(Head's up - This bonus is a little more explicit than I usually get the GT series)

Takes place during Chapter Ten

It didn't take long to realize that sneaking out of West Draulin's castle wasn't possible. So I had to enlist some help. I found the twins in one of the guardhouse courtyards while Tannix was at a meeting. Kor was shooting across the courtyard at a tiny target, so accurately I was a little surprised he wasn't hitting his own arrows. Ender was watching with his arms crossed and calling out what sounded like a healthy mix of encouragement and taunts.

Ender noticed me first. "Finn, mate! Did our lord send you with a message?"

"Um, no." I wasn't entirely sure how to start this conversation, but I forced myself to walk over to them. "I... need help with something."

Kor fired another arrow, then turned around. "We could try a lower draw weight. Less impactful, but at least you'd be able to shoot it."

I shook my head. "No, it isn't about archery. I'm going to leave that to you two." Then I took a deep breath, quickly asked Zianesa and Lovi to help me get through this, and rushed to say, "It's about Tannix. I need help with— I don't know how... We—" I cut myself off with a frustrated huff. The twins were looking at me with equal looks of amusement, which didn't help. "I need you to take me to a brothel."

Ender gasped dramatically. "Finagale! Our beloved Lord West—"

"I know you know what I'm asking for," I interrupted.

Kor laughed. "Aye, we know. Listen. I'm on guard first half tomorrow night. Reckon Ender could wait with me for a bit and escort you into the city."

Ender nodded. "Easy enough. That work for you, Finn?"

"Yes. Thank you."

I waited until Tannix was asleep before crawling out of bed. I changed quickly, shedding Tannix's old, worn-out tunic and pants for my usual darker clothes. Lovi must have blessed my mission, because the door opened without a creak. The twins were standing in the hallway, whispering to each other. With one last exchange Ender waved for me to follow him.

Leaving the castle with a knight was very simple. Ender walked around like he had every right, and it occurred to me that he did. Maybe it was unusual for one of Lord West Draulin's guards to be strolling around at night, but no one was going to question him. He led me from the castle, through the gate, and into the city. We walked down to the port, where it was never quiet, even at night. We passed by a few rowdy taverns, and a building I recognized immediately as a brothel. When we walked past it, I spoke up for the first time.

"You're taking me somewhere specific."

"Kor'n I have a place we like," Ender replied. "It's more expensive, but the women there are happier. They get to keep more of the money they make. And, it's all Crelans."

"You do know I need a man, right?"

"There are men, too. Just never paid them much attention," Ender replied with a shrug.

We fell silent for the next little while. Ender's brothel was near the water, but outside of what would be considered the actual port. It was a relatively big building, with a large porch hanging over the cliff. As we got closer, I could see couples already leaning against the railing, sharing drinks or talking.

There was a large Crelan man standing by the door, with his tattooed arms crossed over an equally tattooed chest. He eyed Ender, then stepped into the way of the door. "Reckon you'll be payin' off that debt tonight, lad?"

"Wrong brother," Ender said. "I'll pay off his debt, but you're thinking of Korander. I'm Korender, mate."

"Don't reckon I've ever seen two of you at the same time."

"Implyin' I'm lyin' 'bout havin' a twin, then, Tona?" Ender's voice changed to match the way the huge man was speaking.

Tona narrowed his eyes. I was about to suggest we leave, when his face broke into a grin and he started laughing. "Tell your no-good brother he owes me a drink."

"I'll tell him he owes you two." Ender grinned. Tona stepped aside and we walked through the door into a huge main room. There was the usual desk near the front door, where a pretty woman was standing, but the rest of the room seemed more like a tavern. There were people sitting at tables drinking, and a musician at the far end of the room was quietly playing a harp. I paused for a second, taking it all in. Compared to the brothel I had grown up in, this place seemed luxurious.

I caught up with Ender at the front desk. The woman there was eyeing him in exactly the same way Tona had.

"Ender?" she guessed after a moment.

"Got it in one, lass," Ender replied. "Tona thinks I made Kor up, by the way."

She laughed. "Tona's never seen either of you in bed," she pointed out.

Ender shrugged. "Doesn't help much. We're identical. Or, we were. Until I got my side ripped open, but that's a story for another day."

Her mouth fell open. "Sir Korender, I'll be hearin' more of that story before you get a room."

"Not actually here for a room for myself." Ender reached over and gave my shoulder a hearty clap. "My mate here needs a man for an hour or two." He said it so casually I hardly had a chance to feel embarrassed. The woman didn't seem to care, which really made me wonder about Crelans' thoughts on the whole thing. "I reckon," Ender continued, "You and me can get some drinks, take a seat, and I'll tell you all about my newest battle scar. Just a pleasant evening with a friend."

"That doesn't sound all bad," she agreed. "All right. What kind of man, darling?" She turned her gaze on me.

I found myself speechless, and glanced at Ender in alarm.

Ender cleared his throat, and looked over me, towards the crowded room. "How 'bout the lad hangin' all over your musician?"

I was too nervous to turn around, but she followed his gaze. "Oh, that's Zody." She waved to get someone's attention, and before I knew it a young Crelan had joined us.

He looked about Ender's age, but that was where the similarities ended. Zody was wearing an expensive looking tunic that was just slightly see through. He had elaborate swirling tattoos going up his right arm and over his shoulder to his collar bone. His hair was longer than Ender's, and tied back like a Telt would wear it. His gaze raked over Ender appreciatively.

