Zain was now rubbing his forehead where Lemaire had whipped him with his trousers. That brought him back to reality. When he realized what he had been doing and what his state of dress had been when doing it, he had flushed red and immediately put on his trousers. He then bowed low towards his captain and apologized profusely for his behavior. The women holding their clothes giggled at his reaction.
"Shut up and stand straight. We're not alone and I don't mean the titties." Lemaire nonchalantly said, taking his time to dress-- starting at the top.
Zain noticed the man on the throne, bowed to him, then grabbed his shirt from the girl holding it and stuffed his arms into the sleeves. "Who is that?" he mouthed.
Lemaire answered his question by replying to the man in the shadows. "A god you say?" He asked, buttoning his shirt. "Every man is a god to his wives." Then gesturing to the bare forms about them, "But I can very well see why one would think himself a god-- being surrounded by such a multitude of beauties specifically for your every pleasure and whim." The merchant meant no disrespect by that. He merely was not one to believe in gods. Magic, yes. In his veins flowed the blood imbued with fae glamour so he very well knew the existence of such a force. But an all-powerful being such as a god? He felt that the world was simply too unfair for the concept to be real. There were no such things as infallible deities.
Lemaire took offense at inadvertently being called a brainless man who thinks with his penis. But shrugged it off since it was partially true. He does not regret drowning in pleasure and would greatly accept an offer at another round.
Then the man rose from his throne and walked closer to them. Lemaire saw he was a handsome man, the kind rich dissatisfied wives paid for in his former profession. But unlike most of those men, this one radiated with power. It thrummed from his body and foretold that there just might be some truth to his claim at being an almighty being. But all the same, he still had some skepticism in reserve.
The man dismissed the throng of women around him and continued with their talk.
"The drug in the wine was exquisite stuff." He concurred. "Yes, I do agree that cultivating it would be a boon to you and yours." He said, getting into a more intimate distance with him. "Forgive me for introducing myself so late. I am Captain Sebastien Lemaire of the "Sea Lion". I am a well respected merchant with dealings in Thanatos, Serendipity, and Essyrn." He gave a slight nod with his invisible captain's hat.
Zain also bowed at the mention of this and quickly added "Zain Asir, first mate".
"If it is amendable to you," Lemaire began with a quirked brow. "I would gladly sell your herbs to some eager consumers I know. Of course, that would mean a sizable profit on your end." He smiled at that. "And you don't even have to lift a finger."
It seemed the so-called god had an agenda of his own. With the thunder of his voice, he called upon a servant and had a meal set out before them.
"Women, wine, food, and now a repair crew." Lemaire enumerated with a booming laugh. "If you're not interested in the deal I offered you," he asked, taking a sip from the goblet of wine placed before him, leaning one elbow on the table. "...then tell me." He bluntly stated.
Zain, just looked on, exchanging glances at the two men, enjoying the leg of turkey he was nibbling on.
[Disclaimer: The views expressed by my characters do not necessarily reflect my own.]