mouth welcomed the full length of the cock inside. The sudden brush of fur against the sensitive nose pushed as far as it would go. Jalo's muffled moan as he felt his own body tense, hands squirming in the leather cord binding them together.

The cat smelled of days of travel, mingled with soap. It was a wonderful concoction that made his head nearly spin. As the grip kept him stationary, he met each thrust with an enthusiastic inhale of the scent and a ready flick of his tongue that moved over each of the barbed spines. They weren't hard at all, rather they were soft and pliable and every sweep of his tongue seemed to excite the cat more.

A brief look up to see if he was doing a good job told him he was doing that and more. Timeo's calm demeanour had gone, replaced by a frenzied need to occupy the willing muzzle when Timeo's head wasn't flung back. Jalo had seen that look in the amber eyes; it was the look that said Timeo was exactly where he wanted to be.

The curled upper lip bared teeth held together, as though Timeo was holding back, yet his body moved exactly as it wanted to, with each thrust becoming more erratic.

Jalo's cock seemed to tremble with its own need. He could feel droplets ooze from the very tip to run down the full slender length and into his fur or his trousers. A few dripped to the carpet.

The tongue took in another droplet of the clear fluid, swallowing it down with a languid moan. More was coming. It couldn't be long surely before-

He'd lost what control he'd had. The cat had given in to his basest desires and Jalo was there for it.

The past few thrusts into his muzzle had been short and pressed his nose close to that heady scent. Breathing was harsh, more of it huffed into his lust-crazed brain. Tongue concentrated on brushing over those feline barbs. Eyes closed and moans of ecstatic pleasure muffled.

One last one was all it took. The hands that gripped his horns shook suddenly with a tremor of bliss that seemed to overtake the cat, nonetheless still gripping firmly and holding him there as he gave Jalo everything he had with each rapid spurt. Through a filter of blood pounding loudly in his long ears, Jalo heard the snarl above turn into a prolonged moan.

The goat greedily swallowed it all. His breathing heavy, his moans muffled by the cock only now softening after delivering its load, it was only then that Jalo felt his own body convulse with the same infectious need as Timeo had had. Dimly he made out a small sound as his own cock released its own fluid in a low arc to hit the carpet, his hands squirming in their bonds before going still.

Jalo's ears could still only pick up the blood that pounded through them. It gradually subsided as he felt the hands pull his head back and the sounds from the room filtered back in. It was both of them breathing heavily, with the odd slick sound of tongues licking over a lower lip and the soft sound of paws shuffling on the carpet.

Then fingers under his chin guided Jalo to look up and the gentle look in the eye was back. 'That good? You okay down there?'

Jalo nodded then turned his head slightly down, motioning to his bonds. 'It was...' He tried again. His tongue felt heavy suddenly. 'I loved it. But I'd like to be free. And maybe some more coffee.'

'I got you. Alright, up nice and slow... There we go.' The strong arms guided him up. Jalo wobbled a little on his hooves but once the leather cord was undone, he could lean on the table and flex his arms again. A sidelong glance at the door but if anyone had been watching, they didn't make themselves known. He smirked.

'Here. Some coffee with your cream.' He didn't have to look at Timeo to know there was a knowing smirk there. Jalo was tempted to down it but instead sipped until it was gone then put the cup down. Only then did he turn and lean on the table, taking in where his own release had ended up.

'Wow.' It was all he could say.

'You shot far there.' Timeo sounded both appraising and approving. He'd taken a seat with some coffee for himself, looking far from the feral lust-crazed animal he'd become earlier. Jalo wouldn't deny it, he'd seen both sides but there'd been something so wondrous about seeing the cat not able to hold back. 'And no hands too.'

'I have my moments.' That was better. Now he was feeling a little more steady on his hooves, he looked down. There was no doubt this all had to go in the laundry.

'Well you sound better.' Jalo hadn't seen Timeo move. Now he was right in front of Jalo and had placed both hands on his waist. The thumbs hooked into the trousers and then eased them down. 'But I recall you said you wanted to be bent over this desk.' The moustache moved, curling up at the corners as his infamous lecherous smile became visible. 'I think you'd be better with these off.'

Jalo had never been undressed so efficiently, or with such sensuality. It hadn't been long, maybe only a few minutes, but already the trousers were removed, with Jalo kicking them off to one side. Then the waistcoat was unbuttoned and flung aside.

