Part XXXIV

"Object? To what?" Joel was really done with that

"Well you wouldn't manage to escape without Brian's help. He should get his share too, a half of what you were offered." She put on a proud look on her face.

Joel's patience was put to test a few times before, but never to that extent. It took him a moment to hold back the urge to hit something stupid straight in the face.

"My lady, first of all I already paid Brian for his assistance and the deal concerning my payment was done with your father, not you. I understand you like Brian and I'm happy for you two." Now Joel decided to pay it back to Francine by exposing her to her parents. "Brian is definitely a better choice than that Gerd, for whom you didn't want to leave the castle."

"What?" Francine's mother looked at her daughter with shocked eyes.

"He would have fallen for me if not for your dirty tricks. You, you ... male seducer!" She shouted out loud.

The silence was awkward now.

"Miss Francine I thought we have discussed it over back in the castle, Gerd wasn't interested in you." Joel decided to finish this once and for all. "I think he was gay, he wasn't worthy such fine lady as you are."

Yes, the things one can say to end the drama. Spouting such words out of his mouth he was definitely committing "an oral prostitution".

"Come here Francine." Brian hugged her and she started sobbing but calmed her down.

"I see darling, we have a lot to talk about." Her mother looked worried.

Mr Herford was clueless what to do facing such family drama, so Joel decided to save him.

"Sir coming back to our agreement, the time I spent in your house was really pleasant, however I would like to leave as soon as possible. The guards are looking for me and I don't want to put you in danger." He added to make it more serious.

"Yes, yes, let's go."

The gold sure can get heavy, still Joel was running back to the barn where the horse and his beautiful saddle was supposed to expect him. The way was clear; it was actually close to dawn. The whole thing took a while. Dealing with the sensitive Francine and counting the money, saying goodbye and finally getting as far as this barn. He made sure that nobody was following him. The sky was turning gray, soon the dawn will allow him to ride comfortably.

The bag was getting really heavy and Joel was more than pleased when he placed the bag on the horse back.

"Ready to leave when we had an agreement?"

Joel took his sweet time fastening the bag before he turned round.

"Mat darling, we were supposed to meet at an inn and this is a barn, I was about to meet you." Joel smiled and stepped closer despite Mat holding a bow pointed in his direction.

"What is it that you really want, Mat? You want my ass that badly? Really? We could come to an agreement. I'm sure of it. How come you are waiting here for me?" Joel was talking in hope that Mat would lower his guard.

"I was raised in this area, I knew this place and you aren't as skillful and invisible as you thought." Mat smirked.

Joel hated when something did not go according to what he has planned. Right now nothing was going along as he planned. Still Mat was younger and Joel had experience in combat, longer than that brat had.

"Mat, if you want me that bad, let's have fun right here." Joel let his hair loose and started to unbutton his jerkin, sending Mat a seductive smile. Joel could see how Mat's eyes were following his fingers. Joel was very close now he took off the jerkin and pulled out the hem of his shirt out of the trousers. Mat lowered his bow and that was the very moment when Joel kicked him in the hand. The bow flung out of Mat's hands and Joel has already pulled out a knife. The combat was short. Joel dodged when Mat was trying to hit him and kicked the young guard in his right leg making him fall to the ground. In an instant Joel was straddling Mat and holding his knife at Mat's throat.

"That's it Mat. You need to know this is neither my first assignment nor my last one. I'm not such an easy pray as you thought." Joel was pleased with himself. He didn't want to kill Mat; he will tie him up and leave. He needs only a few hours and Joel will be able to escape. They can try and track him down as much as they want but Joel was good at losing coursing. All he needs to do now is to find a rope or something.

Joel was still straddling the poor Mat who was lying on the ground. Joel moved and he could feel that Mat was hard as rock.

"Really Mat? You got turned on by me?" Joel laughed but soon his laughter died. He heard steps and the barn's door flung open. In the light of the dawn Joel saw about ten people standing outside.

No matter how Joel looked at it, he had to finally admit it. Since Belmont city he was out of luck and even if he managed to gain wealth it will give him nothing as he recognized one of the people standing in the door.