Ressa dropped another tray of dishes onto the bar just as Cas was finishing their dance. The performance unfortunately coming too late to salvage the night in any meaningful way. The place had mostly been mostly empty when they started and by the time they finished only the small group in the corner was left to cheer.

 On the other side of the bar Jazel worked furiously at the basin scrubbing each glass and plate to her particular satisfaction before setting them to dry. She looked back at the sound of the newly deposited tray and began to hum quietly at the sight. Not any particular tune, just random noises and pitches. It was something she did often when under stress and nothing stressed the bartender more than dishes piling up.

 Ressa would have offered to help but she knew from experience Jazel was particular about her cleaning.With her last load deposited Ressa gave the room a quick once over before announcing her departure to the other girls. The emptying of the bar had happened when she was about to leave the floor and bussing the tables had taken more time than she realized. It wasn’t that Ressa cared to lend a hand but tonight was special and she was already halfway up the stairs before the maids wished her good night. She paused at the top though looking back to the door when Boran's deep voice boomed a greeting. 

“Well look at this. Thought you might actually be late for once,” he said in a jovial tone as he stood to greet the new arrival. 

Miriana gave a tired smile and threw open her cloak to reach for the doorman's large hand. The sword on her hip glinted in the light as she did.

 “I’m hours overdue, old friend.” She said in a gruff voice that sounded parched.

“Ah well it’s not midnight yet so you’re on time enough,” he said, reaching out in an offer to take the woman's pack. 

Miriana gave a small chuckle and shook her head. “Well I hope Ressa shares that sentiment,” she said, sounding somewhat nervous. 

“All that girl will care about is having you home. Day or hour doesn’t matter much to love-oh,” his words were cut off as Ressa slammed into her lover at a full charge. 

It had nearly knocked Miriana back but the stout woman stood strong embracing her lover and pressing a hungry kiss to her lips. After a moment that didn’t seem long enough they parted and Ressa spoke, “I’m sorry, I meant to have more of a welcome planned for when you got here.”

Miriana smiled and raised a hand to gently caress the girl's cheek. “All the welcome I need is your smile, your touch and a warm bed to share.” She leaned in again for another kiss, less frantic this time, more deliberate and gentle. There was more hesitation this time when they broke and both seemed to have a bit of red rising in their cheeks. 

“Although a cool drink and hot bath wouldn't be unwelcome,” Miriana said looking down at her dust covered form.

“I can certainly help with that,” Ressa said, taking Miriana’s hand and guiding her toward the stairs. 

Miriana followed excitedly for a few steps but suddenly stopped. “I really should drop off the new notices before I turn in,” she said looking toward the office. 

“Miry, that can wait till morning,” Ressa protested, trying to pull the larger woman. 

“It will just take a moment,” Miriana insisted. “Besides you and I both know we won't be getting out of bed until at least noon and there's some important legal things the madam needs.”

Ressa continued to resist trying to dig her heels in but having no chance against the other woman’s strength. “Noooo six weeks is long enough. It's my turn,” she whined much to the amusement of her lover. 

With a sigh Miriana looked down at the petite pouting woman, “You know if I take care of this now we won't have ANY reason to get out of bed at all if we didn’t want to. You could have me all to yourself with no distractions. How’s that sound?” 

Ressa pretended to think about it but the red in her cheeks gave her away and after a moment she relented clutching tight to Miriana's arm as she sauntered up to the bar. A tall sweating pint was already waiting for them when they arrived.

“You’re a credit to your profession Jazzy,” Miriana said as she saddled up to the bar. 

The orcish woman shrugged at the compliment as Miriana raised the glass to her lips. The honey ale was cool and sweet, a welcome relief for her dry throat.With a few deep gulps Miriana killed the large flagon and sat it  down with a satisfied exhale before wiping her lip with the back of her sleeve. 

“Starting to lose those highborn manners,” Jazel said. 

“I suppose I might see that as a compliment,” Miriana responded with a grin. The swordswoman had long been self conscious about her noble heritage so there was some satisfaction in knowing that polished finish was beginning to wear.

“You know if the mistress is in her office?” She asked, accepting another drink as it was handed to her.

Jazlyn nodded, “Sent Fauny to get her when I saw you come in.”

“Like I said Jazzy, a credit to your profession.” 

A moment later the office door opened and the tall Zmeu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the adventurer. 

“I was beginning to worry you wouldn’t make it till tomorrow darling,” she said as she glided up to the woman and placed two quick peaks in greeting upon Miriana’s dusty cheeks. “What a pleasant surprise to cap off a rather disappointing night.” As she spoke her clawed hand moved over to a satchel Miriana had laid on the bar. “Would I presume these for me?” 

“Yes Mistress, there’s a few dozen notices  and the paperwork from the lawyer in Galeria, as well as the barrister in Alegium, all notarized as you asked.”

Ressa, had only been half listening but gave a curious look. Alegium and Galeria were as far apart as two cities could be in the empire and neither could have been considered close to the Hearth. She wondered what kind of business she would have in such far off places. From her conversations with Miriana she knew the mistress had been receiving legal notices from all over the empire in recent months though she had never explained her intentions. But as curious as she may have been, Ressa had other things on her mind and when her lover offered to help sort through the notices she made her displeasure known. 

