ã€ŠWar Crimes Don&#x27;t Count Against the Undeadã€‹


 Prologue

    Fritz stood before an army. Walking confidently ahead, his face was a mask, hiding his inner turmoil. The people behind him called out for blood. The rivers of fate flowed towards inevitable destruction. Every manner of beastkin was at his beck and call. All would die in his name, for he strode forward with the Goddesses'' authority. His dress was simple, yet he was unmistakable. He was a stranger in a foreign land, surrounded by those he little understood. Yet nothing mattered now, time was running out. His true destination awaited him, and he could not ignore it.

    Smoke, ash, blood, and death filled the city of Hueryss. All would bow before him and bend to his will, or die. Weapons his bloodthirsty champions could never imagine glistened with morning dew. Yet the destroyed city would not know his crusade much longer.

    Behind his warriors, the old and young formed an impossibly long baggage train. Nobles mixed with commoners, as all were now equal in the wake of the city''s destruction.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Bodies littered his way. The decayed, desiccated, and burnt enemies of the goddess lay before Fritz''s path. With his eyes trained forward, Fritz ignored the constantly vigilant warriors searching for survivors and hidden foes. Leaving past the gates, he stopped.

    Ruined fields stretched out for miles. Explosions and fire had destroyed the countryside for miles. The walls of the city stood defiant. Scorch marks from forbidden sorceries littered the ancient defenses. His devoted stopped with him, as if on command.

    Turning around, Fritz beheld them. Warriors at his call. Subjects to build cities. The resources to build an empire. He had everything, yet nothing before his eyes sparked any desire. His mask never faltered as he cursed inwardly. The annoyance passed as he quickly killed his self pity. Turning around, Fritz led the beastkin forward. An unstoppable tide propelled him forward past all his wishes towards inevitable bloodshed.

 Getting Fired

    Fritz sat in a large conference room deep within EvaMaxx''s main compound. Except for Fritz, All of the employee''s eyes were turned towards a projected video. The bright light of the projector illuminated the dark room. Within the projection, a man lay down on his back, with his face clearly visible to the surveillance drone hovering above him. His chest spasmed, as his lungs searched for air that would never come. His skin turned purple, as the man hit his own diaphragm trying to force oxygen into his bloodstream. His eyes bulged, as panic set in. Fritz knew the man was doomed to die.

    "Hah! Just look at him! He Looks like a fish out of water. Fucking A! Fritz! Fritz!"

    Fritz lifted his eyes from the dark cherry table towards the balding, portly man. His beady eyes sweated with excitement as his face contorted with psychopathic greed.

    "Yes, Hank?" Fritz asked. His face was a mask of civility, as he spoke to the pudgy suited man. Underneath the table, he clenched his fist until it turned white. Disgust and hatred wormed through his guts like a deep sickness.

    "Your team has really gone and out done yourself!" Pointing towards the video, he gesticulated. "Our shareholders are gonna love this! This is great!"

    "The public sir?" Fritz asked venomously.

    "No, not them. Don''t be stupid. Government. Defense." Hank replied dismissively. The man within the video turned over. Crawling on the ground, he tried to make his way through the war-torn city. "Just look at him go! He just doesn''t quit. The bastard doesn''t even know he''s dead yet! Incredible! Great shit! Photogenic too!!"

    "This is a great story Hank. Our stakeholders will be pleased." A prim woman dressed in a black pencil skirt said. An open notebook sat before her with a ready pen as took notes on the man''s death.

    "Peg! Thank god you see it! Unlike Fritz! Damn nerds don¡¯t have the vision."

    "Sir, with all due respect, this weapon is evil. It shouldn¡¯t exist. Nothing like it should. I don''t-." Fritz began. The portly man silenced Fritz with a wave.

    "I don''t want to hear it. Your team barely delivered on time. Me and Peg barely rescued this project. If anything, you should know your place and be grateful your team finally displayed results."

    "What use is something like this?" Fritz asked, ignoring Hank.

    "It depends on how the boys want to use it. Directly, your concoction can''t be used as a mass produced weapon of war. It¡¯s too unwieldy and not targeted enough. It certainly could vacate a building of terrorists." Hank turned to Peg.

    "If the nerve gas were to end up in the wrong hands, our stakeholders believe this would be sufficient reason for conflict escalation. An adversary displaying a new, terrifying, cheap, mass producible will be the perfect casus belli." Peg finished.

    "Exactly! A couple of terrorists get their hands on it, so what? All that means is we get to roll up to stop them! And that means more business for us! More bombs! More guns! More armor! So long as war rages the mana will rain from the heavens!" Hank shouted slamming his pudgy fist on the table. All around the dark wooden table, EvaMaxx employees clapped with glee. Fritz frowned as he leaned forward massaging his temples.

    "Of course. And our stakeholders would be happy to work with us in case of any escalation." Peg answered.

    "What about production costs?" Hank asked.

    "The substance is rather easy to produce. A university chemistry lab could produce the stuff. The details are written down in the report." Fritz responded. Hank grinned, his fat jowls pulled together as dark shadows filled the many creases. His yellow teeth glistened in the white of the projector¡¯s video.

    Fritz grimaced. If it was up to him, he would have never done something this barbaric. Truly, the world is worse for people like Hank, Fritz thought. Looking down, he tried to quell his emotions. He could feel a deep anger and resentment building within him. Months and months of attempted corporate sabotage had fallen down the drain. The project had proceeded even with his meddling. Deleting documents, backups, and specs had done nothing. Sidetracking meetings had delayed the project by weeks, yet it was always restarted eventually. Fritz had done everything but blow up the building. Now, he could see the fruits of his own failure. What was his next move? Should he expose publically EvaMaxx''s work? Should he throw away everything to expose EvaMaxx? Would the world even care? Could it pay attention long enough to hear his story?

    "Fritz!" Hank shouted. "Don''t look away. Show some gumption. You gotta revel in your own creation. Don''t look so damn guilty!" A few fake laughs echoed around the table.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    "It''s not my creation." Fritz said with a weary sigh. "I don''t deserve the blame."

    "Correct." Peg stated. She clicked her pen for dramatic effect. "The nerve gas was a team effort. Granted, Fritz has rallied the troops through several missed deadlines and delivered in the end. Once we showcase suitable user stories such as this, I believe our stakeholders will be pleased."

    "Damn straight. That''s what I want to hear!" Hank replied. The unknown man within the video finally stopped moving. His fingers curled around a broken piece of asphalt, as the last signs of resistance finally left him. "Carlos! Do we have any more?" Hank shouted to the back of the room.

    "Yes, boss!" Carlos replied. The monitor video switched. Several armed men sat around a burning oil drum. They held their hands out before the fire trying to extract some warmth in the cool night''s air. The surveillance drone watched them silently from above. A small gas grenade was released from the hovering drown. The grenade spiraled silently down, shrinking until it vanished. A second later, a small gray cloud of nerve gas enveloped the group. The armed men scrambled for safety but it was already too late.

    "Fritz!"

    "Sir?"

    "Explain to me one more time what''s happening?"

    "The nerve agent passes through the lungs. Once entered into the bloodstream, it causes extreme swelling of tissue, as it passes through the body. The subject will eventually experience complete cardiovascular collapse. Sometimes the victim will- " Hank quickly interrupted Fritz.

    "Target. Fritz, the correct word is target. The boys don¡¯t appreciate the v-word. Using it in a meeting with customers will result in disciplinary action." Fritz frowned slightly before continuing.

    "Occasionally, the target will pass out first as the blood flow to the brain becomes restricted. Depending on cholesterol, inflammatory response, and other factors, the victim can die in a variety of ways. The last v-... target was one who''s lung-barrier inflamed first delivering a slow and excruciating end as he essentially choked to death."

    "Interesting." Hank replied. His beady eyes fixated with glee as one of the armed men no longer moved.

    "Sir, is this really necessary?" Fritz asked. "Won''t there be problems if these videos get out?"

    "Huh?" Hank asked.

    "Fritz, that is a difficult question to answer. EvaMaxx''s official policy is that this video is the product of rogue actors. Our company has not, and will never produce such weapons. Do you understand?" Peg asked. Her polite smile stretched the bloodless skin of her face like a mask.

    "I suppose. I just don''t like the risk. Not everyone believes the obvious lies." Fritz replied.

    "Don''t worry about it." Hank said with a dismissive hand wave. "The bad guys die. We get paid. Don''t think about it. Questions of morality are for judges and politicians. Questions of truth are reserved for intelligence agencies."

    Staring at the video, Fritz could only feel hatred. There in the corner of the screen, a small child ran out. The armed men struggled on the ground. Their chests rose and fell searching for oxygen as their faces turned purple. Fritz watched a small child run towards the men. Fritz''s breath caught and his eyes went wide as he watched the child reach down towards the struggling men. The boy¡¯s panicked hands grabbed their spasming bodies trying to understand what was happening. He looked around and screamed for help. His head turned back, to safety as he held a dying man. Within an instant the child¡¯s body seized up. The boy''s arms dropped, as he fell towards the ground.

    "Hah. Guess it works on the little one''s too." Hank snorted. Something in Fritz was breaking down. Whatever simmering anger was beginning to overflow. The boy¡¯s arms and legs spasmed violently, as his arms tried to crawl away. The boy¡¯s face pressed against one of the dead men. The drone¡¯s video focused on the child. Fritz watched as the child¡¯s life left his eyes.

    "Of course. Why wouldn''t it?" Peg asked.

    "Look at him go! Jesus, looks like he¡¯s getting electrocuted! Did he trip over a live wire? Carlos, how many more minutes?" Hank asked his loud voice

    "Hank, what the hell is this?!" Fritz screamed. Pounding the conference table, he stood up. Deep down, he knew if he wasn''t dead or in jail by tonight, he was gonna drink himself into a stupor. "You promised me! You promised my team! This was supposed to never see official use! You promised us! Especially no civilians and no children! What the hell was that? Are you a psychopath?"

    The pudgy suited man simply shrugged. Moving quickly from the wall, several suited men moved closer to Fritz.

    "Yeah, so what?" Hank asked with a smug smile. "The world ain¡¯t fair. Now what Fritz? Gonna throw a tantrum? Be a man, enjoy the destruction like the rest of us. It pays the bills." Hank turned to look around the conference room. All eyes were on Fritz.

    "Enjoy it? Do you even hear yourself?" Fritz shouted. "You''re insane! We just killed a child! We¡¯re engaging in unsanctioned chemical warfare! Who cares if we are getting paid!" Fritz shouted.

    "EvaMaxx is blameless. An unknown terrorist group did this." Peg said calmly.

    "Exactly. For all your intelligence, you''re not really getting this Fritz. Such a shame."

    "What¡¯s there to get? You''re a bunch of monsters!" Fritz yelled. Hank wagged a finger at him.

    "Fritz, you sound like someone who doesn¡¯t want to work here."

    "I don¡¯t! Not anymore! How can I work here, after all this? This is too much. You¡¯ve gone too far! The world can¡¯t have something like this. It deserves to know what¡¯s happening here."

    "Fritz, are you sure?" Hank asked.

    "Absolutely, Hank, you''re not human!" Hank¡¯s face contorted in confusion for a second.

    "No, I¡¯m pretty sure I am. Fritz you''re no longer needed at EvaMaxx. We don¡¯t need babies like you. Boys dispose of him." Hank said with a dismissive wave to the suited security standing directly behind Fritz.

    A bag enveloped Fritz¡¯s face, as his feet were kicked out from under him. Fritz screamed in confusion and pain as he tried to breathe properly. Fritz could feel several strong hands grabbing him and hoisting him up to lead him out of the conference room. He thrashed uselessly as the men carried him out. By the time he was through the door, his world disappeared.

    "A shame. The team really liked him. We were finally starting to improve our employee satisfaction score." Peg said with a bored sigh.

    "We¡¯ll get a replacement. The next one might actually hit deadlines! Carlos!"

    "Yes, sir."

    "Put on another one."

    "Yes boss!"

    All eyes within the conference room turned towards the video, as if Fritz had never existed.

 Dream Meeting

    In a dark seemingly endless void, Fritz found himself floating in stasis. His body felt free, like gravity no longer existed. An extreme lingering pain in his head, brought his attention forward. Before him, there was a woman. A long silver dress draped her shapely body. Her large breasts threatened to spill out from between the silken fabric. Long blonde hair rolled past her thin shoulders. Her honey colored eyes stared in annoyance at Fritz''s floating form. The corner of her lips pulled up in disgust as Fritz came to. To her left, a man with wings stood with a staff. A large pair of black, raven-like wings was tucked behind his back. His face and features were obscured with a long violet robe. The faintest peak underneath his hood revealed a swirling mass of cosmos. Fritz''s brows knitted in confusion as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing.

    "I can''t believe this is your choice." The woman huffed, rolling her golden yellow eyes.

    "Where am I?" Fritz asked. A sudden throb of pain assaulted his head. He clutched his forehead as he waited for the flash of pain to leave him.

    "I''m afraid you''ve just died." The man answered. His voice was like a chorus. Old, young, masculine, and feminine sounds merged together as one as he spoke.

    "This is just a stupid dream. You can''t be serious." Fritz replied.

    "Deadly." The woman responded. She crossed her arms. Her massive breasts lifted upwards slightly drawing Fritz''s eyes.

    "That doesn''t make sense, I remember.... I can''t be dead."

    "You were murdered. Taken out into the country and disposed of. Terrible luck, and you were so young too. All that unpaid overtime didn''t do you any favors, I''m afraid." The robed man answered, as he leaned into his staff. His wings rustled slightly, as he chuckled to himself.

    "Are you kidding me? This has to be a dream!"

    "Yes! Now be quiet!" The woman interrupted him. Her golden eyes sparked with annoyance. "We don''t have much time. You were brought here to entertain our deal." Upon hearing the word ''deal'', Fritz''s ears perked up. A rising sense of paranoia filled him.

    "You''re not some kind of demon are you? Come to barter for my immortal soul?" Fritz asked.

    "Demon? Me?" The woman started as she tossed her long golden hair across her shoulders. "I am a god. Not some extraplanar invader. You are not from Treria. I have no claim on your immortal soul. Nor can you give it to me unless by willing devotion."

    "Alright go on then. But if I see any horns or tails the deal is off." He replied, squinting his eyes towards the woman.

    "You are dead. But, there is a catch! We can help you." The robed man said. The myriad of voices swelled in the expansive dark void.

    "How?" Fritz asked.

    "We can reincarnate you, but I need something in return. There is a task of utmost importance for you to fulfill." The woman said.

    "I''m listening.¡±

    "Good, you''re not as useless as you might appear.¡± The woman replied with a smug smile.

    "And what might that task be?" Fritz asked as a dull ache spread through his head. "Hurry up and tell me.¡± The woman let out a sigh, as she seemed to look away into the black void for a moment.

    "War is coming, Fritz. War is coming to Treria. Tensions are mounting between two nations. Fritz, I need someone to defuse the situation, before it spills out across the world. Millions will die. The land will be scoured. My worshippers will wither and fade. The once beautiful land will be no more." Fritz hummed to himself.

    "Treria? Where''s that?¡±

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "A world unlike yours.¡± The woman replied.

    The robed man waved his hand, and a million images seemed to flash around the black void. Images of swords, monsters, knights, rangers, elves, castles, magic, and dragons danced around the void. Fritz tried to ignore the raging pain in his head as he took in the sights.

    "Millions of my worshipers will die, if you do not succeed. Their lives are in your hands." The woman said. Fritz wrestled with his headache as he considered her words. "We don''t have much more time. I need to know if we have a deal." Fritz bit his lip as he thought back to his life. He felt his stomach drop as pictures of suffocating children flashed through his mind. Suppressing the memory he steadied himself.

    "What''s so special about this war?" Fritz asked.

    "War has always existed. On every world, every plane. Conflict is inevitable. However, this one shall be different. There is a conspiracy afoot. One that you must discover by yourself." The robed man answered.

    "The true reason is yours to discover." The woman echoed the robed man.

    "Why me? Can''t you stop it if you''re a god?" Fritz asked.

    "We are forbidden to interfere directly by Aur himself." The woman scowled, as she let out a long sigh.

    "Ok fine. Fine, I''ll help. I just need to stop a conflict between two countries. Sounds easy." Fritz said with a sarcastic smile. "I''m in. Even if this is a dumb dream I''d like to think I still have a conscience after all I''ve done."

    "Finally!" The woman said with a sigh. She uncrossed her arms and ran them through her hair. "The Holy Kingdom of Rennes and the Beastkin Conclave are fast approaching a devastating conflict. Fritz! Go there, and stop the idiots from fighting! Travel to Fehrenn! Go in my name! Prevent the upcoming war!"

    "Do you know what I did before? I''m not a politician or a charismatic leader." Fritz asked suddenly.

    "Yes, of course. That''s why I picked you." The robed man answered. "It''s rare to find such inspired creativity, and breadth of experience in one so young."

    "Do you think I can atone for the damage I''ve done?" Fritz asked.

    "That''s for you to find out." The woman answered. Her honey colored eyes were cold like ice. "Forgiveness can be earned, but not without action. Moping around gets you nowhere."

    Fritz let out a sigh. He seemed to consider everything before him. He let his eyes wander around the eternal darkness surrounding him.

    "I hope you''re right. I really do. I''ll need some help though. I can make anything. But I don''t have the resources to-."

    "Not to worry. I will bless you. Freyes stand back. I should be the one to gift this mortal. After all, I picked him." The robed man said while approaching Fritz. His form seemed to grow larger and larger. His head cleared well over Fritz''s, as he came within arm''s reach of Fritz. His face was an expanse of shifting cosmos. Spiraling galaxies marked his two eyes. Between, around, and all throughout, twinkling distant stars shifted as if in perpetual motion as the man peered down at Fritz.

    "Lorgen, what are you planning?" Freyes asked as her eyes narrowed on her companion. Fritz barely noticed the robed man''s staff reach forward and poke his forehead.

    "For your endeavor, a gift of knowledge. Let your mind and creativity create anew. Let your mind know the magic of conjuration. Let true creation mark you as Freyes'' champion for all who would doubt your mission." The man intoned. The chorus of voices echoed throughout the black expanse of the dreamlike realm.

    Fritz stood mouth agape, as the man spoke the words above him. Foreign whispers of many voices filled Fritz''s mind as Lorgen pulled away. The whispers pulled at his attention, mixing with his pounding headache.

    "He is supposed to be my champion. I am supposed to bless him. He represents me on the mortal plane." Freyes said. "Will Aur smite him?"

    "Haha, no, I already ran this by him. Everything is in order, trust me Freyes." Lorgen answered. Fritz''s mind blazed with pain. He lurched forward trying to fall to his knees. Yet his weightless body was held in stasis. His mind was utterly consumed by the burning pain circulating through him. His eyes bulged forward, as pain radiated through his body. It was as if his nervous system was being dipped in acid. His body spasmed recklessly as he tried to scream in anguish.

    "Another scheme? This is my land, my worshippers, my souls." Freyes tutted in annoyance.

    "Of that I have no doubt." Lorgen said.

    "So long as you know your place."

    "Of course. I want him to succeed as much as you."

    Freyes'' attention snapped elsewhere in the black void. Her scowl deepened as a foreign presence grabbed her attention.

    "Listening in on conversations that do not concern you?¡± Her voice rose in power, as her eyes fixated on a point in the extreme darkness.

    "Ah, one of mine.¡± Lorgen said with a chuckle. "Be gentle. She meant no harm. She had no idea.¡±

    "Insect! You dare to spy where your eyes should not linger?!¡±

    "Freyes, don''t. She was just curious.¡±

    "Lorgen! Handle it then! Deal with your own worshippers!¡±

    "Very well. Very well.¡± The robed man sighed. An entire nation of voices joined together to express his disappointment.

    The black void seemed to glow with light. The light blinded Fritz''s eyes. His mind wrenched itself forward, as the feeling of consciousness pulled him towards the land of the living. Burning with instinctual magical knowledge and a healthy body Fritz accelerated towards a new world.

 First Encounters

    Fritz awoke lying on his back in a bed of weeds. Fluffy white clouds floated like marshmellows above him. Tall grass congealed around his prone form. The excruciating pain in his head was gone. He felt light and healthy. Standing up, he surveyed his surroundings.

    Mossy, illegible headstones were scattered haphazardly around the area. Mounds of dirt were heaped up next to graves, revealing the freshly exhumed graves. Tall dark gray trees, pressed in close to the graveyard. Fritz surveyed the looted graveyard as he walked about. Open, empty caskets greeted the noonday sky. The wood, decayed with age, had been violently ripped open. Looking around the graveyard, many strange tracks imprinted themselves in the turned earth leading towards the forest. The air reeked of long decayed bodies, yet Fritz was completely alone.

    Sensing no immediate danger, Fritz turned his attention back to himself. He was dressed in a long dark gray tunic, and a pair of blackened leather pants. A long leather belt tied around his waist held his tunic close. He wore a pair of high black leather boots. Inspecting his antiquated clothes he felt satisfied with their quality and make.

    Bending down, Fritz inspected his legs for any damage. His legs felt slightly longer as he bent down, yet he attributed it to the high boots. Moving to his stomach, he found his stomach tighter than he remembered. The back of his hands seemed different, but overall felt fine. Fritz brushed off the concern, as he remembered his original mission.

    "Alright, just got to stop an upcoming war between two nations I''ve never heard of. I''ll certainly blend into the local renaissance faire." Fritz said while smirking to himself. Thinking back to the strange dreamlike encounter he closed his eyes. "I''m not sure what the hell, he or it, meant by a gift."

    Fritz could feel a strange sensation near his heart. A pulsing mass of energy near the center of his chest drew his focus. In an instant, knowledge of mana began pouring through him. He could sense and control the energy in his chest with natural ease. Concentrating on his core, he willed it to move through his body. Down his left arm it pulsed and rolled through him. Fritz held onto the sensation as it left his hand. His eyes were closed with concentration, as he focused on manipulating his mana. Instinctively, he knew something was missing. Fritz felt a hint of knowledge worm its way to the forefront of his mind. He focused on an image in his mind''s eye.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Fritz felt the mana leave his body and materialize. Opening his eyes, he looked down. Within his hand was a small bronze compass. The red arrows of the compass pointed dead north as it bounced slightly under the magnetic pull of this strange land.

    "What the hell." Fritz muttered to himself. "No way. Is it real?" With his right hand he flicked the bronze compass to test it. The red arrow spun around the compass'' face. Slowly the arrow re-orientated itself north. His lips tried to form a series of words, as his mind caught up. He reached his free hand up to his face to give his cheek a pinch. A familiar pain radiated through him.

    "Real enough." Fritz said finally. He looked back down to the compass, as he surveyed the surrounding cemetery. With no sense of where his true destination lay, Fritz picked a random direction.

    "South it is. Let''s start this journey. Hopefully, we''ll avoid these graverobbers. "

    Stepping carefully over the exposed graves, Fritz moved to the edge of the cemetery. Looking backwards, he offered the defiled dead a quick prayer.

    A strange buzzing sound from up high, reached his ears. Fritz turned his head around as he tried to place the foreign sound. A hornet the size of his fist landed onto his arm. His body spasmed, as his hand immediately went to swipe the insect away. He felt it''s hard carapace against the back side of his hand. The hornet righted itself immediately and began hovering in front of Fritz''s menacingly. Its stinger protruded dripping venom as it stared at Fritz with evil multifaceted eyes. More of the insect''s yellow-striped friends were flying in circles nearby. The buzz was getting louder now in Fritz''s ears, as they amassed nearby.

    Turning on his heels and screaming like a madman, Fritz started bolting into the woods. His heart hammered like crazy as he ran over the uneven ground. The buzz was right behind him. Fritz could hear it over the pounding of his own heart. Turning around he could see a cloud of the massive hornets flying aggressively straight towards him. Adrenaline and sweat pumped through him as he trampled his way through the forest. Chitinous legs scrambled to land on him. Fritz''s hands rapidly ran over his body, swatting away at the vicious insects.

    Finding a beast trail Fritz began to pick up speed. Movement to his right, pulled his eyes towards a mass of black fur. A four armed-bear the size of a truck ran out from between the Forest''s brush. Screaming even louder, Fritz cursed his new existence as the bear joined the chase.

 Chance Encounters

    Finally free of his pursuers, covered in sweat and grime, Fritz marched through the forest. Using his compass, he was able to lead a southerly direction. Thorns and vines caught on his clothes as he navigated between trees. Light from a hidden sun barely pierced the thick canopy of the tall trees.

    Strange speckled mushrooms and dark moss grew all along the forest floor. Vibrant azure flowers grew from twisting vines attached to the iron-gray trees. They twisted and turned latching onto trunk, branch, brush, and root. Weathered stone, and hard clay crunched underneath Fritz''s black boots, as he stepped down into a dried out creek. Song birds warbled in the upper canopies. Huge black carapaced spiders hung like silent guardians, watching Fritz''s lumbering form pass between the iron-gray trees. Large grasshoppers, the size of Fritz''s fist, jumped through the undergrowth as Fritz traveled past.

    Time seemed to fly away, as Fritz hiked deeper into the woods. His quick mind was alert documenting the unknown environment. His eyes scanned and his head swiveled around as he looked for predators lurking in the shadows.

    Stopping for a moment, Fritz closed his eyes and concentrated on the pulsing mana near the center of his chest. Pulling on the sensation, he closed his eyes and pictured a mundane object in his mind. Guiding the mana through his body and out of his body, he conjured a mundane bottle of water. After uncapping the bottle, Fritz brought the plastic bottle to his nose. Sniffing it, and sensing nothing out of the ordinary, he placed the water to his lips and took a tentative sip. The water tasted cool and refreshing. It tasted exactly like he had imagined it.

    Placing his back against a tree, Fritz sat down on the forest floor. A large exposed root acted as his uncomfortable seat.

    The setting sun threatened fast approaching darkness. Fritz began roving through a mental list of survival tools he would need. Sipping the water, he let his head fall back against the tree. His thick dark hair nestled against the rough bark.

    "Water seems to be taken care of. Food and shelter will take the next priority, until I can find some kind of civilization. Creating a proper tent might take some time but seems doable. Eating any of the mushrooms is completely out of the question. Knife, matchsticks, rope, bear mace, all of it is on the table. But before all that, I need to check out this strange magic. I need to figure out what my limits are."

    Placing the plastic water bottle on the ground. Fritz conjured a series of objects.

    Closing his eyes, Fritz pictured the last fiction book he read. A knight dueling a red scaled dragon was on the cover. Flipping through the pages, Fritz was disappointed to see the inner pages completely blank. Setting it aside, he moved onto the next object. Holding the image of a survival knife in his mind, Fritz opened his eyes to see the modern steel folding knife in his hand. He turned it over as he inspected the blade. It felt strong and durable. Extending the blade out, he ran his thumb over the edge.

    "Nice and sharp." he muttered.

    Afterwards, he grinned cunningly to himself as he focused on the next object. His mind held the image of a standard police service pistol. The black polymer grip was familiar in his hands. The lead bullets, with a fifteen round magazine came next in his mind as he assembled all of the pieces. A rush of mana left his hand, with a strong wave of fatigue attacking his mind. Leaning back into the tree he waited for the feeling to pass.

    Fritz could feel the grip of the gun. He opened his eyes, and inspected the all black design. Checking the handle, he pressed the magazine eject. The magazine was stuck in place. Pulling back on the slide, he tried to rack the gun. Nothing moved. Pointing the gun into the forest, Fritz checked the safety and pulled on the trigger. The trigger would not budge. Pulling with all his might, Fritz could feel the pressure building. With a dejected sigh, he gave up. Setting the useless pistol down, Fritz moved onto the next object.

    Picturing a matchstick, Fritz focused on the essence of his mana. The familiar wave of energy left his body. A throbbing pulse of a headache appeared momentarily before quickly disappearing. Between his fingers was a single matchstick. Moving the match down to the exposed root below, Fritz dragged it across the root. The match ignited, and the familiar scent of sulfur wafted to his nose. He watched the flame for a moment, before blowing it out.

    "This proves a couple things. Objects with more intricate internal workings appear to be harder to make. The simpler the object the better. The matchstick proves that chemical objects are doable. That leaves a wide variety of options, depending on my creativity." Fritz grinned to himself, as he thought of his worst failure. "The gun might have been cheating. But who wouldn''t want to show up armed and dangerous?"

    Looking at his conjured objects, Fritz placed the survival knife into his pocket. Waning light barely pierced through the canopy of the forest. Dusk was fast approaching in the forest. Sitting perfectly still, Fritz let the sounds of the forest consume him. He breathed in slowly and deeply. The strange chatter and cries of unfamiliar animals echoed between the trees. The buzz of insects and rustle of nearby leaves swarmed around him. In the approaching dusk, the forest was coming alive. Soon, Fritz would settle into a long night in a new unfamiliar land.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    After a moment, Fritz stood up to gather twigs and branches to fuel a small fire.

    The cries of wolves resounded through the dark night. Fritz sat alert before his campfire. His back nestled into the trunk of a tree. The long mournful howls sent shivers down his spine as his ears tried to place their location. He clutched his long survival knife close to his chest. Bright silver moonlight pierced through the leaves of the forest''s upper canopy.

    A howl resounded long and sonorous through the trees. His ears perked up to the ever encroaching pack. When silence came again, Fritz closed his eyes for a moment. The warm campfire crackled as the tinder burned steadily. For a moment, he reveled in the quiet of the forest, hoping and waiting for the approaching danger to pass him by.

    Faint screams and shouts alerted Fritz. An angry, feminine voice was yelling out nearby, and coming closer. His eyes opened instantly, as he shot to his feet. He looked behind him, towards the sound. The shouting was followed by a howl of wolves. A chorus of predators drowned out the high pitched shouting. A sinking feeling hit his stomach, as he found the distressed woman''s direction.

    "Shit. Found civilization." Fritz cursed. Grabbing a thick branch, he conjured a bundle of cloth and oil. Combining them, he created a torch. Lighting it in the campfire, he set out towards the disturbance.

    The orange glow of his torch cast long dark specters as he jogged through the underbrush. He was quick, yet careful as he moved through bramble and over root. The shouting was becoming more distinct. The howls of wolves were getting louder. The shouting was just ahead.

    "Go away you bastards!" The same feminine voice yelled. Quickening his pace, Fritz barreled through the underbrush of the forest. His blood pumped with adrenaline, as his muscles twitched with excitement. Fear, and excitement mixed together as Fritz charged forward.

    Moving into a small clearing, Fritz saw a pack of yellow eyes and gray fur surrounding a large boulder. Atop the boulder a woman spun her short sword around to keep the leaping beasts at bay. She wore a pair of black pants with matching boots. A large backpack, displayed teeth marks and tears from her pursuers.

    Fritz paused for a moment, as he struggled to take in the situation. A flash of gray fur over to his left, alerted his primal sense of danger. The pouncing blur of the massive wolf''s fur entered into Fritz''s peripheral vision. The beast was barreling directly towards him. A shiver of fear gripped his body, as he moved to defend himself. Dropping the torch, he focused on the magical energy inside of him. Fritz envisioned something to drive away the beast. A can of bear spray appeared in his hand nearly instantly right as the torch dropped from his fingers. Moving the nozzle towards the beast, he pressed down on the trigger. The trigger refused to budge. A single word flashed through his mind like lightning. Fuck.

    The wolf pounced. Its large muscular frame with slobbering yellow teeth sailed towards him. Its maw snapped at his exposed neck. Yellow fangs dripped with a feral hunger threatening to rip his throat to shreds. Fritz held onto the mace as he jumped out of the way. The beast''s jaw locked onto the bottle, ripping it from his hand. Fritz''s body fell onto the forest floor, as the beast sailed past him. The hissing sound of condensed liquid reached Fritz''s ear. An acrid smell of capsicum hit him, just as he heard the canister explode open. The wolf whimpered in pain as the mace slathered over its muzzle reaching into the wolf''s nose and eyes. Fritz looked back to see it blindly escape bumping into trees and more blind wolves alike.

    The other wolves seemed stunned as the pepper scent filled the clearing. Their sensitive noses filled with the horrid stench. The woman on the boulder paused for a moment, as she looked over towards Fritz.

    "Something simpler." Fritz said to himself as he stood up. He felt cool glass fill his palm as he surveyed his enemies.

    Fur, claw, and tooth descended upon him again. Three wolves were running towards Fritz. He threw the glass vials towards the sprinting wolves. The vials shattered, releasing the concentrated hydrochloric acid onto two of them. The biting irritating odor mixed with the capsicum, yet it did not stop them. One of the wolves pounced towards Fritz. He readied his knife as the wolf snapped at his neck.

    The knife struck its nose, as the wolf''s charging body sent Fritz sprawling to the ground. The air left his lungs as his back slammed against the hard ground of the forest. The wolf''s body landed beside Fritz. Fritz was momentarily stunned. He kicked at the wolf, and scrambled away to his feet.

    "Bastards!" The woman on the rock shouted down. Her battered blade, nicked and slashed the oncoming beasts. The wolves crowded around her. Snapping jaws of long teeth threatened her ankles and legs. The mass of fur and teeth swarmed around her. On his feet, Fritz stood up as he conjured a long dagger in his hand. A throbbing headache soon came upon him. He felt his vision blur, as he reached for his head.

    "Watch out! Behind you!" The woman shouted down at him. Fritz looked back to see a wolf fast approaching. Seizing upon the momentary lapse of concentration, another wolf leapt upwards towards the woman''s leg. Its long fangs sunk into the flesh above her knee. She grunted in pain as she fell back over boulder wrestling with the wolf. The swarm of wolves followed her around the boulder.

    Fritz readied himself, as he prepared for the attacker.

    A long pained howl erupted into the night. The wolf preparing to attack Fritz stopped. It looked towards the source of the far away cry. As if Fritz never existed, the wolf stalked away. Injured and pained wolves whimpered as they evacuated the clearing. Fritz, with his knife held high, waited as the wolves slunk back into the dark forest. Grabbing his burning torch, he extinguished some ignited brush with his boot. He jogged around the boulder towards the injured woman.

 Getting Help

    Peering behind the boulder, Fritz looked for the swordswoman. A pained groan hurried his pace. The woman shoved the massive body of a dead wolf off of her. The beast had been impaled by a dagger through its throat. Two more dead wolves sat perfectly still next to her.

    "Are you alright? Still alive?" Fritz asked as he hurriedly approached the woman. The woman was tall. Her hair was a flowing wavy blonde. Her pale gray eyes locked onto Fritz. Stopping in his tracks, Fritz noticed something was different about her. Atop her head were a pair of blonde wolf ears. Dismissing the oddity, as most likely a headband, Fritz moved forward to check on the prone woman.

    "Are you hurt?" Fritz asked, as he kneeled down.

    "Yeah, bit my leg." She said with a groan. "I''ll be fine, it''s not fatal. Just lost some flesh is all."

    "Let me see." Fritz said quickly. His eyes scanned down from her stained dark green tunic and cloak down towards her slacks looking for any blood. He spotted a nasty bite just above her knee, already pooling with blood and grime.  "Gimme a second." Fritz said. He let his eyes flicker closed momentarily as he summoned a bottle of peroxide and a length of gauze for her.

    "That''s some nice sleight of hand." The woman said.

    "I''m not a magician. I did try when I was younger." Fritz replied as he began cleaning the wound and dressing it with his minimal knowledge of first aid.

    "Why is someone like you out here?" The woman began. "Anyone else with you?"

    "No. All alone I''m afraid. Lost too."

    "Ah, ah, ah, that stings!" The blonde woman winced as Fritz applied peroxide to the wound.

    "Sorry, we need to clean the wound first. Don''t want to risk an infection."

    "The name''s Ada." The woman said. Her pale gray eyes were staring at Fritz as he worked. Soft freckles adorned her nose. Small smudges of blood, dirt and grime covered her tanned face and golden hair.

    "Fritz. Why the hell was a pack of wolves attacking you?"

    "I, I- uh don''t know. They''re never really this riled up. Something must have upset them. They usually leave me alone."

    "Do you think they''ll come back? Track us down?"

    "No, not for a while. I think we scared them off." Ada replied. He finished wrapping her wound. Fritz looked over the bandages inspecting his work.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    "Not my best work, but it should hold for a bit." He replied.

    "Thank you." Ada said.

    "Your welcome." Fritz replied. "Now, Ada, how are you feeling? Any other injuries?" He looked up towards her head. His eyes looked at her soft fluffy wolfish ears.

    "No, thank the goddess." She replied. Fritz frowned in response, as he watched her ears wiggle slightly.

    "Are those real? They just moved." Fritz pointed towards her ears.

    "What kind of question is that?" Ada asked. Her blonde ears twitched in annoyance.

    "A -uh genuine one?" Fritz responded. "Sorry, if I caused any offense." Behind Ada''s back, in the shade of the night, he could see a bit of fur moving. "Oh, a tail too. Interesting. It matches your hair."

    "Of course it does! Why wouldn''t it?!" Ada blurted out.

    "Can I touch them? I want to check...." Fritz asked. He reached a tentative hand out towards the beastkin. A slight blush appeared around her pale cheeks as she seemed to freeze up. Like lightning, she swatted his hand away.

    "Sorry, sorry. That was probably rude. Please forgive me, I meant nothing by it. I just wanted to check if I was losing it. I''ve never seen someone with animal ears." Fritz said standing up. Ada watched him curiously.

    "Well we exist." Ada said, frowning. He reached a hand down to help her up.

    "Can you stand?"

    The woman grabbed it. Fritz could feel the strength of her grip latch onto his hand like an iron manacle. Pulling down on her arm, she shifted her weight up. Fritz felt her immense power threatening to send him down into the dirt.

    "Woah. Pretty strong there." Fritz said awkwardly as he stood next to the woman. Her height matched his own.

    "Of course. I wouldn''t be out here if I wasn''t. Neva would never let me scout the woods if I wasn''t capable." Ada replied. She eyed him hesitantly, as if he was some kind of strange beast.

    "Can you walk?" Fritz asked. "I don''t want to stick around, in case the wolves come back." Ada merely grunted.

    Fritz bent down to pick up his torch. The shadows shifted, as he held the torch up. Ada reshouldered her pack and grabbed her sword. She shifted her weight towards her uninjured leg.

    "I don''t suppose you know the way to town?" Fritz asked awkwardly.

    "Yeah. Something''s bothering me." Fritz tilted his head slightly as he waited for her question. "What are you doing out here?"

    "Ah, that''s a good question." Fritz pulled a hand up to his chin as he scratched it looking for an answer.

    "Are you a criminal? Murderer? Thief? Bandit? Or...." Ada trailed off.

    "No. Heavens no. I''m not sure how I can explain things." She gave him a withering glare.

    "Did you escape from the elves?"

    "Huh? They''re here too?" Fritz answered.

    "Are you working for the undead?"

    "What? How would I take orders from a zombie?" Fritz asked. "Look, I''m totally lost here. Think you can take me to town? I''d be forever in your debt. I''ve already been attacked twice in one day, and that''s plenty for me." Fritz said with a smile to the glaring beastkin.

    "It wouldn''t be honorable to leave you all on your lonesome. Strange things are happening tonight." Ada replied.

    Their conversation was interrupted by a long protracted moan. A chorus of strangled voices joined together in unison. Ada immediately went on the alert as she scanned the approaching tree line. She gripped her blade tight. Fritz scanned the darkness between the trees.

    "Damn. Zombies. Maybe skeletons too. We need to leave." Ada replied.

    "Zombies? You can''t be serious. I was joking earlier."

    "Deadly. Come on. We need to move." Ada said.

    "Zombies? Like shambling undead? They''re real?" Ada nodded in the affirmative at his stupid question. "Take my shoulder. I''ll be your crutch."

    Ada pulled an arm over Fritz''s shoulder. Her face was close to his. Her soft blonde hair tickled against his neck, as he held his torch out in front of him.

    "This way." Ada said. "We need to keep moving. The zombies are pretty slow. If we keep moving through the night, we can put some distance between them and us. We''ll be fine, if we keep moving."

    Fritz nodded. The two stumbled slightly as they began their trek. Ada and Fritz soon fell into sync. The moans of the shambling dead soon disappeared completely. Fritz''s torchlight lit their way forward. Yet Ada''s sense of direction was impeccable; the two marched through the night into the next morning.

 Discovery

    Gentle rays of the morning sun filtered through the forest''s canopy. Fritz was past the point of exhaustion. Ada, as if sensing his fatigue, finally called a halt to their march. Fritz flopped to the ground of the forest. His torch had burnt out deep in the night.  Relying on Ada''s keen senses and the bright moonlight, they were able to keep moving towards civilization.

    A trickle of sweat dripped down Fritz''s face. Reaching up, he wiped it away. Closing his eyes, he counted his own heartbeats as he caught his breath. Ada hovered nearby. Slowly she lowered herself down onto the forest floor next to him. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel her watching him.

    Tired, thirsty, and somewhat annoyed at the events of his first day, Fritz thought of a bottle of water. He felt the familiar surge of magical energy leaving him as the water materialized in his outstretched hand.

    "By the goddess!" Ada exclaimed. Her gray eyes were as wide as saucers, as Fritz looked over. Taking a deep swig of the water. He offered it to her.

    "Want some?" He said with a tired voice. "I don''t mind sharing." Ada seemed to be stuck, as she considered what she just saw. Fritz took another greedy drink, before tossing it over towards her. She caught the water bottle with ease. Turning it over in her hands, she inspected the plastic bottle. Fritz closed his eyes again, as he imagined some simple food. Within a second, a loaf of bread materialized in his hand. A large throbbing headache descended over his exhausted mind. Fritz wasted no time as he began tearing off chunks of the bread.

    "Simple is better. Keep it simple stupid, and nothing will go wrong." He muttered to himself between mouthfuls.

    "How did you-?" Ada started before trailing off. Her brows furrowed in confusion, as she looked between the water bottle and Fritz.

    "Magic." Fritz replied. He waved a free hand in the air as if to dismiss her question. "Though, I certainly wasn''t a believer in it till today." Fritz let out a chuckle.

    "You shouldn''t be able to-" Ada said. She shuffled on her knees towards Fritz. Seeing her approach, Fritz tore off a piece of the bread.

    "Want some?" He offered it to the beastkin. She reached out. Her hand dodged past the bread and slipped underneath his tunic. Her hand moved quickly as she felt around his chest.

    "Hey! What are you doing?" Fritz said hurriedly. Dropping the bread, he tried to grab her wrist.

    "Making sure! Calm down." She clamped her other hand over his shoulder to keep him still. The iron grip of her fingers gave him pause. Dull pain radiating from her long fingers kept him still.

    "Making sure of what?" Fritz asked indignantly.

    "That you''re really a man! I mean you smell like one. Alive too." Ada replied.

    "You''re not making any sense. I''m not some zombie. Get your hands off of me, weirdo." Fritz protested.

    "I''m not weird! I''m perfectly normal! I''m investigating! So stop struggling! I need to make sure you''re a man!" Ada withdrew her hand from Fritz''s shirt. "What''s so hard to understand?" Fritz held out his hands defensively, as he watched the suspicious beastkin.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "What''s it matter in the first place?" Fritz asked sternly. "Though, I''m thankful you didn''t go straight for the crotch, you freakishly strong pervert."

    "Maybe a ring? A necklace?" Ada mused as she looked Fritz over. "Hold out your hands."

    "What? No." Fritz said defensively. Ada grabbed him by the wrist and turned his hands over.

    "Maybe on the toes?" Ada muttered to herself. Her quick hands reached for his boots, grabbing the black leather, and pulling them off in a swift movement. His socks were thrown off next as Ada continued on her rampage. Fritz did his best to push her away, yet the blonde swordswoman was unstoppable.

    "What is wrong with you? Stop! Jesus Christ!" Fritz exclaimed.

    "Take off your shirt." Ada demanded. Her face was deadly serious. Her gray eyes locked onto his with a look a supreme determination.

    "Not until you tell me what you''re trying to do!" Fritz said.

    "I''m looking for any magical items."

    "What? Are you trying to rob me?"

    "No! I''m investigating! Magical items would explain why objects are suddenly appearing! Do you have a bag of holding?" Ada asked.

    "No! What''s that?"

    "It''s an extra-dimensional bag. Take off your shirt." Ada demanded.

    "No?" Fritz held out an arm defensively.

    "You might have a magical locket. I haven''t checked that yet. Empty your pockets too." Fritz pushed his tired legs away from Ada. The blonde wolfkin grabbed him by the ankle, dragging him back. Fritz pulled against away with all his remaining strength. Ada held him still, barely shifting in the slightest against his futile escape attempts.

    "Just how strong are you?" Fritz complained as he struggled to break Ada''s hold of him. "Help! Someone! Help!"

    "Be quiet! Take your shirt off." Ada demanded again.

    "Let go of me." Fritz said. "Then I''ll take my shirt off." Ada''s grip loosened. Sensing an opportunity, Fritz tried to scramble away. A vice-like grip held him in place. Eventually, Fritz was stripped to his underwear as Ada searched him for anything magical.

    In the early morning, a sad, exhausted, sweaty man in only his underwear stood under the withering eye of a blonde beastkin. Her tall frame walked around him, inspecting every inch of him.

    "Just how long will I need to be naked for?" Fritz asked.

    "I can''t find anything. There''s nothing. No tattoo''s. No equipment. Nothing. All of his teeth. No jewelry. Nothing." Ada poked him in the belly button.

    "That''s because there''s no magical items."

    "Then how did you conjure the water and the bread?" Ada asked. "Are you really a male? I''ve never met a human before. You could just be really ugly."

    "Yes, I am. Are you gonna ram a hand down my underwear to check?" Fritz asked sarcastically.

    "No! I would never." Ada said defensively. Her gaze turned away as she refused to keep eye contact with the nearly-naked man.

    "What was even the point of this? " Fritz asked.

    "Because!"

    "Because? You''re some kind of predator?"

    "Because, men can''t do magic! Why am I even explaining it?! You should already know this!" Ada said. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, as her eyes darted between Fritz and the ground.

    "But I clearly can." Fritz replied. "Do you doubt I am a man? Wanna check?" Fritz cocked his hips forward.

    "No!" Ada shouted, as she backed away.

    "What? I didn''t expect you to be so bashful, after you spent the last thirty minutes stripping me down to my underwear." He said teasingly. Ada crossed her arms, as she looked away. "You owe me after this, Ada."

    "I apologize, but I had to...." Ada trailed off as she finally looked back towards Fritz. The faint hint of blush appeared underneath her tired eyes.

    "Strip me down to my undies? In the middle of a forest, where no else can hear me scream? Make me beg and scream, and have it all fall upon deaf ears?"

    "I''m not a pervert! I needed to inspect you. To make sure of things. It was important and necessary, and...." Ada trailed off again.

    "Sure, whatever you say." Fritz responded. Ada took a deep breath.

    "We can rest here for a couple of hours. We''ll need to keep moving soon." Ada said quickly changing the subject.

    "How far is the nearest town?" Fritz asked.

    "Falken is still at least two days away. We''ll need to keep moving. I don''t want anything catching up to us."

    Fritz nodded at her pragmatic response. Gathering his clothes, and shoes he redressed himself. Conjuring a tiny pillow, Fritz nestled back into the trunk of a tree.

    "It''s magic. Try not to make a big deal out of it." Fritz said smugly.

    Ignoring Ada''s bewildered stares, he did his best to fall asleep undisturbed.

 Special

    Within a couple of hours, Fritz''s lingering sense of danger jolted him awake. His groggy mind searched the surrounding area for any threats. The sun was still out. Light filtered through the canopy above him. Judging by the amount of light, heat, and color of the forest, Fritz reasoned it was sometime near noon.

    Ada was already up. Her cold gray eyes watched him like a hawk as he stood up and stretched. Fritz offered her a tired smile as he stretched his sore muscles and rubbed his tired eyes. Looking down at his pants and boots, he was surprised they were still on. Fritz moved over towards Ada.

    "Need me to change the bandage?" He offered.

    "No. We should get moving. We shouldn''t waste any more time." Ada replied. Fritz nodded, as he moved closer to the wolfkin. Her tail moved slowly behind her as she moved her arm around his shoulder. "Sorry, about earlier." Ada apologized as they began their three-legged race to town.

    "It''s fine. I woke up with my clothes on. Couldn''t be happier." Fritz said. He felt Ada''s grip tense against his shoulder. The tall beastkin woman pushed his shoulder down as her fingers dug into him. Fritz winced in pain. "I''m sorry too. I shouldn''t tease someone who''s helping me get out of this forest." The pressure of her intense grip remained. "Who''s also honorable and kind to help a lost stranger navigate these treacherous woods. Truly, you are a brave and honorable warrior." Ada seemed to perk up a bit, loosening her hold of him.

    "I had to confirm." Ada responded cooly.

    "I don''t see why it''s such a big deal honestly. It feels natural to me. It''s like breathing, even if the results aren''t guaranteed."

    "Men can''t wield magic. No man can. Whatever you are, you''re an anomaly."

    "What about your kind? Beastkin, right?" Ada nodded slightly.  "What about elves?" Fritz queried.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    "No, no male can. Regardless of their race." Fritz seemed to falter in his steps for a moment.

    "Wait, can women do magic at least?"

    "Of course. Who would heal our warriors? Who would water our crops in a drought? Who would help warriors slay monsters?" Ada responded bluntly.

    "Ahh. Hmmm. I-." Fritz tried to start several sentences. Failing that, he started chewing on his bottom lip. "This isn''t like a blasphemy thing, is it? It''s not against some religion to wield magic as a man?"

    "Blasphemy? No!"

    "I won''t be magically lobotomized by a coven of witches?"

    "No! You should be entirely incapable of it!" Ada huffed. "Really? What''s so hard to understand? Men can''t do magic. Only women can."

    "Everything?" Fritz queried. "I-I-."

    "Well?" Ada asked with a smug look on her face. Fritz let his mind wander as he tried to piece together the world he was in. Questions floated through his mind, yet he was hesitant to ask. Should he risk coming off as an outsider by asking questions? Or should he simply discover the world one step at a time. Settling on a simple innocent question, Fritz spoke up.

    "What about you, can you wield magic?" He asked.

    "No. I always wanted to like Neva, but I never could."

    "My condolences," Fritz replied.

    "I''m strong enough, I don''t need it. My blade shall carve my glory. I don''t need any fireballs or bolts of lightning." Ada paused for a moment before continuing "Besides, warriors are the best anyways. Grognard never needed sorcery to beat councils of necromancers, and neither will I. Magic is a crutch for the weak. Though, healing magic would be nice."

    "It certainly would help right now." Fritz looked down towards her injured leg.

    "A proper healer is necessary for any adventuring party. That''s why they''ll be the first I recruit once I set out on my own."

    "Planning on exploring the world? Finding treasure, and forgotten relics?"

    "Of course!" Ada responded. A confident smile spread across her lips. "There''s no way, I''m dying in Falken!"

    The two hiked on. Ada''s tall frame was almost a perfect match for Fritz sparring him the pain of bending down. The sounds of the forest at night kept Fritz on edge. Ada was calm and focused as she walked with Fritz back to town. Her bandage was cleaned and exchanged for a fresh new one. The wound would need time to properly heal later. Ada bore her pain remarkably well. Fritz often felt her immense strength latching onto him as she moved forward with him. After two more days of travel the two finally reached the outskirts of Beastkin civilization.

 Falken

    Farmsteads, gardens, and dirt roads appeared heralding civilization''s approach. Before long, Fritz and Ada were standing before Falken''s wooden palisade wall. Long gray logs, sharpened to a point, were arrayed in a large circular retaining wall. Smoke billowed from small stone homes within. In the morning, residents of the town milled about starting their day.

    Fritz and Ada were exhausted. Their pace was slow yet steady, as they continued their three-legged trek. The blonde wolfkin had convinced Fritz to push through the night. Fritz readily agreed as he dreamed about a soft bed and a warm meal. As they approached the gate, Ada pulled Fritz in close.

    "Fritz, can you do me a favor?" She asked.

    "Sure. Anything." Fritz answered back.

    "Please don''t tell anyone about your magical powers, and don''t run off on your own. Can you do that?"

    "Of course." Fritz replied. "I won''t slip out in the middle of the night. I''m still trying to get back on my feet."

    From down the road, Fritz looked up to the town''s gate. It had been thrown open in the late morning. A few beastkin were moving through, going about their daily task. Fritz and Ada''s lumbering gait was gathering attention. Concerned looks followed them as they approached Falken. Fritz could feel Ada''s arm pulling down on his neck harder, making looking around difficult.

    As they got close, Fritz could see a young red-haired foxkin running towards them. Her dress billowed in the wind, as she sprinted over.

    "Ada is that you?" She said, "What happened? What did you find? What''s happening?" Fritz looked up and caught her eye. "Oh. Oh. Oh. Are you alright? What happened? What''s your name? Are you injured? I can fetch the healer right away. Fran''s really good. She''ll get you patched up right away. Oh my. Ada who''s this? What''s wrong with his ears? Did he have an accident? Where''s his tail? Did it get bitten off?" A flurry of questions escaped from the woman with fox ears. Fritz couldn''t keep up with her. Ada was pulling Fritz''s neck down, interfering with his vision. He could see wagging tails poking out of strange dresses and pants as they walked forward.

    "Healer first." Ada groaned out.

    "Everyone! Ada''s bringing home a strange man!" The red-haired foxkin shouted to the others. More beastkin gathered around Ada and Fritz. "Don''t pull on him. It''s rude, Ada." The foxkin said excitedly. Fritz only grunted in response. "Is she hurting you? Should I tell her off? She can be awfully obstinate. What''s your name?" The woman prattled on.

    "Just ignore her." Ada said, as she clamped down on Fritz. "We''ll be here all day, if we stop and talk."

    Fritz''s fatigue prevented him from following. His focus shifted to putting one foot in front of the other.

    Passing through the gates, a crowd gathered following Ada and Fritz. Ada kept her grip on Fritz''s shoulder, as she led him forward through the town. The townspeople were curious, they stopped what they were doing to watch Fritz''s three-legged marathon. Children followed them as they marched through the muddy ground of the town. Fritz could feel small hands reach around and poke his butt, searching for his non-existent tail.

    "He lost his tail! I can''t find it!" A small child screamed out. Fritz turned his head to see a gaggle of furry-eared children trailing behind him.

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "I bet a monster took it! That''s why he''s so dirty! Probably a bear ripped it off!"

    "It could have been a dragon!"

    "A dragon? He couldn''t escape a dragon. He looks weak."

    He gave the children a tired smile. Reaching into his pocket, he focused on his magic. A small plastic red dragon blinked into existence. He pulled the toy out of his pocket, tossing it to one of the children. Catching the toy, one of the children ran off leading the others in a desperate chase.

    "Fritz! Stop that!" Ada groaned.

    "What?" Fritz asked with indignation. "I''m trying to stop them from poking my ass!"

    "Ada! What happened? Why''s there a human here?" A manly voice called out from the crowd.

    "I''ll explain later." Ada shot back.

    Ada led him deeper into the center of Falken. Rounding a corner, she pushed through to her destination. The crowd of strange onlookers followed them through the village. Fritz''s black boots stomped into the muddy streets of Falken, as he pressed forward.

    "Finally, Fran''s." Ada huffed out. With her free hand, she pounded upon the door. "Just need to get inside, Fran will keep them out."

    The crowd of onlookers were behind them. Ada unhooked her arm around Fritz''s shoulder, and looped it back through his arms.

    "Stay close, they mean well, but are incredibly stupid." She whispered. Fritz nodded. His tired eyes could barely register the frantic mess behind him. Voices called out questions to the two.

    "What''s his name?"

    "Where did you find him?"

    "Is he an escapee?"

    "Where''s his tail? His ears? Is he a human?"

    "Does he eat beastkin? I heard they eat beastkin."

    "Ada, is he your boyfriend? Are you getting married?"

    "What''s wrong with his ears? They''re so weird, and round!"

    "Does Neva know about the human?"

    "Is he rich?"

    A flurry of questions from the gathering beastkin left Fritz confused. His fatigued mind seemed unable to properly grasp the cultural situation. He looked back, and offered the gathered beastkin a tired smile, and a set of apologies. Fritz leaned in close to whisper towards Ada.

    "Why are they crowding us? They don''t hate humans do they?"

    "Why would they? You''re the first they''ve probably seen." Ada answered. She frowned as she looked back to the crowd behind her.

    From above, a paned glass window was thrown open. A fair skinned woman with fox ears threw her head out of the window. Her silver hair seemed entirely at odds with her glittering youthful appearance.

    "What in the goddesses'' hidden entrance is going on down there? Can''t you let me nurse my hangover in peace?!" The foxkin shouted down at the crowd mingling down below her shop. Looking up, Fritz''s tired eyes locked onto hers. Her expression immediately changed, as she saw Fritz and Ada. "What in the seven hells is a human doing here Ada?! I''ll be down in a moment!"

    Within an instant, her face disappeared back inside her home. Fritz took one long look behind him. He scanned the faces of the onlookers for open malice. All he saw was a strange energy of excitement and curiosity.

    The door to Fran''s slammed open. The small fox woman ushered them inside quickly, and slammed the door shut. Fritz let out a sigh.

    "Ada! and you! and you! Who are you? You''re not from around here." The foxkin jabbed a finger into his chest. The woman was willowy and short. Her long silvery hair fell back into a single bushy tail.

    "Fritz." he mumbled out in confusion. "Ada needs help. She was bitten."

    "By a snake? Goddess above how''d she make it back?!"

    "No! A wolf. It took some flesh, that''s all." Ada huffed grumpily.

    "What about him? He looks near death." The woman asked. Her face pressed close to his chest. Standing on her tiptoes, she tried to get a better look at Fritz. Ada coughed to get her attention.

    "Fran, he''s fine. Just exhausted. Can you take a look at my leg? Let us rest here tonight?" Ada asked.

    "Of course. Of course. Just through here. Don''t mind the mess." The silver haired foxkin hurriedly led them through the building.

    Fritz with little attention to any other detail aside from his own fatigue followed the white robed woman into a room on the first floor. She opened a door revealing a large room with three empty beds. He picked one furthest from the door shambling over with single minded purpose. Fran quickly moved to draw the blinds around the windows, as curious onlookers peered at him through the windows.

    Fritz fell face first into the bed.

    "Goodnight." He said.

    Like a snuffed flame, Fritz''s exhausted mind fell away into slumber.

 Food Run

    When Fritz awoke, the room was dark. A pang of hunger radiated like an old wound through his stomach. His mouth was drier than a desert. His head felt dull and foggy. Staring at the ceiling for a moment, he centered himself. The building was quiet. He could hear nothing but the soft creak of the wood. For a while, he laid in the stillness of the night piecing together the recent events into something coherent.

    Breathing in deeply he moved to stand up. Walking past the empty beds towards the door, he found it locked. His stomach protested the injustice of his internment. Wasting little time, he moved towards one of the small windows. Peering behind the curtain, he could see a small alleyway outside. In the dim light, he found the latch locking it in place. Accounting for his shoulders he reasoned the fit was possible. Opening it, he pulled his shoulders inwards and climbed out of the building.

    The cool night air greeted him within the dim alley. His eyes adjusted to the dark grime of the muddy ground littered with weeds and garbage. A scent wafted to his nose. An undeniable allure drew him out of the alley. The nearby smell of food enraptured him, leading him deeper into the foreign beastkin town. No one was around. Fritz briefly considered returning to the clinic, yet removed such thoughts from his mind. His stomach protested the thought of retreating empty-handed.

    His sore legs led him towards a nearby building. A large clamor of shouting voices came from inside. A sign with a goose swayed in the evening breeze above the door. The grimy street outside was illuminated by the candlelight indoors. Black specters jostled, sang, and drank behind the dirty glass windows. Fritz stood on the precipice of the door. His practical mind weighed the pros and cons of his quest for food. He didn''t have money, but couldn''t he make some? But what did it look like anyways? Would they notice him conjuring? Would they check for counterfeit coin?

    Loud muffled arguments were coming from inside. The vague shadows of beastkin moved behind foggy, dirty windows. The thick gray wood of the door stood between him and food. Fritz considered for a moment, before his stomach complained for the final time. Approaching the inn''s door, he rested his hands on the handle.

    A sudden crash of fur and claw ripped through the window next to Fritz. His head swiveled to watch two large beastkin launch through broken shards of glass as they plummeted to the ground.

    "No fighting! How do you idiots always muck it up?!" A woman roared from within the inn. The two men groaned in pain. "You owe me a new window too!" The inn erupted in applause, as a wooden tankard flew out hitting one of the beastkin in the head.

    "Get ''em May!"

    "Show ''em who''s boss!"

    Fritz blinked in confusion, as he watched the two injured men slowly help each other up, and slink away. The applause within the inn was dying down, as the patrons went back. Debating on whether to go inside, Fritz stood like a motionless statue in the doorway.

    "He''s probably some kind of bandit! Or maybe a thief! Or like a murderer!" A high pitched rabbit woman screeched with conviction above the crowd of beastkin. Another pang of hunger radiated through Fritz. Pulling back on the handle Fritz finally opened the door.

    The inn was nearly full. Strange ears and tails twitched as the door creaked fully open. Conversations dropped as heads turned to see who entered the inn. Fritz could feel the crowd of strangers staring at him. A quick glance through the inn showed Ada and Frann missing. Patrons crowded around a mishmash of obviously repaired tables. Sloshed ale, and tobacco smoke had dyed the floor and walls of the building. Nearby a stone fireplace to his left sputtered a small, comfortable fire. A checkered game board sat idle between two older beastkin, as they turned to see who entered. Ignoring the awkward stares, Fritz stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

    Finding an open spot at the bar counter, he held his head high as he moved towards it. Behind it, a large woman with bovine horns nearly seven feet tall watched him as she resumed cleaning a large mug. She wore a neat, green dress decorated with yellow flowers. Small bands of green herbs twisted between her horns. Her large arms bulged with striated muscle as she fought a particularly stubborn stain. Faint hints of annoyance flashed across her face, as she scanned her patrons.

    "I hope I''m not interrupting." Fritz said with an awkward smile, as he leaned his elbows onto the counter.

    "Oh you''d never be interrupting sweetie." The bovine woman said. To Fritz''s left a black-haired catgirl seemed ready to pounce on him. To his right, a large well built wolfkin huffed in annoyance as Fritz looked over.

    "Great. It''s been a long day and I''m terribly hungry you see. I just woke up and I happened to smell-"

    "Say, no more sweetie Momma'' May will fix you up!" The barkeeper interrupted him.  "Stay right there and I''ll get you something." The bovine woman said with a smile. She turned towards the two beastkin next to Fritz. "Don''t give him any trouble, I watched him come into town half-dead." Her expression hardened as she stared at the wolfkin to Fritz''s right. Setting her mug down, she pointed an accusatory finger at him. "You know the rules, Regus! No fighting! Don''t!"

    Regus growled in annoyance as he nursed his tankard. Fritz turned his head towards the catgirl to his left. She simply shook her head from side to side at May. She placed a hand on Fritz''s shoulder and leaned into him.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "Don''t worry, May, I am the most respectable of ladies. I can look after the rich hoo-man." She flashed Fritz an award winning smile. Her bright teeth were accentuated by inhumanely sharp canines. "Saw you trundling into town this morning. Quite the commotion. So, can we get a name? Are you Ada''s new boyfriend?"

    "Call me Fritz. A pleasure to meet you. And no, I just met Ada." Fritz offered the woman a polite handshake. Looking down, she turned his hand over in confusion, not understanding. "Human custom." Fritz said with an awkward smile.

    "Such a gentleman! Lizz, Regus on your right. You can just ignore him. He''s stupid, unimportant, and most likely feral." Fritz felt something coming close to his neck and turned towards it. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the man pulling back away from him.

    "Nice to meet you both. Didn''t mean to come between you two. I was just looking for an open spot."

    "It''s ok. It''s ok." Lizz purred. She traced a claw slowly on top of Fritz''s shoulder. Her smoldering yellow cat eyes were accentuated underneath the orange glow of the candlelight. The black slits in her eyes narrowed at him.

    "Uh, huh." Fritz replied. Casting a look behind him, he noticed a lot of eyes suspiciously staring at him.

    "So, what brings you to town? Are you some kind of merchant? A rich nobleman?" Lizz asked. "Jess thinks you''re a jewel thief on the lamb."

    "None of those. Passing through, at the moment. Harder than expected traveling. Need to get to Fehrenn." Fritz answered with a sigh.

    "Fehrenn? That''s on the other side of the conclaves." Lizz said. "How do you get this far out in the boonies anyways?"

    "I, I don''t really know." Fritz replied. His mind turned back to the strange dream before he awoke within the cemetery. The woman and the strange man gave him a quest. That was all that mattered to Fritz.

    "That sounds like a lie." Regus said as he leaned onto the counter. His dark eyes fixated on Fritz, as he looked onto him with open disdain.

    "Regus!" Lizz interjected.

    "So how do I get to Fehrenn?" Fritz asked, trying to change the topic.

    "You can take the road out of town, south. The roads can be pretty dangerous. Can''t ever be too careful. Best to stay put if you ask me." Lizz answered. Fritz felt a clawed finger touch his knee. Fritz''s leg pulled back.

    "What kind of danger?" Fritz asked.

    "Bandits. Wolves. Monsters. Sometimes Elves. This far into the country, anything can happen." Regus answered.

    "So where''d you come from? Some big city in Rennes I suppose." Lizz asked.

    "I grew up in the middle of nowhere. Smallish factory town. Or it used to be one."

    Lizz turned to Regus with a look of confusion on her face. The bovine barkeep returned with a bowl of soup and a chuck of black bread. She placed it before Fritz, with a stern look to the two beastkin seated beside himself.

    "Thank you, May. Ada''s a resident right?" May nodded to Fritz. He felt a pang of regret for what he was about to do. "Do you mind putting it on her tab for me? She owes me after using me as a human crutch for several days."

    "Of course. I''d be right happy to." The barkeeper said.

    With relish, Fritz picked up a spoon and began digging into the food. The bovine woman seemed intent on standing right before him. Another beastkin dressed similarly, but not as tall as May, was moving between the bar and customers with lightning speed as if to pick up the slack. Behind him the crowd of beastkin argued even louder. Curses and threats filled the inn. Fritz looked behind him to see a small beastkin thrown halfway across the tavern. The inn turned to watch the beastkin stand up, shouting and pointing towards the door. A large group of beastkin left the tavern readying for a fight.

    "Is that normal?" Fritz asked May.

    "Course it is. No matter how hard I hit them, they don''t stop! At least most are smart enough to take it outside." Fritz tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the soup as he considered his next words.

    "Love a good fight. Really gets the blood pumping! What do ya'' say? Fancy a'' go?" Regus asked, leaning in towards Fritz. A wicked grin spread across his lips, as he stared darkly into Fritz''s eyes. Abnormally long, sharp canine teeth peeked out from under his gums.

    "What?" Fritz asked.

    "Regus! By Freyes'' panties! Did you ever learn any manners in your life?" May said, rolling her eyes.

    "I wasn''t talking to you! I was talking to the hoo-man." Regus snapped out. "Come on! I''ve never fought a hoo-man before. I heard your kind eats us. Let''s see who''s stronger!"

    "I''m not much of a fighter. So, no." Fritz said as he tried to return to his meal.

    "Then how''d you end up in the woods? Come on! You can''t be as weak as you look." Regus taunted. A friendly jab hit Fritz in the shoulder.

    "Let him eat in peace." May warned.

    "He''s recovered! Look!" Regus groaned. "Don''t baby him, he looks grown. Come on. We can fight to first blood if you''re squeamish. Weapons or not, it doesn''t matter to me!" Regus leaned in closer.

    "Regus, can''t you piss off?" Lizz growled. "I''m trying to have a conversation with the rich hoo-man here."

    "What? You got a problem with me?" Regus growled out. May rolled her eyes, in annoyance.

    Fritz''s two neighbor''s leaned into the bar''s counter to glare at the other. They growled like two animals squaring off. Fritz, doing his best to ignore them as he tore off a piece of bread, and dipped it into the soup. The food was heavenly. The rich, warm broth soothed his aching body.

    "May, this is delicious. Really, amazing. I can''t remember the last time I had something this great." Fritz said. May smiled warmly at him, before pushing Regus'' and Lizz''s face away. Regus struggled against May''s strength valiantly. His hands gripped the bar counter as he tried to stay put.

    "May!" Lizz complained, as she settled back into her seat. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Just ignore, Regus. He''s touched in the head. Too much battle-lust, not enough talent." Lizz said.

    "You''re one to talk. You''re a weakling, Lizz." Regus stopped resisting against May, as he jumped up from his seat. "We''ve talked enough. Fight me, hoo-man. Let''s see who''s stronger. " Fritz turned slightly to watch the tall, muscle bound beastkin. His lips were fixed in a rictus grin. He rested his large hands confidently on his hips. Behind him, his tail swayed with bemused excitement.

    "Leave him alone!" Someone from the crowd shouted towards Regus.

    "I''ll fight both of you! I''ll take on anyone!" Regus snarled back at the others.

    "No." Fritz said.

    "What do you mean ''no''? Are you a coward?" Regus barked out. "Stand up, and let''s see how strong a hoo-man really is."

    "Regus!" May shouted.

    "Shut up! We''ll fight outside! So stop complaining!"

    "No, fuck off. I''m trying to eat." Fritz said.

    Like lightning, a hand flashed over Fritz''s arm. Grabbing the half-full bowl of soup, Regus tossed it over his shoulder.

    "Don''t look like it to me." Regus said with a wicked grin.

 Bad Behavior

    Anger bubbled up within Fritz, as he looked upwards towards Regus. The door to the tavern slammed open with a bang. A panicked voice rang out near the doorway. Its familiar tone pulled Fritz''s attention towards backwards. Turning around, he looked past the beastkin swarming the entrance.

    "Has anyone seen Fritz? The human! Has he been by here?" Ada''s voice was panicked. The stunned crowd of the inn went quiet. Fritz shifted slightly to look past Regus. His eyes locked onto Ada''s pale gray eyes. Her face was panicked and stressed. In that instant, Fritz debated turning back around and pretending he never saw her.

    "There you are!" Ada shouted as she moved towards the bar. Right behind Ada, Fran the silver haired foxkin healer trailed looking annoyed. Her eyes lingered on a pair of beastkin fighting just outside the inn. Rolling her eyes, she followed Ada deeper inside the inn.

    "Uhh, hello Ada. I was just trying to get something to eat." Fritz said. Anger morphed into annoyance, as Fritz wondered what the hell was wrong with everyone.

    "You idiot! Me and Fran were worried." Ada reached out a hand to grab Fritz''s wrists. Regus stepped in the way. His large frame blocked Ada.

    "Regus! Don''t make a scene!" May boomed behind the counter. "Ada, good to see you. Are you all healed?"

    "Yeah, almost. Fran''s amazing. Not even a scar left." Ada said as she glared at the black haired wolfkin standing in front of Fritz.

    "I was just getting a bite to eat. What is wrong with everyone?" Fritz protested.

    "Well you''re done now. Come with me. You should be in the clinic." Ada chastised Fritz.

    "I was starving." Fritz said as he held his hands up. Ada tried to move past Regus. The male wolfkin moved to block her.

    "Out of the way" Ada growled out.

    "Make me." Regus said. "Me and him are gonna fight. We''ll see who''s stronger."

    "Regus", May warned. Regus bared his fangs, daring Ada to continue.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "You two! Stop this!" Fran shouted. "He''s a patient of mine until I say otherwise. Nothing is going to happen to him while he''s under my care!" A chorus of voices from around the bar rose up in support of Fran.

    "Yeah, let''s just stop." Fritz said. The others around him ignored him. With hard eyes Ada stared at her opponent. Her eyes were unflinching. Standing up, Fritz tried to move past Regus, but the man grabbed him by the shirt stopping him from moving.

    "Let him go." Ada said. With her sword left behind, Fritz wondered how well she would fare against the larger wolfkin.

    "Why is everyone so damn strong?" Fritz complained, as he struggled with the man''s grip.

    "I''m going to fight this hoo-man." Regus said. "You and Frann can get him back after I''m done."

    "Goddess above, save us." May pleaded to the heavens.

    "He is my patient. You can''t fight him." Fran said.

    "I''m not gonna ask again, Regus. Don''t make me hurt you." Ada threatened.

    "Shut up." Regus snarled. "Slink away with your tail between your legs. I''m the strongest. Just you wait, I''ll prove it tomorrow."

    "Fine. Have it your way." Ada said.

    Her other hand shot out. The knuckle of her fist was faster than Fritz''s eye could follow. Regus'' chin buckled with the force, as Ada''s fist sent him crashing into the bar. Fritz blinked as he tried to understand what was happening. To Fritz''s side, Lizz barely reacted as Regus slumped over. Fritz felt Ada''s hand grab his wrist, as she led him quickly out of the tavern. The crowd was silent as Fritz was led outside. Fran looked dumbfounded as Regus moaned in pain on the floor.

    "Ada! What the hells?! You know the rules! No fighting in my tavern!" May shouted from behind her. Ada scowled as she left the building. A chorus of shouting and arguments erupted from inside the bar.

    Ada kept Fritz moving. He could feel his mouth struggling to form the right words.

    "Ada, what the hell was that? What is wrong with everyone? Is this town cursed?" Fritz asked.

    "I wasn''t gonna ask again. He was being a prick." Ada spat out. "Besides, Neva asked me to keep an eye on you. She doesn''t want you wandering around alone." The two were quickly approaching Fran''s clinic. The front door was wide open. Ada stormed back inside the building. Her hand was like a grip of iron around Fritz''s wrist. Fritz pulled against her, but he was no match for her strength. From behind, Fritz could hear people leaving the inn shouting towards them.

    "Ignore it. They should all know better." Ada grumbled as she dragged him inside Fran''s clinic.

    "Let me go, I can walk on my own." Fritz pulled on his arm, yet he couldn''t contest her grip. She ignored him like he was a petulant child. The blonde wolfkin went quiet as she led him back inside.

    She led Fritz back inside the patient room.

    "Tomorrow, we need to talk." she declared suddenly. "Get some rest. Neva wants to meet you tomorrow, but before we''re gonna have a chat."

    Turning on her heels she left the room, leaving Fritz confused and standing alone in the dark. Grumbling to himself, Fritz conjured a loaf of black bread. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he chewed thoughtfully.

 Complications

    Surrounded by a mass of exposed graves, a pale woman swam in the moonlight. Her crimson hooped skirt and black bodice was a strange mixture of elegance contrasting with the abandoned graveyard. Her bored crimson eyes drifted listlessly across the graveyard, as her hand rested on her sheathed rapier.

    "She''s been here, hasn''t she?" The woman asked.

    "Yes, my lady." A woman dressed in sheer black mourning clothes responded. Her voice, a cutting whisper, carried through the still night. The cloudless skies above twinkled with an endless expanse of bright stars. Looking upwards, the crimson dressed woman closed her eyes in concentration. Her majestic ruby necklace, glittered within the pale light.

    "It stinks of dark magic, the necromancer has been busy. But there''s something else. Something strange was here. I cannot place it."

    "Lady Lilly, can you not sense it?" The veiled woman asked. Behind the two, near the tree line, a windowless carriage sat waiting. Six, winged skeletal steeds stood like statues waiting to take to the skies.

    "Hannah, what is it? Tell me." Lilly commanded.

    "The goddess''s magic has been here. She has sent a champion. Just like our seer has predicted." Hannah said.

    "Has that deranged necromancer gotten to them first?" Lilly asked.

    "It is doubtful, there is no sign of conflict. The necromancer most likely stopped here to collect corpses, and did not engage the champion directly." Lilly remained silent, as her eyes glanced over the glade.

    "Do we know anything about this champion?"

    "Very little. Shall I recite the lich''s words?" The veiled woman asked.

    "Do."

    "A stranger walks among them. Weak as the mouse, blessed though they be. The goddess'' magic does not flow within." Lilly harrumphed. "That was most unlady-like. Your mother hates it when you do that."

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    "Why summon a new champion but not bestow them a gift. It makes little sense. Why summon them in the middle of nowhere? Is she expecting them to die immediately?"

    "Possibly. Freyes is not known for her benevolence. Her followers must struggle, and survive. Those that fail were not worthy of her attention."

    "Very clinical." Lilly observed grumpily.

    "Do not fret, they are weak, we shall kill them and be back within the Erwenhest estate shortly." Lilly scowled. "Your mother must be worried about you."

    "I will be fine. She worries regardless."

    "It was not necessary for you to come here. Gris could handle this champion with ease if they posed a threat."

    "If they could ever agree on anything. Which way did they go?"  Lilly asked. "I will kill them quickly, and return triumphant."

    "I shall find out shortly, my lady."

    With her hands clasped before her. The woman in mourning clothes walked throughout the graveyard. Her veiled face watched the ground as she walked serenely through the exhumed dead. Lilly ambled aimlessly throughout the graveyard. Her crimson eyes wandered over the weathered tombstones with boredom. Winged buzzing reached her ears, as she caught sight of a large wasp. The wasp was moving towards her. Its compound eyes fixated on the noble woman. Her sheathed sword swam outwards slicing the offending insect in half. Its split bodies hit the ground with a barely perceptible plop, as she re-sheathed her rapier.

    "Lady Lilly. I have spotted tracks." Hannah called out from the tree line.

    "Good. Which way?" Lilly asked striding through the graveyard confidently. Her black heels sunk slightly into the soft ground.

    "North. The strides indicate they were in a hurry." Hannah answered.

    "Are they trying to contact the elves? Perhaps they already know they are pursued?" Lilly asked.

    "Most likely."

    "We will investigate the border towns. They will need to stop for supplies before pushing into their domain proper."

    "A wise observation." The veiled assented. Lilly moved towards the carriage.

    "Come, Hannah." She said while looking back. The veiled woman instantly appeared next to the carriage. An inky black darkness radiated from her body. Hannah opened the thick carriage doors, extending out a set of bronze carriage steps. Offering her hand to the other, Lilly confidently strode inside. The velvet interior was filled with strapped bottles. Within the center, a majestic coffin sat nailed to the floor. Opening the coffin, Lilly laid down within the plush interior. Hannah, with a tendril of dark magic, closed it.

    After locking the carriage doors, Hannah took her place on the box seat. Grabbing the reins, she directed the skeletal horses to the sky. Thick leather wings flapped as the carriage gained height. The carriage sailed through the night in direct defiance of gravity.

 Confession

    In the morning, Fritz and Ada departed from Fran''s clinic. The soft rays of the cresting sun illuminated the quaint town of Falken. They walked for a minute or two, passing a few people in the early morning. Subtle thumbs up and knowing winks were passed to the two. Ada and Fritz stopped in front of a small cottage, sequestered near the palisade wall.

    From the outside, it looked about the size of a closet. Yet, somehow, against all odds once inside, it had all the essentials for a rustic life. An iron stove sat in one corner next to a tiny round table with two simple wobbly wooden chairs. On the opposite end, a small one person bed sat neatly tucked into the wall. Next to her bed, was a large bookshelf replete with different colored books. Assorted hanging kitchenware, herbs, tools, and weapons, adorned the walls. Fritz let his eyes scan the room.

    Ada motioned to the empty chair opposite of her. Following Ada''s lead, he took a seat at the small dining table. Fritz squeezed into the chair opposite of Ada. Their long legs threatened to bump into one another as they sat in awkward silence.

    "Cozy. Very quaint. I didn''t take you for a reader." Fritz commented.

    "I''m not that stupid. Neva taught me how to read and write." Ada huffed. "This conversation is long overdue." Fritz raised an eyebrow at her, as he leaned back into his chair. "You''re not normal, Fritz. That much I am certain. Something is happening with you. I deserve to know what''s going on." Ada''s large gray eyes fixated on Fritz, as she began to study his face. "Neva wants to meet you today."

    "You keep throwing her name around. Who is that?" Fritz asked.

    "The mayor. She''s the strongest in the village. Her decision is final out here. She''s gonna ask you some questions about what you''re doing here. If you want my help you need to be honest with me."

    "I''m not sure how I ended up in the forest. I woke up in some cemetery. All of the graves were exhumed, the corpses inside the caskets were missing."

    "Did you have something to do with the bodies?" Ada asked.

    "No. Why would I?" Fritz asked. "I''ve nothing on me. You''ve already checked me." A faint hint of color touched her cheeks, mingling with her freckles.

    "That was entirely different! My intentions were pure! Besides! You could be working with the undead. Or a very bad graverobber."

    "Why would I want to dig up corpses?"

    "Power. Money. Magical secrets. Unlife. All of the usual reasons people turn to the kingdom of Gris." Ada said casually.

    "Is that what you were doing in the forest? Searching for some signs of zombies?"

    "Neva wanted me to scout the northern forest. Some hunters reported strange sightings. I was looking for signs of a rogue necromancer."

    "Necromancer?"

    "They sometimes show up in remote areas. Neva already knows. We''ll just need to send word for help to hunt them down."

    He conjured a small piece of bread in his open hand, and began to chew on it.

    "I forget you can do that." Ada responded.

    "I''m not working with any undead. I''m not interested in any of that. I just want to do some good for others. Make up for my past self." Fritz answered with a frown as he chewed the bland bread.

    "We''ll come back to why you''re here." Ada said with a sigh. "What about your magical powers? No living man should be capable of such magic. How can you explain that?"

    Fritz stopped to think. He wondered how much he could reveal. Should he be honest with Ada, and describe the strange dream he had before he awoke? "It''s a gift. Everything I make is done via instinct as if the knowledge is stored deep within me. I don''t understand everything, but it doesn''t seem to matter."

    "You''ve never studied magic?" Ada asked.

    "Nope."

    "That doesn''t help much at all." Ada said dejectedly. "You''re being too evasive. I don''t think you''re lying, but you''re not telling me the full truth."

    "I''m not sure how much I can reveal." Fritz admitted. "I''m new to this place." Fritz gestured around the room with his half-eaten loaf of bread. "I''m very lost, but I do know my destination."

    "Where?"

    "Fehrenn, do you have a map? Something I can use?" Fritz asked.

    "I do." Ada said simply. She crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair.

    "Can I see it?"

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    "Nope. Not until you start being more honest with me." A look on Ada''s face dared Fritz to challenge her. Leaning forward, Fritz tapped his finger against the table. His mind internally debated on telling her the whole truth. Could he trust any of these half-feral beastkin? Ada did help him, and she might be able to point him towards Fehrenn. Should he tell her about those two figures in his dreams? Would he come off as crazy? Swallowing a chunk of bread, he decided to take a risk.

    "Ok. Before I woke up in the cemetery, I was at EvaMaxx''s research center." Ada''s eyes narrowed in confusion. "It''s no surprise, you haven''t heard the name before. As to why I woke up in the forest, I''ve been sent on a quest." Ada uncrossed her arms, she leaned forward in her seat, until her forehead almost touched Fritz''s.