'Let's make this fun.' The cat grinned.

It was at the cravat and shirt that Timeo slowed. Along the underside of the goat's muzzle, along the neck, his teeth dug in ever so gently. The cravat loosened, it exposed where the neck met his body and yet more places to gently but firmly bite. The sensation was almost too much and Jalo's arms quivered as he tried to keep upright and lean on the table.

'T-Timeo...' He could barely stand it. As each playful nip made him feel sensations he hadn't in a long while, his legs almost threatened to give out. He was sure each nip was progressively turning his spine into liquid, but oh, it felt so good! It was a small mercy then that Timeo finally paused and with a dramatic flourish, threw the shirt aside. Jalo was now very much on show for anyone to have seen from the doorway and very definitely standing to attention.

'Yes?' Timeo's voice held a purr that Jalo found hard to resist. 'You're making this very easy to just have my way with you right now.' The grin was still there, a playful twinkle in the eye. God, Jalo thought. The perfect rogue.

Then he leaned his head back as an entirely new sensation made him grip the edge of the table.

Timeo's claws were, so very very tenderly, raking down his back and sides. He vaguely recalled they were mostly sheathed except the very tips that emerged from the fur. Now he'd extended them to drag through the fur but nothing more.

Just a little more and they'd break through skin and mark him, his fevered brain added.

Jalo squirmed, pressing closer to Timeo at the thought. His breathing was laboured, his hands gripping the table tight. 'Middle drawer..' He managed.

The claws ceased their seemingly perpetual teasing. 'You want this right now?'

'Yes!'

Timeo folded the claws away then took a step back so Jalo could breathe. Then he hooked a finger over a horn and pulled the goat toward him. He had no choice but to follow as Timeo guided him around to the drawers and found the middle one (not that he would have refused either- why had no one else thought to do that, Jalo's thoughts had demanded).

Ah. There it was. It was usually some sort of oil in these circumstances.

He pushed Jalo gently, facing forward until his hands were on the table. As the goat balanced himself carefully on still shaking limbs, he noticed a spatter of clear fluid dribble from his cockhead to the edge of the table. Wasn't the first time that had happened, certainly wasn't the last it would either.

'Tail up.' The tail flicked up instantly. A generous dribble of the smooth fluid coated where it was needed then the bottle was placed on the table, well away from either of them.

From here, the doorway was easier to see. It had gone dark over an hour ago at the very least and outside the flickering lights danced on the smooth floor outside. Was anyone looking in? They had to be. They knew his habits well and it was a free show, provided they kept quiet (and if they wanted to enjoy more free shows, they knew not to say anything.)

He bit his lip as slick fluid dribbled down the back of the exposed balls and to the carpet. Oh he hoped he had an audience!

He uttered a soft bleat as the paw came down heavily on his hand. The index finger traced over the metallic curve of his wedding ring.

'Does she know?' Timeo's voice was in his ear again but this time there was a note of anticipation there. 'She knows you do this with any handsome rogue who comes your way?' The finger massaged it slowly, sensually caressing the metal as though it were another zone of pleasure to exploit. 'Or... will it get to her eventually?'

There was no fear at all in that sultry purr. There was hope, eagerness. He hoped she'd know. But there was no malice in it at all. It wasn't the smug overtones of a serial cheater who'd add venom to those words. It was... It was as if he needed to know he'd likely get caught. And it excited him.

Jalo swallowed as the purr rumbled in his ear, suddenly feeling Timeo pressing very close. The tip of an equally excited cock teased at him and he had to resist pushing back to welcome its entry.

'Y-yes.' He swallowed as desire stole further words from him. 'She knows.'

Did Timeo's purr just audibly increase? He'd tensed against Jalo noticeably, taut as a string.

Oh, he knew Timeo wanted to let loose, right there.

'Excellent.' The finger stroking the ring with such loving and erotic sensation lingered a little more then traced up his arm to give way to a sudden tight grip on the slender upper arm. Timeo's voice was husky now, laced with a growl of need. 'Lean over the table right now. You want me in you?'

'Y-yes... please...'

Jalo did lean over but it didn't seem to be quite enough as both strong paws pushed his shoulders down quickly after an impatient grunt. It was all the goat could to grip the table from the other side.

The cat was being so ferocious now. Both paws with fingers flexing from excited energy held him down. Claws stuck in him like pinpricks. Jalo bleated out an unprompted 'F-fuck! Yes, just there!' as the claws dug in a little more.

