Sabhira’s Daughter #38

“Wow! I wouldn’t have thought that was POSSIBLE!” “Oh sure! They can’t be fully erect of course, and they have to be unusually long. But yeah! I’ve seen it!” “Incredible.”
Muz-Ra appeared at the door, tapping her foot. “Oh, I’m sorry Cheetah, I’ve got to go. Well, nice talking to you!” “You too Kitty! I’ll see you later then?” “Sure!”
“Cheetah?” asked Muz-Ra. “It’s just her nickname. Her real name is Rabiji… or something like that. Say, did you know…” “That’s NOT what we’re supposed to be asking about Kitty.” “I know. And Cheetah’s not her. Her parents are in Windhelm. She moved out a couple of years ago. Too cold.”
“Well, I’ve talked to all of the girls on my list. Nothing.” “Cheetah was the last on mine too. Maybe Udaran or Ubergard has found out something.” “Yeah. It’s getting late. Opening hours are going to start soon. And maybe we can stop and get something to eat. I’m starving.” “Me too.”
Back in the dining room, Kitty and Muz-Ra were just sitting down to eat when Udaran and Ubergard came in. “Find out anything?” Udaran asked Muz-Ra. “No. Not really. Though Kitty found out some interesting trivia. Want to hear?” “Not now. Maybe later,” Udaran sighed.
“No luck? How about Ubergard?” “I… wasn’t very good at it,” Ubergard admitted. “Turns out that threatening to cut off someone’s head off doesn’t, in fact, make them very talkative,” Udaran said looking sternly at Ubergard. “Who’da thought?” Ubergard asked sincerely. “Oh, it’s OK Uber,” Udaran relented. Then turning back to Muz-Ra added, “I met with the rest of the girls. But no, nothing at all.”
“Any other ideas?” Kitty asked. “No. Regardless of what you felt, Kitty, Ashasha was right. She’s not here.” “Could be. I’m sorry Udie.” “I guess we’d best turn in early, unless you want to fraternize with the customers, Red?”
Red gave her a shocked look. “What? Surely you don’t think I… I just make boyfriends easily, I’m not a professional!” Udaran smiled weakly, “No, you’re just a very proficient amateur.” The jibe was there, but her heart obviously wasn’t in it. “That’s right. I’m just looking for my Mr. Right. Looking HARD for Mr. Right. Besides, the customers here won’t be looking for Argonians.” “Maybe you can expand their horizons?” Kitty suggested helpfully. Muz-Ra shot her an angry look, then appeared to reconsider.
“Well, I’m not up for it. I’m going to bed. And to think. Maybe we’re overlooking something,” Udaran said, getting up. “I’ll go with you, Udie. I too have no wish to see what goes on here at night,” Ubergard said, rising to join her. “Goodnight then Udie. I think I’ll hang out with my new friend Cheetah a bit. I do admit to being… curious.” “You know the old phrase about curiosity and Khajiits, Kitty. Watch yourself.” “Oh, you needn’t worry about me. Besides, I just thought of a new use for my cloak!”
After the U’s had left, Kitty turned to Muz-Ra. “What about you Red? Are you going to stick around?” “Naa. I talked to Ashasha about those clothes though. She said I could have one of them if I wanted. I think I’ll try on a few for size.” “Oh! Good luck. I did see some I thought you might like. Very revealing. Seems like your style.”
“That it is Kitty, that it is! See you later. I know Udaran can be a bit overprotective of you, but remember that the customers here won’t know you from one of the employees. Especially if you’re going to wear your normal clothes like that.” “I will. I wonder if any of them will be interested in me?” Muz-Ra shrugged as she got up to leave. "Who knows? Probably.“