    "Go on." She whispered.

    "I met two figures in a dream. A woman and a strange man. They want me to go to Fehrenn and stop whatever conflict arises there. They gave me this gift." Fritz held up the piece of bread.

    "Bread? What? Nevermind, keep going. Are you telling the truth?" Ada asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

    "Yes. Go to Fehrenn. Stop the war. That''s why I''m here. They were both light on the details. I was told I''d have to find out why everything is happening myself." Fritz said.

    "If you hadn''t conjured bread right in front of my eyes, I would have thought you a liar. Did you recognize the two people in your dream?"

    "No. I only got two names." Fritz admitted.

    "What were they?"

    "Freyes. Lorgen." Fritz said. "Any idea who they are? Powerful wizards? Demons?" Fritz asked. Ada went white as a sheet. Her body became completely still.  "Ada, are you alright?"

    "I''m fine. I''m fine."

    "You don''t look fine."

    "Fritz, do you know who you just mentioned?"

    "No."

    "The goddess of life, Freyes. The god of magic, Jorgen. Just who are you?" Fritz frowned.

    "A former weapons researcher. I''ve told you the truth. How can I get to Fehrenn, Ada?"

    "Fritz, do you know what this means?" Ada asked.

    "Uh, no?"

    "You''re on a divine quest! It''s finally happening!" Ada shouted in excitement. Shooting up from her seat, she hit the table sending it wobbling. Quickly rummaging within her bookshelf she grabbed a rolled up piece of parchment, and slammed it onto the table.

    "As promised! You''ll need to move over slightly." Ada said, laying the map flat out over the table. Ada''s excited voice quickly ran over the local geography.

    "We are in the northwest area of the Beastkin Conclave." Ada said. She pointed a long thin finger across the map, towards an unmarked area of the map. "We should be somewhere around here. Fehrenn is far to the southeast, north of the Shar''s sea. There''s many ways to get there. Most river''s lead into the city. That would be the quickest way." Fritz quickly memorized all of the surrounding settlements near Falken. His eyes quickly scanned over all of the connecting rivers taking note of their names and confluences.

    "How long is the journey usually?" Fritz asked.

    "It can depend. Traveling on foot can take months. It can be quite dangerous too."

    "Bandits? Monsters?"

    "All of them naturally. But isn''t that more exciting?!"

    "So, if I want to reach Fehrenn, I''ll need to go south." Ada nodded. "Then, I''ll need to hitch a ride on one of the major tributaries. Either the White Wolf, or the Hissing Cat, will do." Ada nodded again. Fritz chewed on his piece of bread. With his other hand he checked his supplies. He felt the compass in his left pocket, and the survival knife in his right pocket. With another bite, he finished the piece of bread.

    "Fritz. If you''re heading to Fehrenn, I''m coming with you. This is the opportunity of a lifetime." Ada said confidently. A grip like iron descended upon his shoulder, as Ada grabbed hold of him.

    "You want to come with me?"

    "Yes! You''re on a quest! A divine quest! Something like this only happens once in a century! I''m coming with you!" Ada said confidently. A wide excited grin filled her. Her grip held firm on his shoulder, as her gray eyes sparkled with excitement and intensity.

    "Alright then. But this is not a vacation. I''m on a mission." Fritz said.

    "Great!" Ada pumped the air with her fist, releasing her hold of Fritz.

    "When can you leave? I''ve got a lot of ground to cover. The sooner we leave the better." Fritz asked.

    "I-er. I have to get permission from Neva first." Ada said guiltily. Her intense expression faded away into embarrassment as she turned away from him.

    "You need permission? Aren''t you an adult?" Fritz asked.

    "Yes...."

    "Then, no. You''re not coming. Get lost." Fritz said.

    "It''s Neva! I can''t leave without her say-so. She won''t let me leave this stupid village!"

    "Then why were you in the forest?" Fritz asked.

    "Because.... It''s my job in the village. I just can''t travel without her permission."

    "Is she your mother?"

    "What? No? I mean she did raise me, but she''s not my mom. Look, we''re going to meet her. All you need to do is convince her you''re not working with the undead, you don''t have any magical powers, and that I should escort you to Fehrenn as soon as possible. It''ll be easy! Don''t tell her anything about your quest. She hates all that talk. Absolutely hates it! Just mention you''re weak, and you need someone strong for an escort!  Someone who can travel with you! Me! Keep talking about how perfect I am, and don''t mention anything about a quest!"

    "Ada, I can''t."

    "Please!" Ada''s gray eyes became bigger, as she fluttered her lashes at Fritz.

    "I can''t waste time trying to convince your mother." Fritz protested.

    "She''s not my mother! She''s just overprotective!" Ada''s ears flattened as she nearly pressed her face into Fritz''s. Fritz did his best to pull away, as he pushed into the cottage''s walls. Ada would not let him retreat.

    "I need to leave. I can''t waste time pleading with the mayor to bring you along."

    "No. We just need to talk with her. She''ll understand. No magic talk. No quest talk. She can be somewhat reasonable. You''ll see."

    "I need to leave today."

    "She wanted to meet with you today. It''ll be quick. Once that''s over, we can resupply and head out!" Ada grinned deviously to herself.

    "And if she says ''no''?"

    "She''s not going to say ''no'', I can feel it."

    "Fine! Fine! Just back off! I''ll try my best, but if it doesn''t work out, I need to move on. Without you."

    "No!" Ada said. "If you can''t convince her, we will try again. If that doesn''t work, we get the other villager''s to pressure her! If that doesn''t work, I''ll run for mayor! But everything will be fine! I know it!" Ada''s face was nearly pressed against Fritz''s cheek. Her

    Outside, Fritz could hear a banging at the door. An unfamiliar voice spoke up diverting their attention away.

    "Ada? Are you there? Neva wants to talk to you and the hoo-man."

    "We''ll be right there." Ada said back, as she pulled away. She gave Fritz a winning smile, along with a thumbs up. "It''ll be fine! Just do as I told you! Don''t worry! You got this!"

    "We''re coming!" Ada said through the door, as she yanked Fritz to his feet.

 Meeting with the Mayor

    Arm in arm with Ada, Fritz was led through Falken towards the center of the village. Eventually, they stood before one of the very few two story houses within Falken. The foundation was made of large white stones. Soot-stained, foggy windows, barely shed light into the first floor. Ada, ushered Fritz through the door quickly. He tried to push back against Ada''s strength but was soon moved through the open doorway.

    A large well furnished living room greeted Fritz. He could see a set of stairs leading up to the second story in the back corner. Beside the stairs was a kitchen. A small iron stove, perfect for boiling tea, sat shoved to the side. The center of the room was dominated by a large rectangular wooden table. There were enough seats for twelve. A high-backed chair sat at the head. A woman with gray short hair and matching wolf ears sat hunched forward writing a letter. Ink and quill moved rapidly as she tried to quickly finish. In her lips, a long pipe puffed tobacco into the air. Large, old, scars enveloped the side of her face and neck. Her tired blue eyes fixated on the work before her, as a dour frown pulled on her scars.

    "Good Morning, Neva." Ada said softly, as if she didn''t want to disturb the other wolfkin.

    She looked up. Her tired bloodshot eyes looked to Ada and then to Fritz. The gray haired wolfkin''s expression immediately softened upon seeing him. An awkward friendly smile distorted her battle worn face. Her intense blue eyes were untouched by her smile.

    "Ada! And the man of the hour. Come take a seat. I''ll just be a minute." Neva said, as she quickly put her quill away, and started collecting her paper. Ada pushed Fritz to the seat on Neva''s right, before sitting down next to him.

    "Just need a moment to put this away, would you like some tea?" Neva asked politely.

    "Please." Ada replied. Neva looked over to Fritz. He smiled wanly at the offer, and the wolfkin was off. Walking upstairs with her parchment and quill she left Ada and Fritz alone for a moment. Fritz looked around the room, noting the decoration. Animal pelts decorated the walls, alongside various swords, spears, and shields. The decor certainly matched the rustic image of a country town. Behind, the foggy glass windows, humanoid shapes with animal ears pressed in close trying to see inside. Closing his eyes, he could hear the muffled sound of an argument outside.

    Neva returned. Seeing the figures trying to look inside she walked over to the windows and drew the curtains. She moved her hands in a strange fashion, as she whispered something under her breath. Noise from the outside vanished. Fritz looked over towards the door. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

    "I have muffled the sound within my home. No one outside will be able to listen in on our conversation. No matter how delicate or curious their ears are." Neva said.

    Returning from the kitchen for a teapot and a small bundle of firewood, she prepared the iron stove. Neva re-adjusted her pipe as she squatted. Extending a finger out Fritz felt a small twinge of magic emanate from her index finger.

    A tendril of flame shot out of her finger wrapping around the log igniting the wood. "Just need a minute for it to boil." Finally finished, the mayor slumped down into her high backed chair. Her tall lithe frame took up much of the chair. Resting on an elbow, her fingers played with her wooden pipe. "Your report the other day was worrying Ada. We''ve already sent word to Hueryss. The Jaeger''s will be alerted. They''ll take care of the necromancer."

    Ada nodded sagely at her words.

    "Now, that''s not why I wanted to talk to both of you." Neva began. She fixated on Fritz, as she took a long puff of tobacco. "Fritz''s, it''s nice to meet you. My name is Neva. I find myself the mayor of this small village. You''ll have to excuse us if you''re expecting some of the comforts of the city. This far into the boonies, one has to make due." Underneath the table, Fritz could feel Ada''s hand gripping his knee tightly. Looking over, Ada made nervous signals with her eyes signaling Fritz.

    "Nonsense, I think I will manage. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Neva." Fritz responded. A fake smile enveloped his lips. Neva checked her pipe for a moment. She looked over towards the kettle before fixating back on Fritz.

    "Quite the polite one you picked up. I''d almost forgotten what manners were." Neva said to Ada. Fritz felt her relax her grip.

    "I certainly do know how to pick them. Nothing to worry about. Nothing strange or otherworldly about him at all. Haha." Ada laughed nervously. "Nope, nothing strange about him."

    "Ada''s right. There''s absolutely nothing strange about me. I''m perfectly normal." Fritz said sarcastically. Ada''s crushing grip made Fritz wince slightly.

    "Right. Of course. I do hope you don''t mind if I ask some questions. I like to know everyone in this village. Especially ones that get picked up so deep in the woods." Ada''s tired eyes ran over Fritz''s face. He felt the culmination of years of work and responsibility weigh upon him as she inspected him.

    "That''s quite alright." He said.

    "Do you have any family Fritz?" Neva asked.

    "No. I was orphaned at a young age." Fritz said casually.

    "Where did you grow up?"

    "Does it matter?" He asked.

    "It does to me." Neva replied casually.

    "Fine. Middle of nowhere. Far out into the country. I ended up moving to the city for an education."

    "An education. Quite impressive. Most likely you''re from Rennes then. That''s quite the distance to travel." Neva said as she drummed her finger on the table. She stopped to take a deep inhale of the tobacco before exhaling through her nose. A cloud of deep acrid tobacco deflected against the dark wood of the table spilling out everywhere.

    "Any friends, lovers, guild masters, creditors, or someone that might be looking for you?" Neva asked. Ada perked up at the question. Fritz could feel her looking intensely at him for his approaching answer.

    "No. I am afraid not. I''m all alone. Sad isn''t it?" Fritz replied.

    "Very. Strange too. No one who might care that you''ve ended up hundreds of miles away from human civilization in the boonies surrounded by half feral beastkin?" Neva questioned.

    "No, I''ve always been rather independent." Fritz replied. Ada gripped his knee. Fritz moved his hand underneath, trying to pry her away from him.

    "The forest to the north is a savage land. No one but the elves lives there permanently. Rarely, we will see some homesteaders or hunters dead and rotting between the trees. Attacked by who knows what. Even rarer, does some random passerby exit the forest. You see my curiosity don''t you?"

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    "Of course. Makes sense." Fritz replied blandly.

    "Especially since you''re a human. Very rare in these parts. Let alone stumbling through a forest that would kill most."

    "Your point?" Fritz asked, failing to mask his own annoyance.

    "Only the foolish and the extremely desperate enter into those woods. What were you doing in there?" Neva asked. Her eyes narrowed like a predator.

    "I don''t remember." Fritz said with a shrug. "All I remember is waking up in a disturbed cemetery. Graves were exhumed. I was chased around a bit by some hornets and a bear. Then, I started moving south. Luck, or happenstance, or whatever helped me meet Ada. Afterwards, I was able to stumble into Falken."

    "Hmmmm. Amnesia. How cliche." Neva said. She snorted to herself in amusement before continuing. "You look alive. Ada, is he warm? Or is he cold like the dead?"

    "Very warm." She replied.

    "You don''t remember why you woke up in the graveyard?" Neva asked. "What''s the last memory you have before the cemetery?"

    "Getting fired." Venom dripped from his words as he spoke. Anger and annoyance, creeped into his demeanor.

    "From what?"

    "My weapons researcher job at EvaMaxx."

    "You were fired, and you just happened to wander into the forest? A journey of days? Something''s off." Neva paused before continuing. "Do you have any affiliation with the undead lands? Do you know anything about this necromancer?" Neva asked seriously. She seemed to lean in closer towards Fritz, as if to pressure him.

    "What?" Fritz asked in confusion. The whistling of the teapot interrupted their conversation. Fritz looked over to Ada. She was reluctant to return his gaze. Fritz sat up straighter in his chair.

    "Ada. Be a dear, get the tea." Neva said. Standing up, the blonde wolfkin moved to set the table. Moving around the table, Ada poured tea for everyone before returning the teapot to the cool side of the stove.

    "Now, Mr. Fritz. Let''s start over. Have you been in contact with any undead?"

    "No. What would we even talk about? I can''t imagine zombies being good at conversation." Fritz furrowed his brow, as he struggled to see where this conversation was going.

    "Necromancers. Vampires. Liches. Higher ghouls. Abominations. Wights. They can all speak. Have you been in contact with any?"

    "No."

    "It''s hard to believe. Especially when we''ve confirmed necromantic activity. Wouldn''t you agree?" Neva prodded. Fritz let out a sigh. He took a tentative sip of the tea. Memories of similar corporate grillings swirled around in his mind.

    "Ada, was there anything about your meeting that you found strange?" Neva asked. Ada seemed to fidget in place. Trying to pause before responding, she took a sip of her tea.

    "Well, I mean there''s a lot of strange things really." Ada began. "He acts so differently. He''s really weak, but it''s like he doesn''t realize it. Not to mention, meeting him surrounded by wolves. Him charging in, and scaring away a couple. It''s all strange. Then, he helped me return to town. He supported me as we marched for days. Regus almost forced him into a fight last night. It''s like he doesn''t understand how dangerous the world is! He needs help. Someone to watch over him."

    "I would have been fine. I can handle myself." Fritz tried to interject. The other two beastkin ignored him. Underneath the table, Ada jabbed him with a finger.

    "Exactly, Ada. He''s very strange. Is there anything else strange about him? Anything identifiable on him? Anything that would give him a reason to be stumbling through the woods alone?" Neva asked. Ada took a long look at Fritz. Her steely gray eyes seemed to waver as she looked at him.

    "No, Neva. Frann searched his pockets after he passed out." Ada answered. Fritz shot her an offended look. Ada looked away as she took a sip of her tea. Neva took another long inhale of tobacco as she considered the two at her table.

    "Do you think he''s trustworthy?" Neva asked suddenly.

    "I do. He''s just different. Very strange. He needs someone to watch over him." Ada answered.

    "Ada, I trust you, so here''s what''s going to happen. Ada, you''ll look after Fritz. You''ll keep an eye on him, make sure he stays out of trouble. Don''t let him out of your sight, till this undead business blows over. Is that understood?" Ada nodded sadly at the command. Fritz took a sip of the tea, as he mulled over his next words.

    "That''s all well and good, but I need to leave this village." Fritz said. "I cannot stay. I should have already left this morning."

    "What''s the rush? Any undead friends looking for you? Any lawman coming to drag you back home?" Neva asked.

    "No. I need to get to Fehrenn. I can''t stay. It''s of the utmost importance." Ada grabbed his knee again. Her sharp nails dug into his flesh. Fritz winced slightly.

    "You''re staying until the Jaegers arrive. Once they deal with this necromancer, then you may leave." Ada said.

    "I can''t stay. Danger or not. I need to leave." Fritz said with exasperation.

    "Why? You''ve already admitted no one is looking for you. You''ve got nothing in your pockets, so you can''t be some merchant. Tell me why?" Neva asked.

    "I-.I''m on a qu-" Ada jabbed her fingers into his side. Jumping in his seat slightly, Fritz frowned. "I shouldn''t say."

    "Shouldn''t say?" Neva hummed to herself. She took a generous sip of the strong black tea. "Or won''t say?"

    "Neva, please trust me, it has nothing to do with what you may think. I need to leave. I can''t stay. Ada is also right, I need some help. She should leave with me. Her help would be extremely useful." Fritz said.

    "No. Never happening. You''re too suspicious. If you ask me, you''re involved in this business somehow." Neva replied. Fritz cursed under his breath. Massaging his temples, Fritz tried to keep a hold of his emotions.

    "Neva! You can''t seriously think he''s involved." Ada spoke up.

    "I do. Something''s not right. My instincts are screaming at me. He''s too weak to be involved directly, but I know something is off about him. Something is fishy and I intend to get to the bottom of it." Neva took a deep inhale of her pipe, before letting out a cloud of stinking tobacco. "Ada, keep a real close eye on him. Don''t let him out of your sight, and stay put." Ada placed a hand on his arm before replying.

    "Of course." She answered.

    "How long until the Jaegers arrive?" He asked.

    "A month usually." Neva answered. "Until then you''re staying put."

    Fritz stood up suddenly, the high back chair fell to the floor. His hands gripped the table as he leaned forward.

    "A month? An entire month? I can''t wait an entire month. I''ve got to leave now!" Neva seemed entirely unperturbed by his outburst.

    "The roads are not safe with a necromancer on the loose, Mr. Fritz. Falken is. Staying is in your best interest." Neva said seriously. Her blue eyes were deadly seriously

    "I''ll be fine. Who''s afraid of some stupid zombies? I have a quest to do! I need to leave now!" Trying to move away from the table, he felt Ada''s hand grip his arm holding him in place. The air in the room went deathly cold. Struggling to free his arm, Fritz ignored the two other wolfkin.

    "A quest?" Neva asked quietly.

    "No. No. You misheard him, Neva! He said he has a ''west''. Right Fritz? Right?"

    "I said a damn quest! Ada let''s just leave! I''ve had enough of this. We''ll get supplies along the way."

    "A quest?!" Neva shot to her feet. Taking out her pipe, she started jabbing it towards Fritz and Ada. "Neither of you are going anywhere! What kind of idiocy is this? A quest? Nothing more than a fool''s journey, chasing unicorns or some such stupidity!"

    "It''s not stupid!" Ada shot back. Letting go of Fritz''s arm, Ada leaned over the table towards Neva. "It''s a noble journey!"

    "I know better than you girl! You''re wasting your time and your sanity! Drop all of this adventure nonsense this instant! I''ve told you time and time again, adventuring is not like the stories!"

    "You''re just old and bitter! All you want is for me to fester and rot in the boonies just like you!"

    "I want you to be safe! I don''t want you to be stabbed, robbed, and left for dead!"

    "I''ll be fine!" Ada shot back.

    "No you won''t!" Neva and Ada started growling at one another. The two locked eyes, completely ignoring Fritz.

    "Ladies! Ladies! Ladi-" Fritz said, raising up his hands.

    "Shut up!" Both barked out at once.

    "Fritz, and I are going on this quest!" Ada said while grabbing his arm again.

    "You''ll do no such thing, young lady! Do you hear me?! Running away with a man you just met? A human too? What''s gotten into you?"

    Fritz let out a long dramatic sigh, as he listened to the two argue. Ada held onto his arm, as she yelled over him. Neva kept jabbing her pipe towards Ada. Her scarred face scrunched in anger, as her face turned redder and redder. Eventually, a chair was thrown into the iron stove top, which prompted a protracted wrestling match. The two wolfkin kicked the large meeting table, sliding it towards the door. The large wooden table blocked the only exit. The two squared off in the center of the room. Growling and cursing, they slammed one another into the hard wooden floor of Neva''s home.

    A sinking realization hit Fritz, maybe all beastkin were like this?

 Decisions

    With arms crossed, Fritz sat at Ada''s tiny kitchen table. In front of him, a defeated Ada sat silently glowering. For a long while, the two said nothing.

    Running his hands through his hair, he leaned back sighing heavily. He let his anger and frustrations leave him, as he tried to calm down. "Must be tough dealing with Neva, I can see why you want to leave." Ada grunted in reply.

    "Why not sneak out? Surely you could have already. You don''t actually need Neva''s permission. You''re an adult, you can leave on your own. Walk out, and never look back."

    "I''ve tried. Many times. Neva always tracks me down. Last time, I made it three towns over before she caught up. She wrestled me to the ground, and hogtied me like a wild animal in the middle of town. The townsfolk laughed, as she dragged me out. Everyone in Falken was there to watch me return too."

    "That is rough.... I can see why you want her permission." Fritz said. Ada''s frown deepened as she continued reminiscing.

    "She asked me to scout the northern woods, but secretly I double backed to the south. Somehow, she figured it out. I thought I''d have enough of a head start to get away, but I was wrong. She''s smarter and craftier than her old age suggests."

    "She tracks you down?" Fritz asked. Ada nodded. "Is she some kind of bloodhound?" Ada cracked a slight smile.

    "She told me she''d never let me leave until I beat her in single combat."

    "She''s looking a bit gray. That''ll be soon right? Surely, you can just kick her cane away?" Ada let out a giggle. Pushing his luck, Fritz kept going. "Maybe she''ll slip a disc? Shall I curse her with lifelong back pain?"

    "You can do that?"

    "No. No, just kidding. I wouldn''t wish that on anyone." Fritz said with a smile.

    "I''ve never beat her. Not in years of trying. I''ve still got a long way to go. She''s way better with the blade, and her fighting experience eclipses mine."

    "Hmmmm. Was she an ex soldier?"

    "She never talks about her past, but I know she''s more than she lets on...."

    "When did you last try to beat her? Aside from today."

    "Last month. It wasn''t close."

    Fritz let out a long sigh as he leaned back into his chair, thinking.

    "It might be better to run." He said.

    "No. She''ll hunt us down."

    "Think about it."

    "I''m not going to. We need to convince her or I need to beat her."

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    "If you can''t before the Jaegers arrive, I''ll be leaving without you." Fritz said.

    "Nope." Ada said simply. "You''re my ticket out of here. I just know it. I''m coming with you, no matter what."

    "I''ve got a quest, I''m on a time limit." Fritz said.

    "We''re traveling together, Fritz. We just need to get out of the village." Ada said with confidence.

    "I can''t wait." Fritz said.

    His mind thought back to his options. Looking towards Ada, he felt a rush of magic exit his body. In his outstretched palm he held a small glass hand mirror, clasped in bronze. He looked at himself, and frowned. Were his eyes always this hue? He ran his hand down the stubble of his facial hair. His beard certainly seemed darker and fuller than normal. His face seemed smoother too. He frowned slightly at himself in the mirror.

    "Oooh. That''s nice. So you can do more than create water and bread." Ada said. Fritz grunted in reply. He turned the mirror around to face Ada.

    "I didn''t see one in here." Fritz said. Ada looked into the mirror, she inspected her face and preened her hair. Her sun kissed skin stood out against her gray eyes. His eyes trailed down the freckles on her long nose. Her full lips parted slightly as she concentrated. Her beautiful face drew him in, as he studied her features.

    "Mirrors are rare out here. They are hard to transport without breaking. Neva has a large one in her home. She probably got it from Zola."

    "Makes sense." Fritz replied. "Do you want it? Take it." Ada stopped, and let her pale gray eyes settle intently on Fritz. A measure of uncertainty crossed her face, as she looked for the right words.

    Before she could respond, Fritz pushed his initiative. He spared a brief glance to her long tanned fingers. A small golden band appeared in his left hand within an instant. He held it up next to the mirror.

    "Jewelry must be rare out here. Twenty four karat gold. Ada, what do you say?" Fritz admired the ring between his fingers. "Quite the piece of work I''d say. Hold out your hand." He said. Ada moved her left hand over the table, as her big gray eyes seemed to wait for Fritz to act. Gently, he placed the mirror down. Holding her hand softly with his right hand he positioned the ring above her ring finger. His eyes met hers, as he moved the ring slowly down her finger.

    "It''d be easy for us to resupply. This cost me nothing to make. It was barely a dent in my mana. We could trade golden rings for new clothes. We could trade mirrors for food. We could buy the silence of entire villages. It''d be easy. We could double back through the country, hiding our footprints and scent. We could easily pay for passage, and even buy more protection. We don''t have to fight our way to Fehrenn. We can sneak away, Ada. We won''t get caught. Trust me."

    "Fritz...." Ada said his name quietly to herself, as she looked down at the golden ring. Sensing her waver for a second, he pushed his advantage.

    "Please, Ada, let''s skip town. Neva will never catch up to us. I can mask our scent. We''d be impossible to track. I can create food and water. Supplies are no trouble. Whatever you need I can probably make it with a little time." Fritz pleaded. He felt her will waver for a moment, yet something pushed back.

    "Fritz. You just committed a major crime."

    "Uh, What?" Fritz blinked in confusion.

    "Conjuring gold and gems is strictly forbidden. What you did was illegal. If a guard caught you, you''d be jailed and executed. Out here, they''d probably just stab you immediately."

    "Uh..... I didn''t know that. You''re not gonna snitch on me are you?"

    "That depends." Ada mused for a moment. Inspecting the gold ring, she held her hand out in front of her. "I do like the ring...."

    "And?" Fritz asked.

    "I might let this slide, if you are patient for three days."

    "I see.... That seems fair." Fritz replied with an awkward smile. As the smile lingered on his lips, a stream of curses ran through his mind.

    "Of course it is. We''re doing this the right way. I''ll challenge Neva in two days. Come on, I''m gonna train. There''s a lot to do." Ada grabbed his wrist. Her strong arms had Fritz on his feet and out of the door. Hooking her arms through his, Fritz found himself walking through Falken. The flood of internal obscenities did not abate, as his wooden legs mechanically led him forward.

 Training For Victory

    Fritz leaned into the wooden fencing separating Falken''s training yard. Inside, Ada swung a heavy practice sword with extreme ease. Small beads of sweat traveled down her temple. Her tight arms bulged as she brought the sword down. Her long hair bobbed, as her body absorbed the remaining force. Bringing up the sword again, Ada continued practicing her swing. The air swirled in the wake of her strike. Fritz had lost count long ago, as Ada continued to swing the weighted practice sword.

    "So where''d your tail go?" A small child standing next to Fritz asked.

    "I thought I told you, I wasn''t born with one." Fritz lamented. His eyes drifted down to the small beastkin. His cat tail swayed behind him as he looked at Fritz with extreme curiosity.

    "Does that mean you''re deformed?" The child asked. His hands awkwardly fidgeted with the plastic dragon toy.

    "Yes, I suppose it does. I''m deformed and ugly. Happy?" Fritz answered.

    "See! I knew it!" A different child exclaimed. Her face warped with a smug grin, as her orange foxtail swished with excitement.

    "Mr. Fritz?" A calmer kid asked.

    "Yeah?" Fritz said.

    "Where''d you get that toy? I''ve never seen anything like it." The boy pointed towards the plastic dragon toy. His wide eyes waited in anticipation. Looking down at the boy''s fluffy, curly hair, Fritz pegged the boy as a sheepkin.

    "From my pockets." Fritz said. Reaching into his pockets, he let his magic surge forth. Withdrawing his hand, he gave each of the nearby nuisances a couple pieces of candy. Opening up one of the wrappers, Fritz popped the chemically bright, sugary treat into this mouth. The familiar taste of extreme sweetness filled his mouth. Beside him the children copied his movements popping a piece of candy into their mouths.

    "What is this?" The girl exclaimed in excitement. The children buzzed with renewed energy, as they devoured the food with extreme gusto.

    "Candy." Fritz replied blandly. "Delicious isn''t it? Ever had it?"

    "Never! Can we get some more? Please?!" One of the kids asked.

    "Please?!" The three kids said in unison.

    "I don''t know...." Fritz began. Ada''s eyes wandered over towards Fritz. A quizzical look overtook her, yet her discipline kept her swinging her practice sword.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    "Come on!" The catkin begged him.

    "I''d hate to spoil your appetite. Your parents might hate me." Fritz leaned more into the fence. Beside him, the children were pulling on his pants harder and harder.

    "We won''t tell!" They chanted in near unison.

    "Alright, alright. Let me check my pockets again." Fritz said with an exaggerated sigh. "Sometimes, I forget what''s in there." Reaching into his pockets, he made a show of digging around inside. The foxkin, not content to wait, started climbing the fence before jumping on top of him. Her hands wrapped around his neck and shoulders as she dangled like a lead weight.

    "Give us your treasure!" She exclaimed.

    "Treasure! Treasure!" The other two chanted.

    "Give me a minute!" Fritz huffed out in feigned annoyance. With his left hand, he withdrew a rubber ball, with his right, he presented a plastic knight to match the dragon.

    "Where''s the candy?" One of the kids asked.

    "Sometimes, my pants don''t give me what I need." Fritz said. "It''s terrible really!"

    "Search him!" The orange-haired foxkin screeched. Her two lackeys'' instantly shot their grubby mitts into Fritz'' pockets.

    "Hey! Knock it off!" Ada shouted. The kids moved away from him. "Fritz, stop spoiling them, they''re too unruly as is." Tossing the newly conjured toys, Fritz gave Ada a guilty smile.

    "Sorry, my bad. Didn''t mean to distract you." He said.

    "Are you mad at us?" The sheepkin asked. Fritz was the first to answer.

    "Of course not." He reassured the nervous boy. "Today, I''m more annoyed with Ada and Neva." Ada frowned at him. Her white exercise shirt clung to her midriff. Her abdominal muscles bulged against the fabric as she breathed deeply.

    "Why? What''d they do?"

    "They said, I couldn''t leave! They''re treating me like a prisoner!" Fritz said with annoyance.

    "Duh!" The foxkin said. Her hands moved the toy knight around to inspect the figure. "Mom, says no one can. They said there''s a necromancer in the woods." The three children quickly fell into an argument as to whether the threat was real or fake.

    "Word travels fast." Fritz said. Ada walked over towards the fence, leaning against the railing next to Fritz.

    "Small town." She replied.

    "So, does that mean you''re staying?" One of the kids asked Fritz.

    "It appears so, until I can get on the mayor''s good side." Fritz replied. "Unless...." He crouched down next to the beastkin children. "You wouldn''t know any secret escape tunnels out of here would you? I might be able to get some more candy." Behind him, Ada rolled her eyes.

    "Don''t corrupt the little ones." Ada warned.

    Fritz bounced back up to his feet. Leaning back against the railing.

    "Fritz?" One of the kids asked.

    "Yeah?"

    "Are you coming to the election?"

    "He is. Neva wanted me to officiate." Ada said confidently. Fritz gave her a quizzical look.

    "Even after this morning?" Fritz asked. Ada gave him a shrug.

    "We make up quickly these days."

    "Are you gonna enter? I heard it''s just Regus this time." One of the kids asked.

    "No, and neither is he." Ada nudged Fritz with her elbow. "He''s gonna be on his best behavior until the village is safe."

    "Election?" Fritz asked.

    "You''ll see." Ada said with a wink. "We''ll get another chance to scout out the competition. You three, keep a watch on him. Don''t let him run off, I need to finish up here."

    Ada moved back into the center of the practice ring. Setting her sword down, she started doing push ups. Fritz, with nothing better to do, started to lose count as Ada''s body moved about with practiced ease. Fritz watched the sweat glisten on her well toned body, as he tried his best to ignore the unruly children surrounding him.

 Election Season

    Nearly all of Falken turned out for the new election. The beastkin gathered around the central square of the town. Children clung to the side of buildings. Women and men craned their necks over the crowd. Ada led Fritz through the throng of excited onlookers.

    "What kind of election is this?" Fritz asked.

    "Our yearly one." Ada answered.

    "Every year, isn''t that excessive?" Fritz asked. Ada merely shrugged.

    The two of them eventually pushed past a black-haired catkin to the front. Before them, Neva stood alone in a large clearing. Her long pipe puffed a long languid line of smoke into the early evening sky. A free hand rested on the pommel of her shortsword. Fritz looked around him. The other residents of the town threw him some strange looks, yet their primary concern was the graying wolfkin standing alone in the center. The crowd murmured and mingled as they waited for the main event.

    "Is this for the mayor''s office?" Fritz guessed.

    "Yeah. That''s the only one out here. It''s pretty important too. The mayor settles all conflicts out here. Anything from missing livestock to drunken brawls." Ada answered.

    "Small town problems." Fritz said. He crossed his arms to mirror Ada as he waited for the election to start. "So who are the candidates?"

    "Neva, and Regus. The two are competing this year. Same as last year." Ada answered. Her gray eyes fixated on Neva.

    "I doubt I can vote as a non-resident of the town." Ada turned to him, giving him a strange look.

    "I mean you could compete if you wanted too, but you''d lose. Neva''s powerful."

    "Not interested in politics. Besides, I''m not looking to stay." Fritz said nonchalantly.

    Across from Ada and Fritz the crowd parted. Regus walked confidently through the crowd. The broad-shouldered wolfkin sauntered forward to the center of Falken. His muscles rippled openly from his shirtless body. His black tail flicked around betraying his excitement. Ada took out her pipe momentarily to speak. The onlooking crowd went silent.

    "Still want to do this Regus? Remember what happened last year?" She asked casually.

    "Ha! This time''s different." Regus growled out. "I''m gonna wipe the floor with you. My time is now! This is about to be my town!"

    "Why''s his shirt off?" Fritz asked Ada, leaning towards her. Ada quickly turned to shush him.

    "Fine. Don''t say I didn''t warn you." Ada said with a long protracted sigh. With a steadying breath she addressed the gathered residents.

    "Regus, has come to challenge my office for this year''s election. Let all gathered bare witness to this year''s results. Ada!" The blonde wolfkin to Fritz''s left snapped to attention. "Since you are here, you will be the officiant. Do you protest Regus?" The shirtless wolfkin did not respond. His hand drifted to the sword at his side. Fritz''s brow furrowed as Ada left the crowd to stand in the center of the town. The two candidates turned to face each other.

    "Neva. Regus. Any words before we start?"

    "Let my sword sing my strength." Regus lifted his sheathed sword in the air. "My time is now. A new generation is rising. Today, all will witness my triumph. Falken needs a new leader. One not bowed with age." Regus grinned savagely towards Neva. A look of boredom passed over her as she sighed.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    "Let us start. I''ll try and teach him some manners." She said to Ada. Regus scowled as he stared daggers into Neva.

    "Watch your words. I''m about to be mayor."

    "You got to win it first, boy."

    "Are you ready?" Ada asked. She turned to the two. Each nodded. "Whenever you wish to start." She stood slightly off like a referee. The crowd tensed in excitement as the two candidates stood across from the other.

    Regus drew his sword in a blinding flash as he charged forward. A loud battlecry rang out from his lungs. Fritz barely had time to register what was happening. Neva stood unmoving. The long pipe in her mouth bobbed slightly as a look of annoyance overtook her face.

    Why were they fighting? Wasn''t this supposed to be an election? A sudden sinking realization hit Fritz as he began to understand the situation.

    "This isn''t democracy!" Fritz shouted. His voice was drowned out by cheering, bloodthirsty beastkin as Regus went on the offensive.

    Regus'' sword swung in an horizontal arc towards Neva''s throat. The gray-haired wolfkin ducked underneath the slash. Regus surged forward in a series of cuts, slashes and piercing strikes. Neva''s limber footwork carried her around the open square as she dodged everything Regus threw her way. The crowd cheered on at the spectacle.

    "Stop dodging! Draw your sword and fight me seriously!" Regus screamed. The two stopped, squaring off again. Neva took a deep inhale of her pipe before letting out a large cloud of smoke. Neva turned her pipe over spilling the tobacco onto the ground. Stuffing the pipe into her waistband, she squared off with the younger beastkin.

    "You''re not strong enough for me to draw my sword." Neva warned. Regus let out another battlecry and charged Neva. The tight muscles of the beastkin contacted, as he held his sword high. Fritz watched his arms flex and core tense as he threw everything into the next slash. Fritz''s breath caught as he watched on. Neva was completely calm as she faced down the blade. The slash came faster than Fritz''s eyes could watch. The steel sang through the air, as Neva repositioned herself. A quick hook impacted Regus''s jaw, sending him to the ground. His steel sword flew away from his hands, as his body started to fall backwards.

    Neva followed through, striking her opponent in the liver, chest, stomach, and face. When Regus hit the ground, his body was completely limp. Blood oozed from his lips, as bruises began forming on his skin. Neva looked towards the crowd. The residents cried out for Neva to end the fight. Jumping up into the air, Neva extended her elbow out. Her lithe frame dropped into Regus. Her elbow hit his stomach, as a spray of blood exited his mouth.

    The crowd erupted in applause. Beastkin chanted Neva''s name, as if she were a gladiator. The older wolfkin barely acknowledged them. Instead she turned towards Ada.

    "Well?" She asked.

    "Neva has won this year''s election! Regus has been defeated!" Ada shouted over the crowd. "May her sword purge the unworthy! May she rise to all challenges and lead us forward!"

    The gathered crowd cheered Neva''s name. The gray-haired wolfkin turned around as she raised a fist into the air. The crowd cheered with renewed vigor. Applause erupted heralding the end of this year''s election. Neva was swarmed by congratulatory residents. With the spectacle over, members of the crowd began to move away towards the local tavern. Children broke off into groups re-enacting what they saw. Older beastkin huddled together speaking in hushed tones of the future. Fran finally made her way towards Regus. A faint green flow from her hands started to develop the defeated challenger.

    "Ada, what the hell was that?" Fritz asked as Ada returned.

    "Huh?"

    "That wasn''t an election. Nobody voted. That was just a duel for the mayor''s office."

    "It''s how we''ve always done things." Ada said with a look of genuine confusion.

    "You have always beaten each other to bloody pulps to determine who runs the towns?"

    "Don''t put it that way. It''s a noble and honorable duel to determine rites of succession. If Regus wasn''t such an idiot, Neva wouldn''t have to punch him. She went easy on him too. Sometimes, it''s to the death!"

    "But that''s not an election. In an election you vote for something. You''d all gather and cast ballots for who you think should be mayor."

    "That''s stupid, Fritz. The weak would band together and elect their own. The strong would have no space to rule. Besides, Neva''s a good mayor. Is that how they do things from your kingdom?"

    "Yeah, but-"

    "No wonder you''re so weak." Ada teased him with a jab and a smug smile. Fritz frowned in annoyance.

    "You''re just freakishly strong. Way stronger than you should be. It makes no sense." Fritz said.

    "I''ll take that as a compliment. Come on, let''s head back. We can strategize about how to beat her." Hooking her arm through his, the two walked back to Ada''s cottage.

 Bonds

    The dark of night descended upon Falken. Leaning back in his chair, Fritz looked over a small gap in the curtain. The bright full moon shone with a lustrous white. Across from him, Ada sat reading a small book.

    "Was this really necessary?" Fritz asked Ada.

    "What do you mean?"

    "Is a necromancer really that dangerous?"

    "Neva says so. For what it''s worth, I don''t think you''re working with a necromancer."

    "Being in here, your home feels a bit cramped." Fritz said. The flickering flame of a single candle atop her fireplace mantle cast moving shadows across the room. Fritz looked over to the single bed, just large enough for two people to sleep shoulder to shoulder.

    "It''s cozy. Warm in the winter, and I usually don''t spend all day trapped inside either." Ada replied.

    "Fair enough." Fritz said. "It''s getting late, will I be sleeping at Fran''s clinic?"

    "No...." Ada said.

    "Here then?" Fritz said. He looked at the floor of the cottage. "On the floor?"

    "Nope."

    "Then what?" Fritz asked.

    "You''ll sleep on the bed."

    "I''ll steal your bed?" Ada seemed to fidget a bit, as she brought her book higher as if to mask her face. A faint trace of color touched her nose.

    "We''ll share the bed. Neva asked me to keep an eye on you. It seems like the best way. I can make sure you don''t run away." Ada replied.

    "I wouldn''t want to intrude. The clinic was fine. I''d rather have a room to myself." Fritz said.

    "It''s bigger than it looks. We can each take a side!"

    "Really, I think I should go take a bed at Fran''s." Ada frowned at his answer.

    "We''ll share the bed." she repeated. "We can''t have you running away in the middle of the night."

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    "The floor?"

    "No. That won''t work." Ada responded.

    "Why?"

    "Because it''s important! We need to get comfortable with one another! This is important for building our bonds as adventurers! Bonds! Don''t you understand anything about heroes? They always have strong bonds!"

    "That''s-"

    "Genius! It''s genius. Drop whatever you were about to say!"

    "No, that''s kind of stupid, Ada."

    "No, it''s not. I can memorize your scent in case you get lost, but that requires close contact. What if you get abducted by a body snatcher? How could I notice the changes if we weren''t close? What if we''re attacked in the middle of the night? What if your dreams are invaded by an evil creature from the fae?"

    "Uhhh...." Fritz groaned and started massaging his temples.

    "See didn''t think of that did you?" Ada taunted. "You''re on a quest from..." Ada leaned forward across the small table. Her gray eyes fixated on Fritz. "You know who...." She whispered secretly. "We can''t take chances here. The closer we are, the better."

    "Ada, I don''t think anything like that is going to happen."

    "Mark my words, Fritz. Mark my words...."

    "Ada, I''d really prefer my own bed."

    <hr>

    Fritz was slowly learning a long and protracted lesson about dealing with Ada. Beside him on the soft bed, Ada snored like a dying animal. Her strong hands grabbed his side with unconscious desperation. Her legs hooked into him like a wrestler. A puddle of drool seeped into the crook of his arm. Her long ears twitched, tickling his face.

    She had seemed suspiciously happy to snuggle up next to him. Her nose twitched often, and Fritz knew she was sniffing him. She had fallen asleep quickly, as if Fritz was nothing more than her personal teddy bear. It began soon after that. At first he thought she was dying, yet for each cycle of inhale and exhale worry transformed into sheer annoyance.

    It was late in the night. Fritz was staring at the dark ceiling. Rubbing his red eyes he waited and prayed to fall asleep. Yet for all of his prayers, sleep would not come.

    The rest of Falken was quiet. Gentle winds swept through the town. Creaking wood protested as Fritz breathed in deeply. The smell of rot drifted into the cabin for a moment. Fritz''s nose scrunched up in disgust for a moment.

    Grumbling in her sleep, Ada released her hold of Fritz. Turning over on her side, she let go of Fritz. Elation filled him. Freedom at last, and not a moment too soon. Without moving, Fritz waited for the beastkin to settle back down. Slowly, and gently, he began edging his way off of the bed. Standing up in the center of the cottage, Fritz started quietly gathering his stuff as Ada started snoring again. Bending down, he grabbed his boots, and started putting them on.

    Fritz was leaving. The decision had been made a long time ago, and now was a good enough time to leave. He couldn''t wait forever. The village was a waste of time. He knew the general direction he needed to travel. Supplies wouldn''t be an issue for him. He needed to get moving, before he became stuck.

    ''Would they search for him like an escaped criminal?'' He thought. ''Perhaps, but it does not matter. I cannot wait for Ada to beat Neva, and convincing her to let us out is a waste of time. Waiting a month for beastkin hunters to track down a necromancer is foolish. I need to leave tonight.''

    Breathing in deeply, Fritz stood up. His eyes drifted to the  door. Determination to move forward filled him. Looking back towards Ada, he felt a pang of guilt.

 Necromancer

    A deep feeling of wrongness filled the cabin. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the it. It felt different and unknown like a cloud of chemicals was hanging over the area. He could feel the sensation with something beyond the normal human senses. His heart hammered in his chest. A shot of adrenaline chased any latent sleepiness from his body and mind. Whatever desire to leave vanished, as Fritz wrestled with the sensation. His mind ran through possibilities as he tried to figure out what was wrong. Ada was stirring.

    "Fritz. Where''d you go?" She mumbled sleepily.

    "Here." Fritz said. He shifted in the dark cottage moving towards the window. Peering outside, he looked for the offending sensation. Falken was quiet, yet his anxiety and nerves screamed ''danger''.

    "What''s wrong. What are you doing?" The sleepy wolfkin said. She sat up in bed, and looked over towards his dark shape. Fritz created a small match in his hand. He struck the match, and found the candle above her fireplace lighting it.

    "I don''t know. Something feels off. I can''t describe it. Something''s wrong."

    "What''s wrong?" Ada asked. She moved out of bed, closer to the door as if to block it off.

    "I don''t know. Something just feels really off right now. I can''t really place it. It feels bad. It feels dangerous. " Fritz sat down at the small circular table as he bounced his right leg.

    "Fritz. Everything''s fine." Ada said with a yawn as she joined him at the table. She hiked up her loose white nightgown as she sat down with Fritz. "You should go back to bed."

    "Can you not feel it?"

    "Feel what?" Ada asked sleepily.

    "It''s like the air is full of electricity. Yet, that''s not quite right."

    A sudden scream in the middle of the night alerted Fritz and Ada. A high feminine wail shot through the stillness of the night like a knife. The scream was soon stifled. Fritz and Ada were immediately alerted. Ada jumped into action, moving quickly to get dressed.

    "Shit." Fritz said underneath his breath. He got up and grabbed his conjured survival knife. Ada''s boots were already on. She reached into the corner of her cottage to grab her shortsword. The initial scream was met with another. Sounds of chaos were erupting outside of the cottage.

    "Fritz, stay here. I''ll take a look." Ada said as she slung her door open and exited out into the night. Fritz cursed to himself, before running outside after her.

    The town was dark. Fritz could see vague humanoid shapes up ahead, with Ada standing on guard before them. Thinking quickly he conjured up a set of three road flares scattering them along the ground. The area was instantly illuminated. Ada shot a glance back towards Fritz. Dark robes obscured men standing dead still in the road. They were blocking the way out of town. In their hands, Fritz could see a makeshift assortment of swords, maces, and spears. Their hooded faces fixated on Fritz and Ada.

    "You don''t look like you''re from here!" Fritz shouted at the five figures. The hooded figures were silent. Fritz edged closer to Ada. As if on cue, the robed assailants came to life edging closer. Their weapons were held high aimed at Fritz and Ada. Sensing the hostility, Fritz readied his knife, holding it ready to throw. With a grunt, he sent the dagger flying outwards. The dagger flew high, hitting one of the assailants holding a spear. Its head tilted back and the cowl fell to its shoulders.

    No flesh, or muscle was to be found on its head. Its eyes were missing, yet it focused back immediately on Fritz. A small twinkling energy within its eye sockets, fixated on Fritz. As they approached closer, Fritz could see their boney hands sticking out from their sleeves.

    "Skeletons!" Ada shouted. "We''re under attack. There is a necromancer nearby! Stay alert! To arms, Falken! To arms!"

    Fritz''s mind shifted modes, as he tried to focus on an advantage. Without eyes they would be immune to blinding. Without lungs chemicals were out of the question. With little options, Fritz focused on sheer brute force. Focusing on some archaic knowledge, Fritz concentrated on his mana. With adrenaline surging through him, he found fixating on the flow of his mana was more difficult. With a steadying breath he found his center, and drew upon it.

    A iron ball split down the middle and connected via a central chain was conjured. Fritz hefted the weight. He had calculated correctly, with the proper throw, he could at least launch it safely at his opponent.

    "Ada! Watch out!" Fritz shouted as he spun in a circle. He would need to time it just right to hit his target. Pushing with his legs, he built momentum. With a final spin, he pulled the ball forward with his arm muscles, aiming for the center mass of the skeletons. The ball and chain spun through the air. Fritz came to a stop, his back facing the enemy. He turned around to catch the spinning arc of the ball hitting a skeleton. The skeleton collapsed to the ground as the ball hit it. The chain wrapped around its spine, wrenching the torso of the skeleton. It collapsed inanimate on the ground.

    "Good thinking! Hand me one!" Ada shouted. Fritz breathed deeply, and conjured another for Ada. The skeletons were marching forward oblivious to their comrades'' demise. Fritz tossed the chain shot towards Ada. She spun the five pound ball like a sling. Releasing it with a twist to keep the balls somewhat horizontal. The rotating cannonballs hit two skeletons. Instantly, their ribs shattered like glass as they collapsed to the ground. The balls continued forward, until Fritz heard the sound of splintering wood somewhere in the dark.

    "Ada two more!" Fritz said. Focusing his mind, he focused on creating a weapon for himself. If his assailants couldn''t bleed, the most optimal weapon would be for crushing. Within an instant, Fritz hefted a spiked mace in his hands. At the edge of the road flares, more zombies and skeletons were approaching. Groans, cries, screams, and the clinking of steel resounded within the town. The smell of blood, smoke and rotting flesh permeated the air. Fleeing townsfolk could be heard moving closer to the center of town.

    "We have to stop them! The townspeople need us! We must protect them!" Ada shouted.

    "How?" Fritz yelled back.

    "Kill the necromancer. Once we do, the skeletons and zombies will collapse. They''re the key, without them the dead will stop!"

    "She could be anywhere!" A zombie leading far above the other''s reached Ada. She quickly dispatched the slow corpse with a simple flick of her sword. The zombie''s head sloughed off. Its body fell limp on the ground. Fritz could feel a small thread of energy disappearing from the new corpse. It drifted upwards into the night''s sky.

    "Can we sense her?" Fritz asked Ada.

    "Maybe, if I could sense mana." Ada grumbled. "We''d need a mage for that."

    "Maybe not." Fritz said. Closing his eyes, he focused his senses outwards as he struggled to master the feeling of unease. The shifting mass of zombies and skeletons before him made this risky, yet he trusted Ada. A swirling mass of mana was all around him. Suddenly, a small tendril from the zombie touched him. Following his instincts, he reached out with his senses and touched it. A foreign sensation suffused his hand, before pulling outwards to the center of Falken.

    "I think I know where the necromancer might be!" Fritz shouted.

    "Where?"

    "Behind us! Close to Neva''s home!"

    "Let''s go."

    Running from the shambling wall of the dead, their boots sunk into the mud roads of Falken. Ada was able to dispatch isolated undead. Her raw strength and sword arm made quick work of the slow undead. Corpses flew by on the short trip down towards Neva''s home. The area around Neva''s home was dark. The gray haired wolfkin stood defiantly ushering in fleeing beastkin into her home. She wielded a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. Waving her torch, she beckoned them forward.

    "Ada! Fritz! Glad you''re alive." Neva said as the two approached. The mayor pointed her torch towards a fleeing black haired beastkin. "Into the basement! Keep your head down!"

    "It should be around here." Fritz said. His instincts had led him here. Here before the mayor''s home, he could feel the energy condensing. Where could the necromancer be? His head swiveled around as he searched the area. Panic and fear surrounded Fritz. His eyes scanned for the threat.

    "Fritz!" Ada said. Her tone was serious. The scent of long rotted bodies mixed with burning wood, as Fritz turned around towards the blonde wolfkin.

    A pale woman approached. Behind her was a line of skeletons wielding spears and jingling chain armor. She wore long black robes etched with purple runes. Her form blended in with the dark shadows. Fritz tensed up, as he felt her focus on him. Upon sensing her, Ada shifted in front of Fritz with her sword at the ready.

    "Well, well, well, if it''s not the man of the hour!" The woman shouted out. "Come to join my horde, just like the rest."

    "Fritz, stand back." Neva said as she moved beside Ada. "Ada, I can handle the skeletons, can you deal with the necromancer?" Ada nodded. She gripped her sword tighter, as she eyed the pale woman. "Good. Her minions protect her. Without them, she''s vulnerable. Still dangerous, but vulnerable. If you see an opportunity, take it."

    Stolen novel; please report.

    "You dare resist me?!" The robed woman grimaced as if insulted. "You disgusting insects will die alongside him." The woman was closing in. In the torchlight, Fritz could make out more details. Her robe was inlaid with purple thread that glittered with magical power. The woman''s hands were heavily tattooed with intricate swirling black ink. The skeleton warriors behind her were different from the others. Their eye sockets emanated a condensed deadly energy. Their movements were more fluid and precise. Their grip on their weapons was clearly stronger.

    Ada tensed up. Her sword was ready to thrust into her opponent''s heart. Neva dropped her torch on the ground. The flickering flames danced. She wielded her sword with one hand keeping the other free. Fritz''s legs felt like jelly as he watched the necromancer. Every instinct in his body was telling him to run and seek refuge with the others. Fears of pain and death were before him. The desire to flee was about to overwhelm him.

    "Stand aside, insects. The boy dies tonight." A sudden burst of anger filtered through Fritz. He felt his fear momentarily subside as anger at his situation surfaced.

    "Me? What the hell did I do?" Fritz yelled out.

    "You don''t belong here. I will rid this world of your presence!"

    The necromancer pulled her hand back. With a wave of her hand, she sent a crescent of dark force towards the three of them. Ada and Neva hit the deck. Fritz was slow to follow, just barely letting the dark energy pass overhead. Neva sprung forward. Her left hand flickered with fire, as she charged the group of skeletons. Her left hand shot out, as a conjured whip of pure fire struck one of the skeletons. It was knocked back slightly, but quickly regained its footing. The group of skeletal spearmen descended upon her. Their spears thrust forward, eager to pierce flesh. Crowding around her, they swarmed the graying mayor.

    Fixing her sights on the necromancer, Ada charged forward. Her legs carried her faster than anyone Fritz had ever seen. Her sword was fixated on the necromancer''s heart. The necromancer pointed at Ada.

    "Die!" She screeched, as bolts of dark energy coiling with purple lightning erupted from her fingertips. Ada was quick to dodge. The impact of the bolts left small craters in the road. Fritz stood back up, just in time to move out of the way. A blast of energy exploded nearby, sending plumes of dirt into the air.

    "Fritz!" Ada shouted.

    "I''m okay!" Fritz responded. He gripped the mace tightly in his hands. His legs felt stiff, as he debated on what to do.

    Ada pressed forward. Her long, quick legs carried her quickly towards the enemy. She weaved through arcs of dark energy. The town was being destroyed, as the necromancer continued her rampage. Mana destroyed windows, blasted holes through walls, and sent mud flying into the air as the she weaved magic to keep the blonde beastkin at bay. Ada''s long legs carried her with agile ease. She jumped, ducked and dived through the barrage, as she made her way closer. Fritz stared in dumbstruck silence as he watched, occasionally jumping out of the way of certain death.

    Ada was closing in. Another second, and she would be able to attack. The necromancer slashed the air with her hand.  A wave of dark force shot through the air. Fritz watched as Ada jumped. Sailing through the air, she vaulted over the attack. She pulled her sword back, as she descended towards the necromancer. The flash of her steel blade flew across her enemy''s stomach. Fritz saw the sword connect, as bone white armor grew instantly to protect the robed woman. The clang of Ada''s sword struck the exposed bone. Ringing steel reverberated through the street.

    Ada blinked in confusion. Her opponent wasted no time, she aimed dark magic at Ada. A blast of force hit Ada, throwing her into the side of a wooden building. Fritz heard the crash, as her ribs crushed inwards. Air wrenched itself from her lungs, as she collapsed into the dirt.

    "Ada!" Fritz yelled. Forgetting everything else, he rushed over towards the downed wolfkin. He dropped his mace, as he cradled the wolfgirl. Blood was pouring out of her mouth at a frightening rate. She wheezed in pain, as her disorientated eyes looked up towards Fritz.

    "Fritz! Get her out of here! Dammit it all!" Neva yelled back. She was forced away, as several spears blocked her movement. The immobile corpse of a skeleton lay before her. Fritz looked back towards Neva. At that moment, he saw the necromancer approaching.

    "Oh, poor little outworlder. Meddling in affairs he shouldn''t! Summoned just to die. Boohoo." The woman let out a cackling laugh. Fritz stood up, as she approached. His heart hammered in his chest. His legs quivered with fear. Yet despite everything he stood his ground.

    She brandished a curving runed dagger, as she approached. "Let me shove this dagger through your heart. Be a good boy. Don''t struggle. I''ll make it quick and easy if you give up. Your life essence will leave quickly. You''ll slip into the void, before you can even blink. "

    Fighting seemed entirely out of the question. What could he even summon to defend himself? He doubted his skill in close combat. Running clearly made more sense. But he couldn''t leave Ada to die. He couldn''t leave her knowing he could have helped. He needed to think. Winning was all that mattered. He needed to save Ada. He needed to make a difference. Focusing on his core, Fritz could feel the thrum of his mana as his adrenaline coursed like wildfire through his veins.

    A small black egg appeared in his palm. Shaking it slightly he could feel the glass shards hitting against the thin outer casing. Fritz held it out in front of himself. The necromancer laughed. She tilted her head back and shook with mirth.

    "Oh, what do you plan on doing with that? Gonna make me eat it? There''s hardly any magic there. Quite an impressive parlor trick, weakling." The necromancer was staring at him. Her eyes were wide with a crazed energy. Fritz took a few wooden steps forward until he was within distance.

    "No, I''m just gonna show you a magic trick." Fritz said confidently. The necromancer sneered at him. "I''m gonna make this egg disappear."

    Suddenly he brought his other hand over the egg. Closing his eyes, he opened up his palms and threw the mixture towards the necromancer. Small sands of sharpened glass flew out towards the necromancer. Her reaction time was slow, as the glass particles hit her large crazed eyes. She screeched in pain, clutching her face.

    Fritz shook his palms removing any remaining glass. Blood pooled within his palms, as he started moving.

    "Bastard! Bastard! I''ll kill you! I''ll rip your soul apart!" The woman screeched, she pointed to Fritz''s last known position. Magic erupted forward, but Fritz was already on the move. Thinking quickly he summoned a dagger and threw it at the woman. Before it could even hit, the necromancer summoned plates of bone to protect her body. The dagger bounced uselessly off of her. Cursing to himself, Fritz devised another plan.

    A jar of napalm appeared in his hand. He threw it at the necromancer. The mixture splattered all over her legs and feet. Screaming in pain and rage, the necromancer threw her magic around wildly. Waves of dark magical energy forced Fritz to duck. Behind him he could hear the splintering of wood, as the magical energy destroyed the town. The necromancer summoned another wave of force. Fritz dodged back onto the ground. Through her half-blinded bloody eyes, she readied a blast at his location. Fritz scrambled to his feet as a force of magical energy impacted nearby. Dodging around was tiring him. He was moving slower. He needed to catch his breath and summon the next part of his trick.

    A thin bottle of gasoline appeared within his hand, alongside a match. The napkin came next. While running, Fritz stuffed the napkin down the bottle. He did his best to put as much agent on the napkin. While distracted, a wave of force hit him square in the chest. By some miracle, he held onto the bottle as his body ragdolled down the street.  The match had been discarded somewhere in the muddy streets of Falken.

    "Got you, you filthy rat!" The necromancer cackled. "How dare you throw filth at me! You''re nothing more than an animal!" She screeched.

    Fritz tried to focus inwards. His mind felt hazy. His sense of self was distant as pain coursed through him. He needed a moment to focus on his magic, yet pain consumed him.

    "Stay still and die!" The necromancer sneered. She aimed a blast at Fritz''s general location. The ground erupted in a nearby shower of mud. Flecks of filth hit Fritz''s face. He looked up towards the approaching necromancer. She moved her aim to the left. The ground erupted again. She aimed a little bit more to the right. The force of the impact was getting closer. Fritz could feel the magic threatening to tear him apart.

    Concentrating on his hand, he focused on the object he needed. A simple match with a phosphorous tip. The kind that you might find anywhere. Fritz held onto the image in his mind. Throbbing pain within his head threatened to stop him. An explosion of magic hit the ground next to him. Fritz could feel the force rip his filthy clothes.

    "Finally! Stay still wretched outlander!" The necromancer barked. Fritz felt the pull of his magic emanating from his center. The match appeared in his hand as he bent down towards his shoe to strike it. He looked up to see a blast of darkness, spiraling with lightning coming towards his face. On instinct, he pulled away. The latent energy kissed his face as it passed him. The ground behind him erupted. His body rocked forward, as he bounced slightly. Despite all the odds, he dodged.

    Fritz brought the lit match to the napkin. Without waiting to see if it caught fire, he threw the bottle towards the necromancer. His whole body joined his arm, as match and molotov cocktail sailed towards his enemy. As it sailed through the air, Fritz thought a quiet prayer.

    The bottle spun through the air. Fritz watched its trajectory, as the woman lined up another attack. In his stupor, he was sure he could hear Neva screaming. Yet her voice seemed so far away. The glass shattered, orange fire spread across the ground. Yet the bottle had gone wide. The necromancer stood before him. Blood streamed from her eyes. The folds of her smiling face ran red pooled blood into her yellow teeth. A tattooed finger, brimming with magic, pointed directly at him. A sadistic cackle shook her body. The woman took another step forward, assured of her victory. Her foot stepped on something. Despite everything, the match still burned.

    The napalm took hold, and like electricity running through a Christmas tree the napalm caught. Fire erupted upon her. Time seemed to slow, as her body convulsed. Her finger drew back, as magic blasted out into the sky above. Fritz raised his hands to his face, to shield his eyes from the bright light.

    The smell of burning flesh reached Fritz''s nose. The necromancer flailed about, as she rolled screaming on the ground. Yet her movements only caused the mixture to spread. From her legs to her arms, to her chest, to her face her frantic panicked movements transferred the substance everywhere. Her limbs spasmed in agony, as she let out a horrifying final wail of agony. His stomach started convulsing, as the necromancer went still. Her burnt corpse pulled inward. The napalm mixture burned, bright and hot. Her body was like a bonfire in the center of Falken.

    Seconds later, the zombies and skeletons within Falken collapsed. Neva rushed over to help Fritz.

    "Ada. We got to help her." Fritz mumbled as he tried to stand up.

    "Slow down, Fritz. Good work. I didn''t think you had it in you. But you did it anyway. We''ll help her. Don''t worry. You need to stay put, you''ve just been hit with a lot of dark magic. You need to take it easy. Let me help her." Neva pushed him back down to the ground. His head rested against the muddy road.

    "You''ll help her?"

    "Of course." Neva answered. "Take it easy. Calm down. She''ll be fine. Frann can work miracles."

    "Okay." Fritz mumbled to himself. Fritz could feel his strength fading. His fatigue was catching up quickly to him. He snuck a peek towards Ada. Neva was standing above her, hoisting the blonde wolfkin up and over her shoulder. Neva walked towards her home. The town was now quiet. He listened to the crackle of a nearby fire.

    Fritz wanted to rest, he wanted to call it a night, yet something wouldn''t let him. He pulled himself up, and went over toward to help Neva.

    Awkwardly, they made it through the door and up the set of stairs behind the dining room table. Ada was placed on a soft fluffy bed. Blood was pooling in her lungs as she breathed. A horrid, gurgling sound reached his ears with every inhale and exhale. Fritz collapsed into a chair, and sat with her.

    "Fritz, I''ll get Fran, as soon as I can." Neva said as made her way towards the door. "She''s a tough girl. I know she will make it."

    Fritz held Ada''s hands. His body was slumped forward on the uncomfortable wooden chair. He fell asleep, sitting down, clutching her hand.

 Aftermath

    The next morning, Ada woke up with a long protracted groan. Fritz sat nearby dozing off. His head and neck were sore from falling asleep at an awkward angle. Ada''s eyes fluttered open as she tried to get used to the morning light. With a rush of excitement, Fritz moved closer to the bed.

    "Ada are you all right?" He asked.

    "Mhhmmm. Fritz?" She mumbled.

    "Yeah, it''s me."

    "Where am I?"

    "Neva''s house. Just upstairs. Are you feeling better? Any pain? Fran came by in the middle of the night."

    "Oh." Ada paused for a moment, as she collected her bearings. "The necromancer?"

    "She''s dead and gone. Burnt to a crisp."

    "How bad is it?"

    "Only five died." Fritz grimaced. "A couple are missing. Neva thinks they may have run away. A few homes burned down. Fran''s clinic burnt to the ground. She''s staying at the mayor''s house. Your.... your cottage burnt down too."

    "Mine?"

    "Your cottage burnt down, I''m told. It looks like we''ll both be staying here."

    "Oh...." Ada said dumbly as she looked down at her body. Reaching over the covers she felt her ribs for any serious damage.

    "Fran says you''ll be fine. There was some internal bleeding, but she fixed it. You''re a tough girl."

    "Fritz."

    "Yeah? What''s up? Do you need anything?"

    "I knew you weren''t working with them. I''m glad you didn''t run away" Ada smiled weakly at him.

    "Of course. We are traveling together aren''t we?" Fritz smiled back. "You just need to get some rest, and we''ll leave when you''re ready." He hit her arm playfully. "So hurry up!" He joked.

    The next day, Ada was back on her feet as if nothing happened. All thanks to Fran''s healing magic.

    <hr>

    Two days after the attack, with Ada fully recovered, Fritz heard a knock at his door. The downtime had been extremely boring; Ada needed a lot of rest and the other townsfolk were busy with reconstruction. He was fully dressed practicing his magic by creating a variety of objects that he might need, when that knock came. Putting away a toothbrush in a special pouch on the back of his backpack, he stood up and moved towards the door.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Ada and Neva were waiting behind it. Neva took a long inhale of her pipe in his doorway.

    "Fritz, we need to talk." Neva started. "May we come in?"

    "Of course." Fritz replied. He took a seat on the edge of his bed, while Neva and Ada pulled out chairs. Fritz watched Neva muffle the sound of the room from outside listeners using a familiar spell.

    "I won''t beat around the bush, Fritz. I saw you using magic two nights ago." Neva said. Her tone was deadly serious. Her eyes narrowed on him. Ada quivered with a nervous energy in her chair.  "For now, I won''t ask you to explain the impossible. For now, I am only concerned with how you can wield such power."

    "Fritz, is just really good at using sleight of hand." Ada chimed in nervously. The gray haired wolfkin frowned at her. "Aren''t you Fritz? Tell her."

    "Don''t, Ada. I''m not an idiot. Strange items keep appearing around him. Don''t think I haven''t noticed. I saw you create that bottle full of alchemist fire, and then throw it at the necromancer."

    "It was napalm." Fritz said. "Highly flammable substances. Nasty stuff."

    "Nasty stuff." Neva repeated with a grimace. "I saw her burst into flames. Horrific if you ask me. Most of the townspeople think I did it." Neva produced a small flame out of her left hand. "I can hardly blame them. It makes the most sense. Still, I don''t like the way some of the townsfolk are looking at me" Neva paused for a moment, as she studied the flame.

    "Neva, you didn''t stop her?" Ada asked incredulously.

    "No. I saw Fritz splash her with something and then ignite it. I couldn''t get to her. Five empowered undead warriors had pushed me back. I couldn''t defeat them all in time. They worked together extremely well. I''m glad we were victorious in the end." Neva replied.

    "Taking credit would have drawn a lot of attention." Fritz said. Neva nodded knowingly at him.

    "You are correct, taking credit would have been too strange. That is, ''if'' they believed you." Neva paused as she looked towards Fritz''s pack. She seemed to take a mental note of it. "Wielding magic is too mysterious. Men cannot channel mana, ergo they cannot perform magic. Yet, against all natural laws you can. Why? How? Some magical artifact? A momentary divine blessing? Why were you in the forest? Why did the necromancer seem intent on killing you? I have many questions, and no answers."

    Fritz shrugged before answering.

    "I just can wield magic. That''s all I feel comfortable saying." Neva grunted at his answer. "As for why I''m being targeted, I don''t know."

    "Ada? What do you think? Why can he channel conjuration magics?"

    "It is certainly a blessing. An impossible blessing." She said nervously.

    "All right. If you don''t want to say, here''s what we''ll do. We''ll take a trip to see my good friend Zola, and she''ll provide me with the answers I need."

    "What''s so special about your friend? Is she some kind of torturer?" Fritz asked.

    "She is an expert diviner, alchemist, and accomplished witch. She always seems to conjure up some kind of answer. She''ll help us understand." Neva said. She took a long puff of her pipe as she seemed to contemplate further.

    "I see." Fritz responded. He looked over towards the blonde wolfkin. "Is Ada coming too?" Neva nodded.

    "Of course, it''s been ages since we both visited. You two also seem rather attached, and I''d hate for Ada to skip out while my back''s turned. We''ll be back before you know it. Two days at least, four days at most." Neva said.

    "Will I be able to travel freely afterwards?" Fritz asked. Neva nodded her agreement. "Ada too?" Neva shot her a strange questioning look. A hint of color spread across her face.

    "I''ll think about it." Neva replied. Her face was impassive like stone. Her blue eyes searched for answers across Fritz''s face.

    "You''ll think about it? What kind of answer is that?" Fritz pressed.

    "If I like the answers I receive, I''ll give you my blessings to leave. But Ada...." Neva trailed off as she chewed on her pipe. Some time passed, before Fritz spoke back up.

    "Fine. I suppose we can visit. We''ll discuss Ada later. When do we leave? I am in a hurry."

    "Right now." Neva said.

    "Right now?" Fritz asked.

    "Right now."

 Trailblazing

    Fritz found himself walking with Ada and Neva down a long narrow game trail doused in the late morning''s shade. On his shoulders was a pack that wobbled with each step on the uneven ground. Over the last couple of days he had managed to create a plethora of survival supplies. Knives, a sleeping bag, water canteen, survival rations, socks, gloves, and new clothes were wrapped within his pack. Neva and Ada marched ahead of him. Both women wore short swords attached to their sides. Ada walked with a spear. Seeing the two other beastkin armed, Fritz wondered about the general danger of the forest.

    "We aren''t expecting any more necromancers are we?" Fritz asked.

    "No." Neva replied as she looked back. "But it never hurts to be prepared. All manner of beasts lurk in the trees, living and dead."

    "Necromancers must be rare then. Good. I''d hate to encounter more." Fritz said.

    "Afraid?" Ada taunted, waiting for Fritz to catch up, she threw an arm around his shoulder.

    "Me? I''d like to think I''m cautious. It never hurts to be prepared." Fritz answered.

    "Wise." Neva replied. Looking back towards Ada, the older beastkin frowned.

    "Don''t worry! I''ll get the next one." Ada said with a smug grin. Pulling out her short sword, she inspected it in the air. The edge was nicked. A huge hole opened up on one side of the blade. As Fritz looked closer the blade itself showed wear and damage. "Once, I get a better sword, you''ll have nothing to fear! I''m definitely one enchanted with flames! I heard undead hate fire. Fritz, do you think can you make me one?" Ada asked pressing her face closer. She batted her lashes at Fritz.

    "Maybe." Fritz replied evasively.

    "You''re getting ahead of yourself girl. Forget the sword. You were defeated because you went for a finishing blow prematurely. We were very fortunate to have defeated her. You especially so." Neva replied. Shaking her head, Neva muttered to herself. "An encounter with a necromancer this far into the boonies? Strange times, strange times."

    "Have you encountered them before?" Ada asked curiously. Neva reached behind her to the side of her pack to grab a pipe. Stuffing a wad of tobacco into the pipe she lit it with magic.

    "A long time ago, Ada. Way before we met." Neva replied cryptically.

    "You never told me." Ada whined.

    "I thought I left that stuff behind me. I never thought it would come back." Neva let out a puff of smoke into the air.

    Fritz quickly stepped through the cloud of acrid tobacco, wrinkling his nose.

    "Come on! I know you''ve been on adventures before! Tell me! Tell us!" Ada whined.

    "No. It''ll just give you dumb ideas." Neva grumbled.

    Eventually the noon sun began it''s slow arc overhead. Warm sunlight scattered through the green abundant canopy. Refreshing spring breezes swayed the branches overhead. The shady path, rustled as wind passed through. Neva took the lead. Ada and Fritz walked behind within the puffing trail of smoke.

    "How long have you had your power?" Neva asked suddenly. Ada froze up, stopping in her tracks.

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I guess the cat''s out of the bag." Fritz said with a sigh.

    "It is. Now, answer the question." A large exhale of smoke wormed it''s way past her body, following down the trail towards Fritz and Ada.

    "Neva! You can''t-" Ada started.

    "Ada stop. I''m not dumb. No one else is around."

    "He''s just really good at sleight of hand!" She interjected.

    "Not very long. I''m still getting used to it." Fritz replied casually.

    "So obviously you can conjure objects. How long can you hold them together? Twenty four hours? Your pack hasn''t disappeared yet."

    "Indefinitely. As far as I can tell." Fritz pulled out his survival knife. "I''ve had this for more than five days now." He hefted the material in his hand. Neva stopped and quickly spun around. Both Fritz and Ada stopped watched the graying wolfkin advance towards them.

    "Don''t lie to me. Your knife couldn''t have existed for that long! Eventually the magical matrices holding it together would give, and it would disappear into ambient mana. No one has ever mastered true creation! No one! Not even the elves!" Neva took her pipe out of her mouth and jabbed it towards Fritz.

    Fritz frowned as his mind looked for a rebuttal.

    "What about a ring?"

    "No more than two days."

    "Fine then.... Ada, I gave you this correct?" Fritz held her hand up. He positioned her fingers towards Neva.

    "You gave her a ring? A gold ring." Neva asked incredulously. Color seeped upon Ada''s cheeks. The growing red contrasted against her the dark freckles on her nose. "Did I miss something? Did you propose to her?" Neva''s voice cracked. A look of anxiety filled her, as her eyes flicked between Fritz and Ada.

    "I was trying to bribe her! I had no idea what the local currency even looked like!" Neva''s tensed shoulders slackened with relief. "I wanted to get out of the village. She''s quite obstinate, you know." Fritz turned towards the blonde wolfkin. "When did I give you this?"

    "Four days ago." Ada replied woodenly.

    "It''s still here." Fritz taunted towards the gray haired mayor, as he jostled Ada''s limp hand. "See?! Still doubt me?"

    "Ada, tell me truthfully. Did he slip it from his pockets?" Neva held her breath.

    "No ma''am. I saw him create it in front of me. It appeared from nothing, his hands weren''t moving." Ada said. Neva let out a deep sigh, as she clutched her face. She put her long pipe between her full lips, and began puffing on it.

    "Dear Gods! Fritz! If I don''t like Zola''s answers, I just might drag you to the guards myself!"

    "No! You wouldn''t!" Ada interjected!

    "I wasn''t thinking! I didn''t know conjuring jewelry was illegal! I''ll never do it again." Fritz laughed awkwardly. He let go of Ada''s hand. "You''ve nothing to worry about! It was just a one time thing!"

    "I''m seriously considering it. Especially if you cause me more headache. So try to stay out of trouble. Don''t make my life any harder."

    "But bread and weapons are fine?" Neva nodded at him.

    "Just no money or jewelry. You''ll be dead before you have a chance to enjoy the good life."

    "No money." Ada reiterated. "But I''ll keep this, it''s shiny. It was so sweet how you tried to bribe me too."

    "Uh...." Fritz groaned. " I was always bad at making deals. That''s why I didn''t go to business school."

    "Ada. Throw it away." Neva demanded.

    "What?! No. It''s nice."

    "You shouldn''t accept gifts from strangers."

    "Fritz isn''t a stranger."

    "I''d prefer it if he was." Neva replied.

    "You''re just mad I''ve finally found someone who also wants to leave for a life of adventure!"

    "Clearly, he''s a bad influence upon you." Neva said grumpily. Turning quickly, Neva stomped forward.

    Walking down the trail, noon passed into evening. The familiar iron-gray bark of the surrounding trees passed the trio endlessly. Unfamiliar, mushrooms grew on the side of the trail. Brian thorn bushes kissed their clothes like irate lovers. Animal trails crisscrossed into their path like a web of unfamiliar roads. Neva and Ada were steadfast, as if they had walked the path many times before.

    Conjuring pieces of a modern crossbow, Fritz was able to make a carbon fiber stock, limb, spring, trigger, string, and bolts. Placing the individual pieces of the crossbow into his pack, he waited for the appropriate time to assemble his creation. Ada watched him intently during the process. Her gray eyes inspected each piece with intensity, as her mind tried to decipher his creation.

    Afterwards, the steady rhythm of their hike let Fritz''s mind drift. A tug at his sleeves pulled him away from musings and day dreams. Before him in a clearing of trees, was a small run down cottage.

    "We''ve arrived. Hopefully, she''s in a good mood today. Goddess knows I need it." Neva said with a long protracted sigh.

 Divining the Truth

    The evening sun was hidden behind the trees. Faint light seeped in from the sky above. The gray colored trees blended into the fading light.

    Advancing towards the small dilapidated cottage Fritz stopped to inspect it. By all standards, only one person could live in such a tiny home. Behind the stone foundation and rotting gray wood, the well maintained garden exploded out into the clearing. All manners of herb, fruit, and terraced vegetables grew behind the dilapidated cottage. Next to the garden, the cottage looked abandoned. The singular window of the cottage was soot stained and filthy. Spiders crawled all throughout the overhanging roof in search of their next prey.

    "Lots of spiders." Fritz commented.

    "Just try to ignore them. They don''t bite." Ada said.

    "Living alone in the forest, is she some kind of witch?" Fritz asked, half joking.

    "Something like that. She always does the right thing in the end though. Try to treat her with respect." Neva answered.

    Fritz stood still as he watched Neva approach the door. A series of quick raps denoted a coded knock. After completing the secret sequence, the door to the cottage opened by itself. A blanketing film of impenetrable darkness wreathed within the door frame prevented Fritz from seeing further inside.

    "What the-?" Fritz exclaimed as he squinted and tried to look further inside.

    "Come on." Neva said before motioning to the others. She stepped through the door. As she crossed the threshold, her figure vanished instantly. Fritz shook his head and forced his mind to settle on the obvious answer.

    "Magic. It''s got to be magic." Fritz mumbled. Ada waited for Fritz to enter the inky darkness. Bracing himself, he followed Neva through the black film.

    As soon as Fritz stepped through the door, he was introduced to a magnificent foyer that would have put Earth''s nobility to shame. The walls were made of polished wood. Sconces burning with a magical purple-hued light, lined the walls all around the lower floor. A massive straight staircase split the interior in half. A long, purple, rug replete with threaded spiders and webs in black and white draped down the stairs spilling down into the nearby hallways. Paintings of this world''s royalty lined the walls. The sputtering purple flames cast deep shadows across their strange garb. Fritz gawked at the sudden shift. He felt Ada bump into his back while he got his bearings. She offered him a quick awkward apology, as she stepped around him following Neva deeper into the mansion. Shaking away his confusion, Fritz moved to follow the two beastkin.

    "Zola!" Neva called out in the middle of the foyer. "I brought visitors! Something important has come up! We need to talk."

    "Stop dropping in unannounced! It''s rude and I''m busy!" An annoyed feminine voice yelled out in response. Fritz watched Ada''s and Neva''s ears pivot towards a small hallway tucked behind the staircase.

    "We''re coming in! Can''t wait! It''s important!" Neva shot back.

    Following the two wolfkin, Fritz''s boots clicked on the hardwood floor. He walked past dining rooms, several studies, an ornate bathing room, dark lounges, and strange laboratories. Neva navigated towards a large oaken open door. Fritz slowed his pace a little. Turning around, Ada placed a hand on his shoulder.

    "Don''t be afraid. Try not to gawk. She hates cowards." Ada said quietly, as she pulled him into the room.

    Webs of spider silk, sewn together like dreamcatchers, were scattered over the entirety of the room. The silk within moved like spectral tendrils creating morphing scenes. Each one displayed something different. They lined the walls and hung from the ceiling filling most of the room. A small purple flame burned within a brazier on the floor. To his left, Fritz looked into one of the dreamcatchers. A vague white figure with short hair stood in the center. The figure''s dagger was held high above a prone woman. The figure plunged the dagger into the other woman''s heart. Her arms flailed in pain as she tried to defend herself. Turning his eyes away, he scanned the room. Strands of silk shifted silently filling the shady room with strange visions.

    A pair of large red eyes fixated on Fritz, and he felt his body stop. His heart beat quicker, as an instinctual fear gripped him. The woman stood tall nearing seven feet. Her hair was a solid white like snow. Neva looked back briefly towards Fritz. Her hard blue eyes urged him forward. Ada moved past Fritz, as she joined Neva.

    Stepping out of the gloom. The woman wore an elegant dress on her upper half. The bespoke purple silk mixed with shifting strands of white spider silk drifting all the way down to the hem. Trailing down, Fritz saw a spider''s black abdomen. Eight, long, slender legs carried her human upper half closer to the purple flame. An additional pair of smaller crimson eyes just above her main pair regarded her guests with annoyance.

    "Greetings, Neva. Ada." The woman greeted them with cold formality. She crossed a pair of slender arms under her large breasts. The soft fabric outlined her hourglass figure. Her long index finger tapped annoyingly against her soft arm. Her hands were black, almost like she wore a pair of entirely form fitting gloves. Fritz gawked at her appearance, before he mastered himself.

    "Zola, it''s been too long!" Neva started, as she loaded a wad of tobacco into her pipe.

    "You know, I prefer it if you call in ahead of time. I have an apprentice, who is perfectly capable of receiving letters by wing. It lets me prepare...." Zola''s four crimson eyes regarded Neva without mercy.

    "Last time I promised, and I do intend to keep it. It''s just-." Neva lighted her pipe. The faint glow of the orange fire disappeared into the gloomy room.

    "Just what?" Zola asked, she stalked closer around the opposite way towards Ada and Fritz. Fritz could feel his mind scream out in danger, yet he did his best to silence his thoughts. His eyes twitched about with each slight movement of the strange woman''s body.

    "She never checks, and this time it is an emergency. We need your assistance with something."

    "What? Pray tell? The human, no doubt?" Zola pointed a long, slender, nearly midnight black finger towards Fritz.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    "Well yes. That''s why we brought him." Neva said.

    "Do you want me to read his fate? Do you wish to find out why he''s here?" Zola said with an exasperated sigh. "That hardly counts as an emergency. My divinations have been off lately. Something is wrong with the cosmic weave. I really don''t have the time for this. I must figure out why."

    "Zola. It''s hard to explain." Neva said. She frowned as she momentarily removed the pipe from her mouth. Her scarred face scrunched together as she frowned in annoyance.

    "And why is Ada here?" Zola asked. "She never stops by...."

    "Well, it''s about him, yes. But you see, he can perform magic." Neva said as if she was regretting her own words.

    "Magic? Him?" Zola let out a derisive snort. "Is this some kind of joke? Have I heard you correctly?"