It was perfect, just what he'd wanted, exactly as he'd envisioned in vigorous fantasies.

If he had anything more to say, it was knocked out of him and turned into a surprised but pleasured moan. He was suddenly full of feline girth and the cat above him was not being gentle. It was heavenly!

The drawers moved slightly at every powerful thrust. The table remained firm. Claws dug in. The sounds of laboured breathing laced with an animalistic snarl filtered in Jalo's long floppy ears that jostled as the table was mercilessly tested.

There were no words. What could either of them say? Jalo's bleats mingled with prolonged moans as he sought to remain steady on his legs. His fingers gripped tight, as tight as the muscles that massaged and worked the cock that was being pushed inside of him. And those barbs, just there... Oh yes.

He'd had the pleasure of them on his tongue, their bristling softness a delightful contrast with the smoothness. And now they massaged inside him, still soft but firm enough to find new sensations, new spots to tease and probe. He'd never felt anything like it! In fact-

'I-I can't...' Jalo tried again but another thrust slammed the air out of his lungs. 'I-I'm... F-fuck!'

The goat's cock had barely been touched at all while he'd been rutted and he'd hit a new record for no-touch climaxes already.

From the tip of his stiffened cock, the table below him was suddenly slick and wet as the strands of white coated it and his fur where it landed. The jets of white then faded to a dribble to land on the carpet.

As the thudding of blood through his head started to slow and his hearing returned, Jalo dimly made out Timeo's growl in his ear.

'My turn.'

Was it possible to get hard again so soon? The softening cock below the table seemed to twitch in response as those strong and sturdy hands moved from the back to grip Jalo's waist tight. Then teeth gripped the tufted hair on the back of the neck as though it were a scruff.

The goat trembled as the cock that had been pushed fully into him was withdrawn slowly.

Here it came. One last rutting. He closed his eyes as he waited, panting heavily.

He'd make this worth it for Timeo. He'd work the cat's needy cock until he was filled. He wanted to feel every-

He cried out. His chest was pressed suddenly to the table. A longer stroke this time. Then another. No pacing to it, Timeo just moved as his body needed to.

The gaps between each thrust decreased quickly. Growls and muffled snarling yowls made their way into Jalo's ears, the sweet heady music of lust and desire. Bodies meeting wetly with renewed urgency. Air was whipped about his legs and hooves, a sure sign the tail was swaying with the frantic energy the cat had left.

Harder and harder, pushed as much as he could be into the table. It was all Jalo could do to stand as hooves slipped and tried to retain grip. He felt the claws grip tight, holding him still.

Nothing more than a sleeve of convenience for the needs of the assassin. Nothing more than something to be rutted and filled, used as needs dictated.

Then one final savage thrust and their bodies were flush to each other, pressed so close that fur mingled. Timeo went stiff as he bit down hard. The bite muffled his ecstatic almost other-worldly yowl and then it was quiet.

It was some moments before their breathing settled. Gradually Timeo unstiffened and stood, and in stark contrast to earlier, his touch on the thin shoulders was gentle. 'Can you move now?'

Jalo nodded and with some help, eased his way up. There was an audible crack as joints settled back. Timeo had eased his way out below the tail and the wet fur there oozed what had dripped free down the inner thigh. 'Think you'll need a bath after this one.' He'd chuckled at that, a good natured one that nonetheless had an afternote of smugness at a job well done.

Jalo's nose twitched as he steadied his breathing. Now they'd parted, the scent of their activities was more noticeable. It would have been intoxicating if he hadn't felt so tired suddenly.

'I think, my feline friend, we both do.' He turned unsteadily and smiled. 'I'll sort your payment after. But would you mind accompanying me?'

The bath of the wealthy was not a tin thing in front of a fire. It was bigger for one. And this one came heated from within. And this one was porcelain.

Timeo couldn't help but feeling he was betraying some working class roots by even looking at it. The feeling only became more apparent when he stepped in and actually enjoyed it.

Nonetheless, it was a welcome break. They'd shared because it saved water. The tiredness that had affected Jalo had come crashing over Timeo as well so if there was any touching, it was purely to get rid of any suds that remained and to ease some muscles into relaxing, or tracing over where claws had dug in.

He wouldn't deny that the earlier activities had not been fun. There really was nothing like finding married couples who just needed to know what fun was for a night or two. Or a day or three.

