Chapter 115: Pillaging

Cherry brought me a White Russian, and I took it upstairs to the lair of curtains. I sat in the armchair overlooking the dancefloor, which was full of tables with chairs. The atmosphere was relaxed and the lights were still on.
I sat sipping the drink when my first clients came in. They kneeled in front of me with their heads bowed.
I sighed. "Can you please sit in the chairs?"
The first one lifted her head. I realized it was Priscilla and the other two were Taryn and Halley.
"Beloved, we've come to pledge our allegiance to you."
"Okay. I appreciate that, but seriously, please sit in the chairs. It's easier for me to talk to you if I can make eye contact with you. Also, I think you'd be more comfortable."
Priscilla hesitated then slowly climbed to her feet. "Alright, Beloved. If it makes you feel better."
"It does."
When all three moved into chairs, I put my elbow on the armrest then rested my chin on my hand. "So, how is the orc community?"
Pricilla bowed her head a little as she spoke. "The female orcs fully support your leadership. The demolishment of The Grange Faction leaves their territory primed for the taking. We would like to spearhead that campaign."
"And what does Liam say about this?"
Priscilla shared a look with Taryn then looked back at me. "Well... he probably has different ideas."
"Like?"
"Well, he would probably give it to the male orcs. He thinks females are more useful taking care of the young."
"And are any of you taking care of younglings at this moment?"
"None of the females going on this campaign are responsible for our young. They are our warriors and protectors."
"What would gain for this?"
"Glory for protecting our faction... and a few spoils of war."
I narrowed my gaze. "Glory, yes, but spoils? What exactly are you expecting to get out of it? Territory? Money?"
Priscilla nodded.
I frowned. "I think we should prioritize getting the magical community in The Grange's faction on our side first, not stealing things from them. If we can grow our community, it will strengthen it and give us more fighters. I will pay you for your job, though, just like anything else you do on my behalf."
The three of them bowed their heads in acceptance. Liam entered the curtain. He looked between the females on the chairs and me.
"On your knees, swine. How dare you disrespect our beloved," Liam growled.
The females didn't move. Liam took an angry step forward with his hand poised to grab Halley.
I lifted my hand. "Liam, they are where I put them," I said calmly.
His hand paused over Halley, then he slowly pushed her head lower. "Bow lower then, swine. Show your respect."
Taryn and Priscilla dutifully ducked their heads in low bows to match Halley's.
Liam removed his hand and dropped to his knees in front of me with his head bowed low. "Beloved, there is no sign of The Grange anywhere in the city. No sign of Kezia or Amy, either."
I stuck a finger out and lifted his chin so his eyes would look at me. "Thank you. Are the people in their community safe? Do you think we can win them over to our side?"
Liam looked confused.
"Are other factions going to come in and fight for territory?"
He nodded slightly, dipping my finger down that was still on his chin.
"Do you think we have a chance to flip those magical people on our side?"
"To strengthen our community," Priscilla added.
Liam's brow ridge furrowed. "If we move quickly."
"Do you think you can organize several teams, including the female orcs, to handle that? Make sure we can offer enough protection to them against other factions and claim The Grange's territory as our own."
Liam nodded slowly. "Yes."
"Okay, organize those teams and come back to me. Put people you trust on the front lines. Make Priscilla a captain and come back to me. I need you here at my side."
"At once, Beloved."
I rose and walked behind him. I touched each of the female orcs on their cheeks and stole just a little bit of energy from them. I could see the pleasure wash over their faces as my fingers caressed their cheeks.
"Go. Fight on behalf of Ardor. Make me proud," I said to the females.
They stood. Liam went to stand, but I held him back with a hand on his shoulder. When the females left, I removed my hands.
"Stand up," I commanded.
Liam complied.
"Don't bow to me."
"I must bow to you. They respect me. I respect you. If they see me bow, then they will respect you."
"I see." I turned and looked up at him. "I don't like that you bow to me. You're more of a leader to this faction than I am. I'm just here to look pretty. You know each and every person here. You are like family to them."
He shook his head. "You are not just pretty. You hold the real power. Without you, this faction would be dead."
"So, I'm a pretty bodyguard, fine, but I shouldn't be given decisions like this. What am I supposed to say when they want to get the spoils of war? Are they going to terrorize people? Are they going to rape and pillage? I don't know what I'm doing here. What if I do something wrong?"
Liam set his hands on my shoulders. "Beloved, when you are the leader, nothing you do or say is wrong. I may have spent more time with them, but they will respect your decisions, just as I will. If you don't want us to rape and pillage, then we won't."
"Okay, but you don't actually rape and pillage, do you? I feel like that is important."
"I will go organize the captains," Liam said and disappeared through the curtains.
"You don't, right? No raping? Pillaging?" I called after him.
No one responded.