by Randi Darren
“Yes, says the woman you could strangle to death and get a bounty for it,” Nancy admitted. “A woman who willingly and eagerly threw herself at your feet to avoid her fate. I know what you think of me, and you’re not wrong. Not really.”
“You’re that willing, huh?” Steve asked, peering at Nancy. He wasn’t really sure what he thought of her, to be honest. She was a worker to him and not much else. He had no grand designs on her. No plans to use her or discard her.
“Yes. I’m that willing. I sold all those women out in a flash, and I’d do it again. I’d sell your wives out to you if the opportunity presented itself. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to ingratiate myself to you,” Nancy said. “As a murderer, I have no hope or long-term longevity other than your good graces.”
Steve didn’t quite believe that.
“I’d do what you wanted,” Nancy promised, apparently noticing his skepticism. “I just… I just want to live.”
“How many people did you kill?” Steve asked.
“Twenty or so. I’m not sure anymore,” Nancy said.
“Innocents and fighters both?”
“Yes. Both. Sometimes for coin, sometimes for nothing.”
“You did spare a few, though.”
“Teenage girls,” Nancy replied and shrugged her shoulders. “Little better than children.”
“If I told you to go kill all your women out there?” Steve hooked a thumb at the people who were now digging a trench.
“I’d kill them,” Nancy offered, holding up her hands. “If that’s what would make you happy, I’d do it. I’d kill your wives if you asked. I’ll lie in your bed all day or work till my fingers bleed. I just want to live and be comfortable.”
Snorting at that, Steve thought hard on what he wanted.
“Alright,” Steve said. “You’re my mistress and secret keeper, right?”
“Yes, I am,” Nancy said.
“How big was your village?”
“Not very. Maybe a hundred or so were left. We were the largest party we’d sent out in a long time,” Nancy said.
“Go get them and bring them back to me,” Steve said. “Get them to march into this field. My witches will handle the rest. I want them. All of them.”
“Do that, and I’ll formally take you as my mistress and taskmaster. Give you some people to work under you.”
“I… you want me to bring them here,” Nancy said.
“Yeah. That’s what I want,” Steve confirmed. “You said you’d do what I want? There you go. And by the way, I’m going to have one of my witches put a spell in you. One that’ll blow up in a few days. So you’ll be on a time limit.
“That or you shut up, get to back to work. I’ll keep you safe and you’ll protect my single secret, but we’ll never discuss the mistress thing again.”
Taking in a shuddering breath, Nancy seemed to be considering her options.
“Okay,” she said suddenly. “Okay. I’ll… go get my village and bring it back. You’ll make me your mistress and your secret keeper. You’ll tell me all your secrets so I can ensure I take care of them. You’ll protect me from everyone else for that. I’ll warm your bed and you’ll treat me as a wife without the title.”
“Mm-hmm,” Steve said after a second. Her deal wasn’t terrible.
“I want… I want to bind our oath by blood,” Nancy said. “I know a little bit of black magic. Not much… nothing that elaborate. But enough that if either of us breaks our deal, one of us would suffer for it. Me with death and you with… maybe… maybe losing an arm?”
Hmm. That’s… odd. She deliberately weighed it against herself. She must truly believe that her position has no power at all.
“Fine,” Steve said. “Get to it then. Get back here with your village and we’ll get that black magic of yours in place.”
***
Nancy was stumbling off toward the west. The magic Jaina had put in her had definitely stolen some of her own energy to see it done.
“Think it’ll work?” Kassandra asked.
“Don’t know. Doesn’t matter either,” Steve said. “She’ll get it done, or not. If she fails, Jaina gets credit for her death. If she succeeds, we march her village back home and just… have an execution festival, I guess.”
“Yes, yes,” Jaina said, bouncing in place. “Yes, yes. It’ll work out either way. No matter what we do.”
“Poor thing,” Gwendolin lamented, shaking her head with a sigh. “Then again, she chose her fate. It isn’t as if she wouldn’t simply be put to the sword if someone wanted her bounty. She’s lucky it was you and not someone else.”