He hoped Jalo's wife would know. He'd recalled from previous talks that she hadn't much interest in men and he'd already decided it wouldn't be worth his while chasing the vague chance of being one of the few exceptions. It was enough that what he'd done would reach her ears soon enough. Thoughts such as this alone had often left him with a sticky belly.

In any case, the goat had been his main concern. He'd clearly loved every moment and hadn't voiced a single complaint. Good in one way, but still something he'd learned (through much trial and error) never to take for granted. So he'd asked how it had been. If he'd been too rough. If anything, what could they have done.

Jalo had confessed to watching their little show in the kitchen some time ago and had wanted nothing more than what had already been done. He'd loved every second and had found immense relief in not actually being in charge. The only thing, the goat had added with a tired sly look, was if he'd been made to wear something about his face to be better controlled.

All duly noted as they left the water and the conversation drifted to other topics. The decor, the way that the portraits here seemed to look a little like they'd been adapted.

'You don't think you're the only one who likes being watched, hmm?' Jalo had winked.

Once clean and dried, Timeo once again spent the night in the same room he'd done before.

He'd stared at the bed. He'd finally noticed the rings at each beam. The bed definitely seemed to be the most solid thing in this room. And now he noticed each portrait. Heh.

Well, he'd done one betrayal with the bath,what was another? He decided to try the bed and despite how comfortable it was, it still felt strange. He'd ended up dragging the cover off and sleeping on the floor with his clothes next to him.

Upon waking, he was awake early enough to think of one thing he'd wondered before drifting off:

What if the panels on the bed hid something else? Knowing a little more about Jalo's tastes, he'd tried it. Sure enough the panels slid inside to reveal a space below with bars. Well, well. And these must be breathing holes.

Timeo smirked then replaced the panel to get dressed.

It was payday.

The office was looking very tidy. Any resulting messes from the night before had gone although there was still the odd telltale dried edge on the carpet behind the desk that was where oil had dripped free. Timeo had seen it but to anyone else who hadn't known, it looked like part of the pattern.

He waited patiently as Jalo counted out the notes. It was the safer currency by far as coins were too bulky. Timeo watched as blocks of the notes were piled neatly. Then he took hold of one to thumb through it. He held it to the light to watch the light filter through then did the same with the others.

'All good. But this one...' He held up a shorter stack. 'This is for...?'

'Services rendered.' Jalo grinned. 'I slept very well thanks to you.'

Well. It was put away and he made sure to put that stack of notes in another pocket. Torsten wouldn't see a single note of that one.

'I aim to please.' Timeo smiled modestly but in a way that was not very Swedish, he also winked. ''In everything I do.'

'You certainly do. About the job itself, I couldn't have asked for better. Have you heard about the rumours yet?'

Timeo shook his head as he inspected his bag and closed it with a tie.

'The Austrian court, where Kruppe was most active, will be sending people up or the body. He'll get a burial but the rumour mill was faster than the train they're boarding right now.' Jalo seemed excited by this. 'It's said that he and Bold argued over one of the more desirable ladies in that place, you know, the one you dragged them out of. Not uncommon and definitely not outside of the realms of possibility. Kruppe was a serious ladies' man.'

Timeo listened then thought for a moment. 'They fawned on him for money. I'd wager one stack of these that he lasted thirty seconds and fell asleep after.' He tutted softly. 'Like I said, anyone with daughters knew well enough not to have him alone with them for long. Not that I mind the rumour but honestly, calling him a ladies' man gives everyone else called one, like me, a bad name.'

It took a second for the goat to realise Timeo wasn't being serious ith his near-deadpan delivery before he smiled wryly. 'Rich men have that way of getting away with anything. In any case, we're at least free of bigger troubles like him and I now have the mundane day to day ones. If I need your services, I will write. Incidentally... I remember writing three months ago and you weren't free. Another contract?'

Timeo slung the bag over his shoulder. Then he paused. Three months ago... Ah yes. That had been for something else entirely. He recalled a panicked Fraser pleading for him to do an emergency... let's call it an emergency mission and while it had been two months there on whatever date it had been, he'd realistically been gone only a week. It was all rather complicated to explain.

He thought for a moment of his phrasing then nodded. 'Let's call it... A particularly tricky contract. I couldn't be disturbed in case... Well you know. Things can go wrong.'