    "No...." Neva said with a sigh. "I wouldn''t bother you just for a stupid prank. I''m serious, Zola."

    Sensing his chance, Fritz looked inwards. He could feel the flow of his magic pulsing through his body. He let his energy manifest. A road flare appeared in his hands. Grabbing the stick, he cracked it in half. Red light flooded the chambers within. Fritz looked upwards, dreamcatchers laid flat on the roof. Scenes too numerous, glistened in the red light of the flare. Unenumerable figures drifted within each frame, as the silken threads morphed each scene within. Figures died, triumphed, despaired, and celebrated within the individual frames. Shaking his head, Fritz ignored the dizzying display transpiring all around him.

    "Interesting. Nothing like any light spell I have ever seen. If he indeed did cast it." Zola drawled. Fritz, breathed deep to steady himself as she approached. She towered over him, as she loomed menacingly.

    "Thank you Fritz! Goddess, I know it seems crazy. But I''ve seen it with my own eyes." Neva said. Ada nodded beside her. "I need answers, Zola."

    "It could be sleight of hand. Perhaps he transformed under the effect of some potion?" Zola mused. "What else can you do?" Zola asked as she brushed a dark hand over his face. Her touch was cool and sharp like her hands were made of metal. Fritz held her gaze, as she inspected his face. Zola''s eight legs twitched, causing Fritz''s heart to accelerate. Standing defiantly, he held the red eyes of the witch. "Brave." She muttered under her breath.

    "I brought him here, because I need you to check his past and figure out where his powers derive from. I need to know if he had anything to do with Falken''s attack." Neva said. Zola turned towards the gray short haired wolfkin.

    "Falken was attacked?!" Zola asked.

    "By a necromancer. Undead swarmed the walls, before any lookouts could alert the town. We were attacked with our pant''s down." Ada admitted. Zola looked to Neva for confirmation. Neva nodded. A barely perceptible twitch of worry passed over Zola''s face.

    "Which of you killed them?" Zola asked. The two wolfkin looked between each other somewhat awkwardly.

    "Him? Really? I see." Zola turned to move past Ada as her hands brushed against some of the dreamcatcher-like items. The suspended dreamcatchers turned slowly as Zola passed. The scenes within spun with their frames. Fritz watched the arachnean for a while as she moved towards a small alcove in the back of the room. Squinting his eyes, he could make out Zola pick up a tightly bound piece of circular webbing. She held it up momentarily before returning towards the center of the room.

    "Come to the flame. Get rid of whatever that is." Zola said. Looking behind him, Fritz threw the road flare out of the room.

    "Best I can do." Fritz answered, as he stepped closer towards the brazier in the middle of the room.

    "Usually we dismiss our spells." Zola said sternly.

    "I cannot."

    "Amateur." She said with a click of her tongue.

    Zola approached the flame. She held the webbed object down towards Fritz.

    "Hold your hand out." Zola commanded. Fritz grimaced as he tentatively reached out and touched the dreamcatcher.

    "Calm your breathing, and look inwards. You might feel a slight prick, but don''t worry. You will be fine." Zola said.

    Fritz closed his eyes. He could feel the sticky sensation of the silk touching his palm. Suddenly a coursing pain shot through him. A series of bright flashing images overtook his mind.

    He tried to withdraw his hand, yet his hand would not obey. The webbing held his hand still. Memories, dreams, and things yet to happen flashed before him in a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. The flashing images burned together, as Fritz felt them accelerate forward. Just as soon as it had started, Fritz felt his hand fall away from the dreamcatcher.

    His mind reeled, as he returned back to reality. Clutching his head, he slowly returned back to reality. Zola watched him intently.  Fritz looked towards the silken dreamcatcher. It glowed with the soft, glowing hue of blue magic. Slowly, the strands within the frame reorganized themselves, displaying Fritz drunkenly swaying in his own apartment.

    "What the hell was that?" Fritz asked. He grimaced at his own past self. The scene within shifted, as he looked away. Zola''s red eyes watched the scene within like a hawk.

    "My own special form of divination. Using my silk, I can trap certain visions. Memories, things yet to happen, places far distant, I can see them all." Zola replied.

    "Let''s not do that again." Fritz said. A throbbing headache consumed him. "That hurts."

    "It will pass in a moment." Zola replied nonchalantly.

    Neva and Ada moved in closer. Ada placed a hand on his shoulder.

    "It''s alright. They did the same to me...." Ada answered.

    "It can capture visions of the future?" Ada nodded towards him. "That''s probably how they knew when you were running away."

    "Neva!" Ada shouted towards the graying beastkin.

    "Wondering when you''d catch on." Neva said with a half-guilty shrug.

    "I-I- How dare you?! You told me it was to see if I would find an enchanted sword!"

    "Be quiet!" Zola screeched.

    Zola turned the dreamcatcher towards the others. The strands moved faster now. They rapidly twitched and re-arranged themselves.

    A vague outline of a broad-shouldered man''s back floated in the air. Just behind him, two more figures floated within the webbing. One clearly a woman, stood defiantly with her arms crossed. The other a robed man with wings hovered close to Fritz''s webbed outline. Zola''s red eyes squinted as she tried to discern what was happening. The man lurched forward onto the ground in pain.

    "Ah, I remember this." Fritz said. "The weirdo with the staff booped me, gave me magical powers."

    "What''s going on?" Ada asked as she pushed forward to stand next to Zola. Neva walked to the other side of Zola. Adjusting her pipe, she stood looking into the dreamcatcher.

    "I don''t know." Zola answered. "It looks like, but it cannot be...."

    Within the dreamcatcher, the woman''s head swiveled. Her face took on more detail, as her golden eyes locked onto Zola''s. Her skin glowed like a sun with the scene. Sonorous words of power rolled from her lips as she spoke directly to Zola.

    "Listening in on conversations that do not concern you?" The room shook. Hanging dreamcatchers fell to the floor. Space compressed as the air within the room felt heavy. Fritz froze as he wondered how earthquakes worked within interdimensional spaces. Shiver''s of fear rolled through Zola like a raging sea. The purple brazier, guttered and extinguished. The room went black, as the goddess'' golden fury raged.

    "Ah, one of mine." The winged figure said with a laugh. Thousands of echoing voices mixed together in a confusing symphony as he spoke. "Be gentle."

    "Insect! You dare to spy where your eyes should not linger?!" Blood dripped from around Zola''s eyes. Her shaky hands vibrated the dreamcatcher, yet she could not break away from it. Golden light emanated like a blinding sun from within, illuminated every feature of Zola''s terrified face.

    "Ada! Grab her arm, get her away from it!" Neva shouted. Gripping the arachnean''s arm she pulled with all her might.

    "Freyes, don''t. She was just curious."

    "Lorgen! Handle it then!"

    The dreamcatcher burned with blue fire. The scene vanished as Zola''s chitinous fingers gripped the burning remains of her silk. Smoke drifted lazily into the air, as the room fell away into complete darkness. Her bloody eyes stared blankly into the room.

    "What the hell was that?" Ada asked. The purple flame brazier came back to life, basking everyone with pale light.

    "Freyes. Lorgen. God and Goddess, both have appeared in Fritz''s memories. My scrying has angered Freyes. Lorgen saved me. It is impossible to believe. Fritz, what are you?" Zola asked. Her voice was soft, her many red eyes were wide as she looked at the strange human in her divination room.

 Any Takers?

    Later the four sat within a large dining room. Parts of his crossbow littered the area around him. Zola and Neva had brought out a large amount of cured meat, wine, and cheese. The beastkin had listened to Fritz''s story as they ate a late dinner.

    "A divine quest!" Ada''s eyes brightened with extreme excitement. The girl practically jumped in her seat.

    "I hate this." Neva said grumpily. She crossed her arms.

    "To spy upon the goddess? What have I done?" Zola asked herself. Her long, black chitinous fingers cradled her head as she took a large gulp of wine.

    "Does this settle matters as to whether I have a dick or not?" Fritz asked.

    "Language." Neva growled out.

    "Well, at least you didn''t strip me like Ada." Fritz said with a sarcastic grin.

    "Ada?!" Neva squeaked out.

    "I just met him! I saw him using magic in the forest! What else was I supposed to think?"

    "Why didn''t report this to me immediately?!" Neva immediately shot back.

    "You''d think I was crazy!" Ada complained. She pointed an accusatory finger at Neva. Wine sloshed onto the table. "Besides, I didn''t do anything! I touched him professionally! Professionally!"

    "Stop!" Zola groaned out. Slotting the final piece of his carbon fiber crossbow, together Fritz tested the string. Watching the cams moving smoothly with the string, Fritz gave himself a mental pat on the back. Pulling back the string, he locked it in place.

    "Am I in the clear now? Am I allowed to leave Falken in peace? The necromancer has been killed. Hopefully, your questions have been answered. I''ve already lost quite a bit of time remaining in Falken."

    "Yes. Leave. I want nothing to do with any gods." Neva said grumpily. Closing her eyes, she savored her tobacco.

    "Ada, still want to go?" Fritz asked, turning to the blonde wolfkin. Pointing the crossbow away, Fritz pulled the trigger letting the crossbow''s string shoot forth. Satisfied, he placed the weapon away.

    "No. Absolutely not. She''s not leaving."

    "I promised her, I''d take her with me. Besides, she asked to accompany me." Fritz replied.

    "Neva. I want to go. I''m already an adult. It''s not fair. I deserve to go. You can''t keep me in Falken forever."

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "Ada, it''s too dangerous. There''s nothing in the conclaves worth visiting." Color rose to both wolfkin''s cheeks as their anger started to rise.

    "I don''t care! I''m not dying in Falken! I''m strong enough to carve my glory in the wider world. I don''t need your protection!" Ada yelled out.

    "You don''t even know what the conclaves are like! They''re not like the silly books you read! Whatever glory you''re chasing doesn''t exist! All you''ll find is blood and pain! Your comrades will die all around you. You''ll come back home a broken woman! If your lucky to even come back!"

    "That''s for me to find out you hag!"

    Pouring himself another glass of wine, Fritz leaned back. The arachnean tapped the table with impatience as she waited for the two to be quiet. Eventually, the two wolfkin were left to incoherent shouting and growling. Magical strands wrapped around their mouths stifling their endless argument.

    "Enough! Quiet you two!" Zola said. "I will hear no more about the danger of the conclaves. Fritz? You are going to Fehrenn?"

    "Yes." Fritz said confidently.

    "Now, we have the perfect opportunity. Neva take Ada to Fehrenn. Accompany Fritz on his quest."

    "What, you can''t be serious?" The two wolfkin blurted out at the same time struggling with the magic threads of silk. Talking over each other in disbelief. Zola shut their mouths again.

    "Fritz has been chosen by the gods! He is their champion! He is enacting their will in our world." Zola shouted. "We have no choice. We must help him or risk further enraging the divine!"

    "Thank you, Zola." Fritz said. Draining his cup of wine, he poured himself another. Wrestling, with their magical threads, the two wolfkin tried to continue their argument.

    "This a stupid quest. Quest''s are stupid." Neva growled out.

    "It''s not stupid! It''s noble! It''s glorious!" Ada shot back.

    "I''m leaving in the morning. Who''s coming with me?" Fritz shouted over the two wolfkin. "Ada? Neva? Zola? Any takers?"

    "Neva, take Ada. Keep her out of trouble. We can''t ignore this. This goes beyond our own desires." Zola said quickly.

    "Take her? She should stay in Falken."

    "She won''t, and you know it. Fritz will need help. The necromancer was targeting him. Other''s may be as well. You can help, deliver him to the city and be done with it."

    Chewing on her lip, Fritz watched Neva''s scars dance as she wrestled with her thoughts.

    "I hate them. The gods can all die for all I care. They''ve done nothing for me." Neva spat out.

    "I know. However, ignoring their wishes will only lead to disaster. They must be appeased, regardless of what we desire. Lest we suffer their wrath at a later date." Zola countered.

    "Stuck on babysitting duty." Neva grumbled.

    "Does this mean I''m coming?" Ada asked incredulously.

    "Of course." Fritz said.

    "No." Neva growled out.

    "If you leave, she won''t stay put. If you don''t take her with you, she will venture off on her own. Taking her with you is the only way to keep her safe." Zola countered.

    Cursing to herself, Neva begrudgingly nodded to Ada. Shooting out of the room like a rocket, Ada shouted announcing her triumph.

    "What about you? Coming along." Fritz asked.

    "I''ll be getting you some help. Neva and I still have some friends in the conclaves. Their help will be instrumental in your journey." Zola said. Her crimson eyes regarded Fritz coolly. "My apprentice will take my spot on your journey instead."

    Beside Fritz, Neva took out her pipe. Calming herself with a deep inhale of tobacco and a large gulp of wine, she finally let out a deep groan of pain.

    "I hate quests. Nothing good ever happens on a quest." She grumbled to herself. Outside of the room, Ada shouted herself hoarse.

 Marcelle

    The next morning, Fritz, Ada and Neva, found themselves outside of Zola''s mansion. Fritz eyed the cottage as he began to walk around it.

    "Dimension magic is so intriguing. It''s like a pocket dimension." Moving back towards the door of the cottage he opened it and peered inside. The elegant mansion was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the weather damaged boards of the rundown cottage spoke of years of neglect.

    "Precisely so. One of a kind too." Neva replied rather blandly.

    "I know so many who thought the stuff was impossible. So many who would have killed to create something like this." Fritz said. Suddenly a buzz of magic spread through the clearing.

    "Stop gawking and get back Fritz." Neva warned.

    Not wanting to be caught between dimensions, Fritz quickly jumped back and repositioned himself near Ada and Neva. Shrugging his shoulders he re-adjusted his supply pack. A door of impenetrable darkness appeared in the frame of the cottage.

    A black chitinous leg appeared from thin air. Zola appeared from the dark door. She walked calmly, a small duffel bag of red dyed spider silk was draped around her shoulder.

    "Greetings, Fritz. It is a fine morning." Zola said with a nod. Fritz merely smiled. Zola looked around the clearing. Her red eyes scanned the clearing. "I do not see my apprentice.... I instructed her to be early to join your party."

    "She''s a no-show." Neva said gruffly. She reached for her pipe.

    "My apologies, I spent most of the night giving her instructions." Zola frowned.  "I will just be a moment. Please wait. I shall fetch her." Zola said. Waving her hand in front of the cottage, she opened the door to her pocket dimension before disappearing inside.

    "What''s her apprentice like?" Fritz asked. Neva shrugged before answering.

    "Difficult."

    "She''s a handful." Ada said. She let out a sigh. "Do we really need her?"

    "Someone has to look after her while Zola''s traveling."

    "She sounds like a child." Fritz commented. Ada let out a short giggle. "So what''s her deal?" Fritz asked.

    "Uhh, where do I start?" Ada groaned out. "One time, she started raising money for alchemical ingredients by trying to sell love potions and strength potions. Regus then bought up a stockpile of strength potions and tried to challenge Neva."

    "Did he win?" Fritz asked.

    "Hah. No." Neva responded with gruffly. "Not even close. Though he did make me draw my sword then. The love potions were more annoying. Half the town suddenly falling in love with another person? It was pandemonium." Neva shook her head from side to side.

    "She pranked the village once too. Our Maidentime festival was ruined with spiked liquor! Half the town was puking their guts out. All because people kept calling her Moody Marcelle. Another time she tried to steal from a traveling merchant. She consumed a potion of invisibility and tried to rob his pack in the middle of the day! Zola had to come into town and apologize on her behalf."

    "Don''t forget about the time she tried to break into my house." Neva said. She breathed a small ring of smoke into the air.

    "For what?"

    "To perform experiments with my sword collection." She replied nonchalantly. "Luckily, Ada caught her snooping around in time."

    "She sounds...." Fritz said before trailing off.

    "Obsessive. Dangerous. Impulsive. Moody. She''s dangerous, when angry. It''s best to keep away." Ada replied.

    They stood around waiting for Zola''s return. Minutes passed before the same dark door was opened from within the cottage''s door frame. Zola''s blackened chitinous legs appeared as she traveled through the space between. Trailing behind her was a long thick thread of silk carrying a wrapped wriggling mass. Ada let out a long laugh, as she watched Zola drag her apprentice out. Neva let out a long suffering sigh, before reaching for her pipe. Fritz looked on in utter confusion, as a large body wrapped nearly completely in webbing was dragged out of the ruined cottage. The large body cocooned within writhed and lashed out in anger. Her arms were bound behind her. Purple scales peaked between the webbing where her legs should have been. Her inky black hair was covered in dust and grime. A large mass of webbing had been threaded around her face to prevent her screaming. Muffled curses escaped her lips as she wrestled with her restraints.

    "Forgive me." Zola said coolly. "My apprentice can be quite difficult." Zola shot Fritz an apologetic smile. "I''ve already explained the situation to her. Really, I have no idea why she is being so difficult. Your quest is important, yet she refuses to see the truth."

    "Is she all right?" Fritz asked hesitantly. The wriggling sack containing Zola''s apprentice raged against the silken threads.

    "Of course! She''s just having a hard time accepting her new task." Zola shot her apprentice a dark look, before continuing her awkward smile at Fritz. Ada laughed even harder now, as she doubled over. Her pack moved forward, as tears began swelling around her eyes. Neva crossed her arms as she waited for the farce to continue.

    "Doesn''t look like she wants to come along." Neva said.

    "Of course she does. Don''t you Marcelle?" The woman behind Zola struggled in her confines, as Zola dragged her towards the others. "I''ve explained everything to her multiple times. She knows your destination quite well. Her help will be instrumental. She''s just being silly. Despite her emotional immaturity, she is quite handy." Zola flashed Fritz another smile. Her long, sharp, incisor''s crept out from between her thin lips. She crossed her arms over her chest. A long, sharp finger tapped nervously against her arm. "Almost forgot, I need to pack up. Does everyone have all their belongings?"

    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Neva and Ada nodded. Zola moved back towards the cottage. She held out her hand towards the entrance of the cottage. Fritz watched her materialize a large onyx gemstone into the palm of her hand.

    "What''s that?" Fritz asked.

    "Ah, this is the mansion from earlier. A lovely bit of magic, we happened to stumble upon, didn''t we Neva?"

    "Quite useful, a shame I couldn''t get one as well. Makes traveling much nicer." Neva said.

    "What about your apprentice?" Fritz asked as he looked down to the large struggling cocooned mass. "She isn''t coming like that is she?"

    "Don''t worry, I can drag her around like that." Ada joked.

    Marcelle''s purples eyes glared daggers into her master. Zola approached her slowly. Whatever fake warmth she displayed to Fritz was noticeably absent as she reached down. The red eyes of a merciless predator glared down at her apprentice. A sharp chitinous finger sliced into the silk wrapping around Marcelle''s mouth. The spider silk fell away, freeing her lips.

    "Give me back my laboratory! Right now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now!" Marcelle screamed at Zola. "I''m not leaving! I''m not going! You can''t make me! I''m not your servant! I have the right to refuse!"

    "Enough child! You are leaving with them!" Zola''s stern voice briefly cut down Marcelle''s torrent of words.

    "I''m not going! You can''t make me!" Marcelle hissed out.

    "I''ve explained the importance of this a million times." Zola leaned in closer and jabbed her finger into Marcelle''s head. "Get it through your thick skull child. You will be under Neva''s care until we reunite in Fehrenn. Until then keep the man alive. Above all else, keep him alive." Zola jabbed her finger back into Marcelle''s head as if to make a point.

    "Vile witch! Why should I care about your moronic machinations? I''ve far more important things to work on! My experiments cannot linger! Give me back my laboratory! Give it back! Now!"

    "Your experiments?" Zola threw her hands up. "Oh, Goddess bless your soul. Your pointless experiments can wait? Lead to gold? Panacea? Immortality? Transformative elixirs? Hah, child, who cares?"

    "I will do it! You hag! You dare doubt me?! I am a genius alchemist! Unparalleled! Give me back my laboratory! My lab! Give it back!" Marcelle screeched. Fritz winced as her voice rose higher. In the nearby trees, birds took flight.

    "Your lab?! It''s in MY mansion, and you won''t be getting it back until far later! Maybe never, If anything happens to that man over there." Zola pointed a finger towards Fritz. Marcelle''s frantic purple eyes followed Zola''s finger.

    "Him? What the hells is so important about him? He looks like an idiot! He''s an ugly nobody!" Ada frowned at her words. Neva rolled her eyes as she continued smoking her pipe.

    "Stop! If she doesn''t want to join. I don''t agree with forcing her." Fritz yelled out hoping to cut their arguments short. A smug smile wormed its way across Marcelle''s face. Long black hair obscured her face, giving her a haggard unkempt look. Dark circles underscored her purple frantic eyes. Pale, barely sun touched skin reminded Fritz of the necromancer.

    "Forgive me Fritz, but I do. She will attend you regardless if she wants to or not. On top of her not receiving her precious laboratory. I might do something quite drastic, if she doesn''t deliver you safely to Fehrenn. I might turn her into a toad so she may never practice alchemy again."

    "You wouldn''t!" Marcelle hissed.

    "I would." Zola said leaning into Marcelle.

    "She would. I''ve seen it myself." Neva seconded.

    "Vile bitch!" Marcelle hissed.

    "With the blackest of hearts." Zola pressed forward, driving a finger into her apprentice. "But if you are successful, perhaps there will be a reward, dearest apprentice. Perhaps, there is still some shred of charity within me after all. Perhaps there is a shred of good lurking deep within my heart after all."

    "What? Shall I be treated civilly for once? Maybe even with some basic decency?" Marcelle shot out sarcastically.

    "Oh, I don''t know.... Perhaps, we could upgrade your laboratory." Marcelle''s eyes grew wider as Zola kept speaking. "Your ingredients too have been lacking. We can relocate closer to the cities to acquire rarer ingredients. An assistant of your own perhaps as well. Maybe, just maybe, I''ll let you in on some of my own secrets. Maybe, I will introduce you to my coven as an equal."

    "You''re terrible." Marcelle grumbled. She chewed her lip. "Take him to some city? What am I, a courier? My genius will be wasted. My experiments will suffer. Travelling will set me back months!"

    "You can practice some of your more basic potions along the way." Zola reached behind her grabbing a small bag no larger than a fist. She dropped it on Marcelle''s stomach. "A bag of holding containing a large assortment of herbs, rare materials, and of course your equipment. Supplies for your journey, and your potion belt can also be found within, so you have no excuse to delay. Your notes and journal as well." Marcelle grumbled to herself as Zola drew herself taller. The woman with the lower half of a spider towered over Marcelle. "It''s either that, or I''ll leave you to the animals here." Marcelle scowled. "This task is more important than you realize."

    "Who cares? I am above such things." Marcelle shot back.

    "I do, and by extension, you will as well." Zola said gravely. Drawing herself up to her full height, she towered over her apprentice. Waiting, Fritz watched Marcelle''s face as thoughts formulated with her mind.

    "Only if you are serious about updating my laboratory!" Marcelle spat out.

    "I am."

    "With new ingredients!"

    "I will find them."

    "Fine. You win. Let me out." Marcelle grumbled.

    "Say it." Zola said sternly.

    "I''ll go! I''ll go! I shall honor your wishes mistress! Happy?" Marcelle whined.

    "Excellent, I knew you''d come to your senses!" Zola said. A sadistic smile crept across her mouth as she clapped her hands together. She reached down and cut the threads releasing the woman''s legs. No. Legs were the wrong word. A snake''s tail whipped energetically through the air, as Marcelle stood up. Her upper half was human, but where her legs would have been a large snake''s tail resided. As she stood up, she smoothed out her long robes and cleaned out some of the dust of her long inky black hair. Fritz watched the large tail flick about, as it removed the last of the spider silk clinging to it.

    "Now that we''ve got that show out of the way." Neva started, she paused to smoke her long pipe. "We can start with proper introductions. Fritz, meet Marcelle."

    "It''s nice to meet you. My name is Fritz." Fritz said while approaching and offering his hand. The inky black hair, covered in dirt and grime, obscured Marcelle''s face. Her skin had a slight purplish hue to it, yet otherwise, she was pale like she hadn''t seen the sun in years. Her eyes moved away from Fritz, as she looked at the ground. Fritz''s hand hung awkwardly in the air. Ada stepped behind him.

    "No funny business. I have my eye on you." Ada said to Marcelle. Marcelle''s scowl deepened, as she kept grumbling. With a sigh, Fritz let his hand fall back down.

    "Come on youngsters! We''re wasting daylight." Neva said loudly. "Zola, it was nice to see you. But, can you do one last thing?"

    "Yes?"

    "Deliver this letter to my next in command in Falken. May is the next in line. I''ll be stepping down, and they''ll want to know why Ada, and I are missing."

    "Is that wise? Are you not traveling south?" Zola asked.

    "We''ll head north to Trira. It''ll be quicker to head down along the river. The letter states we are delivering him to his family in Yuntrau. Completely opposite of our intended path. If there are any spies in Falken, hopefully they will be thrown off." Zola nodded in understanding.

    "Farewell, then. Till next time." Zola said as she accepted Neva''s letter.

    "See you around." Neva said.

    Fritz and Ada thanked Zola, before her eight long legs carried her quickly away. Marcelle said nothing as she glowered a little ways off from the others. Zola never looked back to check on her apprentice. Soon, her eight legs exited the clearing and Fritz lost her form between the trees.

    "Finally progress!" Fritz thought to himself.

    The four set off into the woods, following a trail picked out by Neva. Marcelle slithered morosely behind the others. Ada stuck close to Fritz. Her spear hit the ground between strides, as she kept within arm''s length of Fritz at all times.

 Welcome Party

    The four of them had finally made camp. Neva relaxed against her bedroll. Her long wooden pipe puffed smoke into the air. Marcelle and Ada sat across from each other. The small campfire divided them. Their two mood''s could not be more different. Marcelle black hair hung limply obscuring most of her face. Yet between the long black strands, anger and frustration wormed its way over her face constantly. On the other hand, Ada was in a great mood. A slight smile kept tugging at her lips as she rolled out a bedroll next to Fritz''s.

    Marcelle, had pulled out a small table along with pestle and mortar out of her bag of holding. A pot for boiling and a magical burner appeared next. Pulling a large bundle of green herbs out of her bag of holding, Marcelle poured in a batch of fresh water and started boiling the herbs.

    Fritz stood around awkwardly. Suddenly he clapped his hands together, gathering everyone''s attention.

    "Alright, everyone. I''d like to formally celebrate the founding of our new party."

    "No. Absolutely not." Neva huffed grumpily.

    "What?! Come on!" Ada protested. "We should at least celebrate! It''s standard adventuring behavior!"

    "No oaths of loyalty. Absolutely no blood oaths. No talking of dreams and desires." Neva said. "Don''t want to go through it again." Ada growled at the older wolfkin. Fritz coughed awkwardly.

    "I was thinking more along the lines of proper introductions. Maybe some food and drink to break the ice. I know some of you don''t want to be here." Marcelle snorted at Fritz, before muttering a barely perceptible string of curses. "But, I am thank all the same. I know it is difficult to come along on such a short notice, leaving everything behind. For that, I am thankful. So let me start with a proper introduction."

    Looking around at his audience. Ada was the only one looking at him. Drawing himself up, continued on.

    "My name is Fritz, former chemical weapons researcher at EvaMaxx. My primary experience is with next generation chemical warfare." Marcelle''s eyebrow quirked up, as she stared at him through the mass of her black hair. "I''m not proud of the work I accomplished at EvaMaxx. But who am I to deny a chance to do the right thing? I am going to Fehrenn, at the Goddess Freyes command. I am thankful, for all who would help me."

    Fritz looked around to the others. Ada jumped up next to him. Her arm wrapped around his shoulder.

    "My name is Ada! I''m gonna be the greatest warrior the world has ever known!" Neva groaned as if she had been punched in the gut. "What?!" Ada growled out towards Neva. "I''m serious too! Once I get an enchanted sword, I''m gonna kill a dragon!" Marcelle screeched like a banshee.

    "I''m surrounded by idiots! Ada, and this fake human alchemist?! Chemical weapons researcher? What does that even mean? It sounds like a failed alchemist who can only produce poisonous gas! The gods hate me! I just know it! Jorgen please! Save me!" Fritz cleared his throat, before speaking.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    "Alchemy doesn''t exist where I''m from. But you are mostly correct. Lethal gas is what chemical warfare is known for, but that isn''t everything. Non lethal chemical deterrents are always in demand. Truth serums, and combat drugs are always another popular option."

    "Combat drugs?" Neva asked.

    "Stimulants, steroids, and transformative drugs designed to make the next generation of soldiers. I''ve worked on it all, to varying successes." Marcelle''s eyes narrowed at Fritz. Her purple eyes stared mercilessly at Fritz. "But enough about me. Neva your next."

    "You know me. I need no introduction." Neva responded blandly.

    "I see...." Fritz responded. "Marcelle. You''re next."

    "I hate you." Marcelle seethed. Ada frowned at Marcelle. "You''ve ruined my life. I don''t see why I should. Zola told me about you. Your power is stupid, useless, and moronic. Freye''s champions are warriors, but you are not." Fritz let out a sigh.

    "So, Marcelle, you''re an alchemist?"

    "The greatest the world shall ever know." Marcelle hissed out. "One day."

    "Alright, well if you ever need any ingredients let me know I''ll gladly create them for you."

    "Conjured material cannot be used in alchemy. It eventually degrades during the mana extraction process. Clearly you are stupid, incompetent and incapable of thought." Marcelle spat out.

    "Throw me some of that herb." Fritz commanded. The lamia reached into her bag of holding, before removing a bundle of green herbs.  Marcelle, aiming for Fritz''s face, threw it with her full strength. The bundle hit Fritz in the face, before he caught it. Ada growled at Marcelle. Ignoring the smug smile on the lamia''s face, Fritz created an identical bundle.

    "Try using that. It will hold. Trust me." He said while gently tossing it towards her. "Now, in the meantime, let''s celebrate." Fritz said with a forced smile. "What do you girls like?"

    "Firewater. Hard to get this far into the boonies." Neva said. Fritz conjured and threw her a bottle of scotch.

    "Most expensive, I''ve ever had. Aged for seventy years. Courtesy of my very own murderer. He always had a bottle hidden in his desk." Neva uncorked the liquor before taking a large gulp.

    "Smooth." Neva said simply.

    "Uh, Neva, that''s pretty strong. You should be careful."

    "Don''t tell me what to do, boy." She said before she started chugging the bottle.

    "Alright, then...." Fritz replied awkwardly.

    "Meat!" Ada said enthusiastically. Moving to the campfire, Fritz created a cast iron pan before placing it in the fire.

    "This is the best I''ve ever had." Fritz conjured Ada, a heavily marbled piece of steak. "It costs more than I made in a week. Cook it however, you like." Ada immediately started scarfing the raw meat down. Fritz blinked in confusion for a minute, before turning towards Marcelle trying to ignore the blonde wolfkin.

    "Anything you want, Marcelle?" Fritz asked. Marcelle ignored him, focusing on her work.

    "Alright, then." Fritz conjured a bottle of wine, and an assortment of cheeses. He gingerly placed the items down next to the working lamia before backing away.

    "More!" Neva and Ada said simultaneously to the human dispenser of food. Somehow, they snuck up behind him. Their hands clasped around his shoulder, pulling him away from Marcelle, as they demanded more food and drink. Marcelle kept muttering under her breath. She threw the conjured bundle of herbs into her pot. Her intense purple eyes waited for the conjured material to break apart, yet no matter how high she turned her magical burner the material behaved normally. There, in the middle of the forest, inspiration struck the lamia. Her purple eyes narrowed on the human.

 Vampiric Obsession

    Exhaustion had eventually taken Freyes'' champion. Fritz had fallen asleep despite, Ada''s constant annoyance.

    He found himself in a swirling vortex of inky blackness. His body floated languidly, unable to move. Suddenly, a pair of red eyes fixated upon him. They opened from above, growing with intensity as they seemed to draw in closer. Fritz felt his blood freeze in terror as he saw the red eyes approach. Moving felt impossible. Fritz''s mind screamed at his useless body to act. Closer and closer, they came.

    "Finally! Found you!" A voice like ice rippled through his mind. Terror gripped his unmoving body. The large eyes stopped moving just above his floating body. He tried to move his mouth, to call for help. Yet, he was unable to make a single sound.

    Suddenly, the scene shifted. Fritz felt himself standing. He was standing in an ornate golden room. Rich rugs decorated the floors. A large four-poster bed was in the middle of the room. Dressers and wardrobes covered in filigree lined the golden walls of the room. Desks and bookshelves littered another corner of the room, out of place amongst the palatial splendor.

    In front of him, was a woman wearing mourning clothes. Her pale hands were clasped in front of her. A thin dark veil obscured her face. Her eyes were trained upon Fritz. He tried to move, yet found himself stuck completely in place. His lips quivered as he tried to form words. The veiled woman remained motionless.

    Cold fingers traced over his shoulders. The light touch drew his attention to another person lurking behind him. Yet still, he could not move. Something sharp touched the jugular of his neck. He felt his heart skip a beat. Forcing his eyes to look down, he saw blonde hair arrayed in twintails. An ornate, ruby hooped skirt peeked from behind the crouching woman. The woman stuck her tongue out, as she licked her way up Fritz''s neck. Cold, wet, gentle sensations trailed up his vulnerable neck. Goosebumps rose on his skin, as he tried to shiver but was unable to move.

    She pulled away to get a look at him. The woman was tall. Her skin was pale and smooth like a porcelain doll. Her crimson eyes regarded him like prey. A smile crept upon her blood red lips. Sharp fangs protruded ever so slightly against the soft lips.

    "Your blood calls to me. It smells positively divine, even in this dream. You are one of a kind. A meal to be savored. Perhaps, I won''t kill you immediately, even if it would be quicker." Her voice was light, haughty, full of unashamed desire. Fritz felt his stomach sink, as he tried to move his body away from her.

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    "Oh what lovely pressure, waiting to be released." The woman walked around him. A sharp nail pressed into his jugular. "I could do that for you. It''s not everyday, I receive a breed like you. So virile and suffused with magical power. So different, one of a kind. So sweet, and with the blessing of a goddess. What a delicacy."

    She clutched his chest from behind. Her teeth scraped across the all around his neck. Small scratches appeared on his skin. The small trickles of blood were lapped up by the cold woman behind him. She let out a deep long pleasured sigh.

    "Ohhh, I can almost taste you." The cold woman purred. "So unique. So rare. So splendid. I cannot wait to experience the real you."

    The woman''s breathing was deep, as she explored Fritz''s neck. Light kisses, sharp nibbles, and soft licks, explored every inch of him. Fritz''s fingers twitched. His toes wiggled, as her breath tickled him. He wanted to move, yet his body would not obey. His nervous system screamed with fear, yet his muscles were unresponsive.

    "A meal to be savored. Enjoyed. You would spurt delicious treasures, until your blood pressure dropped. I''d keep you there. Hours, days, years even, strapped down underneath me. My finger circling your quivering heart. My ears listening to the symphony of your shallow desperate breaths. My mouth lapping your essence."

    "My lady." The woman in mourning clothes responded. Her voice was a cutting whisper, interrupting the other''s obsession.

    "What?"

    "Your mother would not approve of such actions. She bade you not to play with food. Thou, should have better manners."

    "To the hells with her. This one is different. So...."

    "Your family, has a reputation. Kill him and be done with it. His dreams are no place for your desires. Kill him and return to your family. Your mother worries. Linger not in the realm of the living. It is not our home."

    The woman walked around in front of him again. Her noble features stared at Fritz inches away from his face. Her crimson eyes, full of depraved desired mixed with annoyance, stared into his soul. Her finger traced his quivering lips. Fritz tried to scream, he tried to protest.

    "When next we meet. Do not run. Stay perfectly still. Come to me. Let me indulge. Let me lick, suck, bite, and gnaw till I am satisfied. I will make it quick."

    Fritz felt the control of his body return. Pulling his arms forward, he tried to push the woman away. His senses fell away into darkness, as he awoke from his dream.

    His heart beat fast as he sucked in the forest''s fresh air. Ada''s elbow had somehow found its way into Fritz''s cheek. The sharp bone, pressed against him. Pain radiated through his face, as he tried to shift the blonde beastkin away from him. Ada snored like a dying animal. Somehow, the blonde wolfkin had latched onto him like a barnacle. The dream rapidly faded away from his mind. Ada merely shifted slightly, as she latched onto him. Trying to remove the disturbing thoughts, Fritz struggled to fall back asleep. The sputtering campfire held back the darkness of the night.

 On the Wind

    The next morning, Fritz woke up with bleary eyes. He ate some travel rations, and washed it down with conjured water. The night''s fire had burnt down to cinders. Neva stood around impassively, ready to begin the next day''s march.

    The group plotted a course through the woods and continued on. From morning till dusk, they hiked through the trees. Fritz and Marcelle lagged behind. Ada and Neva were indefatigable as they moved through the woods. Their wolfish ears twitched and moved to any strange sounds within the forest. Conjuring water, candy, tobacco, beef jerky, trail mix, and even a bottle of wine, Fritz tried his best to keep his companions happy.

    Eventually with the approach of nightfall the party made camp again. They camped on a flat portion of the forest floor. No clearing had been found. The iron-gray trees of the forest pressed in close to their camp. The canopy overhead swayed, as the breeze pushed against the canvas of Fritz''s tent.

    Marcelle seemed intent on ignoring the others. An iron pot sat on the forest floor, boiling some roots she had found earlier. Neva sat leaned back against a tree, smoking her long pipe. Ada sat next to Fritz, leaning into his shoulder as he tried to cook a conjured steak in a cast iron skillet.

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    The wind blew. Dead leaves kicked up on the forest floor. The fire danced as the wind ran through their camp. Fritz watched as Marcelle''s pot threatened to boil over. She threw out a series of curses as she reached for a thick leather glove to remove the pot from the fire.

    Neva raised her hand up, as she stood. Fritz looked over with a confused look. Neva''s nose twitched as she stood up and dumped her tobacco out of her long wooden pipe. Her nose twitched again as she inhaled. As if on instinct, Ada rose as well and smelled the air.

    "Rotting flesh. Could be undead." Ada said confidently. Neva nodded to her.

    "Undead?" Fritz asked. "How can you tell?"

    "The scent of rot wasn''t here when we made camp. It must be moving. It''s coming closer." Neva explained. Ada nodded to the graying wolfkin.

    "Shit." Fritz said, as he stood up.

    "What do we do?" Ada asked. "They might find us at night. Camping is risky."

    "Pack it up. We need to keep moving. We can''t camp here." Neva said.

    Marcelle moved to put her experiment away. Throwing his steak away, a feeling of hopelessness coursed through him for a moment, as he imagined the upcoming trek. Pulling himself together, he focused on the task at hand.

    "Quickly! We need to move out. Fritz hold the torch. Be prepared for anything." Neva commanded, as she moved over to collect her supplies. "Marcelle, hold up the rear. Ada behind me."

 Hunted

    The night air was filled with the stench of rotting flesh. Fritz could smell it now. Wafts of rancid scent traveled through the trees stinging his nose. The smell made him gag, as he marched behind Ada and Neva. Wolves howled remorseful songs in the distant woods. Moonlight barely touched the forest floor. The orange light of their one torch was like an island in the dark night. His crossbow was taught and ready. The carbon fiber frame jostled against his shoulder, ready to be drawn and used.

    Fritz''s legs burned and his feet hurt, as he traversed over root, gulley, and bramble. His companions wordlessly marched close to him protecting him from what lurked in the night. Bushes rustled as small animals ran from their trudging boots. Ada and Neva pressed forward from the front.

    In the gloom of night, a pair of yellow eyes reflected their torch. Neva and Ada stopped. Just ahead a pack of mangy wolves advanced upon them. The stench of decaying flesh rolled over Fritz in a wave. Glassy, pale eyes regarded them as they advanced from the dark woods.

    Ada leveled her spear, as Neva drew her sword. A mote of fire swirled in her open hand as she extended it out towards the attackers. Behind him, Marcelle drew a dagger and rummaged in her pack for something. Fritz struggled for breath, as the decayed stench overpowered his senses. The dogs advanced, closing in on their prey.

    In the flickering light of the torch, Fritz could see their form. Black flies buzzed around them like a cloud. Rotten flesh clung to exposed wounds. Rancid puss dribbled sick green liquid onto the ground. Flecks of dried blood stuck to their fur. Dark forbidden magic reflected in their cloudy eyes as their rancid slobber dripped from hungry mouths.

    "What the hell?" Fritz gagged out. Pulling out his crossbow, he loaded a bolt with one hand.

    "Stay back! We''ll handle it!" Ada said sternly.

    "There must be another necromancer nearby. She must be raising them to hunt us! Marcelle, watch our backs!" Neva commanded.

    Four dead wolves fanned out in a semi-circle before the party. Ada and Neva tensed up, raising their weapons. All at once, the wolves pounced forward together. A whip of flame, met one of the wolves as it tried to drive into Neva. The wolf was pulled into the leaping path of its nearby brother. The two were sent down to the forest floor. Seizing the opportunity Neva advanced upon them. Bolts of fire peppered their undead flesh as she stabbed repeatedly with her sword.

    In the meantime, Ada threw her spear. She impaled one of the leaping wolves, sending it straight into a nearby tree. It wriggled and snapped its jaws at her, yet couldn''t free itself. Drawing her sword, Ada met the charge of the other undead wolf. The snap of the wolf''s jaws met nothing but air. Ada''s sword chopped rancid flash away from the wolf. Fritz could see the white of exposed ribs and skull. Yet for all its mounting injuries, the wolf still attacked. Circling around to its most injured side, Ada cut off its leg. The wolf''s blood encrusted leg flew out into the woods landing somewhere hidden. Slobbering yellow teeth snapped at Ada''s leg. Yet Ada was too agile to be caught. The beast stumbled falling to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Ada hacked at the beast with her sword. With three successive strikes, the wolf''s head came clean off. The impaled wolf attached to the tree wriggled forward slowly. She quickly jogged up to its immobilized frame and severed its head.

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Fritz watched the fight unfold before him. The two wolfkin were able to subdue their enemies with impressive ease. Awkwardly holding his modern weapon, he looked around for some way to contribute. A shuffle of movement to Fritz left alerted him to a pair of dead eyes leaping for him. Fear gripped him. He felt his muscles tense involuntarily. His arms moved to his face for protection. A purple flash impacted the wolf, sending its body flying back into the underbrush. Marcelle stood there with a dagger and empty flask. Her purple eyes flashed with hatred at where the beast was sent flying.

    "A potion of giant''s strength." Marcelle said. Fritz merely nodded dumbly at her, as he tried to regain his senses.

    Neva finished burning the beasts. The charred skeletons of her enemies were entwined together. After scanning the forest for more danger, the party regrouped.

    "We need to keep moving." Neva said quickly. Ada nodded. She jogged over to her spear. Dislodging it with a swift motion, she slung the wolf innards to the forest floor. Fritz grimaced at the viscera.

    "What happened to the wolf you... kicked?" Fritz asked Marcelle as he searched for the right word to describe her actions.

    "I shattered the wolf''s spine. It''s crawling somewhere in the underbrush." Marcelle said as she slid closer to Fritz.

    "Enough talk, we need to move." Neva barked, projecting backwards to Fritz and Marcelle. She paused momentarily to sniff the air. "Shit! It''s hard to tell if anymore are nearby with these bodies around. Ada be alert for any sound. These dogs were scouts. Someone is hunting us. Or worse yet, herding us. We need to keep moving."

    "Understood." Ada responded.

    The party ventured forth. The tree''s pressed in close. The sounds of the night kept Fritz alert. His mind raced at every sudden movement. His head swiveled around as he looked for ambushing danger. The stench of putrid flesh filled his lungs. He couldn''t escape it. It stuck to his nose, making him paranoid that more of the undead beasts were nearby waiting to attack. Putting his crossbow away, he conjured a machete in his right hand. Gripping it tightly, he stuck close to his companions. A faint orange flow was ahead of them. Neva called a stop to their group. Hiding her body behind a tree, she peeked towards the light.

    "What is it?" Fritz asked.

    "A fire." Ada said confidently. "Smoke is in the air."

    "I can''t smell shit." Fritz replied. "Any chance they are friendly?"

    "Not likely." Ada said. "Only outcasts and bandits this far out. One of your witchy friends?" Ada asked Marcelle. Marcelle gave her a strange smile that seemed to say no.

    "Let''s avoid them. Let''s not take any chances tonight." Neva said. The others nodded at her assessment.

    Peering between the trees Fritz looked into the clearing. Smoke and fog obscured the inside of the clearing. He squinted his eyes as he tried to focus on the faint orange light ahead.

 Rush Of Blood

    Fog and darkness obscured their vision up ahead. The scent of dead flesh lingered in the air cloying at their senses. The crackle of burning wood was constant, as the group tried to see ahead.

    "Something''s up ahead." Ada whispered to the others. "I can''t-" Her words were interrupted.

    A sudden wind swept through the clearing with a shriek. The smoke and fog cleared. Looking past the trees, A river divided the clearing. A sandy bed, full of stones, kept the water clear. Several rafts were already burning on the water. The ground opened up, revealing a subterranean cavern below. Burning tents and makeshift shacks illuminated the surrounding area.

    From the other side of the clearing, Fritz could see slain beastkin mixed with dead wolves near the entrance of the cave. On the other side of the river, two familiar looking deathly pale women stood. The taller one wore a crimson hooped skirt with a black bodice. A thin onyx colored rapier dripped blood onto the ground. The shorter one wore mourning clothes with a face veil. Behind them, recently slain beastkin littered the ground. Their blood mixed with the river, swirling crimson swept downriver eventually fading away. Fritz could feel the blood in his veins freeze looking at the two. The two pale women turned towards Fritz.

    "Wonderful! The stars of the show have arrived. I was wondering how long the dogs would take to herd them!" The tall woman clapped loudly. "And what an audience we have! Come to witness such sordid offerings!" The woman''s voice was sharp like a sadistic knife. Fritz''s heart skipped a beat as he recognized the woman.

    "Run!" Ada shouted. Neva, Marcelle and Ada shot off running away from the woman. Fritz''s legs felt like jelly. His brain told him to run, yet his body wouldn''t listen. His mind screamed for his muscles to obey, yet the crimson eyes of the pale blonde woman held him still. The two pale women stalked towards him. Fritz''s brain screamed at him, as he watched death approach him.

    "We don''t have time for this! Grab him!" Neva shouted. Fritz felt hands wrap around his chest. His view shifted as he was thrown, pack and all, onto Ada''s shoulders.

    "They''re higher undead! We just need to last until sunrise! We''ll be safe then." Marcelle shouted back.

    "How do you know that?" Ada yelled back.

    "Shut up and run! Run!" Neva shouted again.

    The three women, carrying Fritz, ran into the forest. Brambles, thorns, and branches snapped at their faces, clothes and legs.

    "Oh, how I love the chase." The lady tittered. Her voice carried itself through the trees. "Very well! Do entertain me! I don''t mind earning my meal!"

    Recovering control of his body, Fritz spoke up.

    "Let me down. I''m fine! I can run!" He said down to Ada. Without missing a beat, Ada righted Fritz''s body. His feet touched the ground and he started sprinting alongside them. His pack bounced up and down on his back, as he tried to keep up.

    Fritz ran as fast as he could through the forest. Ada and Neva slowed their pace to match his. Marcelle seemed to struggle with the pace just as much as Fritz. Fritz looked back for undead wolves. Only a piercing consuming blackness was behind him. Holding his torch high, Fritz ran faster trying to catch up to the others.

    The sudden flash of movement caught his eye ahead. An onyx rapier darted for the jugular of Neva. The crimson frilly dress of the tall pale woman trailed behind the blade. Her eyes shone with bloodlust, as a cruel, warped smile spread across her blood encrusted lips.

    Neva''s sword rose to intercept the attack. Fritz watched as Neva''s sword barely scraped against the blade, deflecting it slightly off course. The onyx rapier scraped against her shoulder. Neva grunted as blood pooled down her arm. The pale woman stopped and turned on her heels. She flew back into the woods disappearing. Fritz''s eyes went wide, as he tried to make sense of her superhuman speed.

    Everyone stopped running, as Neva slumped forward a bit. Her hand went to her shoulder, it came away tinged with crimson.

    "Neva, are you all right?" Ada asked. She rushed over to the older wolfkin. Neva grunted in pain, as she tried to ignore the others and search for her attacker. Her scarred face warped with anger.

    "Stay alert! She''s still out there." She barked.

    "Do you need a bandage?" Ada asked. Fritz blinked away his confusion, as he jogged over.

    "No. We need to keep moving. We need to keep moving till the sun comes up. They''ll leave then." Neva said. "Bitch got me."

    "How the hell is she that fast?" Fritz asked.

    "Vampire. Probably pure born. Certainly not a simple necromancer. Fighting is not an option." Marcelle said.

    "She''s a fucking vampire?" Fritz asked incredulously. Marcelle gave him a barely perceptible nod.

    A peal of high pitched laughter echoed from the woods nearby. Fritz turned around as he tried to find the source.

    "Enough! We can classify later! We need to move!" Neva shouted. She gripped her sword tighter. "Be ready for anything. She''s hunting us."

    The four kept running into the forest. Fritz''s breathing was growing ragged. Sweat accumulated on his brows, as he tried to keep up. His pack felt heavier and heavier with each step. Marcelle slithered beside him now. Her purple tail undulated rapidly to match Neva''s pace. The torchlight cast rapidly moving shadows around the trees. Fritz kept his eyes open and his senses ready. He felt a wave of energy emanating ahead of him. He could sense hostile mana approaching rapidly. Instinctual fear over took him.

    "Get down!" He yelled out, as he fell to the ground. His chest hit on an exposed root. Ada and Neva fell prone, as Marcelle seemed to drop down like a spring. Fritz looked up, as a crescent of dark crimson blood sliced through the treeline behind them. A peal of laughter emerged from ahead, as tree''s crashed to the forest floor behind them.

    "Awww you didn''t want to die? Still want to play? Good! Good!" The vampire taunted.

    Fritz jumped back up to his feet. The four kept running forward. A desiccated decapitated corpse was ahead of them. Running past it in the dim light, Fritz could see it had been entirely drained of blood. Its body was shrunken down as the skin compressed pulling tight against the woman''s bones. Fritz felt a wave of revulsion flow through him, as he ran by.

    The adrenaline kept the pain in his legs at bay. His shirt was drenched in sweat. The continuous running was exhausting, yet death kept all thoughts of his internal fatigue at bay. Approaching a boulder, Fritz saw a shadow leap up far into the treeline before descending down.

    "Ada!" Fritz shouted. The blonde wolfkin''s attention shot upwards, as she hefted her spear towards the attacker. A lightning fast series of rapier thrusts snaked past Ada''s spear. The blonde wolfkin dodge backwards. Ada rolled to her feet as Neva hefted her sword. A circle of flame spiraled down Neva''s blade ready to be unleashed. The vampire woman landed, flourishing her rapier in a guarded stance. The woman''s ruby necklace glittered in the torchlight. A coy smile wrapped itself around her lips.

    "If you surrender--" The vampire started to speak, but was interrupted by a thrown spear. Steel ripped through the air searching for the monster''s heart. Fritz watched her shadowy form twist as she dodged. Without missing a beat, she advanced upon Ada. The onyx rapier was raised towards Ada''s heart. Jumping out of the way, Ada reached for her sword. Neva rushed forward, her sword full of flames. Swinging the sword down, a spectral blade of flames extending past the steel''s reach. Spiraling tendrils of flame launched towards the pale woman. The vampire rapidly jumped backwards into the gloom of the forest, completely unscathed.

    "We need a plan." Fritz said between breaths. "She''s fast." Neva grunted at his assessment. "Ada? Need another weapon?"

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "Yeah, do you have something in mind?" She asked. Her breathing was even and slow, unlike his own. Fritz suppressed his envy, as a peel of high pitched laughter rang out between the trees. Fritz searched for the source in vain.

    "I''ll need a minute to concentrate. If only we could hide." Fritz said.

    "We can''t hide from a vampire. Their sense of smell is extremely powerful. She''d find us." Neva said. Marcelle nodded her head in agreement. "Our best bet is to keep running. Once the sun rises we''ll be safe."

    "We don''t have that kind of time." Marcelle hissed.

    "How powerful is her nose?" Fritz asked.

    "Extremely, more powerful than a wolf''s. League''s better than ours." Neva pointed towards Ada and herself. "She can smell fresh blood for miles."

    "I can do something about her nose." Fritz said confidently to the others. "Who knew being part of project SKUNK would be useful?" He muttered to himself.

    "I may have a solution." Marcelle moved forward. She kept her voice low. "Although it pains me to share. I have some potions of invisibility. If we can stop her from tracking us. We can slip away unseen."

    "Fritz? Can you disable her nose?" Ada asked. She scanned the surrounding trees looking for their pursuer.

    "No, but I think you can. I need a second though. Guard me." Fritz replied, as he dropped the torch in his left hand. He spared a brief look at the machete before hooking it into his pack.

    The stink bomb he was concocting was the stuff of nightmares. He needed it to hit the vampire directly for maximum effect. Ada was clearly the superior thrower. She could throw spears like a fastball, in direct defiance of the laws of physics. All Ada needed was the vampire to sit still for half a second. With a rush of determination, Fritz decided on a plan of action.

    Fritz closed his eyes as he imagined the solution to the first step. A pair of steel bolas appeared in his left hand within an instant. Still with his eyes closed, he let his memories flood back into him. Images of EvaMaxx''s development laboratory filled his mind, as he searched for the culmination of project SKUNK. He smelt it exactly once. A single whiff had nearly sent him to the hospital. The rest of the researchers howled with laughter at his pain as he collapsed onto EvaMaxx''s floor. The sensation burned his nose for hours, lingering like a  bloated corpse. Getting rid of the smell took days, and afterwards he had never been the same since. He grimaced as he focused on recreating the weapon. Seconds later a small ball no bigger than a thimble appeared in his hand. He opened his eyes. No one else was looking at him.

    "Ada, stop her movement with this." Fritz said. He held out the steel bolas in his left hand. "Afterwards, throw this with all your might, and hope you hit her." Fritz held out the small ball shaped stink bomb. "Whatever you do, don''t breathe it in. Then we take Marcelle''s potions and run."

    Fritz looked around towards others. Ada and Marcelle looked towards Neva for permission.

    "All right, seems like a good enough plan. Do what he says." Neva said gruffly.

    Marcelle handed out a trio of potions. She handed two to Fritz and Neva, before stuffing the final one into Ada''s pack.

    "Done with your little meeting?" A hidden high pitched voice sneered at the party.

    A blur of movement erupted near Neva. The injured wolfkin held her flaming sword at the ready to intercept her foe. The vampire''s figure pivoted as if on instinct, her path moving towards the blonde wolfkin. The onyx blade was poised to strike. Fritz could feel time slow, as he watched. The blur of crimson clothes, rocket towards Ada. She reacted, twisting her body to throw the bola. The steel balls rotated in the air, as they spun towards the vampire. The woman never deviated from her course as she made straight for Ada''s throat. One bola went towards her chest, while the other, towards her legs. With frightening supernatural agility, the vampire twisted her body. She jumped, and like a contortionist, compressed herself between the spinning bolas.

    Fritz felt his heart drop, as he watched. His mouth opened, as he tried to shout. The machete appeared in his hand, as his feet moved to protect Ada. To the right of him, Neva repositioned herself as she moved to pursue the vampire.

    Yet she was too fast. Neither of the two were going to make it in time. Ada had no weapon. The woman, with her crimson eyes, full of bloodlust, pulled her sword back as she neared Ada. For a moment, Ada grimaced as she saw death approach. The onyx blade thrust out. Doing the unexpected, Ada pulled her body towards her foe. Grabbing the ball conjured by Fritz, she pushed it into the vampire''s face. The ball exploded. The figurative bowels of hell erupted into the forest. The stench was indescribable. Fritz could only feel a physical reaction, as his mind tried to catch up. His legs stopped instantly as he fell forward. Fritz retched onto the forest floor.

    The vampire screamed, as she dropped her blade. She ran into the forest, screeching like a banshee. Neva was stunned and reeling as she heaved. Ada was doing her best to hold onto her breath as she searched for her invisibility potion. Marcelle gagged, but was the most lucid.

    "Potions! Now! Potions! You fools!" Marcelle screeched from behind. Fritz heard her voice, yet it took him seconds to process her words. His world was overturned as his senses tried to normalize. He grabbed his potion of invisibility and swallowed it as best as he could gagging all the while.

    In an instant, his body became transparent.

    "Follow my voice!" Marcelle shouted above the confusion. Fritz looked around. The others were gone.

    Fritz moved towards the sound of Marcelle''s voice. He bumped into something hidden, feeling his nose collide with something solid. He clutched it as he struggled to assess the situation.

    "East! Head East!" Neva said.

    "Screw this. Just follow Ada!" Marcelle shouted.

    "How? We''re all invisible." Fritz protested.

    "You reek! Follow the stench! You were supposed to throw it! Stupid! Imbecile!" Marcelle screeched.

    "We need to find water! We have to wash you off as soon as possible Ada!" Neva shouted.

    Fritz could hear the frustrated whimpering of the blonde wolfkin, between the sounds of her coughing and gagging.

    "Move! We don''t have all the time in the world!" Neva shouted.

    "Get going stinky! Keep a bit ahead!" Marcelle shouted.

    "Watch your step!"

    Fritz groaned as he struggled to jog in formation with the others. He clutched his nose as he ran. Yet his need for air, opened his mouth. The taste wafted onto his tongue. He sputtered spewing spit onto the forest floor. For hours, the worst possible smell lingered in his nose. Nausea and exhaustion mixed together within him. Yet the fear of pursuit kept him moving al the same.

    Fritz, Ada, Neva and Marcelle ran into the night. For what felt like hours they ran, until the light of early morning greeted them.

    Dawn broke as Fritz reached a flowing river. It was wide and deep and crystal clear. He called out to the others.

    "Is everyone here?" He asked. He turned around, looking for the others. The potion of invisibility wore off. He looked down, to finally see his hands. He turned them over. Running through the forest, had torn his clothes. His hands were covered in minor scratches. Blood pooled around him. He looked at the others. Ada was miserable and scowling. She dropped her backpack, as she moved to dive into the river. Fritz watched her jump up, easily clearing ten feet as she hit the middle of the river. Her body disappeared into the water. Fritz looked over to Marcelle and Neva. Marcelle was panting heavily as she sprawled out in a bed of tall grass. Neva clutched her shoulder. A grimace of pain flashed over her face as she re-adjusted her shoulder. Fritz was exhausted. He wanted to flop onto the grass. Yet, he needed to keep moving.

    "We should take a look at that." Fritz said approaching. He conjured a packet of medical gauze, and placed it onto her shoulder. The shoulder was still bleeding slightly from Neva''s constant movements. Fritz did his best to wipe the blood away.

    "Thanks." Neva said. "Dawn''s coming. We''ve bought ourselves a bit of breathing room. But, we''re still not out of the woods."

    "Literally or figuratively?" Fritz asked.

    "Both. Idiot." Neva replied with a weary smile. She brushed a small lock of her gray short hair out of her eyes.

    Ada resurfaced in the river. Her clothes were completely wet. Fritz looked at her for a moment. A bar of soap appeared in his hands. He tossed it to her. She wordlessly caught it and got to work.

    "So what''s our plan?" Fritz asked.

    "We were heading for Trira. That doesn''t change." Neva said. She closed her eyes as Fritz cleaned her wound. "It''s a special timber town. Right now, we are on a connecting river. If we keep following the river, we''ll reach the town."

    "How big is it?"

    "Maybe a thousand. It''s hard to remember. The town''s population depends on how big the timber demand is. How many convicts get shipped in."

    "Convicts?"

    "The town runs on prison labor. The convicted get shipped to Trira to chop wood. In exchange their sentences are reduced."

    "Makes sense." Fritz replied. "Will we be safe there?"

    "Probably. It''s a tough town, for tough people. Felling lumber in the Northern forests takes guts. Civilians can enter the town. A lot of families come up with the prisoners. We''ll be fine if we don''t stay too long." Neva said.

    "Will the vampire follow us?"

    "Most likely. But we''ve bought some time. I don''t think she''ll bother assaulting Trira."

    "When we met her in the clearing, what was that?"

    "Cultists. Bandits. Outlaws. I don''t know. It looked like a whole base of them. No clue."

    Fritz finished cleaning and dressing her wound. Neva sagged into him as he worked. Fritz''s fatigue was catching up to him. Marcelle hadn''t moved after collapsing. Ada was busy cleaning herself. Fritz inspected the river. The water moved rapidly towards Trira. He felt the dawn''s sun on his skin, and he closed his eyes. Birds chirped far in the distance, driven away by an oppressive stench. Fritz breathed in the fresh air. He didn''t enjoy the smell, but at least he was safe for now. Fritz opened his eyes and he looked up and down the river. Standing up he walked over towards the river bed.

    Upstream, just a bit, was a raft. He blinked for a moment, as he walked towards it. One of its corners was stuck on a large boulder. The sides dug into the loose gravel of the river. Fritz ran back to Ada.

    "Ada! There''s a raft. Just upstream." He yelled pointing up the river. "It''s stuck. But we can use it to get to town!" Ada looked at him for a moment, as she continued to scrub herself off in the river.

    Later, after a long nap in the early morning light, the party drifted down the river. Fritz had conjured a long wooden pole to steer the raft. Due to the size, and his own fatigue, it had taken him several attempts. Marcelle was coiled up in the center of the raft. Her large chest rested on her own tail as she cuddled up. Neva and Fritz sat in the front, as the raft moved with the river. Ada steered the raft from the back. Hours passed as the wood bobbed on the moving water. The river carried them swiftly towards their next destination. Fritz dreamed of a warm bed and a long bath waiting for him in Trira.

 Trira

    Hours later, Fritz took over from Ada. The tired, blonde wolfkin mumbled her thanks as she laid down on the raft. He took his position at the back, pole in hand. Dipping it into the water, he allowed the river to guide him towards civilization. His bleary tired eyes were on the lookout for any jutting rocks.

    Poling the raft to avoid a shallow section, he took a moment to watch the gray tree''s pass him by. The lingering scent of his SKUNK bomb still persisted on Ada. Beneath her inky black hair, Marcelle''s nose twitched in annoyance next to Ada.

    The gentle breeze of the forest lulled Fritz''s sense of danger. Constant running, and an adrenaline fueled escape left him exhausted. Yet he continued on.

    Looking up to the sun, Fritz hoped that they would reach the safety of civilization before nightfall. The three girls snored like a chorus of tempting sirens. Fritz watched them, as he yearned for a nice pillow and a soft bed. As he looked at them, he let his mind wander.

    How had they survived so long? It was a miracle Fritz had killed the necromancer. Now there was a vampire pursuing him? When would it end? Would he be able to accomplish his mission even if he reached Fehrenn? How was he supposed to prevent a political conflict from erupting? Was the conflict inevitable? Why were the undead trying to kill him? They weren''t part of this upcoming conflict. Would the undead benefit from the war? Was that why they were trying to kill him? Was he doing enough? Should he focus on his magic more? What were the limits of his powers? How was Ada so strong and fast? Could Fritz match her strength and speed? How many years of training would it take?

    There were so many questions in his mind. Clearing his thoughts, he focused on keeping the boat steady. An hour later, Neva woke up. She groggily rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stood up. The raft rocked a bit, as Neva stretched her arms out. She rolled her injured shoulder as she assessed her damage. Her nose wrinkled as she looked back to Ada.

    "She still stinks." Neva said blandly, turning to Fritz. "It''s good you haven''t run off yet."

    "Won''t lie, I was thinking about it." Fritz said. A sarcastic grin erupted over his face. "The dead probably smell better." Neva snorted at his answer.

    "She just needs a bath. Let me take over." Neva said as she moved to the back of the raft. Fritz handed her the pole, and stepped past the two sleeping beastkin. Neva held the pole one handed. "What the hell was that stuff anyways?" Neva asked. Fritz looked down towards the sparkling blue water of the river. Memories seemed to float to the surface. Briefly he debated the merits of describing his old life. His own fatigue overruled any thought of consequences.

    "The stink bomb was nicknamed project SKUNK at my last job. I was a chemical weapons researcher remember? Project SKUNK was intended to be one of the few less than lethal deterrents we produced. It was designed to make an area completely uninhabitable, to prevent civilians or insurgent threats from occupying an area for too long. The only real use we found was to force civilians from an area. Soldiers will stay put regardless of the stench. Civilians won''t not unless there''s a gun to their head."

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    "Did you conjure it?" Neva asked.

    "Back then, no. I didn''t even develop it. I was just one of the few unfortunate newbies that had to test the damn thing out. Charles was the lead on that project. Poor bastard. The substance was so powerful, the research had to be done in a separate trailer. None of the researchers ever got a date working there."

    "Hmmm. Whatever the case, don''t create it again. I don''t think my nose will ever be the same again." Neva said.

    "Deal. Was a stupid idea anyway. The plan was a joke, I think the stink bomb scared her away all on it''s own." Fritz said. A tugging on his shirt grabbed his attention. Ada''s hand gripped into the hem of his shirt. Fritz reached back and scratched her behind the ear. Ada sleepily nuzzled into his hand.

    "How long until Trira?" Fritz asked.

    "Hard to say. I don''t know how long I was out." Neva said. "We''ll get there before nightfall." Fritz grunted in reply. "You''ll need to keep your head down. The less attention you draw the better."

    "Whatever gets me a bed." Fritz said wearily. The sleeping wolfkin let go of his shirt, as she re-adjusted on the floor of the raft.

    "It''s a tough town. Keep a low profile, and we''ll be out of there in a day or two." Neva said.

    Fritz let his tired eyes close, as he let the sun soak into his skin. The bobbing of the raft on the gentle river, rocked him into a dark dreamless sleep.

    A shove on his shoulder woke him up some time later. The group had grounded the raft, and were preparing to disembark. Plumes of smoke drifted in the distance. Looking towards the sun, the day was almost over. Fritz rubbed the sleep from his eyes, as Neva handed him her spare cloak. The four travelers ventured back into the iron-gray forest. Ada and Marcelle grumbled as they trekked through the woods. Marcelle''s nose scrunched each time a gentle breeze passed by Ada. Ada''s long swift legs were determined to find a suitable bath. Neva stoically marched on. She kept a hand on her sword ready for anything.

    Trira was completely encircled by a large gray wooden wall. Large lumber yards sat just outside of town, next to the slow moving river. Plumes of smoke drifted savory scents of spices and meats to Fritz''s nose before mingling with the leftovers of project SKUNK. Fritz kept his head down, as they headed to the gate. The sun was setting as they arrived outside of the city. A pair of minotaur guards stood with two large war axes. They stood at least seven feet tall, and wore a mix of mail and leather armor.

    "Who''s there?" One of the guards asked. He hefted his axe letting it hit her shoulder with a satisfying slap.

    "Travelers. It looks like." The other guard said.

    "Yeah, but what are they doing here? Ain''t got a lot of travelers. Only runaways."

    Neva quickly moved to the front to stand beside Ada. As Ada got within arm''s reach of the guard''s Fritz watched their faces contort in disgust.

    "I need a bath." Ada said with a voice full of repressed anger.

    "Goddess. What the hell? Have you ever bathed in your life?" The guards asked as they held their noses. Fritz could feel the blonde wolfkin about to explode, as Marcelle snorted with laughter.

    "Let me though." Ada said. Her knuckles clenched together.

    "I''m not sure, I want you in town. You nasty bitch." The guard on the left replied.

    "Please, let us through, our companion is in desperate need of a bath. We are weary hunters, our friend ran into a skunk. We need to get her cleaned up if we are to continue our hunt." Neva replied.

    "We can tell." The guard on the right said. Marcelle let out another chuckle, as she shot smug looks at the blonde wolfgirl. Ada ground her teeth.

    "It''ll wash off, but we need to get her new clothes." Neva said.

    "Goddess, let ''em be Mark. I don''t want her standing out here all night. I''m gonna puke. Let the convicts deal with them."

    Waving them through, the guard''s held their nose as the party passed through. The town''s muddy streets were filled with people. They all made way for Ada, as the blonde wolfkin made a beeline for the nearest bathhouse.

 The Annoying Fairy

    Fritz kept looking around dumbly as they moved through Trira. Guard stations, and hastily erected shanty shacks littered the town. The townspeople had a rough look to them. They were covered in dirt and grime from a hard day''s work. Calluses and scars covered their hands. Tatoos, and clipped ears, were common amongst the residents.

    The townsfolk kept an eye on the newcomers. As Fritz passed through the town, he could feel their eyes boring into him. Soon they reached a dirty inn called the Annoying Fairy.

    Standing outside with Marcelle and Ada, Fritz did his best to look inconspicuous. Marcelle''s long tail shielded Fritz''s body from most onlookers. A lingering stench on Ada easily repelled anyone who dared to get too close. A chain gang of convicts was led past Fritz''s group. The guards were fully armed. Their tabards proudly displayed a pair of stylized fox ears as they led the weary convicts to inside the city.

    The warm light of the inn, in the approaching dusk glowed behind Fritz. Patron''s were filing in, ready for hard drinking and grumbling. Neva had gone inside to secure accommodations and find a bath. Ada crossed her arms and tapped her feet as they all waited on the mayor to come back. Fritz heard the door of the inn open. A rush of disgruntled patrons could be heard swearing inside.

    "Something big is going down tomorrow." A voice said from behind Fritz. He turned his head slightly to look behind him. A dark alleyway ran next to the inn behind him.

    "Keep your voice down!" Another whispered.

    "You don''t know who''s listening." Another voice cautioned.

    "Were really gonna meet with one of them! It''s really gonna happen!"

    "Don''t get too excited! Nothing''s been decided yet. Keep calm, until we get more orders." Another whispered.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "But Snake...."

    "Shut up."

    "Snake..." The voice whined again. "Fine. Whatever you killjoys. Don''t ask me to remind you what happiness feels like later."

    Fritz heard a few good natured grunts from the alleyway. He heard the sound of their footsteps in the muddy streets moving away. Fritz turned to his other companions, neither seemed interested in the conversation in the alleyway. Neva reappeared from the inn, she made her way towards the party. Ada immediately perked up on her return, eager for good news.

    "All right. We''ve got a place to stay. A large bridal suite was all they had available, so some of you might have to sleep on the floor." Neva said.

    Fritz briefly looked up at the building. It stood an impressive three stories. The foundation of the building was built entirely of stone. Fritz looked around at the muddy streets wondering if the inn would one day sink into the ground. "Most importantly, Ada baths are around back. They''re free to use for patrons. The innkeeper asked you to enter directly through the back though. Don''t come back into the inn until you''ve scrubbed up."

    "Finally!" Ada let out an exasperated sigh. She handed her pack to Neva as she ran around the building.

    "I''ll join her in a minute. Hopefully, after she washes that stench off." Marcelle grumbled.

    "That''s probably for the best. Give the poor girl a chance to clean up." Neva replied. "Follow me inside."

    Fritz was ushered into the inn behind Neva. The three of them made directly for the stairs. Arriving at the third floor they opened the door to their room.

    It had plenty of space for the four of them. A large queen sized bed sat in the middle of the room. Several windows with flimsy light gray curtains were arrayed around the room. Two large dressers sat on either side of the door. In the center of the room, was a rather plain large red rug. To the side, a small table for dining was placed with three chairs. A set of candles had been placed next to the bed''s nightstand.

    "I''ll get us some food. I''ll be back in a second." Neva said. Fritz unshouldered his pack. He placed it next to one of the dressers. He rolled his tired shoulders, and started to settle in. Marcelle, immediately pulled out her alchemy set. Fritz looked over towards her. Her long inky black hair obscured her face as she diligently prepared to work. Between the strands of her hair, he could see the fire of her passion.

 Stuffed Animal

    Later that night, everyone gathered within the bridal suite of The Annoying Fairy. Fritz sat on the floor''s large rug. His carbon fiber crossbow was before him. He sat rubbing his chin, lost in thought gazing at the weapon. His mind jumped around, debating modifications he could use to fight vampires.

    "Maybe I need some garlic.... Should I modify it to shoot stakes?" He muttered to himself.

    Nearby, Ada and Neva sat at a table. Ada ate from a heaping pile of food. Smoked sausages, cured meats, fresh bread, and a bowl of mushroom soup were arrayed before her. In the corner, Marcelle''s lower half was coiled up. Like a shield, a dusty tome was opened before her. Behind it, her purple eyes rapidly moved between the lines absorbing the information like a sponge.

    "We''ll be in town tonight, and tomorrow. We should use the chance to resupply and heal up." Neva said. "Trira is a rough town. We need to keep a low profile. Don''t mingle too much with the locals. There''s a reason they''re here. Ada your gonna need some new clothes. Throw away whatever you were wearing when we were attacked." Neva said.

    "I was planning on it. How''s your shoulder?" Ada asked, as she forked a large sausage.

    "It''s getting better." Neva replied as she rotated her injured shoulder. "The wound is shallow. It''ll heal up soon. I should be fine the day after next."

    Shoveling the last of the food down her throat, Ada leaned back in her high-backed chair. Letting out a loud burp. The walls seemed to vibrate as she relaxed into her seat.

    "Impressive." Fritz replied absentmindedly.

    "Disgusting." Marcelle said shutting her book. Uncoiling herself she moved over to Fritz.

    "We should get you some soda. See how loud you can get."

    "Fritz."

    "Yes, Marcelle?"

    "As part of my master''s wishes, I am to assist your magical studies." Looking up to Marcelle, Fritz quirked his eyebrow. Her lips wormed in annoyance under his gaze.

    "Hah, just like Zola." Neva said after taking a huge swig of firewater.

    "Even if it annoys me, we should start your lessons while we have the time. Zola has instructed me you are to be treated like a complete novice in your magical abilities. Regardless of your current abilities, magical theory will help you grow as a mage."

    "I thought you were just an alchemist?"

    "I know many spells for utility." Marcelle held her hand out. A spectral ghostly hand appeared hovering above it. The hand wiggled it''s finger towards Fritz, before blinking out of existence. "My grasp on magical theory is excellent, even if I have not bothered to learn combat spells. Alchemy is the superior discipline, anyways." Neva snorted to herself, as she stood up and moved to the window. Opening it up, she took out her pipe as she looked outside towards Trira. Fritz frowned as he thought over her words.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "Is that wise? We have a vampire hunting us. Perhaps, I should try and think of something to defend ourselves with? A gun maybe? Flintlock pistol?"

    "A proper education is necessary for all magical users." Marcelle countered.

    "Of that I have no doubt. However, the ''how'' and ''why'' of magic, feel irrelevant to me at the moment. We have a real and present danger lurking out there." Marcelle''s lip turned upward in disgust. She crossed her arms.

    "The ''how'' and ''why'' of magic are necessary!" She spat out. "Without a theoretical understanding of what you are doing, you can hurt yourself! Magical exhaustion can leave you unconscious in a fight! Is that what you want? To fall asleep in the middle of a fight? Do you want to drop like a fly surrounded by enemies?"

    "Uhh.... No?" Fritz answered like an idiot. "I can pass out if I use too much mana?"

    "Or worse. Die. Mages have died pulling on their own lifeforces to power spells. Do not underestimate this knowledge!"

    "So who gets the bed?" Ada asked interrupting. Neva shook her head before responding.

    "I don''t want to bleed on it. I''ll sleep in my bedroll." Neva said. Marcelle grimaced as Ada gave her a hard look.

    "Fine. Take it." Marcelle reluctantly replied. Ada jumped up from the table before flopping onto the bed.

    Ada looked over towards Fritz. She started patting the place beside the bed. "You owe me, Fritz. Especially after project SKUNK or whatever." Fritz let out a sigh.

    "Ada, I''m kind of busy. I can''t remember if it''s vampires or werewolves that are vulnerable to silver weapons."

    "Both." Marcelle, Ada, and Neva answered in unison.

    "Fritz, your magical education cannot wait."

    "Yes, it can. It''s bed time." Ada said. "Fritz, come on. Hit the books tomorrow. I hate sleeping alone. It''s cold and uncomfortable."

    "Neva?" Fritz asked, as he looked over towards the older beastkin.

    "No. I am sleeping on the floor." Neva replied absentmindedly. "She''s always been awful, even when little. She snores too much, and is too clingy."

    "I don''t snore!" Ada huffed.

    "You do." Neva said confidently.

    "There''s still time tonight. Fritz must start his education immediately! It is paramount for our success."

    "I don''t care." Ada said confidently.

    "Huh? Are you touched in the head?" Marcelle asked.

    "Maybe I am!" Ada declared confidently. Marcelle blinked slightly in confusion before disgust contorted her face.

    Ada moved off the bed, towards the sitting Fritz. Hooking her hands underneath his shoulders, she brought him to his feet.

    "Ada?" Fritz squeaked out in surprise. Gravity shifted as he was thrown onto the bed.

    "I need to teach him! So I can be done with this task! Fritz! Make her a stuffed animal, so we can start!" Marcelle seethed.

    "Fritz, you owe me. Shut up, and don''t move. Marcelle, teach him tomorrow. I''m tired."

    "I''m trying to kill a vampire, here!" Fritz shouted as Ada jumped over and slid up behind him. Fritz struggled, yet a deep bestial grow from behind sent instinctual fear coursing through him. His body froze involuntarily. Ada inhaled deeply before relaxing.

    Marcelle looked over towards to Neva for guidance.

    "Don''t worry, it''s just Fritz who will suffer. I''ll make sure, you have time to teach him tomorrow." Neva said wearily. Marcelle breathed in deeply, as she let out a sigh. She hid her face between her hands.

    "Why did it have to be me? Why? And with these companions?! Lorgen save me! Please! I don''t deserve this!"

    "Hah! Starting to get why quests suck?" Neva taunted.

    "They don''t! You suck!" Ada shot back.

    Ten minutes later, Ada was asleep, snoring like a dying animal. Drool pooled at the back of Fritz''s head. Held immobile, like a stuffed toy, Fritz stared at the wall. Any attempts to escape, caused Ada to cling on tighter. Eventually, Fritz resigned himself to his fate. Later on, Marcelle came up to Fritz begging for ear plugs.

 Privacy Invasions

    Far, far, later that night, when Fritz finally fell asleep. Darkness fell away, into dreams. For Fritz, someone was waiting for him.

    A disheveled pale woman sat glowering ahead of him. Her long red nails tapped with annoyed energy into a regal velvety chair. Behind her, a woman in mourning clothes waited patiently with her hands clasped before her. The room they were within was ornate and painted golden. Just behind them, a large four postered bed looked eerily familiar to Fritz. Expensive rugs and decorated furniture was littered around the massive room.

    "Finally! Finally! You''re disgusting! Do you hear me?!" The blonde woman screamed at Fritz. "Revolting! What kind of champion are you? How dare you fight in such a manner! You worm! You are lower than filth. I should flay you for attacking me in such a manner!"

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    "Lady-" The pale woman interrupted. Fritz looked around the room in confusion. His lips moved but words would not come out.

    "Listen, here! Listen, well, mortal! Your actions are pathetic. Freyes-" The woman grimaced before continuing, "should be ashamed. A champion should fight and die honorably, not resort to such underhanded and frankly juvenile tactics!"

    "Lady-"

    "I know! Mortal! I am willing to look past your transgressions! Perhaps if you fight more honorably, I shall-"

    The dream faded instantly. Ada''s elbow hit Fritz in the face. Pain flooded Fritz, as he let out a groan. A symphony of horridly annoying sound was erupting behind him. Gently trying to move her arm away, Fritz let out a long protracted sigh. Memories of the dream left Fritz almost instantly.

 On The House

    The next afternoon, Fritz woke up late. The late sun''s light seeped in through the open windows of their room. Breathing in deeply the fresh air, he stretched before getting out of bed. Neva was sitting alone at the table, looking over a map. Looking around he noticed that Ada and Marcelle were missing.

    "They left a bit earlier. Marcelle went out looking for alchemical supplies. Ada is looking for spare clothes." Fritz grimaced, slightly as he rubbed his red eyes.

    "I should probably apologize again later. Using project SKUNK was a bad idea. Hopefully she''s in a better mood today."

    "She seems A lot better. She rushed out of the door in the morning."

    "I wish she would stop using me like a giant teddy bear."

    "Me too." Neva''s eyes were deadly serious.

    Feeling awkward, Fritz quickly changed the topic to something else. Chatting while looking over the map, plotting their course. Eventually, A knock came at the door of their room. An unfamiliar voice called out to them.

    "Miss Neva?"

    "Yes, what is it?" Neva asked back. She motioned for Fritz to stay still, as she approached the door. Her hand rested on her sword ready for anything.

    "We''ve got a new wine that we would like you to try. It''s no extra charge. It''s on the house, as thanks for your patronage."

    "That''s kind of you. Could you leave it outside? I''ll get it in a moment."

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    "Of course. Please let us know how it tastes." The voice replied.

    Neva and Fritz looked towards each other. Neva simply shrugged as she stood up.

    "Must be because we took the bridal suite." Neva replied. She leaned into the door, pressing a furry ear to wood. She waited for the retreating sound of footsteps of the staff to disappear. Once satisfied, she opened the door and grabbed a wooden tray. Neva quickly shut the door, and brought the tray inside. A bottle of wine and four wooden cups were on the tray. Neva grabbed the cork and ripped it out. Sniffing the bottle, she frowned.

    "My sense of smell still isn''t the same. It''s hard to tell if anything is off with it." Neva said.

    "Sorry. Never again. Trust me. I''ll make you some cigars later." Neva looked confused. "It''s a type of tobacco. I think you''ll like it."

    "And firewater."

    "Done, but not now."

    "The wine''s probably fine." Neva muttered. Shrugging, She poured herself a cup of wine.

    "Give me some too. I''m thirsty." Fritz said as he grabbed a cup. Ada graciously poured him some.

    The wine was rich with a faint bitter aftertaste. The crimson liquid was refreshing, in the late morning.

    "Not bad. A bit bitter." Neva replied as she sipped it. "Still, I have reservations about just traveling down the river. The journey would be easier on us, but it would be the most obvious course for our pursuers to guard. Our primary objective is reaching Fehrenn. Fighting is best saved as a last resort against strong opponents. Sneaking past our enemies would be prudent."

    "Agreed. But traveling on foot introduces its own risks. It will take far longer, and we may end up encountering the vampire anyways. Another encounter with the vampire lady would-. Would?" Fritz felt a wash of fatigue wash over him. His thoughts seemed to ground to a standstill. He looked over towards Neva. Her eyes were unfocused as she looked at the map. Her lips parted slightly as she took another drink of wine. Fritz looked for his train of thought as he followed suit taking another sip. The red liquid rolled over his tongue, relaxing his muscles and mind. What were they discussing again he wondered?