Megra smiled at the girl's protest then said, “That won’t be necessary Mira, in fact I don’t want you to think about work for the next day or so.In fact, why don’t you two use the VIP suite? It isn’t in use and I doubt we’ll be getting any surprise visitors at this point.”

As to be expected Miriana attempted to refuse but was silenced when Ressa forced herself onto Miriana's lap and pressed their lips together. The warrior laughed at the playful gesture but soon the playfulness was replaced with passion and the pair deepened their kiss. After a few moments of devouring each other Miriana looked to the stage. 

“Hey Cas think we could request an encore?” She called turning back to eye her  lover lustfully. 

The demon’s short fur was still glistening from their previous performance but despite having only just caught their breath they were more than happy to oblige. With a spin that ended a low dip that seemed to defy gravity the ghostly music kicked up once more. To anyone else the performance would have seemed tame compared to what had come before. Cas’s movements while still alluring would appear without the otherworldliness they had possessed previously. That was because this performance was just for the couple at the bar and by the way they began to kiss and touch each other it was a fine one.

Cas was only a minute or so in when the front doors of the Hearth opened suddenly. The sound of laughter rose up above the music and momentarily drowned out the melody. A man stepped in from the darkness with a woman on each of his arms. He was smiling a broad toothy smile that glinted in the lamp light and seemed to have too many teeth. 

“Search away my friend! I bring only a smile, good vibes, and a heavy purse!” He shouted loudly when Boran went to disarm him. The voice he used had a practiced charisma that Megra recognized though the face of man himself was foreign. It brought to her mind the calls of the barkers and pimps she had heard outside the cathouses she had worked before setting out on her own. It was enough to get her attention and she observed the trio closely.   

Despite his thunderous call the man had an unremarkable appearance.  Average in stature he appeared close to middle age. While his hair had receded some it held the line well enough to give him some youth. His face wasn’t repulsive, the worst being a weak chin that did make his soft cheeks appear more a bit jowl-like. He wasn’t fat though the buttons on his waistcoat did strain a bit at their duty.

When it came to his companions however each was a stunning example of the female form though different in almost every way. One was tall, tanned and curvaceous with hair stygian black and straight as an arrow. The other meanwhile was short, petite and fair, their soft face framed by curly blonde locks. They were dressed in maid uniforms not dissimilar to the ones worn by the workers at the hearth but the skirts had been shortened considerably and the necklines dropped so low Megra wondered what was holding them up. 

Once he was searched the man scanned the room, his eyes lingering on the stage for a moment before eventually finding the tall draconic woman.

“Good evening madam. Are you the owner of this very fine establishment?” He said, stepping forward to greet the madam. 

“ I am,” Megra said, crossing to meet the man half way. “ My name is Megra Redscale,” she said, offering her hand. When she did, the taller woman reached forward to take it. She held it delicately and placed a soft kiss upon the back as the man introduced himself 

“Drummond Faeborne,”  he said, seeming not to notice the strange gesture . 

“Well Mr. Faeborne seeing as you already seem to have beautiful company and a decent buzz, what might Dragons Hearth be able to do for you and your friends this evening?” There was a poorly hidden suspicion to Megra’s words. The man had her hackles raised from the moment she’d laid eyes on him. Unlike the instinctual revulsion she had felt earlier this current unease was born of experience.. One needed to learn how to read people in this line of work, know how to spot a scam, to smell bullshit and to Megra’s nose Drummond reeked. 

But if the man noticed her suspicious tone he didn’t let it show. His eyes wandered like a child's that broad smile plastered on his lips all the while. “Yes I am truly a blessed man. The only things I need at the moment are a warm bed for the night and a few new companions with whom to share my merriment!”

The two women, who had yet to utter a single word giggled like school girls as Drummond spoke. It was strange and there was something off but with the night shaping up to be just one more in a long line of disappointments Megra relented. 

“Well, my doorman explained the rules, follow them and we won’t have a problem. The maids can help you with any food or drink as well as lining up your accommodation. Enjoy your evening Mr. Faeborne and you as well Miss-” She looked at one woman then the other but it was Drummond who once again spoke.

“Yes, we certainly will.” His tone had become dismissive and his eyes had begun to wander like a bored child’s. They lingered first on Cas who had hardly missed a step despite the interruption and was now beginning the crescendo of their performance. He inquired momentarily about the demon but quickly lost interest once Megra explained that Cas was not entirely female as he had presumed. 

“No offense of course,” he said despite the expression of disgust that flashed across his face, “I just happen to be a proud clam digger,” he explained, the women at his side giggling  in amusement. 

 Megra didn’t find any amusement in either the comment or the man himself but she gave a polite nod and left Drummond Faeborne to his devices. And that should have been the end of it. On any other night Megra would have retired to her office to spend the night fretting over the finances and legal notices until she reluctantly returned to her room on the verge of collapse. The maids would have served Drummond until he either retired to a room to sleep off his drink. At worst Drummond would say something to insult one of the other patrons and Boran would have to pull them apart and send one on their way. Then in the morning the sun would then rise on a new day at the Dragon’s Hearth just as it had for decades before. 

But there would be no new days for the Hearth. It had breathed its last breath the moment Drummond Faeborne walked through its doors, a shot of poison to an already dying body.