NTR Quest - Odyssey 14 - Insist (Patreon)

“I want to go see them.” You insisted sternly.

“Oh.” Djir was taken aback for a moment. You could see out of the corner of your eye that Amun was glaring at you. Cyyani on the other hand was beside herself. Djir ignored both of them and rested his attention on you. He leaned down and placed a guiding hand on your back.
“Suppose we should go find them, then.” He began to lead you through the crowd. He was neither hesitant nor dragging his feet and seemed to earnestly be looking with you, probably because he was eager to get out of there as he initially intended. As he moved with you you noticed that Gnoll and Aniyub alike parted for you.

“Seems like people are afraid of you.”

“Is that what you see?”

“They don't want to get in your way.” You observed.

“Is there something wrong with that?” He questioned in an amused tone. You did not answer, because the moment after he said that you spotted Jeane carousing with one of the musicians who was taking a break. As you two got closer she waved and stumbled her way over to you, as well.

“Have you been drinking?” You asked.

“I have.” She said in a cordial tone. The Elf did not slur her words, but she looked dizzy from it.
“I was brought a cup, then another and another and before I knew it I had drank, and am drunk.” She covered her mouth and closed her eyes for a few second before opening them. Jeane stepped forward, navigating the floor quite admirably on her heels. She leaned on you. Djir kept a hand on your back.

“Are you... Alright?”

“I think so. Where did Fiona go and when are we leaving?”

“We aren't for now.”

“We are not?” She looked to you as scrutinizingly as a drunk Elf Aurarcould, which was surprisingly successful.
“Well where are we staying then?” She motioned around.

You looked to Djir and he claimed. “All in the same place, I assure you. She will be taken care of, that was always my intent.”

“Sure.” You were not sure if you should believe him or not, but you did not show that you had any doubts.
“Have you seen Teuta?”

“Have not.” Jeane shook her head.

“Let's keep looking, Fin.” Djir offered, guiding you away.

“Why do you care about whisking me away quickly if you're just planning to take my friends with us anyway?”

“Because I was planning that, anyway I didn't see a need to meet them before we left since they would get there as we arrived. I'm hoping you'll trust me more, Fin. I'm not your enemy.”

“I think you might be the definition of my enemy. You're just being nice right now.”

Djir threw his head back and cackled heartily. “Alright.”

After a bit more circling around the party, as it began to die down the two of you found Teuta in a religious argument with a Gnoll. You were relieved, because you half expected to find her testing the 'local cuisine.' As you got closer Djir stopped you to listen.

The Gnoll, who was dressed in purple and red robes with ribbons and medals running down them, was speaking down to her.
“Irisia sounds like a harlot.”

“That's not all it's about. The Chapels to Irisia focus on different things.”

“So you build your own beliefs with no solid foundation. Ours have actual tenets that are consistent wherever you go in our land. I feel like if I ran to a temple in your land I would not know to expect a prayer or a blowjob!” He ranted, throwing his clawed hand sup into the air.

Teuta glared at him. “It's about bestowing belief onto others in different ways, depending on the customs and the morals.”

“The morals should adhere to the God or Goddess. Not the other way around, Child.” The Gnoll mocked.
“You could stand to learn a thing or two about our ways.”

“You've already told me everything and it's all stuff that Irisia covers. Wisdom, Knowledge...” Teuta held up a finger.
“Also, she's ONE Goddess and you have many.”

“If I asked you whether your Goddess covered one legged jesters you would say yes. Besides, I would rather have many gods that each focus their attention in different directions than one that can not make up her damn mind.”

“What's wrong with that? Besides, it's our leaders that decide in the end what our chapter is going to focus on.”

“In that we are similar, but we are far more directed in our observance of customs and tenets. The Pontifs, the Augar's and the Emvir may all focus on different things but we are unified in overall purpose. I wager your sects actually go to WAR with one another.” Teuta narrowed her eyes.
“Hah! I knew it.”

“And yours don't? Don't your gods fight one another?”

“Not the problem of mortals.” The Gnoll shrugged.
“Our society is knit tightly to prevent infighting.”

Djir finally steps forward. “Our society has our Gods built into it, not around it, so even if they do war, they should respect that the Senate must still seat and decide what to do about it and that's that.”

“Well said.” The other, older Gnoll grinned.

Teuta looked to you, blushing. “Sorry, Fin. I guess I lost you in the crowd. This man found me and we started talking about religion.”

You looked at her strangely. “That seems poorly advised in any social setting, Teuta.”

“I started it.” The Old Gnoll chuckled.

Djir slapped the Gnoll on the back. “Our Head Augar. A very important man. You never stop proselytizing, do you?”

“If WE stop, THEY'LL forget.” The Augar wagged his finger.

Djir stepped back and looked to you. “Satisfied?”

“I think so. Are they coming alongside us?”

“I don't see why not.” Djir offered generously.

“What do you mean?” Teuta asked.

“We're staying with Djir for... A while. I haven't decided how long.”

“Oh.” She furrowed her brow. Her expression brightened after a few moments.
“Well at least we're all here with you, right?”

“Exactly.” You motioned for her to follow. The three of you found Jeane and then Cyyani and Amun found all of you and you stepped onto another vessel that carried you further up the river within the city. The lights along the shore were beautiful and as the music faded and gave way to silence you could hear chirping and the moving of water around. Occasionally you would hear something through an open window carry out into the night.