    The world seemed to sway for a moment, as he lost the ability to keep his body upright. He fell to the floor with a plop. His eyes were closing on their own. Just before the world went dark, he heard Neva hit the ground next to him.

 Enchanted Wood

    Ada and Marcelle stood facing one another directly outside the inn. Marcelle''s inky black hair obscured parts of her eyes. A pack of reagents hung on her potion belt. Ada carried a bundle of new clothes under her left arm. In her other hand, was a long wooden sword. A smug smile draped across her lips as she approached Marcelle.

    "What?" Marcelle''s voice was gruff, as she watched the blonde wolfkin wave her new wooden sword around.

    "I got a new sword!"

    "I can see that."

    "But, it''s not just any sword! It''s enchanted! Look at it! Isn''t it beautiful?"

    "It''s wooden, Ada."

    "Wait! Just a minute! Let me explain. You know how we''re in a town of convicts right?" Ada asked.

    "Yes."

    "I was looking for new clothes, when I found an interesting shop. I asked the old lady if she had any powerful enchanted weapons laying about. And guess what?" Marcelle eyes glazed over, as she stared silently ahead. Ada continued on completely oblivious. "They had one! They don''t allow convicts to hold weapons. Only tools. Well this sword used to belong to a powerful mage, who was falsely convicted. Jilted and angry from her false imprisonment, she agreed to hard labor in exchange for a reduced sentence. Pooling her magical powers she created the instrument of her revenge! Because it''s wooden, they were able to hide it and even convince the guards to keep it several times after they were searched. The sad part is, the mage never got a chance to enact her revenge! She died suddenly of mana fever! Isn''t that sad?"

    "Ada, that''s clearly just a practice sword."

    "No, it''s enchanted. They shopkeeper said so."

    "Ada...."

    "It''s gonna evolve. Once the blade soaks up enough blood, it''ll change materials. It''ll become lighter and stronger, morphing from wood to iron to steel to even mithril. One day, I''ll hold a legendary blade capable of killing anything! I''ve always wanted an magic sword, now I got one! Once we kill the ''you know what'', what do you think this will transform into?"

    "Wood. Ada, go get your money back." Ada''s excited smile dropped under Marcelle''s withering glare.

    "No. I''m gonna show it to Fritz and Neva. They''ll understand, what I''ve got."

    "Your so incredibly stupid. They''re gonna say the same thing."

    "Nuh, uh."

    Walking inside, and climbing the stairs the two walked while bickering back and forth. Reaching the third floor, Ada opened their door. Her eyes immediately widened as she saw Neva collapsed on the floor. Rushing into the room, Ada threw her spare clothes onto the floor. She held her wooden sword aloft ready to attack any lingering intruders. Sensing Ada''s urgency Marcelle quickly followed inside.

    "Neva? Neva? Are you ok?" Ada asked as she cradled the mayor''s head. The mayor let out a strange grunt as Ada slapped her scarred cheek. Marcelle''s eyes went wide as she looked over the room.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Fritz? Where''s Fritz? Zola''s really gonna kill me! It''s so over! I''m so dead! These fools have doomed me!" Marcelle exclaimed. She let out a flurry of curses as she spun around the room. Ada shook the mayor''s shoulder.

    "Neva. Neva. Wake up! Come on." Ada said.

    "What happened? What the hell happened? Were they attacked?" Marcelle asked. Ada shook the mayor again. She quickly scanned the room before answering.

    "There''s no sign of a fight. She wouldn''t have gone down so easily. Our stuff is missing too! They took everything!"

    "Robbery! Someone is dying! I''m gonna kill them!"

    She chewed on her fingernails as she thought. Her purple eyes settled on two cups of wine that had spilled onto the floor. Still on the table was a bottle of opened wine. Moving forward, Marcelle grabbed the bottle of wine on the table. Raising it to her lips, she tasted it.

    "They must have been poisoned! The bottle tastes adulterated!" Marcelle exclaimed as she spit out the wine. "Most likely with Nightweed. Yes, Nightweed."

    "Nightweed?" Ada asked.

    "It''s a powerful sedative. Can put anyone to sleep in a matter of minutes, if you''ve ingested enough. Easy enough to find in the forest." Marcelle frowned, as she put the bottle down. Reaching into her dimensional bag, she began searching for a cure.

    "How long have they been like this?" Ada asked.

    Marcelle ignored her. She pulled out a small round black ball that looked like a blueberry. She reached down towards Neva. "Open her mouth. There. Now massage the throat, to force her to swallow." Marcelle instructed. After swallowing the pill, the two waited for it to take effect.

    Ada''s panic was fading, an unfamiliar unfolded piece of parchment on the nearby dresser drew her attention. Setting Neva back down gently, Ada stood up and crossed the room. She picked up the paper and read from it.

    "''We have your hoo-man.''" Ada started.

    "What! Where?" Marcelle interjected.

    "Let me read." Ada said as she shushed the lamia. Ada read slowly as she tried to decipher the ugly handwriting.

    "''We have your hoo-man. Come to the old mill at night. We''ll give him up for a fair price. Don''t report this to the guards, or you''ll never see him again.''" She set the piece of parchment down. Neva snored lazily on the floor.

    "We''ve got to save him." Ada said. "We need to find him." She made her way towards the door.

    "Stop!" Marcelle warned. "Come back and shut the door." Her hand started stroking the length of her hair. "We need to think! They will pay for crossing us!"

    "We need to hurry up and find him. He''s in danger!" Ada protested.

    "Yes! But they want to negotiate for him, he should be safe for now. It must have been one of the townsfolk. If they wanted to kill us, they would have just finished him and Neva off!" Marcelle responded.

    "For now." Ada grumbled out. "We can''t just do nothing. We need to act. The sooner the better. The criminals should be brought to justice!" Ada raised her sword valiantly into the air.

    "Put that down. We need a plan." Marcelle said. "Neva may know more." She looked back to Neva. "It will take a bit to digest. In the meantime, did you notice anyone suspicious? Anyone who might have been tailing you on your way out? Anyone waiting for you as you left the inn?"

    Ada cast her gaze down towards the floor, as she tried to remember any details. Pacing around the room, she became lost in thought.

    She reached the center of the room. The bare wooden floor stared back at her.

    "Where''s the rug?" Ada asked as turned towards Marcelle. The lamia seemed to freeze at Ada''s words. "They must have taken him out within the rug. They could stuff him between the rug, and carry him throughout the town." She said quickly. She moved over towards the window. Opening it she looked outside. Underneath the window was an obscure alleyway. "They could have dropped him." Marcelle said as she looked down. Ada looked down at the dirty, muddy alleyway. From the third floor, a chaotic mess of muddy footprints stood in focus.

    "I''ll find him! My sense of smell is still destroyed, but I can maybe follow their footprints in the mud. I''ll ask around too! Someone must have seen the kidnappers carrying a rug!" She moved back over to the window.  "Can you stay with Neva until I come back?" Ada asked. Marcelle nodded to the blonde wolfkin.

    "It''ll give me some time to prepare. My vengeance shall be terrible!" She said as she collected various reagents from her shopping pack.

    Moving towards the window, Ada jumped down into the alleyway. Landing in a crouch, she investigated the ground. Seeing a strange, peculiar set of tracks she followed them deeper down the alley. With her eyes to the ground she made her way throughout Trira searching for Fritz.

 Deals With The Dead

    Later in the evening, when cloudy skies casted dark shadows all across Trira, Ada returned to the inn. Marcelle had been steadily preparing creating alchemical concoctions. A small bubbling cauldron sat near the window, blowing a thin white cloud out into the city. A magical flame sat atop a small insulated brick. A steady stream of barely perceptible curses towards Marcelle''s enemies fell into the cauldron. Neva had woken shortly after Ada had left. She sat at the table, staring at it as she awaited her comrades'' return.

    Neva''s ears perked up, as she heard footsteps on the stairway. Ada knocked on the door.

    "It''s me." She said, her voice was deadly serious. Neva worked her way towards the door. She opened it slowly, her hand glittering with burning magic. Marcelle seemed entirely unfazed by her return. She killed the magical flame and kept stirring the brackish liquid.

    "Your back. Marcelle brought me up to speed." Neva said as she let Ada into the room. Ada nodded to the gray-haired wolfkin.

    "I tracked him down. I had to ask around a lot. Not a lot of helpful people here. The guards weren''t interested in helping either. Finally, I got a hold of the shopkeeper who sold me this bad boy." Ada held up the wooden sword. A smug smile played at the edge of her mouth. "They were in a huge hurry. I don''t get it. They kept trying to say they were closed, but they eventually told me about something interesting. There''s a local gang, in this city, that controls everything here. The gang operates out of an abandoned warehouse, near the edge of town."

    "Ada, we''ll talk about the sword later." Neva said with a confused look.

    "Anyone guarding it?" Marcelle asked.

    "Lot''s of thugs, and nasty looking men hanging about." Ada said. She frowned as she looked at Marcelle''s small cauldron. "They don''t look seriously armed. Some leather armor, and some axes, but that''s all."

    "We should assume there are more inside." Neva commented.

    "Performing a full frontal assault would be dangerous. There must be at least twenty gang members coming and going from the warehouse. What about the guards? Can we get them to help us?" Ada asked.

    "No guarantee." Neva said. "The only thing that matters is lumber traveling south. The laws here are just a suggestion, so long as the lumber flows. Besides, that would draw attention."

    "Negotiations then?" Marcelle grumbled. "I was looking forward to teaching them a lesson." She reached into her dimensional pouch and pulled out a couple of glass flasks.

    "There''s still a risk there. We don''t know if they intend on honoring their agreements."

    "They want money." Ada said. "Why would they want to kill us too?" Neva gave her an inquisitive look.

    "To take both. If they just want money, they won''t know about his ability."

    "What do you mean?" Ada asked.

    "He could create money with the snap of his fingers couldn''t he?" Neva said. "Don''t tell me neither of you considered that?" A slight injured look passed between Marcelle and Ada. Neva let out a sigh.

    "So what then?" Ada asked hesitantly.

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    "We take him back. By force. Leave immediately after, and don''t look back." Neva replied.

    A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Ada and Neva immediately turned towards the door readying their weapons. After a moment of silence the knock continued.

    "Who''s there?" Neva called out. The person behind the door knocked again. Neva and Ada inched towards the door. Neva took hold of the handle. Rapidly turning it, she quickly opened it. In the dark hallway a familiar pale woman stood. Her attire was fully black. A black mourning veil obscured her face. In her hands was a small letter. Neva''s eyes went wide. Ada''s muscles tensed in anticipation, as she gripped her wooden sword tighter. Magical fire danced around Neva''s hand waiting to be unleashed. Ignoring the beastkin within, the pale woman bowed politely.

    "Please, do not be alarmed, living ones. I have not come to fight. I''ve come to deliver a letter. My lady was most insistent that I do so immediately." The pale woman''s voice was soft, yet felt like ice. Standing straight she seemed to stare straight ahead into the room.

    "Undead. Why are you really here?" Neva hissed.

    "My intentions are true. My mistress wished for me to deliver this letter. The letter is for the man. May I hand it to him? She is quite incensed with him."

    "Leave." Ada growled out.

    "I cannot return until the message is delivered. My mistress was most insistent that I deliver this message. I cannot return until it is handed to the man." Marcelle stood up as she finished filling her flasks. Snuffing the flame, she deposited her stuff inside her dimensional storage. "He is here, isn''t he? Or have you parted ways? I do not sense his lifeforce."

    "Who is this mistress you speak of?" Neva asked.

    "You''ve already met her."

    "The vampire with the onyx blade." Marcelle said.

    "Precisely, Lady Lilly von Erwenhest II bade me deliver this letter no matter what." The veiled woman answered.

    "He isn''t here, we are about to get him. But not before punishing whoever crossed us." Marcelle said.

    "Idiot!" Ada seethed, as she locked onto Marcelle''s eyes. "Don''t divulge information to the enemy."

    "You are duty bound to deliver this message wight?" Marcelle asked.

    "That is correct." The veiled woman responded.

    "Help us get him." Marcelle''s eyes flashed with a dangerous glint, as a malicious smile warped her lips. "No one steals from me. No one."

    "Are you crazy?! What the hell''s so important about that letter?" Ada asked. "Is it cursed?"

    "No. It is a simple ordinary letter. I cannot return until it is delivered. If he is lost, I can help you find him. Lady Lilly would most enjoy hunting you all down as a group. Your previous method of escape has upset her greatly." The pale woman said softly. The deathly whisper of her voice filled the room. Her body was completely still as she stood in the doorway.

    "Help us, and we''ll give him the letter." Neva said finally.

    "How?" She asked.

    "He was kidnapped." Marcelle answered. Ada growled at the lamia.

    "Kidnapped. Most unfortunate. Do you know where? Perhaps I can kill those who lay claim to my Lady''s quarry."

    "Yes, and we intend on taking him back. Can you fight?" Marcelle asked. The tip of her tail undulated with excitement.

    "Of course. I could easily kill all three of you with but a word." A sudden chill wafted through the room. Ada''s hair bristled in response. She gripped her sword tighter. The wight remained perfectly still. "Though, I am forbidden from fighting my Lady''s prey at the moment. That honor shall be her''s."

    "Swear to it, and we''ll tell you."

    "Marcelle! Don''t decide things. We should just fight her."

    "Calm down Ada." Neva said. "Wights are powerful, and we still have to grab Fritz. Swear to it, wight." The wight gave a short bow before clasping a hand over her heart.

    "On the honor of the Erwenhest family, I shall assist you. I shall not harm you, nor the man. I shall deliver the letter and disappear."

    "Good enough" Neva huffed. "Full frontal assault it is. In twenty minutes meet us in front of an abandoned warehouse near the walls. Can you find it?" The woman nodded. "What can we call you?"

    "Hannah."

    "Good, help us get him back and we''ll make sure he gets the letter." Neva said.

    "Your terms are acceptable." Hannah replied.  She stepped back into the nearby shadows along the wall, and disappeared. Her form vanished like smoke into the darkness of the hallways. A chill ran through Ada''s spine, as finally relaxed.

    "What the hells was that?" Ada asked.

    "We made a deal with a wight. Goddess preserve us." Neva replied with a weary sigh. "Why is it always like this?'' Neva asked the heavens above.

    Behind the two wolfkin, Marcelle smiled deviously. In her mind, she saw her enemies falling before her might.

 Grognard Rules

    Ada, Marcelle, Neva, and Hannah stood lurking underneath a shadowy building. Dark clouds blanketed the night sky above. They watched the entrance to the warehouse like hawks. Two large and menacing guards smoking tobacco leaned against the building. Between them a large banded iron wooden door, stood stark against the dilapidated exterior. Boarded up windows dotted the sides of the warehouse. Faint candlelight could be seen flickering within the building.

    "Two thugs at the entrance. Definitely more inside." Ada said softly. She gripped the wooden shortsword at her side. "Some of them, at least the negotiator, should be waiting for us at the sawmill."

    "Do you think they''d be stupid enough to move him to the location?" Marcelle asked.

    "No." Neva shook her head. In the dark, the movement was barely perceptible. "Probably too risky moving him out. They''ll probably be a negotiator and maybe a handful of thugs. If it was an ambush, maybe more. Fritz would most likely be at an alternate location. Once the money exchange occurs, then he would be released."

    "So what now? Are we planning on beating down the door?" Marcelle asked.

    "Knock out the guards. Then we''ll take a peek inside. Crack some skulls, and let''s get our champion back." Neva said.

    "Knock them out? Surely you don''t plan on returning their crime with mercy?" Hanna asked. Her voice was like an ethereal dagger. Cold and sharp with the hint of ever present death. Ada''s tail bristled with dread, crouching near the wight.

    "Killing them will only draw the ire of the town''s guard. If we''re wrong, we''ll have to explain why there''s a bunch of dead beastkin in that warehouse." Neva replied. "Better to stick to non-lethal options for now. We can change tactics if necessary."

    "Surely, you can just kill them too?" Hannah posited. "Who cares about guards? They should all be taught a lesson. The living are too merciful."

    "Let me handle this. They''ll be asleep before they know what happened." Marcelle said as she slid forward. From her pouch, she produced a thin glass flask. A compressed brackish smoke filled the container. All eyes were focused on the two beastkin ahead. Small cow horns extended from their heads as they stood menacingly next to the door. Faint puffs of smoke could be seen coming from their noses, as they nursed their tobacco. Next to the door was a lantern, sputtering orange light into the dim street. Marcelle readied herself in the shadow of the alleyway. She hefted the flask in her hand and waited for the right time to strike.

    One of the guards turned their head away from Marcelle''s hiding place. Surging forward with a screech, she pulled the flask back before launching it through the air. The alchemical compound sailed through the air. Its arc threatened to land on one of the large minotaurs. Marcelle stopped to watch her throw with a satisfied smirk. The flask went wide, thrown far off course by inexperienced hands. The flask hit somewhere on the roof. A cloud of gray smoke spread ineffectually into the night air as Marcelle blinked in stupefied surprise.

    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    The bovine guards noticed the lamia standing in the middle of the muddy street.

    "What the hell are you doing?" One of the guards yelled out. He grabbed a large lumber axe leaning on the side of the building. Hefting it into his hands he stood ready for a fight.

    "Hey! It''s that snake lady!" The other said.

    "Shit! They''re with the hoo-man!"

    Marcelle reacted quickly. Reaching into her pouch, she started frantically lobbing potions at the two guards. Shards of glass were scattered all over the ground as a large cloud of gas hung near the doorway. The guards collapsed in a coughing fit. Their boots peeked out from underneath the spreading gas. Marcelle wiped the sweat from her brow as she looked back to Neva and Ada''s hiding place. A pained look spread across her face. She gave a meek thumbs up to her companions as they walked over to her.

    "Nice one. Let me do the throwing from now on." Ada said as she passed by. Marcelle scoffed.

    "What?! Just like you were supposed to throw project SKUNK?" Marcelle hissed out.

    "Girls." Neva spoke up, interrupting the two. "Stay focused."

    The guards were snoring in front of the door. They breathed slowly and evenly. The cloud of gas had eventually dispersed with a gentle breeze. Ada and Neva reached the door first. Marcelle and Hannah walked over cautiously to the door. Once the other two arrived, Neva motioned to the door. Ada grabbed the handle and tried to pull. Wood groaned against metal as the locked door refused to budge.

    "Locked." Ada whispered.

    "There''s no keyhole either. Shit! It''s braced." Neva responded. A voice from behind the door interrupted them.

    "Cyrus? Benji? Something wrong? Need me to switch out with you?"

    Ada and Neva pulled back from the door. They readied themselves for a fight.

    "What the hell do we do?" Ada whispered. "It''s barred from the other side."

    "Shit. Do your best impression! Don''t mess up!" Neva suggested. Ada massaged her throat as she prepared. Deepening her voice, she called out to the other lady.

    "Yeah. Just need to get back inside. Need to see the human with my own eyes." Ada said.

    "What''s wrong with you? The fuck?" The voice called back. "Are you messing with me?"

    "Deeper!" Neva hissed. "Go deeper!" Trying and failing to suppress her smile, Marcelle turned away.

    "Just joking! Come on, let me in." Ada spoke awkwardly. Her voice cracked near the end.

    "Cyrus, Benji cut it out! I''m about to ring the alarm. Tell me the password or I''m getting the boys!"

    "What now? What do we do?" Ada whispered to Neva.

    "Guess! Just guess!" Neva whispered back.

    "Uh... Grognard rules?" Ada guessed.

    "Intruders!" The man on the other side shouted.

    "Enough of this foolishness." Hannah said.  "Move." She raised her hand towards the door. Ada and Neva scrambled out of the way. A dangerous flash of dark magic emanated from her open palm. A blast of magical energy struck the door. The door frame splintered as the banded iron door was sent back like an arrow. An unlucky beastkin was hit by the flying door. Dust and grime kicked up into the air, as the beastkin slammed into the back of the warehouse.

    "Shit." Ada, Marcelle, and Neva said in unison. Ada and Neva gripped their weapons, as Marcelle chugged down a potion. Veins seemed to pop out on her arms as her tail flicked menacingly. Shouts and sounds of alarm came from deeper within the warehouse. Dust obscured the dim interior of the warehouse. Ada was the first to rush in. She charged filled with visions of glorious valor, and evolving her wooden sword.

    "Are we still non-lethal? That guy is dead!" Marcelle shouted.

    "Try not to kill them!" Neva shouted as she followed Ada into the warehouse.

 Spy Games

    Fritz awoke in total darkness. Blinking his eyes rapidly, he wondered why the room was so dark. It took him a moment to remember the poisoned wine. His heart beat faster, as a panic spread through him.

    "Fuck." He cursed. His wrists caught on something, as he tried to pull his arms forward. Moving his legs next, he discovered his ankles had been tied down to a chair.

    "Awake are you?" A strange feminine voice said to him.

    "Where the hell am I?" Fritz asked. "Who are you? Why the hell can''t I see?"

    "You''ve got a hood on. Didn''t want you to see where our hideout was."

    "Where am I?"

    "Your new home. At least for the time being." She said.

    "Don''t suppose we are in Fehrenn then?" Fritz joked nervously. Feeling the rest of his body, he could find nothing wrong with him. He was clearly in a sitting position. Most likely he was tied down to a chair for interrogation or kidnapping. It took the woman a moment to laugh. Noting, the delay Fritz pegged her for an idiot. "I''ll take that as a ''no'' then. Still in Trira I suppose."

    "Yeah, something like that."

    "Don''t suppose you can take this hood off?" Fritz asked. "It''s getting a bit hard to breathe."

    "Hah. Do you think I''m really that stupid? I''m smart. Smarter than all the others. The hood isn''t coming off."

    "I didn''t mean to offend. I was hoping you were the kind and merciful type." Extending his senses out, Fritz reasoned he was somewhere underground. Most likely a basement somewhere. From the relative sounds of the room, the woman was the only other person inside. "My name is Fritz, by the way."

    "Don''t care."

    "What''s yours?"

    "Call me...." The woman paused as she thought for a moment. "Holly."

    "Well, Holly, it''s a pleasure to meet you. I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but...."

    "Look, stop talking. You''re cute even if your ears are all weird and your tail is missing, but you''re not going anywhere." Holly said. Fritz snorted.

    "Alright, fine, have it your way. What about my companions then? Are they all still alive at least."

    "Yeah, we were planning on robbing y''all, but we had a sudden change of plans when we saw y''all weren''t together." Fritz frowned underneath the hood. "Now, we''re gonna kill them after they fork over the rest of their money to get you back."

    "Kill them...." Fritz repeated slowly. A lingering sense of dread filled him. His thoughts went into overdrive. Panic and fear mixed in a nauseating mental storm. Fritz needed to escape. He needed to get out and warn the others. He couldn''t waste a single second. He needed a plan.

    "Yeah, if they''re stupid enough to try and pay for your release at the meeting tonight. Boss says to just take their stuff and kill them."

    "Shit." Fritz muttered underneath his hood.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Yeah, once we finish them off we''ll deal with you."

    "I don''t want to hear the details." Fritz said. For a while, the room went silent. Fritz let his chin fall down to his chest. He flexed his muscles against his restraints as he tested his allowed movement.

    "Holly." Fritz started.

    "What." The woman said seriously.

    "You weren''t joking were you?"

    "Why the hell would I?" She scoffed. Fritz let out a long suffering sigh.

    "It''s just, If it''s money you want...." Fritz paused for effect, as he searched the room for Holly''s whereabouts.

    "What? Think you can pay your way out of this?" Holly scoffed. The sound was coming from in front of Fritz. His hands were neatly obscured from her field of vision.

    "Maybe...." Looking inward towards his center. Fritz focused on his magical ability. He created a small object in the palm of his hand. "It''s just.... Well you didn''t take the diamond ring from my hand." Fritz said. "Surely, I can pay for my own freedom and the lives of my comrades? Surely, a woman of your business acumen can appreciate such a deal? What do you say? A diamond ring to remove my restraints? Surely, a woman of your caliber has little to fear from a man like myself. Everyone tells me I''m weak."

    "The ring in your hand? We already searched you, you idiot. There''s no way you have a ring on you."

    "But I do, I''m touching it right now. Feel free to take a look. Or are you afraid of a bound man?" Holly snorted in response.

    "You seriously expect me to believe we missed a piece of jewelry on you? We''re not amateurs, we know to look for magical tracking jewelry."

    "It''s not magical, and it''s in my hand right now." Fritz said. "It''s really starting to sound like you''re afraid."

    "Fat chance. But fine." Fritz heard a chair creak as the woman stood up with a long exhale. He heard her boots click on the stone floor of the room. "Let''s see...." The woman kneeled down behind Fritz''s chair. He gripped his hands tight as he felt the ring run through his hand. Her fingers touched his. He unclenched his hand. The simple diamond ring rested within his open palm. It shone in the torchlight of the warm room. Fritz let her take the ring.

    "Now, what? I got your ring. What else are you gonna bargain with? Pretty little thing...."

    "Well, certainly that should have gotten me a bit of leeway. Especially since I''ve handed over ONE of my precious pieces of jewelry."

    Fritz felt the other woman roll her eyes through his dark hood.

    "Holly?"

    "You''re not going anywhere. I don''t care what you say or what you give me. The boss says you''re staying put, till he visits later."

    "Have you seen what the ring can do?" Fritz asked.

    "Huh? Is it magical."

    "Sort of. It displays a small magical show inside of the diamond on the top. You really have to pay attention to see it." Fritz waited.

    "What are you talking about? I don''t see anything."

    "You have to press a button."

    "Where the hell is it? Are you messing with me?" Holly asked. A tinge of frustration was in her voice.

    "No, you have to keep the ring real close to your face to see it. On the outside band of the ring. The gold part, dearest. There is a tiny button. Hold the ring close to your face and press the button."

    Fritz waited in the darkness for the woman. Suddenly, the sound of hissing gas emanated from the ring. A thud came from the stone floor, as Holly''s body hit the ground.

    "Holly? Are you there? Did something happen?" Fritz asked. He waited another minute. "Idiot. Two months working on novelty super spy gadgets came in handy. Who knew? Now, let''s get the fuck out of here."

    Focusing on his magical prowess, Fritz conjured a long thin knife in his right hand. Angling, the blade towards his bindings he started sawing.

    "Really starting to get annoyed with these beastkin. Ah there we go."

    The bindings in his right hand fell away. Fritz started working on his left hand immediately. Within a minute, the left hand''s binding was cut loose. He freed his left hand and removed his hood.

    The room was small. Holly''s body was asleep at his feet. A large pair of round rat ears sat atop her head. They were scarred from fighting. Her left ear had been clipped at a forty five degree angle. A long rat tail ran along the floor touching Fritz''s feet. Thankfully, Fritz found himself still clothed. Reaching down he began working on the bindings on his feet.

    The room was clearly underground. Natural stone walls enclosed the interior of the room. A torch sconce had been sculpted into the wall next to the heavy wooden door. A large bar of iron and wood barricaded Fritz inside the room. Removing the last of the bindings from his feet, Fritz stood up. A rush of blood hit his head momentarily. Stepping over the sleeping beastkin. Fritz moved towards freedom.

    The tunnels were dark. Fritz grabbed a burning torch along a nearby wall and picked a random direction.

 Tunnel Snakes

    Ada, Neva and Marcelle fought their way through the warehouse. Both wolfkin did their best to avoid killing. Ada used her wooden sword to knock out a kidnapper within the warehouse. Bending down, she struck the woman with the flat side. The beastkin jerked up for a moment before falling limp to the warehouse floor. Afterwards, she dabbed the tip against the beastkin''s bleeding nose smearing blood across the wood. Marcelle had wrapped her tail around a foxkin''s neck. Her repeated attempts to chop the tail with a hatchet had proven useless. In the end, the woman had broken her hatchet and fallen unconscious. Marcelle''s eyes glowed with delight as she tossed the beastkin away with ease.

    Now in the warehouse, the four adventurers stood with six unconscious beastkin lying on the floor. Hannah had watched the fighting impassively, waiting for it to end.

    "Is he here? Fritz you alive?" Neva asked. She looked around the warehouse. Rotten timber was stacked high all around. Mounds of coiled thick rope were tossed every which way. Rusted iron saws and tools littered the area. Ada sniffed the air.

    "I can''t smell anything." She said. "Maybe we can wake one of them up? Question them?"

    "Let''s take a look around. Maybe there''s more clues." Neva said.

    The three separated in different directions to investigate the warehouse. Ada kept sniffing the air. Neva searched the belongings of the defeated thugs. Marcelle took her time, taunting and slapping their unconscious defeated enemies.

    Stopping in a particular spot. Ada breathed in deeply. An earthen smell seemed to extend in this particular area.

    "Somethings here." Ada said confidently.

    "An underground tunnel? A hidden basement?" Marcelle asked.

    "Maybe. We''ll see."

    Crouching down, she ran her hand over the smooth wooden floors. Something caught her eyes as she touched a particular section of the floor. Pressing into it, a section of the floor wiggled.

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "Gotcha. Over here. There''s a trapdoor." Ada said as she motioned towards the others. Neva and Marcelle hurried over. Hannah followed as if completely bored with the situation. Grabbing onto a side, Ada removed the cover.

    A wooden staircase led down to a large basement. Three heavily armed, convicts wielding spears and fully armored in chainmail stood at the ready. Behind them a crossbow bolt shot out. Ada''s eyes went wide as she ducked to the floor just in time to feel the metal barb catch a strand of her blonde hair.

    "You never should have come here!" one of the spearmen shouted.

    Marcelle lazily reached into her dimensional bag. Drawing out another flask, she tossed it to the basement floor. A cloud of gray smoke erupted at the feet of the spearmen. The sounds of hacking and coughing came from below. Hannah dropped down into the basement entirely unconcerned.

    "At least you didn''t miss this time." Ada taunted. Marcelle hissed at Ada.

    "My genius is lost upon you. You should be thanking me. I''ve saved us plenty of time. You should praise me. Go on." Marcelle commanded, crossing her arms. Neva rolled her eyes, as Ada scoffed.

    "Alright genius, how long until the sleep bomb goes away? There''s no wind underground." Marcelle''s face distorted as her mouth formed silent objections.

    "It still would have been faster than fighting them!" Marcelle finally said. "Granted I would have loved to see you struggle!"

    "Me? I would have mopped the floor with them!" Ada retorted. Neva moved towards the basement. A burning torch illuminated the sleeping guards. Hannah seemed entirely unperturbed as she looked up at Neva.

    "Whatever you say." Marcelle scoffed.

    A sudden gust of violent whipping wind drew the gas from the tunnel. The gray smoke of the sleeping gas vanished from the mouth of the tunnel. Ada and Marcelle blinked in confusion as they looked into the tunnel. Hannah''s voice broke the silence.

    "There. Let us proceed. How you escaped astounds me."

    "Yeah, yeah. Follow the wight into the dark tunnels. Come on girls, we''re making some bad decisions tonight." Neva said with a grimace. Her scars twisted along her face as she looked down at the powerful undead.

    Ada went down the stairs first. Neva and Marcelle followed behind. In the basement, a singular tunnel extended down into the earth. A torch burned on the wall next to the entrance. The tunnel was only wide enough for one person. With some effort, two people could turn sideways and pass by another. Ada grabbed the sputtering torch off the wall. Stepping over the sleeping beastkin, Neva took the lead as they moved down the dark winding tunnel deeper into the kidnapper''s hideout.

 One on One

    The four adventurers traveled deeper into the caverns below. Carefully, they navigated the twisting tunnel alert for any incoming danger. Hannah impassively took the rear guard of the procession. The stone walls snakes back and forth, as they descended below. Eventually, the tunnel opened out into a large cavern. Several large tables were scattered about. Large bunk beds had been constructed surrounding the walls.

    Neva cautiously peeked out of the tunnel into the cavern. Several heavily armed beastkin stood around in the center. Their weapons and chainmail glittered in the torchlight. The party''s packs sat strewn about. Their supplies were scattered over the many tables as strange beastkin divided up the loot. Neva quickly motioned for the others to follow as she exited the tunnel into the cavern.

    "Who the fuck are you?" A gruff voice called out. A short cat girl approached. A large baggy workman''s shirt covered her body. Her ears were clipped. Scars covered her face and arms. Ada moved forward with her wooden sword pointing directly at the criminals.

    "Your days of villainy end here! Stand down and your beatings will be lessened!"

    "Ada!" Neva said with a sigh as she clutched her temples. Marcelle sputtered with laughter at the blonde wolfkin.

    "Your beatings will be lessened!" Marcelle quietly mimicked behind her back.

    "What?! What did I say?" Ada objected.

    "You''ve been reading too much. You sound like a dork." Neva said wearily.

    "Did you get hit in the head? Tree fall on ''ya? That''s not even a real sword!" The ginger catkin asked. She turned her head around to her comrades behind her. Giggling with laughter they hefted their weapons, towards the intruders. "What? Couldn''t afford a real weapon? Want to see a real one?" She sneered.

    "Shut up! You''ll be punished for your crimes! Kidnapping is a serious offense. One that I do not intend to take lightly. Hand him over now!" Ada pointed her sword towards the ginger ringleader. The catkin looked back towards the others.

    "You don''t even have real weapons! What could you possibly do?" The beastkin taunted.

    "You''ll see! We''ve already beaten your other lackies!" Ada shouted back.

    "This one''s mine. Gonna teach her a lesson. No one messes with Blackfang''s Killers. Handle the rest." The orange haired ringleader said as she hefted a spiked mace.

    "You''ll fall just like all the others." Ada said gravely.

    "Ada, let me handle her. Stop saying that stuff too." Neva said with a sigh.

    "No. She''s mine."

    Ada stood a good head taller than her opponent. She shifted into a defensive fighting stance. Her eyes were riveted onto the woman. Behind her, stood the other kidnappers. Six hard looking beastkin readied their weapons. The ringleader grabbed her baggy garb with her free hand. Yanking on it she easily ripped the poor quality fabric off entirely. Her body rippled with bulging muscles and scars.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The catkin was the first to act, she kicked a large table towards Ada. It''s wooden legs skidded along stone floor of the cavern. Charging behind the table, she jumped on top of it. Ada''s eyes went wide as the the beastkin reared back her weapon.

    Ada barely dodged in time, as the spiked metal mace swung towards her face. Battle erupted within the cavern. Neva used whips of fire to subdue two targets nearby. The whips crashed into her opponents, sending them flying into the stone walls of the cavern. Marcelle, after chugging a different potion, exploded in a display of strength. Her long tail whipped around sending her foes flying. Her maniacal laughter echoed throughout the underground lair.

    Ada had little time to watch the others. Her opponent was quick and extremely strong. Pressing back the assault, Ada countered a wide swing with her sword. The spikes, hit the wooden sword shattering the worn wood. Ada eyes went wide, as she watched half of her sword fly off into the expanding melee. Panic flooded her as she watched the shards of wood fly away. A strong right fist, caught her in the stomach. The wind was knocked completely out of her, as she hunched over. She could sense her opponent readying the killing blow. Muscles clenched, as the mace came down towards her exposed head. Time seemed to slow. Ada''s muscles screamed for oxygen yet her diaphragm wouldn''t comply. Fear and adrenaline compelled her to act. Ada rushed forward and tackled her opponent.

    Brought off balance, the mace went wide, saving Ada. Her opponent''s exposed back slammed into the ground. Blood pooled on the exposed skin. Readying to strike, Ada felt a fist connect to her head. Another soon followed hitting her jaw. Her head snapped to the side. The world dimmed in her eyes, as she slumped over. Hands reached her shoulder throwing her off. Her opponent shifted over, crawling on top of her. Dimly, Ada felt the presence of a strong hand holding her down. Her eyes flicked back into place. The ginger beastkin''s arm was cocked backwards, readying to deliver a vicious punch.

    Scarred knuckles came forward towards Ada. She blinked instinctively as she felt a world of pain envelope her face. Her eyes reopened to the same fist readying to strike again. Knuckles struck her again. Then again, and again, and again. Ada''s peripherals were fading. Visually the world dimmed, even as pain radiated through her face.  Damage kept coming, as weathered the beating. Ada''s arms moved upward to protect her face. Yet she could feel her opponent forcing her protective guard down. Blood ran down her nose, mixing into her mouth.

    The fist was coming again. Her opponent leaned forward. The scarred fist was aiming high. Ada, ducked her head forward as she struck upwards. Ada''s fist struck true, yet the other fighter would not stop attacking. Moving forward past the fist rocketing towards her face, Ada pulled the woman into a headbutt. Soft cartilage met hard bone. A shower of blood came afterwards. Throwing her opponent off of her, Ada scrambled on top. Slamming her fist over and over again into the catkin, Ada let out a feral cry.

    Later, only after her opponent had finally stopped moving, did Ada stop. Straddling her brutalized opponent, she gently touched her nose with her free hand.

    "Not broken." Ada thought to herself idly.

    Looking around the cavern. The fighting was already over. The other enemies were defeated and strewn about the cavern by Neva and Marcelle. The wight looked completely bored, standing off to the side, waiting for the others to finish. Marcelle and Neva, were standing beside Ada.

    "Whure''s muh tword?" Ada asked.

    "Goddess above, Ada." Neva said.

    "It broke." Marcelle said with a grimace. Ada cursed through her busted lip. "You look like shit." Marcelle commented dryly.

    "We got to get you more fighting experience. You should have let me handle her." Neva said wearily.

    "Fwitz. Can he wemake my tword? " Ada asked.

    "Come, on. We''ll have to ask him. Grab your stuff, we need to keep going." Neva said as she searched for her belongings amongst the chaos.

 Blackfang

    The tunnels twisted and turned in the torchlight. Spongy white mushrooms, faintly glowing crystals, and small deposits of exposed iron ore littered the tunnels within. Fritz ignored them as he continued on. The tunnel''s ceiling pressed close. Hunching forward, he proceeded through the underground.

    The hideout was quiet. Fritz''s footsteps barely registered any sound as he snuck forward. For a moment, he wondered if the mushrooms helped prevent echoes within the tunnels.

    From ahead, Fritz could hear several voices. Placing his torch down on the tunnel floor, he inched closer to the voices. Turning a corner, Fritz was met with a large chamber just below. A short ladder led down into the open area below. A central makeshift throne dominated the room. The throne was a heavy high backed wooden chair covered in bear furs. Several smaller tables were arrayed down the center of the room.

    Large casks of ale, water, and liquor were situated near the walls. Torches and candles illuminated the opened area. Mushrooms mixed with the stalactites in the ceiling of the chamber. Twenty beastkin lounged within the area below Fritz. Peeking down from his vantage point, Fritz watched the kidnappers below.

    A black haired catkin sat looking bored upon his throne. Beside him, Fritz''s carbon fiber crossbow sat drawn and ready. Aluminum bolts sat nearby waiting for use. Several large beastkin stood menacing nearby. Groups of other henchmen sat around the tables within the chamber drinking and eating. Their voices were subdued as they secretly listened to their boss speaking to a strange set of guests.

    Two tall, lithe cloaked figures were conversing with the man on the throne. The catkin sat on his throne looking simultaneously bored and agitated. Rings of different colors adorned his hands as he drummed into the dark wood of his chair. He wore a neat dark black shirt, along with brown leather pants.

    The two strange figures wore long dark green cloaks obscuring their bodies. Their hoods were drawn. Two openings on each hood let a pair of extremely long pointed ears through. Their arms were hidden underneath their cloaks.

    Moving stealthily, Fritz moved closer to listen into the conversation.

    "It is not our concern. Our agreement stands. Will you strike down the defilers? The forest bleeds." One of the cloaked figures spoke up. Her voice was subdued, formal, and feminine. Underlying her words were the faint hint of annoyance at her audience. Her hooded face regarded the seated beastkin, waiting for his answer. An aura of tension bled throughout the room, as the others waited for their leader to speak.

    "Calm yourself, elf." The leader spoke. His voice dripped with malice towards the two hooded elves. "Make no mistake, our deal stands."

    "Then do not delay any longer. Do what we have paid you to do. Fight against the defilers! Claim your freedom!"

    "Ethira''s silence is worrying. Do you know anything? Perhaps she ran into a band of marauding elves? The guards were not involved. This I know." The man spoke confidently. A shiver of anticipation ran through the cave as every beastkin within waited for the elves to speak.

    Fritz could see the slight movement of the two hooded elves, as they regarded each other.

    "We know nothing. None of us would do something so foolish." To the right of the throne, a beastkin vibrated with anger. Unable to contain herself, she exploded with anger.

    "Liars! We should rip their fat tongues out their mouths! Knife ears! Lying cutthroats! They cannot be trusted. We should kill them, and be done with them!" The beastkin to the right of the throne roared out as she reached for her weapon. The hooded figures responded in kind. Several seated beastkin raised their voices in response, sitting up for a fight.

    "Stop!" The leader raised his hand. The beastkin in the room paused. "Patience! Peace! Do not jump to conclusions! We haven''t confirmed anything!" The seated man shouted out.

    "They''re lying! They killed them! Ethira has never missed a check-in!" The beastkin to the right of the throne spat out. She clenched her weapon tighter, as she stared daggers into the two elves. She raised her weapon up. She tried to step forward. The catkin sitting on the throne stopped her with an outstretched hand.

    "No!" He shouted. "Stand down! All of you!" Silence reigned in the cavern below. "Peace!" He looked for signs of disobedience in the gathered throng. Finding none, he turned towards the cloaked elves. "Our plan will continue." He said to the two hooded figures.

    "Good. I will report back to our Queen your acquiescence. She will be most delighted." The elf said through gritted teeth.

    "Our plan will continue. Yet, the situation has changed."

    "Changed? You have been compensated! Generously! Perform your duties! Fulfill your contract!"

    "As such, we should renegotiate our terms...." the seated man said. "Until we can confirm the status of Ethira''s group we cannot proceed. Our plan relies on their camp. We do not have the manpower to continue, unless...."

    "There will be no more money! Delay no further! Do as we have agreed upon."

    "Our plans have been upset. We will need to pivot. We cannot continue on with our original plan. I am still committed to ruling Trira, but I cannot proceed at this instant." The seated man retorted.

    The sound of footsteps came from the tunnel behind Fritz.

    "What''s a torch doing here?" The sound of strange voices behind him floated to Fritz''s ears. He gritted his teeth, as he wondered what to do. The strangers were coming closer. The tunnel was too small to hide within. In a few seconds they would see a prone Fritz, spying on his kidnappers below. Only a second passed, before he determined a course of action.

    "Fuck it!" He grumbled. Jumping up to his feet, he descended the ladder into the chamber below.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Hello! Ladies and gentlemen!" He shouted cheerfully. All eyes immediately glared at him.

    "A human?" The hooded elf asked in confusion. Her large green eyes wandered over Fritz.

    "Greetings, one and all! Apologies for the sudden entrance!" Fritz said with a bow, as he left the ladder. "I was wondering what all the hubbub was about." He flashed the room a friendly smile.

    "Who the fuck is this?" The gang leader asked. He looked to his second in command for some semblance of an answer.

    "My name is Fritz, and I''ve found myself in quite a strange set of circumstances. I was hoping I could talk to the person in charge. That is you isn''t it? The man with my carbon fiber crossbow." He pointed towards the throne. "Quite a fine piece of work, wouldn''t you say?"

    "Blackfang, that is the man we grabbed earlier! He shouldn''t be here! We tied him up!" A beastkin seated away from the two hooded elves shouted. He stood up and pointed to Fritz.

    "Ah, yes, Holly explained the circumstances. But I couldn''t sit still. Especially so, once I heard you have plans for my comrades."

    "What the hell is he doing out here? Why is he interrupting?" Blackfang asked his second in command.

    "I''ll grab him, throw him back in the holding room. Teach him a lesson too." The beastkin to his right snarled. Fritz quickly held up his hands.

    "Wait just a moment! If you would be so kind as to listen first! All of you seem like sharp business orientated beastkin. Surely, we can work something out here? I have resources to spare for such negotiations." Fritz offered all of the confused beastkin in the chamber his most winning smile. A twisting inner anxiety wormed within his gut. It threatened to bubble up, destroying his chances at any negotiations. Suppressing it, he continued on with his act. The man on the throne scoffed loudly.

    "Please, Mr. Blackfang. Hear me out. I have quite the supply of expensive and exotic jewelry on my person and hidden in rather hard to find areas. I could give them up, if you say let me leave with my companions safely."

    "I don''t want any jewelry that''s been in your prison pouch." Blackfang snarled. The cavern erupted in laughter. Fritz blinked in confusion, before continuing.

    "We''ve already search you!" Blackfang''s second sneered back. "You''ve got nothing."

    "Give me a moment! I''ll prove the opposite!" Fritz made a show of reaching into his pant''s pockets as he searched for something. "There, there, no there it is! These blasted pant''s have the deepest pockets I swear."

    Fishing out a newly conjured golden ring, he displayed it proudly to the audience in question. With a glint in his eyes, he tossed it towards the seated woman. Her second in command snatched it out of the air before giving it a tentative sniff.

    "Well, I''ll be Boss. The man does got some deep pockets. Smells like real gold too." She said, as she flashed the simple golden band at her boss.

    "No deal." Blackfang said. "I am busy. I don''t have the time to deal with another idiot. I think I''ll just kill you."

    "Ah! A pity." Fritz replied with exaggerated ease. His expression fell flat. His heart was pounding, as he forced his shaking legs to stop. "I also couldn''t help but overhear about you wondering about your comrades. A shame."

    Subtle growls from different beastkin, resounded in the chamber.

    "Someone, bring me his head!" Blackfang shouted. Slowly he started massaging his temples. Swords, daggers, spears, maces, axes, and bows pointed directly at Fritz. Nearly everyone within the cavern was edging their way towards the human. Holding up his hands, Fritz back towards the stone walls of the cavern.

    "I stumbled across their camp! Dead beastkin everywhere!" Fritz yelped out in panic. Shouts filled the cavern.

    "You what?!"

    "What happened?"

    "He''s lying!"

    "Is Jami dead? Tell me!"

    "Silence!" Blackfang shouted as he drowned out the other voices. "Talk, human! Now! Before I kill you myself!" A deep guttural growl filled the air, as he waited for Fritz to answer.

    "Now! Before I start I just want to say something! Neither I nor my companions, had absolutely anything to do with your friends death. I am totally innocent in their deaths!" Taking in a deep breath, Fritz started his explanation.

    "We were travelling Deep in the night, we were running through the woods. Wolves snapped at our heels. Exhaustion and fatigue pulled us down. Yet no matter what, we couldn''t stop. Wolves were herding us to something. There was a clearing next to a river. Two undead were before it. An onyx blade had carved rivers of blood into the area. I saw no survivors and I couldn''t stay long, because immediately we became the vampires next prey. She chased us into the night, fully prepared to add us to the dead. The camp was attacked, everyone there must have died to the vampire."

    Fritz finished his story.

    "Vampires attack them?"

    "I could only confirm one vampire." Fritz responded. Blackfang looked around him. Suddenly, a smile wormed it''s way over his lips. Giggling overtook him as he shook like a leaf. The other beastkin within the cavern erupted with laughter.

    "What? What''s so funny?" Fritz yelled out trying to silence the mocking beastkin.

    "There are no vampires this far from Gris, human. You are foolish to lie in such a manner. Ethira did not die to any undead." Blackfang growled out.

    "I am telling the truth." Fritz retorted trying to maintain his friendly composure. Slowly he started trying to inch himself along the walls of the cavern.

    "Enough. I will hear no more of your stupidity. Kill him."

    "Wait! Stop!" Fritz commanded. He held out his right hand. Within his hand was a small glass orb. A murky cloudy white liquid distorted the color of the glass. "You''re going to escort me out of this god forsaken tunnel or I will kill everyone in here." Fritz commanded.

    "Hah! The balls on him! What are you gonna do with that?" Blackfang sneered. "Think were afraid of a little smoke?"

    Another chorus of laughter erupted. Standing perfectly still, Fritz waited for the laughter to die down. His eyes darted around the room, searching for any sudden attacks. The two hooded elves regarded him with unease. Their excited flashing hands denoted some sign language he could not decipher.

    "I''m deadly serious. In my hands is a deadly neurotoxin, capable of killing anyone with the slightest inhalation. Man, woman, child, it doesn''t matter. What I hold in my hand will kill everyone here. You''ll choke to death on your own spit within minutes. Your muscles will seize up suffocating you. Flesh eating bacteria will grow upon your skin consuming everything down to your bones! Don''t make me use it! Let me leave in peace! If you do, I promise to disarm it safely!"

    "Uh huh, shut up! You''re a terrible liar!" Blackfang stood up, from his makeshift throne. Grabbing the crossbow he lazily loaded it and aimed in Fritz''s general direction. "Bring him to me! I''ll chop his head off myself!"

    "Wait!" The hooded elf held out her hand, interrupting the leader.

    "What? Don''t tell me you''re afraid of some smoke?" Blackfang taunted. "Whatever poison he''s lying about doesn''t exist."

    "Let us take him! Surely he has no value to you?" The hooded figure hissed.

    "Hah! He''s ours. Found him ourselves. After all of his disrespect, he''s ours to set straight! You''ve no right to interfere!"

    "I am not lying!" Fritz yelled above the others. "Escort me out this instant or everyone dies! Horribly dies!"

    "Shut up hoo-man! We know your lying!" A drunk beastkin shouted.

    Blackfang and the two elves devolved into an explosive argument. The remaining beastkin were inching closer to Fritz.

    "Where''s the exit?" Fritz yelled. "This is your last chance!" Rapidly looking around the room, Fritz searched for an exit.

    "All right, I lied." Fritz muttered to himself. He breathed in deeply before throwing the glass down onto the ground.

    An explosion of smoke enveloped the room. Panic immediately ensued. Sounds of shouting, and the clank of metal echoed within the chamber. Locking onto the exit, Fritz stumbled over chairs, tables and coughing beastkin as he made his way towards the exit.

    The faint glow of an orange torch within the chaotic smoke guided him to a different passage. Stumbling into the passage, Fritz created a glowstick in his left hand, before running forward into the unknown. Searing pain spread through Fritz, as an aluminum bolt embedded itself into his ass. Fritz screamed like a little girl before quickly limping deeper into tunnels.

 You Should See The Other One

    Fritz ran like a madman through the twisting winding tunnels of the underground, despite the crossbow bolt sticking out of his ass. Shouts and cries echoed through the tunnels behind him. His face smacked against the white mushrooms lining the walls. His shoulders and arms scraped against the sharp rock walls.

    Still, Fritz persisted. One foot after another, he moved forward. Until, up ahead, he could see another set of lights. Straining his ears, he could hear nothing over the sound of his own ragged breath. His muscles cried out in pain. His brain urged caution, yet fear of pursuit drove him forward. Screams of frustration and anger echoed in the tunnels behind him.

    "I''m shooting whatever appears next from behind that corner." Neva growled.

    Ada, Neva, Marcelle, and another strange figure were standing above a group of defeated beastkin. Fritz''s footsteps echoed throughout the nearby tunnels as he approached Neva''s position. Leveling her hand towards the tunnel, Neva waited for the intruder to show themselves. Coiling fire, wrapped around her fingers. Pointing towards the entrance, she waited.

    Fritz''s eyes caught hold of a familiar sight. His friends were standing at attention waiting for him. Relief flooded him, as a rush of energy compelled him forward. A magical bolt of fire shot through the air towards his face. Time seemed to slow, as his foot caught on a rock sending him face to the stone floor.

    "Shit!" Neva cursed.

    "Neva! You idiot! I don''t need Zola trying to kill me!" Marcelle seethed. A large groan of pain escaped Fritz''s lips. Neva clicked her tongue in annoyance.

    "I missed didn''t I? And he ain''t dead neither."

    "Barely." Marcelle replied.

    "Ada? Neva? Marcelle? Is that you?" Fritz called out. "Did I hit my head on something on the way over? Am I actually alive?"

    "Fwitz!" Ada''s face was bloody. The beginnings of nasty red bruises grew all over her face. Her lips were busted and swollen.

    Scrambling up slowly, Fritz limped over as he tried to ignore the crossbow bolt. Seeing Ada''s face, Fritz let out a curse.

    "What the hell happened?" He said. Grabbing her shoulder he held her still as he inspected the damage to her face.

    "Fwight." Ada responded. She swayed unsteadily.

    "Shit, Ada. You look like you got your ass beat."

    "You fwould ee the other. The other gwirl." Ada said. Her destroyed face warped into an ugly smile as she looked at him through her rapidly swelling eyes.

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "It''s good to see you''re in one piece!" Neva said, running over. She slapped his back. Her eyes went down to the bolt.

    "What happened to her?" Fritz asked. Fritz looked away from Neva for a moment. "Did she get hit with a bat?" Searing pain enveloped him, as Neva ripped the bolt out of him! Fritz doubled over in pain for a moment. "Tell me before you do that!"

    "We don''t have the time." Neva said with a casual shrug. Marcelle maneuvered closer. The distinct sound of boots clicking against the stone tunnels reached their ears.

    "We''ve got company!" Fritz said, suddenly remembering his pursuers. Looking back to the tunnels, his mind finally registered the familiar looking woman. Freezing in place, he pointed like a fool towards the undead wight. His eyes ran between Neva and the undead. His mouth gaped open as words failed upon his tongue.

    "Stop! In the name of Blackfang''s Killers!" A large fox eared man said as he exited the tunnel. Five more beastkin exited the tunnel. They spanned out in a defensive arc. Their weapons were held at the ready.

    "It never ends does it!" Hannah said with a sigh. The leader of the kidnappers appeared. A large scowl worked over his face, as he looked at the scene before him.

    "Kill the intruders!" Blackfang screamed. "Enough of this farce!"

    "I couldn''t agree more." The wight whispered. Her voice was like a freezing knife, stabbing through everyone''s heart. Shivers of dread, creeped up Fritz''s spine.

    Hannah waved her hand, a large crescent of dark energy erupted from her hand. The beastkin kidnappers slammed against the stone walls with violent force. The battle was over in a second.

    The wight let her hand drop. The enemy was defeated with a single blow. With measured steps, Hannah moved towards Fritz. Fritz gripped tightly onto Ada, but was unable to move. More footsteps and shouting were coming from the same tunnel Fritz escaped from. Marcelle threw a potion down it. Gray clouds of choking gas filled the tunnel.

    The wight came within arm''s reach of Fritz. Neva readied herself waiting to intervene. Gripping her recovered sword, she waited for the wight to make any strange movements. Bowing forward, the undead proffered a singular letter.

    "Take it. So I may return to my mistress" She said. Dumbfounded, Fritz took the letter from her.

    "What is this?" He mumbled. He turned the handwritten letter over, inspecting the rich crimson seal on the front.

    "A letter from my Mistress Lady Von Erwenhest II. Read it."

    "The vampire...." Fritz said dumbly.

    "You''ve delivered your message, wight." Neva said. Hannah stood upright. Her veil shifted to look directly at Neva.

    "I have. I will take my leave. I cannot stand much more of this." She said simply. Clamor and chaos was continuing from down the tunnel. Marcelle chucked another potion down the tunnels. Annoyed cries seeped into the cavern, as more sleeping gas formed in the tunnel. The wight walked confidently away down an unknown tunnel, never looking back towards the party.

    "We need to leave!" Marcelle warned. "I''m running out of potions, to keep them back!"

    "Let''s go!" Fritz shouted.

    "Marcelle to the front! Fritz and Ada next! I''ll hold the rear! Let''s move!" Neva commanded.

    "F''witz stay cwose!" Ada urged.

    Holding onto Ada, Fritz started to follow Marcelle towards the exit. As they left the cavern, Neva shot bolts of fire from her free hand. Tables and wood ignited, spreading flame and chaos within the underground tunnels.

    The next few minutes went by in a blur. Fritz held onto the delirious wolfkin. After stepping out of the tunnel and into the warehouse, Fritz breathed in the cool night air. He stepped over the sleeping guards at the entrance, into the city of Trira triumphant and mostly whole.

 Rash Decisions

    After stepping over two sleeping beastkin, the night air of Trira was cool upon Fritz''s skin. He breathed in the fresh air, glad to be out of the dank tunnels below. The ache of the crossbow, spread pulsing misery throughout him. Blood pooled down the back of his leg. Fritz supported Ada as they stood outside the warehouse. Her left arm was draped over his shoulder. Her face swelled with bruises. Her left eye was closing in on itself. Fritz squinted in the dark as he tried to get a better look at her injuries.

    "We made it!" Marcelle said excitedly. "We made it! We made it! Thank Lorgen!! My genius has prevailed! I am the greatest alchemist this world has ever known!"

    "Not out of the woods just yet." Neva grumbled. The clinking of metal converged upon the warehouse.

    "Stop right there! Surrender your weapons criminals! You''re coming with us!" A confident voice arose from down the dark street. Marcelle let out a long groan.

    From all around, various armed figures of Trira''s guard descended upon the warehouse. Their chain mail jingled in the quiet of the night. Swords, axes, and spears were leveled at Fritz, Marcelle, Ada and Neva. Looking around, Fritz searched for someone standing behind him. Surely, they wouldn''t be arresting him and his friends?

    "Us? You''re arresting us?" Fritz asked the slowly advancing guard incredulously.

    "Does appear that way." Neva sighed, as she rolled her injured shoulder.

    "What why? We''ve done nothing wrong!" Marcelle asked.

    "I will not ask again! Lay down your arms!" An armored woman with a crested helm spoke again. She advanced closer now. Her retinue of guard was close behind her. A pair of stylized fox ears was emblazoned upon their tunics. Fritz''s muscles were sore. With Ada holding onto him, their chances of escape were low.

    "You don''t understand! We''re the victims here!" Fritz protested.

    "The facts will come later! Lay down your arms." The captain shouted.

    "Marcelle! Do you have something for us? Something for an escape?" Fritz asked.

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Only two doses." The lamia searched through her bags for something. "I can carry you, but Neva will have to take Ada. Catch, Neva." Marcelle said as she threw a vial. "Ready when you are, Fritz. Even with the extra speed we may not escape."

    "Neva! Marcelle! I''m gonna use it again!" Fritz said.

    "Fritz! We should just surrender!" Neva warned. "We can profess our innocence later! We don''t have to be rash!"

    "Fritz! Don''t you dare use that again!" Marcelle screeched.

    "Shut up! Everyone! We can talk our way out of this!" Neva said. "Fritz! Do not!"

    "I''m gonna do it!" Fritz shouted as he raised a hand into the air. Marcelle''s demeanor immediately changed.

    "Surrender! Do not make us ask again!" The captain warned.

    "Fritz! Don''t you dare!" Neva warned him. Marcelle purple eyes shifted around in panic.

    "NO! No! No! Stop! Not again! I''m willing to surrender!" Marcelle screeched.

    "This counts as an emergency!" Fritz protested.

    "Guards advance!" The captain shouted. "Just kill them!"

    "Look what you did! We could have talked our way out of this!" Neva shouted.

    "No! No!" Marcelle shouted. "You can''t!"

    "Fwitz?" Ada asked as Fritz disengaged from the blonde beastkin. Pain in his butt, caused him to grimace as he moved Ada closer to Neva. Neva cursed before uncorking the flask and downing it.

    "Careful! They''ve got potions! Watch out!" One of the guards warned. His spear leveled towards Marcelle as he advanced.

    "Hold your breath!" Fritz shouted. Holding up a small chemical ball he looked to his other companions.

    "Fwitz?" Ada asked. Her eyes searched her surroundings trying to understand what was happening.

    "Stop them!" One of the guards shouted. Trira''s guards charged Fritz''s party. Throwing the ball onto the ground, Fritz did his best to hold his breath.

    The bowels of hell opened up in Trira. The guards immediately stopped. Falling to their knees they vomited their guts out into the muddy streets of Trira. The unfortunate townsfolk caught in the crossfire had no choice but to join the guards. Neva grabbed hold of Ada, throwing her over her shoulder. Marcelle''s arms grabbed hold of Fritz. His feet left the ground as the lamia slithered forward with unnatural speed. Neva and Marcelle ran through the town. Ada vomited onto Neva''s shirt. Marcelle gagged, sputtering thousands of curses. Fritz, held in a princess carry, nearly choked on his own vomit.

    "Fritz! I''ll kill you!" Neva shouted. "Screw the goddess! I''ll kill you!"

    "I''m sorry!"

    "He''s mine! I''m gonna boil him alive!" Marcelle screeched.

    "I''m sorry! I had no choice! They were going to kill us!"

    "Fwitz? Wampire back?" Ada asked deliriously.

    "No! He''s just useless! He''s a useless champion!" Neva shouted making sure Fritz could hear every word.

    Behind Fritz''s retreating party, Trira became unlivable. Guards deserted, convicts escaped, and civilians ran away en masse. For years later, Trira was left uninhabitable. Rumors and legends spread of rotting undead corpse so foul that inevitable death would follow any who breathed in the air. Some believed trolls and ghouls had taken over, yet no one ever came close to the truth. For the truth was: Freye''s champion had arrived.

 Bribes

    They had run through the forest for what felt like an eternity. Sweat mixed with the remnants of Project SKUNK for hours and hours. Early on, Fritz and Ada were handed a pair of healing potions. Gagging only slightly they downed the cherry red liquid. Nearly instantly, Fritz''s wound healed without leaving a single scar. Ada, on the other hand, finally became cognizant. Only after bathing for what felt like an eternity did the party stop and finally make camp. Now, Fritz had to deal with a new enemy surrounding him.

    "Please, forgive me." Fritz said blandly, as he handed Neva a bottle of whiskey alongside a long fat cigar. Neva grunted as she accepted the bribe. Fritz was on his knees. Ada, Neva and Marcelle were standing over him. They loomed over him like an annoyed trio of disappointed parents.

    "Look, I''m sorry." Fritz said with an exasperated sigh. "I just didn''t want to get arrested. What if they detained us for weeks?"

    "Meat." Ada replied. Her hand motioned for Fritz to hurry up. A beautifully marbled raw steak appeared in his hands instantly. Handing it over like a sacred artifact, Fritz watched the blonde beastkin start tearing into it immediately.

    "Can''t you cook it first?" Fritz whined.

    "Hungry." Ada replied. Opening the bottle, Neva reared back and started draining the bottle.

    "Make these." Marcelle demanded as she shoved a bundle of strange purple leafy stalks into Fritz''s hands.

    "What is it?" Fritz asked as he inspected the herb.

    "A herb that will remove the smell. Make it quick. You can do that can''t you?" Marcelle huffed. Underneath her long black hair, her face flared with open hatred. Her tail whipped around with impatience as she waited.

    "Thanks, Marcelle." Neva replied. A slight red flush was on her face, as she sniffed the cigar. Lighting it with a bit of magic, she started puffing it. A brief look of satisfaction filled her before she locked eyes with Fritz. Fritz stood up, as he handed Marcelle a newly conjured set of herbs.

    "I told you not to do that. Yet you did it anyway." Neva chastised Fritz.

    "It was our best option. I had to do it. It was the quickest way to get rid of the guards! They wanted to kill us!" Fritz lamented.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "Because you didn''t want to surrender!"

    "Exactly!" Marcelle seethed, as she moved away to the small campfire. "We could have handled that far differently!"

    "Come on, girls. It wasn''t that bad." Ada said

    "Thank you, Ada. And it was better than last time!" Fritz said confidently. Neva''s brow twitched, as her cigar wiggled in her mouth.

    "Not that bad?" Stepping forward, Neva moved with frightening speed. She bent Fritz forward in a standing arm lock, Fritz felt burning pain radiate through his joints. "I don''t care! I told you never to do it again! Not to mention, you promised to!"

    "Break it, Neva." Marcelle urged from the campfire, as she set up her alchemical equipment. "I''ve more healing potions."

    "Neva!" Ada whined. "You''re hurting him!"

    "Stop! Please! I''ll never use Project SKUNK again!"

    "Break it!" Marcelle urged.

    "Champion, my ass." Neva said, clicking her tongue. Releasing him, she readjusted her cigar.

    "I''m sorry. Jesus." Fritz said while rubbing his arm.

    "Who?"

    "Forget it. I''ll make it up to you! All of you! I swear!" Fritz pleaded.

    "Good. Let''s start now."

    "Neva, you''re being mean." Ada whined.

    "He deserves it. Personally, I think it was worse than last time." Marcelle said. "You were too concussed to notice, Ada."

    "Was I?" Ada asked, nibbling on the raw meat. Neva nodded.

    "Fritz, owes us. It''s bad enough he can''t defend himself. He should at least compensate us, for our troubles."

    "I''m working on that." Fritz said with a sigh. "It''s hard without a proper workshop or tools. It''s not like I can create an army of suicide drones to defend myself yet." The three beastkin looked at him with utter confusion. Neva was the first to recover.

    "Doesn''t matter." Neva said confidently. "Fritz, you''re gonna make me whatever I ask until I don''t hate you."

    "Fine! Fine! Just no more arm locks!" Fritz rubbed his elbow urging the pain to vanish.

    Turning around towards Marcelle and Ada, Neva saw the dissatisfied looks of Marcelle as the lamia started preparing her alchemical concoction.

    "Not just me, Fritz. All of us. Anything Marcelle wants, you make. Same for Ada." A smug smile wormed its way across Marcelle''s lips.

    "Fine!" Fritz replied.

    "Does that mean I can get my sword back?"

    "I''m not making you a plain wooden sword." Fritz replied.

    "It was enchanted." Ada whined.

    "No it wasn''t." Marcelle and Neva said in unison.

    "Don''t make her the wooden sword, Fritz. It''s a bad idea. She might keep using it in combat."

    "But you said anything!" Ada whined.

    "We''ll get you a real sword in Hueryss." Neva said.

    Snapping her fingers towards Fritz, Marcelle got Fritz attention.

    "Minion, come here. I need to restock." Her purple eyes sparkled with satisfied superiority as she rooted through her bag of holding.

    "But I''m still hungry." Ada whined. "How long is it gonna take?"

    "I''m gonna need more firewater, and whatever these are." Neva said, pointing towards her cigar.

    "Cigar. They are called cigars. Please, everyone take a number." Holding up his hands, Fritz tried his best to satisfy his companions.

 Nyvere

    Two elves crouched stealthily atop a large expansive branch overlooking Fritz''s camp. Their dark green cloaks camouflaged themselves within the overhead canopy. They watched the adventurer''s in silence, like owls overlooking their prey below. A singular human, and an exotic lamia were out of place this far north. The human stood at attention behind two wolfkin. Bottles of liquor, tobacco, and exotic meat kept appearing instantly in his hands before he handed them to the demanding wolfkin. The lamia would snap her fingers and the human would move over. She would hand him a material and an exact copy would appear in his free hand momentarily.

    "Surely, there is a rational explanation for this. Maybe he is a djinn? Forced to serve his master''s wishes? Why else would he waste his powers in such a trivial fashion? There are tales of such in the south."

    "Lower your voice, James." The other said quietly.

    "Of course, Princess Nyvere." James whispered as he fingers idly ran down the bandolier of daggers strapped . "It could be some trickery. Perhaps a bag of holding?"

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I know what I saw. I know what my eyes see, even now. No, there''s something else here."

    "He looks like a servant."

    "You would know."

    "Point taken."

    The two elves watched in silence. The human below handed another cigar to the older beastkin.

    "What now? Shall head down, and ask our questions directly?"

    "No. Those three assaulted Blackfang''s headquarters directly. They escaped from the guards. They are too dangerous."

    "One of them is getting progressively drunker. The other has gorged on enough steaks for three cows now. The lamia is too absorbed in her work. The human looks like he wishes for death. Surely they would offer little resistance?"

    "Maybe, but there is another problem."

    "What?"

    "They are the cause of Trira''s stink. If that got on me...."

    "I almost forgot. Forgive me princess."

    "That town is unlivable. They are already evacuating, moving back to Hueryss. The logging has stopped for now. Our kingdom has accomplished our objective. Blackfang''s dreams of ruling it are no more. But we are not heading back. We will continue investigating. A human male with magical powers is groundbreaking. Our Queen should know, but we must confirm. Even better, if we can get him on our side. The beastkin are clearly abusing the man."

    "How do we plan on doing that?"

    "We wait. Approaching them now would be a mistake. They will be on edge."

    "As you wish, princess." James replied.

 Bloodbath

    Somewhere within the woods, murder most cruel had taken place. The blood of an entire family had been gathered, and poured into a wooden tub. Their drained bodies lay strewn about like empty bottles on the floor of the remote cabin.

    A pale woman stood scrubbing her spotless pale skin. Over and over, she lathered the blood against her, as she tried to wash the smell off. Yet, no matter how long she bathed the scent attached itself to her like a vengeful specter.

    In the doorway, a dark shadow materialized. Magic suffused the air, as Hannah''s form appeared within the cabin.

    "Lady Lilly, have you finished bathing?" Hannah''s ethereal voice invaded the cabin. Her hands were clasped before her as she waited for her mistress to respond.

    "How can I? It''s stuck. I''ve bathed for hours, it isn''t getting better. Even now, the faint whiff invades my nose unexpectedly."

    "Perhaps, you should return home. Your mother is no doubt worried sick about you."

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "Absolutely not! I will kill that man! I will return to my mother triumphant! Then she will be forced to recognize me!"

    "As you wish, my lady." Hannah replied, bowing forward slightly.

    "Have you delivered the letter?"

    "Yes."

    "Good."

    Bending down, Lilly scooped up a handful of blood. Splashing it across her face, she grimaced.

    "You could have a real bath if you returned home. Pure virgin blood would surely help with the stench."

    "No, killing him takes priority." Lilly said confidently.

    "They will have gained considerable ground by now. Most likely they will head for Hueryss. The living always seek refuge in cities. They may reach it before us." Hannah replied.

    "Bathing takes priority. It matter''s not if he hides in the city. We shall draw him out and slay him." Lilly said confidently. Her face scrunched up, as the faintest whiff of Project SKUNK tickled her senses.

    "As you wish, my lady." Hannah replied with a bow.

    Hannah stood in the doorway silently watching her mistress bathe with the blood of the slain family. Her cold, still, heart ached with pity watching Lilly suffer so much. The splash of falling blood stained the floors of the cabin. The dead family''s bodies lay beside the tub reaching out for one another in their final moments. Drops of their stolen blood would splash against their threadbare clothes, as Lilly continued methodically washing her pristine pale skin. She bathed until the rising sun drover her back to her coffin, leaving the slain beastkin to rot in their homestead.

 Marching Orders

    The four adventurers marched through the forest. The iron-gray trees pressed in close, as they traveled through the dense underbrush. Spotting a game trail, Neva led them towards civilization. The two wolfkin took the front, with Marcelle and Fritz lagging behind.

    "Ughhh! Where are we even going?" Marcelle complained.

    "South, towards Hueryss." Neva answered grumpily.

    "When?"

    "Soon."

    "Not soon enough." Marcelle grumbled.

    "Why''d we even travel through the forest anyways?" Fritz asked.

    "Quickest way to get to Hueryss." Neva replied. "If everything went as planned, we could have traveled down from Trira via raft. Then we could just sail towards Fehrenn like civilized beastkin."

    "But that didn''t work out did it?" Fritz asked. Neva gave a non-committal grunt.

    "It was a good plan." Neva huffed.

    "What was in that letter?" Ada asked, slowing her pace to get closer to Fritz. A flash of confusion raced across the man''s face for just a moment.

    "Almost forgot! Probably nothing too important." Fritz said as he unshouldered his pack and searched for the letter.

    "Let''s take a break." Neva said, stopping in her tracks.

    "Fine by me." Marcelle grumbled, as she slithered up next to a tree. Resting her back against the tree, she coiled up, crossing her arms.

    Taking out the yellow letter, Fritz admired the beautiful crimson wax seal. A strange heraldry displaying a singular wing to the right of a drop of blood greeted Fritz. Ada looked over his shoulder, as broke the seal and finally opened the letter.

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    "Come on, read it!" Ada whined.

    "Dear so-called champion." Fritz began. Looking up to the other''s he paused for a moment.

    "Keep going!"

    "Dear so-called champion, Your display at our last battle was most abhorrent. Truly you are worthless trash, not fit to be blessed by any of the divine. Still, the glory of slaying you shall be mine and mine alone. Should you continue to futilely struggle in such a revolting manner, I shall be forced to sick my maidservant upon you. Therefore, I write to tell you the following: if you attempt to dissuade my hunt again in the same manner, Hannah will rip your apart limb from limb with dark magic. I will then return home with your head. Yet, I would prefer to kill you myself. Therefore this letter asks for a simple compromise. Do not use that ever again, and my maidservant shall not kill Freyes'' champion."

    "That''s it?" Ada asked.

    "Seems pointless. Doesn''t it Fritz? You promised us you''d never use that ever again? Didn''t you?" Marcelle said venomously.

    "Of course! Of course! Never again! I promised."

    "Just like the first time?" Neva asked. Raising an eyebrow in challenge, she waited for Fritz to respond.

    "This time I mean it!" Fritz exclaimed.

    "Come on! You''re being too hard on him!" Ada whined.

    "Thank you Ada." Fritz said. Ada threw a friendly arm over her shoulder.

    "Regardless, this might be good. The vampire wants to kill you herself, Fritz. That wight is dangerous. Nowhere in the letter does it mention her ignoring us three." Neva pointed towards Marcelle, Ada and herself in order. "We cannot assume the wight won''t come kill us instead. She could be brought out to clear the path towards Fritz."

    "She can come and try it." Ada said, flexing her free arm. "I''m getting stronger. Soon, I''ll best her." Neva shook her head.

    "You''re getting ahead of yourself, Ada. You don''t have experience fighting against magic. It''s completely different. You also need a new sword. One that''s not about to break."

    "Once I do, I''ll win!"

    "They are still pursuing us. We should hurry. We won''t be safe until we reach Hueryss." Marcelle interrupted.

    "Exactly." Fritz said.

    "Fritz, more steak. I need to keep my strength up."

    "Sure, sure."

    "Another cigar."

    Returning to the group, Marcelle handed out a set of green potions.

    "Take these, they''ll help us keep moving. How long until Hueryss?" Marcelle asked. Neva merely shrugged, causing Marcelle to roll her eyes. Downing the potions the party went forth. Within the barrier forest of the Beastkin conclaves, they traveled towards their first major city. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of cloaked stalkers trailed behind them. Their green cloaks blended seamlessly into the underbrush of the surrounding woods.

 Champion Refund

    Within Lorgen''s infinite library, the goddess Freyes stomped between a labyrinth of endless towering bookshelves. Tomes of arcane knowledge, the writings of mad wizards, and the more mundane lined each and every inch of the shelves. Nearly endless lifetimes of writings were scattered with half-hazard chaos among the floor of the library threatening to trip the stomping goddess. The rare reading chair or table could be seen like a forgotten island amongst the sea of knowledge.

    "Lorgen!" Freyes screamed. The divine power of her voice rippled and radiated throughout the library. Books shook with fear. The shelves rattled as they struggled to withhold the goddess''s fury. Marching forward, she kicked a particularly offending tome. The tome shot forward down the aisle towards a bend in the path.

    The air shifted, as a form instantly appeared in front of the speeding tome. A gloved hand extended as a surge of magic stopped the book in mid air. Lorgen''s wings ruffled slightly, as he sent the book gently to an open spot within a nearby bookshelf.

    "Finally! You deign to appear!" Freyes screamed.

    "I was hoping you''d calm down if I waited...." Lorgen spoke. The myriad of voices spoke with pity, annoyance and guilt all at once. "It seems I was wrong."

    "How could I Lorgen? I have been looking at my supposed champion? Have you seen what has transpired? Do you see how he carries himself?"

    "And? Still alive?"

    "Very. Pathetically so. Lorgen, do you remember what my champions are known for?"

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Should I?"

    "Leadership, martial prowess, and divine healing. Not some parlor trick! Not a personal chef! Not a distillery!" Freyes screamed. Grabbing her hair, she pulled on her radiantly golden hair. "He''s useless. He hasn''t even managed to kill the undead pursuing him!"

    "So? Should he have killed them? Running from danger is typically more prudent."

    "He should have just killed them! All he''s doing is running away!"

    "That is wise. It seems he has a strong survival instinct." Lorgen said. The swirling mixture of his speech, spoke with all manner of emotion. Some voices snarled, while many were cold and biting, while most spoke with a constrained neutrality. Lorgen''s words echoed like a symphony bouncing around the tomes and books of his library.

    "Not! If you want to lead the beastkin!"

    "Freyes, he''s still alive. Surely that counts for something."

    "He needs strength! He needs strength to lead them! What did you give him?"

    "Magical power. What else? Surely that is enough? I understand your anger but he hasn''t failed yet."

    "He will! He can''t even wrangle the group he has set out with! Lorgen! This champion doesn''t count! He will fail! He''s too weak to handle the beastkin!"

    The god of magic was silent. Beneath his cowl, the swirling mass of cosmic stars distorted in a sly half-smile.

    "Take another then. His blessing was mine after all. You are within your rights to bless a champion should you feel threatened by outside events."

    "We are going to Aur, this champion doesn''t count! He will allow me another! And you will explain your meddling!"

    "You are within your rights to do so."

    "Of course I am!" Freyes screamed.

    "It was a passing whim, I thought it would be nice gesture."

    "Your gestures are unappreciated, Lorgen. Make this right when we talk with Aur!"

    Turning on her heels, the goddess of life walked away. Her form shimmered as a portal of golden light absorbed her body. Within an instant the goddess of life had disappeared. Left alone within his oasis of knowledge, Lorgen let his mirth overtake him. Thousands of voices laughed in joy, as he imagined the upcoming chaos.

 Midnight Snack

    Within the dream-realm of Freye''s chosen. A pair of crimson eyes focused upon him. Finding himself in the same gilded room, Fritz came to with a start. Blinking his eyes rapidly, he beheld a woman in mourning clothes. Seated in front of her, a familiar vampire.

    "So, you open your mind again. Foolish mortal. Have you come to bargain?" Panic raced through Fritz. Looking around the room, he tried to move his body. His lips twitched desperately trying to speak. "Good. It seems you are finally-"

    Fritz awoke suddenly. A stinging pain radiated on his cheek. Ada was laying down next to him. Moving his free arm, Fritz let out a groan as he massaged his rapidly reddening face. Beside him a small crackling fire lit their camp.

    "Ow. What the hells?" Fritz moaned.

    "You were having a nightmare." Ada replied. "You kept moving around, it was annoying. Lay still."

    "Did you hit me?"

    "Yeah." Ada admitted.

    "Why?"

    "To wake you up. What else?"

    Sitting up from his bedroll, Fritz looked around the camp. Marcelle was keeping watch. Beneath her mass of black hair he could feel her purple eyes watching him. In front of her, a small cauldron bubbled quietly underneath her magical burner.

    "You were moving around a lot." Marcelle said quietly, as she kept stirring her cauldron.

    "Yeah, and you woke me up." Ada huffed. "Now, I''m hungry."

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    "Really? At this hour?" Fritz asked. Puffing out her cheeks, Ada nodded.

    "As thanks, I want meat."

    "You always want meat. Raw meat. Do you have some kind of intestinal parasite?" Fritz complained.

    "Ewww.... I don''t want to think about that." Ada cringed.

    "She probably does." Marcelle answered.

    "I don''t!"

    "She''ll have to starve it. Stop eating for at least six months. That will fix it." Marcelle answered with a smile.

    "No!" Ada tensed.

    "It''s either that or.... I brew you a special cure." Marcelle spoke with a sinister aura. Leaning forward over her cauldron, she stared intently at Ada.

    "Marcelle." Fritz warned. "Please stop. I was just joking. She''s probably fine. I mean look at Neva. She''s drunk enough whiskey to kill a man." Fritz pointed towards a blacked out sloppy beastkin. "And yet, somehow, she wakes up perfectly fine in the early morning."

    "She''s built different." Ada said.

    "I don''t know.... Do we really want to risk it? What if the parasite grows larger? It could rip through her guts slowly and methodically gnawing on her juicy organs without her ever knowing." Marcelle asked.

    "Ada, if you''re worried about parasites just cook the meat. We''ve got plenty of pans."

    "But that takes too long." Ada whined.

    "It''ll taste better." Fritz countered. "I''ll even supply something special."

    "What?"

    "High quality butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme. Come on, hand me the cast iron pan."

    "Hmmm. May I join?"

    "Of course, Marcelle."

    Searing a couple of steaks, the three adventurers made a midnight snack in the middle of the forest. Curious hungry animals were brought to the small clearing. The sound of sizzling steak and bubbling butter mixed with the vibrant herbs. Ada gripped onto Fritz like a drowning woman, as he cooked. Her gray eyes fixated on the steaks as it seared in the ripping hot pan. Basting with a heavy amount of butter and herbs, Fritz presented his latest masterpiece. Ada barely waited for the meal to cool before digging in. Her face melted in ecstasy as she chewed slowly and thoughtfully.

    "Alright, your next Marcelle." Fritz said as he began conjuring more ingredients.

    "You spoil her too much. We''ll have to roll her around soon enough." Marcelle said with a sly grin. Ada frowned as she patted her strong abdominal muscles.

    Only after eating their fill did Ada and Fritz fall back asleep. The blonde wolfkin fell asleep on top of the human as if he was a giant stuffed animal.

 Hueryss

    The walls of Hueryss rose high and proud. Yet its image was flawed. Ivy and moss overran the ancient stone. Subdued magical runes from a long dead civilization hid beneath the greenery, protecting its new inhabitants. Few guards bothered to stand upon the majestic wall. Only lazy, half asleep beastkin manned the ancient battlements. They leaned with unrestrained boredom gazing out into the long grass fields that stretched before the city.

    Behind the walls, a great lake sparkled with the late afternoon sun. Barges, fishing ships, and sailing merchants littered the massive lake. Streams and small rivers flowed from the north into the great lake of Huerrys before traveling south into a grand river, rushing into the network of waterways connecting the Beastkin Conclaves.

    Beyond the walls, near the center of the city, an aging gray castle rose into the sky. Four large towers stood at each corner. A smaller wall of stone separated the entrenched nobles from the city proper.

    Fritz, Marcelle, Ada, and Neva continued their haggard march into the city. Before the gates, waving flags displaying a pair of orange fox ears fluttered easily in the light breeze. Passing by a bored pair of guards they entered into the city. Perfectly angled stone streets clicked underneath their boots. Every manner of beastkin was displayed on the streets, as they went about their lives.

    Their party, covered with blood and dirt, soon found a cheap suitable inn to call home for a couple of days. The Resting Goose welcomed their tired bodies with open arms.

    <hr>

    "Why''d it have to be MY money." Marcelle grumbled. The inn was bordering on a riot. Shouting and arguments from the local beastkin about who was stronger reverberated through the stained wooden walls. Fritz ''s hunger and thirst was the only thing keeping him awake. Fritz downed another mug of ale. A fresh sizzling cut of steak was plopped down in front of Ada.

