Losing track of time as I continue my musings, I realize it’s time to wake Azzaria for the last watch. Calming my mind, I get up and wake her for the watch before laying down next to the others. I can’t completely stop the whirlwind of thought that is my mind at the moment. Laying there I wonder if things would have been different had I landed in a human village. It would have been different but it wouldn’t have changed how tolerant I am. I differ greatly from the humans in this region because my racial preconceptions were influenced by the society I came from and not what is native to these people. I still don’t feel bad about killing them. It’s like putting down a rabid dog. It may have been your best friend before, but it is sick and, though it’s sad, needs to be dealt with to prevent further suffering. After settling this in my mind I feel myself start to sink into unconsciousness.
I awake to the smell of eggs and bacon cooking. Gently freeing myself from Timbre and Thia so I don’t wake them, I slip out of bed and get dressed in my gear. Stepping out of the tent I see Azzaria cooking us some breakfast. “I love how everything stays fresh in the Dimensional Storage that you enchanted for us. Makes carrying provisions very convenient. Too bad this is the last of the eggs and bacon we have.” She frowns at the pan she is holding over the fire while cooking.
Walking around to sit next to her I respond. “We will get more provisions when we get to the next town. We should be able to reach the edge of the forest today and I’m sure there is a town nearby we can stop at. I’ll have Thia scouting ahead from the air to check it out and tell us how far we are.”
As if summoned, Thia and Timbre poked their heads out of the tent and came to sit at the fire with us. I tell the other two the plan and we eat together in companionable silence. When we are done Timbre and Thia shift. Thia heads off along the river to scout and Timbre stays next to us. About an hour of walking and I get a message telepathically from Thia. “Soldiers ahead. They are camping along the river we are traveling along. I can also see them sending scouts into the forest. They are heading your direction.”
“Damn” I say under my breath. Despite saying it so quietly both Azzaria and Timbre look to me questioningly. Looking back with concern, I answer. “Thia says there is a large encampment of soldiers set up along the river just outside the forest. They are also sending scouts into the forest that are headed this way. Sorry Azzaria. It looks like we will need to detour and avoid them. From the image Thia gave me it’s a lot of soldiers.”
“I understand. Let’s just be safe. The capital should be a little to the south still so let’s head south for the day and then east again tomorrow?”
“Yeah that seems like it’s for the best. The river turns south past where the soldiers are so we can probably meet back up with it in a couple days” I tell her. Making sure to fill up on water we then turn south and keep trekking through the forest until night falls. The next morning we went east and Thia reported that the way looked clear. By noon we had arrived at the edge of the forest to see wide-open plains of wild grass. The occasional grass-covered hill dots the scenery and a copse of trees is visible in the far distance. Wary of the new landscape and feeling a little exposed, we all cautiously head farther out onto the grasslands.
It wasn’t until dusk, when I was thinking about setting up camp, that something different happened. As we walked, Timbre froze in place in front of me which caused Azzaria and I to do the same. Not having her do this before we started to look around while Thia rushed back from her scouting to help. A moment later Timbre, in her dire wolf form, turns to our left and into the slight breeze. Looking that way, I can see some of the tall grass that reaches above my waist twitch a jerk every so often. The movement is different from the grass around it so I know it isn’t just the wind. As I watch I can tell that the odd movement is getting closer but it isn’t coming in a straight line toward us.
Not taking any chances, I cast my buffs on myself and give Timbre Haste. No sooner than I’m finished, the movement in the grass stops. It was only about ten feet away when this happens. As I watch the place I last saw movement, Timbre starts a low growl as she crouches low to the ground. We wait for so long that I begin to wonder if something was just playing a trick on us. Thia has arrived above us but she can’t see anything through the grass either, though she doesn’t see any unnatural movement near us. That is a relief. I was starting think this was one of those magic tricks where you watch the left hand while the right one springs out of the foliage to bite your leg off.
When our doubts are highest, that is when it strikes. Hurtling toward us the grass moves again and then there is a pale green beast flying at the group. Ready for it, Timbre dodges to the side of the creature’s pounce and avoids the extended claws. Momentarily stationary I get a decent look at it. Pale green to blend in with the grass around it, the animal otherwise looks exactly like a lion. As big as Timbre in wolf form and with wicked looking claws and fangs, it opens its mouth wide and bellows his displeasure. Apparently he was disappointed that Timbre evaded him.
Male Grass Lion: lvl 12, Stalker. HP 100%
I tell Thia just to watch while we fight. I don’t want to start a grass fire so its best that she stays out of it and I won’t use fire or lighting. Azzaria puts a glowing arrow into the back leg of the lion. It spins to face her but I can see that it’s moving slower. Before it can charge, Azzaria’s roots sprout from the ground and bind its front legs. Over the next few seconds I put a couple shards of ice in its neck while Azzaria puts a couple more arrows into is neck on the other side. That’s all it takes and the lion falls dead. It wasn’t that high in level, but with the element of surprise and full mobility I can see how it could be a dangerous opponent. Not to me or mine though.