“Peaceful, no?” Djir says quietly. You both are sitting uncomfortably close. It is simply the way he chose to sit next to you with his big arm draped behind you on the side of the vessel.
“Living under rule doesn't necessarily mean hardship. Sometimes another can act as a provider, rather than a tyrant.”

“What would be the difference between the two?” You asked curiously.

“A provider guides their people to make the right decisions. A Tyrant does not allow any decisions to be made.”

“Why don't you tell the Hero why you felt the need to rest control from your Senate to 'guide' them to making the right decisions.” Cyyani smirked smugly, not caring at all that she was under the harsh gaze of Amun.

Djir nodded, surprisingly. “We were in crisis. There was indecision. There needed to be someone who would turn the mechanisms while all the cogs were stuck rolling against one another.” He twirled his finger and tried to give a friendly smile, but the Gnoll's maw only came off as looking quite malicious with all his sharp teeth showing.
“Once all of them are turning in the right direction I'll step down as Dictator. Until then...”

“You were so powerful but you were also in crisis?”

“Of course. Power creates problems. Wealth creates greed. Leadership is simply balancing the good with the bad. Power is good, so the problems it creates may not be so bad if they are handled correctly and measured greed is a driver of ambition. Even corruption in healthy amounts can spin wheels in good directions but things like that can't get out of control. That's why I stepped in when I did.”

Cyyani nodded calmly and explained. “What Djir does... Is he spreads his power and his wealth and spins the wheels of corruption in all the right directions. His directions. Then those who bite into his feast are stuck with him through the famine. Right Amun?” Amun does not answer, he simply stares at her. Djir chuckles.

“What do you do, Cyyani? Oh benevolent Queen of the Aniyub. Well... Former Queen.” Djir teases, waving his hand dismissively.

Cyyani cocked her head to one side. “I am not shamed by the fact that I ruled as a Tyrant. My people bowed to me. I didn't butter them up with bread and circuses because I didn't need to.” The corners of her lips curled up and she stared very pointedly at Djir.
“But I also never pretended to be anything else.”

Djir leaned over and whispered to you. “This... Is what shamelessness looks like. Can you say with certainty that her people are worse for being a part of my Garm Republic?”

“I don't know if I could say with certainty.” You were honest. Djir was working hard to be trustworthy but the operative term in that sentiment was 'work.' Cyyani had no reservations about telling you about herself. With Djir you had to wonder.

'I can test his patience a bit.' You thought as the boat arrived at a dock outside of a sizable walled compound.

“The old Palace.” Djir stepped onto the dock and motioned around at blank walls.
“Forgive the décor. All of the gold was stripped from the walls and transferred back for my triumph.” He bragged.

“What is that?” You asked, stepping onto the dock behind him.

Amun smiled and explained. “It is a parade for a victorious General.”

“Oh. Well, why did you take an incomplete triumph?” You said it in the most innocent way possible. From behind you saw Djir's mane bristle and his ears twitch. Her turned to look at you with surprise.

“What?”

You shrugged and walked up next to him. “Is it really a triumph if you only conquered half the territories?” You kept walking, pretending to care about the scenery.

Djir stopped in his tracks, then moved quickly to catch up. “Yes. In fact, it's customary, still. The spoils from these cities were more than when I conquered our other neighbors. Vast territory.” He spoke passionately with his hands and leaned down to view your reaction tentatively.

“But that's half as much as you would've gotten if you finished the job, no?” You pressed him.

“Heh...” He nodded.
“True, I suppose.” Cyyani laughed in the background.
“But it's just not necessary or wise to conquer an entire territory at once. Not in all situations.”

“I was just asking about the triumph. I was curious.” You claimed.
“You were given one for taking these two cities so I'm sure you deserved it.”

Djir lifted his head. “Thank you for that.” He guided you again with a hand on your back.
“I think from this point on, we should have you slip into something more comfortable, like Amun.”

You glanced back at Amun, looking like a court concubine. “I don't think armor is appropriate for now, so I'll take you up on that.” Djir grinned widely. His mouth looked wet.
“But I'll just ask you to show me there so I can pick out my own clothes.” He blinked.
“That's fine, right?”

“Why would it not be fine?” Djir asked. He inhaled deeply and took a few steps away, taking a hand off your back.
“Amun. Show him.” Djir ordered.

Amun bowed and closed the distance quickly. He took you by the arm and whisked you away to the palace interior.
“What are you doing?” The Aniyub questioned.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. Why are you being such a contrarian? Djir is being beyond generous with you. What is your plan, here exactly?”

You rolled your eyes. “Not sure if I need to tell you that.”

Amun scoffed. “If you're going to cross him I swear to you I'll-”

“You'll stab me in the back? Assassinate me? If I told Djir how you were behaving what would he do?” To your surprise Amun walked ahead of you, turned on his heel and dropped low to his knees while lowering his head formerly. He wove his hands together in front of him.
“I was out of line. Please do not tell Djir.”

You cringed visibly. “Don't worry about it...”

“Thank you.” Amun stood up and continued leading you.

“Are you scared of him?”

“Scared of losing his approval. I... Respect Djir immensely.”

“Hmm.” You considered his words.
“What's he think of you, do you think?”

Amun turned in front of a door and subtly sized you up. He completely ignored your question. “There are many different outfits here. I'm sure most will not be to your liking. If you'd like for me to suggest something I know Djir would like please ask.