    "Because, you love us!" Fritz said sarcastically. Marcelle scowled at him. Her purple eyes narrowed in anger. "What? It was a joke!"

    "Ada needs a new sword, and we need to pay for passage downriver. I''ve got a plan to make more money. Both require us to pool our resources. Fritz never had anything. And if he does I would be very suspicious." Neva responded. Fritz looked away from Neva''s hard stare.

    "You don''t have to explain it again. That was a one time thing. Never happening again!" Fritz said confidently.

    "I expect you to reimburse me immediately! All of you!" Marcelle seethed.

    "We''re in this together Marcelle! Don''t be stingy!" Ada whined.

    "Stop eating so much!" The lamia shot back. "It''s not like I have much left!"

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Ada pounced on her steak. Her knife cut readily into the steak. The dull blade caused the table to shake.

    "Our finances aren''t good." Neva said. She puffed lightly on her long stemmed pipe, as she leaned back into her chair. Their table was placed near a corner. Neva used her position in the corner to scan the inn''s common room. "We have a place to sleep for the next couple of days. But after that, we might be in trouble. We should use this opportunity to rest and acquire gold, Ada needs a new sword, and we all need safe passage downriver."

    "I vote we sell Ada into slavery. Then hire a mercenary." Marcelle proposed.

    "Hgey!" Ada said with annoyance. Her throat bulged as a piece of steak got stuck. Reaching for her mug, she eventually washed the meat down."

    "Careful. Eat slower." Neva said with a roll of her eyes. "Not a chance Marcelle."

    "Why not? Think about it? We could get someone with gear and experience. Better weapons too. We''d be immeasurably safer."

    "Because we''re trying to travel incognito. Ada is one of us." Fritz answered. Ada tried to give him a cute smile. Her cheeks were filled with beats of meat. Extending her thumb towards Fritz, she gave him a confident wink. "Now what about money?" Fritz asked, returning to the table''s conversation.

    "We need more Fritz. Real money." Neva stressed her words. "Marcelle''s purse has paid for our room''s for the meantime."

    "How much is left?" Fritz asked.

    "After tonight? Probably nothing." Marcelle said with a hint of annoyance. "You two just spent a lot of it...." Marcelle pointed towards the two wolfkin.

    "Ah...." Fritz raised his mug to drink. Using the wooden tankard he tried to hide his shame.

    "There wasn''t much left to begin with." Neva said. "Ada, hand me your sword."

    The blonde wolfkin, regarded Neva for a moment. Swallowing her food, she reached down and grabbed her sheathed shortsword. Grabbing it, Neva unsheathed the blade to inspect it. Even in the candlelight, Fritz could see cracks and knicks. The tell tale signs of extreme wear were destroying the sword.

    "How long have you had this?"

    "Since...." Ada thought for a moment. "You started letting me go out into the forest." Ada replied.

    "It''s time you upgraded. Another couple swings, and it will shatter. Armor would be useful as well. You keep taking hits. Preferably something light, and easily maintainable. Leather would be best."

    "I''m getting stronger." Ada huffed.

    "Not fast enough." Neva answered.

    "If Ada needs armor and weapons can''t I just make them?" Fritz asked.

    "I''d prefer something more...."

    "Reliable?" Marcelle tried to finish her sentence.

    "Professionally done. Let''s leave it to the experts. No offense Fritz." Neva answered diplomatically.

    "None taken." He replied.

    "What about you?" Fritz asked Neva. "Are you grabbing armor?"

    "Don''t need it. Just slows me down." The graying wolfkin answered with pride. "Ada and I will head out into the city tomorrow. Arms and armor take priority but I''ve got a plan to shore up her combat experience." Neva said. "Fritz, you and Marcelle bang your heads together. Try and think of something you two can do for some money." Marcelle and Fritz exchanged a conspiratorial glance.

    "Neva, these are desperate times.... We could...." Marcelle started.

    "No!" Neva shouted above the crowd. She took the long pipe out of her mouth, and started stabbing the tip towards Marcelle. Leaning forward she continued in a whisper. "No! I don''t want be run out of another town!"

    "So what''s your secret plan Neva?" Fritz asked.

    "Ada''s gonna enter the UFL."

    "UFL?" Fritz asked. Marcelle slapped her face with a free hand. Ada nearly jumped out of her seat.

    "The Underground Fighting League? Really?" Ada asked.

    "Yeah, and I''m betting on you, so don''t lose." Neva said.

 Master Brewer

    In the early morning, Fritz and Marcelle had taken over their cramped room. Ada and Neva left earlier to sign up for the UFL. Marcelle by her alchemical setup. Four red healing potions were set before her on the floor.

    "Is that all you have left?" Fritz asked.

    "Mhm." Marcelle grunted in acknowledgment.

    Fritz moved next to her. Leaning forward he tried to see past the black mass of her long hair.

    "So how are we going to make money?" Fritz asked.

    "I can sell some of my potions. I am quite skilled, my potions might fetch a high price."

    "We only have four left."

    "Yes, but with the profits, we can simply re-invest the money and brew more."

    Fritz stared at the vibrant red color of the potion. To think, the liquid had been able to suture his wound nearly instantly. What was once a sizable wound, vanished completely with the potion. For Ada, it had fixed her concussion after a few minutes. Fritz uncorked the glass bottle. Positioning his nose above the bottle he inhaled the scent of the potion. It smelt like a light summer''s breeze. The vague scent of strong herbs followed. Just inhaling it, Fritz felt the invigorating effects of the potion.

    "Can I try something?" Fritz asked.

    "You think it would work?" Marcelle asked. She turned towards him. Between her long bangs her serious purple eyes studied him. "Potions are magical. Most conjurers cannot produce magical items."

    "It''s worth a shot." Fritz said with a half smile. "I might need a taste though."

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Hmmm.... All right. We''ll keep that one for ourselves."

    "We''ll never know for sure, unless we try. Right Marcelle?" Marcelle nodded sagely towards him.

    Fritz brought the potion to his lips. Gently he let the runny liquid touch his lips. Despite how glorious it smelled, the potion tasted like grass. Fritz''s face scrunched up as he let the horrid flavor set in his mouth. Tingles of healing magic radiated through his tongue and into his body. He felt the faint magic flood him, radiating like a soft caress.

    "When I first drank it, I half expected it to taste like cherries. Even now, it''s just disappointing."

    "Ha! So did I when I first learned the potion."

    Fritz set the potion down. Fixating on the potion, he conjured the mental image of the small bottle in his mind. Satisfied, he closed his eyes as he imagined the smell, taste, and texture of the healing potion next. Bringing his focus into his core, he began willing his magic to shape the object. Mana traveled through him into his right hand. Elation filled him as the energy left his body, and permeated in the real world.

    He opened his eyes. In his right hand an identical red liquid sloshed in the bottle. Fritz reached down to uncork it. Smelling it, he let the scent of nature waft towards him. He breathed in deeply enjoying the invigorating aroma. He handed the vial to Marcelle. With long, sharp nails she delicately took the vial. Bringing the potion towards her, she tentatively sipped the concoction. Fritz watched her with growing impatience.

    "Well? Is it any good?" He asked.

    "The taste, and smell are correct." Marcelle started. "There is one more important test." Bringing her thumb towards her mouth she dragged the soft flesh against her teeth. Flesh ripped and a sheen of blood glistened on her thumb. Holding her hand out, Marcelle dripped a few drops of the red liquid onto her cut thumb. Grabbing a piece of cloth she wiped away the bead of blood.

    "Well?" Fritz asked again.

    "It''s...." Marcelle trailed off. Her expression hardened as she looked at her thumb. Marcelle''s mind whirled as she stared at her healed thumb.

    "It''s what? Spit it out!" Fritz said.

    "Perfect. It''s a perfect replication, Fritz." Marcelle turned towards him. Her long bangs obscured parts of her face. A creepy smile spread across her lips.

    "Great! That''s great!"

    "Yes, it''s perfect Fritz. Now, I won''t have to brew all day and night. You''re the perfect assistant Fritz."

    "You can count on me, Marcelle!" Fritz gave the lamia a thumbs up.

    "Now, make thirty of them and quickly. Alchemists have such annoying business hours."

 Business Negotiations

    In the early afternoon sun, Fritz held a small wooden crate filled with healing potions. A small cloth had been draped over the top to discourage curious onlookers. The citizens goggled at the two. Marcelle, an already strange sight, led a half-lucid human man through a city of beastkin. Anyone, man, woman or child, who approached too closely was instantly discouraged by Marcelle. The lamia hissed at curious children. Her hard, menacing demeanor stopped anyone from coming too close. Her hands reached for hidden pockets, clutching hidden weapons and ominous potions as she led Fritz to the alchemist.

    Fritz''s mind thrummed with a constant dull ache. Finishing the potions had physically drained him. He felt like he had run a marathon, followed by a long night of ceaseless drinking. Regardless of his extreme desire to lay down and sleep the day away, Marcelle hooked her arm through his and dragged him out of the inn. Fritz did his best to watch his step, as his vision went hazy. On instinct, Fritz stopped.

    "Come on. We''re here. Just a couple more steps." Marcelle hissed. Her head darted back and forth as she looked for potential adversaries.

    "How long have we been wandering around?" Fritz groaned out.

    "Not long, stop being weak. We''re almost done."

    "I''m tired, Marcelle. Feel like crap."

    "Suck it up."

    Marcelle pulled him towards a nondescript shop. Its windows were filthy, preventing Fritz from seeing inside. He blinked away his confusion, as Marcelle opened the door and hurried him inside. The shop was tiny. From head to foot, herbs, crystals, animal parts, and different liquids adorned walls, sat on shelves, and hung from the ceiling. A tiny brass bell above the entrance announced the two.

    "Welcome, welcome, to Dandelion''s shop!" Someone called from the back. Fritz watched a curtain obscuring the employee''s section move briefly before an elderly male foxkin stepped out. His hair was white, and his back hunched with age. A small neat beard rested on his chin. A large single bushy white tail trailed behind him.

    Marcelle approached the counter. The white haired foxkin eyed Marcelle suspiciously as she approached. Fritz dutifully followed as he carried the crate of potions.

    "What can I do for you today, young miss?"

    "I am looking to sell." Marcelle began. She motioned for Fritz to place the crate down, on the shop counter.

    "We rarely buy. What are you offering?" The foxkin asked.

    "Healing potions." Marcelle said. With a dramatic flourish, she removed the cloth covering the vials. The red liquid glittered beautifully in the shop''s light. The shopkeeper looked between the potion and the two customers.

    "Thirty healing potions. That''s quite a lot. How long did it take you?" The shopkeeper asked. Marcelle grinned deviously.

    "Not long, I am an expert alchemist. Soon to be one of the greatest this land has ever known" She boasted.

    "Uh huh." The shopkeeper stared at her dirty dark robes. "And, uh, are you with a guild, dear? Someone who can vouch for you?" Marcelle frowned.

    "No, I am Zola the seer''s apprentice. Why should I belong to a guild?"

    "Uh huh." The shopkeeper. "And is this your-?"

    "Assistant. Fritz is my assistant."

    "He doesn''t look too well. Is he on something? Huffed too many fumes?"

    "He''s just tired."

    "I see, it must have been a long night." The shopkeeper said with a knowing smile.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    "Long morning." Fritz groaned.

    "Ah, I stand corrected." The shopkeeper said. Fritz swayed slightly, he placed his hands squarely on the counter to steady himself.

    "What do you say, five gold per potion." Marcelle grinned deviously at the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper, maintaining his composure, crossed his old arms as he attempted to straighten his crooked back.

    "Well, what did you say your name was?" The foxkin asked with a polite smile.

    "Marcelle."

    "Marcelle, I would ask you kindly get the hell out of my shop. I know a scam when I see it. I''ve been in this business for fifty years. You younglings aren''t pulling a fast one on me today."

    "Scam?! You think I am scamming you!" Marcelle hissed out. "What stupidity. Potions such as this are beneath me!"

    "Dandelion!" The white haired foxkin called out.

    "Coming dear!" A voice called out from somewhere deeper in the shop. A white foxkin woman appeared quickly, wiping her hands upon her apron. She frowned as she saw the irate Marcelle.

    "What''s going on Ferrun? Why''s there a human here?" She asked.

    "These travellers, are attempting to sell us thirty healing potions."

    "Thirty?" Dandelion let out a whistle. "Where''d they come from? They look like shite."

    "They do." Ferrun agreed. He crossed his arms.

    "The sheer notion that you believe these potions are not legitimate is insulting. How dare you accuse me of deceit." Marcelle quivered with rage. "Such work is already beneath me!" The female foxkin picked up a potion, and inspected it. Swirling the contents she looked at the color.

    "She also doesn''t belong to a guild. Oh, and she claims to be Zola the Arachne''s apprentice."

    "Pfaa." Dandelion let out a short laugh. "What a joke. Get out. Now! Before we call the guards." The foxkin looked seriously at Marcelle and Fritz. Dandelion placed one of the healing potions back in the crate.

    "Marcelle, can''t we just show them a sample? Prove it works? Maybe let them taste it?" Fritz asked.

    "We shouldn''t have to!" Marcelle seethed. "I am an expert alchemist! They should believe me!"

    "Just do it." Fritz complained.

    "Fine! We''ll give these idiots a show. Now stay still, while I prove the authenticity of my genius!" Marcelle ordered Fritz.

    Fritz complied, reasoning the quickest way back to the inn was to finish this business as quickly as possible. Not looking at Marcelle, he stared at the two shopkeepers. Unbeknownst to Fritz, Marcelle, pulled out a knife. The shopkeeper''s eyes went wide, as they drew away from the counter. Fritz watched them. His tired mind tried to puzzle out what they were so surprised about. Sure, Marcelle was pretty intense. Her large snake tail could easily crush the life out of Fritz. Not to mention her strange mood swings and general loathing were pretty intense. Maybe Fritz was too used to it now? His brows furrowed as he searched for the right answer. Working in research had let him meet so many interesting people. Maybe he was just used to working with oddballs? Marcelle grabbed his wrist with her strong tail shoving his open hand harder into the wooden counter. Fritz watched the two shopkeepers unable to figure out why they were so scared. Searing pain radiated from his hand. His mind blanked out as primal pain overtook his thoughts. Fritz looked down to a dagger stabbing straight through his palm. Blood bubbled up. Fritz blinked as the pain surged upwards from his hand.

    "Illmeter''s magic! What the hells is wrong with you?!" Dandelion screeched. Fritz tried to pull his hand back, as he screamed. Marcelle pulled the knife up, as she grabbed a potion. She uncorked the vail with her sharp teeth, before pouring red liquid over Fritz''s wound. The potion''s red liquid mixed with Fritz''s blood. The pain in his hand vanished nearly instantly. A soothing radiating energy filled his own palm as the wound closed. Marcelle grabbed a cloth wiping Fritz''s blood away. She yanked him forward to show his palm towards the shopkeepers.

    "See? Happy? Not even a scar left. Willing to retract your previous statements? Have you learned your lesson? Do you still doubt my abilities?!"

    The two shopkeepers shared a stunned look between each other. Neither was able to articulate the right words.

    "What?" Marcelle hissed. "Want me to try the others? Shall I keep stabbing?!"

    "That''s not necessary! Completely unnecessary!" Ferrun started. He held out his hands to stop Marcelle.

    Marcelle barreled forward, muttering curses to herself. She quickly cycled through the cart of potions. With her tail holding Fritz''s wrist, she cut and stabbed Fritz''s hand before dropping just enough of the potion on it to heal the wound. Fritz tried to resist, but it was futile. By the end, Fritz had lost a lot of blood, and could barely stand straight. The two shopkeepers watched in stunned silence.

    The torture eventually stopped. Fritz could barely stand on his own, as he leaned into the counter. His skin looked extremely pale. Underneath her long black hair, Marcelle had a triumphant look.

    "Ok. Ok. One gold piece per potion." Dandelion said.

    "One? Just one? Were you not paying attention? Do you need another demonstration!? Do we need to go again?!"

    "Please.... Make her stop...." Fritz groaned.

    "No. No. No." The two shopkeepers said in unison. Dandelion and Ferrus shared a knowing look between themselves. "Fine. Two."

    "And throw in some toad mucus, goblin teeth, and undead ichor!"

    "Are you trying to bankrupt us?"

    "My potions are too powerful for just two measly gold pieces!" Marcelle screeched.

    Marcelle and the two shopkeepers kept haggling, as Fritz slumped against the store''s counter.

 Chance Encounters

    Fritz breathed a sigh of relief as they exited Dandelion''s shop. Staring at his hand, he turned it over and over, surprised to find no dagger sticking out of it. A smug grin was plastered all over Marcelle''s face. Checking that no one was watching, a hoard of herbs and rare goods were summarily stuffed into her dimensional bag.

    The two began their trek back to the inn. The sheer loss of blood was affecting his strength. Fritz could barely walk in a straight line. His legs felt like jelly. His mind swam with nausea and the resulting adrenaline crash. Marcelle hooked her arm underneath Fritz''s as she slithered next to him. Fritz did his best to walk down the paved roads in a straight line supported by the lamia.

    "Hehehe. Fools." She said, "You did well, minion."

    "Please don''t call me that. I thought I was your assistant?"

    "Today you are a minion. Just then, you played the perfect minion." Marcelle bragged. Fritz rolled his eyes.

    "I''m exhausted and missing a lot of blood. Being a ''minion'' sucks."

    "See? You''ve already accepted it." Fritz winced in mental anguish at his own mistake. "You''re fine, just take my arm and try not to fall over." Marcelle said.

    The two walked down the different streets of Hueryss back towards The Resting Goose. Marcelle kept mumbling under her breath. Strange curses mixed with plans and schemes for her alchemical pursuits. Her long straight hair obscured most of her face. Fritz ignored it. He could feel several eyes on him, watching him walk unsteadily forward next to a maniacal looking lamia. Young beastkin milled about in the streets of Hueryss. To all outside observers, an exhausted, sad looking man was being led through the city by a sinister lamia mumbling hidden incantations. Surprisingly no one said anything.

    Seeing a particular shop, Marcelle stopped.

    "I''ll just be a minute." Marcelle said. "Take a break outside."

    Fritz watched, as Marcelle entered the shop. A small brass bell announced her entrance, as her long purple tail slithered inside. Looking inside, Fritz saw bolts of cloth stored away in shelves. A fresh faced attendant was happily chatting with Marcelle inside. For a moment, Fritz closed his eyes as he leaned into the shop''s stone wall.

    "You alright cutey?" A stranger asked him. A playful slap against his ass caused him to open his eyes. Turning towards the voice, Fritz adjusted his vision downwards as he looked at an incredibly short beastkin. Her messy hair was brown and cut short. A pair of fuzzy round ears atop her head twitched slightly as she waited for him to respond. Crossing her arms over her small chest Fritz watched her toned biceps pop. She wore a pair of well worn high boots tucked into a pair of worn leather pants. On her back was a deadly looking curved axe that glistened in the sunlight.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Yeah, I''m fine."

    "You don''t look like it. You smell like blood. Getting in fights?"

    "Ahhh probably because of this." Fritz held up his hand, turning his palm outwards.

    "That your blood? Where''s the wound?" The woman asked.

    "Oh, yes. My blood, all of it. All my blood. Every drop."

    "Uh, huh." The smaller beastkin quirked an eyebrow at him. Fritz tried to flash her a disarming smile. "Just what have you been up to? Need me to take you to a healer?"

    "Uhhh.... I got stabbed? A lot. Never felt so much pain in my entire life! But I''m fine now!" Fritz answered awkwardly. As soon as the words left his mouth he realized his mistake.

    "And you''re ''fine''?" The beastkin woman asked. Her eyes moved up and down his body. "You don''t look fine to me."

    "Yeah! I''m fine! Very tired." Fritz responded wearily.

    "Where''d you get stabbed?" The short beastkin asked.

    "Oh, just in the hand. Probably about thirty times. One for each healing potion."

    Fritz turned around looking into the shop. Marcelle pulled out a bit of gold and handed it to the excited shopkeeper. Fritz turned back towards the stranger before finishing his train of thought. "Just uh-"

    "Was this some kind of blood play?" The woman asked.

    The door to the shop opened again. The twinkle of the brass bell above the door came again. Marcelle stepped out, and slithered over towards Fritz.

    "Come on, minion, let''s head back to our room! I am excited to-" Marcelle frowned as she saw the woman. The woman quipped an eyebrow as Fritz subconsciously rolled his eyes.

    "You both look like garbage." The woman said nonchalantly.

    "Who''s this dead woman? Why is she talking? Fritz, you know I don''t like you talking with strangers."

    "Brenn." The woman replied simply.

    "Fritz. And this is Marcelle." Fritz offered his bloody hand to the ratkin. Half a second later, he apologized and offered the other. The woman regarded him with suspicion looking at his hand wondering what Fritz was doing. Marcelle grabbed his wrist pulling him away.

    "Right. Human custom. It was nice meeting you, Brenn. Hopefully, next time I''ll be more lucid." Fritz said with an awkward smile. The woman regarded him coolly, and merely grunted. "Uh, time to head back?" Marcelle nodded, as she hooked her arm underneath his. Her purple eyes fixated on the short ratkin as she scowled.

    "My time is precious minion, let us away."

    "Please, stop calling me that. It just makes you sound like a dorky villain."

    "I am not dorky!" Marcelle screeched. "Those words should never be used when describing me!"

    Fritz and Marcelle walked back to the inn. Brenn watched them move down the street. Her eyes were glued to Fritz''s butt. Scratching her head, she wondered what the hell was going on with the two.

 Holy Water

    An ivy covered church stood defiant in the morning sun. A blanket of shade descended from it''s white stone steeple thrown over the assembled crowd. Beastkin gathered around in a well worn exercise yard. Women, children, and old men collected themselves awaiting a sermon from a central figure.

    "When the world had been scoured, did she give up then?" A shirtless priest asked the crowd of assembled beastkin. The priest was built like a bodybuilder. Sweat dripped down his washboard abs as he adjusted a long, thick iron exercise sword on his shoulder. His black wolf ears twitched slightly as they followed murmurs within the crowd. "No! And neither would we!"

    "Let me paint a picture, for the uneducated. A hundred years of bloody war raged all across the land! For years, the dead marched upon the living looking to destroy all life. And did they?" The priest looked around awaiting a proper answer. The crowd murmured their defiant objections.

    "No! We''re still alive! Because the dead were met with steel and claw! But!" The priest gave a dramatic pause. "The living were being ground down. Humans, elves, and beastkin were dying. Our cities, towns, communities, and farms were slipping away to the ever growing horde of the dead. Our families were torn apart. Our felled warriors were added to the marching dead! An avalanche of rotting flesh, bone, and cold iron rampaged through our lands! Our sword arm was flagging as we were pushed back more and more!"

    The crowd booed the situation.

    "Our goddess commanded us to fight and we obeyed! We fought and fought, until it seemed all hope was lost." The priest held the iron training sword aloft. "The undead were one step away from killing off all of life as we know it! Then! She descended, Freyes touched down upon the land. Anointing a champion, she bade us to fight! And we did! With the goddesses'' fury and her champion, our ancestors fought with renewed vigor. Our fighters, led by the new champion, drove back the dark forces of the dead! Battle after battle, the momentum of war shifted. What was once inevitable destruction, had shifted. Now, it was our turn to lay the dead to rest! It took years of fighting, but our ancestor''s did it!

    "Now, we look upon a verdant land! All because we did not quit! Remember beastkin, your life will be full of tribulations, but you must fight. Never give up, not even when all seems lost! For just like our ancestors of old, you too will be faced with great odds! Trials and tribulations are facts of life, yet the goddess will give us the strength to persevere!" The crowd cheered, as the sermon ended.

    "Now! Those who have been injured fighting, please see Sister Maria within our hospital to my right. Anyone looking for other services may see me inside the main building in a moment." The priest coughed awkwardly. "As usual, any donations are greatly appreciated. Mana potions for our healers aren''t free...."

    Fritz watched the hobbling mass of Beastkin all move towards the hospital. Black eyes, bruises, broken arms and bloody bandages were all common amongst the moving crowd. Fritz stood perfectly still, as every single beastkin shuffled  towards the hospital. The priest shook his head momentarily, before moving into the main building of the church.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Fritz followed the priest. The building was sparse. Unadorned gray granite stone walls surrounded, clear white windows. Rows and rows of wooden pews faced the altar. A single fountain of crystal clear water sat in a nearby fountain. Next to it, a wooden altar depicting snarling beasts stood as a central podium. Behind it, a rich tapestry depicting Freyes and her worshippers stood in contrast to the drab interior. The priest from before stood beside the altar inspecting the tapestry. He had set his iron training sword down against the altar. His large arms were crossed as Fritz approached him.

    "Hello human." The priest said calmly.

    "How''d you know it was me?" The priest tapped his nose. Fritz lifted up his arm as he sniffed his armpit. The priest let out a light chuckle, as he turned around.

    "You don''t stick, but you do smell different. Very different. Also you were the only one who didn''t look injured. What have you come here for? Something must trouble you." Fritz frowned slightly, as he considered his next words. "Issues with beastkin? I know your kind is rather squishy. Perhaps issues with the undead or demonic?" The priest asked the final question with a smug smile.

    "How''d you know about the undead?" Fritz asked suddenly. The priest coughed awkwardly.

    "Lucky guess!" He said quickly, trying to recover his composure. "Though we are far from Gris, that doesn''t mean strange things don''t happen. Hauntings are very common! And lucky for you I have just the thing!"

    The priest disappeared behind the altar. Fritz heard a key unlocking the altar as the priest returned with a twinkling vial of water.

    "This! Right here! Is the solution To all of your problems!" The priest said with a flourish. "A few sprinklings of this around your room and on your person and voil¨¤, your problem will be solved. Any and all ghosts shall flee from your presence. Any issues involving the undead can be solved with it! From the spectral to the rotting! This right here will fix you up!" The priest finished his spiel with a winning smile and wink.

    "What is it?" Fritz asked.

    "Holy water, you id-" The priest caught himself, with a cough. "This is holy water. Purified and sanctified by our very own reverend mother with much effort and holy energy."

    "It just looks like regular water."

    "Tsk, tsk. Many would make that mistake. But no! This water is different! Its latent holy energy is anathemic to the dead! Any, and all lingering dead that come into contact with this water shall suffer Freyes'' wrath."

    "I mean, how can I tell if it''s actually holy water?" Fritz asked. "I''m interested, but how do I know it''s not just water?"

    "Hold out your finger. I''ll pour just a drop." Fritz compiled as the muscular priest let a single drop fall upon Fritz''s finger. Fritz admired the pure color of the water, as he brought it to his mouth. As the single drop touched his tongue he felt a tingling waves of radiant power spread throughout him.

    "Do you see? Are you still interested?"

    "Very. How much?"

    "Five hundred gold pieces. You humans are always rich. Surely you have that at least that?" Fritz blinked slowly. Turning out his pocket, he produced a handle of silver and copper coins. Fritz''s face contorted into an awkward smile, as he saw the priest''s face harden.

    "I think I''m a bit short."

    "Please, leave before I punch you." The priest snarled.

    Pivoting on his heels, Fritz ran out of the church into the city.

 Toad Meat

    After getting kicked out from the church, Fritz wandered through the strange streets of Hueryss. Turning into a large market, he walked through it admiring all the different stalls. The smell of strange roasted meats was enticing. Moving towards the center of the market, Fritz ventured towards a warm meal. The wooden stalls were laid out together side by side, stretching down the open square. Breads, pies, meats, and even honey baked sweats lined the stalls casting their alluring smell towards Fritz.

    Fritz could feel his mouth watering. Although he could create his own food, it was always better prepared by someone else. Passing by a whole roasted pig, Fritz saw something truly unique. A red, smoked leg of meat the size of a pony sat slowly turning above a large fire pit. A three toed webbed foot spun at the end of the spit. The attendant dutifully turned the spit with a bored look on his pudgy face. The stall was clean and well maintained, with a younger looking catkin manning it. Her yellow eyes scanned the crowd, as she pouted slightly. Several large pieces of flat bread were spread out in front of her. Fritz found himself drawn to the food.

    "Hello! You''re a long way from home! Would you like some of our devil toad leg?" The yellow eyed catkin said with cheer.

    "Devil Toad?" Fritz asked. His brows drew inward in confusion. "Is that what''s on the spit?"

    "Of course! We got it fresh this morning. We don''t get many humans here. Is this your first time in Hueryss?"

    "Yeah, it''s a lot to take in." Fritz replied. The lady manning the stall smiled wider.

    "Well, if it''s your first time you definitely need to try our food! You might never get to try it again! Devil toad is one of a kind! You''ll never experience anything like it! It''s savory and light with just the right blend of herbs and spices!"

    "Sure, I''ll bite. How much for a portion?"

    "Since this is such an exotic meat, we''ll give you a special offer! How about that? The meat has special properties. Some scholars say the meat has untold medical benefits. It can cure erectile dysfunction, fix bad hearts, and help you build more muscle! Isn''t that great?"

    "Uh sure." Fritz agreed awkwardly.

    "Great!" The woman grabbed two pieces of flatbread. She stuffed the bread to the brim with steaming toad meat, before lathering it with a special broth covered with spices.

    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    "That''ll be a gold piece!" The woman flashed him a brilliant smile. The beastkin turning the meat coughed violently for a second, before the woman stealthily kicked him in the shin. Fritz reached into his pocket, before pulling out a couple of silver pieces. He looked down at the money in his hands.

    "You''re a bit short." The woman frowned at him. Fritz knew he was being scammed. The price of the meat was too high, and the supposed health benefits were most likely bogus. With barely a second thought, Fritz reached into his pockets again.

    "Give me a second." Fritz said nonchalantly. The brief flicker of a gold coin came into his mind, as he conjured a singular gold piece in his pocket. With a slight smile, he handed it to the stall keeper. The beastkin smiled brightly as he handed the gold coin over. She bit into the gold and positively vibrated as she confirmed its authenticity. With a quick flourish she handed the food over to Fritz.

    "Thank you, thank you sir. Please come back soon, we have a lot of meat to fill you up with!"

    Biting into the sandwich, Fritz savored the strange food. Turning the coin over in her hand the stall keeper''s smile vanished. Fritz''s stomach started sinking. Slowly edging away from the stand, he started to retreat. The catkin''s face warped into a snarl, as she looked over to Fritz.

    "Guards! Guards! There''s something wrong with my coin! It doesn''t look right! There''s nothing on the bottom side!" The catkin screeched.

    The milling crowd stopped, as all nearby eyes fell on the strange guilty looking human. Fritz could feel the adrenaline in his blood igniting his fight or flight. Yelling and shouting were coming from elsewhere in the crowd. The shopkeeper was screaming bloody murder, pointing towards Fritz. His legs felt like jelly. Instinctively, he dropped the food and put his hands up.

    "Honest mistake. I got the gold from an innkeeper. I didn''t realize anything was wrong with it."

    "Bystanders clear out of the way!" A commanding masculine voice shouted.

    The crowding beastkin scattered as the guard appeared. A tall, slender beastkin with fox ears appeared. His yellow eyes followed the onlookers before immediately fixating on Fritz. The beastkin leveled a long rapier at him. Fritz cursed before breaking into a run.

    "We''ve got a runner!" The foxkin shouted as he started off in pursuit of Fritz. The clanking of several other guards in chain mail followed the foxkin.

    Fritz barreled his way through the beastkin, as the guards behind him were hot on his non-existent tail. Fritz looked behind him for a split second. The beastkin were faster, far faster. They dodged around the crowd faster and with more grace than Fritz. The market''s entrance was drawing close. Fritz could feel the guards gaining on him. Adrenaline mixed with panic, as he imagined cold steel slashing and piercing him. Urging his legs faster, Fritz ran for his life.

    The crowd was thinning, as the pursuing guards were moving quicker now. Another set of guards stood by the exit. Their spears were pointed towards Fritz as he approached. Pretending to reach into his pocket, Fritz conjured a smoke bomb. He stumbled slightly as he threw the smoke bomb towards the gate. He spared a brief glance behind him as he ran into the thick billowing cloud. Fritz disappeared into the obscuring smoke like a thief in the night.

 Fritz the Slick

    Running past the exit, and out into the streets of Hueryss, Fritz felt elated. A smile crept onto his face, as he felt the thrill of victory. Slowing down, he looked behind him.

    "Idiots!" The guard captain yelled out as he sprinted out of the smoke cloud. His yellow eyes locked onto Fritz. "He ran through! Keep going! He''s going down Champion''s Way!"

    Stomach sinking fear pulled upon Fritz. He redoubled his efforts. Quickly creating and throwing a bundle of caltrops behind him, Fritz took off. His boots clicked on the granite stone of Hueryss. Bystanders and onlookers made way. Finding a street at random, Fritz made his escape. He could hear the guards behind him. Their breath came quickly. Fritz spared a brief glance towards his pursuers. Within another moment, they would catch him. The guard captain held his rapier at the ready. His face was drawn with serious determination. Fritz made a motion to search his pockets. Moving his shoulders back, he looked behind him. The guard captain''s eyes shone with a dangerous glint, he pulled the steel rapier backwards before lunging forward. The steel blade shot towards Fritz''s leg. Lurching forward, Fritz jumped. The steel slipped between his leggings ripping into them, as Fritz fell towards the paved stone street.

    With a grunt, he threw a large quantity of expanding slime behind him along with a glass bottle of water. The green substance mixed with the water. The green slime hissed and sizzled as it rapidly expanded onto the ground. It wrapped around the boots of the incoming guards turning into a thick sticky foam. Their muscles flexed and whined as they struggled to pull themselves free. Fritz rolled out of the area of the expanding slime.

    "Halt! Do not continue running! You are only making your crimes worse!" The guard captain shouted. His rapier dug into the surrounding foam as he worked to free himself. "Surrender, and I will still show mercy! Surrender human!"

    Gritting his teeth, Fritz scrambled to his feet. His breath was ragged. His legs were burning. He looked down at his leg for a moment, expecting the sight of blood. Yet he had gotten lucky. He had managed to dodge the thrust. With renewed vigor he continued through the winding alleys. Fritz kept running. Sweat trickled down his face. His legs burned, as all he wanted to do was make it back to his inn and rest.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The open mouth of the alley was approaching. Through it, he could see walking citizens. Fritz had no idea where he would exit, but anywhere would be better than here. A group of guards appeared at the opposite end of the alley. Fritz''s heart sank, as he skidded to a stop. Looking behind him, he could see the guard captain rounding the previous corner hot on his trail. His rapier was held toward Fritz. He looked around the alley for any sign of escape. His mind scrambled as he instinctively moved his hand towards his pocket. The guards at the other end of the alley were converging on him. The two groups would pincer him in a minute. He needed to act fast.

    Spying a manhole cover just in front of him, he immediately seized upon a half-cocked plan. Throwing out several smoke bombs in the middle of the alley, Fritz sprung upon the manhole cover.

    The half rusted filthy iron was heavy. He strained and heaved as his back warped to pick it up. He felt the cover give way as he shoved it aside. The iron rattle against the stone. Past the thick smoke he could make out the iron ladder leading down into the sewers.

    "He''s escaping into the sewers!" The guard captain shouted. "Get him quickly!"

    Fritz moved his foot to step onto the ladder. He missed, and his body lurched forward. His chest slammed into the paved stones. Fritz let out a small groan, before he felt his body descending rapidly. Gravity seized him like a cruel mistress. He accelerated down into the stinking darkness. Instinctively, his hands reached towards the iron ladder. His panicked grip held strong, but not strong enough to arrest his fall. His feet hit the ground with a horrid creak as his joints and body screamed in protest.

    Yet Fritz could not stop. The guards were shouting from above. He needed to get more distance between himself and the guards. Fritz chose a random direction, and started down it. He threw more smoke and expanding slime behind him as hobbled away. Shouts of anger and frustration faded as he made his way into the dark sewers.

    "Should have listened to Neva." Fritz muttered to himself as he traveled deeper into the stinking darkness.

 What Lurks Beneath

    After what felt like ages, Fritz finally decided to take a break. Hesitantly, he let his back rest against the sewer''s wall. A blue light stick was gripped tightly in his hand. He found himself overlooking some kind of open cistern. The steady drip of water echoed from somewhere over the dark waters ahead of him. Fritz''s breath was finally coming under control. His muscles'' screaming need for oxygen was slowing down. The rancid air stuck to his senses filling him with nausea and disgust. Yet after Project SKUNK, it was manageably offensive.

    Fritz stared out into the darkness of the sewers, as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The chittering of rats could be heard all around him. Hidden pools splashed with falling water and hidden scavengers. Insects and rats shuffled in the refuse looking for leftover food amongst all the filth.

    "I need to get out of here." Fritz said. "Before the rats get me. And before the guards seal off any exits." Fritz lifted his head towards the heavens, as a sudden realization hit him. "Please, let the rats be normal sized! No giant spiders either!" Standing up, he let out a large sigh. He looked back towards the tunnel from whence he came. He couldn''t go back. Any guards would be standing over the manhole waiting to pounce upon him. He would need to find another way out of the sewers. Cursing to himself, he continued down the path he had randomly chosen, hoping for the best.

    After what felt like an eternity, Fritz found himself in a large open area. He had managed to escape the labyrinth of rank tunnels and cisterns into something cleaner. No sewage or water flowed through the hall.

    "Some progress at least." Fritz muttered as he held out his blue light stick. Staring out into the gloom, he inspected the area.

    The hall was an endless expanse of columns connecting into arched vaults supporting the ceiling above. The dark gloom of the sewer pressed in preventing Fritz from seeing too far ahead. He walked between the granite columns. The smoothed stone was littered with parallel slash marks. Stopping for a moment, Fritz inspected the damage. The stone was pierced with something long and sharp, almost like claws from an impossibly large beast. Fritz let his hands run slowly over the damage, as he looked around the encroaching darkness.

    Something new came to Fritz''s senses. The loping gait of footsteps echoed between the stone columns. His heart froze. Shadows stirred as Fritz saw faint movement disturbing the dark ahead of him. His muscles tensed as he held the light ahead of him.

    "Who''s there?" Fritz called out into the dark. Shifting quick movement to his left, caused him to spin around. By the time his eyes had centered on it, he could see nothing. Breathing in deeply, Fritz forced his mind to calm. A dagger appeared instantly in his free hand. He held it out, in front of him as he searched the dark for danger.

    "Anyone there? Last chance. Marcelle? Ada?" Fritz called out into the void. The clicking of large claws scraped the gray granite behind him. Spinning around, Fritz tried to find the unknown foe. Yet, all he could see was darkness. The stench of the sewers was worsening. The reek of decaying flesh filled the large room. Fritz''s chest heaved, as he struggled to suppress his growing fear.

    The blue light reflected within the eyes of a creature. Fritz saw the creature staring at him from the blanketing darkness. Adrenaline pumped through him. His muscles tensed. The click of claws carried through the room, as the sewer dweller approached.

    Yellow sallow flesh was pulled tight on the gaunt creature. Long sharp ears, and pointed teeth gave the impression of a failed vampire. Too long arms rippled with corded wiry muscles. Huge clawed hands, like a fan of daggers twitched in anticipation as it drew closer to Fritz. The creature was completely naked. A rictus grin pulled its thin lips upwards. Rows and rows of stark, white, sharp teeth glistened with anticipatory saliva. Fritz gripped the dagger. A grimace of determination spread through him, as he beheld the monster.

    "Undead, creature. Stop. Come no further." Fritz threatened. His gaze locked onto the ghoul, as it stopped before him. Its long blade-like claws sat perfectly still, as the creature regarded him with a twisted grin.

    "Ah, he speaks. Usually, your kind just screams. How fortuitous! Truly I am blessed this day!"

    "Can''t imagine why." Fritz replied awkwardly. The ghoul leaned forward into a deep bow, pressing its large right hand onto where its heart would be.

    "Human male, my name is Gaston. Proprietor of this fine eating hall. Leader of the eternally starving!" Straightening its back, the creature stretched its arms wide as he looked around the room.

    "I''m afraid I''m not hungry." Fritz retorted.

    "Ah, but I am. Painfully so."

    "Whatever you''re thinking, stop. I''m not interested."

    "But do you know what I am thinking?" The ghoul asked. "Do you know what I desire?" The ghoul waited a moment, testing to see if Fritz would answer. Fritz turned his head around. The faint blue light reflected against more eyes within the dark of the room. More monsters awaited him. He cursed, as his head shot around. One was directly behind him, slowly approaching. "No, you don''t know. You are not a gourmand. You do not appreciate your own desires like us. You cannot appreciate how deep my hunger growls. It twists and gnaws like a dagger through me each and every moment. And my friends! How they suffer too! You do not appreciate our hunger. You cannot comprehend how we suffer so!"

    "So what?" Fritz asked, as he slowly shuffled towards a column. Gaston watched him intently. A long pointed tongue whipped between his teeth, coating the sharpened incisors with fresh spit.

    "No, you don''t appreciate it. But I could appreciate you." Gaston breathed in deeply. "Your liver. Still recovering from last night''s drinking. Oh what a delicacy. Years of drinking wine has scarred it. Yet you are still healthy. It wouldn''t be the most pure, but it would be a delicacy to share in my eating hall. Your heart, quivering like a rabbit, suffused with adrenaline! Oh, how your blood full of stress would season it to perfection! Your wide fearful eyes, so tender and juicy! They would be the perfect morsel to decorate this feast."

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    The ghoul took a step forward, Fritz tensed up.

    "I''ll kill you. Stand aside!"

    "Ha! Never! Not before I get a taste." Gaston sniffed the air again. "Your brain, so filled with knowledge and hidden mysteries. Wouldn''t it be a delight to pop your skull open and scoop out your secrets with my little finger." The ghoul pointed its index finger towards Fritz. Mimic a scooping motion, the ghoul brought his finger towards its mouth.

    "Enough!" Fritz shouted. "Let me pass, and I''ll let you live!" Gaston let out a sigh.

    "You are correct, my dear meal. Enough! I am only torturing myself! I swore to capture you unharmed! I cannot sup upon your flesh! Yet here I am getting excited! My teeth are all a quiver. Can you hear my gnashing? Can you see how my tongue flicks searching for a meager taste! I have only myself to blame!" The ghoul pouted in a mockery of human emotion.

    A burst of speed caught Fritz off guard. The long blade-like claws made way for Fritz''s wrist. With a slight flick the ghoul raked its claws disarming Fritz. Blood pooled onto the sewer floor. Clicking claws trampled with excitement, as the rich smell of iron permeated the room. A dagger like claw pushed ever so softly against Fritz''s jugular. Razor sharp keratin pressed into his vein. Surging, quick desperate blood pumped around the obstruction, as the nail drew the faint blood. Dripping crimson wormed it''s way down towards Fritz''s chest.

    "Resist. Give me an excuse to taste more." Gaston threatened. Fritz blinked, as he tried to master his thoughts. The ghoul leaned in closer. Its breath smelled like a charnel house. Leaning into Fritz''s chest, Gaston breathed in deeply inhaling Fritz''s scent.

    "You smell wonderful! Brothers! Hold me back! Don''t let me take it too far!" Clattering claws approached closer. Another ghoul appeared behind Gaston ready to intervene.

    "Let me...." Fritz stammered out.

    "Yes. Speak up, my dear morsel."

    "Let me go!"

    "Never. Not while the young lady requests your capture." Thinking on his feet, Fritz did his best to buy some time. His mind churned as it search for his salvation. Could he reuse Project SKUNK? No probably not. The creatures lived in a sewer. Could he use fire? No. The sewer gases might explode killing everyone. Could he use a chemical deterrent? But what? There were no guarantees it might affect a ghoul the same way as a human. Escape was paramount, but first he needed to create some distance from the ghoul. His claws would kill Fritz before he could conjure anything if he didn''t get away. Seizing upon a half-baked plan Fritz acted.

    "Let me clean the wound at least! I don''t want it to get infected! What if I were to die beforehand?! Wouldn''t she think you''ve killed me?" Fritz yelped.

    "The living are so fragile." Gaston sighed.

    "Exactly! I''m very fragile. Such a wound in a sewer! It''s a wonder I haven''t gone into septic shock immediately and died on the spot."

    "But...." Gaston said slowly. A series of guttural growls from the other two ghouls caused Gaston to ease his grip.

    "As you wish, but first." Gaston, grabbed his wrist, and shoved his face towards the wounds. His long tongue ran over the wound. The gourmand ghoul moaned in ecstasy as his tongue lapped up all of Fritz''s blood. His long sharp teeth nibbled like a lover''s caress over Fritz''s arm.

    "Exquisite! I see why the young lady desires you so! Such a shame! Maybe, I could have a taste? A finger maybe? The eyes? So juicy and tender! Surely you do not need those anymore?" A guttural growl from behind Gaston returned him back to reality. "Of course not Leonard! I haven''t forgotten! I would never! I am a creature of honor! I would never! Never! My hunger does not control me! I have transcended! I have transcended! I am its master! It doesn''t control me!"

    "Thank you! Truly you are a gentleman." Fritz said excitedly, as the ghoul let go of his wrist.

    Fritz reached down into his pocket. Finding his core to pull upon his mana was difficult. He felt the pressure on his jugular lessen as he closed his eyes. He needed a miracle. He needed to go beyond his fighting capabilities. He needed something to level the playing field. A brief image of his salvation crossed his mind''s eye. A rush of mana left him, as he withdrew an iron flask.

    "So thirsty. I need a drink first. Haha. Calm the nerves, before I start cleaning." Fritz said with an awkward laugh. Gaston withdrew his clawed hand from his neck, as he waited. Uncorking the flask with his teeth, Fritz looked behind him. Another ghoul had approached, but lingered a little way aways. Fritz took a small tentative sip from the flask. The distinct, perfectly, pure water touched his tongue. The holy tingling energy of the water filled him. Fritz drank deeply from the flask, savoring the feeling of the holy water. Gaston seemed to frown as Fritz''s cheeks puffed out.

    "What are you-?" Gaston tried to ask. Fritz spat out the holy water in a vicious spray. The ghoul was immediately covered in the holy water. Gaston wailed in pain. Its large claws reflexively shot up to protect its face.

    Behind Gaston, the other ghoul was moving to attack. Throwing the flask, he let the water splash onto the other ghoul. It hit the creature''s side, causing it to drop to the ground. It screamed in pain as it''s flesh began to melt. The ghoul behind Fritz, was moving now. It maneuvered behind a pillar, as it repositioned for an attack. Drawing on his power again, Fritz summoned another flask, as the other ghoul pounced on him. Throwing the flask towards the ghoul. The water splashed onto the ghoul. The ghoul crumpled onto the ground in pain. It''s acrid burning flesh sizzled like burning meat.

    Wasting no time, Fritz conjured a set of expanding slime, he threw the slime onto the ghoul. The spasming creature struggled like a desperate worm. The unearthly screams of pain, mixed with its large claws desperately scraping against the stone floor and supporting columns.

    "Brothers! Brothers! Tell me you live!" Gaston cried out.

    Turning back towards his other opponents, Fritz caught the glint of claws arcing towards his face. Ducking at the last minute, Fritz conjured a small hatchet instantly in his free hand. A savage hack to the ghoul felled the creature to the floor. Yelping in pain, it slashed with wild abandon trying to hit Fritz. Jumping back, Fritz reared back before throwing the hatchet. The modern steel sank easily into the creature''s head. It''s sinewy muscles seized before falling slack.

    "Brothers!'' Gaston cried out. "Wretched human! I shall feast upon your heart!"

    Clicking claws were fast approaching Fritz''s position. The melted face of the gourmand ghoul rocketed towards Fritz in the faint light. Gaston''s skin barely clung to his skull. His destroyed eyes hung limply from their optical nerves. Fritz seized with fear as he watched the ghoul charge towards him. Gaston''s pointed teeth gnashed in anticipation. Its claws flexed with power. Without its sight the ghoul slammed into the column next to Fritz. Quickly seizing upon his chance, Fritz conjured a final flask of holy water. Standing slightly out of reach, Fritz started splashing the undead creature until its flesh fused with the stone floor of the sewers.

    "Die! Die! Die!" Fritz chanted like a madman.

 Brenn

    Fritz grunted in annoyance, as he moved the large iron manhole cover out of the way. Rays of fresh sunlight could be seen peeking into the sewer. Edging the manhole cover sideways, he finally managed to create enough room to escape.

    He found himself within a park. Fresh green trees mingled with all kinds of flowers. Stone benches decorated the paved walkways that Fritz marched down. Breathing a sigh of relief he looked around. Beastkin stared at him with open fear. Obviously he could work out why. A strange, filthy, bloody human emerging from the sewers was clearly strange. Even stranger was a human holding onto a decapitated ghoul''s head. With his free right hand, he waved awkwardly at a young couple. The two robed beastkin quickly stood up and fled the scene.

    Moving over to the nearby vacant bench, Fritz let himself plop down. In his left hand he held the partially dissolved skull of Gaston. The sharp white teeth were fully intact, yet the lips had melted completely off. Bit''s of the creature''s brain dripped out of the open eye sockets. He let the head fall onto the stone path, as he leaned backwards.

    "Really thought, I was a goner there." Fritz mumbled to himself. Several groups of beastkin were openly pointing and whispering about him as others fled from the strange dirty human. Fritz could not have cared less. His mind was on fire. The adrenaline from earlier had finally left him. Now, all Fritz could think about was getting a bath and relaxing. He greedily sucked in the fresh air, as he savored the sense of security and openness of the world above. A nearby fountain gurgled water. Compelled by the feeling of dirt and grime all over his body, he grabbed Gaston''s head and approached the fountain. He placed Gaston''s head down onto the side. Reaching into his pocket, Fritz created a bar of soap and started scrubbing some of the grime off of his arms.

    "What''s going on cutey?" A somewhat familiar voice said. Turning around, Fritz saw a smaller woman with a large battle axe strapped to her back.  The long curving edge gleamed in the afternoon light. Her hair was short, brown, and spikey, hiding her rounded rat-like ears. The same curious look consumed her face as she watched him.

    "Uh, not much." Fritz said blandly. The woman regarded him with open curiosity as her eyes lingered on Fritz''s butt. Her corded muscles popped out, as she crossed her arms across her slight chest.

    "Do you mind, telling me why a bunch of scared beastkin ran out of this park?"

    "Probably, because of me." Fritz said with an awkward laugh. He briefly looked down to the severed head. "The head doesn''t help, does it?"

    "Nope. It does add an aura of danger to you. Quite attractive...." The woman purred. Her round ears above her head quivered slightly, as a group of bystanders started debating conspiratorially. The woman turned back towards them. "Don''t call the guards. I got this."

    "Look, I just bought it with me in case the guards were-." Fritz caught himself before he finished the sentence. "In case the guards...." Fritz trailed off as he looked for the right words.

    "In case the guards had a bounty for ghouls and you wanted to get in their good graces?"

    "Something like that. Look, I''m quite tired. It''s been a long day."

    "You do look rough. I hate when the bounties involve sewers. Luckily for me, you''ve got something I want." The beastkin pointed to the ghoul''s head.

    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    "You''re a bounty hunter?" Fritz asked.

    "Aye. Brenn. Former fang."

    "Ah, we''ve met before. I recognize you now. Fritz." Standing up, he presented a clean hand to shake. Brenn looked at his hand like she had no idea what Fritz was expecting. Awkwardly withdrawing his hand, Fritz grimaced.

    "Aye, you were hanging onto the lamia. Looked like shite. Looked like you were begging to be saved." Fritz grumbled to himself as he remembered the events from yesterday.

    "Tell you what. Help me get back to my inn, and I''ll hand over Gaston''s head." Fritz said.

    "The ghoul had a name?"

    "Yeah, fancied himself some kind of gourmand too. Couldn''t wait to sample me like I was a fine wine. Now look at him." Fritz slapped the skull, like it had offended him.

    "Alright, toss the head here." Brenn demanded. Fritz grabbed it with one hand. The head slipped from his fingers falling onto the ground. The remaining flesh mushed into the stone path of the park. Brenn gave him a look of disgust as she collected it. The head disappeared into a bag of holding. Fritz closed his eyes as he waited for his embarrassment to pass.

    "Let''s just head back." Fritz said quickly. "Do you know the way to The Resting Goose?"

    "That dive. Sure. Follow, ole'' Brenn. Try not to stare at my ass too much." She teased.

    Fritz quickly caught up to Brenn. His clothes were still filthy. The onlooking beastkin regarded him with disgust and awe as he left the park following Brenn.

    "What were you doing down there?"

    "I don''t want to talk about it." Fritz said dejectedly.

    "Hah! Wouldn''t have expected you to be a thief!"

    "How do you-? I''m not a thief! It was a misunderstanding. It was all just one giant misunderstanding!"

    "Sure you aren''t. Why else would you be in the sewers?" Brenn let out a hearty laugh, she gave his butt a healthy slap almost sending him to the ground. "Learned your lesson? Crime doesn''t pay unless your taking someone''s head."

    "Yeah. Don''t mess with magic. And if you do don''t fuck up." Fritz grumbled.

    "A good rule. Hard steel and strong muscles will never let you down." Brenn said with a winning grin. "You should get some practice handling a sword. I know all about it." Brenn gave him a sultry wink. "I can show you the proper way to handle a sword. I''m an expert, I''ve handled a lot in my lifetime. I know all the angles of attack." Brenn purred. Fritz with an exhausted, distracted mind took Brenn at face value.

    "What''s the point? I doubt I''d ever be as strong as my companions. Let them do the fighting. They''re freaks of nature, if you ask me." Fritz complained. The short beastkin''s face contorted, before she quickly mastered her composure.

    "Just like the Goddess intended then!" Brenn boasted. Fritz regarded the slight ratkin as they walked side by side through the streets of Hueryss. "They''re looking for you."

    "Who?"

    "Who do you think, half-wit? The guards." Fritz started rubbing his temples at the beastkin''s words. "I heard it from the damn captain himself. He''s got a warrant for your arrest." Fritz groaned.

    "That quick? Hopefully, you won''t decide to help him."

    "Nah, I much prefer slaying monster''s. No fun bringing in shrimps like you."

    "I appreciate your generosity. But, I was still able to kill the damn ghoul."

    "Aye. Looks like you burned him with acid. Good work, if a bit messy."

    "Holy water."

    "You also try and buy that with fake gold?" Brenn asked. Fritz waved his hand ''No''.

    "There were two others. They didn''t talk much though."

    "Two more." Brenn let out a long whistle. "You must be pretty lucky to escape such an encounter. Guess, I still have something to hunt in this city."

    "They''re dead." Fritz casually mentioned. Brenn narrowed her eyes.

    "Really? Did your party help you?" Fritz shook his head. "You did it alone? A guy like you? Are you pulling my leg?"

    "See for yourself." Fritz said, letting the subject drop. "Take their heads. I''m never going down there again. Hopefully, I''ll be out of the city soon."

    The two walked in silence towards the inn. Fritz could feel Brenn''s suspicion mounting as they walked forward. The cobbled streets of Hueryss twisted and turned underneath Fritz''s boots. Eventually, Fritz found his way back to The Resting Goose. Brenn bade him farewell, and quickly disappeared down a nearby alleyway. Opening the door to the inn, Fritz started dreaming of a modern shower.

 Moody Marcelle

    With a little help from an irate innkeeper Fritz managed to clean himself up. His clothes were still wet, yet he didn''t care. He trudged upstairs towards their shared room. The sound of a woman crying reached his ears, as he approached the door. His heart sank, as his mind panicked slightly wondering what to do. The sobbing continued. He pressed his ear to the door, confirming it was coming from inside their room.

    With his hand on the door handle, he hesitated a moment. Within the room, he could hear Marcelle.

    "Gods I am so stupid! I am the biggest fool the world has ever known. What the hells was I thinking? Why? Why? Why? Why did I add the snapdragon hearts! Of course it would muck up the mixture! What the hells is wrong with me! Why? Why couldn''t it have worked? Do the gods hate me? Or am I too stupid to understand basic alchemy? Hahaha? What am I even doing? This will never work? Why am I even doing this? I should just find a hole and crawl into it. Hah! That''s where I belong. I don''t deserve a cauldron anyways. I''m not worthy to be Zola''s apprentice. I should just give up! I should find a depressing hovel to waste my days within! Never touch a cauldron again! My hands taint everything I touch! I should cut them off!"

    Knocking on the door, Fritz leaned into the wooden frame.

    "Marcelle, are you alright?" The sniffling inside stopped immediately. The floorboards creaked, as Marcelle whipped her head towards the door. All went quiet within the room.

    "Go away! I''m busy!" Marcelle screeched.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "Not until you tell me you''re fine. I''ll stand here till Ada and Neva get back."

    "Fine! Stand outside like a sad puppy then!"

    Sitting onto the hardwood floor, Fritz let his head rest against the door.

    "Fine by me. I''ll be here if you need anything." Fritz retorted. Marcelle let fly a flurry of curses towards Fritz.

    "Moronic human! Do you ever listen? Are you addled within your head? Can you not listen to your superiors? Has that wolf-bitch hit you while I wasn''t looking? Revolting human! Your so weak and pathetic! Like a lost puppy, clinging to others because your incapable!"

    On and on it went. Closing his eyes, Fritz let her anger wash over him. Letting his mind clear, Fritz tried to relax. He had survived another day. Whatever challenges awaited him tomorrow could wait. For now, Fritz could savor peace and relaxation, as Marcelle verbally abused him through the door.

    Suddenly, the door to their room opened. Fritz fell backwards. Standing above him, Marcelle''s tear stained face peaked between her messy long black hair. She looked like an evil spirit out for revenge. Her bloodshot purple eyes regarded Fritz without mercy. Her tail shot out towards Fritz. The purple scales wrapped around Fritz''s chest as he was dragged inside the small room.

    His feet scraped against the floor as he tried to pull away. He struggled in vain as Marcelle led him closer to her ruined workstation. The remnants of an overflown cauldron, dripping with inky black liquid were before him. Dirty beakers and flasks mixed with smashed vials near the walls of the room.

    "Fine! You want to help! I''ll try once more!" Marcelle seethed. Her tail moved down towards his legs, wrapping around him and prevented him from scrambling away. Shoving a handful of alchemical supplies into his chest, Marcelle leaned over Fritz. Her black hair fell down over him, as her feverish purple eyes locked onto him.  "I need to restock Fritz. Get to work."

    Nodding like an idiot, Fritz got started.

    "Good minion." Marcelle hissed.

 Good Friends Good Drink

    Fritz was slowly being forced out of his seat. All around him in The Resting Goose, half drunken beastkin sang, swore, and shouted. Two separate fights had already broken out that night. One fight ended with The People''s Elbow shattering a man''s ribs and the wooden table he was thrown upon. The other ended with the innkeeper himself knocking out two incredibly inebriated beastkin. A horrifying realization occurred to Fritz. He was getting used to the chaos.

    Beside him, Ada was pressing in closer. Her wide gray eyes kept getting closer to Fritz''s face. Drawing away, Fritz kept trying to escape. Yet no matter how far he leaned in his seat, Ada kept pursuing him.

    "Fritz. Where were you?" She asked. Her face barely hovered above his.

    "What do you mean?"

    "Where were you?" She repeated. Fritz turned his face away. Neva had a bored look on her face as she watched the two. No sign of desire to help existed within her, as she swished a nearly empty bottle of firewater. To the right of Fritz, Marcelle steadily wrote a section of notes within her journal. The half-manic lamia had been recording every detail of her latest experiments with single-minded determination. Only after hours of experimentation was Fritz let go. He never wanted to create another dragon tooth ever again.

    "I don''t understand what you mean."

    "Where were you? I kept looking for you during try-outs. I didn''t see you." Ada hovered above her wooden chair as she moved her face to get back within Fritz''s field of vision.

    "Well, it was a long day. Marcelle needed some help. And I didn''t know where the UFL was. So...."

    "So...." Ada''s breath was warm on Fritz''s cheek.

    "I didn''t go." Fritz admitted.

    "I thought you''d be there. I was really disappointed not to see you in the stands. You missed a really cool knock-out." Ada said

    "Let him be, Ada. It was just the tryout portion. Fritz, you didn''t miss anything. Ada curb stomped some idiots. Now she can fight for real tomorrow. Tomorrow''s challengers will no doubt present a real challenge for her." Neva said languidly.

    "That''s good." Fritz said awkwardly. Ada grabbed his cheeks, and moved his face to meet her gaze.

    "What''s good?"

    "That you won?" Fritz searched for the right words.

    "You should have seen it. I headbutted the instructor so hard, they passed out instantly. Another guy, I punched hard enough in the guts he threw up." Ada admitted. She never blinked, as she explained.

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    "That''s great, Ada." Fritz laughed awkwardly. "I can''t wait to see tomorrow, then." A cute smile spread across Ada''s face as she sensed her victory.

    "He had to help me anyway. It was good he stayed. I now have a new experimental elixir. I am one step closer to alchemical god-hood." Marcelle admitted.

    "So you''ll be there tomorrow?" Ada asked. She drew away from Fritz''s face slightly.

    "Of course! So long as I can find it!" Fritz replied.

    "Yay!" Ada''s face instantly shifted, as a cute smile instantly warped her face. Throwing her arms over his shoulders she drew him into an intense hug.

    "Marcelle, go with him. Keep him out of trouble." Neva said. Fritz froze slightly in his seat.

    "Why me? Can''t you take him?" Marcelle snapped.

    "Fighters go through a different entrance. I''ll be with Ada most of the day, and I don''t trust these beastkin." Marcelle clicked her tongue. Draining the remaining bottle of liquor, Neva slammed the empty glass bottle on the table. Marcelle shut her journal.

    "Oh, Fritz. Do you mind walking upstairs and getting me another bottle from your suitcase? My oh my, it''s been such a long day, and a proper lady does deserve a drink after all. Wouldn''t you say?"

    "Fine. Fine. Give me a second." Fritz said with a sigh. Returning Ada''s hug, Fritz was finally let go.

    <hr>

    The door to The Resting Goose was kicked in by a rather diminutive woman. Her brown, round ears twitched as her eyes quickly scanned the stunned common room.

    "Cutey!" A somewhat familiar voice called out from the entrance. All manner of eyes swiveled to see who the newcomer was. Everyone except Fritz''s table looked to see Brenn at the entrance. The inn returned to normal as Brenn started moving towards Fritz''s table. Neva dutifully maintained her composure as she drained another bottle of whiskey ignoring the newcomer.

    "Cutey!" A pair of arms wrapped around Fritz, startling him. Brenn''s short height just passed Fritz''s sitting head. "I was looking for you!"

    Ada growled, as she shot out of her chair. Her fist clenched together as she stared at the strange ratkin. Neva''s mouth fell open as if she was trying to remember something. Marcelle frowned as she instantly recognized the woman.

    "Your back?" Marcelle hissed.

    "Get your hands off him!" Ada shouted.

    "Make me!" Brenn laughed.

    "Are you following us? I thought I told you to leave us alone."

    "Well.... I was until I met back up with him. It was just the two of us in a romantic tryst. Surrounded by nature." Brenn leaned in close to Fritz, whispering to him. "You know, I was thinking all about you. Especially how when I went down there, I saw two more of ''em. Just who the hell are you really?" Fritz grimaced as he remembered the events from earlier today.

    "I don''t care. You need to get your hands off of him." Ada grabbed the strange woman''s wrist. Brenn''s demeanor shifted.

    "Don''t even try it." The short ratkin said. Fritz could feel her muscles tense against his neck. His stomach sunk, as his mind raced trying to diffuse the situation.

    "Brenn, is that you?" Neva asked. Her eyes blinked in confusion as she rubbed the scar along her cheek. "What the hell are you doing here? Don''t you have a whorehouse to crawl into?"

    "Neva?" Brenn asked hesitantly.

    "You know each other?" Fritz asked.

    "Yeah." Both said simultaneously.

    "Wait how do you know, Fritz?" Neva asked. Stealthily, Ada grabbed Brenn''s wrist and started prying it from Fritz''s shoulder. The ratkin offered little resistance as she focused on Neva.

    "It''s hard to explain." Brenn admitted. She looked over to Fritz. He cradled his head within his hands. "Not really suitable for talking about here."

    "Oh? Fritz what are you hiding?" Neva asked. Ada stealthily pulled his chair away from the strange woman.

    "Minion. What did you do?" Marcelle clicked her tongue.

    "Why don''t we all head upstairs for a bit?" Neva suggested.

 I Conjured Gold

    Fritz once again found himself on his knees, with a handful of disappointed girls lording over him. The room had been secured from any eavesdroppers. Neva had cast her silencing magic on the windows and doors, as Fritz was led to the center of the room like a condemned man.

    "How did you end up in the sewers?" Neva asked. Her arms were crossed over her chest.

    "I conjured gold."

    "And?"

    "I got caught, because I didn''t remember the other side of the face."

    "He can conjure?" Brenn asked. Neva nodded in the affirmative.

    "Yes...." Fritz admitted.

    "Go on, Fritz, show her." Neva commanded.

    "I''m kind of tired. It''s been a long day." Fritz said wearily. "Can''t we postpone this?"

    "Do it!" Neva said sharply. "Another bottle."

    "Next time, your getting Everclear." Fritz grumbled. Closing his eyes, he focused on his core as he felt the familiar pull of his mana. A huge wash of fatigue settled over him like a warm blanket as another bottle of whiskey materialized in his free hand. Neva snatched it out of his hands, before handing it to Brenn. The small brunette beastkin uncorked the bottle before taking a small sip.

    "Cute, and practical. You''d never have to leave the room with him around." A small grin spread across her lips.

    "He is the perfect assistant. I would never run out of supplies." Marcelle added.

    "His ability is the only thing that''s making this journey bearable." Neva said with a sigh. Fritz looked towards Ada, hoping against hope that the blonde beastkin would see him as something more than a simple vending machine.

    "I like the food." Ada said dumbly. Fritz''s let his chin fall limp against his chest.

    "We''re getting sidetracked." Neva said. Pulling out her pipe, she stuffed it with tobacco before stuffing it and lighting it. "So, Fritz. What did you do wrong?"

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "I conjured gold."

    "Why is that bad?" Neva asked.

    "Because it would get me thrown in jail or immediately executed."

    "Exactly. So?"

    "I won''t do it again."

    "Come on! He''s learned his lesson!" Ada interjected on his behalf.

    "So, once you were in the sewers?" Neva asked trying to

    "I got lost, and some ghouls found me. I killed them, but just barely. I thought I was gonna die, and then escaped." Ada''s eyes lit up with excitement, as Neva frowned. The scar on her face twisted in grotesque annoyance.

    "Afterwards, I met cutey in a park. He looked so sad, holding the decapitated head of a ghoul." Neva let out a long whistle, as Ada''s eyes lit up.

    "You really killed them?" Neva asked. Crouching down she got closer to Fritz.

    "Yeah...." Fritz admitted. Neva let out a sigh.

    "How''d you do it?" Ada asked excitedly. "Did you crush them with a mace? An axe? Can you secretly fight? Come on! Tell me!"

    "Holy water." Fritz admitted.

    "Where were you?" Neva asked Marcelle.

    "Busy." Marcelle said scowling.

    "Busy?" Neva asked clearly offended. "Busy?"

    "Well I suppose it could be worse. Cutey could be dead. At least the guards don''t seem to be searching for him very hard." Brenn said with a laugh. Marcelle grunted. Neva took a large inhale of her pipe attempting to calm herself.

    "What now?" Fritz asked.

    "Brenn. We need to talk. Now that you know our secret-" Brenn interrupted Neva before she could finish.

    "Whatever you''re doing, I''m in. Sounds like fun, and the company ain''t half bad." Brenn tossed a playful wink towards Fritz. Ada grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him away. Brenn let out a laugh, as she watched Ada drag him away.

    "Brenn, keep watch over him with Marcelle tomorrow. I need someone dependable in case Marcelle gets ''busy''." Both Neva and Marcelle rolled their eyes at one another.

    "Sure thing. I''m pretty sure cutey, and I will have plenty to do." Flexing her fingers menacingly she slowly stalked towards Fritz.

    "No! Stay back!" Ada shouted. Brenn continued her advance.

    "Stop shouting!" Marcelle screeched.

    "Hand me the damn bottle!" Neva shouted.

    "Stay away!" Neva screeched as she dragged Fritz into a corner of the room.

    "Hehehe, come here cutey. Let''s party." A creepy grin spread across her Brenn''s face. She started grabbing at Fritz''s shirt trying to pull him closer. Ada kept swatting her hand away, as she stood defiantly infront of Freye''s champion.

    Regardless of the chaos around him, Fritz was too exhausted to put on much of a resistance. Conjuring a small flask of clear strong liquor, he upturned the flask.

    "That''s the spirit! Come on let''s get to know one another!" Brenn shouted.

    "Neva help! She''s touching him!"

    "Brenn! The bottle! Stop trying to grope him!"

    "We''re team building! I''m getting to know cutey!" Brenn said with a laugh. Finishing the flask, Fritz started kicking at Brenn''s shins. "Ooohhh, fiesty!"

    "She''s a degenerate! Help!"

    "Idiots! All of you!" Marcelle screamed.

 The Church

    The mother superior eyed the letter sitting on her table. Her graying hair peeked out from her black cowl. Creased lines of worry, spread across her face, as her fingers absently traced over the sides of the letter. The letter was written with an emerald colored ink. Graceful fluid motions undersigned the letters'' importance. A sealed wax emblem sat unbroken. The imagery pressed into the blue wax was of an Elven nature. Two other priestesses sat watching her. A nervous energy undercut their movements, as the trio sipped from a plain tea set.

    "What does it mean?" The blonde priestess asked. "We''ve never received anything from the elves."

    "It must be a declaration of war." The brunette priestess said anxiously. "They''ve come to purge the other churches that do not align with their doctrine."

    "Assuredly not. Why would they bother to warn us then?"

    "To make us suffer more. Have you heard the news from Trira? The town''s in shambles. The guard evacuated the town! Clearly they were attacked by the elves!" The brunette priest prattled on.

    "Daughters, please do not give way to idle speculation." The mother superior interrupted. "We''ve received no official communication regarding Trira. Wait until the lord speaks on the matter."

    "He''s trying to control the narrative!" The brunette blurted out.

    "Pfft. He''s too busy with his little fighting ring to care." The blonde said.

    "Enough chatter. Let us read." The gray haired beastkin said calmly. Reaching for a letter opener, the head priestess broke the seal. The two other priestesses sat anxiously, waiting for the mother superior to start reading. The mother superior took out the white sheathed paper. The letter was written with a steady hand. Neat flowing script covered the single sheath of paper within.

    "What does it say?" The blonde priestess asked.

    "To our most esteemed sisters in faith and service to the one true Goddess. Within the city of Hueryss, there is a human male. He is of utmost importance to our Queen. He should be captured and returned to our care immediately. His survival is important. See that he comes to no harm, and that he is turned over to our Queen''s protection. Do so, and you will be rewarded. Our Queen is generous, yet also wrathful. Beware, he does not travel alone. His companions are strong, and the man is crafty. Do not let your guard down. We will be within your dingy city, watching from the shadows."

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The mother superior frowned, as she finished reading.

    "Is this a joke?" the blonde priestess asked. "Are we supposed to be some kind of bounty hunters?"

    "A human? What''s so important? Did he steal something from the elves? Will they tear apart our city looking for their quarry? Why do they want him?"

    "The letter does not state." The mother superior said plainly.

    "They''re playing some kind of game! We should be careful!" The brunette priestess blurted out.

    "Yes. That much is obvious, they are deliberately withholding information from us. They specifically withheld the ''why'' for his capture."

    "The most obvious answer is some kind of criminal. Perhaps he desecrated one of their precious trees." The blonde priestess said calmly. She sipped her tea confident in her deduction.

    "No. He is not some common criminal."

    "Why not?"

    "They want him alive and unharmed. Unharmed is the key. What would the Queen care if the criminal was killed during his capture?"

    "Then what?" The blonde priestess asked.

    "He is obviously important to the elves somehow." The brunette priestess answered quickly. "Perhaps he is Royalty from Rennes. A hostage?"

    "Perhaps. Perhaps he has some knowledge the Queen wishes to extract." The mother superior let the letter fall against the table. "We only have speculation. Regardless, we will capture him. If he is of no use, we can return him to the elves."

    The two other priestesses nodded in agreement.

    "What happens if we fail?" The brunette priestess asked.

    "We will have angered the elves, and they hold grudges like no other." The mother superior said grimly.

    "Who wrote it?" The blonde priestess asked. "Are they important?"

    "Ah, a moment...." The mother superior said as she held up the . She stared for a moment at the signature near the bottom right of the "Princess Tyrella, first of her name, protector of the sacred ironwoods, holder of the ancient ways. Oh my... not the Queen but her firstborn?"

    "We should hurry." The brunette said, as she shot up, knocking her knees into the table. "The sooner we handle this, the safer we will be!" The blonde priest nodded.

    "Lyra bring Damon." The mother superior said, turning to the blonde priestess. "I heard that he turned away a human earlier. I will punish him severely for mistreating our quarry. Sutra go talk to the templars, send them out into the city. Begin the search. Check the inns first. Be discreet, he may not know, we are searching for him."

    The frazzled brunette nearly ran out of the room. She had already left the room by the time the other priestess rose. The blonde priestess drained her teacup, before walking out to find Damon. The mother superior returned to the letter. Reading it again and again, a gnawing worry grew within her. Something was amiss, but she couldn''t place it.

 UFL Part 1

    Finding the Underground Fighting League had been easy. For something described as ''underground'' all Fritz and friends had to do was follow the crowding beastkin underneath the city. Entrances and exits to the arena were spread out through the city. As Fritz entered, he watched the spectators pile in from different tunnels each leading to different areas Hueryss. Thousands of beastkin were packed into the massive underground arena.

    Fritz, Marcelle, and Brenn found themselves standing at the top of the stone bleachers. Burning braziers lit the arena like it was daylight. Standards depicting fox ears, lined the walls. They proudly denoted the UFL as a legitimate organization of the city. The crowd murmured with anticipation.

    "Ladies and losers! Welcome to another exciting day for the UFL!" Within a sandpit beneath the underground carved stone bleachers, a singular man with an orange tail and orange fox ears strutted about like a champion. An intricate black masquerade mask sat on his face obscuring his identity. The crowd erupted in a long boo, towards the shirtless muscular foxkin below. The man brought up his hand to his ear, cupping it to hear the crowd better.

    "What''s that? I can''t hear you weaklings?" The crowd got louder and louder. As if to drown out the annoying man. Fritz felt an annoyingly familiar pressure grab onto his ass. Looking over, he saw Brenn offer him a toothy smile. She winked at him, as he swatted her hand away.

    "What''s wrong cutey?" Brenn asked.

    "No party romance!" Marcelle screeched, on the other side of Fritz.

    "Come on! Nothing wrong with a quick romp!" Brenn said with a laugh. "It improves the mood. It''s a great team building activity too. You could really use the-"

    "My mood doesn''t need improving!" Marcelle shot back.

    "Yes it does. You should stop and enjoy life more. Maybe you and Fritz...." Brenn made an obscene gesture with her hands.

    "Absolutely not!" Marcelle hissed.

    Fritz did his best to ignore his distracting company. Once again, he focused on the masked man announcing the upcoming fighters.

    "The UFL stands on tradition!" The man yelled out. "The tradition that the strong rule! But that''s not something you all would know anything about!" The man pointed to the spectators. "Damien Whitetower, doesn''t respect people who won''t fight. Looking around all I see is a bunch of cowards too afraid to join up, and fight!" The crowd booed the man. He spread his arms wide, almost encouraging their hatred. Fritz rolled his eyes at the obvious baiting. "Tryouts for the UFL are happening all the time! Come prove your prowess. But be warned! We only welcome the strong!" Shoving his fist skywards, he flexed his arms. Rippled muscles like bundled steel taunted the crowd daring them to test their might.

    "Now! Rookie night is always my favorite! Raw talent, blood, and spirit on full display! Let me welcome our first fighters of the day!"

    "In the left corner! A true warrior who is already making quite the name for himself. A burgeoning legend, who brought in the head of wyvern for his admission ticket to the UFL! A future legend in the making, this fighter is sure to impress. Grom!"

    "Grom! Grom! Grom!"

    The crowd chanted his name louder and louder, as the minotaur warrior exited from the shady side tunnel directly into the sandy fighting pit. Standing heads above a normal man, Grom snorted. Hot air fluttered out of the minotaur''s large nose as he cracked his neck. Large curling horns filed to a point glittered within the fire light of the underground arena. The minotaur was completely shirtless. He bounced his pectoral muscles in anticipation. The crowd swooned at the sheer size of the lad. His eyes focused on the opposite tunnel as he made his way to the center of the room.

    "Damn, he''s huge." Fritz said. "I feel sorry for whoever is getting pummeled."

    "Eh. That muscles all show." Brenn said casually. "Reckon, I could take him."

    "He''s like four of you." Fritz replied.

    "Don''t matter. I''m used to taking bigger guys." Brenn punctuated with a wink. "I can show you." Fritz held his hands up, as if to back away.

    "Aww...." Brenn squeezed his ass again. Fritz jumped slightly in shock. "Don''t forget to live a little!"

    "Minion, do not become a degenerate like her." Marcelle said venomously.

    "Now! In the right corner! Someone fresh off the boat! We have a brand new, never before seen talent! Yesterday, this lady blew away our examiners! Ladies and losers! Ada!"

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    The crowd barely reacted as the familiar blonde wolfkin exited her tunnel and made her way towards the center of the ring. Her gray eyes scanned the stadium looking for a familiar face. Fritz waved toward the wolfkin. Immediately seeing Fritz her expression softened as she waved back towards her companions.

    The slab of meat and Ada squared off in the center of the fighting pit. Just beside them, the masked announcer stood ready and waiting to hype up the crowd.

    "I want a good clean fistfight you two!" The announcer yelled loud enough for the entire audience to hear. "Nothing fatal, but everything else goes. Break and bash to your heart''s content, so long as Freyes'' priests can put it back together! You hear me?" Ada and Grom nodded to one another. "Good! Touch fists and show us what your worth!"

    Grom crossed his arms, as Ada stood waiting with her hands at her side. The announcer backed away from the two. Grom turned to the announcer.

    "You can''t be serious? This is my opponent?" His voice was like rumbling stone. Deep and low, yet it carried with it that strength that made all other things quiet. His lips curled upwards at Ada. The blonde wolfkin looked completely relaxed. Damien Whitetower shrugged as if the fight was completely out of his hands. "Why are you wasting my time with this weakling?"

    "It''s the rules. All rookies have to advance the ranks by fighting. No one gets a free pass."

    "I''m no rookie. I''ve killed plenty of dangerous beasts. This is beneath me."

    "Not in my eyes." The announcer replied. A slight sardonic smile warped his lips. "Besides, your enemy is before you, do you really want to look away?"

    "Her? She has barely been watching me. She keeps searching the stands!" Grom turned to Ada. "Girl, drop out. Don''t make me hurt you. Anyone can see I would destroy you in a fight." Ada''s lips pouted.

    "No. I''m gonna impress Fritz." Ada frowned as she saw Brenn doing something to Fritz. Cursing underneath her breath, she turned her vision away from the stands.

    "Call the fight. She''s just doing this to impress her crush. She''s gonna end up crippled, once I get my hands on her."

    "She agreed to be here." The announcer pointed out. "She deserves a chance at glory, just like all the others."

    "There will be no glory here. This will be a slaughter."

    "Let''s do this." Ada said confidently. Preparing her guard she got into a fighting stance.

    "Ladies and weaklings, our fighters are starting to take things seriously! They''ve finally come to their senses, and realized what they were brought out to do!" The announcer suddenly shouted with jubilant energy.

    "This is your final warning. Don''t make me hurt you." Grom threatened.

    "Shut up, and fight." Ada replied.

    "A woman after my own heart!" Damien Whitetower pretended to swoon on the spot. Rolling his eyes Grom put up his hands.

    Ada''s hard gray eyes fixated upon her prey. Grom''s lower body tensed, and the minotaur surged forward. More muscle than was humanly possible sped forward towards Ada. Grom''s shoulder flexed as his fist shot downward. Ada dug into the sand. With calm deliberate movements, Ada moved to block the punch. The punch connected. The air around the arena reverberated. The blow pushed Ada back. Her heels dug into the sand, as she remained standing.

    "Is that all you got?" Ada taunted. Grom snorted, as he returned to his stance.

    "That was nothing. It was just a light jab to wake you up."

    The two fighters squared off. Grom was the first to attack. Tucking his head in, he charged against his diminutive opponent. His large chest sucked in air, before a primal war cry announced his attack. Ada responded in kind, charging forward, she went on the offensive. Jumping forward, she extended her knee as she grabbed his horns. Bone struck against bone, as Grom''s head flew back. The momentum of his body kept him moving forward as his thick arms reached for his opponent. Ada was already off of him.

    "A savage blow!" The announcer called out. The crowd went wild as Ada moved around his side, raining blows upon the giant. The crack of Ada''s fist beat like a drum against his body. Grom''s superior size and strength struggled to catch up. His arms shot out wildly trying desperately to force the wolfkin away. Grom''s anger was growing. Bellowing like a madman, he swept his arm like a club. Ada dodged underneath, as she rolled away. Jumping to her feet.

    "You''re quick, but that''s all you are. I''m too strong for you to defeat! I am the greatest warrior this world will ever know!" Grom shouted.

    "Prove it!" Ada shouted back. The crowd demanded Ada''s blood. They screamed and shouted for Grom to destroy the wolfkin.

    Unperturbed, Ada went on the offensive. Edging forward, she kept her hands up, as she methodically worked to topple the titan before her. Delivering quick low kicks, Ada felt Grom''s knees buck with each strike. Veins bulged upon the minotaurs face, as he progressively got redder and redder. Grom was frothing at the mouth. Each punch and swing of his fist was becoming more reckless. Each blow threatened to connect with enough force to immediately end the fight. His stance faltered, as his knee buckled. Seizing upon the opportunity Ada moved forward, ready to deliver the final blow.

    Shifting his body like a striking snake, Grom raised his fist. His clenched hand descended from above as he let out a mighty war cry. The crowd stopped cheering. All eyes fixated upon this moment. In the next instant, everything would be decided. Ada''s heart skipped a beat, as instinct took over. Her prey was wounded right before her. Exultation took over. Her hands relaxed as she moved to intercept the fist. Her palm caught the blow. Silence reigned as the sound of an explosion resounded in the sand pit below. Blood lust took over her. The fight was hers. Holding onto his arm, Ada kicked his knee and the giant fell forward. Now on one knee, the beastkin was at the perfect height. Ada let go of his hand, and grabbed his horns. Rearing back, she slammed her forehead into her opponent. A crack like thunder echoed in the arena. Grom went limp as his head fell back. Tossing his horns away, Ada sent the giant of a man to the floor before her.

