feat: drafted six

chapters/chapter-05.md

@@ -48,21 +48,21 @@ The door creaked opened and then she stepped in carrying a large platter on her
 
 The other woman looked into the room. Her eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were...." Her eyes, a pale brown, scanned across Karin.
 
-Karin looked down. Most of her body was exposed to the air, the crisscross of countless scars covering every inch. Some of them were thick bands of larger creatures but there was also patches of leech bites, rough skin, and even discolored flesh from too much alchemical healing.
+Karin looked down. Most of her body was exposed to the air, the crisscross of countless scars covering every inch. Some of them were thick bands of larger creatures but there was also patches of leech bites, rough skin, and even a rainbow of discolored flesh from needing alchemical healing too many times.
 
 It had been a rough six years.
 
 Karin felt naked under the other woman's look. Normally that wasn't a problem, but she wanted to look more appealing than she was. Tightening the blanket over her breast, she spread it out. "Sorry, I forgot... I wasn't... dressed.
 
-With a blush, she dragged the rest of the blanket over her legs.
-
 A smile brightened the room. "Old Rooster told me that you were healing from an injury and will be with us for a while."
 
-Karin felt clumsy and flushed. She clutched the blanket tighter as she inched back on the bed.
+With a blush, Karin carefully sheathed her sword before she dragged the rest of the blanket over her legs. "Sorry."
+
+She felt clumsy and flushed. She clutched the blanket tighter as she inched back on the bed. At least until the back of her knee hit the edge of the bed and she realized she couldn't easily lever herself up without exposing herself more.
 
 "Was it another creature like you save us from? A... slither?"
 
-"N-No," Karin stammered. "We were hear for a slather nest. This time, it was a stinger bug, about the size of a cow."
+"N-No," Karin stammered. "We were here for a slather nest. This time, it was one bug, about the size of a cow with a stinger about this long." She held up her hands about eighteen inches apart.
 
 The other woman frowned. "That sounds painful."
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Karin's heart beat a little faster. "I-I'm Karin."
 
 "I can eat at the table."
 
-"Not on my watch, I want you comfortable and the bed is the best place, right?"
+"Not on my watch. I want you comfortable and the bed is the best place, right?"
 
 Karin nodded with agreement.
 
@@ -128,23 +128,23 @@ Suras smiled, the same brilliant expression that Karin remembered from a year ag
 
 Karin wasn't sure how to respond.
 
-Suras lead her to the bed. "Come on, let me serve you."
+Suras lead her to the bed. "Please? Just relax and I'll take care of you."
 
-Before Karin realized it, she was nestled back in her bed with pillows propped up behind her back, a cloth covering her thighs, and the tray set up over her legs. She felt foolish when Suras held up a second napkin for her.
+Before Karin realized it, she was nestled back in her bed with pillows propped up behind her back, a cloth covering her thighs, and the tray set up over her legs.
 
-"Will this hurt?"
+Suras held up a second large cloth above her chest. "Will this hurt if I put it here to catch food?"
 
-"N-No."
+Karin felt foolish but shook her head.
 
-Gently lying it down over Karin's breasts, Suras brought the plates of food and set them up. There was a rich stew, a thick cut of steak, and freshly baked bread. In the little holes along the side of the tray, she put bowls of oil, butter, and spices. "I don't know how you like your meat and how spicy you like things."
+Gently lying it down over Karin's breasts, Suras brought the plates of food and set them up. There was a rich stew, a thick cut of steak, and freshly baked bread. In the little holes along the side of the tray, she put bowls of oil, butter, and spices. "I don't know how you like your meat or how how to spice it."
 
-"Rare, dripping wet. And I like things tangy."
+"Rare, dripping blood. And I like things tangy."
 
 Suras smiled. "I have no trouble with dripping and tangy."
 
 Somehow, the way she said it brought an even hotter flush to Karin's cheeks.
 
-Suras pulled out a short, wide glass and set it on the top of the tray. She followed with a bottle with a blue label that matched her dress. "Here is your measure of whiskey. This is a twelve year Barnsveld, my grandfather set it in an oak cask when he was younger so it's not quite as rich as a fresh one but it still has a nice mellow taste with a satisfying finish." She spoke as she poured three fingers into the glass.
+Suras pulled out a short, wide glass and set it on the top of the tray. She followed with a bottle with a blue label that matched her dress. "Here is your measure of whiskey. This is a twelve year Barnsveld. My grandfather set it in an oak cask when he was younger so it's not quite as rich as a fresh cask but it still has a nice mellow taste with a satisfying finish." She spoke as she poured three fingers into the glass.
 
 Karin breathed in the smells. It brought a smile to her lips.
 
@@ -156,4 +156,4 @@ Suras picked up her tray and pushed the stool to the side. "I'll be up on the ne
 
 "Um... no, thank you."
 
-"I'll be back to take care of you."
+"Then I'll be up soon."

chapters/chapter-06.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+title: Payment
+teaser: >
+  Hours later, Karin was enjoying the bliss of a good glass of whiskey. Her injuries weren't bothering her for the night and she was ready to fall asleep. But she had one more visitor before she slept.
+---
+
+A few bells later, Karin enjoyed a blissful buzz that took the edge off her pain and made the seconds race past in a blur. She smiled to herself and looked down to her glass; she kept it on the joint of her leg and hip. The caramel-colored liquid was almost the same shade as the patch of hair next to her knuckles.
+
+She lifted the glass and took a deep breath of the heady scent before sipping it. The warmth and sting of it sliding down her throat felt good. She smiled and set it back down.
+
+Suras knocked quietly on the door. "Still awake?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+The waitress came in and held up the bottle. "Another?"
+
+"No, I think I'm done for the night. Oh, that's for you." Karin gestured to a small stack of crowns on the corner of the desk. It was a healthy amount but more than a tip.
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Just some coins for your trouble."
+
+"Oh, thank you." Suras immediately gestured to Karin's packs. "You want me to clean those? It looks... and smells like you went through a swamp."
+
+Karin laughed bitterly. "A swamp? Yeah, two of them, one at each end of this last tour."
+
+"How long?"
+
+"Just shy of three months, about a hundred fifty days or so. It's pretty rank in there, I'll deal with the larger bag when I'm on my feet. That is just my clothes."
+
+Suras wrinkled her nose and then walked over to the bed. She rested her hand on Karin's outstretched knee. "Anything else tonight?"
+
+There was an instant flush of heat coursing through Karin's body. Her hand tightened on her glass as it shook. "N-No."
+
+"After the night guests leave, I'll have a bath drawn for you. Have a good night."
+
+"Night, Suras."
+
+The younger woman turned and headed out, but not before picking up Karin's clothes bag and carrying it out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her.
+
+Karin stared for a moment, surprised.
+
+Then she realized that Suras had ignored the stack of coins.