"Sir," he purred, "I didn't think—"

"Sorry to disappoint, lad, but I'm not your customer tonight." Ender nodded at me. "Go on, Finn. I'll handle paying and I'll be waiting down here when you're done."

I wanted to say something, but Zody slipped his hand into mine and led me away before I was even sure what to say.

Zody led me to a small but comfortable room, which was already lit by a few candles. Once we walked into the room, he dropped my hand and almost immediately pulled his gauzy tunic over his head. "All right, mate. Givin' or recievin'?"

"What? No. Wait." I sounded like an idiot. "Wait. This isn't like that."

"Well," he sat down on the bed, facing me. "It's whatever you want it t' be, mate. That's the point." He was looking me over the same way he had Ender, and when he was done he met my gaze. "It's normal t' be nervous your first time."

"That's not—" I paused, collecting my thoughts. I grew up in a brothel, it shouldn't have been so difficult to be in one again. "Just let me explain. I'm not here to... enjoy your services. I just needed to talk to someone, and clarify some things."

Zody blinked but didn't interrupt.

I went to sit beside him on the bed, and settled down with my legs crossed. "So, there is a man. I love him, and I want to give him this," I gestured at the room.

Zody leaned back on his hands. "If you expect me t' answer any questions, you've got t' be comfortable askin' them in the first place, mate."

"Yes, all right." I shook my head. This was infinitely harder than I thought it would be, but I needed to do it. "I want to have sex with him," I said, clearly. "But I don't know how."

He nodded slowly. "Can you give me a startin' point for what you do know, mate?"

I sighed. "I grew up in a brothel, in Zianna, and I saw more than a child should have. I know how it works between a man and a woman. And I know about other things, like hands, or... or mouths. I understand all of that. It's just that we don't... neither of us has any, um... experience? And I don't want it to be terrible. So I just need an explanation, for what I'm supposed to do, to make sure he enjoys it."

"What 'bout you enjoyin' it?"

"Well..." I hadn't exactly thought of it that way. "I guess I thought that sort of happened anyway." As I was saying it, I knew exactly how skewed the thinking was. It just hadn't occurred to me. "So... honestly? I thought making him happy was the point. It would be something I was doing for him. But I guess, outside of brothels, it isn't supposed to be like that... is it?"

Zody shrugged. "Can't say I know for sure what it's 'posed t' be like outside o' brothels," he pointed out. "But I'd guess, if your man loves you, he'll want you t' enjoy it as much as he will, aye?" He shifted to mimic the way I was sitting, drawing up his legs to cross them on the bed. "So what we need t' figure out first, is if you'll be givin' or recievin'."

"Oh, I, um... I assume receiving."

He nodded. "All right. Now I know where t' start."

Ender was still talking to the pretty woman when I found him. The main floor hadn't settled down at all, people were still drinking and dancing, and harp player was still sitting in the corner. Ender smiled when I stepped up to the table.

"Did the lad answer all your questions?"

I nodded. "He was very helpful. But we should probably get back before he wakes up and realizes we're gone."

"Well... aye," Ender agreed. "I just need to pay for everything, give me a moment." He and the woman got up and wove their way through the crowded tables to get back to the front desk.

I followed them, lost in thought, and was cut off suddenly by Zody. He was holding a little bottle in his hand. I looked at it, then at him, my confusion probably showing on my face.

"Not really 'posed t' just give this away," Zody said quietly, pressing the bottle of oil into my hand. "But I reckon it might be hard t' find if you're tryin' t' be subtle. And listen, mate... good luck. Have fun. Your man's lucky you've put this much effort in. But don't get too caught up in your head. He doesn't know any more than you do, and he's just as likely t' mess somethin' up. Lords have this air of grace, but that doesn't mean they know what they're doing. I've entertained a few rich virgins myself."

"I never said anything about a lord."

Zody nodded in Ender's direction. "I know who he is, and I know who he works for. There are plenty of rumours about Lord West Draulin's Zian servant. Your part in freein' him and his knights from Deorun. And... it's no secret that he's goin' to be fightin' in the war soon."

Protesting would only confirm his guess, so I didn't try to lie to him. "This can't get out."

"It won't," he promised, with a smile. "We're the pinnacle o' confidentiality, here. 'Sides, not everybody knows who you arrived with, and nobody knows you spent your time askin' me questions 'stead of enjoyin' my services. And... I like him. He seems like a good leader. So you don't have t' worry 'bout me sayin' anythin', mate. Just have fun."

I slipped the oil into my pocket. "Thanks. You made me feel a lot better about all of this."

Ender had clearly finished paying, and was waving for me to join him. Before I could step past Zody, he lowered his voice. "If any o' those knights are interested in a night with a man, send them my way, aye?"

I laughed. "I wouldn't hold my breath, but yes, I'll highly recommend you if any of them mention it."

As I walked over to join Ender, Zody slipped back into the crowd.

Kor simply nodded at us when we came down the hall. Ender leaned against the wall beside him and started to tell him about Tona, and I slipped back into Tannix's room. He was sprawled out on the bed, still fast asleep. I quickly changed back into Tannix's old clothes, and climbed back into bed. For a moment I stared down at the bottle of oil in my hand, thinking through everything Zody had explained to me. I was still nervous, but I felt better. I leaned over to tuck the bottle out of sight under the bed, and then I snuggled back against Tannix's side, as if I had never left.