    "Lights out for Grom!" The announcer screamed. Jumping up, he started cartwheeling around the defeated minotaur. The crowd erupted. The announcer stopped as he jumped up, throwing his arms wide he announced Ada''s victory. "Ladies and weaklings! You have just witnessed the most decisive upset in UFL history! Fighters beware! For Dark Horse Ada is coming for you!"

    Hiding in the fighter''s entrance tunnels, Neva gave Ada a slow clap. Ada turned to her companions within the stands. Fritz thought the blonde wolfkin looked horrifyingly cute covered in another man''s blood.

 UFL Part 2

    The time for Ada''s final fight was approaching. After hours of non-stop duels the first-day rookie bouts were coming to a close. The masked announcer once again came down to the center of the sandpit.

    "Ladies and weaklings! We have a treat for you! Two undefeated rookie fighters are meeting! The dark horse of our rookie tournament. The unknown yet decisively powerful Ada! She has destroyed her competition with brutal strength and dexterous maneuvers. Does she have what it takes to compete in the big leagues?" Damien Whitetower asked the crowded audience. "Coming from unknown origins with no accomplishments to her name! Ada!"  Mixed cheering drowned together in disharmony as Ada appeared at the mouth of the tunnel.

    Ada walked out from her tunnel. She moved with the natural confidence of a champion. Fritz, and Brenn cheered for Ada as Marcelle remained gloomily silent.

    "Shall we find out if she has what it takes? To my left! A real man of mystery. A run-away beastkin returning to his home city from the far east under a new name! He has trained long and hard under mystical tutors. He has mastered ancient secret fighting techniques that would slay the heavens themselves! Or so he says! Toshi the Cultivator! The whirlwind of death comes to enact his bloody vengeance upon his rivals!"

    A skinny catkin with jet black hair exited from the opposite tunnel. His dress was rather exotic. A standard gi was draped around his slight shoulders. On the opposite side, was a ripped hole for his tail. As he exited out onto the sand of the fighting pit, a trio of women screamed his name with reckless abandon. Toshi looked straight ahead as Damien Whitetower welcomed him into the center of the stage.

    "Toshi has an undefeated record in this tournament. His strange martial arts techniques have carried him against his fierce competition. Is it magic, or is it just unfathomable skill? Will he remain undefeated? Let''s find out!"

    Ada stood taller than him by at least a head. Her blonde ears twitched as the crowd applauded. Damien Whitetower motioned the fighters to approach. The two fighter''s fixated on their respective opponent, as they moved to the center of the arena.

    "Ladies and weaklings! Welcome to the last fight of the night! Fighters approach the center! Touch hands and let''s begin!" The announcer shouted.

    Ada extended her fist out, as Toshi did the same. Their fists touched lightly as both fighters moved back into their respective fighting stances. Toshi''s arms were held low, as he spread his legs wide. His chest heaved with rapid, deep breaths.

    "Are you alright?" Ada asked innocently.

    "Of course, this is my secret fighting technique developed in the far east!" Toshi said. Somewhere deep in the audience''s crowd a trio of Toshi''s fangirls squealed with delight.

    "Oh. I thought you were having a panic attack." Ada admitted.

    "Hah! Fear is nothing to me! My sensei has trained me to no longer feel fear!" Ada quirked an eyebrow at her opponent. "For two years, my sensei trained me in his most brutal training regime. Ten thousand kicks a day against the hardest tree until they were felled, and then transported back to town! Afterwards, ten thousand seeds planted using his open palm techniques! Then I had to fetch water for sensei''s tea! Ten miles there and back with two buckets across my shoulders! If I lost a single drop, I''d have to return to the well! Then-!"

    "I get it! You were a farmer!" Ada said with enthusiasm. A moment of realization struck Toshi, before his protective psyche forced whatever thoughts were emerging to disappear.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I am sensei''s honored disciple, not a mere farmer! That was all part of my special training! Sensei said so! See the great dragon of Yakub''s disciple in action!" Toshi shouted.

    His trio of fangirls screamed his name as he started yelling. Holding his stance wide, Toshi yelled louder and louder. Ada backed away slowly, as the strange man started to power up. Toshi''s body shook with his screaming, bending down slightly he tensed his whole body until he finally ran out of breath.

    "My ki is ready! Prepare to meet my most fearsome move! My dragon kick will send you flying to another dimension! Watch out!" Toshi announced. Ada shifted slightly as Toshi sprung forward. The slight catkin with the strange clothes screamed as he charged Ada. The blonde wolfkin watched him jump into the air. His hips spun as he rapidly rotated his body. Spinning like a top, his dominant leg aimed directly for Ada''s head.

    "Shining destruction dragon kick!" Toshi screamed.

    Ada ducked. Toshi''s body continued spinning. His other leg continued the attack, as Ada kept moving away. Toshi touched the ground in his wide fighting stance.

    "You''ve done well to dodge my attacks! But how long can you withstand my superior secret martial arts!" Toshi''s fangirls screeched like banshees. Ada''s gray eyes shot a concerned look towards Damien Whitetower. From Ada''s tunnel, Neva cupped her hands to her mouth.

    "End him Ada!" Neva shouted. "He''s pissing me off!" Yelling like a madman Toshi continued his attack. A vicious roundhouse kick shot towards Ada''s head.

    "Blinding oblivion dragon strike!" Toshi shouted.

    Ada moved her guard up to block the kick. The strike connected, and like a pebble striking a boulder Toshi stopped. Wind reverberated through the fighting pit, as Ada stood like an unmoving statue. Toshi''s eyes bulged forward, as panic hit him.

    "Nani?! Impossible! No one can withstand my kicks! My training!"

    As Toshi withdrew his leg, Ada attacked. Ada kicked Toshi''s knee straight on. From up within the stands, Fritz saw the horror. Toshi''s knee bent the complete opposite way. A sickening crunch met the audience like news of death. Toshi fell to the sand screeching in pain, as his knee hyperextended far beyond what should have been humanly possible. Ada cringed as she saw the damage she inflicted upon the other fighter. She looked towards the announcer guiltily.

    "Ladies and weaklings! It looks like Toshi is down for the count!"

    "Not yet!" Toshi shouted. His face was red, as he breathed heavily. "I''m not out yet! I''ll never give up! Just like my master told me to!"

    "Kick him in the head Ada! Knock some sense into him!" Neva shouted.

    Gripping the sand, Toshi hobbled onto his feet. His maimed leg formed a ''v'' with his knee so far behind Toshi it was a wonder the catkin could even stand. The crowd gasped in anticipation. Ada started backing away from the crazed fighter.

    "This isn''t over yet! I''ll never give up! Not while my friends are cheering for me!"

    "Gambate Toshi!" The trio of fangirls screeched.

    "Uhh.... Please concede." Ada replied. Her face contorted into a grimace as she looked down towards his maimed leg. "Please?"

    "Ladies and losers! It appears I called it too soon! Toshi the warrior returning from the east hasn''t had enough! He''s gonna keep on fighting! Can he make a comeback? Can he overcome his injury?"

    "Uh.... Your leg.... You should stop. Please." Ada pointed towards the man''s maimed hyperextended leg.

    "It''s nothing! My master has done worse to me! My friends still need me! I won''t give up!" Toshi roared in defiance.

    "Hit him harder, Ada! Don''t be afraid to give him brain damage! He''s not using it anyways!" Neva shouted. The poor blonde wolfkin looked back towards Neva. Toshi saw an opportunity, hobbling forward he yelled.

    "I''m not done yet! Take this! Dividing black emperor fist!" Toshi screamed out into the fighting pit. His fangirls screamed as he approached the other fighter.

    A clumsy punch shot towards Ada. Sidestepping slightly she punched him square in the jaw.

    Fritz had never seen a more determined fighter. The man just wouldn''t quit. No matter how many times he was sent to the ground, he always seemed to get back up. Ten times he was sent to the ground. Injuries kept mounting upon him, yet he wouldn''t give up. Watching the beastkin endure punishment past his own human limits, Fritz could feel wheels whirling within his head. While rubbing his chin, lost in deep thought, Fritz watched Ada send Toshi to the land of dreams with a flying knee.

    The crowd booed the blonde wolfkin as she finally ended the fight. All three of Toshi''s fangirls jumped from the stands and immediately ran to the center of the stage, ready to defend the unconscious fighter. Ada turned and left without waiting for Damien Whitetower to announce her victory. Her ears and tails were tucked in as she stared at the sand. Threats and insults bounced off the stone walls, as Ada disappeared into her tunnel.

 Magical Objects

    All of their party had gathered in The Resting Goose. The atmosphere of the inn had somehow completely transformed overnight. Turning back in his chair, Fritz looked at the other patrons. Several members of the local church had gathered in disparate groups. White and green cloaks were pulled tight over their faces, yet their distinctive ears popped out from opening in the top. Other more shady characters had taken up seats drinking slowly and methodically rarely talking. Scanning the inn, guilty eyes turned away from Fritz.

    At his table, Ada and Brenn continued on spilling mead, smoking tobacco and reminiscing of old times. Fritz had never seen Neva acting so natural. Ada''s mood had soured since her victory, whereas Marcelle seemed happier within the quieter inn. The lamia sat reading from a tome discussing rare herbs. Various plants were drawn within with detailed descriptions and diagrams relating to their composition and usefulness for alchemical reactions.

    Ada leaned into Fritz. With a free hand he absentmindedly stroked the top of her head.

    "You had no choice. That man was clearly deranged. He belongs in an asylum." Fritz said.

    "The whole crowd hated me." Ada whined.

    "Screw ''em." Brenn said as she made an obscene gesture.

    "You would." Neva snorted.

    "Damn straight. Well maybe not most of them. Probably a lot though."

    "What the hell was his problem?" Fritz asked.

    "Chasing glory. His reach exceeded his grasp." Neva grumped.

    "Clearly delusional." Marcelle responded. "You did him a favor. He should return to farming." Ada sighed.

    "Everyone want''s to root for the underdog." Fritz said. "It''s inspiring and gives us hope. I wouldn''t take it personally, your a good girl, they don''t know what-" Fritz stopped mid-sentence, as he felt Ada stiffen up against him. Her tail whapped against her chair. Everyone at the table was staring at Fritz strangely. "What? Did I say something strange?"

    "No! No! No! Say it again!" Ada demanded.

    "Good girl?"

    "No! Like you mean it!" Ada said snuggling closer. Fritz patted her head. Neva and Brenn were watching him closely. Their eyes narrowed in anticipation. Fritz could feel Marcelle side eyeing him beneath her long black hair.

    "Your a good girl Ada. Good girl." Ada positively vibrated in her seat, as she leaned harder into Fritz. Neva cleared her throat, ready to change the conversation.

    "Thanks to Ada''s wins we''ve made quite the profit. So much so, now we''ve got transportation lined up."

    "How much longer are we staying?" Marcelle asked.

    "The boat leaves in two days." Neva said confidently. "Wasn''t cheap either on such short notice. The ride will take at least a week, but it''ll be far faster than on foot."

    "Great! It feels good to finally make some progress." Fritz admitted.

    "Yes, Hueryss hasn''t been bad. Much better than Trira." Neva replied.

    "Aw, come on. This city at least has the UFL not like Reches. Nothing to do there." Brenn interjected.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    "Don''t remind me of that place!" Neva said cradling her head.

    "So, how do you two know each other?" Fritz asked pointing to the beastkin across the table.

    "A long story. Let''s not." Neva said waving her hand.

    "I promised cutey here!" Brenn replied.

    "I don''t care! It''s my business!"

    "Huh? Why are you being so secretive?" Brenn asked. "Anyways, screw her, it all started-"

    Neva threw her arms over the Brenn''s shoulders quickly. Drawing the ratkin closer she whispered something in her ears. Brenn''s eyes went wide as she looked across the table.

    "Me and Brenn are gonna have a talk upstairs."

    "Right." Brenn side rising from her seat, and dusting herself off. "Elder''s first." Neva clicked her tongue before standing up and walking upstairs.

    "Weird." Ada said. "I always knew Neva was secretive, but who cares at this point?" Fritz shrugged slightly, as he patted Ada''s head.

    "Marcelle, I''ve been thinking."

    "A rarity to be sure. Did it hurt?" Ignoring her barbs, Fritz continued.

    "Do you have any books on enchanted items?" Fritz asked. Ada''s ears perked up. Looking up from the table, a hopeful look filled her eyes. Dreams of wielding her own magical weapon filled her mind.

    "Yes of course. Enchanted items and their composition if properly extracted can be an excellent source for condensed mana. Of particular note is their ability to hold onto elemental mana."

    "Can I borrow it?" Fritz asked. "I''d like to understand more about magical objects." Marcelle''s eyes narrowed as she peeked at Fritz between her long black hair.

    "Only if you will leave me be." Marcelle grumbled.

    "Why? Planning something?"

    "Always." Marcelle reached into her dimensional bag. Withdrawing a large gray tome, she placed it in front of Fritz. The title was missing on the cover.

    "I doubt you will receive much use from it. Without a proper magical education the topics will surely sail far over your head. Return it to me in perfect condition, or else."

    "Got it." Fritz said ignoring the underlying threat.

    "Fritz, are you coming to the fights tomorrow?" Ada asked.

    "I was planning on it."

    Ada snuggled into Fritz''s side as she threw a free arm over his shoulder. Opening the tome, Fritz started flipping through the pages. The tome was hand-written, and structured like a mages research findings rather than a traditional textbook. The composition and structure of magical objects were arrayed in grandiose detail before him. Yet despite being dropped into something complex, everything seemed to make perfect sense. All magical items functioned by supplying a feedable magical circuit to a mundane object. Most magical circuits required external energy sources, but more mundane enchantments, could function almost indefinitely. What really mattered was the magical circuit itself.

    Fritz read for hours, eventually retiring upstairs. Propping the book on Ada''s sleeping head, he read through most of the night.

    <hr>

    In the dark of night, a singular carriage stood upon a foggy hill outside of Hueryss. Skeletal steads stood unmoving waiting for orders. The door to the carriage was open. Hannah stood by the entrance with her hands by her side. Lying within the coffin dominating the carriage, Lilly stared at the ceiling. Her arms were crossed over her slight chest. A scowl worked its way upon her lips.

    "They have located him?"

    "Yes of course Mistress. Your quarry resides within The Resting Goose. A rather drab and boring inn. Dirty and cheap with rundown furniture, not befitting your station."

    "What else?"

    "They will be in town for two more days only. They have procured passage on a sailing vessel, leaving in the early morning."

    "Have they alerted the guards? Do they know about our quarry?"

    "No. They appear to be traveling incognito. They are isolated and alone."

    "That helps. They will be divided and weak. Without support from the guards, we have the advantage."

    "One issue, my lady."

    "What? Speak."

    "The ghoul Gaston who was our liaison for their ''tribe'' has been killed."

    "How?"

    "We believe it is the work of a bounty hunter. She has joined our quarry''s party, and can be frequently seen with the target."

    "Another nobody then."

    "I''m afraid not. She goes by Brenn The Flicker Blade. Rumor has it she is quite durable, and can take quite the pounding."

    "It matters not!" Lilly said decisively. "Our time here is running out. We cannot delay any longer. We must assault the inn. Drag him out, so that I may slay him!"

    "My lady, ar-"

    "Do not doubt me." Lilly snapped. "Gather the necromancers, have them command any lingering ghouls. We shall strike the night before. Contact the thieves guild and bring in any assassins. So long as they do not kill the champion, I don''t care who they slay."

    "As you wish, my lady."

    "Go now, so that I may be done with this place!"

    Bowing, Hannah left the carriage. Shutting the door, her form disappeared into a cloud of darkness as she traveled back into Hueryss.

 The Days Before

    The roar of the crowd, was met with a decisive blow to one of the rookie UFL fighters. Fritz and Brenn were once again in the underground arena. Marcelle had taken the day off, retiring back to their room to continue her strange experiments. Fritz could feel a large number of eyes upon him. Their presence had lingered from last night. He was sure someone was watching him. Yet he could not figure out who. Looking behind him, he tried to scan through the crowd of onlookers around him.

    "Someone''s watching us. Try not to make it too obvious." Brenn said.

    "You felt it too?" Fritz asked.

    "Aye. Been watching us all last night too."

    "Glad I wasn''t the only one." Fritz said with a sigh, turning back around to look at the UFL arena below. The unconscious fighter was being dragged out of the arena. The masked announcer paced back and forth as the next set of fighters were being prepared. "Do you know who?"

    "Guards, some shady looking thugs, and some priests." Brenn stealthily reached her hand towards Fritz''s butt. Grabbing a handful, she gave him a toothy grin. "I''ve no idea why the latter would be interested in you."

    "I went to the local Freyes church." Reaching behind him, Fritz swatted her hand away.

    "And?"

    "They let me sample some holy water, but wanted like three hundred gold coins for a tiny bottle."

    "You didn''t buy? How''d you deal with those- ya''know."

    "Made it myself."

    "Ahh.... Makes sense. I guess your situation does come with some perks."

    Someone was approaching the two. Brenn''s ears twitched, as they moved to listen to the bootsteps confidently approaching behind them. Brenn tensed for a moment. Fritz turned his head to see the shorter ratkin rolling her eyes.

    "Brenn."

    "Captain Gaspard." Brenn said turning around. Fritz''s eyes went wide, as he turned around to see an eerily familiar guard captain staring at him. The orange-haired foxkin was dressed in expensive chainmail. A steel rapier, hung idly at his side. Upon his chest was a tunic displaying the fox ears of Hueryss.

    "I''ve been looking for him." The guard captain drawled. "Quick one, and not afraid to get dirty."

    "You can''t really mean cutey here?" Brenn threw her arms around Fritz''s waist, as she brought him into a playful hug. Her long tail wrapped around his leg. Pouting her lips, and batting her eyes she became the embodiment of a brat. "Cutey''s never done anything. Why are you harassing him? Don''t discriminate."

    "Don''t play with me, Brenn. I remember him. He broke the law. Conjured gold is illegal to use, yet he tried it anyways. "

    "Cutey''s a law abiding citizen, and I''m here to keep him in line." Brenn whined. "Your being mean!"

    "This is all just a misunderstanding." Fritz started.

    "Shut up." Gaspard commanded. "I don''t want to here it from a woman who''s been thrown out of every brothel in the conclaves. And I certainly don''t want to here it from a weak human."

    "Kicked out of a brothel?" Fritz asked taken aback. He looked down towards his companion.

    "Yeah, didn''t you know? Brenn''s a degenerate. Can''t help herself. She''s infamous. Apparently she''s got every disease known to man and beastkin. Can you believe it? Are you sure you want to stand so close to her?"

    "Cutey?" Brenn asked.

    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "Yeah?"

    "Don''t you think the guard captain would look a lot better if he didn''t have that thing on his face?" Brenn pointed to his head.

    "What thing?"

    "His head." Brenn said. "I can chop it off real quick. He''d look so much better, and it''d be so quick too." Gaspard hand''s moved to his rapier.

    "Brenn. Let''s not."

    "Really? You don''t want me to kill him, and the three other guards watching us right now?" Brenn looked towards Fritz, batting her eyelashes at him, she pouted her lips like a dramatic child.

    "Uh, no. I''d prefer it if you didn''t." Fritz said awkwardly.

    "Give up, you can''t run away forever." Gaspard said. "Your punishment is just getting worse."

    "Cutey? Are you sure we can''t just behead them now? I''d make it quick. He wouldn''t suffer at all!"

    "Pretty sure. Let''s just both go our separate ways." Fritz replied.

    "Aww...." Brenn''s mood completely shifted. Her face hardened as she let go of Fritz. Vanishing within the blink of an eye, she appeared behind the guard captain. Her axe was drawn resting against the man''s neck. The crescent edge polished and sharpened to an atomic point hovered right above the captain''s neck.

    "You heard the man." Brenn said. "Fuck off. He''s not worth your time."

    "I suppose they don''t call you Flickerblade for nothing." Gaspard snorted. Several members of the audience turned around. Whispers and fingers pointed to the emerging drama in the stands. UFL staff and more guards were being alerted. Disguised soldiers were moving in to assist their captain.

    "They don''t. Now hurry up and leave, before I turn this into a bloodbath."

    "Fine." The guard captain''s hand move away from his rapier. "Your judgement will come later. Don''t expect to leave Hueryss. Come on boys." Gaspard motioned to the others, as he turned on his heel. Facing Brenn, he spared her a brief scowl before walking around.

    "Let''s skip the fights, cutey." Brenn said.

    "Yup! Totally agree. Let''s get out of here!" Fritz replied. More and more spectators were watching the two of them.

    "Shall we? Our love nest awaits!" Brenn said with a grin.

    Moving quickly, Brenn and Fritz exited the underground arena. Fritz with panicked steps led the way, as Brenn skipped behind him. From the spectator crowd, several beastkin followed the two out of the arena.

    <hr>

    Ada and Neva stood in a room surrounded by other fighters. Their coaches and champions all eyed each other. Yet, the white-robed healers of Freyes kept paying special attention to Neva and Ada. Their eyes kept darting to the two wolfkin studying each and every move of the two. Ada frowned, and as if sensing her thoughts, Neva placed a re-assuring hand on her shoulder.

    "Come on. Don''t get distracted. Two more fights, and we can get you a new sword."

    "But it won''t be enchanted." Neva let out a sigh.

    "I know. Those are a lot more expensive, and no one likes to bet on rookie fights."

    "I want an enchanted sword."

    "I know. But it''ll have to come later. We''ll get you a real sword after today. How''s that sound?"

    "Fine. But I''m gonna get it enchanted as soon as possible."

    "I''m sure you will."

    The two wolfkin fell into a light conversation. Neva prepped Ada offering tips and advice on how to fight. As the white robed healers of Freyes rushed around aiding injured fighters their ears turned towards the two wolfkin.

    <hr>

    Marcelle slithered alone. Her arms hung limply by her side, as she hunched forward. Her black hair fell forward across her face obscuring her like a mask. Children ran away as she passed. Women and men, clutched hidden weapons as she passed by.

    Mumbling to herself, Marcelle made her way towards the park. Behind her trailing at a safe distance, several figures stalked her. Their non-descript clothing and laid back attitudes drew little attention. Marcelle lost in her own world paid no mind to anyone.

    "My successes, have born fruit. Yes. Yes. But the dangers. Are they too great for me to handle? Will the potion work? Or will I transform into a grotesque monstrosity? If it does work, I will be on step closer to transcendence!" A creepy grin transformed Marcelle''s face. "Oh, what I wouldn''t give to watch Zola''s face as I ascend."

    A hidden fire burned within her. Ambition filled her, as her mind turned to the dimensional bag attached to her side. Her fingers twitched as she fought the urge to consume her latest masterpiece.

    "But the cost is too high if I fail." She whispered to herself. "The potion should be tested properly. How many times, have I failed? How many times have I been proven wrong?" Her mind flashed thousand mental images of her failures. Cringing to herself, Marcelle moved to sit down on a nearby park bench.

    "Test it first, but on who?" Marcelle wondered. "I must not get ahead of myself."

    Her mind was like a storm. The debate swirled within her, as she sat within the park.

    <hr>

    The following day passed by without incident. Ada withdrew from the final day of the ULF rookie tournament, yet in exchange she had a shining new steel shortsword. The blade looked almost identical to Neva''s. The two had snuck off for an extended training session with Brenn. Marcelle was distant. Her thoughts and mannerisms were completely consumed by some internal quest. Still, she offered to teach Fritz the basics on magical control. Using the remaining, rare quiet time, Fritz was able to continue his reading on enchanted items.

    The night of their final day within Hueryss approached. The fell asleep thinking of their journey ahead.

 The Beginning of the End

    Neva''s wolf ears perked up. Metal scraped against their lock, pulling her out of a deep sleep. She sat up from the singular bed. The night was dark. A sliver of moonlight seeped from the fast moving clouds above. With her back to the wall, she looked around in confusion. Ada snored horribly on the floor below. Fritz slept silently underneath her. A lingering feeling of wrongness kept her awake as she looked around the room.

    The lock clicked. Neva began slowly moving for her sword next to the bed. Faint whispers emanated from behind the door, nearly impossible to hear underneath Ada''s symphony of snoring. The door knob began turning. Neva''s foot touched the ground gracefully, as the bed underneath creaked. All movement stopped. Each side listened for the other. Neva mastered her breathing. Her attention split in two. Her left side focused on grabbing hold of her magic. Her right side reached towards the hilt of her sword. Her fingers gripped the leather hilt.

    Ada snorted softly. Her breathing was briefly interrupted, as she shifted slightly. Fritz let out a deep sigh, as he fell back asleep.

    Neva slid her right foot off the bed, and waited. Within a minute, Ada returned to snoring loudly. Neva watched the door like a hawk. The knob turned slowly. Neva felt the call of her inner fire, yet she needed to be careful. The tips of her fingers flicked with the invisible sparks of her magic. The door opened just a crack. A light creak from the wooden door announced the intruders. The world seemed to stand still. Neva felt her heart slow, as she kept her breathing slow and steady.

    The door exploded open. Magic sparked from Neva''s fingers. Fire enveloped her hand, as cloaked assassin''s rushed into the room. Ada drew her sword in one swift movement, as a flaming whip slammed into the rushing enemies.

    Neva yelled out a battle cry as she rushed forward. Her sword met the steel dagger''s of the assassins. Blood and fire filled the room. Marcelle, pulled fresh from her dreams, screeched in fear and anger. She shrunk back away from the door. Ada jumped up in shock. Flecks of drool dribbled down her chin. She blinked away her shock as she moved into action. Neva''s fire illuminated the room. Ada grabbed her sword, the smooth steel ripped out of her scabbard as she joined the fray.

    Fritz was the last to act. He scrambled up from the floor throwing away his sheet and pillow. His mind lurched forward as he tried to adjust to the sudden attack.

    Neva and Ada dispatched the intruders with ease. Broken teeth and bones, littered the room within. Neva walked over to a slumped over assassin. Their arm had been broken. The bone splintered out at an unnatural angle. Neva reached down to pull back their hood. A pair of fluffy ears appeared. Scars littered his face. A dagger flashed as the defeated man tried one last desperate attack. Neva grabbed his wrist and slammed the dagger into his own thigh. The man screamed in pain.

    "Bad idea!" Neva growled. Looking back to her companions she shouted. "We''re leaving now!"

    "What the hell happened?" Marcelle asked.

    "They picked the lock. Tried to kill us." Neva answered quickly. "Grab your stuff, we need to leave."

    "Now?"

    "Now! This inn is no longer safe." Neva answered. "Get your things, hurry up!" Neva commanded.

    Fritz, Ada, and Marcelle scrambled around the room to dress quickly and pack.

    "Who the hells are you?" Neva asked the man, as she held his wrist above his head.

    "Screw you!" The beastkin growled out.

    "Talk, and the pain will stop."

    "Ha. You''re already dead. The guild''s already marked you girls."

    "Why?" Ada increased the pressure of her grip. The beastkin tried to pull away from her. "Answer me!" Neva yelled out.

    Other patrons within the inn were stirring. The innkeeper was shouting out orders demanding everyone return to their rooms. The beastkin remained silent. Neva clicked her tongue, before slamming the pommel of her sword into the man''s skull. He fell to the floor like a bag of jelly.

    "How much longer?" Neva demanded from her companions.

    "I''m done." Ada answered quickly. Her pack was on the floor. She was already dressed in her daily wear. Fritz was similarly clothed, while Marcelle was scrambling to shove her alchemical equipment into her dimensional storage.

    "Marcelle, hurry up!" Neva barked.

    "I''m trying!" Marcelle shot back. The sound of pounding boots echoed on the stairway outside their room.

    "What the hells is happening?" The innkeeper shouted, as he stormed into Neva''s room.

    <hr>

    Outside of the inn, Lilly and Hannah stood nearby. Lilly''s onyx rapier was drawn. Her crimson dress fluttered slightly in the night''s breeze. Her pale, milky white skin seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. A little down the cobbled street, four necromancer''s stood at attention, watching the inn. Blacked runed robes dripped with dark magic. Behind them, standing like statues, was a battalion of cloaked skeletons. In a nearby alley, five ghouls crouched down in the shade. Already, their mouths slobbered in anticipation of the night''s feast. Their yellow leathery skin, twitched as they struggled to contain their excitement.

    "My lady, it appears the assassins have failed."

    "Useless." Lilly von Erwenhest II said. Her voice dripped with venomous anger. Her small hands gripped her rapier tighter. She pointed towards the enchanted onyx rapier towards the inn. "Hannah, drag him out!" She commanded.

    "At once, my lady." The veiled wight bowed, before she extended her hand out. Tendrils of dark magic shot towards the inn. They latched onto the wall of the inn. Attached to Hannah''s palm, they formed all around Fritz''s room. They dug into the second story of the building, piercing the wood and stone with ease. Black lashing secured firmly inside the building. Hannah turned her wrist, the cords of magic tightened together. She held thousands of tendrils, and with unnatural ease pulled back. The tendrils tightened as wood and stone groaned in pain.

    <hr>

    The innkeeper was screaming at them. Fritz had just finished packing his stuff, when he felt the floor move. Gravity shifted. His balance struggled to keep up as he fell. His shoulder hit the wooden wall of the inn. Yet that too seemed unstable. He continued falling, pressed now into that wooden wall. Yet he fell for only a moment, as the second story room hit the ground. Dust and splinters flooded into the air. Fritz''s mind barely had the chance to comprehend the situation. He could hear shouting and screaming from somewhere outside of the ruined room. Splintered wooden beams were covering him. He should have felt pain, but all that came was confusion. He could hear Neva screaming.

    "Ada! Ada! Marcelle! Fritz! Get ready!" She screamed out.

    Pushing hard against the wood, he managed to arise. Bloody and bruised he looked around him. Marcelle''s tail lashed out, sending a wooden support beam flying through the air. She sat up. Dirt clung to her long black hair. A scowl of determination wrought itself on her. Coils of fire wrapped themselves around Neva''s left fist. She jumped down landing on the jumbled debris. Ada stood up. She moved slowly towards Fritz. Her new steel sword was held at the ready. Beyond them, out in the cobbled streets, death awaited.

    Crimson red eyes fixated on Fritz. As the shower of dust cleared, Fritz could see the vampire. Her flared, crimson skirt shifted in the night''s air. Her deathly white skin shone in the moonlight of Hueryss. Her lips moved upwards revealing her elongated canines. The city went quiet, waiting for what came next.

    "Capture him! Kill the rest!" Lilly commanded.

    "Ada protect, Fritz! We need to run!" Neva shouted.

    Ghouls with dagger-like maws charged forward like feral beasts. The company of skeletons marched. The dark magic of their master''s circulated into them. Clubs, rusting swords, and spears stood at the ready as they advanced. Hannah let forth a volley of dark magic towards Neva. The older wolfkin dodged down as arrows of darkness sailed over her. She shot to her feet, rallying the troops.

    "Follow me! We''ll fight our way out!" Neva shouted.

    The ghouls were upon them, before they could even escape the rubble. Teeth and claws, gnashed and slashed trying to spill their blood. Marcelle searched her dimensional bag for a solution. She quickly grabbed an experimental potion before slinking down and consuming it. Neva whipped flame towards the ghouls driving them back. The skeletons reached the outskirts of the rubble. Ada turned back slightly, as she felt the presence of the skeletons. Sensing an opportunity, a ghoul scrambled forward. It''s claw swiped for Ada''s leg.

    Ada hit the claws with her sword, sending the ghoul reeling. Ada kicked its face. The ghoul flew backwards back into the alley. Its teeth smashed inwards in an ugly funnel. Snarling, it jumped up to its feet, before sprinting back.

    The robed skeletons advanced forward. White bones stuck out beneath their robes. Their weapons raised together, as they sprung forward to strike. Dark magic swirled and circulated through their bodies. Their masters huddled together. Their runed robes glittered as they pushed magic into their undead servants. Neva parried and dodged the empowered warriors.

    Fritz watched his companions fight. A surge of anger filled him due to his inaction. He needed to act. He needed to help. Conjuring a vial of holy water, he threw it towards an empowered skeleton. The glass shattered as it hit the skeleton''s head, knocking back its cowl. The water dripped down its face, hissing like acid. Tendrils of dark magic evaporated from its skull like boiling water. The undead stumbled as its control momentarily faltered. Surging magic kept it upright as it struggled against the water. Ada kicked the pile of bones. The skeleton flew away never to rise again.

    Hannah aimed towards her hand towards Neva as spears of dark magic shot forward. The magic pierced the air like a bullet as Neva jumped out of the way. Lilly held out her rapier as she charged towards Fritz. Ada held her shortsword ready as she attempted to defend. Ada grabbed Fritz by the shoulder shoving him backwards. The two met. Steel scraped against the vampire''s enchanted blade.

    Fritz looked down to Marcelle. The lamia was spasming on the ground. Blood pooled around her lips. Her long robes distorted, as a pair of wings erupted from her back. Fritz felt his stomach lurch as Marcelle screamed in pain. Ghouls pounced towards her. Marcelle shot upright. Her long black hair obscured her panting, bloody face. Her hands had changed. Large steel like claws glittered in the moonlight. She caught an attacking ghoul with her transformed hand. Breathing putrid decaying smog from her distorted mouth, Fritz watched the ghoul''s flesh fall away. The other''s fell upon her, biting fangs and gnashing claws at her.

    "Run! Ignore the minions! Run!" Neva ordered. A flash of magic erupted from her as a crescent of fire exploded towards the robed skeletons. An arrow of dark magic sailed over her head as she ducked down. Running forward, she advanced towards the wight. Fritz and Ada were quick to follow, fighting off their attackers as best as they could. Ada parried Lilly''s onyx rapier. The black blade danced like a striking snake. It''s sharp tip, pressed towards Ada''s throat forcing her on the defensive. Ada was losing ground, soon she would be pushed back into the pile of ghouls and skeleton''s. Her eyes fell to the ground. A loose plank of wood caught her eyes. Kicking it up, she grabbed the airborne plank with her free hand, before throwing it towards the blonde vampire. With a graceful pirouette the noblewoman dodged backwards. Sensing the opening, Ada grabbed Fritz''s shoulder before rushing after Neva. Marcelle screeched like a dying woman. Her long purple tail slammed into the remaining ghouls forcing them back. Her wings flapped as she ran after the others.

    The veiled wight was waiting for them. Her hands fluttered with magic as she aimed dark magic towards them. Danger flooded Fritz''s senses as he looked towards the veiled undead. Her face was unreadable, as the magic condensed down. Neva shot bolts of fire towards her, yet they struck uselessly against a barrier of darkness.

    "Get down!" Neva yelled out, as she jumped towards the ground. The faintest smile flitted across Hannah''s lips. Her magic felt like death itself. In the back of his mind, Fritz knew whatever her magic touched would die. He felt himself stumble forward as Ada threw him to the ground. Behind him, Marcelle jumped, flying into the air. Her new black wings pumped, hovering her in the air.

    A shimmer of light appeared next to Hannah, as Brenn teleported into the fight. A crescent shaped axe came for the undead. The sound of shattering glass filled the road, as her barrier collapsed. Hannah turned around, releasing her magic. A blast of dark energy erupted from her hand. Buildings shattered and fell like paper, as a beam of black magic destroyed everything in its path. The city rumbled and shook as dust, timber, and stone fell to the ground.

    "Brenn!" Neva shouted, as she shot back to her feet. Lilly laughed as she casually began pursuing her prey.

    "It''s useless. Hannah, and I will never let you get away! Surrender now!" Lilly taunted.

    "Brenn! Answer me Gods dammit!" Neva shouted. Her free hand trembled in panic as she aimed at the wight. A shimmer of light appeared near Neva. Brenn occupied the space instantly.

    "Calm down." Brenn huffed. "I''m fine. It''ll take more than that to kill me." Fritz and Ada scrambled to their feet, as Marcelle fell to the ground. Her large tail struck the ground. Stone cracked underneath her weight. Marcelle stifled a grunt of pain, as she stood up. Her long black claws clicked together in annoyance.

    "What the hells happened to you, girlie? You half dragon?" Brenn asked.

    "Experimental. Dangerous. Hurt." Marcelle said through gritted fangs.

    Behind them, the undead were re-organizing. The ghouls had reformed their pack. Lilly walked confidently forward. Her rapier was held out before her, as the skeletons moved to support her. The robed necromancer''s moved up. The hint of fear showed in their legs.

    "We need to push through!" Neva urged.

    "The wight is strong." Brenn said dryly. She hefted her axe over her shoulder. Her large circular ears twitched as screams of pain and despair from the ruined houses came into the night. In the distance bells of alarm sounded out. Fritz felt some measure of relief as he heard the bells.

    "The guards! They''ll save us!" He said.

    "They''ll be too late." Brenn said. "We need to get away from her." She pointed towards the wight.

    "Brenn! Take Fritz and flee." Neva said.

    "And leave you behind?" Fritz asked incredulously.

    "It''s the safest option." Neva said.

    "No. We''re fighting. I''m with him. We can win." Brenn said confidently.

    "Now''s not the time. Brenn, please."

    "No."

    "Enough. This ends now." Lilly shouted. "Hannah! Minions! Advance!"

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The veiled wight bowed slightly, before readying herself. Ghouls and skeletons charged forward scraping against the cobbled streets of Trira. Brenn disappeared, teleporting into range of the wight. The short ratkin, hacked and slashed at the wight. Her crescent axe danced against the dark void magic of the wight.

    "Follow me! Brenn and I will hold off the wight. You three run!" Neva urged. She shot a crescent of flame magic behind her, before running to assist Brenn.

    They ran. The wight''s duel spilled deadly dark magic all around the street. Ada and Fritz ran to one side. Ada spared a quick glance behind her, an onyx blade was running for her throat. Twisting her body, she brought up her sword to deflect the blade. Lilly stepped forward as she tried to grab Fritz by the shoulder. Marcelle''s clawed fist swiped down at the vampire. Jumping backwards, Lilly easily dodged the slow swipe.

    "Keep running!" Neva urged as she looked back.

    "You''re too slow!" Ada growled.

    "What?" Fritz asked. Ada grabbed him by the waist as he felt the world shift. Ada kicked off the ground, as she started running past the wight. Her veiled face watched the blonde wolfkin, briefly before a flurry of sword and axe pushed her back. Arrows of dark magic, shot towards Ada''s running form. Yet the wolfkin was too quick. Marcelle moved to block the vampire.

    Lilly clicked her tongue as she watched the mess of black hair blocked her path.

    "What are you doing?" The vampire asked.

    "Stopping. Zola. Ordered. Me." Marcelle huffed. Her long purple tail whipped around in annoyance. Her clawed hands opened and closed as the army of undead formed up behind her.

    "I''ve no time for you. Kill them. I shall slay the champion." Lilly commanded the others. The vampire jumped forward to pursue Fritz and Ada. Marcelle swiped at the vampire. Yet she missed. Ghouls and skeletons swarmed her. Her black claws hit the lesser undead throwing them back.

    "Hold them back. Hannah, I''ll end this farce." Lilly barked. Her extreme speed carried her after Fritz and Ada.

    "As you wish, my lady." Hannah replied. Marcelle''s wings flapped as she tried to jump into the air. Arrows of dark magic forced her to dodge back to the ground. Marcelle slammed back to the ground breaking apart a set of skeletal warriors with ease. Screaming in pain, her tail lashed around her, throwing back her opponents. Dark tendrils emanated from the wight as she grabbed hold of several buildings. Pulling with unnatural strength, Hannah sent a pile of rubble into the street blocking Neva, Brenn and Marcelle from assisting Fritz.

    <hr>

    Fritz and Ada were behind a mass of rubble. Neva looked towards the obstruction. A knot of worry wormed through her as she thought of Ada. The scar on her cheek itched, as she looked towards the wight.

    "Come on! Neva no holding back now!" Brenn yelled. "Bring it back! Stop running from your past!"

    "I left that life behind!" Neva shot back. "I don''t want to go back!"

    "It doesn''t matter! It''s calling you back!" Brenn urged. Her brown eyes were wide, full of excitement. She gripped her  crescent axe tighter as her eyes darted to her many opponents.

    Behind Brenn and Neva, Marcelle raged. Her large black wings propelled her forward as she slammed into necromancer and skeletons alike. Ghouls with their supernatural sharp claws tried to pierce her unnatural hardened skin. The pride and roar of a false dragon reverberated down the street from Brenn and Neva.

    "Come on!" Brenn yelled. "It''s do or die! Just like old times!"

    "Fuck!" Neva screamed.

    "Hurry up. My mistress shall surely finish Freyes'' champion within moments. Do not waste my time further." Hannah whispered. Her voice danced on the wind like the winter''s breeze. The promise of death drifted upon her words. Brenn levelled her axe towards the wight. Brenn shot an encouraging look towards Neva, before fixating on her prey.

    "You stand before Brenn the Flicker Blade! Former fang! Slayer of beasts! Killer of monsters! I''ve hunted monsters in every corner of this land! I''ve killed your kind thousands of times! Let''s have your name, wight before we slay you!"

    "Hannah, though, it is you who shall die tonight." The wight said with a curtsey. "Chief maid of the esteemed Lilly von Erwenhest II. Foremost and closest to death amongst her servants." The two looked over towards Neva.

    "Come on!" Brenn urged. "Get back on the saddle!" Neva scowled. Her scars danced as her inner turmoil raged.

    "It''s stupid!"

    "Who cares! Marcelle''s hopped up on something! She won''t remember! It''s just you and me!"

    "It''s pointless."

    "No it isn''t! You were meant for something greater! Don''t run away from what you were! We need you! We need the real you! Help us! Don''t let Ada die!" A floodgate of restraint collapsed within Neva.

    "Fine!" Neva yelled. Fire danced up from her left hand. The flames consumed her arm destroying her sleeve as it danced up her arm. Her arm blazed with fury shedding light against into the streets of Hueryss. Neva''s steel sword glimmered in the orange light. Flames ran towards her blade, as if the greedy fire desired to consume everything. "I am Neva the blade dancer! First fang and foremost amongst the deadliest warriors of this world!" She yelled. The flames consuming her left arm exploded. Like a half-winged angel Neva stood proud and defiant before the wight. Her shirt burned and melted against the heat. Her blue eyes fixated upon her prey as her sword arm clenched.

    "Yes! Yes! Let''s get it!" Brenn urged.

    "I have slain giants!" Neva yelled. Throwing her blade against the stone streets of Hueryss, the indestructible steel blade bounced upwards. A whip of fire wrapped around the hilt of the blade as it hovered in the air. "I have put the dead to rest!" Her arm shot to the side. The whip of flame''s pulled the blade along it''s trajectory. Marcelle screamed in rage as a ghoul raked the wings upon her back. A flaming blade shot towards Marcelle. Meter''s went by in an instant, as the flaming blade sunk into the ghoul''s skull. It''s body went slack, as burning steel embedded into it''s head. "I have slain my enemies for years!" Neva yelled. Yanking on the whip of flame the blade obeyed her will, retreating from the ghoul it flew by with supernatural speed towards it''s master. Marcelle turned around, ready to fight her already slain enemy. Her frantic purple eyes beheld Neva in her full glory.

    "And for what? You idiots keep coming!" Neva screamed. She caught her flying sword with practiced ease as she kept it spinning in a slow arc. "You want to see the blade dancer? You wish to see fire and death? You wish to see the true first fang? You who teeters upon death''s embrace dare to challenge that which has pushed thousands into true slumber? Wight! I shall show you!"

    Neva''s spun her blade in a lazy arc. Her free hand gripped the whip of flame lazily. Her eyes glinted with killing intent, as her steel blade slowly spun.

    "Such fanfare. Such a shame." The wight responded lazily.  "Your kind loves such pointless gestures."

    "Brenn. Don''t get hit." Neva growled out. The ratkin snorted in response.

    "That''s what I''m good at. Don''t you remember?"

    "Just making sure." Neva scowled.

    Neva''s sword whipped in a horizontal arc. Steel threatened to decapitate the undead in her path. The blazing half-angel yelled as her blood-lust filled the air. Neva''s shortsword moved towards Hannah''s neck. Dark magic erupted to form layered barriers as the steel bounced off the wight''s defenses. Brenn''s form flickered. The short ratkin vanished, appearing instantly behind Hannah. Her crescent axe glistened in the light of Neva''s flames. The axe fell down like a guillotine.

    Hannah was consumed by dark magic. Vanishing instantly, she reposited away from certain death. Brenn''s axe fell to the stone streets. Cobbled stone cracked and exploded as Brenn vanished chasing after the wight.

    Neva pulled back on her flames. Her sword obeyed as it chased the wight. Across the rooftops of Hueryss, the wight teleported as steel and fang chased her. Neva''s sword obeyed her with supernatural command. Brenn chased the rapidly vanishing wight as Neva harried the undead. Half of Neva''s attention diverted to Marcelle. The transformed lamia swung her large draconic claws with reckless abandon. Surrounded by skeletons and ghouls they harried her, biting at her tail and wings waiting for any opportunity to slay the lamia. Neva sent her sword flying to aid Marcelle. Sallow flesh and bone parted beneath her blade as it flew through the air.

    Hannah teleported before Neva. The wight''s pale hands were outstretched. Dark magic coalesced in her grasp ready to unleash killing magic.

    "Die." Hannah whispered. Neva scowled. She kicked off the ground. Her knee hit the wight straight in the face sending her flying into a nearby building.

    "Were you listening? Tonight you die." Neva growled. Tugging on her whip of flame she sent her enchanted blade towards the destroyed building. The blade hummed as it struck something solid. The wight''s barrier held true. The blade returned as Neva pulled on the whip of flame. Grabbing the hilt with both hands, Neva pulled back. Her arms expanded as blood and killing intent filled her. Her sword flew straight and true as it crashed against the wight''s barrier. Dark magic cracked, as Hannah''s barrier magic gave way.

    <hr>

    Fritz bounced up and down underneath Ada''s grip. He was treated like a sack of potatoes. A lingering sense of humiliation filled him. Looking behind him, he felt the rumble of collapsing buildings as the road was blocked by debris. Glinting crimson on the nearby rooftops drew his eye.

    "Ada! She''s back!" Fritz shouted. Lilly von Erwenhest II''s crimson hooped skirt moved up and down, as her heels struck against tiled roof. He felt magic permeating from her direction as she started moving faster. "Ada!"

    "I know!" Ada shouted back. Lilly overtook them, jumping down into the street ahead of them.

    Lilly flourished her onyx blade at Ada. She moved into a guarded stance, as Ada let Fritz down. Pulling on his magic, Fritz created another vial of holy water. Ada readied her new steel sword.

    Fritz tensed his muscles, before throwing the vail at Lilly. Lilly easily deflected the water, throwing it off course. Her blade surged forward towards Ada. The blonde wolfkin was on the defensive. Lilly''s rapier danced around her defenses, scoring quick cuts on her hands, wrists, and arms. Ada grunted underneath the assault.

    Fritz couldn''t stand by. He pulled on his magic again, creating more holy water. Throwing it towards Lilly, he watched her crimson eyes narrow before switching to him. The vail sailed through the air, Lilly turned on her heel as she jumped forward and delivered a thrust towards Ada. The blonde wolfkin moved back to avoid the blade as Lilly struck towards Fritz. The onyx blade clipped his arm. He felt blood leave his wrist as he drew his arm back. Lilly stopped, bringing the blade towards her mouth. Her tongue touched the blade lapping up his blood. She shuddered in pleasure, as her eyes closed. Lilly savored the flavor.

    "So intoxicating. Enchanting!" Lilly cooed.

    "You bitch! I''m your opponent." Ada growled.

    "Watch your tongue dog." Lilly replied.

    "Ada. Calm down. We need a plan." Fritz clutched his wrist, letting his fingers roll over the wound.

    "The plan''s simple. I''m gonna kill her, so stand back." Ada growled. She shifted her stance as she readied her sword.

    "Kill me? Your too weak, and I am only getting stronger." Lilly laughed. "Come then." Her fingers curled inward inviting Ada to attack.

    Ada surged forward. Her sword slicing into the air, whistling like a flute. Lilly parried, as Ada started her assault. Ada thrust and slashed, yet the onyx blade met her each time. Lilly''s lips contorted in a smile. Ada''s sword clanged against Lilly''s rapier. Her hand shot out, as she jumped forward trying to grapple her opponent. Lilly immediately pivoted, spinning and slashing. Ada''s hand missed the vampire, as the rapier ran across her thighs. Ada''s blood spilled onto Lilly''s blade.

    "Ada!" Fritz shouted. His mind scrambled for a solution. His eyes watched the duel barely able to keep up with their movements. Lilly''s blade seemed to thrum as it soaked up the blood.

    Ada slumped forward, breathing in a deep breath she continued her assault. Her movements were slowing down. She couldn''t pin the pale vampire.

    "Hahaha, are you slowing down? All that confidence, where did it go?" Lilly taunted. Parrying Ada''s slash, she moved her rapier down and forced Ada''s shortsword out of her hands. The blade clanged to the ground. Fritz looked on in stunned silence. Lilly sported a smug smile. Ada blinked away her confusion, as Lilly held out her sword in a guarded stance.

    "Come on, pick it up." She demanded. Ada jumped to the ground. Rolling to her feet with her sword in her hand. She barely had enough time to bring her sword up. Lilly slashed and hacked her rapier. Steel sparks flew from Ada''s sword as she was forced back. Ada ground her teeth in frustration as she retreated. A decisive thrust towards Ada''s heart was blocked. Lilly immediately followed up with a slash, Ada raised her sword up. The blades met. Ada''s brand new sword snapped in two, as Lilly''s rapier moved forward. Ada''s instincts kicked into overdrive, as she dived to the ground. Lilly''s blade nicked her shoulder slashing across her back. Flicking the blood from her blade, Lilly slammed her heel into Ada''s head.

    "Know defeat dog!" Lilly slammed her heel back down. "My blade grows stronger from blood. You can never win! You''re an inferior animal! Know your place! You will never defeat me!" Lilly kicked Ada in the head. Ada spun on the ground away. "Now, to take my prize."

    Lilly spun on her heels. Her crimson eyes fixated on Fritz. She stopped. The two stood watching and waiting. Her smug smile met Fritz''s grim determination.

    "Ada?" Fritz asked. Ada groaned out in response. "Are you alive?"

    "Yeah." She groaned.

    "Your blade grows stronger on blood?" Fritz asked.

    "Didn''t I say?"

    "It must be enchanted."

    "Obviously." Lilly snorted. "It cries out for you." Lilly brandished her rapier towards Fritz. "You blood tastes amazing. The best I''ve ever had. My sword hungers for it. It is practically leaping from my hands to kill you! It''s a shame, I cannot drink my fill. I shall return to Gris with your head shortly." Lilly smiled at him. Her long canine teeth scraped against her blood red lips.

    "Ada, stand up." Fritz commanded. The blonde wolfkin groaned, as her hands pushed her body up.

    "Oh? Planning on punching me down? Will I be overwhelmed by your fighting spirit? Are you gonna show my the power of friendship?" Lilly taunted.

    "Ada, wait." Fritz commanded.

    "Gonna throw more holy water? Gonna create another disgusting scent?" Lilly sneered. "Beware. If you do, my manservant won''t play nice any longer!"

    "Fritz, what are you planning?" Ada asked.

    "Yes, what are you planning champion?" Lilly taunted. "You are defeated. You''re too slow. Your too weak. You could never stand before me as an equal! Not without resorting to something underhanded."

    "I''m here to give Ada everything she''s always wanted." Fritz said defiantly. Lilly tittered. "Ada get ready!"

    "Hah! Let us see your last gasp champion! Show me your last pathetic defiance!" Lilly taunted.

    Fritz held out his hand. He looked down at the blood on his left wrist. It trickled down, dripping onto the streets below. Lilly watched him with the eyes of a predator. Fritz closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He focused on the magic at his core. He felt the lingering sensation. It''s foreign and alien energy pulsed demanding him to use it. He pulled on his core ever so lightly. He let his magic flow into his hand, as he opened his eyes. He felt the lingering sensation of the blade on his skin. He looked towards the rapier held lightly in Lilly''s hand. He saw the dark onyx color tipped in blood. He saw the guard copying the image in his mind. He remembered the pull of magic as the blade cut him. He closed his eyes again. He pulled harder on his mana. He let his power coalesce in his hand. Yet it was not enough. He pushed harder. He opened the channels of his magic. He let it flood out of him. He needed more. He visualized his core, and let it all fall through. Magic flooded his body before screaming out of his veins. His blood boiled as the magical energy barreled through him. He kept the image in his mind the entire time, even as the pain threatened to destroy his focus. His brain burned as he held onto the image. Fiery pain ruptured his veins demanding him to stop. Yet nothing would slow him down.

    When Fritz opened his eyes, Lilly''s blade was in his hands. The two women looked at him in confusion. Ada blinked, as she whispered something to herself. The world seemed distant. Fritz''s hand felt like it was going to explode. His blood felt like it was on fire. He turned the rapier over in his hands. It looked perfect to the rapidly fading man. He grabbed the handle and held it up. The dark onyx black of the blade camouflaged into the void of the night.

    "Impressive copy. It almost looks like the original." Lilly laughed. "Now, be a good boy. Come and pass to the other side!"

    Fritz smiled sadly to himself. The next part was going to hurt. He was so grateful that everything felt so fuzzy and hazy. He needed to coat the blade. He needed to do it quickly. Fritz shoved the blade through his stomach, just to the left. He prayed that he would miss any major arterial branch. The blade hummed in pleasure as Fritz pushed it through his skin, muscle, and guts. The pain screamed at him to stop, yet he wasn''t done. Grabbing the hilt he ripped the sword out.

    The black blade glistened with blood. Its onyx exterior thrummed with glee. Ada ran to him, past the confused vampire.

    "What are you doing? You are not allowed to end yourself!" Lilly screamed.

    Ada held him, as he stumbled. Fritz stared into her gray eyes. His fleeting thoughts ignored her concerns. Behind her he knew the vampire was still there. Fritz grabbed her shirt pulling her closer. He could feel the power within the blade. Soaked in blood it demanded

    "Ada." Fritz said softly. "I need you to do something for me."

    "Anything, Fritz." Ada replied. Her strong hands held him as he stared defaintly at the vampire before him. A strange madness consumed Fritz. A rush of energy filled him.

    "Ada. Kill." Fritz yelled as he pointed towards Lilly. He shoved the blade into her hands, as he fell forwards to the ground. The taste of iron settled on his tongue as blood dribbled out of his mouth. His stomach churned as he threw up. Fritz fell unconscious in his own vomit.

    Ada pulled back, brandishing the blade. His blood fueld the enchanted blade. Ada''s fingers tensed over the ornate rapier''s hilt. Lilly turned to Ada, as the two moved into a guarded stance. Ada felt the power in the blade. It''s desire for vengeance and carnage consumed her. Invigorating energy filled her. Intoxicating power begged to be used. A tendril of dark desire touched her mind. It''s whispers filled her demanding carnage.

    "Kill. Feed." Ada heard the foreign words in her mind.

    Lilly was the first to strike. Every thrust was parried instantly by Ada. The onyx blade felt natural in the wolfkin''s hands. Her opponent''s movements seemed slower, as if the vampire had already run a marathon. Pressing the attack, Ada slashed away a thrust. Lilly''s blade wrenched from her hands. The vampire stumbled to pick up her blade. Ada turned her blade over.

    "No matter! It''s time to end this!" Lilly shouted as she collected her blade. Her body shimmered with red magic. Blood congealed in her muscles, expanding her with profane power. She pressed her attack against Ada. Her blade danced uselessly as Ada defended perfectly. The blade felt like it had a mind of its own. Ada felt its desire leading her in the right direction, lending borrowed strength to the wolfkin.

    An opening appeared and Lilly''s heart was exposed. The thrill of the hunt overtook Ada. Lilly''s eyes went wide, as a scream formed on her lips. Ada pushed off with her back foot. Stone cracked as she thrust forward. Swirling dark magic erupted in front of Ada. Pure blackness enveloped her vision, as her momentum carried her forward. The onyx blade pierced undead flesh. Ada blinked.

    Before her Hannah''s veiled face looked back. Her chest had been impaled by the onyx blade. Behind her, the tip of the rapier barely pierced Lilly''s chest. Underneath the veil her lips moved in apology.

    "I''m sorry, my Lady." Hannah whispered. Ada looked on in confusion. "I couldn''t let you die here."

    "Hannah!" Lilly screamed.

    "I promised your mother, nothing would happen to you." Hannah whispered. Her hands fluttered in a strange signal, as black magic enveloped the vampire.

    "Hannah, what are you doing?"

    "Farewell, Lady. It has been an honor." Hannah whispered. The vampire disappeared in a coffin of darkness. Returning to her senses, Ada pulled on the rapier. Hannah grabbed the blade preventing her from moving it. Her lips moved rapidly as she started chanting.

    Ada punched the wight in the face. Yet the undead woman refused to budge. Hannah continued to chant as magic power infused the surrounding area. Hannah grabbed hold of Ada with her other hand. The crushing grip of the wight held the wolfkin in place.

    "Let me go!" Ada shouted.

    A flicker of light appeared behind the wight. Brenn appeared in the blink of an eye. Her crescent axe swiped towards the wight. Her head fell away from her shoulders. The wight''s body went limp. Ada took the opportunity to withdraw her blade and carve the undead in a panic.

    "You alright girlie?" Brenn asked, as she stood up. Ada breathed rapidly as she looked behind towards Fritz. A pool of blood trickled out of his stomach, as he lay on the ground motionless.

 Herald of Gris

    Seven feet of trinkets, glittering talismans, and jewelry jingled towards Hueryss. The herald of Gris was hunched. His extremely tall, gaunt frame was covered with the black fur of a monstrous dire wolf. His eyes inspected the vibrant green ivy covering Hueryss''s walls as he approached the gates. In the crisp warm morning air he shivered as he marched. His skin was pale like a man suffering from frostbite. The air fogged before him from a persistent emanating cold. His dark feverish eyes exuded an undeniable madness. Despite everything his heart still beat.

    The gates of the beastkin city were approaching. The tall human watched the pair of guards tense up as he neared. Their weapons were drawn in fear as they watched the huge shivering man approach.

    "Halt!" A guard called out to him. The man''s intense gaze swept over the pair of beastkin guards before him. He proffered a deep regal bow to them, just as the laws of formality demanded. His long curling dark hair fell forward obscuring his face.

    "State your business stranger!" The other guard barked.

    "Goddess above. He looks like a corpse." The first guard said.

    "Shut it!" The other guard barked. "Talk stranger! I don''t like the feel of you! Speak before I stab you!" A smarmy smile wormed its way over the herald''s mouth.

    "As all lingering should." The human spoke. His voice was soft yet almost ethereal, like it belonged to the spirits itself. The man straightened his posture rising to meet the gaze of the guards. "I am Ian von Richter. Wearer of the von Richter family. Herald of Gris." The guards eyes went wide as they looked to each other for guidance. "I have come to ascertain the whereabouts of a certain Lilly von Erwenhest, the second of her name. My mission is at the behest of her distraught mother Rose von Erwenhest. Are you familiar with the name? Has the lady graced this city?"

    The two guards were dumbfounded. They kept waiting for the other to take hold of the situation.

    "May I enter? You have nothing to fear from me. I have only come to find her and express personally her mother''s disappointment in her actions. Her last known location placed her here. I assure you I mean no harm. As a herald I am forbidden to enact violence upon the living unless attacked first. May I enter?" Ian repeated. A practiced diplomatic smile crept upon his lips as he looked at the two terrified guards. The two guards stood still like statues. The man''s smile faded into a long drawn out sigh. Instinctively he knew the beastkin would be of little help. The herald walked forward. The spear point of the first guard''s halberd moved on its own accord. The metal moved out of the way allowing the man entry. The other guard jumped away leaving the gate completely open. The guard''s shivered as a biting cold suddenly hit them. Walking past the guards, Ian von Richter''s long legs carried him into Hueryss.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    "Should we have done that?" One of the guards asked.

    "Done what? I don''t know what you''re talking about. I haven''t met any strange seven foot tall humans! I''m pretty sure I would have remembered if I did!"

    "Should we have let him in?"

    "No idea what you''re talking about, I haven''t seen any seven foot tall creeps. No idea. And neither did you." The other guard blinked as he finally understood.

    "Yup. Definitely didn''t see that. Completely snuck right past us. Probably climbed the walls when we weren''t looking."

    "Good. Good. Drinks on me later."

    <hr>

    "Family is everything." Ian muttered to himself. He stood before a ruined inn. The entire second story of the inn had been pulled down. Faint remnants of dark magic filled the air. Something pulled on his arm from within his fur jacket. Looking over, he could see beastkin lingering and watching him. The look of fear mixed with curiosity upon their countenance. Ian ignored them. His mission demanded answers and these simple beastkin would offer him little. That is assuming they would even speak with him. Another tug on his arm directed his attention down the road. The persistent tug from his bracelet hinted at a clue nearby. Following it, Ian followed the trail of destruction.

    Guards were following him at a considerable distance as he made his way down the road. Fire, destruction, and dark magic painted a canvas of battle. The herald of Gris''s mind wandered as he mused about the possibilities. A tunnel had been created between a pile of rubble and debris. Ian followed the trail as if it was the most natural path in the world.

    A lingering hint of death called him forward. Standing still, he looked around. A particular pool of dried blood stained the streets. Dark magic cloaked the area mixing with a strong creature''s dead aura.

    "What happened here? Mother? Father?" Ian asked as he closed his eyes. His mind ran through a thousand different possibilities as he tried to understand the dead aura that hung nearby. What was this dark magic? A curse perhaps? Or something more desperate? Was it the remnants of a final stand? Whose soul was released back into the aether? Was the pool of blood from the slain foe? Whose blood was it? A thousand questions bounced through his mind with no obvious answer.

    Ian''s mind reviewed his known information. The lady Lilly von Erwenhest II escaped her home with her loyal maidservant. A prodigy necromancer also went missing at the same time, presumably for a similar reason. Lilly took a flying carriage past the Grissian border on a mad quest. She sought to kill a newly anointed champion of Freyes. Lilly had covered her tracks well. It took weeks to track down the seer that provided the lady the divination. Her last known location placed her in this city. Ian shook his head from side to side.

    "Pure madness." He muttered. A shiver overtook him as he returned to reality. Lilly and her maidservant had been here. Ian was sure of it. Now, he just needed to find her before it was too late.

 The von Richter Family

    "You must be him." A voice called out. The captain of the guard, Gaspard, gripped his sheathed rapier as he approached the giant of a man. The orange-haired foxkin watched the fur-cloaked giant cautiously. Behind him, his guardsmen watched far away in silence. Ian''s sunken cheeks quickly transformed as a disarming smile overtook his face.

    "Who might I have the pleasure to be speaking with?" Ian asked as he gave a small half-bow. Gaspard snorted at his behavior.

    "Careful. Manners are an unknown custom here. You might spook the locals." Ian laughed awkwardly.

    "Such is not my intention. Please believe me."

    "I am Gaspard, captain of the guard. And you." The orange-haired foxkin pointed towards the man. "Shouldn''t be here. Should you?"

    "No. I shouldn''t, but still, here I am." Drawing himself up regally, Ian von Richter''s back popped several times. Towering over the guard captain, his smoldering dark eyes regarded the foxkin as he spoke. "I am Ian von Richter. Wearer of the von Richter family. Herald of Gris. I have come on official business to discuss the disappearance of a certain lady."

    Gaspard clicked his tongue in annoyance. He stopped for a moment to look around. Curious onlookers watched the guard captain waiting for his next move.

    "I don''t get paid enough to deal with your kind. Come. You''ll meet with Javert. Discuss your investigation with him."

    "I''m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Who is this Javert?"

    "The ruler of Hueryss. Now come. You''re scaring the townsfolk." Gaspard said with an annoyed sigh. Spinning on his heels he started walking towards the castle in the center of the city.

    <hr>

    The central castle of Hueryss was surrounded by a smaller defensible wall and moat. Surrounding the castle''s defenses, training yards filled with various city guards and glory-seeking beastkin fell into a steady rhythm of war. Swords, spears, bows, and axes swung with steady times at the bark of nearby instructors. The various schools of warriors each competed to outshine their competitors.

    Ian von Richter walked slowly. His long legs carried him forward with great strides as his cold breath met the warm spring air. His dark eyes drunk in every detail of the city, as his head swiveled around. Gaspard looked straight ahead, ignoring the gawking citizens.

    "You ain''t sick are you?" Gaspard asked.

    "No. No. Nothing like that. I have always ''run cold'' as they say. Especially around my family." Ian replied with an awkward laugh.

    "You look half-dead." A smile of genuine happiness warped his sunken cheeks.

    "I shall accept your compliment with utmost respect." Ian replied. "Although, probably unintended, you have paid me such welcome praise to a lingering such as myself."

    "That wasn''t my intention." Gaspard gruffed.

    The two passed the inner wall, into the castle proper. Impenetrable hard gray stone made up its surface. Four large towers dominated each point of the square perimeter.

    "Now, let''s find the boss. Usually he''s training at this time." Gaspard said. "Don''t let any of these idiots goad you into a fight. No matter what they say."

    "It is good for a king to be strong. The people rally to strength. Does he train regularly?"

    "He isn''t a king. Only an elector prince. He trains all the time. All he cares about is fighting. Try not to get swept up in his momentum." Gaspard said with a weary sigh.

    Following the walls, the two walked within the expansive courtyard towards a large practice field. A large crowd of shirtless beastkin had formed a ring around two large wrestlers. One of the wrestlers was a hulking mass of bulging muscle. The other was a smaller orange-haired foxkin, looking almost identical to Gaspard. Ian''s tall stature peered above the throng. Rippling pectorals, bounced sweat off the fighter''s muscles. Their legs pushed against the sand as their arms strained to purchase leverage over their opponent. The crowd of onlookers cheered them on.

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Suddenly the smaller wrestler broke free of his opponent''s grip. Ducking underneath his arms, he tackled the behemoth to the sand. The crowd cheered.

    "Ah. There he is." Gaspard said dejectedly.

    "Oh? Where?"

    "On top of him." Gaspard pointed to the toned foxkin wrestler. His hair was a flaming orange. His body chiseled to marble like perfection. Gaspard cupped his hands to his mouth before yelling above the crowd. "Javert! We have a visitor!"

    "Gaspard?!" The foxkin wrestler jumped to his feet, scanning the crowd. The fight stopped instantly, as the elector prince of Hueryss saw Gaspard.

    "Gaspard! Just the man I wanted to see! Come to join us for a tussle?!" Javert joked. The prince walked with natural grace. His electric yellow eyes fixated on his target. The crowd of warriors parted naturally for their ruler. A new pair of wrestlers went down to the center of the ring.

    "Damn you''re tall. Another human? Where are y''all coming from? Did you get stabbed? Why are you so pale?" Javert asked casually as he exited the ring of fighters.

    "Elector Prince Javert. A pleasure to meet you. My name is Ian von Richter. Wielder of the von Richter family. Herald of Gris." Ian von Richter said with a deep formal bow. Javert''s smile instantly vanished.

    "Where''d you find him?" Javert asked with a snarl. "He smells like a crypt. I don''t like dead things."

    "Wandering the streets. He say''s he''s looking for someone." Javert placed his hands on his hips. The crowd of wrestlers were no longer watching their competition. They turned away from the fighting ring forming up behind their leader.

    "Yes, a certain lady. I was hoping to find her and bring her home."

    "Why is he speaking to me? You handle missing persons!" Javert snapped. Gaspard rolled his eyes. He motioned for Ian to speak up.

    "I am searching for Lady Lilly von Erwenhest II. Her last known whereabouts are of this city. She is of vampiric persuasion and as such is nobility of Gris. Her mother Rose von Erwenhest very much desires for her immediate return to the lands of the dead." Javert moved closer to the pale cold man. Ian''s dark feverish eyes watched with patience as the prince approached.

    "If I knew she was, I''d kill her myself. Your kind is never welcome in these lands. This is our land. You should crawl back to the mountains." He grabbed the herald by the fur coat, pulling him closer. His muscles strained against his skin. A deep growl shook his diaphragm as his yellow eyes fixated upon his prey before him.

    "That is unfortunate. We were hoping you''d be amenable to our mission."

    "Who is this ''we''?" Javert growled.

    "My family and the von Erwenhest family. We both wish to see a peaceful resolution. No doubt the smallfolk would appreciate a vampire''s disappearance." Ian smiled wanly in an attempt to de-escalate the conversation.

    "That bitch, came to my city. Attacked it, searching for the goddesses'' own champion. Hoping to kill him on my watch! In my city!"

    "It is rather unfortunate. Violence only begets more violence, certainly a peaceful resolution is warranted to such a tale? Perhaps we can both walk away?"

    "Do you think I''m afraid of a little bit of violence? Do I look like a weak mewling kitten to you? Look behind me. I have warriors. I have steel. I have faith. Tell me why shouldn''t I rip that big head off of your shoulders?"

    The air grew cold around Ian. The tall man''s body began to vibrate. Metal trinkets, talismans, and jewelry jingled uncontrollably. A disappointed frown wormed over his face.

    "My family wouldn''t like that."

    "Fuck your family, tall man. I''ll kill you if you piss me off again." Javert growled. He pulled his hand back, as his fist formed. A spectral hand shot out from an exposed gold locket reaching for Javert''s wrist.

    "You dare attack my beautiful son?!" A spectral woman screamed in Javert''s face. His arm went cold as the ghost held onto him.

    "Mother.... Please." Ian von Richter pleaded.

    "Dear! Calm down. They were still posturing!" A deep voice from a heavily mustached ghost appeared from a ruby ring on Ian''s left hand.

    "I don''t care! He was about to attack! He was going to hurt my precious baby boy!" The woman wailed.

    "Calm down! Calm down! The living hate seeing us! It is inappropriate for us to appear during diplomatic negotiations! Negotiations will fail if we don''t return!"

    "Diplomacy has failed!" the woman wailed. "Let me eat his soul!"

    "Diplomacy has failed?" An elderly specter asked, as he popped into existence from a golden warg tooth. "Why are you spouting such nonsense woman! They haven''t even stabbed each other yet!"

    "Grandfather, don''t. Everyone please calm down." Ian said with a weary sigh.

    Javert let go of Ian. A look of disgust became fully apparent on his face.

    "Leave! Never return! Hueryss does not welcome the dead! Go back to your stolen lands!" Javert commanded, with a grunt he freed his arm from the spectral woman.

    "Lord Javert. Please, listen." Ian said wearily.

    "Speak up boy. He''ll never listen if you don''t project!" Ian''s ghostly father chided.

    "I am trying!" Ian protested.

    "No you weren''t boy! Why, back in my day negotiations started with a good ''ole knife fight!"

    "Everyone please!"

    "I will hear no more of your words!" Javert roared. "Speak again, and I shall have your head!"

    Ian moved to speak, but something held him back. A stubborn desire to see his mission through filled him. He would try another way. He would try to beseech the lord another day. He would return laden with gold and gifts to entreat an emperor. He would find the vampire. Time was on his side. His training prepared him for the initially hostile. Ian von Richter would not shame his family.

 Blooddrinker

    Ian von Richter turned away from the lord of Hueryss. Gaspard followed him dutifully, as they left Hueryss''s inner castle. His hand fell to his steel rapier, as he watched for any spontaneous violence. An entourage of warriors followed them as they made their way through the city. Each and every step felt heavy, as Ian pondered why negotiations had failed so quickly.

    "I was hoping to find her before she made any mistakes. She was always such an unruly child causing trouble for the von Erwenhest family." Ian said with a sigh.

    "Hmm. Don''t care." Gaspard grunted.

    "What happened?" Ian asked.

    "They attacked Freyes'' champion. Damn near leveled a city block. But the man is crafty. He managed to live, despite a large wound."

    "He is wounded?"

    "Yes, but don''t let that give you any ideas." Gaspard warned.

    "Did you witness it?"

    "No."

    "What happened to Lady Lilly?" The herald asked. Gaspard shrugged his shoulders.

    "Don''t know. One of his companions kept prattling on about besting a vampire, but-"

    "But what?!" Ian asked in a panic.

    "We''ve found no bodies and no one will back up what she says." Ian breathed a sigh of relief.

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    "Hopefully they''re just delusional! The Lady Lilly was an accomplished duelist, as well as her maid being one of our nation''s deadliest-" The herald''s train of thought was cut off.

    "Give me that damn sword Ada!" A woman screamed ahead of them.

    "No!" A blonde wolfkin screamed back. "It''s mine! Fritz gave it to me!"

    The two were running down the street towards Ian von Richter. The blonde wolfkin held a resplendent rapier in the air as she ran away from the older pursuing beastkin. Runes of dark magic draped down into an elegant hilt. The rapier was unmistakable. The von Erwenhest''s family blade was resplendent in the spring sunlight.

    "Bloodseeker." Ian said with a gasp. "Mother. Father. Witness." A pair of spectral heads peeked out from the mass of jewelry and trinkets down the road. The herald and his family spied the two wolfkin ahead. Children and adults shrieked as the ghosts of the von Richter family manifested.

    The two wolfkin turned down a side alley, disappearing into the city.

    "I have to follow-" Ian was cut off as Gaspard placed a strong hand on his shoulder.

    "Put your family away! No one wants to see that!"

    "Mother! Father!" Ian called as the ghosts vanished once more.

    "Walk damn you! Leave!" Gaspard growled out as he pushed the herald forward.

    "But! But! I need to investigate! That was her sword!"

    "No! You''ve run out of time!" Gaspard leaned forward to whisper towards the von Richter heir. "I doubt I''ll be able to keep these bastards civil much longer. You need to leave." Gaspard shoved the herald forward. Murmurs of violence followed them. Groups of beastkin, thumbed their weapons in anticipation waiting like lurking predators.

    Lengthening his stride, the herald of Gris attempted to make sense of what he had seen. Bloodseeker had been stolen. That meant she had been defeated. Hadn''t it? How else would these idiotic beastkin take it? Her attack on the champion had failed. Then they had taken it off her defeated body. What was happening? Was this enough to report on? Should he report back to Rose von Erwenhest immediately?

    A faint whisper reached his ears.

    "Report it once night falls." Which family member spoke? Ian looked down towards the various jewelry and trinkets covering his body. The voice was unfamiliar. Was it one of the older family members? Shivering, he quickened his pace as he tried to exit the city as soon as possible.

 Rose

    In the dark of night outside of Hueryss, Ian von Richter made contact with the von Erwenhest family. A pool of water had been collected in a large basin. He sat cross-legged underneath the cloudless moonlight. Calling upon his great grandmother, he asked the doddering nearly senile ghost to connect with Rose von Erwenhests'' transmission mirror. A worm of worry ran through his guts, as he anticipated the hysterical vampiric noblewoman''s emotional outbursts. The water stirred, as magical energy ran through the water.

    Ian von Richter waited for the magic to stabilize. Rose von Erwenhest''s frantic face materialized at the other side. Her rich crimson eyes drunk in every detail as he heard her husky regal voice.  She was dressed like a queen. Her long blonde hair was done up, held together with silver brooches resembling bats. A massive amount of makeup added a healthy amount of color to her. Suppressed lines of worry and annoyance seeped from her despite her regal authoritative bearing.

    "Herald. I was not expecting a message so soon." Rose began frigidly.

    "Lady Rose." Ian von Richter said bending forward into an awkward half-bow. "Thank you for responding. I wasn''t sure if you would answer."

    "Let us skip the pleasantries. Do you have news? Good news?" Ian''s smoldering coal eyes hardened, as he prepared his next words. Considering his words carefully he proceeded with diplomatic caution.

    "I have news. Concerning news." Rose gasped. Her deathly pale face contorted with worry, as she covered her exposed mouth with a hand.

    "It cannot be." Rose whispered. "My daughter. Where is she? Have they captured her?" Her hand shot up covering her mouth. "Don''t tell me have the animals killed her?" Her eyes went wide as she leaned forward into the mirror waiting in horror for his news.

    "I have confirmed nothing. But I must speak to what I have seen. My entry and investigations into the city have proven difficult. The beastkin revile the dead, that much is still true. Gathering information has proven difficult. I met with their leader who threatened my life. He demanded I leave the city immediately upon seeing me. I asked about your daughter''s possible whereabouts. Elector Prince Javert claimed he would kill her himself given the chance."

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Is that it? I thought you had news! Tell me about my daughter!" Rose snapped. Ian von Richter breathed in deeply.

    "The Lady Lilly von Erwenhest II pursuing Freyes'' champion assaulted the city. Freyes'' champion was victorious. That much is certain. I, my mother, and my father saw the von Erwenhest family blade Blooddrinker. It was being held by a beastkin woman, as she was running through the city. There was no sign of your daughter nearby. With the evidence of battle and your family blade I can only conclude your daughter has failed in her quest. Whether wounded or killed she was bested."

    "Our blade? That woman held our blade? Blooddrinker is held by a filthy animal?"

    "Yes, my lady." Ian replied deferentially.

    "You speak true?" Behind Ian''s face, a ghostly form materialized.

    "He speaks the truth, Lady Rose." Ian''s mother spoke serenely. "Your daughter has been defeated. No body has been identified. We''ve only confirmed elements of a battle and the loss of your family''s sword. Given the way beastkin treat the undead, death is more likely."

    "Wretched beasts!" Rose screamed. The water of the scrying pool rippled, obscuring the monstrous inhuman face on the other side. Ian von Richter pulled away, as Rose von Erwenhest wailed in agony. Her silver brooches fell away as she slammed her fists into the table holding her transmission mirror. Her fangs extended out seeking for blood, as Rose von Erwenhest''s chest heaved. Her rich blonde hair fell into a mess as she began tearing at her hair.

    "My daughter! My beautiful daughter! They hurt her? They killed her? Those revolting beasts!" Water spilled from the basin. Rippling waves crashed against each other. The water of the pool sloshed uselessly. "Wretched animals! Those filthy flea-ridden animals shall pay! They shall not hold our blade! My daughter''s death will not go unpunished!" Ian could hear the sharp intake of breaths as the countess mastered her breathing. She threw her hair back letting the long blonde locks fall back over her bare shoulders. Fanning her face she attempted to master her emotions. A minute passed before the aura of control returned to her.

    "Herald!"

    "Yes, my lady." Ian responded.

    "I shall dictate. Bring my words to these animals!"

    "Of course, my lady."

    "Good."

    Ian von Richter wrote her message. Inside he screamed as he dreaded delivering her message the following morning.

 Proclamation

    The herald of Gris marched back towards Hueryss. Dawn was already underway. The cold air emanating from the tall man froze the morning dew, as he trampled upon the wet grass leading to the city. The tall walls, overgrown with ivy beckoned him. Behind them, swords and drooling fangs awaited the messenger.

    The guards had thrown open the gates. From miles away, Ian continued his languid pace. The nights'' sleep had evaded him. The persistent worry of his proclamation ate at him. His mind imagined all forms of cruelty and bloodshed directed at himself. A whisper from behind him directed his attention. The chill of its words reverberated upon his neck. Behind him a spectral noblewoman looked on anxiously. Her little boy was risking his life to announce Rose von Erwenhest''s message.

    "It''s not your fault. They will understand it is not you. You are just delivering a message."

    "I know, mother." Ian replied.

    "The mission is important. Do not falter, boy. We will protect you." A heavily mustached ghost appeared next. Tweaking it he snuck worried glances down at his son.

    "I know, father."

    "James.... Should we speak for him?"

    "No." The father said. "Ian is the herald. It is his sacred duty to proclaim the missives of the dead."

    "But James...."

    "I am fine, mother."

    "Those wretched beasts! I should sunder their souls! How dare they-"

    "Do not interfere with his message." His father chided.

    "Why? So those animals can tear him apart?! Do you want them to kill our son?!"

    "I would never-" The mustached ghost started.

    "Mother. Father. I am fine. Please protect me if something goes awry. I shall make the proclamation, even if it kills me."

    "You can''t die! We haven''t bound your soul yet for the next generation!" His mother wailed.

    "That''s the spirit boy!" An elderly, portly spirit with spectacles appeared next. Slapping the shoulders of Ian, he hovered in front of the towering man. "Now, once you''re done, we just need to get you a wife!" Ian rolled his eyes.

    "I am trying."

    "Not hard enough! When I was your age, I already had fifteen children."

    "Half of them became acolytes of Freyes just to spite you." Ian shot back venomously.

    "It''s not my fault! It was their mother''s fault! It was all her fault! She turned them against me!"

    "Father." The mustached ghost interrupted. "Don''t antagonize the young man. You know how hard it is these days."

    "Oh, right." The elderly portly ghost rolled his eyes. "As if we didn''t have it hard either."

    "It''s true. The eligible lingering female population has been steadily declining as the necromancer school has been aggressively recruiting. It''s not his fault!" The mustached ghost started on a never ending tirade.

    "Ian, what about Susy? I''m good friends with her grandmother, she says when Susy ripped out her husband''s soul it was an honest mistake. He was apparently into that sort of play."

    "Family above everything." Ian said with a sigh, as he tuned out the noise from his family. The gates were rapidly approaching. The guards lazily stood by the city''s entrance admitting stray beastkin into the safety of Hueryss''s inner walls.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    "Please disappear. I do not wish to scare them any further." Ian chided the ghosts surrounding him. Disappearing without argument his family returned to within the various trinkets, jewelry and personal effects adorning the giant of a man.

    The guards saw him. Stiffening up they leveled their weapons at him, as he approached from a distance. Lingering townsfolk were rushed into the city, as more guards were alerted and called to the gates.

    Ian von Richter, herald of Gris, arrived at the gates of Huerrys. A battalion of guards were assembling before the gates. Shouts and screams erupted from further inside the city. Adjusting his thick fur cloak, he scanned the beastkin before him. They were afraid. That much was certain. His dark, frantic, sleepless eyes ran over them soaking in the details.

    A familiar orange-haired guard approached.

    "Back already? Didn''t you hear what Javert said?" Gaspard yelled out. His men were on edge. They relaxed slightly as they heard his voice. Motioning them backwards the guard captain approached Ian.

    "I have come to announce Gris''s judgment." Ian said. His voice was quiet, barely audible to the guards.

    "Use your diaphragm boy! Project your voice!" A spectral whisper hissed. It was quickly shushed out by an entire audience of Ian''s extended family.

    "What?" Gaspard shouted.

    "I have come to announce Gris''s judgment." Ian repeated louder. Straightening his back, he breathed in deeply. "I will treat with your leader one last time."