Deciding to set up camp for the night we find a small area without grass to set up a fire and camp. While the girls go to start setting up camp I skin the Grass Lion and cut off all the meat that I can. When I get to where the girls are setting up camp I find they are already finished and a fire has just been lit. I call to them when I step into camp. “Who wants lion steaks?”
They all turn to me at hearing my voice. “Is it good?” Thia asks me.
“I don’t know. I never had it before, but it sounds good. What do you say?” I ask. The others agree so I hand some of the meat to Azzaria.
After we all eat (lion is pretty good) I take first watch and the girls head into the tent for bed. A few minutes later I poke my head into the tent but I immediately forget what I was going to say. The girls are all naked on the bed and cuddling together. There is soft giggling between the three of them as their fingers lightly caress each another. The three of them have been getting along better than ever since the night before we left Thunderbird’s roost. Seeing them getting along like family has made me happy that we can all be together, but seeing them together without me involved sends a spike of envy through me. I ruthlessly shove it down deep. I just want to be involved even if it is only cuddling, but most important to me is to protect them. I feel a tug on my lips as a small smile takes up residence there and I walk back to my seat for watch.
I spend my time practicing magic. I don’t want to wake the girls or keep them from their rest so I focus on Mana Decoy. I shape the decoy into different things and practice controlling it for the most natural movement possible. By the time my watch is over I feel like the movements are much better and smoother. I can also make the decoy larger than before. Checking my messages, I discover that the practice even increased my level in Neutral type magic to twelve. Done with my watch, I head in and wake Azzaria for her watch again. When she awakens, she gets out of bed and hugs me tight, gives me a tender kiss on the lips and gets dressed. After she walks out of the tent I take her spot in the middle of the bed. As soon as I lay down between the other girls they roll over to me and snuggle in close. Any of the left over envy I might have had at that point melts away as I drift off.
Our second day on the grassy plains is much like yesterday, until we get back to the river. W
e travel through the grassy plains fighting the occasional lion. When we got close to the river Thia informed me about a town along it. Heading in that direction we encounter fewer lions, until we stop seeing them all together when we get closer. By that time it’s starting to get dark and we exit the grass onto a road of packed dirt. Looking down the road we can see the village to the east. We start walking that way and look around as we go. There aren’t many people on the road except for a few people that look like farmers heading back to town after a day’s work.
Crops are being grown out on the plains around the village and we can see them as we walk down the road in between fields. I have no idea what they are growing though. It looks like some sort of grain, but not how I remember wheat or barley looks. I think about asking but the farmers we have seen already give us looks and I don’t want to draw any more attention to us, so I keep quiet.
As we approach the village I get my first good look at it. There is a wooden wall all around it with logs that have one end buried in the ground and the top end sharpened to a point. Normally this wouldn’t keep out a catlike enemy such as the lions we fought, but there is something else toward the top. Smaller branches about the thickness of my wrist have been attached in between the top points. These are also sharpened to points and come off the top of the wall pointed down, forming and inverted V. I observe the patrols along what must be a walkway on the backside. I speculate that any lions trying to climb the wall would be stuck in a bad position and make easy marks for the guards.
Approaching the gates we see two guards watching people enter. They are relaxed and maybe a bit lazy, but they perk up when they see my group. I’m worried about some cliché guard encounter from books I have read in the past, but I’m far off from what actually happens. Instead of giving us, and particularly me, a hard time they both straighten up and take on a more professional air. Both guards are level 18 but I really don’t want to fight and I’m preparing for the confrontation when the one on the left steps forward with a hand raised in greeting. “Hail. Is there anything we can help you with sir?” His tone is very respectful and it throws my train of thought off.
Hesitating for a moment before responding I ask “Hello. A couple things you can help me with. First, what is the name of this village. Second, where is the inn or a place to stay here?”
The guard, still very respectful answers. “This village is known as Gan and there are a couple of places you can stay at. Just follow this road. It heads all the way down to the dock, but halfway there is a square where another street crosses. You can find the inns there and even the wh…..brothel is located nearby.” He stumbles on saying the word whorehouse but I don’t know why.
Pleasantly surprised by how cooperative the guards have been I wave and say “Then we shall be off in that direction, unless you have something for me?”
At my question the guard seems to realize he has been standing in the road in front of us and quickly steps to the side. “No, nothing more. Have a good stay sir.”