Sabhira’s Daughter #37

“And what of the children? Surely that’s an issue?” “The majority of our customers are Nords. That’s not a problem with them. There’s a few Khajiit males that come in too though. There are methods and potions for that though. In fact, we have our own Herb magician on staff for such needs. She’s really quite skilled in the craft.” “Abortion then? Is it mandatory?” Kitty asked, sincerely curious. “Abortion? Heavens no! The girls simply take a potion that keeps them from ovulating. It would take a pretty determined Khajiit to get pregnant here. Anyone THAT determined to have a child would surely not want to abort it after it’s conceived! We’ve not yet had any situation where that’s been a concern. Which is good too, as our Herb witch is quite opposed to anything that would oppose Nature. But enough about us, what can I do for you?”
Udaran drew a deep breath before explaining, “It’s about a dear friend of mine Ashasha. She was murdered some time ago, through no fault of her own.” “Skyrim,” the Madam sighed. "This land is in desperate need of Law.“ Udaran nodded and continued, "Well, her name was Sabhira. She worked at the Tails and we became very close. She confided in me before her death that she had once been mated to a Khajiit named Hasskir and they had a child together. A daughter. I don’t know her name. Sabhira never said. But Hasskir fell in with a group of bandits. Sabhira tried to get him to leave them, but his heart was stone. When the group began to abuse her, she began to plan an escape. But things went wrong somehow and Sabhira was not able to take her daughter. Hasskir threatened to kill her if Sabhira tried to take her. So she didn’t.” “I see. But what has this to do with us here?”
“When Sabhira died, I came into possession of a large amount of money. I would like to give it to her daughter – if I can find her. Some days ago, we found Hasskir. Things turned violent though, and before we could find out more… Hasskir was dead.” The old Khajiit nodded in understanding at the unstated cause of death. “But during that battle, the leader of the bandits said something. He implied that Hasskir had sold the child to a whorehouse. A whorehouse in Markarth.”
Ashasha looked thoughtful, and remained silent for a long time. Finally she looked at Udaran directly. "Udaran, what you are doing is a noble quest. And one I would support if I possibly could. But… we don’t buy children. That would be monstrous. All my girls are their own women, and come and go as they like. I bought this business from the old Madam about 10 years ago, and even then it was respectable – given our trade. I don’t think she would have done so either. Frankly, there’s simply no one here that matches that history. I’m sorry, but the story you were told couldn’t possibly be true. Or at least, not concerning THIS… whorehouse.“
The dejection in Udaran’s face was clear. "But… Well, do you know of any others around Markarth? Or any others that may have existed back then? That offered Khajiits I mean?” “No Udaran. I don’t know what could have become of your friend’s daughter, but she doesn’t work here.” “Could I…. maybe talk to the girls? Maybe one of them has an idea or a clue?” “Look Udaran, I’m a businesswoman. Maybe not as bad as a caravaneer, but if I had any hope of you finding your friend’s daughter here, I’d try and find a way to profit from it. But when I see no hope, I don’t want to mislead you into thinking there is some here. You may speak to whom you will, but your girl is not here.” Udaran swallowed hard, perhaps suppressing a tear. "You’ve been kind to us, and honest – LADY Ashasha. It is appreciated. I suppose we all knew there was little hope. But, since I have nowhere else to go, if you don’t mind I’d like to talk to the girls.“ "Certainly. You may stay the night in my room here if you like. But you should probably stay out of sight during business hours. The top floor is forbidden to customers. You will want to stay here unless you’re curious. But for now, why don’t you relax in the bath. It’s just down the hall and to the left.”
“This hot bath is going to feel SO good!” Muz-Ra said as she stepped into one of the three tubs in the bathing area. Ubergard had already made the surprising decision to climb out of her armor and relax for a bit herself, keeping her armor and blade nearby of course. With Udaran in the third tub, Kitty was left to explore the area while waiting for one to be vacated, though she did take the opportunity of privacy to shed her overweight clothes. Udaran looked likely not to be in for a long soak. She was obviously not in a leisurely-bath state of mind. “Dammit,” she muttered, “I really thought we would find her.”
“It was at best unlikely Udie,” Muz-Ra consoled her. “You know, they’ve got some REALLY interesting clothes here. Red, you were thinking of changing your outfit right? You should check some of these out!” “Kitty, we’re not exactly here for clothes shopping,” Muz-Ra replied. “Did you notice Udie was feeling bad?” “Oh, yeah. Sorry Udie. You DO know she was lying right?”
“WHAT?” Udaran asked, incredulous, “What on EARTH makes you say that Kitty? Lady Ashasha is right, why would she not tell us if there was profit in it for her ANYWAY?” “I don’t know, but I know she’s lying,” Kitty responded with a matter-of-fact tone in her voice that would admit of no mistake. “How do you know? Just tell me how. I know people pretty well Kitty, and I didn’t detect a hint of a lie there,” Udaran said. “When you said Sabhira’s name, there was recognition there. She knew her NAME, Udaran. If everything happened as we think it did, she STILL wouldn’t know SABHIRA’s name. Hasskir wouldn’t have mentioned it.” “Maybe she knew Sabhira from the Tails?” Muz-Ra offered. “I didn’t notice anything,” Udaran said. "I think I would have caught it.“ "All I know is that she’s lying. Beyond that, I’ve no idea.” “Well, I think we’ve got a long afternoon in front of us before the Cathouse is open for business again. Let’s get talking to these girls. Part of me hopes you’re right Kitty, but I don’t know if I believe it.” “Believe it Udie. She’s lying.”