    "Are you stupid? He''ll kill you. He wanted to kill you yesterday. You''re lucky to be alive corpse lover!" The guard jeered at him. Motioning with their weapons they urged Ian to flee. Ian''s teeth chattered. He was cold and tired. He wanted to return home and curl up with a good book. All he needed to do was announce Rose von Erwenhest''s message. Then he could go home.

    "Bring forth Lord Javert! I will not leave until I deliver my message!"

    "I can''t ensure your safety, herald. Forget your message! Go home!"

    "Go! Bring him!" Ian said, projecting his voice. His family cheered silently. Gaspard clicked his tongue. Cursing under his breath he looked around him.

    "I don''t get paid enough for diplomatic crap." Gaspard cursed.

    Gaspard turned backwards. Motioning towards a guard, the beastkin took off deeper into the city.

    The two groups stared at each other in silence. Nearly an hour later, the lord of Hueryss appeared. Javert was covered in sweat from his morning exercise. His shirtless body was once again on display, as a platoon of similarly ripped warriors followed behind him. Silvered weapons glistened in the morning light. Drawn and held at the ready they marched like warriors ready to kill. Ian von Richter''s stomach turned. His eyes bulged as the beastkin warriors came closer.

    Passing the guards in silence, they waited.

    "Well, you called me weakling?" Javert sneered. "Here I am. This better be good heretic. Yesterday, I threatened to take your head, and I would hate to look like a liar in front of my boys."

    "This is it!" A familiar whisper came to Ian''s ears.

    "Go! Ian! Make us proud!" His mother urged. Breathing in deeply Ian let his chest expand.

    "He''s afraid, ain''t he." The beastkin sniggered.

    "Lord of Hueryss, hear me. I have come to proclaim the words of Lady Rose von Erwenhest. Her words concern the fate of your city." Javert''s eyes narrowed as he brandished his weapon.

    "Hurry up, human!" He barked. Behind Ian, members of his family appeared one by one. His mother and father came first. His grandfather and grandmother came next, followed by his uncles and aunts. Long dead members appeared from his trinkets and jewelry like a veritable army. They all appeared to watch Ian as he finally withdrew a scroll. His intense, dark, smoldering eyes read the countess''s words.

    "For the crime of injuring Lilly von Erwenhest II and stealing the family heirloom Blooddrinker the city of Hueryss shall be scoured. Its citizens shall be massacred. Their bodies shall line the road to Gris. The land shall drown in blood. All life shall be destroyed for the sake of Lilly von Erwenhest II."

    "Rose von Erwenhest shall lead her blood knights to your gates. An army of the dead shall swarm your lands! Beware all who remain! For she comes with thirsting steel and unquenchable vengeance! Her house shall not rest until the killers of Lady Lilly are found and murdered!"

    Rolling up the scroll. Ian waited for his reply. Javert stared ahead with hard eyes.

    "You think I am afraid? You think any of us fear your kind? Our goddess protects us from you. She always has. We train and fight every day hoping you heretics will come down from your strongholds and pick a fight. We have been waiting to slay you abominations. Come, the goddess''s champion is here, and I will gladly put on a show for him! Come! Let us fight! My warriors will kill all the dead that dare to threaten our city!"

    Javert leveled his silvered sword at the herald. Deadly intent radiated from the ruler of Hueryss. His warriors all stood with him. They cheered and shouted the inevitable violence. The guard joined the warriors. Gaspard scowled to himself as he watched the burgeoning violence.

    "I shall convey your words to her." Ian said with a bow. Turning quickly he walked through his family, on the way back to the kingdom of the dead.

    "Oh that was good honey, let''s go home." His mother said. She placed a hand on his shoulder urging him to return to the lands of Gris. "Come on, I''ll cook your favorite! Maybe I''ll invite Susy?"

    "Mother!" Ian groaned.

 Awakening

    For a week, Fritz slept. No dreams invaded his exhausted mind. Inadvertently drawing on his life force to summon a copy of Lilly''s rapier Blooddrinker had nearly killed him. Fritz fell easily into a coma as he collapsed onto his own vomit. His wounds had been tended to by Freyes'' healers. The church was able to help, but only after Ada was victorious. The bed eagerly warped around his body, like a pleasant cloud. His chest rose and fell in even intervals, even as a spot of familiar drool formed within the crook of his arm.

    A malingering threat pulled at Fritz''s consciousness. Words finally reached his mind on the dawn of the seventh day.

    "Kill him." A malevolent voice whispered. "Bring me his blood. Bleed him dry. Let me feast upon him. Power awaits you, child. Do it. His blood would empower me. His blood would be the start of your own ascension. Let me feed. Blood! Feed me his blood!" On and on the voice called for his death. Fritz''s face pulled inward as he frowned. His consciousness struggled to return to reality, yet fear and danger propelled him from the darkness.

    Fritz sat up in a panic. His body tensed as he breathed heavily. A clean alien room greeted him. The soft feather mattress shifted under his moving weight. As he felt a pressure on his left side.

    "Kill him! Before he truly wakes!" The evil voice came again.

    Fritz tried to form the right expletive. All that came out was a strange groan. His throat was dry. His mouth and tongue were nearly mummified.

    Something stirred next to his side. Gripping his body tighter, Ada breathed in heavily. Between his legs, an enchanted rapier, brimming with magical runes called for his death. Fritz blinked in confusion as he turned to the blonde wolfkin. Ada jolted awake.

    "Fritz, are you awake?" She rubbed her eyes as she looked towards him.

    "YHmmm". Fritz replied. A sudden energy infused her as she threw her arms over his shoulder and pulled him back down.

    "Kill him. He is weak! Do it, now!" The rapier whispered madness between his legs.

    "I knew you''d live! I was so worried when you stabbed yourself. What the hells were you thinking? Did you take a page out of Marcelle''s book? I mean really? The sword is great though! I just needed a real enchanted blade to beat her! And I won! I won! Fritz! Isn''t that great?! I beat her! I''m a real warrior! Just like the books! I can kill the undead who threaten our homeland! Just you wait! I''m gonna bring you back a vampire''s head!"

    "Whuter" Fritz said like a dying man interrupting Ada''s spiel.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    "Water? Do you need water?" Fritz nodded. Ada jumped up. Scrambling over to the other side of the bed, she grabbed a bowl. Positing his body upwards she tilted the bowl towards his lips. The water came on like a tidal wave. He was barely able to keep it down. Sputtering and coughing, Fritz let the cool moisture invigorate him. He felt his strength slowly returning.

    "Ada." Fritz said, sighing. "What happened?"

    "I won. I went to kill her, just like you wanted. But the bitch got in my way. That damn maid. But don''t worry, she''s not coming back. I made sure of it. I carved her up for you. I mean how dare she? She should have gone home way earlier. She shouldn''t get in our way!"

    "Where are we?" Fritz asked.

    "Church of Freyes. Were in the dormitories right now. They gave us all rooms, since we''re guarding you!"

    "Are you okay?" Fritz asked. Ada nuzzled up closer to him. Throwing her leg over his side she covered her rapier between his legs.

    "Yes! I''m better than ever! I have something I''ve always dreamed of!"

    "Kill him! Do it!" The blade screened objected to Fritz''s existence.

    "The thing between my legs?" Fritz asked.

    "Mmmhmmm." Ada agreed as she nuzzled closer. "Thank you! It''s always been my dream. I wanted a flaming sword, but that thing is great! It makes me faster and stronger! I just wish it was a bit longer! It would be really cool, if it was a two-hander! Ya''know?"

    "The sword that keeps calling for my blood?" Fritz asked.

    "Wait? You can hear it too?" Ada asked. She sat up. "What''s it saying?"

    "Kill him." Fritz groaned. A pulsing pain overtook his head as tried to sit back up. "It keeps trying to kill me, Ada. You should throw it away." Ada frowned.

    "Sounds about right." Ada shot up from the bed. "But don''t worry! I''ve tested it, but it cannot move on its own. It can only buff me! It won''t hurt you!"

    "Ada?"

    "I know what you may be thinking. Is it safe? The answer is yes. It is totally safe." Ada rolled up from the bed, as she picked up her rapier. "For I am a hero of justice!" Ada shouted. She went through a series of poses with her new enchanted rapier.

    "What about the other''s did they survive?"

    "Mhhmmm. Yeah. Marcelle was bedridden for a day or two, but otherwise fine." Ada said nonchalantly.

    The door to Fritz''s room exploded open. A familiar gray-haired beastkin stood glowering in the doorway. She tore the smoking pipe out of her mouth, before taking a large breath preparing to yell.

    "Ada!" Neva screamed. Her face was red in the early morning. "Give me the fucking cursed sword!" Fritz''s ears rung in the early morning. Whatever peace he had awoken into instantly vanished.

    "No! He gave it to me! It''s mine!" Ada screeched.

    Neva ran into the room, after the younger blonde beastkin. Ada jumped off of Fritz''s bed grabbing her sword. Sprinting forward Neva attempted to tackle her. Ada jumped over Neva. Her head barely touched the hard wood of the tall ceiling as Neva missed her careening forward into the stone wall. Without missing a beat, Ada ran out of Fritz''s room. Neva, slowly dusted herself off as she climbed to her feet.

    "You''re up. Good. Talk with you later. The jig is up. They know everything. We should leave before we''re stuck, and thing''s get complicated." Neva grumped as she jumped to her feet. She ran out into the hallway, screaming after Ada.

    A burning urge to piss infected Fritz, as he moved to the edge of his bed. Willing the blood to travel to his extremities, he did his best to stand up and find a bathroom.

 Let Me Hold It

    Fritz walked into the nearby hallway. His legs were unsteady, yet he persevered using the wall. He looked to the left and right of the stone hallway he found himself in. Seeing little difference, he picked a direction at random.

    "Cutey, you''re up?" A familiar annoyance asked him. Fritz leaned against the wall, as he looked down towards Brenn. The brunette ratkin eyed him like a sickly gazelle ripe for the taking.

    "Yeah. Do you know the way to the latrine?" Fritz asked.

    "Sure. Sure. I do. Can I hold it?" Brenn asked with a toothy grin as she sauntered closer invading his personal space.

    "Hold it?" Fritz asked in confusion. His face scrunched as he tried to decipher her meaning.

    "Yeah, can I hold it? Ya'' know?" Brenn wiggled her eyebrow at Fritz, before letting her eyes drift down to his crotch.

    "No, I don''t know." Fritz said, trying to shake her off.

    "Are you sure you don''t need some help? I can hold it steady. Let me hold it. Please?" Brenn pleaded. She clasped both of her hands together moving closer to him. Making her eyes bigger she batted her lashes at him.

    "Uh...." Fritz trailed off. Rounding a corner, Marcelle appeared suddenly as if she had been waiting there the entire time.

    "I should be the one who holds it." Marcelle stated. Crossing her arms she challenged the diminutive ratkin.

    "What are your qualifications? How many have you handled?" Brenn demanded towards Marcelle.

    "My qualifications are irrelevant. I am clearly the superior handler of whatever you speak of." The lamia slithered forward. She made herself taller as she attempted to intimidate the ratkin.

    "That''s well and all-" Fritz began. He tried to move forward as a hand reached out to stop him.

    "Cutey, say you''ll let me hold it. Then, I shall show you the way."

    "No. I shall be the one!" Marcelle hissed.

    "Hold what, Brenn?" Fritz asked.

    "Ya'' know, when you''re letting loose."

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    "Fritz''s magic power is mine and mine alone. He is my minion. Whatever you presume to control, know that I own it. My alchemical supplies are low, I will not allow you to monopolize him! He is more than a convenient source of food and liquor." Marcelle hissed.

    "I don''t want to control it girl. I just want to feel it in my hands. I want to understand what lurks below."

    "Pfft. Know your place, lesser beast." Marcelle proclaimed haughtily. She did her best to look down upon the shorter beastkin.

    "Lesser? Lesser? What the-" Brenn started before being cut off. Ada rounded the corner of the square compound. Holding her enchanted rapier forward she barreled into Brenn. Hitting the ratkin in the shoulder she disrupted her train of thought.

    "Ada!" Neva screamed. "Get back here! Give me the fucking sword! It''s cursed!"

    Fritz turned his head towards the gray-haired beastkin. He watched her sprint towards Ada. Ada as if on cue, dived through a stained glass window. Glass shards littered the hallway that Fritz found himself in. Looking towards Brenn and Marcelle Fritz searched for answers as Neva dived through the broken window after Ada.

    "What is happening?" Fritz asked.

    "Who cares? Let me hold it." Brenn demanded.

    "I deserve to hold it." Marcelle proclaimed.

    "Pfft. You beastkin all the same. Always fighting. Barely better than wild animals." Fritz turned his head towards a strange human-looking woman. She was missing a tail, yet her pointed ears denoted her as something else. "If anyone is worthy! It is me! Us elves are the natural superior species of this world!"

    "What are you even talking about? Who is this?" Fritz asked.

    "Elf. Do not interfere, you are not welcome!" Marcelle proclaimed.

    "Elf? Elf? I am no mere elf! I am royalty and you will address me as such!" The tall woman seethed. Her green cloak obscured most of her body. Underneath it, he could see her shifting her hands as she grabbed her sword hilt . A sudden burning sensation assaulted Fritz''s bladder. His body involuntarily folder forward.

    "I mean I just wanted to hold his sword, while he-"

    "While he?" The elf asked. Fritz clutched his temple.

    "Yeah, while he- ya''know." Brenn finished.

    "I don''t know what you are even talking about." Fritz said.

    "I mean you can barely stand. Let me hold it while-" Brenn trailed off.

    "While I what? Hold what?" Fritz asked.

    "Your holy sword, oh great champion. Let me wrestle the holy blade. Let me the hold the goddess'' blade." Brenn huffed.

    "What holy blade?" Marcelle asked. "Ada clearly has something corrupted. What do you speak of?"

    "His holy sword! Girl! What else do you think I speak of?"

    "Just show me where I can piss!" Fritz yelled.

    "Let me hold it while you pee!" Brenn countered.

    "What?" Fritz sputtered out.

    "Your cock!" Brenn exclaimed. Her shoulders rolled in exasperation. "Let me hold it while you piss! Goddess above what''s so hard to understand?! Can''t you understand a simple innuendo? Daft idiot!"

    "No! No one is holding my cock while I piss!" Fritz looked around. "What is wrong with you?"

    "What is wrong with me? These two were hoping to grab your cock too! They were practically begging to hold it! I''m not the only one!" Brenn pointed towards Marcelle and Mynuru.

    "I did not!" Marcelle screeched. "I would never! Never!"

    "No. Ew. Ew. Ew." The elven princess pretended to retch.

    "Fucking hell! Brenn! Show me where the bathroom is! Someone! Before I piss myself!!" Fritz yelled.

    His lower half felt like it was on fire. The emergency was too great. Fritz barreled past everyone searching for his salvation.

 Sanctuary

    He had finally exited the church of Freyes. A somewhat familiar practice yard greeted Fritz.

    "That wasn''t what I meant!" Marcelle. "Do you hear me! She tricked me! Minion! Answer me!"

    "I am royalty! I would never! She tricked me as well!" The elf screeched.

    "Stop being a bunch of babies! And don''t pretend you aren''t curious either!" Brenn yelled at the other two. "Hey! Get back here!" Brenn yelled as she jogged after Fritz.

    Fritz''s head swiveled as he looked around, searching for a bush or an outhouse, or even a shady alleyway. Anywhere with a bit of privacy would do. Seeing nothing, Fritz started walking around aimlessly and awkwardly. His body was like a ticking time bomb. Everyone surrounding him was useless. He needed to help himself.

    A crowd of children spotted him. Twenty pairs of curious eyes locked onto him. Whatever play they were engaged with stopped, as whispers and pointed fingers followed Fritz''s journey. One moved first, and like the beginnings of an avalanche, Fritz was soon swarmed.

    "It''s the champion! It''s the champion!"

    "I heard he killed a vampire!"

    "Why''s he so ugly?"

    "Where''s his tail? Did he lose it? Did it get cut off?"

    "No idiot!"

    "Don''t call me an idiot!

    "You''re an idiot! He''s a human! I heard they live to the east!"

    "Champion! Show us your finishing moves! Show us your ultimate attack!"

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    "Grandma Rey says you got special magic!"

    "Can we see it! Show it to us!"

    "Show it to us!" The crowd started chanting. They kids pressed in close, surrounding him. Their entire attention was dedicated to him, as he stood awkwardly trying to find a place to piss. They were dressed in plain clothes that looked like a mixture of worn linen hand-me-downs. Every manner of beastkin was displayed within the crowd. Each looked slightly different, like they were in no way related. Fritz immediately pegged them as orphans. Some held sticks, two kids held raggedy dolls, one child idly tossed up an oft-repaired leather ball.

    "I can help you, Fritz! For a price! You just need to let me hold it!" Brenn crossed her arms smugly as she waited for her inevitable victory.

    "Brenn why are they calling me champion?" Fritz yelled over the pressing crowd of children.

    "Because! The jig is up! It''s all out in the open! No more hiding champion!" Brenn said with a cackle. "I can keep them back! Show you the path to salvation for a price!" A surge of anger filled Fritz, as he decided to make his formal appearance in style.

    "You wanna see some magic? Wanna see what her champion can do?" Fritz straightened up his back, as he looked over his audience.

    "Yes! Yes! Let''s see it!" The children screeched in unison.

    "All right! All right!" Fritz tried to settle down his captured audience. "I''ll do it under one condition." He held up a singular finger. "Does that sound fair?" The captured audience nodded in agreement. "Well then in exchange for enough toys to bury you alive, all I ask is you show me the nearest outhouse."

    "That''s cheating!" Brenn shouted. "No bribing them!"

    Fritz shot a wicked grin to Brenn. The ratkin scowled at him. One of the more quiet kids pointed back past the church in the opposite direction. Fritz locked onto the direction like a hunting dog.

    An avalanche of skateboards, balls, wooden swords, dolls, action figures, puppets, fake crowns, marbles fell from Fritz''s hands as Fritz sprinted around the building. He found it desolate and alone, like a sanctuary promising solace and rest to him. He ripped open the wooden door, and scrambled inside.

    The burning pain melted away as Fritz finally let loose. Nothing could stop Fritz, as he finally relaxed.

    "Let me hold it!" Brenn shouted as she banged on the outhouse''s door.

    "Fritz! Minion! I did not mean it that way!"

    "Champion! I am elven royalty! They tricked me! I would never do something so uncouth!"

    Fritz exhaled deeply in relaxation completely ignoring the screaming from outside the outhouse.

 Good Mornings

    When Fritz finally exited the outhouse, he was greeted by an audience. Brenn, Marcelle, two elves, Ada, Neva, some priests of Freyes, and a crowd of excited children. Fritz felt like a million bucks. Nothing could ruin his morning now. He stood confidently before the assembled audience with his hands on his hips.

    "It''s weird you were all waiting for me." Fritz said.

    "I am not weird!" Marcelle hissed. Her intense gaze crept out between her long black bangs demanding Fritz take his words back.

    "Fritz! Tell Neva to let me keep the sword!" Ada shouted. "I earned it! It''s mine!"

    "Fritz! Help me show her reason! The sword is cursed! It must be destroyed!"

    "Cutey! You look tired, come back to bed with me." Brenn teased. "I''ll forgive you for being so hard to get."

    "Human! We have much to discuss!" The elven woman said, while snapping at him to grab his attention. "Your life is in danger! Your safety cannot be left to these ignorant animals."

    Fritz let the random demands roll over him, as his eyes glazed over.

    "Hmm-" One of the priests cleared their throat. "Champion, Fritz. It is good to see you walking about. We were worried about your health after your battle."

    "Yes, it''s good to be alive." Fritz responded casually.

    "Champion! Can I have another sword! Bigger? And with real steel this time?" One of the children approached Fritz. His eyes were wide as saucers and full of hope as he held Fritz''s recently conjured wooden sword. "Please?!" He begged. Fritz looked up to one of the priests. His face screamed ''NO''. Fritz tousled the kid''s messy hair.

    "Maybe later. I need to catch up with everything that''s happened."

    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    "Now, how long was I out?" Fritz asked.

    "Seven days." Neva answered seriously.

    "Seven days? You''re joking!" Fritz exclaimed.

    "Your injuries were severe. Whatever you did when fighting the vampire must have taxed you severely. Magical exhaustion is no joke. Your magical leylines were completely exhausted." Marcelle responded.

    "I see everyone clearly knows about my situation. That''s good, I suppose." Fritz said. He scratched his cheek awkwardly as he looked over the crowd of unknown faces.

    "Maybe for you." Neva said with a click of her tongue, as she adjusted her smoking pipe.

    "Who''s fault was that?" Fritz asked. Brenn and Neva pointed a finger at Ada.

    "Let''s not go there!" Ada quickly blurted out. "It''s all our fault! Clearly!"

    "Go where?" Fritz asked.

    "She kept ugly crying, begging for someone to save you. Quite touching." Marcelle said.

    "Very romantic." Brenn agreed. "Well, that and several people saw you conjure the rapier. Really cutey?"

    "Blood. Feed him to me!" The rapier whispered to Ada.

    "Does it ever shut up?" Fritz groaned as he pointed towards the onyx blade.

    "I''ll figure out a way." Ada interjected as she slapped the hilt. "Bad sword! Stop!"

    "What is it saying Fritz? Ada refused to tell me." Neva hissed as she glared daggers at the blonde wolfkin.

    "It keeps screaming for my blood. It wants to kill me."

    "Ada! Why weren''t you listening to me?! It''s clearly cursed! Destroy the rapier! Cast it into the fire! Destroy it!"

    "No." Ada whispered menacingly as she turned away admiring her blade.

    "Mr. Champion." A small beastkin holding one of his conjured stuffed animals tugged on his shirt. Fritz looked down.

    "Call me, Fritz." He said to the young beastkin, bending down slightly towards the small child. "Do you need something?" He asked in a gentle voice.

    "I need a steel sword."

    "A steel sword? Someone just asked for one. Why do you need a real sword too?"

    "When the undead come I need a sword to fight them."

    "We just stopped them." Fritz responded.

    "Not them. When the other undead come. They''re trying to hurt us. I need a real sword to protect my friends. They''re coming to destroy the city."

    "Huh? Ada? Neva? Brenn? Marcelle? What''s happening?"

    "Ugh.... Don''t get me started!" Neva said as she exhale a large cloud of tobacco. Ada looked at the ground guiltily. A priest approached him. The strange black robed man bowed slightly towards Fritz.

    "Champion, the undead are threatening the city. Perhaps you would like to speak to the mother superior?" Fritz nodded towards the priest.

    "Immediately if possible." Fritz said quickly.

    His heart quickened as he stood up. Gnawing anxiety crept through his guts like a snake. His morning was ruined.

 Princesses and Promises

    Fritz, his companions, and a pair of elves were led into the main church by a priest. He shuffled slowly behind the rest of the beastkin as they walked over from the dormitory. His legs felt wooden after hearing the news. Hueryss was going to be attacked. The undead would descend upon the city and kill everything they could. Looming anxiety fired a storm of stress within his nervous system.

    Traveling into the main chapel, they made their way behind the altar. Several chambers and offices for ranking clerics were available. Climbing stairs, they made their way to the mother superior''s office on the third floor.

    "Enter." An elderly female''s voice called out from behind the door. The priest opened the door, ushering them inside. The office of the mother superior was somewhat sparse. A large wooden desk dominated her office. A singular cot for sleeping was nestled against a wall behind her. A green stained glass window in the back shed a small amount of the morning''s light into her room. Two wooden chairs were in front of her cluttered desk for guests. Fritz ignored them as he approached her desk.

    "Ah. The champion. I was wondering when you were going to awaken. I''ve been eager to become acquainted." The mother superior said with a smile. Her face wrinkled as tea-stained yellow teeth peeked out from between her lips.

    "Fritz. Call me Fritz. Mrs....?"

    "Please call me Mother Alice, champion." The wizened, wrinkly ratkin responded. Her black robes were plain. Atop her desk, was a litany of letters, books, spilled ink, crumbs and stains from spilt tea. Her small office was crowded as Fritz and his companions piled in with the other two elves. The other priest bowed slightly as he moved to exit. Alice''s white rat ears twitched slightly as the door to her office closed. Fritz turned his head to watch the other priest shut the door behind him.

    "I see you''ve met with Princess Mynuru. Good." Alice said. "I was debating on the best way to get you two acquainted."

    "Who?" Fritz asked. He looked to his companions. They shrugged. The two cloaked elves stiffened. Alice cleared her throat. Her eyes darted towards the elvish woman. "Her?" Fritz pointed with his thumb. "Never met her. Look, I don''t care about any elves. We''ve got a potential disaster on our hands."

    "You don''t care?" The elf asked incredulously. "You don''t care? Do you even know who I am?"

    "No, and I just said I don''t care." Fritz snapped.

    "I see living amongst these animals has ruined you!"

    "Mother Alice what is happening? Why did a little child tell me that this city is coming under attack?" Fritz asked as he turned his back on everyone else.

    "Are you ignoring me?!" The elf asked. "I am royalty! The absolute gall of you! Are all champions this rude?! Excuse me. I am talking to you!"

    "The city is in danger because the dumb bitch''s mother wants revenge." Neva growled out. Her hand reached to scratch her scarred cheek. "Not our fault."

    "How dare you speak like that in front of the princess!" The other elf reached for a weapon.

    "Oh? You think that''s a good idea boy?" Neva scoffed.

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    "Neva. Be civil." Fritz chided.

    "Don''t command me." Neva growled as she crossed her arms. "I''m not the one drawing steel."

    "Now, now, let''s calm down." Brenn said. "We should all get along. Maybe have one big orgy. Get everyone well and truly acquainted." Both elves blanched at the suggestion.

    "Blood. Feed me his blood! Let me feast like an emperor!" The blade screamed in Fritz''s mind.

    "Ada. Shut it up." Fritz said.

    "I know! I know!" Ada slapped the flat of her sword. "Bad sword! Shut up! Stop begging!"

    "Throw that damn thing away. It''s cursed." Neva growled.

    "No! It''s not cursed! It''s useful! It''s enchanted steel."

    "Give it to me. I could extract its mana." Marcelle said with a wicked grin. "It''s a win-win for everyone."

    "Everyone, please. How much danger is this city in?" Fritz asked.

    "The Countess von Erwenhest is marching upon the city. Her retinue of blood knights will descend upon the city. They are immortal vampires skilled in warfare. They''ve practiced their martial crafts for countless lifetimes. Your warriors cannot compare. They are unnatural killers, and trained to an extreme. That is only her direct retinue. Whatever horrors of Gris that follow her banner will destroy this city." The elven princess said confidently. "You stand no chance, regardless of what your leader thinks. You will die if you stay." Fritz was silent as he thought.

    "Do you agree with her?" Fritz asked.

    "It is our sacred duty to defend these cities, champion. Javert has been our undefeated ruler for nearly a decade. His retinue of warriors are fearsome. The undead are fearsome combatants, the fighting will be tough. Perhaps you can stay and help?"

    "Fritz, we should just leave." Neva said.

    "What? We can''t just leave? We need to save the city and become heroes! There''s a lot of vampires to slay! There''s more enchanted swords to collect" Ada said while waving her rapier in the air. Marcelle hissed as the onyx blade came uncomfortable close to her face.

    "Idiot! Put that thing away!" Marcelle seethed. "Neva is right. Our mission takes priority. Attempting to save the city would invite unnecessary risk. It would be foolish to court death." Marcelle grumbled.

    "Aw.... I was hoping for a bit of excitement." Brenn said.

    "How long do we have?" Fritz asked.

    "Two weeks, at most." Alice replied. Fritz''s brows knitted as he leaned into the mother superior''s desk.

    "The champion''s safety cannot be left to these morons... these animals. The elves are more than prepared to "

    "Morons?" Marcelle hissed. "Don''t you dare lump me in with these dumb fools! I am an unparalleled genius!"

    "Hey! I''m not dumb." Brenn objection. "I''ll have you know I have a condition that nerfs my intellect."

    "See champion? Do you see why these animals are unworthy? Do not waste your time with them! Whatever your mission, the elves will assist! They are worthless beasts! But we are different! We are better! We have the resources! We have the knights! Your mission would be infinitely easier with us!" The elven princess leaned forward waiting on his words.

    "Are you trying to poach him?" Ada growled.

    "Typical elf. Think they know everything." Neva spat out.

    "More than some nameless beast." Mynuru spat back.

    "Nameless? Hah!" Neva laughed to herself. Brenn teleported to Neva''s side, nudging her.

    "Come on! Tell ''em! Tell ''em!" Brenn urged.

    "Tell what?" Ada asked. Her gray eyes grew wide. "Spill the beans! Neva! Come on! Tell me your secret!"

    "Imbeciles."

    "They''re annoying. Let''s just kill them." Marcelle said. One of the elves immediately drew a set of daggers, going on the defensive.

    "Lay a hand on her and you will die!" He yelled. Fritz turned around to see the elf draw a long dagger, as he pulled the princess back.

    "Oh shut up. She was joking!" Neva said. "Put that crap away, before you do something stupid."

    "The champion should leave with us. I have learned enough to know you are unworthy to accompany him." Mynuru''s words were laced with venom.

    "Now. Now. Please. Be civil. He is the champion." Mother Alice tried her best to calm the two sides.

    "No! I found him first! You''re not taking him!" Ada yelled over the mother superior.

    The two sides quickly fell into a shouting match over nothing. In such an environment, Fritz couldn''t think. Shouldering past his companions he exited the office alone. He quickly moved down the stairs searching for fresh air.

 Rayazan The Slayer

    Fritz walked out of the mother superior''s office. Down the stairs, past the altar, and out into the practice yard. His eyes glazed over as he looked up towards the crisp blue sky.

    He stood on the precipice. His next decision would determine everything. Breathing in deeply he felt the sunshine on his face, as he watched the small white clouds above.

    Disaster and death loomed in Fritz''s mind. Everything felt different. The sounds of the city felt new. The air seemed fresher. Everything Fritz experienced felt novel as he stood still. He had been in the practice yard before. He had listened to a strange sermon on persistence amongst a crowd of beastkin. Whatever he was feeling shouldn''t have felt so unique.

    He breathed in deeply. Children were playing nearby. Their shouts, squeals, and barks of laughter echoed in the yard as they chased on another.  A choir of priests practiced a hymn together. Their harmony mixed with the discordant chaos of the surrounding youth. Curious priests and children watched him. Fritz closed his eyes as he let the sun warm him.

    Someone approached him. He could feel the presence closing in.

    "Champion." The gruff voice called out to him.

    "Yes?" Fritz asked. Keeping his eyes closed, he crossed his arms letting the morning sun warm him.

    "My name is Ryazan the Slayer. I have come to test my strength. Fight me here and now, so that I may measure my worth against the goddesses'' chosen."

    Fritz opened his eyes. The beastkin before him was about as tall as him. Curling ram horns adorned his scarred weather beaten features. Battered leather armor adorned his chest and legs. The beastkin''s arms rippled with corded muscles, twitching with the anticipation for battle.

    "I am not interested in fighting." Fritz replied.

    "I must know where my strength lies." The beastkin said as he unsheathed his longsword. Hushed whispers of excitement fell across the yard as residents of the church stared at Fritz. "Let us fight, so that I may experience the goddesses'' strength."

    "Fighting is stupid." Fritz replied languidly. "It is a waste of time."

    "It doesn''t matter! I must know my strength. Draw your weapon!"

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    "I don''t want to fight." Fritz repeated.

    "I will attack! Draw your weapon!"

    "No." Fritz''s brows furrowed in annoyance.

    "I will give you ten seconds!" The man yelled out. "I do not wish to fight an unarmed man, but I will attack in ten seconds if you do not draw your weapon!"

    "I will not fight you." Fritz said as he held his hands up. His open palms faced his opponent.

    "10!"

    "Stop this." Fritz replied with a frown.

    "9. 8. 7."

    "You''re being stupid. I don''t wish to fight anyone." Fritz said.

    "6. 5. 4." Fritz sighed to himself. He looked backwards. Children had stopped playing. They vibrated with anticipation as they waited for the inevitable explosion of violence. The priests stopped their singing to watch. Their wide eyes beheld everything with rapt attention, yet with no intention of intervening.

    "3." Fritz looked inward to his core. His mana begged to be called upon. It begged to travel down his leylines and be unleashed upon the world. His palms were pointing towards his enemy.

    "2." Ryazan the Slayer, shouted.

    "1." The beastkin''s muscles tensed, as he pulled his longsword back.

    A rush of magic swam down from Fritz''s core. Traveling down his hand towards his open right palm. A small aluminum canister appeared instantly. Fritz pressed his index finger down. A biting liquid spray of mace hit Ryazan the Slayer in the eyes. The beastkin stopped his swing as the capsicum started burning his eyes. He fell to his knees, screaming in pain. Ryazan held onto his longsword swinging it wildly around him, while he clutched his eyes with his free hand. Fritz stepped back, as the blinded beastkin tried continue the fight.

    It was like something flipped inside of him. He would stay. Running was never an option. Fritz was here for a reason. The beastkin needed him. They were like excited children playing at war. They chased pointless glory, begging to fight stronger and stronger opponents. They were like naive children dressing up as knights, waving their pointed sticks and screaming at the top of their lungs. Fritz could show them something new. A new reality. A cruel place where strength didn''t matter. A place where the courageous died first. A place where fire reigned from the skies. Where all a man could do was pray to higher powers. They were children playing at war. They were children waiting to be hurt. They were children playing with the fire that would inevitably burn them all to death.

    "Fritz, is something wrong?" Ada asked as she jogged over. "What''s with him? Is he bothering you?"

    "Where are you! Show yourself! Fight me honorably!" Ryazan the slayer roared. His longsword whipped around the yard. Desperately trying to hit Fritz. "What have you done to me?!"

    "Blood! Give me his blood!" Ada''s rapier hissed.

    "Ada, we''re staying. We''re gonna fight. Come on, let''s start preparing." Fritz motioned the blonde wolfkin to follow.

    Her gray eyes lit up with excitement. Whatever glory she chased, she would find it here in Hueryss. For Fritz, modernity was calling his name. Seeking a place to begin his work, Fritz left the flailing beastkin alone. Ada cast a dismissive glance towards the blinded beastkin before jogging after Fritz.

    "Fight me champion! I will not be bested by some cheap trick!" Ryazan roared.

 Boomstick

    Just outside of the church''s dormitory there was an open-air workshop. Requisitioning it, Fritz finally started working on more complex weapons. The workshop was equipped with an anvil, forge, standard tools, and anything necessary to repair the church''s buildings. Using the tools available Fritz started working on his weapon.

    "What are we making?" Ada asked curiously.

    "An accursed tool! That should have never seen the light of day! One that I hesitate to show to your kind!" Fritz pronounced like a mad scientist.

    "Another rapier?" Ada asked with wide eyes. "It doesn''t look like one. Is it a mace? A staff?"

    "No, of course not." Fritz muttered. "Hand me that shell." Ada tossed the red shotgun shell through the air. Fritz caught it with a frown, looking into the exposed shell. He saw the remnants of gunpowder in the bottom. Shrugging to himself he slammed the shell down on an upright nail. The pointed iron tip hit the percussion cap igniting the insignificant remnant of gunpowder.

    "Ohhh...." Fritz cooed.

    "What''s so good about that? Hardly anything happened?"

    "Just wait. Just wait. What we''ve been building is nothing more than an elaborate striker system. The only purpose of the trigger is to strike the percussion cap which ignites the gunpowder within the shell. Once the gunpowder ignites, the shot is propelled out of the barrel. People erroneously believe guns are complex systems. The complicated part is the cycling, which we are completely circumventing by using a break-action."

    "I don''t get what''s so important that we''ve wasted hours on it."

    "Well it did take me three attempts to get the trigger just right. Now hand me the stock and I''ll start assembling everything."

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "What is it? It looks like a mace." Ada asked incredulously as Fritz placed the trigger system into the wooden butt screwing it into place.

    "It isn''t a mace, but you can hit people with the butt I guess. It''s a shotgun Ada."

    "A shotgun." Ada said. The word felt strange upon her lips.

    "You''ll see. Firearms changed the very fabric of my world. Knights disappeared. Warriors no longer swung swords. Everything changed as gunpowder weapons became the dominant power. After coming into this world, I was very hesitant to create something similar. No need to open Pandora''s box if I don''t need to."

    "Why not?" Ada asked. Fritz''s mind wandered back to his various encounters with different beastkin. A common thread emerged. "I was afraid you''d try and do something incredibly stupid with it. I was afraid you''d try to kill a dragon with it."

    "This ''shotgun'' can kill a dragon?" Ada gasped.

    "No, probably not. Banish the thought. Hand me the barrel." Fritz commanded. Ada gently and reverently presented Fritz the barrel. Placing the stock down, Fritz slotted the barrel into place, and then set the hinge pin. After what felt like ages, Fritz with a pounding heart locked the side by side barrels into place. Testing the action, he felt the barrels drop allowing him to load two shells into the waiting barrel.

    Letting out a sigh of relief. Fritz breathed in deeply. It had taken him hours to make the weapon. Beside the anvil where the shotgun was placed, sat several malformed barrels, failed triggers, misaligned stocks, and broken action releases.

    Fritz grabbed the gun, holstering it to his shoulder. It felt off. Any amateur shooter would notice how wonky it felt aiming. Fritz grimaced as he looked down the site. The barrels were thankfully straight. Fritz uttered a silent prayer as he pulled the trigger. The distinct click of the hammer hitting air reached his ears.

    Ada crouched down as she stared down the barrel.

    "What''s the big deal? Was something supposed to happen? I can''t see anything."

    "Ada! Don''t look down the barrel!"

    "What? Why not? It''s not enchanted is it?"

    "No. I''ll show you soon enough." Fritz said. Touching the action release, the barrels swung open revealing the inner barrel. "Don''t look down the barrel, Ada. I don''t want you getting hurt."

    "Hmmmm....." Ada hummed to herself. "So when do we get to test it?"

    "Blood, give me blood." Ada''s rapier whispered.

    "Soon." Fritz replied as he slung the shotgun over his shoulder.

 New Rival

    Fritz with his weapon slung on his shoulder, idly began running through the next step of his plans. Giving these beastkin conventional firearms was clearly a mistake. Automatic weapons were a clear risk. From everything Fritz knew of their nature, they were too immature to handle the responsibility. No doubt whomever received an assault rifle would start challenging their peers for dominance. Not to mention the inevitable friendly fire. Fritz let his mind wander as he imagined Ada running towards an immense dragon brandishing her mighty AK-47.

    No, what they needed was something a bit more archaic. Something that wouldn''t cause too much destruction. A musket would harder to train. It would also cause less destruction assuming they ran amok. Cannons would be even better. They would probably like them too. The big loud explosion would get their attention, and make them easier to control. The only issue would be the sheer amount of iron. Ada frowned as she waited for Fritz to come back to reality. Her stomach grumbled at the clear lack of attention.

    "Aha! I have found you! My rival! Prepare yourself! Our battle will be epic! Truly this fight will be for the history books!" A male catkin wearing a gi shouted. Fritz and Ada turned their heads towards the sudden noise. The catkin skidded to a halt in front of Ada and Fritz, just outside of their open air workshop.

    "You have a rival?" Fritz asked Ada. His eyebrow drew up in incredulous confusion. "Did this happen when I was asleep?"

    "Stand back, strange human!" Toshi pointed directly towards Ada. With his other hand he rested it freely upon his eastern-inspired sword hilt. The katana had been polished to a mirror sheen. The catkin gripped it loosely, completely relaxed in his overbearing confidence. "I will prove my strength and my master''s superior school of martial arts!"

    "Yeah. But. He''s so.... He''s not a good rival." Ada said dejectedly as she gripped her rapier.

    "Gambate Toshi-senpai!" A trio of beastkin appeared from behind the gi wearing catkin. They squealed and jumped up and down waiting for their champion to engage Ada.

    "Why does he look familiar?"

    "I uh- beat him in the tournament. Remember I kicked his leg? And it went like-" Ada bent her finger at an awkward angle as she scrunched up her face.

    "Oh right.... The guy you crippled."

    "That was fluke! I have mediated upon my failures! Whatever tricks you have up your sleeve will not work! I will win! Believe it!"

    "Mhmmm. I see. Is this common with beastkin? Do they constantly challenge each other?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course! It is our people''s sacred ways!" Toshi yelled out. "Ada! I will avenge my defeat! Your strength will not prevail this time! Not while my friends are counting on me! Believe it!"

    "I''m hungry. I don''t want to fight. Neva might kill me if I use the rapier." Ada said with a sigh.

    "Your new weapon will not save you! Behold! My ancient master''s secret weapon. Toshi waved his curved katana in the air. The blade was immaculately clean and sharpened obsessively. It glimmered in the afternoon light. Toshi''s fan girl''s screamed in excitement as he brandished the weapon.

    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    "A katana?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course! You are well traveled, strange human! Back away! Our fight is about to begin!" Toshi pointed his free hand towards "Right here! Right now! I will avenge my master''s honor!" The trio of fangirls squealed like pigs.

    "Blood! Feed me his blood! Stab the man now!" Ada''s rapier whispered. "Let me feast!"

    "Uh, Ada? Do you think it''s a good idea to stab him?" Fritz asked.

    "No. Neva would get even angrier. She hates my new sword. Even though it''s soo cool!"

    Fritz unshouldered his shotgun. Conjuring a set of shells, he loaded his weapon.

    "Welp, let''s do a quick field test. Do you mind helping me real quick Toshi before your fight?" Toshi gripped his katana with both hands, as he lifted his sword high above his head ready to slash down viciously to Ada.

    "I cannot! My honor demands I challenge Ada strange human! Stand aside!"

    "Fritz, call me Fritz."

    "Ada! Witness my power!" Toshi breathed in deeply. His fangirls screamed, just in time to join Toshi''s protracted battle cry. Children and priests were approaching the workshop to see the approaching violence. Toshi was close to Ada and Fritz. He was so close it was nearly impossible to miss. Fritz aimed his weapon and fired both barrels. The blast of the shotgun echoed throughout the yard. Toshi was hit square on in the stomach and solar plexus. He instantly collapsed forward, dropping his katana.

    The world seemed to stop, as everyone looked towards Fritz. Ada winced as she moved her hands towards her ears. Fritz''s ears rang as they adjusted back to the normal sounds of the city.

    "Uhghgh.... Guhhhnng. Uhhghghg." Toshi groaned in pain. He had fallen to his knees, clutching his stomach.

    Fritz walked towards the downed fighter, kicking the katana away.

    "Toshi-sama!" his fangirls screamed in panic. The children and priests looked in shock as Fritz stood over the catkin.

    "Rubber bullets." Fritz said casually. "Pack a hell of a wallop. But you''ll be fine." He crouched down patting Toshi on the back. His fangirls ran over to protect him. Ada stepped forward blocking their path.

    "Uhggghgh...." Toshi groaned. Fritz patted his back.

    "Breath, Toshi. I''m glad it didn''t blow up in my hands. Ada, what do you think of my new weapon?"

    "Can I get one? I can wield it in my off-hand!"

    "Maybe later." Fritz said. "Think it will help me with random challengers?"

    "Yeah. What happened? How did you hit him all the way over there? You weren''t close enough to strike him."

    "Ughg!" Toshi groaned. His cheek scraped against the dirt as vomit dribbled out of the side of his mouth.

    "Get away from him! Toshi-senpai''s clearly injured! Get out of our way! We will protect him no matter what!" One of his fangirls screeched.

    "You think to order him? Do you not know who you speak to? He is Freye''s champion!" One of the spectating priests snapped.

    "Champion? He''s the champion?" One of his fangirls asked. Her eyes went wide, as a sudden fear hit her.

    "Yup. And I am doing some weapons testing. Toshi''s strong. He''ll survive." Fritz gave Toshi one last pat on the back, before standing up. Looking around the church''s yard. Fritz held up his shotgun into the air.

    "The gun is good." Fritz said in a loud monotone voice. "Who would like something similar to kill the undead?"

    The promise of power called to them. Fritz could see it in their eyes as they eyed his weapon.

    "How about you? Would you like to protect Toshi?" Fritz asked one of the strange catkin''s fangirls.

    "Ugghh...." Toshi groaned. Tears welled in the beastkin''s eyes as she looked at the suffering catkin in the gi.

    "I would protect him with my life!" The fangirl said. "I am a proud member of his battle harem!"

    "Swing by the guards later. I have a plan. I''m arming this city with new weapons." Fritz said confidently.

    "Fritz let''s leave." Ada said. "That ''shotgun'' was loud. More idiots are gonna come soon to investigate."

    Fritz stood up leaving the suffering catkin on the ground. His immaculate white gi was covered in dirt. He wallowed on the ground in pain before Fritz.

 Whores

    Toshi was moaning on the ground before the strange human. He clutched his stomach in pain, as he let out a long drawn out groan.

    "Fritz! What the hell happened!" Neva shouted as she jogged past the onlookers towards him. "Who''s this idiot?" She asked, directing her scornful gaze towards Toshi.

    "It was Fritz''s new weapon. He hit the idiot." Ada replied casually pointing towards Toshi.

    "Cutey!" Brenn said, as she suddenly appeared behind Fritz. She threw both of her strong arms around Fritz. "Still in one piece I see."

    Marcelle slithered towards Fritz. The other beastkin made way for the glowering lamia.

    "What exploded? Was it you Ada?" Marcelle asked. Ignoring her, Ada starting prying the ratkin''s grip away from Frtiz.

    "What happened?" Neva repeated.

    "I was testing my new weapon. I shot Toshi in the guts with a non-lethal load." Fritz bounced the gun resting on his shoulder, drawing her eye.

    "Who knew your loads were so powerful?" Brenn said in amazement.

    "Ughghghgh...." Toshi groaned. Neva''s scanned Fritz. Settling the strange artifact on his shoulder, her brows drew inwards in confusion.

    "That thing? Is it enchanted?" Neva asked. Fritz shook his head.

    "Anyone can use it. A child even. It''s about time, I took things seriously don''t you think? No more playing nice."

    "Get your hands off!" Ada growled towards Brenn, as the ratkin repositioned herself to Fritz''s side. Reaching back, Fritz patted the top of Brenn''s head.

    "See! He likes me!" Brenn said with a wicked grin.

    "No he doesn''t!" Ada hissed.

    The fangirls sensing an opportunity grabbed Toshi and his katana. Throwing him up into the air they carried him like a wet limp log.

    "Eughhhhhh...." Toshi groaned, as he bounced up and down in the air.

    "Did he challenge you?" Marcelle asked as she watched the gi wearing beastkin being carried away.

    "No, he challenged Ada. Some crazy guy pulled a sword on me earlier though. Strange name too, something like Ryan." Fritz admitted. Neva sighed as she pulled out her pipe.

    "It comes with the territory. As soon as someone knows you''re strong, everyone wants to test their mettle against you. It''s always better to lay low. Keeps things simple. If you do get challenged, call for us. We''ll sort them out. Violently."

    "Yeah. Yeah. Keeping a low profile is nice and all. But it''s no fun." Brenn said. Ada had finally got a hold of Brenn''s arms pulling hard; she finally separated the ratkin from Fritz.

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    "I''ve never presented myself as a warrior. Why would anyone challenge me? Does no one take ''no'' for an answer here?" Fritz asked.

    "They think you''re strong. Defeating you would add to their reputation." Marcelle answered quickly. "Such is the behavior of idiots, yet this land is cursed with them. Why wait so long for your new weapon?"

    "I would prefer not to make weapons. Yet circumstances keep forcing me to violence. We will need weapons for the upcoming fight."

    "You''re not gonna say what I think you are." Neva said, closing her eyes. Dreading his next words she held her breath letting the tobacco sit in her lungs.

    "I am, we''re staying and fighting Neva. I am not leaving until this city is safe." Fritz said confidently. Neva finally exhaled.

    "It''s the right decision." Ada said firmly.

    "It''s the stupid decision." Marcelle grumbled.

    "It''s the fun decision." Brenn said.

    "Fritz." Neva said, rubbing her temple.

    "I have a plan, Neva. I can arm this city better than you realize."

    "Weapons don''t solve every problem, Fritz. Remember this. Our lands have deeper problems."

    "Ah-ha! I have found you! Cowardly champion! Face Ryazan the slayer! You may have humiliated me, but this time! This time I shall defeat you!" A bleary eyed beastkin came forward. "I have returned from your underhanded tactics! Victory will be mine!" Fritz and his companions turned towards the new challenger. Neva blew out a cloud of acrid tobacco. "Your tricks will not work again champion!" The beastkin with curling ram horns drew his longsword pointing it towards Fritz. "Stop hiding behind your whores! Dismiss them and face me like a warrior!"

    "Whores?" Fritz asked. He looked to his companions. He could feel the temperature drop. Ada, Neva and Marcelle were scowling, while Brenn seemed completely unaffected. She regarded the challenger with a bemused smile.

    "What''d you say?" Marcelle hissed.

    "Stop hiding behind your whores!" Ryazan boomed. He slashed the air with his longsword menacingly. "Fight me seriously!"

    "I wish I could get paid for it. Life would be so easy...." Brenn sighed wistfully to herself.

    Neva advanced towards Ryazan. He quickly transitioned into a guarded stance. Her scarred face bunched up as her long-stemmed pipe bobbed up and down in her quivering mouth.

    "Ugly worm, you dare interfere with my battle?" Ryazan barked.

    "Ugly! I''ve had it!" Neva shouted. Ryazan swung his sword. Neva reacted instantly, wreathing her hand in fire she caught the steel blade with ease. Ada and Marcelle followed after Neva. Murderous intent filled the air. Fritz''s eyes went wide as Neva punched Ryazan in the nose. A fountain of blood flooded into the ground as the bridge of his nose completely deformed. Staggering back, the poor beastkin fell into Ada''s waiting arms. Grabbing his frame she bent backwards as she suplexed the poor sod. His head hit the yard as bones and tendons cracked underneath Ada''s strength. Ada threw him off standing back up. Ryazan barely had time to let out a single groan of pain before Marcelle''s tail wrapped around his ankle. Like a dog with a chew toy, Marcelle slung the challenger. His limp body struck the ground repeatedly, eventually losing consciousness.

    "I am not a whore! I am a lady! A genius! A mastermind!" Marcelle screeched.

    "Whoring is a noble profession. The world needs whores. I need whores. Lot''s of them." Brenn nodded to her own sagely words.

    The crowd of onlookers cheered Marcelle''s savagery.

    "Come on, let''s eat something." Ada announced. Her mood instantly improved as she jogged to Frtiz.

    "I need a drink!" Neva announced to the world before stomping towards the nearest bar.

    "Meat! Meat! Meat!" Ada joined in.

    "Is he dead?" Fritz asked hesitantly, staring at the defeated challenger.

    "Who cares?! He got what he deserved!" Neva snapped. Fritz looked around the yard. The children stood around with wide excited eyes. A clear undercurrent of disappointment was present amongst them, as the fighting was now over.

    Marcelle slapped the unconscious man in the face with the tip of her tail. After a while, Brenn pulled Marcelle away dragging the seething lamia after Neva.

 Deaf Ears

    Dinner was served by the church. A long rectangular table had been littered with enough food to host a king. Trout, salmon, goose, chicken, pies, bread, cheeses, stew, vegetables were arrayed before the eating crowd. Fritz had been situated near the head of the table. The mother superior sat to his left. Beside him, the elf lady sat with her back perfectly straight. Her cloak had been left behind displaying her stylish traveling clothes. She nibbled daintily at her food. Next to her, Fritz''s companions set in eclectic order.

    Neva had gotten an early start on drinking. The left side of her face, scarred and brutal, warped into a dumb smile as she got progressively drunker. Right beside her, Brenn kept encouraging the older wolfkin.

    "Fritz!"

    "Heads up!" Fritz yelled back. A bottle of liquor sailed through the air, before being caught by Neva further down the table.

    "Must you? Your manners are terrible!" Mynuru seethed.

    "Forgive me...." Fritz started, as his brows drew inward trying to remember her name.

    "Mynuru. Princess Mynuru. First daughter of the eternal queen."

    "Forgive me, Princess Mynuru. It''s how I keep them happy."

    "Fritz! Meat!"

    "Can I get some cheese too?"

    "Heads up!" Fritz tossed a raw steak over the head of the elven princess. Ada caught it with her mouth. Chewing like a bored child she sat by the black-haired lamia. A block of cheese sailed over next. Brenn teleported into the air to catch it, before letting herself drop back down into her wooden seat. Marcelle glowered and sulked barely eating. With a scowl she removed herself from the table. Slithering behind Fritz she leaned in. Behind Fritz, in the shadows, another cloaked elf waited. His hands moved towards a weapon hidden underneath his cloak as he watched the lamia.

    "Minion. I require reagents. Come report to me later. I shall be in the library. Or what passes for such in this shithole." Marcelle said.

    "Later, then." He said, as Marcelle slunk away.

    "It''s not too late, champion." The elven princess leaned in close to Fritz.

    "Call me Fritz."

    "It''s not too late." The elven princess repeated.

    Neva and Brenn had pulled a trio of priests into a drinking competition. Downing the remainder of their wine goblets they each received a generous helping of whiskey. Drawing back they each tried to down the high proof liquor before the others.

    Stolen story; please report.

    "No. I am staying. They need help." Fritz said.

    "It is futile. These beastskin are lesser beings. They do not understand the danger they are in. The vampire and their undead minions will raze this city to the ground."

    "All the more reason to help."

    "Your help would be a futile gesture. I am sure of it. You must think of your true purpose. What has the goddess sent you here for?"

    "To help. To stop them from fighting."

    "Then she sent you here?"

    "No. Fehrenn. I was to go to Fehrenn. This is just a stop."

    "Then you are defying her wishes."

    "These people need help, and I will help." Sighing to himself he paused looking down the table. "What makes them so dangerous?" Fritz asked.

    "Where to start?" Mynuru asked wistfully. From down the table, goblets slammed against the hard wood of the table. Neva roared to celebrate her victory. The priests started slumping into the table, as the whiskey loosened their limbs.

    "Your companions are quite something." The mother superior commented. Fritz gave her an awkward smile.

    "Fwitz!" Neva slurred. "Anodda bottle!"

    "Heads up!" Fritz tossed another conjured bottle of liquor down the table. Neva made to catch it. Her fingers slipped from between the glass as the bottle fell towards the floor. Ada''s hand shot out catching the bottle.

    "Ada! My dearest!" Neva exclaimed, as she received the bottle. Ignoring the drunk beastkin, Ada watched Fritz and the princess.

    "The countess''s house has a retinue of immortal warriors. They have trained for countless centuries in the arts of warfare. They are masters of combat. Unparalleled against mortals. They cannot be beaten easily. To fight one in a direct duel is to invite death. There are tales of fifty mortal men fighting just one, and barely coming out alive." Mynuru said.

    "They wear armor? What weapons? Tactics?"

    "Plate armor is traditionally worn. Piercing and slashing weapons are mainly used. Rapiers and other swords are common."

    "How many?"

    "At least two hundred."

    "They''ll siege a city with just two hundred?"

    "Not just them. Vampires are higher undead. They will bring their servants and mercenaries from the necromancer guilds. Ghouls, abominations, zombies and skeletons. They will perform the grunt work for their decaying masters. They will form the line around this city while the vampires wait for the perfect time to strike. They will break down the gates, and engage your warriors while the vampire knights lie in wait."

    "Hmmm.... Knights. Knights. How to kill a knight?" Fritz hummed to himself lost in thought.

    "Well then champion-"

    "Fritz."

    "Do you see the light? Will you reconsider this foolish course of action? The elven court will welcome you with open arms. We can offer you guaranteed protection. My mother would be most interested in making your acquaintance. We have the greatest bards. The most exquisite wine. Our lands are the most beautiful in this entire continent. Will you return with us?"

    "No. I am saving this city."

    "How?! How?! Do you not understand your situation? Your allies cannot save you! They are outclassed! A horde of undead will descend upon this city! Your fate is sealed if you stay! Just because the beastkin are ordered to fight, doesn''t mean you must as well! See reason! Flee to the elven cities!"

    "Most complex problems have simple solutions." Reaching underneath the table, Fritz pulled out his shotgun. "I am going to give them some serious firepower."

    The elven princess pulled back. Her face screwed up in confusion.

    "You are a fool. You will die."

    "You''ll see. I won''t abandon those in need. I will not let innocents die for my own safety."

    A hidden smile tugged at the mother superior''s lips. She hadn''t needed to intervene at all.

 Convincing Marcelle

    After dinner, Fritz wandered towards the church''s library. The main church was deserted. Every priest and orphan was celebrating Fritz''s awakening within the church''s dormitory. Fritz opened the creaking double doors and wandered past the altar. The tapestry of Freyes sat in the dark church. Her arms were open like a loving mother accepting the mass of beastkin depicted below.  He walked the dark halls towards faint candlelight creeping from underneath a thick wooden door. The library was a tiny room, filled to the brim with books from floor to ceiling. Two plain square tables were present with equally uncomfortable looking chairs to sit upon. Marcelle sat reading a musty tome. Her purple tail was coiled up underneath her.

    "Minion." Marcelle said, barely acknowledging Fritz as he entered. Her purple eyes fixated upon her book, never looking up towards Fritz.

    "Must you call me that?" Fritz asked as he moved to the seat next to Marcelle.

    "Of course. That is what you are. Make yourself useful."

    Marcelle reached into her robes before slamming down a list onto the table. Her eyes fixated upon her book devouring the information like a ravenous serpent.

    "Get to it, minion." Fritz rolled his eyes as he started conjuring.

    "Yeah, yeah." He replied. Staring at the list for a moment, he let the images of all the reagents filter through his mind. One by one he went down the list until he reached a particular item.

    "Dragon''s tooth? Was this part of your experimental potion?"

    "Do not question me."

    "Come on, Marcelle. It''s the last item on the list. At least humor me."

    "Yes. It is part of my magnum opus. My path to alchemical godhood."

    "To turn into a dragon?"

    "Precisely. Once I complete the transformative potion. I will have everything I crave. Power. Respect. Immortality. The world shall tremble before me, and all shall fear and love me."

    "How will you turn back?" Marcelle''s purple nails tapped angrily against the wooden table. "It doesn''t last forever, right? How will we keep in touch?"

    "Why would I want to turn back?!" Marcelle spat out.

    "So you can talk to us?" Fritz asked awkwardly.

    "Don''t be ridiculous, minion. Once I achieve my goal I will never associate with you again."

    "Fine. Fine. Here''s the tooth. Just remember us poor mortals once you achieve your dreams."

    "Maybe, I will. I certainly intend to remember my enemies."

    "Please don''t burn down any villages."

    "Hah. Don''t tell me what to do. However, speaking of burning towns, there is something more important for us to discuss."

    "What?" Fritz asked.

    "We cannot stay. This city is doomed. I have prepared several contingencies for our escape while you have been asleep. Taking them is the superior strategy. You may thank me now."

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    "Marcelle, we are staying. We cannot run away. We have a duty to help those in need."

    "Do not be foolish. Staying is an unnecessary risk. Our true goal lies beyond the city. Javert is not a capable strategist. We cannot rely on his warriors. We may die if we stay."

    "Javert?" Fritz asked.

    "He rules this city. He will lead his warriors like a fool. You cannot defend a city if all its defenders have died."

    "Hmmm.... No it shouldn''t be a problem. So long as we have the right weapons. I can train them. Mynuru told me that we will be facing vampiric knights. Historically, peasants killed plenty of knights with firearms and cannons. It shouldn''t be a problem."

    "Not a problem?" Marcelle asked. Her eyes threatened violence as she stared daggers at the human.

    "Are you even listening? Have you gotten dumber? Has Ada started to infect you?"

    "I don''t need warriors, Marcelle. I just need them to stand on the walls and shoot. I don''t need fools swinging swords. I need civilians who will listen to me."

    "What? So you can get them killed?"

    "Isn''t that their fate if I do nothing?" Marcelle slammed her book shut. Tossing it onto the wooden table, past the conjured material.

    "Listen to me. Our objective lies beyond this city. I will not risk myself for strangers. My alchemy cannot perish with me! Future generations will look back upon my work with awestruck reverence! My genius cannot be allowed to die!"

    "You have quite the ego for an apprentice."

    "Watch you tongue."

    "If we leave, we endanger more people. We have a duty to stay and help, however we can."

    "Don''t be sentimental. Be practical. They are stupid, not worth risking our lives over."

    "And the children? The elderly? What about them?" Fritz asked. Marcelle clicked her tongue in annoyance.

    "It is a mistake. I can make invisibility potions for our escape. They would never know."

    "We''re staying." Fritz reiterated.

    "Pathetic, sentimental fool." Marcelle scoffed.

    "Marcelle, I do need your help. Help me, and I promise everything will work out." The lamia glowered next to him.

    "No! I will not help you in this protracted death pact! How dare you ask me?!" Marcelle screeched. Beneath her long black bangs, her face spasmed.

    "I am not giving up." Fritz said calmly. "What''s wrong with your face?" Her face was twitching like she was having a seizure. "Are you okay?"

    "Fritz. I''m gonna need you to drink a potion for me." Her lips pulled back in a sadistic grin, as she leaned closer. The twitching stopped, as her purple eyes glinted with predatory delight.

    "What kind of potion?"

    "One that will make you complaint." Reaching into her bag of holding she started rummaging around before she withdrew the purple liquid. "Drink." She offered. "Drink deeply. Come on, drink up."

    "Uh.... No."

    "Why not? Just drink it. So we can move on from this city. It won''t hurt. If anything you should be thanking me."

    "No."

    "I''m gonna make you drink then." She threatened.

    Marcelle''s tail wrapped around his legs as it started to rapidly slither around him. Pushing away from the table, Fritz tried to generate some distance. Yet it was too late, the purple, scaled tail had already pinned him down. His chair skittered on the floor as it was pushed away. Marcelle pressed her body forward as Fritz wrestled with her strong tail. Her tail was too strong. He couldn''t budge it. A cruel smile was glued upon her lips. His arms flailed wildly as he slapped the potion out of her hands. Her powerful tail contracted squeezing the air out of his ribs.

    "Idiot!" Marcelle screeched as she watched the bottle smash upon the floor. The purple liquid spread amongst the tiled floor seeping into the cracks. Fritz looked inward concentrating on his magical core despite the crushing force against his body. The rush of magic left him, as he clenched the solution in his hands. Fritz shoved a hypodermic needle into the side of her exposed neck. The muscle relaxer swam through her body as Marcelle''s torso collapsed onto him. A mess of black hair fell over his face as Marcelle''s limp body rested atop of him. The scaled tail wrapped around him kept him in place as Marcelle breathed slowly.

    "Idiot." Marcelle whispered weakly. "I''ll kill you."

    "We''re staying Marcelle." Fritz''s heart hammered in his chest. "I don''t know what you were trying to feed me. But, I couldn''t risk it."

    "Make you say ''yes'', to anything."

    "Don''t ever try that again. That''s creepy."

    "Not creepy. Efficient. Stop, fighting. Listen. Next time."

    "Shut up."

    "You. Shut up. Kill. You. Myself."

    Pushing with his hips, he tried to shove the snake woman off. He barely made her budge. Her tail had him completely pinned.

    "Your heavy."

    "Really. Kill. You."

 Convincing Marcelle P2

    Fritz''s chest rhythmically rose and fell, pushing the Marcelle''s torso in the air. With his free hand he had managed to move parts of her hair out of his face. Yet no matter how hard he tried he couldn''t get free of the lamia. The church doors slammed open. Fritz craned his neck towards the sound, hoping it was his own salvation.

    "Cutey! Get your bwutt out here!" Brenn shouted.

    "Brenn?" Fritz yelled back.

    Boots clicked on the church''s stone floor. The door to the library slammed open. Brenn and Neva swayed menacingly in the dark hallway.

    "Cutey! Where are you? We need a fwill up!" Brenn announced. From underneath the table, he saw their legs swaying in the doorway.

    "Back here!" Fritz cried out. "In a pickle."

    Teleporting closer, she looked on at the sprawled mess of Marcelle over top of him in awed reverence. The brunette ratkin stared with open mouth admiration at his situation.

    "Fwitz. Anudda bottle. To go." Neva demanded from the doorway.

    "Neva! Look! He''s going at it! He''s human aftwer all!"

    "I dun care. Get the liquor!" Neva said.

    "A little help here?" Fritz asked.

    "No. No. No. I don''t wanna disturb you. It would be rude to turn this into a threesome." Brenn said. Letting out a loud burp she swayed over them both. "No Neva and me have plans! Neva and me! We''re going to a bwothel! All because someone wasn''t putting out!" Brenn pointed a finger accusatorially at Fritz. Neva staggered into the room after Brenn.

    "What are you doing back here? Wow. Shacking up with Marcelle.... Well at least it ain''t Ada."

    "We''re. Not! Get! Me! Off!" Marcelle seethed.

    "Say no more! Say no more! We shall give you space to experience the holy champion''s enormous sword." Brenn said.

    "Come on!" Neva urged. "Give us the alcohol. Need a pwick me up before the brothel. Wait why are their clothes still on?" Neva turned to Brenn. The short ratkin shrugged.

    "Maybe they''re embarrassed?"

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    "Just how drunk are you two?" Fritz asked from underneath Marcelle.

    "Alcohol has nwever beat me! I''ve never bin dwunk!" Neva roared.

    "Cutey! Give it up! Give it to us! Right now! We''re begging you!"

    "Give. It. To. Them." Marcelle said.

    "Yeah. Give it up, Fritz. Give it to us." Neva grumped.

    Fritz let out a sigh. Briefly he considered saying ''no'', until more help was promised.

    "All right. All right. Another bottle, but no more." Fritz instantly conjured the bottle. Neva''s unsteady hands instantly reached out grabbing the bottle from the tangled mess. She swayed unsteadily from the movement.

    "You''re all right. You know that." Neva crouched down "I like you.... Sometimes...."

    "Yeah. Me too. He just needs to put out. Prude." Brenn countered.

    "No. Party. Romance!" Marcelle hissed.

    "No romance! But tonight! We''re getting stuffed! Come on, Neva! Let''s leave them to their Wuv nest."

    "Wait? Your not gonna help? I thought you were banned from brothels? Hey! Help us!" Fritz asked.

    "I am in the party of Freye''s champion. They''re gonna let me in!" Brenn declared confidently. Slapping her partner on the shoulder in crime the two shared a wicked grin before turning away.

    "Wait?! Where are you going?!" Fritz yelped.

    "Minion. Stop. Them."

    "Neva! Brenn! You''ve got to help me!"

    "Get to know her!" Brenn shouted back. "We''ll check on you''s two in the morning!"

    Brenn and Neva staggered out. Singing like drunken sailors, Fritz listened to their bawdy song echo inside the church walls before they finally left.

    "I. Hate. You." Marcelle hissed.

    "I guess we''ll wait for Ada to find us. Gods above their useless."

    "Hate. You."

    "I know." Fritz said with a sigh.

    Hours late Ada wandered into the room. Fritz heard her footsteps entering into the library over the sound of Marcelle reminding him of her eternal hatred.

    "Ada? Brenn? Neva?"

    "Why are you two sleeping here?" Ada asked innocently.

    "It''s a long story. Can you pull her off of me? She''s a bit heavy."

    "Hate. You." Marcelle hissed.

    "What''s wrong with her?" Ada asked. "Can''t she just slither off?"

    "Long story. Please just help. Don''t leave us here like the others."

    Ada moved around the table. Crouching down she hooked her hands underneath Fritz''s shoulders before pulling him out like a stuck kitten. Marcelle''s head flopped down onto the ground. Her hair splayed out like a ink stain upon the stone. Bits of her hair soaked up the spilt purple liquid. Oxygen finally flowed back into Fritz''s legs. Swaying slightly, he nearly fell to the floor.

    "Come on. Let''s go to bed." Ada said confidently. "Night Marcelle."

    Fritz barely had time to appreciate his freedom before he was thrown over Ada''s shoulder. The blonde wolkfin turned to march Fritz back towards the church''s dormitory like a sack of potatoes. Fritz pointed towards prone, incapacitated lamia.

    "We''re gonna fight alongside them Marcelle! No running away!"

    "Hells yeah."  Ada''s fist pumped the air. Rapidly turning around, Ada accidentally slung Fritz''s head into a nearby bookshelf. "Stop being a coward Marcelle!" Ada commanded as she pointed at Marcelle copying Fritz. The blonde wolfkin looked back towards the man on her shoulders. "What''s wrong with you Fritz? Are you tired?"

    "Nothing." He groaned, as he clutched the side of his head.

    "Hate. You. Both." Marcelle seethed on the floor.

 Planning Ahead

    The next morning, Fritz woke up early. Ada had slobbered all over his shirt during the night. The blonde beastkin snored like a choking man as she cradled her head into the crook of his arm. Somehow she had stolen all of his sheets and pushed him to the edge soft bed. The sound of her symphony drowned out the warbling birds just outside of Fritz''s window. The persistent call for his blood by her magical rapier joined the concerto of the morning. The sun had just peeked from the horizon when Fritz slipped out of bed. Quickly dressing and moving out of the church''s dormitory, Fritz started the day.

    The city had an air of strange normalcy to it. Regardless of the impending undead army the citizens went about their day. Bakers prepared bread. Blacksmiths worked on swords and armor for the upcoming conflict. Young warriors in the making, formed up in battalions taking to the city for their morning exercise. Those that wished to flee, packed their bags making towards the city''s harbor surrounding the great lake.

    Fritz headed down to the church''s workshop. His mind imagined the shape of the enchanted walls combining it with the memory of the terrain just outside of the city. The surrounding land was flat and grassy, ideal for artillery. Hueryss had a single gate, aside from the entrance to the harbor. Cannons and explosives could disable siege towers forcing the enemy to funnel towards the thick wooden gate. The undead would be immune to chemical warfare. Fritz quickly discounted poisonous gasses and nerve agents. Remembering Project SKUNK he shook his head at the future issues the chemical agent would bring.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    His thoughts whirled as he devised a plan for the city''s defenses. Mortars would be effective and easy to train. Compared to a cannon, a mortar would require far less material. A traditional Coehorn mortar was small enough to conjure. Once conjured the barrel could be bolted down to a bed with handles for maneuverability. Afterwards he could create stockpiles of gunpowder and shells to begin training. Cannons would come afterwards.

    Pulling out pen and paper, Fritz wrote against the anvil. He started muttering to himself, as he planned his defense.

    "Cannons can be placed in the gatehouse. There should be enough space. Not to mention, it is the most obvious place to safely store the gunpowder and shells. The mortars can be placed within the city, or on top of the walls. Either makes sense once effective ranges are marked on the surrounding fields.

    "A blacksmith will be required to construct a twelve pound cannon. The cannon needed to be cast as a single piece. The size is too large to be conjured neatly. They should be able to make it. I can easily supply the iron if need be. The damn thing is just a hunk of metal after all. There should be no issue so long as they follow my directions."

    "Napalm, holy water and dynamite will come next. The guns and artillery need to come first. We don''t have a lot of time for training, and these damn beastkin aren''t the brightest."

    Fritz continued on writing down his game plan for the next two weeks. He continued until he was mostly satisfied. Putting his pen down, he stretched appreciating the early morning. With a deep breath, he got started on step one.

 Toilets & Cauldrons

    Fritz, Marcelle and Ada stood atop the walls. They had taken up a spot near the gatehouse. Standing in the shadows, a group of guards looked on in confusion trying to decipher what Freyes'' champion was doing. Fritz grinned from ear to ear admiring his newest invention. The Coehorn mortar was small. The thick iron barrel was embedded into a wooden platform with handles. Its was short barely passing two feet, looking like a cannon for children. The mortar was easily maneuverable, small and would serve as the perfect weapon for explosive shots filled with holy water. Fritz felt an almost paternalistic pride looking over the archaic weapon.

    "I don''t get it. Is it a portable toilet?" Ada asked. She kicked the iron mortar, rocking the wooden platform.

    "It''s not a toilet." Fritz moaned. "Stop saying that, and don''t kick it."

    "I don''t get it."

    "It''s like this!" He pointed the shotgun resting on his shoulder. "It''s the same principle!" The blonde wolfkin pulled back frowning.

    "Your pretty dumb Fritz. Your ''shotgun'' looks nothing like the toilet. It''s small and bloated, like a frog."

    "It''s clearly some deformed cauldron." Marcelle added with a smug grin. "Behold witness the champion''s amazing weaponry! Surely this city shall be saved once we throw the cauldron over the walls!"

    "It is not a cauldron! Stop saying that! A mortar, much like any firearm or cannon, is just a hunk of iron that is meant to contain and direct the explosive force propelling the shot. That''s all it is! It is not a toilet!" Fritz stared at Ada, daring her to challenge him. "It is not a cauldron!" He moved his gaze towards the lamia.

    "Clearly it is not a proper cauldron. I had no doubt about that. It is however pointless and the work of a delusional man with a hero complex." Marcelle said while inspecting her long purple nails.

    "Your one to talk about delusion, Marcelle." Fritz said crossing his arms.

    "Whatever do you mean? The man pretending to be a hero calling other''s delusional? I don''t quite understand."

    "I don''t get it. How is this your special weapon?" Bending down she stuck her head into the barrel to look down.

    "Ada! Get your head out of the mortar!" She pulled her head out looking towards Fritz in confusion.

    "Why?" She asked. "Is it enchanted? Does it shoot fireballs? Does it do something? It''s just sitting there, looking stupid."

    "No-actually yes. It shoots fireballs! It shoots fireballs, so get your head out of the barrel!" Fritz lied as he grabbed her shoulder shoving her away from danger.

    "But nothing is happening." Ada whined and kicked the barrel again. "Make it do something."

    "We''d lose nothing if she got hit by the fireball. Both of you don''t use your brains anyways."

    "Pffft. Who needs ''smarts'' when I got this bad boy!" Ada jumped onto a stone merlon brandishing her enchanted rapier in the air. The onyx blade consumed the sunlight. Its sharp edge promised pain and death in equal measure to her enemies.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Blood! Give me his blood!" The rapier seethed. "Kill the man. Kill him now."

    "Does it ever shut up?" Fritz started rubbing his temples. The onset of a headache seemed inevitable with his companions nearby.

    "No. Not really." Ada said with a shrug. "Just ignore it."

    "Thank the heavens, I do not also suffer." Marcelle said.

    "Whatever. Let''s load it and shoot." Fritz rubbed his temple harder. The warm morning sun, had tickled at the back of his thick hair. His blue eyes surveyed the land outside of Hueryss looking for any beastkin in the plains below the walls.

    "Finally! You promised us explosions!" Ada whined. "I wanna see the fireball."

    "He''s lying, Ada. It''s not enchanted. I cannot sense any magic emanating from it. It''s just a mundane hunk of iron."

    "Fritz!" Ada whined.

    "Gimme a minute. You''ll see. We''re gonna have to mark out our distances though."

    "Why?" Ada asked.

    "So we know when the enemy is in range of the mortar. Like an archer?" The two girls looked at him like he was stupid. A small contingent of guards were stealthily watching Fritz work. They pretended to watch the horizon for signs of the approaching enemy, yet Fritz felt their persistent gaze when he wasn''t looking.

    "Hey! You come here!" Fritz yelled out. "I need someone to help me out!" Fritz commanded a guard.

    After explaining to the guard what he needed, Fritz sent him out to the field below with a bundle of markers. Fritz looked out over the plain of grass outside of Hueryss. No beastkin were in the fire zone below. Conjuring a cartridge of gunpowder, Fritz started the process of shoving it down the bore with his rammer.

    "See it''s a cauldron he''s shoving reagents down it." Marcelle said with a twisted smile. Her tail whipped around excitedly waiting for Fritz to take the bait. Yet Freyes'' champion was not one to rise to every challenge.

    "All right, now let''s hope it doesn''t explode and kill us." He said triumphantly, as he removed the ramrod.

    "The toilet is not killing me." Ada commented. "I refuse to die from an enchanted toilet. If I die it will be a warrior''s death."

    "Please, you''re gonna choke on a steak." Marcelle replied.

    "Say''s the witch who''s gonna drink the wrong potion one day." Ada said as she jumped down from the merlon back onto the wall''s walkway.

    "I''m a genius. I don''t make mistakes."

    Fritz rolled his eyes as he pulled out his linstock. Shooing the beastkin away from the mortar, he prepared to use the weapon. Making sure the match was lit, he placed it into the mortar''s touch hole.

    "Fire in the hole." Fritz shouted. The powder took. Ada and Marcelle jumped alongside all the guards secretly watching Fritz work. The explosion ripped through the bore of the mortar, catapulting the solid iron shot into the air. He watched the iron ball sail its high arc overhead. Fritz yelled to the guard below directing him to mark the location.

    "Not bad. Good distance. The mortar didn''t explode either." Fritz commented dryly.

    "That wasn''t that impressive." Ada said. "How''s that supposed to kill a vampire? Are they gonna stay put?" Fritz turned woodenly towards Ada.

    "Clearly this is just a distraction for our archers."

    "The shell...." Ada looked at him like an idiot. Fritz could feel a part of his soul die looking at the lack of intelligence in her eyes. "The shell, ya''know the part that came out of the barrel?" Fritz asked. Ada nodded. "We''re gonna put a fuse in it, and it''s gonna explode and spew holy water over the battlefield."

    "Oh.... I get it now! It''s gonna blow up!"

    "Then we''re gonna put some cannons in the guard house over there." Fritz pointed to the guard house near the gate. "I have a feeling you''ll like them more. They have a certain... je nes sais quoi about them."

    "Hmm.... Will you operate these yourself? It took a while for you to even load this secret weapon. It hardly seems effective. We had better flee." Marcelle pointed out.

    "No, I won''t be doing it all by myself. We''re gonna enlist the guards. It should be archaic enough that they won''t do too much damage even if they try. And we''re not running away Marcelle."

    "So you say... for now...."

    Fritz adjusted the angle of his mortar. Cleaning out the bore, he prepared his next shot. Over and over they tested the effective range of the mortar. Fatigue tugged at the back of his mind, yet Fritz pushed through. Marcelle and Ada watched over him as he worked, until the captain of the guards himself suddenly appeared. Gaspard hailed the champion of Freyes, with an annoyed expression as he exited the guard house. His subordinates snapped to attention as he passed by. With single minded-purpose he marched across the walls towards Fritz.

 Jailbirds

    Fritz, Ada, and Marcelle found themselves in a jail near the center of the city. The captain of the guard was right beside them. Staring between the bars Fritz beheld his other two companions. Brenn and Neva were horribly hung over. Even in the orange candlelight of the dungeon, Fritz could see their green faces as they tried to sleep away the alcohol. Right in front of the cell, two guards were sprawled out on the floor unconscious. A set of red welts grew on their foreheads where they had been pulled into the iron bars. Behind them in other cells, leering or annoying prisoners had been attacked by whips of fire until peaceful quiet reigned in the underground jail. An undercurrent of fear twisted in the jail, with no one wishing to disturb the hungover beasts.

    "She''s already knocked out both guards." Gaspard said softly. "Would you be so kind as to handle your companion?"

    "Shut up!" Neva yelled.

    "Stop yelling, ugly." Brenn moaned as she clutched her temples. "My head is killing me."

    "You shut up!" Neva spat back. "Last time I listen to you."

    "I don''t think I''ve ever looked that horrible after a night of drinking. Not even when I had to drink with Japanese salarymen."

    "I will kill whoever speaks next." Neva threatened. Gaspard looked towards Fritz. His eyes begged for help.

    "Don''t. I have some hangover medicine. Do you want it?" Fritz asked with a sigh.

    "Hurry up. Cupbearer."

    "You are my favorite drunkard." Fritz replied wearily. Putting his arm through the iron bars he conjured the small bottle covered in Kanji. Neva and Brenn crawled towards Fritz. "The Japanese salarymen told me about this brand. They say it works great. I''m inclined to agree, even if it''s not a miracle cure."

    Neva swiped it out of his hands with a grunt. She pulled on the top of the bottle. Brenn groaned as she took her bottle.

    "Twist it." Fritz said.

    "Damn thing." Neva cursed, as she finally removed the cap and started downing the drink. "Sweet." She finally said. Brenn followed suit, drinking her medicine.

    "Feeling better?"

    "Little." Neva said. "Just a little. Gimme another."

    "Same." Brenn said. Fritz complied handing over two more bottles.

    "So?" Fritz asked as he looked back towards Gaspard. "Why are they behind bars?"

    "They tried to go to a brothel."

    "And? Wherein lies the issue? Were they too ugly to be on the premises?" Marcelle asked.

    "Brenn is banned, for good reason mind you, from every brothel in the conclaves. Every brothel. Every house of ill repute. Every single one." Gaspard reminded them.

    "I am starting to see where the issue lies." Fritz said.

    "Yes, and when she tried to get in. She was turned away. Weren''t you?" Gaspard asked.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    "Shut up." Brenn groaned. "Can you blame a girl for wanting to have some fun? I''m helping the Freyes'' own champion, that has to cancel out the ban."

    "Well, you getting turned away isn''t the problem. You storming in afterwards with your friend and demanding to-" Gaspard cleared his throat. "''Get dicked down so hard, you cannot walk straight for weeks.'' and then trying to fight the bouncers is the problem. Wouldn''t you say?"

    "My demands were simple. Easily understood. I have no idea why I couldn''t get dicked."

    "Thankfully, you two were too drunk to do too much damage." Gaspard replied.

    "I''m very disappointed in you two." Fritz said shaking his head. "Really. Your setting a bad example for Ada and Marcelle."

    "Screw you. Just get us out." Neva replied grumpily.

    "Captain?" Fritz regarded the orange-haired foxkin. "What punishment awaits them?"

    "Execution." Gaspard said blandly inspecting his nails.

    "Execution?!" Fritz''s breath caught in his throat. Ada tensed up reaching for her sword, as Marcelle grinned savagely.

    "Haha. Kidding. Just get them out of here. I don''t want them hurting any more of my men."

    "Finally." Brenn said.

    "Thank you, captain. If there''s anything I can do-" Fritz barely finished his sente

    The captain was quick to respond. Producing a letter, he shoved it into Fritz''s chest.

    "Talk with my brother. Javert is very interested to meet you. Maybe you can help him come up with an actual strategy? At least try and dissuade him from a head-on charge."

    "Certainly. May I also impose on you something else?"

    "Speak."

    "I want to create some new weapons for the guards. Would you mind, If I borrowed them for in the upcoming weeks? I have some weapons I want to test." Gaspard''s brows knitted for a moment.

    "So long as they can continue their duties, I see no issue."

    "Perfect."

    "Then, I shall take my leave." Gaspard produced a set of keys. Confidently moving towards the cell he unlocked the doors opening the cell. Quickly turning on his heels he left the jail, barely giving the adventurers a second glance.