When we head down the street I can see a lot of activity. Houses line both sides of the road and there are people bustling about everywhere, finishing whatever tasks they had before the end of the day. Almost everyone here is human, and I only see a few collared slaves. Mostly the slaves I see are different beastkin but I did see an elf man and glimpsed a dwarf at one point. The whole thing is vastly different than Thunderbird’s Roost where it’s the opposite: no humans. I can tell the girls are all a little nervous because they move a little closer as we walk though the busy street.
As we approach the square there is a larger home on the right. It’s two stories and there is a long balcony on the second floor. On that balcony are two female elves and a cat beastkin wearing skimpy outfits that consist of a two piece bikini with see through material for a shirt and skirt. They are waving enticingly to people as they walk by. They are also wearing slave collars. Seeing this, my blood boils just a little, but I suppress my anger for now. Can’t make a scene on the first day that I enter human populated lands. Something odd happens when I pass by though, making me stop.
The women on the balcony go quiet. They were lightly calling to people as they passed, making jokes and being generally saucy. When I got near though they went silent, almost like they were holding their breath. It was so odd that I look up at them. All three are looking at me. One of the elves looks a little worried, but the other one and the beastkin are glaring at me. They are obviously trying to hide their distaste but I can tell from the lips that twitch downward into micro frowns. Unable to curtail my curiosity I turn back to the double doors that lead into the two story wood building. The door is a bright red and stands out against the whitewashed building.
When I get to the door and open it, I’m hit with a strong smell of incense and perfume from the air that rushes out. As I step in I find myself in an antechamber with another set of doors. Opening the one on the right, I find myself in a bar. Not quite what I was expecting either. Not some saloon style place where the main purpose is to provide a place to drink and select a companion. No, this place was nice in the way that your favorite hole in the wall bar back on Earth is. The bar is a semicircle on the right with stools lined around it. On the wall directly across from the door we entered is another door that is closed. To the left are tables and padded chairs where a few patrons are seated. It isn’t rowdy and the atmosphere is respectful and quiet, though lively conversations were taking place at a few tables.
Along the edge of the room are private booths and they have a door that slides into the wall for privacy. I can even detect enchantment on the doors to these private booths. More and more I think this place is not what I would expect of a little village brothel away from the big city. I can see Azzaria is getting antsy about my choice of attraction for the moment, but I hold my hand up signaling for her to keep quiet. A few of the slave women around the place are staring at me like the ones outside. The rest are studiously trying to avoid looking at us. Very odd behavior for slaves I thought. Knowing I need to address the women at my side soon I head to the back of the room to the left and take an empty booth.
The tables around the room are all plain wood, but in the booth everything is painted a glossy black, except for the rich red cushions for the seats. Pulling the door shut when we are all seated I turn to my companions. “The door is enchanted for privacy so we have a minute to talk before a server comes by. I know you are all curious as to why I came in here, but let me ask you something. Do the slaves seem to be acting odd to you or is it just me that thinks so?”
Azzaria, who was looking the most upset before I started speaking, opens her mouth but it snaps shut a moment later. A thoughtful look crosses her face. “I did notice that they didn’t call to you, but I thought it was just that they had bad experiences with nobles before.”
Before she could continue, I interject. “Why would that be an issue?”
She just rolls her eye at me for a moment. “Do you think everyone has slaves to do their every bidding?” Thinking about the small number I saw in town other than in the Brothel I shake my head. At seeing my continued confusion she elaborates. “Slaves are expensive. Especially good looking female ones. Then you walk in with three and it is natural that they would think that only a noble would have the money to purchase something like that.” As understanding dawns in my eyes she nods, but that is when there is a knock on the door.
We stop the conversation and open the door to see a petite snow elf shyly looking down. Her nervousness is obvious but she asks if we would like drinks and I order ale for myself and wine for the ladies. When the elf leaves to get our drinks I close the door again. I continue the conversation. “Maybe it is because they think I’m a noble, but that doesn’t seem right. They kept eyeing you three and looking back at me with barely disguised animosity.” At this they look just as confused as I am.
We all sit in thought for a minute until there is another small knock at the door to the booth. Standing there is the
server that took our order but next to her is a stocky dwarf woman with stern brown eyes and a determined line for lips. Just looking at her I can tell that she is a looker but the severe set to her features gives her the appearance of a woman on a mission. Her next words clear up a little of the confusion for us. “None of my girls are for sale.”
I lean back in my chair thinking for just a moment before I respond in a measured tone. “I guess that explains the looks a little. People with money try to buy your girls but you can’t sell because that would cut into your profit.” Looking to the collar around her neck I correct the statement. “Your master’s profit.”
Anger flashes across her features for a moment. “Your wrong. My master won’t be selling for any price. None of us are for sale.”
With a raised eyebrow I motion toward the booth seat next to Timbre who is on my left. “Would you please join us for a few minutes miss….?”
A Mage Rising: (The Chronicles of Herst 2: A LitRPG Saga) Page 25