Jalo nodded. 'I quite understand.' He looked down, looking pensive. 'As much as I hope I don't have to use your skills again, just while things are calming down here, I wouldn't rule it out. It just may be some time. I suppose it's not too much trouble to ask if you visit often?'

'Often enough that my fellows think I'm damn near one of you.' Timeo laughed a little at that. 'It depends if I can visit for leisure.'

'Well, if you do, I'm not likely to be moving. You're more than welcome to visit.'

'Of course. Tradesmen's entrance as always.'

'As always.'

Gothenburg, a week later

Timeo had arrived. Each time he stopped in his home city, he'd had to wonder why it looked different each time. The crowds parted before him as he headed to the docks then veered off to the side to a smaller building through a narrow path.

Ah. Now that would be why it felt different today. The sheer number of onlookers and the even bigger number of dockhands had gathered as a merchant steamer was approaching in the far distance. Normally not such an occasion but the posters on the way had screamed about this being a keynote visit from one of the major mercantile houses in Germany.

If anyone had a passing interest in anything nautical, this was a huge thing. If anyone had just a day filled with nothing to do, then you could do worse.

Timeo scowled. He didn't much like the sea. He was sure that somewhere his ancestors were laughing at him every time he got seasick and stayed inside for the whole journey.

Still the attraction had drawn the crowds from a counting house where Torsten was sometimes on hand to lend his expertise (having been apprenticed in his youth in shipyard management at the behest of his father). The boar had just finished with a particular shipment to be counted before he grinned.

'Timeo! Took your fucking time as usual.'

Timeo rolled his eyes but smiled good naturedly. 'Fuck you too. You seen the crowds out there?'

'I did. 'Swhy I'm here. That beauty comin' into harbour is full of money and my old man has a stake in it.' Torsten grinned and patted the chair next to him for Timeo to be seated at the table. 'I got time. She doesn't dock for another hour.'

The cat sat down then dropped onto the table three stacks. 'Your cut. Not that I expect it'll last long.'

Torsten held up a hand that bore two large fingers and a smaller third topped with splayed hooves. With surprising dexterity, he used his thumb and caught the light to check each note. Then he nodded. 'Well-remembered, lad. Now don't go spending it all at once. There's plenty of street ladies and gents in the city who'd love it but at least pace yourself.' There was a knowing glint in the eye.

Timeo secured his bag again and scoffed. 'I'm going to be a little responsible this time. I promise.'

'You mean you're not going to flash it at the first one you see and regret it later?'

'I'm going to bank it.'

Torsten's sudden uproarious laugh made Timeo jump then frown, turning a few heads in the building. 'You? Being responsible? Who are you and what have you done with the real Timeo?'

'I'm serious. Well, okay, I'll bank some of it. Then maybe a little fun later. Look, I can be partially responsible, right? You got a mad Scotsman to think for at least that.' Once, such a jibe would have hurt. Nowadays, he shrugged it off, poking Torsten playfully in the shoulder. 'So that's the plan.'

He poked the boar again who'd shifted to wiping his eyes from the laugh earlier. 'And you could have told me the guy wanted a fuck. I swear he wanted me to break him in two.'

For a few minutes, only the sound of distant crowd and sea filled the room from the open door.

'Let's call it a surprise, eh? And did you?'

'No. Came close to it though. Good thing his desk was sturdy.'

'Then he had a good time.'

'He did. But then again, so did I.'

They sat in silence for a moment, looking out of the door to what was beyond. Even here, it was easy to see the crowds getting bigger. Eventually Timeo stood up. 'This sea air disagrees with me. You'll be at the usual place later, after all this is done?'

The boar nodded. 'Give or take an hour later. You know how these things can be.'

'True. And you got your old man's stake in what's on there to look after.' Timeo smiled. 'I'll see you there.'

It wasn't the bank he came out of but a building that looked like a monastery that'd been there years. At a glance, it looked normal. Closer inspection, the lines of the building looked unusual and seemed to waver in the air. To observers if they had really looked, Timeo looked as though he had come outside of it from a very long corridor and the door seemed to waver too. There was an outline to him that vanished as soon as he was out.

He hadn't been lying either. The money was safe, save for the 'services rendered' part that was his.

Well then. He had time to kill. Testing where he was on the street with the flagstones, he could feel he was on a side street that went to docks south... north was heading to the main churches... He hmmed thoughtfully then headed west instead. A little shopping wouldn't hurt.