    "Come on, you two. Let''s get you something to eat." Neva and Brenn sighed as they got to their feet. Wobbling unsteadily they started following Fritz out of the underground jail. The guards stared with open hatred at Neva and Brenn as they left the jail.

    "Let''s get some food to help with your hangover."

    "Meat''s perfect. Just shove it down my hole." Brenn replied. Ignoring her, Fritz continued.

    "I''ll need to stop by a blacksmith soon. A cannon''s too large to conjure on its own, and it should ideally be one solid piece. Hopefully they can create more than one in our remaining time."

    "Shut up and conjure us some food, cupbearer." Neva groaned.

    "I need to save my mana." Fritz said dismissively. He produced the letter. Tearing it open he read its contents.

    "What''s it say?" Ada asked curiously, peeking over his shoulder.

    "The ruler of Hueryss wants to meet me. It''s an invitation of sorts." Fritz replied.

    "Don''t bother, he''s dumb as they come." Neva huffed.

    Without waiting for Fritz to put the letter away, the two hungover beastkin shambled towards the nearest scent of food. Neva began patting her pockets looking for her pipe. Sighing, Fritz followed afterwards as he tried to remember where the nearest blacksmith was.

    "That reminds me Marcelle, we should use my newfound prestige to raid the local alchemist shops." Marcelle''s purple eyes narrowed at him. Beneath her long obscuring black hair, she looked as if she

    "Minion. You pull upon the strings of my heart. That is an excellent idea." Marcelle said.

    "Fritz. I need some tobacco." Neva grumbled. Fritz rolled his eyes. "Now."

    "Fine." He threw her a cigar. "Ada, can you look after Neva and Brenn?"

    "Let''s eat and then leave. This city is doomed." Neva grumbled.

    "Look around Neva." Fritz said. "We can make a difference here. We can help them." The graying beastkin merely frowned, as she lit her cigar. "The children don''t deserve their fate. Neither do the elderly or infirm. I believe we''re here for a reason. We can do some good."

    "Shut up. My head is killing me."

    "Not until you agree to stay." Fritz countered.

    "Fine. Fine. Just shut up." Neva grumbled. The three beastkin walked away, as Fritz and Marcelle headed in a new direction. Walking beside the purple-tailed lamia in the early morning, he could feel her watching him.

    "Whatever you were trying last night. Don''t ever do that again."

    "Hmmm. I have no idea what you mean, minion."

    "Next time, the dose will be lethal Marcelle." Fritz did his best to ignoring the odd mumbling lamia next to him, as they continued walking.

    Marcelle noticed something different in the way he walked. Did his shoulders become wider overnight? Idly she wondered what happened to the look of his gaze. Walking silently the two made their way to the Dandelion''s shop.

 Lord Javert

    After visiting the Dandelion''s alchemist shop, and stopping by a blacksmith. Fritz and his companions reunited to make plans for dinner. The ruler of the city, Javert, had invited them to a magnificent feast. His entire retinue of warriors would be there, but most importantly Fritz would have the opportunity to speak to the beastkin in charge.

    A magnificent spread, of meats, pies and dark ale was arrayed on an expansively long table. Javert sat at the head of the table, with Fritz on his right as his guest of honor. Across from Fritz, Gaspard sat. The captain of the guards leaned forward resting his chin on his fist. His bored demeanor seemed at odds with the rowdy warriors surrounding Hueryss''s elector prince. To Fritz''s right, his companions sat in a eclectic order.

    The prince wore a fur coat with no shirt alongside arachnean silk pants. Javert''s orange fox ears twitched as one of his warriors yelled expletives at another down the table. Throwing his feet up onto the table, he relaxed back into his high backed throne. Picking up a tankard of ale, the elector prince drank the dark foamy ale with gusto.

    It wasn''t long before the food went flying as a fight broke out. Javert seemed entirely unperturbed as a pair of his warriors slammed each other into the strong oaken tables sending dishes and ale clattering to the floor. The elector prince leaned forward in his chair to shout at his warriors.

    "Gerard! Use your shoulders! Use your shoulders you bloody idiot!" He screamed from the head of the table, before throwing a leg of mutton at the fighters. "It isn''t a good fight. Gerard, never learns. At this rate he will never best his rival." Javert said with a click of his tongue. "Do you fight often champion?"

    "Not often, no." Fritz replied. Sparing a glance down the table, he watched the shouting warriors crowd around the grappling beastkin atop the wooden table.

    "A pity. There is nothing better in life."

    "Will they be alright?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course! Champion! Pray tell, what has the goddess blessed you with? How shall you destroy the goddesses'' enemies?"

    "They haven''t told you?" Fritz asked.

    "No. Of course not. I wanted to see it myself. It is always better to see in person."

    Fritz held his hand up himself, as he conjured a vial of holy water. He tossed it lightly over towards the prince. A stab of pain shot through his head as he did. Fritz was exhausted, yet he needed to keep going. Time was running out. The more he pushed the safer the city would be.

    "Water? Is that it?"

    "Holy water." Fritz corrected. "I can conjure anything magical or mundane, and it doesn''t disappear."

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    "Hmmm.... I''ve never heard of any champion having an ability like that. You are truly strange." Javert moved the vial about watching the liquid slosh within.

    "May I?" Javert asked.

    "Do whatever with it, it''s yours." The prince smiled to himself at Fritz''s words.

    "It will surely come handy in the coming battle!"

    "About that. What are your preparations for the city''s defense? I am quite interested to hear your strategy." Fritz started.

    "My preparations? What strategy do I need? I have the strongest warriors sworn to me. We will take the field and fight. We shall crush our enemies sword in hand. I shall be the stuff of legends when I take the vampire''s head."

    "Brother." Gaspard said.

    "Don''t ''brother'' me. I am a faithful servant of the goddess. I will not run. Nor will I hide behind walls. I will destroy her enemies. That is all. I have the strongest warriors in the land. They''ve competed in countless trials. We have nothing to fear."

    "You aren''t going to stay on the walls?" Fritz asked incredulously.

    "Of course not! Why would I? What glory is there to be had? Why would anyone sing about a warrior who hid high up upon a wall?"

    "Because the walls are the safest place? Because you will have an advantage." Fritz provided. Javert laughed.

    "My brother is particularly fearless. Let it be said, he relishes in battle." Gaspard said.

    "I should thank you champion. Now, I will have something truly glorious for the bards and poets to write about! Ruling this city had gotten a bit boring. Not even running the UFL could entertain me forever.

    "You run the UFL?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course." Javert smiled a wicked grin. "Ladies and weaklings!" He shouted perfectly imitating the referee in the grounds before breaking out into a chuckle. "Now there is some excitement! But it isn''t enough! Honor and blood awaits me! They will tell tales about this battle for generations throughout my city! I can hardly wait to meet the enemy in battle! My warriors and I will destroy the goddess''s enemy and become heroes!"

    "Lord Javert, are you serious?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course. I never joke." He replied frowning as he looked over the proceeding feast.

    "I don''t think he knows what one is." Gaspard said wearily.

    "Defending the walls is the best option. You have an obligation to stay there, your people are depending on you."

    "Absolutely not!" Javert roared. He removed his feet from the table, sitting up straight. "It is cowardly! It is unthinkable! The enemy will die by my hand and that is that!"

    "You''re a fool." Fritz said.

    "Nothing I haven''t heard before." Javert replied. "Isn''t that right brother?"

    "You are a fool." Gaspard responded.

    "I will be on the walls." Fritz said.

    "To watch me no doubt."

    "To defend the city should you fail in your suicidal battle." Fritz retorted.

    "So long as you do not interfere, I could care less. This fight is mine. This city is mine. I shall kill their leader. Whomever they may be. I believe the goddess has brought you here to witness my triumph. She has finally listened to my prayers and brought me a worthy foe. And now her champion is here to witness it."

    Fritz blinked slowly, as he tried to follow Javert''s train of thought.

    "Told you." Neva whispered from two seats over.

    "Fuck me." Fritz whispered under his breath. Fritz felt hands wrap around his back, as Brenn teleported behind him.

    "Your wish is my command."

    "Not like that." He groaned. "I''ve got so much work ahead of me."

    The dueling warriors finally stopped as Gerard finally tapped. Javert jumped up from his chair, shouting at Gerard for his failures. It wasn''t long before another series of fights started to keep the night''s entertainment going. Rubbing his temples, Fritz tried to fight the pounding headache in his mind.

 Friends on a Balcony

    Fritz leaned onto the stone railing of the balcony. From Hueryss''s central castle he looked down into the warm orange glow of the city. Breathing in the warm spring air he filled his lungs with the strange smell of the fantastical city. His gaze wandered to the castle''s gates, just outside of the inner moat, he watched the milling warriors looking inside. The beastkin kept peeking inside hoping to catch a glimpse of the warrior''s feasting inside.

    "All by your lonesome?" Fritz''s stomach sunk, at the sudden voice. Turning around he was greeted by someone strange.

    "You''re not who I was expecting. Way too tall. Not like the five foot tall sex-freak." Gaspard, the chief of police, looked down at his long legs. Swishing his orange fox tail, he let a smug smile warp his lips, as he held two tankards of dark ale.

    "Are you sure? I could be in a really good disguise. I could be on a pair of stilts. You''d never know, until it was too late."

    "Some stilts. A new entirely new face.  A new voice. No. It''d have to be magic if you really were Brenn."

    "Have a drink. It''s dwarven brewed. Good stuff. We spared no expense for you. Today was supposed to be a day for celebration, to honor your coming." Gaspard said, pressing the tankard into Fritz''s chest.

    "What is there to celebrate?" Fritz griped. "I''ve come to a strange land full of idiots on a suicidal mission for vainglorious knightly valor. Everyone is hoping that the all powerful goddess will look upon their death for even a brief second."

    "Well at least you shouldn''t be too bored." Gaspard jested. Fritz laughed like an idiot. Abandoning himself fully into mirth that he had almost forgotten.

    "True. True. There''s no paperwork here at least."

    "We can always get you some. I hear you humans love the stuff." Raising his tankard into a toast, Fritz and Gaspard drank deeply from the strong ale.

    "You do remember I can just conjure this stuff? You haven''t forgotten, have you?"

    "No. I am well aware of what you can do, but I think it''s the thought that counts." Gaspard countered.

    "Well, if we ever run out I''ll make more." Fritz replied.

    "I''ll hold you to it. So...." Gaspard trailed off as he studied Fritz''s face.

    "What am I doing out here?" Fritz asked.

    "Yeah. The feast is in your honor. All of Javert''s favorite warriors are pummeling themselves into an early grave for your honor. Did you not wish to watch? I hear Gaston has a particularly special finishing move planned in your honor. He has been practicing all alone at night hoping to demonstrate it in front of you."

    "It''s not that. It''s...." Fritz trailed off thinking of the elector prince, as he looked out towards the city.

    "Javert."

    "Yeah.... Why? Why? Why won''t he see reason? He has the advantage upon the walls. He could turn a superior force with ease with ease if he stays upon the walls. To give up such an advantage.... It''s moronically suicidal. I don''t get it. How can one person be so blind? So willing to throw away not only his own life but endanger all of the city." Finishing his rant, Fritz drank trying to ease his throbbing head with alcohol.

    "Drinking more will certainly get you closer to my brother''s level." Gaspard said with a smirk.

    "Hard to believe you were chasing me into the sewer system just a week ago."

    "Strange times. Strange times." Gaspard responded before moving the ale towards his lips. Moving closer to the railing he joined Fritz as the two looked out over the city.

    "So, why is he doing it? Help me understand. Why does it matter that he fights on the field?"

    "Prestige. His power and influence is determined by his skill as a warrior. He rules the city because he is the strongest, not because he is the smartest. He rules because he is the best warrior we have. He rules because others flock to his banner."

    "Such a stupid system." Fritz muttered as he looked out over the city. "Can''t he gather prestige like a normal noble?" Fritz asked. Punctuating with a dramatic sigh he ran his hand over his face. "Can''t he schmooze and rub elbows with the powerful. Maybe marry an important lady in a bigger city?"

    "Hah. You humans acquire power in the strangest manners. No wonder you are so weak."

    "It sure beats running off into battle and meeting certain death."

    "If he wins, Goddess above I hope he does, he will become a legend. His retinue will grow. He could claim more cities, and if he was lucky maybe even become Beast Lord of our conclaves in time." Fritz was silent for a time, before turning towards Gaspard, studying the orange-haired foxkin''s face deeply for truth. "Our political system is based on strength. The strong rule. The weak serve. But more than that, strength is about posturing. Javert has a chance to strike his name in the annals of legends, he will not give up the chance."

    "Haha. It''s almost too noble. Like a children''s interpretation of a knight. Reminds me of someone."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    "Oh.... Do tell."

    "I''m not sure they''re gonna like it, but fuck it.... They''ve been pissing me off."

    "They deserve it." Gaspard said with a laugh. The two brought their tankards together with a clink. The dwarven ale sloshed violently spilling onto the ground, as they toasted on another.

    <hr>

    Ada and Marcelle peeped out into the wide balcony. From their shadowy hiding place they could easily observe Fritz and the captain of the guards. Deep within the castle, the sound of drunken brawling concealed their conspiratorial whispers.

    "It''s her stupid insistence on being some kind of hero that pisses me off the most! It''s silly! She''s clearly an adult but she acts like a child! She kept whining on and on about enchanted swords for like half of our trip! Like she was gonna find the Lady of the Lake one day!" Fritz shouted as he leaned over the balcony. Eight tankards of ale sat by their feet as they stared off into the city together. From the shadowy doorway Marcelle sniggered towards Ada. The blonde wolfkin seethed as her gray eyes narrowed on Fritz.

    "I don''t ''act'' like a kid! I''m a warrior! I''m a warrior! And who wouldn''t want enchanted steel? Is he stupid?" Ada hissed to herself before being shushed by the purple tailed lamia. A smile crept across her lips as she reveled in the blonde wolfkin''s suffering.

    "Don''t I know it." Gaspard scoffed. "Javert was the same kind of idiot. Always running off to the trouble face first, leaving me to pick up the pieces afterwards. It''s a miracle he still has teeth! A miracle he is even alive to this day!"

    "And her snoring! Jesus, lord above, her snoring! It''s killing me! I sleep only by the grace of alcohol! I just wish I had the heart to kick her out at night!" Ada''s anger was rising. Her body lurched forward from her hiding spot before a hand slammed down on her shoulder stopping her.

    "Don''t!" Marcelle hissed.

    "Wait you and her-" Gaspard asked before Fritz waved the question away as he took a drink.

    "No, no. It''s the weirdest thing ever. She wants to sleep on top of me like an animal. Nothing more. To be fair, at least she''s better than the psychopath that came with her." Fritz griped.

    "Which one?"

    "Well the other three to be fair! But I was talking about the snake! I swear! Who hisses at children? Who does that? Who? She''s clearly the most unstable! She keeps threatening everyone over the most minor things! It''s like she hasn''t had a single friend in her entire life." Gaspard broke out into laughter as he threw an arm around Fritz''s shoulder. The smug smile drained from Marcelle''s face as murderous fantasies brewed within her.

    "Do you know how I met her? I saw her dragged out like a petulant child and thrown into my party like a sad sack of potatoes." Ada looked up towards the lamia. Dark promises of pain warped her expression as she stared at Fritz. "And the other two! Don''t get me started on the other two! Brenn is incorrigible. I swear I''m about to give her a Tower of Power and tell her to leave."

    "What in the seven hells is a Tower of Power?" Gaspard asked. Fritz looked behind him in secrecy as he scanned for potential eavesdroppers. Withdrawing deeper into the shadows Marcelle and Ada hid from Fritz''s sweeping gaze. Pulling Gaspard into a conspiratorial whisper he began to explain one of modernity''s most depraved inventions. Fritz''s arms swung wide as he approximated the length. Extending his fingers he approximated the girth to a shocked Gaspard.

    "What the hell is this ''Tower of Power''?" Ada asked indignantly. "Could it be some powerful artifact from his homeland? Why would he give it to Brenn?"

    "Clearly it is valuable. It is something worthy of ridding us of Brenn''s presence. We are far more deserving. He should give us the artifacts first. Not her! Never her! As recompense for these insults at the very least." Marcelle whispered.

    "Agreed, but what was that? Why was he whispering it? Is it another enchanted sword? A mace? A wand? It looked pretty big."

    "Perhaps, not a wand. But with Fritz who knows. It could be anything. A weapon for levelling cities. Perhaps a movable wizard tower. The possibilities are limitless.... It should be ours. The others are not deserving. And! We are owed for his defamation!" Ada frowned as she peeked out onto the balcony. Her eyes watched him with annoyed attention.

    "Why would he say such things? I''m a warrior." Ada whispered. "And the sleeping thing is completely normal. Skinship is important. It''s not weird. I''m not weird."

    "He will pay." Marcelle seethed underneath her breath. "How dare he call me friendless? I have no need of useless friends! I can make plenty! More than him!"

    "You can''t be serious!" Gaspard guffawed. "Really? You''d give her something like that? Hahaha. You''re nothing like how I''d imagined Freyes'' champion would be."

    "What? What should I be? Some blithering idiot with enough head injuries to barely form a proper sentence? Is that what her champion should be?"

    "I know several that fit the description." Gaspard smiled.

    "I don''t like this." Ada whispered. "He''s getting along with him too well. Why''s he insulting us? Does he not like us anymore?"

    "Agreed." Marcelle responded. Drawing herself over Ada she peeked at Fritz and the captain of the guard. "The more isolated he is, the easier he will be to control. His power is ours. Not to be shared with the undeserving rabble."

    "That''s not what I meant." Ada responded. He''s the champion. He should help the people." Ada said. "I just don''t want him corrupted or turned against us. What if he decides he no longer needs us?"

    "Afraid your spot will be taken? Afraid he''ll find someone else to guard him?" Marcelle goaded Ada.

    "Shut up. If he gets the entire backing of the guard...."

    "He might throw us away?" Marcelle asked.

    "He wouldn''t.... But.... The more people around him.... The less important we become, the less adventure we''ll have...." Ada trailed off. Anxiety and annoyance permeated her silence, saturating the conversation.

    "Look! Either way! I have something planned for tomorrow." Fritz replied loudly. "Something that will surely entertain. I just need to use your guardhouse."

    "For what?"

    "I''ll be testing another weapon. Something that I know you''ll love. So long as the damn blacksmith keeps his end of the bargain."

    "Oh? Some sword?"

    "Better! The very weapon that marked the end of medieval warfare from my time!" Fritz shouted with a wide smile. Shifting his weight, he let a wave of ale slosh onto the balcony floor. Gaspard quirked an eyebrow in confusion.

    "Huh? What is it?"

    "It shoots an iron ball fast enough to bisect a man." Fritz admitted. "Brutal. Simple. Perfect for now."

    "Is it a wand?" Gaspard asked.

    "A wand." The words felt completely wrong on Fritz''s tongue as he considered them. He frowned "It''s a bit big for a wand."

    "Bigger is better! Small wands look unmanly! What warrior wants to whip out a wimpy little wand?! The bigger the better! The bigger the wand, the cooler!" Gaspard pressed closer to Fritz.

    "Ada.... We must find out what this ''Tower of Power'' is.... We deserve it. After all, haven''t we risked our life multiple times for the ungrateful human?" Marcelle whispered to Ada.

    "Agreed. But, no isolating him. That''s not what warriors do."

    "It''s a deal, then." Marcelle hissed confidently to herself. "We must secure our position. Then the rewards of his power will be ours. Correcting his behavior will be a bonus. I cannot wait to make him suffer for his transgressions."

    "Do you listen to yourself?" Ada asked. "You sound like a villain."

    "Quiet! I must plot."

 A Night To Forget

    "Fritz! Where are you?" Neva shouted, as she stomped towards the balcony. She and Brenn had stormed through the castles turning it upside down looking for Freyes'' champion. Finding nothing but brainless warriors and drunken fools on the lower levels the two experienced adventurers continued their search upon the upper reaches of the castle.

    "He probably left!" Brenn moaned. "Stop screaming! You''re hurting my ears!"

    "He''s probably still around." The elector prince of Hueryss trailing behind them commented dryly. "My guards haven''t reported him leaving. They wouldn''t let him walk back alone."

    "Shut up. We know." Neva snorted. Her scarred face wiggled into a scowl, as she looked up and down empty dark hallways for signs of Fritz.

    "You''ve got quite the mouth." Javert said.

    "Unlike her I know how to use it." Brenn retorted. "Would you like to see? I have such sights to show you." The prince gagged in response. "Your loss." Brenn said with a shrug, completely used to rejection.

    The three stopped suddenly as they spied Ada and Marcelle peeping out into the balcony. The blonde wolfkin and the lamia were completely enraptured as they peered out onto the balcony.

    "Aren''t they with you? What the hells are they doing?" Javert asked.

    "I don''t know. I taught her better. Eavesdropping like some common cutpurse." Neva gruffed.

    "Shhh....." Marcelle looked back towards the newcomers. "Shut up, you fools."

    "She dares to command me?" Javert asked. The elector prince''s face warped in disgust as he looked at the two eavesdroppers.

    "That''s what I''m talking about!" Fritz shouted. His voice carried from beyond the doorway into the hallway housing his companions.

    "Ahh! The champion!" Javert''s face instantly transformed to joviality as he shouldered past the two, confidently striding out onto the balcony.

    "It''s like they''re out of their minds!" Fritz shouted. "I''ve no idea...." His voice dropped as he saw elector prince striding forward.

    "Brother." Gaspard said.

    "Come on. Stop spying on him. Your being weird." Neva said as she followed Javert onto the balcony. Brenn stopped behind Marcelle and Ada.

    "I''m not weird!" Ada seethed.

    "You are." Brenn commented.

    "Am not!"

    "Are too. Now come on." Brenn replied as she motioned for the two spies to leave their hiding place.

    Besides Fritz''s feet, a pile of discarded tankards sat at their feet. Javert and Fritz swayed slightly uneasily as they regarded the elector prince.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    "Brother. I was wondering where the champion had run off to." Javert said confidently.

    "Brother. I was just entertaining our guest." Gaspard answered, motioning towards Fritz. "He''s quite the talker. He was telling me all about his journey with his companions."

    "And I appreciate...." Fritz paused as he saw the rest of his companions. His face drained of mirth. "Oh... I see you''ve brought them...." Turning away he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

    "Huh?! What''s wrong with us?" Neva asked. "Haven''t we been protecting your ass?" Snapping her fingers. "Besides! I''m thirsty! Hurry it up!"

    "See what I mean?!" Fritz asked Javert. "They treat me like some kind of vending machine."

    "Like I''ve said countless times. I have no idea what that even means. What is a ''vending machine''?!" Javert asked. Fritz let out a long sigh as he rested his butt on the balcony railing. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to formulate his thoughts.

    "Come one Fritz. The merchants charge an arm and a leg for dwarven firewater. I want to get drunk."

    "So you come stomping towards me?" Fritz asked.

    "Of course. I ain''t made of money! Now hurry it up! Make the firewater!"

    "Fine! Fine! But! No! Screw the firewater! Let''s go harder! Something new for my favorite alcoholic!" Fritz announced to the world. Throwing his arms wide, he threw the half-drunken tankard to the balcony floor.

    "Just how much have you drunk?!" Javert asked, appalled at the stench of alcohol lingering on the balcony. "It smells like a brewery out here."

    "Way too little! But I''m about to fix that!" Fritz announced. Ada and Marcelle joined the rest of his companions. "Tonight! Let''s have some fun! I have so much to show you tomorrow. So long as that damn blacksmith fulfills his end of the bargain." Magic flashed within his hands, as a deadly green bottle of liquor suddenly appeared in his grip. "Behold! The most horrid invention of humanities alcoholism! Gather around those who wish to get drunk! I shall provide you the legendary absinthe! Strong enough to wake the dead. Strong enough to send you to an early grave. But most importantly! Strong enough to make the night memorable!" Fritz ushered his companions near him. "One hundred and sixty proof. Nearly twice as deadly as that swill I provide for you my dear Neva."

    "Ohh...." Neva cooed. "You''ve outdone yourself. I was hoping for something stronger. Brenn, you got to try it with me."

    "Are you really gonna give them more alcohol? Fritz, haven''t you had enough?" Ada asked.

    "Champion. Is this really what you use the Goddesses'' power for?" Javert asked.

    "Quiet brother. I have come to appreciate his talents. He has been quite forthcoming with his ability this evening. We haven''t had to leave this balcony in hours." Gaspard swayed slightly. "Really it is quite convenient. You should partake "

    "Don''t be afraid, Lord Javert." Fritz said with a smug smile. He shoved the bottle into Neva''s chest. Her scar wormed slightly as she smiled. Taking the absinthe out of his hands, she unscrewed the cap, before sniffing it slightly. Her face scrunched up as she drew away.

    "It smells like...."

    "Jet fuel?" Fritz tried to finish her sentence.

    "What the seven hells is that?" Javert asked. Fritz scratched his head. He thought for a moment before giving up and shrugging.

    "I honestly have no idea where I can begin trying to explain the concept to you, same with a vending machine." He admitted. "It would destroy your weak little minds."

    "Cutey, is it safe to drink? It smells horrible, even from here."

    "Oh yeah. It''s safe. So long as you don''t go near another brothel!" Fritz jested. Gaspard and Fritz erupted into a fit of childish giggling as they elbowed each other in good humor. Neva and Brenn scowled. "Come on! Enough waiting! Neva, you''re my favorite alcoholic. Drink! Drink! Drink!"

    Gaspard and Fritz joined together in a chorus as Neva lifted the bottle to her lips. They shouted with excitement as Neva finished a swig. She grimaced as the stinging alcohol burned all the way down. Gaspard and Fritz fought for the bottle encouraging everyone to join in their fun.

    Fritz was a liar. He promised a night to remember. What night that group of seven had barely registered in memory. The alcohol took their memory away like a phantom thief.

 Undead Interlude

    The first victims of any conflict are always innocent. Civilians stand between armies as war begin. Those that are lucky can run away. While those ignorant or unlucky stand in the path of destruction.

    When the moon hung high in the night''s sky, the vampiric host descended from the mountains of Gris. Rose von Erwenhest and her immortal warriors rode down dark trails towards Hueryss. Thirsting vengeance incarnate, they carved through the surrounding lands. Her blood knights rode behind her on indefatigable steeds. Their impenetrable plate armor barely registered noise as they rode in complete silence.

    Behind them, a corps of necromancer''s followed. Their rich black robes concealed no weapons. Yet hidden in dimensional saddlebags, was an army of corpses ready to be re-animated at a mere moment''s notice. Ancient skeletal warriors with every weapon imaginable waited for magic to pull upon bone. The threads would direct their bleached bones like false muscles empowering their slaughter. The dead Grissians would fulfill their final acts of service to Gris as an endless tide of undead soldiers.

    In the rear, was a host of opportunists. Ghouls with insatiable hunger, were drawn to the approaching feast. Gnawing desire led them to follow like a flock of scavengers waiting to sup upon the scraps left behind. Like vultures, they hovered near the noble dead patiently watching for their permission to eat.

    Blood flowed from the unfortunate isolated living lives of quiet solitude. Homesteaders were slaughtered in the night. Strung up on makeshift crosses, their blood dripped passively into wooden tubs below their feet. Glazed lifeless eyes passively beheld the warriors dipping their long, sharpened nails into the tubs of blood. Some blood knights decried the poor quality. While other more pragmatic vampires begrudgingly drank before the approaching battle.

    Waiting in the shadows like obedient dogs, ghouls slobbered. They eyed exsanguinated corpses waiting for the blood knights to have their fill. The hierarchy of the undead was clear. Those lesser beings would wait their turn. The necromancer''s stood aloof. They waited patiently, counting down the seconds to when they would have a fresh skeleton to stuff into their dimensional saddlebags.

    Burning campfires that once fought against the night became lighthouses attracting the curiosity of the undead. Sleepy hunters and adventurers were descended upon as they lay vulnerable. Their screams of pain only attracted more of their killers. The agony of their suffering became a siren call to the creatures lurking within the darkness. Loping ghouls ran towards the frightened stragglers, while thirsting blood knights came to inspect the fresh kills.

    Strangely enough, the safest place was the one where none wanted to live. Trira, the logging colony, was carefully avoided by the host as it descended towards Hueryss. Its stench was so severe that no vampire, ghoul or necromancer would venture near the town. The few remaining residents who huddled like beggars in the shadow of the town would see the sun rise in the morning, as the host passed them by.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Rose von Erwenhest looked ahead with an unfocused gaze. Her wide eyes beheld little of the reaping before her. She daydreamed of her inevitable vengeance. The random killings before her were not enough. She desired more. Blood should flood the land. The ceremonial executioner sword sheathed at her side would slay anyone responsible for her daughter''s misfortune. As she rode, she dreamed of slaughter.

    <hr>

    The sewers stunk nearly worse than anything Lilly von Erwenhest II had ever experienced. Pain and fatigue radiated through her undead body. Her sheathed rapier dug into the sewer''s walls as she staggered forth upon the slippery filth. The chittering rats, her only companions, fled from her uneven steps. Her clothes were ripped and filthy. Her body was weak, weaker than it had ever been. It cried out for nourishment. It cried out for blood.

    Stopping to gather her strength, she gripped the grimy walls. Her once pale immaculate skin was covered in sewage, excrement, and wounds. No one who looked upon her would recognize the once proud and noble vampires who left to slay Freyes¡¯ champion. She needed blood. She needed to heal. Once she was strong enough she could make her way out of these accursed sewers.

    Why had Hannah sent her below the streets? Why had she failed? What mistakes did she make to deserve her fate? The seers who spoke upon the champion were wrong. The champion was weak, but that didn''t mean he couldn''t have empowered his followers. How dare he summon a copy of her family''s artifact? How dare he defy her? He was nothing more than a bag of blood. His life served no purpose but to nourish her. He was nothing to her. He was her food, not her equal. Why couldn''t he have died then and there?

    "I will escape this hell." She muttered through gritted teeth. Mustering her strength, she gripped her rapier''s hilt tighter. She opened her mouth letting in the miasmic air onto her tongue. Grimacing in distaste, she waited.

    She needed blood. She needed to heal. She needed to escape this damn city. Blood surrounded her, chittering and scurrying away. It was necessary for her to heal.

    "No one shall know of this." She spat out venomously while drawing her sword.

    Staggering forward, she moved towards a nearby refuse heap. Her family''s heirloom sword posed and at the ready. Stopping, perfectly still, Lilly waited. Eventually the scurrying beasts grew bolder. The statue-like vampire no longer seemed a threat. Clearly to the rats of Hueryss''s sewers the lurking predator they shared the sewers with was gone. The vampire did not need to breathe. She held her pose immaculately, her unblinking blood red eyes searched the refuse heap for her next meal.

    Movement caught her eye. A large brown rat moved cautiously around the wall to her right. Lilly watched it sniff the air. Her enchanted rapier hovered, waiting to strike.

    "Blood. Bring me his blood. Kill the man. Kill the human." The blade whispered to her. The magical connection to the blade annoyed her. She hated how it longed for the champion''s taste. She hated how it never stopped reminding her of his exquisite taste. The memory of it was captivating, enchanting, and addicting. Suppressing the thoughts she eyed her prey.

    Lilly''s muscles twitched in anticipation, the rat resumed its journey towards the refuse heap. Lilly stabbed forward in a flash of movement, spearing the rat clean. Her rapier protested the inferior blood.

    She brought the putrid beast to her lips. Her tongue touched the fresh blood. She gagged at the taste immediately. The noble vampire nearly retched in the sewers. Mastering her disgust she sank her fangs into the vermin, sucking it dry. Tossing the desiccated corpse away, she began searching for more prey. More blood was required to heal, and once she did her vengeance would be terrible.

 Godly Bureaucracy

    Atop an immaculate golden throne, the god above all Aur resided. His azure right hand rested against his face in abject boredom as two of his divine subjects made their desperate pleas to him. He was dressed in an immaculate glittering white robe made of celestial bodies. His huge frame moved slowly as he inhaled. His pure golden eyes drifted across scenes from a million different worlds.

    "My lord, Aur." Freyes said bowing reverently before his golden throne. Jorgen joined in, drawing his wings inwards as he bent at the waist.

    "Rise." Aur spoke. His voice carried through the space between worlds filling it with his divine will.

    "My lord, I have come to plead for the sake of my world. The balance we strive for is at risk. My lands hang in the balance, and I fear that without intervention the lands I cultivate will die."

    "I have already given you permission for a champion." Aur replied wearily. "Why have you come? Another champion? Do you wish to intervene directly? Such actions are impermissible. One champion per god. That is the rule. None may break it or upset the divine treaties that govern the cosmos."

    "Because, my lord. Jorgen blessed him. I thought nothing of it at the time. The champion is pathetic. He is too weak to help the beastkin. I am afraid things are spiraling out of control. If more help isn''t given, my lands will surely die."

    "Jorgen. Is this true? Why would you bless her champion?" Aur asked. "That is supposed to be her task." His eyes never beheld the gods before him. They flicked between the different worlds under his control watching and spectating the lives of trillions.

    "Yes, my lord. I was also the one who selected the human. I thought him quite exceptional, yet I have erred in my desire to help my fellow goddess. I thought his knowledge and experience would lend themselves well to my gifts. More so than hers. That is why I offered to bless him. My intentions were true, yet I may have made a mess of things. Freyes, my dear friend, is quite upset. And I-I fear I am to blame."

    "Has he died?" Aur asked.

    "No, my lord. Not yet. Yet...." Freyes said weighing her words.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    "Yet?"

    "Without substantial intervention, he will die very soon. Please look upon him. It does not take a god to see his fate."

    Aur''s dark blue eyebrow raised slightly. His golden eyes twitched as Aur''s gaze fell upon the Beastkin conclave.

    "What? From a hangover? Ah.... Wait a moment. I see. You think he will die in this conflict."

    "Yes. I am confident he will die in the coming weeks. He is participating against a horde of vampiric undead. Rose von Erwenhest has emptied her coffers for an army from the necromancers guild. Everyone shall die. I am sure of it. The outcome is obvious. An entire kingdom of the dead will be thrown at one measly city."

    "I see, now...."

    "Yes, Lord Aur." Freyes said reverently.

    "Who summoned the champion?" Aur asked. Freyes'' eyes flittered towards Jorgen.

    "I suggested the human to Freyes, my lord. Afterwards I assisted in the summoning. As I said, I thought him quite exceptional. I wanted to help Freyes, but I have made a mess of things." Jorgen replied. His myriad of many voices echoed guilt before the golden throne of Aur.

    "I see. I see." Aur said. "Have you submitted the proper forms to my secretary?" The god above all asked.

    "Of course my lord. We have submitted the proper C-S-4 form."

    "As well as the champion summoning CRS-99 form?" Freyes nodded. "And the incident report summarizing the nature of his original summoning?" Freyes nodded. Aur''s eyes narrowed upon Jorgen, peering into the teeming mass of souls comprising his body. "Jorgen, have you submitted your separate incident report?"

    "Yes, of course my lord. We have already submitted our RCR-01 reports as well as our Champion Relocation Environmental Impact survey. Additionally, we have already sent over the RCR-02 Viral and Bacterial Species Introductory forms. We would not bother you without following the proper bureaucratic procedures."

    "Good. It appears all things are in order. Jorgen, your help was rather suspect. For all intents and purposes we shall count this summoning as your champion. As such, you shall not be able to summon another champion for another hundred years. Freyes, you are free to summon another. However, you must bless this one. Without exception you must bless them. They will be your champion. Fritz shall remain undisturbed. You may not contact him, Freyes. Jorgen we will update our records to mark Fritz as your champion. Do as you will with him. He is now your champion."

    "Of course, lord Aur." Freyes replied.

    "Now, leave." Aur commanded.

    The two gods left the sanctum of the chief god. Leaving through the impossibly high marble doors marking his throne room. Freyes held a satisfied smirk as she prepared to save her lands. She turned towards Jorgen, victory apparent in her stride and manners. The god of magic pulled the cowl of his robes down and brought his wings inward. The two separated from Aur''s grand entrance hall travelling towards their sacred realms. Only when Jorgen returned to his library did he let out his excitement for the approaching chaos.

 The Nights Aftermath

    When Fritz came to, he returned to consciousness underneath a pile of women. Somehow, he was still wearing pants, yet his shirt was completely missing. Marcelle''s thick tail was slapping against his cheek, as her face pressed into the cold wooden floor nearby. Her inky black hair was splayed out like a mop soaking up the dirt and grime. Ada''s weight crushed him into the wooden floorboards of the strange building. An elbow was jammed into his neck. A knee jabbed into his ribs. The smell of dried vomit festered in some corner of the strange room, adding to the ambience.

    Fritz groaned as he started shifting the two women off of him. The decor of the room was gaudy. Rich, dark velvety sheets were ostentatiously thrown over the soft feather four postered bed merely feet away from Fritz. Opposite the bed, a large expansive mirror sat reflecting the view from the bed. A faint morning light leaked between the dark obscuring curtains of the room. Everything looked dark, like it was made to hide stains.

    From atop the comfortable bed, Neva re-adjust herself to get a good look at the tangled mess of Fritz, Ada and Marcelle.

    "You awake?" Neva asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

    "Where are we?" Fritz mumbled, as he gingerly disentangled himself from the pile.

    "Brothel. Goddess''s Panties or whatever. Can''t remember. It''s sort of hard to."

    "A brothel? Why the hell am I here?" Fritz groaned. "Why the hell are you with me?"

    "It was your idea. You wanted to invite us all along. Something about feeling sorry for poor ole'' Brenn."

    "Me? No way. I need to make sure the city isn''t destroyed. Why would I come here?"

    "Well drunk you? Don''t you remember?"

    "Ughhh. No. Nothing at all." Fritz admitted.

    "Why''d you start me with the firewater? You should have given me this from the beginning. You were holding out on me." Neva sloshed a half-drunk bottle of absinthe in her hands. "It certainly made my night, and yours." The gray-haired alcoholic wolfkin teased. A smug smile warped the scars upon her cheeks. Shoving Ada off, Fritz started moving Marcelle''s tail off of him.

    "What happened? We didn''t-?"

    "Nope. Not even close. Marcelle tried feeding you something weird, and you freaked out. Ada got mixed up with it, and you both fell asleep after some cloud popped out of your hands. Besides.... I wouldn''t like it if you got that way with Ada."

    Finally freeing himself, Fritz stood up. Blood rushed to his head, as his nausea hit him with full force. The aches of his body stopped momentarily as the world swam. Waiting for the feeling to pass, Fritz opened his eyes and looked down to the strange bruises covering his body.

    "Who hit me? I look like I went to a BDSM dungeon."

    "Them''s two hit you. Brenn did go to their dungeon. Only place they allowed her. Happiest I''ve ever seen that ant."

    "She''s here? I thought she was banned." Fritz asked. On the floor next to him, Ada groaned as she shifted on the ground. Her arms found his ankles as she grabbed onto him like a drowning woman.

    "Oh yes, she was ecstatic about joining. Even more so when the elector prince forced them to admit her."

    "Javert''s here? Is Gaspard too?"

    "How''d you know?" Neva asked with a smug smile.

    "Jesus." Fritz muttered to himself.

    "Who''s that?"

    "Forget it. Let''s get out of here with whatever dignity I have left."

    "Fair enough. I was tired of babysitting you all. Didn''t want someone coming in to take advantage of you." Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "Thanks." Fritz said.

    The door to their room exploded open as a badly bruised Brenn teleported to Fritz. The diminutive woman latched onto him with both arms and legs. The sudden weight was too much with Ada wrapped around his ankles. Fritz fell face first into the velvety bed.

    "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My champion! My lord! My savior!" Brenn squealed. "It was everything I ever wanted. Do you know how long I''ve waited?! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! When can we come back? Tomorrow? The day after?! They won''t let me in without you!"

    "Brenn!" Fritz yelped.

    "Fritz?!" Ada sat up groggily letting go of Fritz''s ankles. "It''s bedtime! Get back here!"

    "Fun night?" Neva asked Brenn.

    "Very! Thank you!" Brenn teleported off onto the foot of the bed. She sat with her legs crossed on the bed. Nasty purple splotches peaked between the folds of her clothes as a dumb happy smile warped her black eye. Finally free, Fritz pushed off the bed standing up.

    Another figure positioned himself in the doorway. Gaspard, flanked by four ladies of the night, peeped into Fritz''s room. His face was ghastly pale as the woman supported him, helping him stand straight. Nausea swam within the ginger foxkin, yet his nightly companions would not let him fall.

    "Champion. Good to see you''re alive. I''m gonna get us a healer." He groaned from the doorway before he started shuffling downstairs assisted by a gaggle of women.

    "Agghhhh" Marcelle jolted awake screaming. Her purple fingers curled ready to gouge out her enemies eyes. Her head swiveled around the room, before a rush of sickness took hold of her. Retching onto the wooden floor Marcelle''s rage suddenly ended. Bits of her long black hair dipped into the edges of the black pool of sickness. "Fritz! I will kill you! Wait! Where are we?"

    "What''s going on? Where are we?" Ada asked. She rubbed her tired eyes as she looked around the room in confusion.

    "Brothel. Brenn brought up the idea as a joke. Fritz agreed." Neva answered matter-of-factly. Wheels started turning in Marcelle''s mind.

    "You." Marcelle pointed towards Fritz. "You. You. You brought us to a brothel?" Marcelle screeched. From deeper in the brothel another customer yelled in response to the overbearing noise. "I am defiled. Ruined! Unclean! A whore! A filthy raggedy whore!" Marcelle hid her face within her hands as uncontrollable sobs overtook her.

    "What''s wrong with that?" Brenn shouted from the bed.

    "Calm down!" Neva shouted. Marcelle was oblivious as her tail coiled inwards.

    "No one will ever love me. No one. My purity is gone! I shall die alone. Unloved and unclean!" Marcelle wailed.

    "Shut up girl!" Neva barked, as she got off the bed. "You three didn''t even do anything! Nothing happened!" Neva kicked at the despairing lamia.

    Marcelle continued on oblivious to everything. A crowd was gathering in the doorway now. Brenn rolled her eyes at Marcelle''s display.

    "You tried to poison him, and he wasn''t even having it. He put you down before you could do anything. Ada got caught in the crossfire. So quiet down you drama queen. You ain''t defiled. I watched over all three of you."

    "What?" Marcelle asked. Her crying interrupted, she looked up towards Neva.

    "Nothing happened?" Ada asked.

    "For you three." Neva said. "And me I guess, because I had to babysit you."

    "I got lucky. So did Gaspard." Brenn replied cheekily from the bed. Ada frowned as her groggy brain grappled with a stupid question.

    "What happens in a brothel?" Ada asked. "They never explain in Grognard''s tales."

    "Uh...." Fritz rubbed his head as he tried to fight the nausea.

    "Brenn stuff, dear." Neva said quickly, silencing the question.

    "Yup. Me stuff." Brenn agreed.

    "What happened? Did she get in a fight?" Ada asked, pointing towards Brenn. "Is a brothel like a secret fighting ring with pretty women? Is that why ladies of the night often have black eyes? Is that why adventurer''s like them? Because they''re strong too?"

    "Don''t worry, we''re never coming back." Fritz said. "I''ve got a long day ahead of me." He griped.

    "Cutey! You can''t be serious?!" Brenn said as she teleported onto his back. Pulling on his shoulders like a petulant child Fritz did his best to throw off the ratkin and escape the brothel. Bucking her like a wild bronco, something started stirring within his stomach a wave of nausea hit him, causing him to stop.

    "He''s gonna blow!" Neva shouted.

    "What? What?" Brenn asked.

    "Don''t throw up!" Neva screamed. The feeling wouldn''t subside. It ran through him breaking like a raging river that destroys everything in it''s path. The muscles of his stomach seized up, as his sense of balance fell away. Brenn teleported away back onto the bed as Fritz toppled over. Erupting like Mount Vesuvius, Fritz''s head hit the floor. Vomit spewed forth, soaking him like sudden rain. Marcelle and Ada dodged as the smell of black vomit filled the room.

    "Get the windows open!" Marcelle screeched.

    "Fritz! Is he poisoned?!" Ada asked.

    Fritz stared absentmindedly at the ceiling of the room, feeling filthy, but strangely good.

    "Ah Champion! There you are!" Javert called from the doorway. Beside him two large muscular men helped the elector prince walk. His face scrunched up in disgust as he looked at him. "My brother is getting a healer. Don''t move. Freye''s priests will fix you right up."

    Fritz gave him a thumb''s up as he conjured a towel and started trying to clean himself. Javert''s eyes caught Brenn. His face distorted in disgust as he saw her bruised face.

    "Don''t let her walk around." The elector prince pointed at Brenn. "I don''t want the rabble thinking you beat your harem. Keep that stuff hidden. It makes everyone look bad. Take me home boys."

    "Yes, my lord." The two shirtless muscular beastkin said as they led the limping prince out of the brothel.

    Fritz stared at the ceiling, wishing a god would strike him from existence as chaos reigned around him.

 Fire Teams

    Fritz was slowly learning a very important lesson. It was infinitely easier to bribe his way through things. Four pure silver daggers, two vials of holy water, and a pile of gourmet steaks later he had the attention of an entire contingent of guards. The gate''s guardhouse was large enough to fit eight cannon crews, gunpowder, and an arsenal of cannon balls. Large open windows overlooked the grassy deserted plains below.

    Ada, Neva and Brenn were with him as he attempted to showcase his two cannons. The two giant hunks of iron were placed looking out of the central gatehouse. The blacksmiths had done a superb job. Of the three that he had employed only one failed. With more cannons and mortars on order, Fritz was on track to arm the city properly. Modern weapons were still a far off daydream, yet for now, nineteenth century cannons would do.

    "I don''t get it. Why are there more weird toilets?" Ada asked crossing her arms. Craning her neck, she looked down at the antique weapons. Fritz ran his hands through his thick black hair as he sighed. Gaspard was quicker to respond.

    "Perhaps we are meant to stick arrows down them?" Gaspard asked as his brows drew inward in confusion as he remembered words from last night. "How is this a wand? This is nothing like a wand. You said this was like a wand."

    "Ada, you were with me yesterday." Fritz said. "A cannon functions with the same principle as a mortar."

    "Champion. I don''t get it. How is this a weapon? It''s just a bored out cylinder of iron." one of the beastkin guards asked. "Are you pulling our tails?"

    "Clearly, he''ll swing it. It''s a blunt weapon, see?" Another of the guards interjected.

    "I assure you, I am not swinging it. All firearms operate in the same manner. Gunpowder is ignite to send a projectile screaming out of the bore towards the enemy." His audience looked at him with the glazed listless eyes of the incredibly stupid. Fritz fought a wave of nausea as he rubbed at his temples. "Look, just watch. I will demonstrate."

    Fritz grabbed a bundle of wrapped gunpowder, before ramming it down the barrel. He then moved to grab a single iron cannonball. Grunting, he lifted the iron ball towards the bore of the cannon. Positioning it perfectly, he fed it down the cannon, ramming it towards the bottom.

    "Since there is no powder residue, I don''t have to clean the insides." Fritz huffed and puffed as he rammed the cannon ball down.

    "You just shoved stuff down it. How''s that a weapon? Are we supposed to throw it? Tip it over?" One of the guards asked.

    "No! No! No!" Fritz responded. "Just wait a moment."

    "This weapon is pretty slow to use. What if one of the vampires scales the walls?" Another guard asked. Fritz rolled his eyes as he picked up the flaming linstock.

    "Put your hands against your ears, and stand back." Fritz commanded.

    "Why?" The beastkin asked. "Is this some kind of magic trick? What''s it supposed to do?" None of the guards were really listening to him. Neither his companions nor the guardsmen made any motion to protect their hearing. Fritz watched them with a growing frustration as he placed the linstock''s match against the touch hole. Fire traveled from the small opening at the rear of the cannon into the ignition chamber. The gunpowder exploded sending the iron cannon ball out into the empty planes outside of Hueryss. The iron frame of the cannon shot back as the wheeled wooden frame flew backwards. One of the guardsmen jumped for cover as he dodged the cannon''s recoil.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    The beastkin in the gatehouse stared at the cannon in stunned silence. The explosion was loud, reverberating through the city. Everyone within the city stopped and looked towards the gatehouse. An undercurrent of anxiety sifted into the air. Questions swarmed through the citizens'' minds as they looked towards the walls.

    "Do I have your attention now? Where I come from," Fritz started. The explosion rang in his ears, making his voice flat. "Cannons changed everything. The age of castles fell with the introduction of the cannon. Gone were the days of walled cities. Gone were the days of the valiant knight. The cannon changed siege warfare. No longer could lords hide behind stone walls. The new siege weapon ripped through stone killing any caught in its trajectory." Fritz waited for the beastkin to respond. Instead they looked outside, pointing towards where the cannonball impacted the ground. "A cannonball will travel straight through a fully armored knight. No matter the armor. A cannonball will kill anything that it strikes."

    "Fritz, can it kill a dragon?" Ada asked coming dangerously close. Her gray eyes twinkled like a child''s. Excitement and hope were seared onto her face, waiting for his next words.

    "Probably. If you hit it enough times." Fritz said, shrugging. "Even if it didn''t pierce the skin, it would deliver enough kinetic energy to knock them senseless. Not to mention, we can always build a bigger cannon. If a smaller one doesn''t work, we could just build them bigger and bigger. Look at the Tsar Cannon! The thing was so stupidly massive! It weighed nearly forty metric tonnes and it still was supposedly fired! If that couldn''t kill a dragon what would?!"

    The beastkin looked at him like children filled with wonder. Gaspard frowned as he started scratching his chin in deep thought. Retreating backwards he leaned against a wall. The assembled guard started murmuring amongst themselves.

    "Forget the dragons! Our enemy is the undead!" Gaspard spoke up, silencing his men. "Dragons are far from our primary concern. Don''t get ahead of yourselves."

    "Of course. Of course." Fritz responded. "Now what do you think? Who wants to kill some vampires?" Fritz asked his audience.

    The beastkin scrambled to grab the available equipment. Ada jumped quickly, landing on top of a cannon. Throwing her arms over the barrel, she tried to claim the entire thing

    "It''s mine! It''s mine!" She screamed. "The dragon slayer is mine! Get away from it! It''s mine!"

    "This one''s ours!" A circle of guardsmen formed a protective ring around a cannon. The guards held their weapons aloft ready to defend the dragon slaying equipment.

    "Neva! Brenn! Help! We need this! Get over here!" Ada screeched.

    "Get off the weapon! He''s giving it to us! We need it more than you!" One of the guardsmen yelled.

    "No!" Ada yelled, as a group of guardsmen tried to pull her off the thick iron frame.

    "Ada! Get off the thing! You look stupid! Your not ready to kill a dragon!" Neva yelled.

    "Get over here and help me you old hag!" She shot back.

    "Old?! Old?! I''ll snap that fucking sword of yours!" Neva yelled barreling through the crowd towards the blonde wolfkin.

    The arguing crowd of shoving beastking forced Fritz to the back of the guardhouse. Neva was struggling with her charge. Ada gripped the cannon like her life depended on it. Her arms strained as a Neva tried to peel her off.

    "Get off! Brenn get over her! She''s stuck like a barnacle!" Neva screamed.

    "It''s ours!"

    "No it''s mine! I always wanted to kill a dragon!"

    "They''re gonna call me Tugg the Dragon Slayer! Get off the cannon you blonde devil!"

    "Calm down! Calm down! You don''t even know how to use it!" Fritz shouted above the chaos as he started to direct the errant beastkin. "You don''t even have gunpowder! You can''t use it without gunpowder!"

    The fighting stopped, everyone turned to look at Fritz. A battalion of guardsmen were waiting for him to continue talking.

    "How do we get gunpowder? Tell us!" One of the guardsmen demanded.

    "I make it!" Fritz shouted. He held out his hand, conjuring a packet of gunpowder. "You don''t know the secret to gunpowder, so start behaving!"

    The beastkin grumbled under their breath. Neva finally got hold of one of Ada''s arms, yanking her to her feet.

    "We''re gonna start small. I''ll teach you how to use the weapons. Provided you cooperate, you''ll have a brand new series of cannons that''ll kill anything you can hit."

    It was like a switch was hit. The guard became all business as they stood at attention waiting on Fritz''s every word.

    "I''m gonna get one too?" Ada asked.

    "Shut up!" Neva bonked her atop the head. "No way in hell am I lugging that thing around!"

    "I''ll carry it!" Ada whined. Fritz did his best to ignore Ada''s desires.

    "Alright." Fritz clapped his hands together. "Let''s form fire teams. Gaspard." Fritz looked back to the guard captain. "Help me divide them up."

 Battle Wenches

    The sounds of cannon fire drew an audience. Children and curious spectators climbed buildings to view the spectacle. A crowd formed at the entrance of Hueryss''s gate. Bold beastkin wormed themselves atop the walls to watch the cannons fire into the empty fields below. Craters of earth exploded into the green fields as the cannonballs blasted the ground relentlessly.

    Fritz was amongst the guard commanding their every movement. The promise of power kept them obedient and quick.

    "Fire!" Fritz yelled. The twelve pound cannons boomed as the guard ignited the gunpowder. The cleaners moved immediately into action clearing the bore of any remaining sparks. "Reload! Reload!" Fritz yelled out. A pair of guards pushed the gunpowder cartridges down the bore.

    "Halt! Halt! Wait just a moment!" Fritz commanded. His ears rang. The deafening sound of the cannon inside the gatehouse deadened all sound. "I''ve got something special! Something different." Fritz announced. "For mass infantry, the cannonball is not especially effective." The beastkin within the guardhouse hung on his every word as he spoke. "When there are too many targets, and the enemy gets too close, consider using grapeshot. It''s extremely effective against mass infantry. Instead of one single giant cannon ball. A spray of smaller projectiles will cover a larger surface, allowing you to-"

    "Slay more vampires!" One of the guards interrupted him.

    "Exactly!" Fritz pointed towards the beastkin who spoke up. "You are exactly right! Incidentally! Grapeshot is extremely effective in city combat. Consider using it, if you have a horde massing in the streets. Who knows? Maybe, just like Napoleon, you too can become an Emperor with the proper use of artillery."

    "Champion! I shall not abide by your vile tricks and battle wenches! Face Rayazan the slayer! Blood shall repay blood!" All heads within the guardhouse turned to see the newcomer entering the guardhouse. The nuisance beastkin was back. Waving his longsword in the guardhouse, Rayazan challenged Fritz to another duel.

    "Who?" Fritz asked. He crossed his arms in "I don''t remember you. Ada? Do you remember this guy? Why''d he call you a battle wench?"

    "No. I mean.... Ada stopped for a moment as she thought backwards. "No. I don''t remember him. Did I beat him up in that tournament?" Rayan''s face turned positively purple in stark contrast to the undisturbed ram horns upon his head.

    "I like this ''battle wench'' name. Such a sexy and dangerous tone to it." Brenn said. "What about you Neva?"

    "Hate it. He should die for saying something that stupid." She gruffed, puffing on her pipe.

    "Should we kill him boss?" One of the guards asked, shooting a thumb towards the interloper.

    "Why are you threatening the champion?" Another asked.

    "Do we have a problem here?" A guard asked as he reached for a mace.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "Champion, is he bothering you?"

    "Do we need to teach him a lesson?"

    "Do we get more cannons if we beat him?"

    More guards reached for their weapons, as they moved towards the interrupting beastkin.

    "Hah! You are a coward! Are you afraid to respond to my challenge?! Face me like a man! Stop hiding behind others!" Rayazan taunted.

    "Perhaps we should perform some live target practice?" One of the guards responded.

    "Just get rid of him!" Neva yelled.

    "Justice punch!" Toshi the gi-wearing catkin shouted. His fist connected with Ryazan''s kidney, staggering the beastkin. His battle harem screeched in delight as a crowd of guards descended upon the stunned interloper. A mob of beastkin surrounded Rayazan kicking and stomping him repeatedly. Toshi and his women walked confidently past the turmoil towards Fritz.

    "Champion! My battle harem has informed me of your path of progression! Although I wish to battle you, I will stay my blade, as a greater purpose drives me. I have never seen such a cultivator as you! This disciple humbly asks you to teach my battle harem your secrets! The path to the heavens is long and winding. Yet within you, I sense a true cultivator!" Toshi, with his hands before him, bowed deeply in respect. "They seek the power you promise, and I will oblige their wishes! Justice and my dream require my beautiful harem to be strong! They must protect me when I am wounded and your strange weapons have intrigued them! Please! Let us learn of your cultivation techniques!"

    Fritz started rubbing his temples. Looking past Toshi, he briefly glanced towards a guardsmen kicking Ryazan repeatedly in the face. Grimacing in pain, Fritz quickly looked away.

    "Uh sure. That''s fine. So long as you help defend the city." Brenn moved closer to him, as she batted her lashes at him.

    "Cutey. Are you really giving those girls attention when I''m right here? Why aren''t you paying attention to your own harem? Your battle harem is feeling neglected. As chief battle wench I deserve more attention."

    "Hah! A champion should have a strong battle harem! Champion! This is not good! You must never neglect your battle harem! Without my beautiful harem''s guidance I would be lost in this strange world. Never neglect them! A true young master must fulfill their needs! Every night if needs be! Dual cultivation techniques will help you advance your grade." Brenn elbowed Fritz in the ribs.

    "You hear that cutey?"

    "I don''t have a harem. Toshi, your more than welcome to join us. We''ve got a spare mortar." Fritz responded. Breathing in deeply he took a moment before gathering everyone''s attention.

    "Everyone, please be patient. I will have more weapons for all of you very soon! Weapons with which you will be able to slay dragons and the coming undead!" The crowd hung on his every word. The guardsmen stopped kicking Rayazan. "Please be patient for now. Watch and learn. I promise, anyone who follows me will have weapons and armor to turn you into fearsome warriors. What I am showing is just a fraction of my power. There will be more to come!" Fritz moved towards Ada. "For years, my companion Ada had dreamed of an enchanted sword!" Fritz''s eyebrows twitched. His eyes darted towards her sheathed blade commanding Ada nonverbally to draw her sword. The blonde wolfkin did, displaying the onyx rapier. It thrummed with a hidden power as it glistened menacingly. The blade screamed for his blood. Fritz ignored it continuing on. "I created this weapon for her, to slay the goddess'' enemy. All who follow me will find themselves similarly equipped. The goddess believes in you. I cannot slay her enemies all by myself. Follow me, and I shall empower you to fight. Glory awaits you. Let us seize it, together."

    All heads turned towards Fritz. Hidden wishes and desires pressed into him, like an overbearing tide. Neva frowned, as she saw the situation unfold. Her hard blue eyes watched Ada with concern. The guard house erupted, chanting his name. Ada lifted Fritz into the air, as the guard swarmed him with praise. Nestled against the wall Gaspard clapped slowly for the champion''s growing popularity.

 True Warrior

    Neva parried the rapier aimed for her throat. The enchanted obsidian steel cleaved through the air. The graying beastkin pulled on her years of combat beastkin as she parried Ada''s return thrust. The strike left Ada open. Yet Neva waited as Ada pulled back, creating safe distance. The two waited for one another as they reformed their guards. Sweat pooled at both of their brows. Steel flashed in the air of the training ground as each contender waited for the other to attack.

    The night was young as Ada shifted her rapier around cutting the still air. The gray, intense eyes of the young combatant gleamed with the ambition of youth as they roamed across her opponent searching for weakness.

    Neva''s mind was elsewhere. The years of experience melded together in a fugue of familiarity. The young contender brought a storm of memories in her wake. In the late evening the old warrior could not help but reminisce. Ada, trained to a fault, would not let a single advantage subside. The enchanted steel slipped through the air on its way towards the lifeblood of Neva. The blade screamed in delight as it neared Neva''s neck.

    "You''re distracted." Ada said. The tip of her rapier rested near Neva''s throat. The graying wolfkin had caught the blade. A wreath of fire surrounded her hand as she held the blade at bay. Her triceps popped out as she wrestled with Ada''s strength.

    "You know me too well." Neva admitted, as she turned the blade away. Neva readied herself into a fighting stance. Across from her, the superior warrior was distracted. Drawn inward, the weight of doubt compressed her shoulders downwards. The vengeful proud warrior seemed lesser to Ada.

    "What''s wrong? This was your idea. You wanted me to keep training." Ada said. She circled around Neva. The enchanted steel gifted by the Goddesses'' own champion was ready to strike her opponent''s exposed back.

    "Aye. It was my idea." The strike was obvious. Neva could hear the shuffling upon the training yard''s dirt as Ada struck forth. Circling around she wreathed her hand in fire as she slapped the rapier away. Throwing it away from herself she brought herself into a guard stance as Ada circled her.

    "Then when are you not paying attention?" Ada asked.

    "I''m distracted."

    "About what?"

    "The future." Neva admitted.

    "Your breaking one of the fundamental rules you taught me. Never get distracted in front of an enemy."

    "Rules are for the weak."

    Ada was silent, as she struck. The more experienced wolfkin easily parried her strikes. Ada''s enchanted rapier bounced off Neva''s shortsword as she tried to press her advantage.

    "What''s there to think about anyways?" Ada asked. "We''re gonna win. The goddess has chosen us. We are warriors. We strike the scourge from her world."

    "It''s not that simple." Neva admitted. Ada''s rapier thrust towards her jugular again. Even with half her attention the more experienced wolfkin parried the strike as she moved around the training yard.

    "Then what? I''m not holding back." Ada admitted. Neva sighed as she dodged the flurry of blows from Ada. Her rapier screamed in delight as the point shot towards Neva.

    "Kill her! Bathe in her blood! Let us feast! Let us feast!" The blade whispered corrupted wanton desires in her mind. Neva dodged with ease. Her glazed eyes seemed to focus on far distant memories as the rapier danced around her. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    "Child." Neva stopped as she flourished her shortsword into a guard. Immediately, Ada stopped her attack as she jumped back. Holding her rapier high she waited to counterattack.

    "Another lecture? When will they stop? I''m too old for them."

    "No. But I have a question."

    "Speak, before I die of old age." Ada

    "What is a warrior? Do you know?"

    "I''m not about to be lectured. I''m a bit old for it." Ada went on the attack. Her blade whispered death and destruction to her as she hacked and slashed at Neva. The older wolfkin dodged and parried through the onslaught with practiced familiarity.

    "Just answer." Neva gruffed. "Don''t make me beat it out of you." The flurry subsided as Neva''s blade flashed through the air, arcing towards Ada''s head. The blonde wolfkin was quick to reposition herself as she held her rapier horizontally to intercept the blade.

    "A warrior is one who kills their enemies. Regardless of good or evil. A true warrior wields their blade against odds great and small! They are heroes and villains! Warriors take the stage for the tales of our world!" Ada yelled in the training yard. The desolate area around them was quiet.

    "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!" Neva yelled as she went on the offensive. Her left hand glowed with flame as it gripped her sword. Her scars bunched up on her cheek as she scowled.

    "Huh? Even a villain can be a warrior!" Ada shot back.

    "But you''re not a villain! Neither are you a hero!" Neva spat out. "Your head is too big for your own good girl. Stories are just fabrications!" Neva''s indestructible sword sparked off of Ada''s enchanted rapier. The blonde wolfkin was faster than she had ever been but it was still not enough. Pressuring her further back, she pressed the blonde wolfkin towards the edge of the practice ring.

    "I''m a warrior! I''m a savior! I''m a hero that will be remembered for eons! My tale will be immortal!" Ada swung her sword wildly forcing Neva back as she dodged.

    "Hah! You can''t even beat me!" Neva taunted.

    "I''m a hero. I''m a savior. The world will know my name!" Ada yelled.

    "You''ve got a big head. Too big. Let me cut it down to size."

    "You''ll never land another blow upon me. Fritz has blessed me with power untold. Your geriatric strikes cannot touch me." Ada taunted. Neva frowned as she readied herself. "You''ve never told me how you got your sword. I''ve never seen you sharpen it. I''ve never seen you send it to a blacksmith. It''s enchanted, no doubt. Yet with what? I''ve asked so many times, and you refuse to tell."

    "The past is pointless. It doesn''t define who you are. Who cares?"

    "I care about the past. I want to know. Who are you really? I don''t really understand you sometimes."

    "Who I was is pointless! What matters is the here and now! What matters is what you can hold onto!" Neva launched into a savage flurry of blows. Kicking off the ground, she accelerated into a dead sprint towards Ada. The younger warrior barely had enough time to react. Her rapier flew through the air in a vain attempt to parry.

    "It matters! Our story matters!" Ada shouted.

    "Life isn''t a story! There isn''t a climax! There isn''t an epilogue where the heroes meet back up! Life isn''t a fairy tale! Wake up child. All that matters is what you can protect."

    "It is! If we choose it to be. We can make it so."

    "If only we could all have your boundless optimism. Some of us have actually experienced loss!"

    "Loss! Loss, you refuse to speak of! Loss, you refuse to share with others!"

    "Because it isn''t my place to." Neva stopped. The sparring practice paused as she withdrew towards the center.

    "How will I know until you say it?" Ada asked.

    "Haha. Because." Neva laughed. "I was just like you. So sure of myself. So sure of my understanding of this world, that the words of others could never reach me. When I was young, the world seemed so certain. When I was young, everything seemed like it was in my comprehension. Yet it was an illusion, that the words of others could never break. The experience that I went through changed me."

    "You''re talking nonsense. Have you been drinking?" Ada asked.

    "Maybe, you''ll understand me one day." Neva  grunted. "Perhaps I''ll drop in on Fritz and get him to conjure more liquor. Still." Neva pointed her blade at Ada. "The true nature of a warrior, it is something you will never learn from those books you coveted. It is something personal. It is the guiding light that propels you to stand tall. A true warrior fights. A true warrior runs away. But most importantly, a true warrior protects others. Ada, do not die. You are not permitted to die in this city. I will never allow it."

    "I will never die!" Ada shouted. "Not until my tale is done!" Neva rolled her eyes.

    "Stop with this heroic nonsense already."

    The two beastkin''s blades crossed in the center of the training yard. Their steel threw sparks into the dark of night as they prepared for the approaching violence.

 The Greatest Alchemist

    In a dark room, isolated but not alone, the alchemist of Fritz''s party was busy. Across the table, the annoying battle wench Brenn made her presence known. Various alchemical stands filled with the fruits of Marcelle''s labors evaporated and dripped into a myriad of containers ready and waiting for use.

    "Ughh! Couldn''t you pick a better hobby? Why in the hells did you even bother learning this crap?" Brenn groaned.

    "Be quiet! I am applying my years of expertise! You''re too stupid to appreciate anything that doesn''t involve mindless thrusting!" Marcelle seethed.

    "But it is so boring! Can''t you just brew some love potions? We could have the biggest orgy ever recorded!" Brenn threw her arms wide. "Just think about it! You and me! In the center of a swirling mass of sweaty bodies! It''d be glorious!"

    "No! No! No! A potion of haste is far more impressive than some hedge witches ''love potion''. You have no taste, you boorish waste of flesh."

    "Come on! Haven''t you at least thought of feeding the champion it? A drooling happy slave to your every whims."

    "What!? What are you talking about?" Marcelle asked as her face scrunched. A measure of color touched her cheeks hidden behind her long black bangs. "Why would I want some idiot slobbering over me? My work is too important to be disturbed!"

    "Ughh!" Brenn sighed. "Come on! I refuse to believe you haven''t thought of feeding Fritz a love potion to control him. Don''t even try to deny it hasn''t crossed your mind. I''ve seen the way you''ve been sneaking glances at him."

    "How dare you accuse me of such!" Marcelle glowered as her eyes darted around her equipment. "I am an esteemed alchemist. I am Zola''s apprentice. Why would I ever stoop to such foolishness? Have you hit your head? Or perhaps you''ve caught some disease in that revolting brothel."

    "I remember you going in there...."

    "I was drunk, and that is besides the point!" Marcelle sputtered.

    "Fine. Whatever, princess prude." Brenn said with a grumpy sigh. "Are you telling me you haven''t seriously thought of creating a love potion? Come on girl! Confess! Practically half my birth village was begging our local alchemist for one."

    "I am not a girl! I am a lady!" Marcelle hissed.

    "A lady! Where''s your ring? I don''t see one."

    "Do not question me, you... you... slut!"

    "Pfft! I wear it like a badge of honor."The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I can imagine." Marcelle said. The reagents were brewing slowly. Marcelle purple eyes darted around in annoyance refusing to acknowledge the repulsive adventurer opposite of the table.

    "Alright, I''m gonna ask."

    "Don''t. I hate you. Please leave." Marcelle hissed. Ignoring the lamia, Brenn continued without caring.

    "Zola''s apprentice is a big deal. That woman was impossible to befriend. I''ve no idea how you managed it, but it don''t matter. Tell me, right now, why she accepted you. Zola never liked those without ambition. She must have seen some kindred spirit."

    "Stop pretending like you know my master. She would never associate with your pathetic likeness."

    "There''s plenty you don''t know. Like, for example, what is underneath the champion''s pants."

    "Shut up!" Marcelle screeched. Her eyes shone with pure hatred at Brenn.

    "Then tell me, no stalling." Brenn said, rolling her eyes.

    "I will be the greatest alchemist the world has ever known." Marcelle announced. "Those were the first words I ever told Zola." The small room was silent as she regarded the brunette warrior across from her. The lamia waited for the approaching laughter that never came.

    "Eh? That''s it? The world''s greatest alchemist? Yeah, she would take in that type of person. She always was a sucker for the big talkers."

    "Huh? What would you know? You''re barely capable of speech as is. You disgusting wench. Don''t you have some whorehouse to die in?" Marcelle sputtered out her curses and insults as Brenn rolled her eyes.

    "That''s all you got?"

    "You slut. You whore. You tramp. Wanton, slovenly harlot. You promiscuous hussy. You slag. You whore. You skank. You''re a strumpet. You''re a tart. Why wield an axe, when all you think about is everyone else''s swords?!"

    "Nothing I ain''t heard before." Brenn let her fist ball up as she rested her chin in her fist. "Come on Ms. Alchemist, give me an aphrodisiac, I want something to celebrate with once we defeat the vampires. Maybe I''ll capture one. Keep it around as my personal stress reliever."

    "Pfft. Like I''d ever give you that. You''d be lucky if I gave you something for your crotch rot."

    "That''s a rumor. Don''t listen to those brothel workers. I ain''t had anything like that since coming back from the Land of the Fey."

    The two barely paid attention to each other. Marcelle''s potion of haste was steadily brewing as the two fell into an awkward silence. Marcelle glowered at the precise perfection dripping into her crystal vial. The potion glistened an enchanting vibrant yellow. Marcelle allowed herself the smallest measure of joy as she watched her concoction slowly drip.

    "A potion of haste, won''t save you. You''ll need something more if you wanna stand on your own. Vampires are a bit stronger than most people realize."

    "You continue to underestimate me." Marcelle glowered.

    "Gonna transform again? Dragon wings, claws and all?" Brenn asked. Marcelle scowled as she turned away. "That looked like it hurt."

    "The transformation is incredibly painful. It must rip apart and reform the skeletal and muscular structure after all. No. I will not transform again. Not unless I am extreme danger. The potion is not ready. It requires more testing, more time, and better ingredients."

    "Shame. You looked kind of cool."

    A small smile played at Marcelle''s lips. Hidden beneath her inky black hair she accepted the compliment.

    "I am cool." Marcelle responded under her breath.

    Marcelle watched her potion like a hawk. Brenn, for all her patience soon grew restless, leaving Marcelle alone in a dark room. The lamia felt relief as solitude was returned to her at last. Reaching into her dimensional bag, she retrieved her experimental potion. Staring at the black perpetually bubbling liquid, she dreamed of it''s eventual perfection.

 Bleeding Heart

    Two men poured across a myriad of papers. Each document a reminder of supplies, troop counts, and maps of the city. Within the inner castle of Hueryss, Fritz and Gaspard convened their secret war council.

    "How many cannons can we have?" Gaspard asked.

    "The gatehouse will fit at most eight. Smaller ones can be placed along the wall, but recoil is an issue to consider. We can''t make them too powerful. The issue is one of opportunity cost." The captain of the guard''s eyes looked up in confusion.

    "Never heard the word?" Fritz asked. "Investing in more cannons means we cannot invest the resources elsewhere. Mortars would be far more effective at killing mass infantry. The explosive shells we have prototyped can detonate and kill undead in a larger area. Do you know what makes mortars especially useful?"

    "No? What? Their portability?"

    "That is one aspect. But it can do something the cannon''s have a harder time doing. Mortars can fire over obstacles. Making them easier to reposition in case the walls are compromised. Cannons cannot as they require a straight angle of fire. With the sheer number of homes, if the walls are taken, they can only be effectively shot down streets."

    "Ah.... It seems there will be less cannons." Gaspard. "That is a shame. My guardsmen love the cannons. They abhor the mortars. It seems to be a punishment to be placed on a mortar team."

    "That works out for us. Gaspard, use the prestige. If they want to be on a cannon, remind them to be obedient. Threaten them to demote them to a mortar team if need be. We need them to follow orders."

    "Already two steps ahead of you." The captain of the guard responded.

    "How long do we have until the enemy appears?" Fritz asked. Gaspard shrugged.

    "The typical route to Gris takes around two weeks of travel, but who knows. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. Thus far we''ve had no reports come in from surrounding villages of any undead sighting."

    "So we still have time?"

    "A little. Hueryss is in the far north of our territory."

    "So then we redouble our efforts. Once we establish twenty mortar crews we will have our targets. Eight cannons for the guardhouse are already underway with a larger cannon for your favorite crew. Maybe another in case the gates are compromised."

    "They will appreciate it. They are already discussing tactics for dragon slaying." Gaspard laughed as Fritz started to roll his eyes.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    "Gaspard, keep the training up. I will be bothering the blacksmiths to create more weapons. Silver, holy water, garlic, hells maybe even muskets. I''ll give it my all. The city will be prepared. Send a runner if you run out of gunpowder. I will be exhausting myself trying to create a suitable stockpile."

    "So will you be sharing this secret formula when you leave?" Gaspard asked seriously. His eyes roamed across Fritz''s features studying them. Fritz smiled slyly.

    "Oh.... I don''t know.... Some secrets are worth keeping. All this talk of dragon-slaying with cannons has me a bit worried. I wouldn''t want to let them run wild."

    "Thinking of creating a monopoly?"

    "Of course."

    "They might just kidnap you. Drag you along on their mad quests. Force you to cough up your secrets so they can be legends." Gaspard leaned forward, resting his chin upon his gloved fist staring at Fritz. Fritz laughed, as he leaned back in his chair.

    "True. True." He replied. Looking up towards the ceiling, he let his focus wane.

    "It''s half-joke but half-truth. They know how Ada got her sword, Fritz. They want enchanted steel too. They all do. And you''re the quickest way to it." Fritz sighed as he absorbed Gaspard''s words. Sitting up in his chair he crossed his arms.

    "What about you? Want a sword?"

    "It''s crossed my mind before. Maybe it could help me beat some sense into my brother. But, no. Right now, all I want is a drink." The captain of the guards grinned deviously. "What does the grumpy one call you?"

    "Cupbearer."

    "Cupbearer. Such an insult for the Goddess''s champion."

    "Don''t pretend like you forgot."

    "I didn''t, but I couldn''t bring myself to insult her will."

    "Alright, alright." Magic flashed in Fritz hand''s as two tankards of dark dwarven ale materialized from nothing. Handing one the captain of the guard he waited for him to bring the dwarven ale to his lips.

    "Should we make a toast?" Fritz asked.

    "To Hueryss, may my beloved city stand so long as I live." Gaspard said with reverence, before his head turned backwards to drink. Fritz followed suit. His mind whirled as he went through the checklist of activity that awaited him the next day. Gaspard''s mind was elsewhere as he drank the heady liquor. A burning question probed at the back of his head.

    "Champion."

    "Call me Fritz."

    "Fritz. Why do you fight?" Gaspard asked.

    "What do you mean?"

    "Some of your companions have made no attempt to hide their disdain for your desire to stay and fight. The drunkard and the snake have made several comments decrying your decision to stick around. I do not mean to question the goddess, but I need to know.... Why do you want to fight? How much of the stereotypical champion are you? I can''t help but ask myself such stupid questions."

    Fritz paused for a moment. Doubt permeated his soul, debating whether he should open up. Staring straight at the captain of the guard, he spoke.

    "I do not wish for destructive power. I want to lift up those around me. I wish to see their smiles, I cannot bear to see any more suffering. I will not leave others to languish when I can help. I will not leave the poor, unfortunate and powerless to the whims of fate.

    "If I have been brought here, I believe I have been brought her for a purpose. The burning fire within me wants to matter. It wants me to make sure the idiots around me are healthy and happy, even if they annoy me.

    Gaspard, I will make a difference. Kings can rule. Warriors can fight. Merchants can scheme. But I refuse to watch the aftermath of their world and stand idle to the suffering they cause."

    "Bleeding hearts don''t last long." Gaspard said dryly.

    "Doesn''t matter, because I refuse to change." Fritz said.

 Stuck Carriage

    Pouring rain halted the Grissian advance. Within Lady Rose von Erwenhest''s carriage, an unlikely audience with Ian von Richter emerged. The lady had requested his service pressing him into her host. Unable to deny her, the herald nobly suffered until such a time as he could escape to his one true refuge, his library.

    "Herald. Listen and remember. For if I am to face judgement, I wish our esteemed lichmasters to understand my actions." Rose von Erwenhest spoke calmly and serenely. Outside of the carriage, the spring thunderstorm raged. The wheels of the carriage wouldn''t move in the mud, causing the host of Gris to stall as they waited for the ground to harden.

    "As you wish, my lady." The awkwardly tall herald said calmly, suppressing a sigh. Disappointment raged within his heart, as he secretly wished to return home. His cozy library called to him like a siren song whispering sweet temptations at the back of his mind. The air around Ian von Richter was cold as ice. Frosty fog kissed the window of the too small carriage. Seeking warmth, Ian pulled his expansive fur coat closer. The myriad of trinkets upon him jingled as he shuffled.

    "What should a mother do?" Rose von Erwenhest asked.

    "I don''t understand, my lady."

    "You may drop the formalities mortal. Let us talk freely."

    "As you wish." Ian nodded. "I don''t understand what you mean. What is a mother to do when what?"

    "What is a mother to do when someone hurts their child?"

    "May I speak my mind?"

    "Go ahead, mortal." Rose von Erwenhest said absentmindedly. Ian shivered as he pulled his fur coat around him tighter.

    "What your daughter did was extremely stupid." Her lips parted in a knowing frown, briefly showing her sharp fangs. Ian waited for her to master her emotions. "The beastkin are not to be trifled with. Simple though they are. They are the chosen defenders of the central riverlands. They have an unshakeable culture of warriors. Your daughter has picked a fight not only with them, but a God''s champion. It was foolish to venture out on her own without your house''s protection. It was even more foolish to attack the champion in the middle of a hostile city."

    "I am aware. A grueling punishment would have awaited her should she have survived."

    "Still, I understand your pain. My family knows loyalty too. Family above all. Within the von Richter family we swear utmost loyalty to the family. We protect each other no matter what. We empathize with your revenge." Spectral forces pulsed amongst the untold number of trinkets and items upon his person. His fur cloak vibrated as Ian von Richter''s family voiced their unanimous approval.

    "I knew you would understand, boy. So you agree, blood for blood." Ian nodded solemnly. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    "Any who threatens the family must be dealt with." Ian breathed deeply before sighing. "You are risking much for your vengeance, my lady." Ian cautioned her. "Although our esteemed lich lords care little for the world at large, they will punish you for any international incidents that would threaten their lands, or annoy them."

    "It doesn''t matter. A blood tithe is warranted." Rose von Erwenhest turned her head to look outside of the carriage. The deluge of rain completely isolated the carriage. All that could be seen was the torrential downpour striking the cold glass panes of the carriage. An uncomfortable silence reigned in the carriage, as Ian stared at the pensive noble of Gris. Her long swan-like neck was completely exposed. Rolling curls of golden hair ran down her shoulders like a raging river. Blonde expressive lashes gated her cruel crimson eyes. Her slight chin barely registered a quiver as she thought of her daughter.

    "What will you do when you arrive?" Ian asked.

    "Kill them all. All share in the crime of her murder. All should be punished."

    "Not just the champion? Surely it is his fault. Though, there is no guarantee he will stay." Ian replied. Looking away, he rubbed his hands together trying to impart some warmth to his cold flesh. "I would not stay, Hueryss is a backwater. It is nothing compared to Fehren."

    "He will. I know it." Rose von Erwenhest said confidently. Her expressive gaze turned to him. "He is her champion. He will stay to fight. I know it."

    "Do you have a plan? Do you even know what he is capable of?"

    "Our seers were most unhelpful. It doesn''t matter. The necromancer guild will swarm the city. My warriors will take advantage of the chaos. They have lifetimes of training. Captain Bruhart will fight if I command him. Lieutenant Llewelynn will assist and Roshgar is always willing to kill mortals. They are my greatest champions. They will be more than enough. I will take to the field once the gates are secured. The fight may not be easy, but I am committed. The city will burn, and all those who have wronged my family will die."

    "Family. It truly is the greatest source of our annoyances." Ian commented dryly. A shiver ran down his spine as members of his family seemed to scream in indignation at his comments.

    "Of course." Rose von Erwenhest smiled. Her pale flesh pulled back revealing her elongated fangs. "But doesn''t that make you love them more?" Rose turned her gaze to the nearly opaque windows. Memories of the past seemed to stir within her. "When my daughter ran away I was livid. I feared the worst. I feared she had run off with a mortal suitor behind my back to start a new bloodline. I spent the days scouring her room looking for clues to her whereabouts. I interrogated our servants. I ran to forgotten seers hopping for divinations to her whereabouts. It was only by luck did I find one who Lilly used, and could hunt for her whereabouts. I was angrier than I''ve been in decades. Yet still, when I heard what happened, I was shocked. I felt hollow and unwell. I will live forever, and the hollow spot that my daughter''s death leaves will haunt me. Can you imagine it? It''s like I have lost a part of me, and I will suffer till the stars die."

    "Killing will not bring her back." Ian replied.

    "I am not stupid. How could I ever rest knowing I did not avenge her? How could I sleep knowing that the beasts that slew her lived still? I cannot permit such wrongs."

    "What of her sword?" Ian asked. "They have taken it. They brandished it, like a trophy unaware of its significance."

    "Our sword. It is my family''s sword." Rose corrected. "I will place it upon her grave myself alongside a single rose. For when her father wakes again, our house shall be in order."

    The rain would not let up. The two waited as the downpour continued outside of the carriage. Frost licked at the carriage windows from the inside. The stalled host of Gris waited for its time to attack.