Sabhira’s Daughter #36

Kitty’s eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light within after the brilliance of the morning sun outside. Before her a Khajiit dressed in a frankly rather outlandish outfit was greeting Udaran while K’rris stepped behind his mistress. “Welcome, Udaran, and I DO think we can dispense with the formality don’t you? Just call me Ashasha. Welcome to the Cathouse,” said a suprisingly petite Khajiit with just a touch of grey about her. “I’m sorry, Ashasha, but have we met before?” Udaran asked as graciously as she could.
“Oh no. But I know H well. I’ve heard you’re one of his top models in fact. When he’s in need of new recruits, he often comes to visit here. Though I must say, he has a tough time of it. My girls aren’t keen to leave. But we can go into that later. First, who are your lovely friends?” “This is Kitty. She’s our newest model at the Tails. Ubergard you apparently know as well, and this is Muz-Ra – known informally as Red.” “Very good to meet you all. Yes, H had mentioned Ubergard before. He has a very high opinion of your skill and loyalty Ubergard. When K’rris told me the famous Udaran was here, it was not hard to surmise who the giant Argonian must be.”
“But… then surely you didn’t doubt who I was! What was that whole business about stripping for?” Udaran asked, suddenly giving K’rris a menacing look.
“Oh, don’t blame him. I just wanted to get a good look at you myself. I’ve not seen the Tails you see. But I saw an opportunity to get a good look, and I took it. I must say, I got a bit more than I bargained for with K’rris too! You’re quite quick you know Udaran. You would make a good… merchant.”
“I see. And now you must know that I’d go to some length to talk to you, so your information must be valuable,” Udaran surmised though narrowed eyes. “Oh yes, quite quick. But please, let me show you around a bit and then let’s go sit down out of the way in my room so we can talk privately. I would introduce you to the girls here, but I’m afraid we’ve got quite a few. It would take some time. Follow me please,” and with that the Madam led them up a flight of stairs to the second floor.
Along the way, Kitty noticed many rooms – most without doors. They also passed an illuminated shrine to Dibella. As they passed, Udaran spoke up. “Are you a devote to Dibella, Ashasha?” “Me? Oh goodness no. Certainly she has much to offer, especially to those in our line. Many of the girls are, but I’m more in the Zenithar line myself. Business you know. Though frankly I find worship of the Divines tends to cause more problems than it’s worth. Not the Divines themselves mind you, just their worship. Causes strife and division that’s unnecessary. But that’s just my view. Unjassa here would certainly disagree!”
“…and this is our main dining area. The Cathouse has 3 floors. The third is private and no customers are allowed there, but it’s where the bath and my quarters are, and where we can talk.” “Bath?” Kitty blurted out. “Oh, I’m sorry – I’m sure you must be dying for a bath after your travels! You’re certainly welcome to use ours. Let’s talk a bit first, and then I’ll show you to them.”
Here we are. Please, make yourselves comfortable. And please forgive me, I’m afraid I’ve picked up a nicotine habit and do indulge myself when I can. A drink perhaps?“ "No thank you, Ashasha. I’d really like to get to why we’re here,” said Udaran, a bit impatiently. “Yes, what brings you all the way out here to the Cathouse? Somehow I doubt you’re here to enlist, though you and Kitty would certainly make a lucrative career here should you ever consider it. But no, I see the disdain in your eyes.”
“I won’t deny I’m not comfortable with sex for money, Ashasha. But I’ve seen much, much worse in Skyrim. Recently in fact. Your reputation in Markarth is proof that. For a House of Ill Repute, you in fact have fairly high repute! And the place itself seems to be clean and comfortable. I no longer have fears of you selling your girls as sex slaves.” “Slaves? Indeed NOT. My business is set up where each is a sort of independant contractor. I collect a percentage of course, which goes to maintain the house, the guards, and other necessary expenses. Which is why H has a hard time recruiting girls for his magazine here. They tend to be quite happy.”
“Can I ask a question, Ashasha?” Kitty interjected. “Of course young one! What is your concern?” “What happens… when they get older. What future does this life hold for them?” “Well, that’s a concern of course. Some find patrons or husbands. Others just find different lines of work. Still others have been known to start houses of their own. But you aren’t wrong. Men are a fickle lot and once the grey starts coming in, the men stop coming in. In fact, I have set up a pension system that some of the money goes into. Not enough for everyone, but as I said, many leave for various reasons of their own by then.”

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