“Hmph,” Steve said, running a hand along his jaw. He saw all the murderers in this area as a means to an end. A way to protect his farm and his family. He’d scour this whole land free of those bounties, if that was what it took.
“Should we send one of the others to the other village?” Kassandra asked. “It wouldn’t hurt to send out another with the same task and mission. Would it?
“If we could get both villages that would be a very substantial boon.”
Not a terrible idea.
“Could you put another spell-bomb in someone?” Steve asked, looking at Jaina.
Jaina turned to Ina for direction.
“Of course we could,” Ina said, taking the lead. “Not a problem. You just tell us what you want, and we’ll take care of it.”
Steve turned and looked at the distant forms of the women digging the ditch.
“Go find a volunteer, Kass,” Steve said finally. “Make sure it’s someone who understands what they’re getting out of it.”
“Of course,” Kassandra said and immediately started slithering away.
“Husband,” Jaina said in an excited tone. “Could… could we go try for pups? If you were able to put them in Gwen, it’s very possible I could have pups. Right?”
Ina chuckled to herself, putting one hand on her hip.
“Now I’m glad I never let you finish in me,” Ina said. “Apparently all those silly ninnies were afraid for nothing.”
“Later, Jaina,” Steve said. “Lot of work to do today. That watering can is moving fast. I kinda want to get most of the ditch dug.
“Besides, you and Ina need to get working on a spell that’ll let us capture a hundred or more people at the same time. For all you know… Nancy could show up in a few hours with everyone.”
“I… do you think so?” Ina asked, looking confused.
“I think she’s very driven,” Steve said neutrally. He didn’t actually think she’d be coming back, but he’d rather put a positive spin on it. “I think if anyone could do it, she’d be the one. I’m of the belief she’ll show up with the village or not at all.
“That means having the ditch ready so we can start laying walls in. I plan on working her village and only getting rid of troublemakers at first. We have lots of work to do.”
Ina turned to Jaina, and they started to talk about magical constructs.
Realizing they’d be engaged in that for a while, Steve walked away from them.
Gwendolin caught up to him immediately, pacing along beside him.
“I think I’ll just keep you company, Steve. My number-one fan,” Gwendolin said with a smile.
Apparently she’d looked over his accolades and noticed her own contribution.
“And if you don’t mind, I’ll sing for you. I think my song might have changed a bit for you since you heard it in the wagon. Everyone always says it changes once you bed your husband, but I never expected it to be like this.” Gwendolin’s cheeks turned a faint red.
Hmm. That’s… true. Isn’t it? Everyone changed after I had sex with them.
Even Xivin changed. From cautious about being hurt during sex to simply demanding I bed her while I was in the city with her.
Or is that tied with the robotic “must have children” brainwashing?
“Can’t wait to hear it, but if I like it too much, you might end up in the grass,” Steve said.
> “I think that’d be enjoyable,” Gwendolin said with a smile. “Just because I made you wait, doesn’t mean I didn’t want it. Or that I’m shy.”
Delightful.
***
Sighing, Steve threw down his shovel. He was tired of digging.
It was well beyond nightfall, and he was still out here digging and throwing dirt. And the stupid part was the watering-can water was slowly catching up to him. Every time he took a break, it gained ground.
“Fuck. It’s working almost too well. Need to stuff it up in a water tower somewhere on the farm and call it done. Everything will be dug outward from there going forward,” Steve grumbled.
“You’re doing much better this time,” said a masculine voice from nowhere.
“Huh?” Steve said, looking around himself. “Who’s there? Where are you?”
“It’s me. You’re doing much better this time,” said the same voice, in a near exact match of the same words.
“And who are you, ‘me’? I’ve never met you. And why can’t I see you?” Steve asked. Picking up his shovel, he held it like a weapon.
“I see. You traded away your memories for tools with the master tender,” said the voice after a slight pause. “An interesting exchange. One I didn’t predict.
“Perhaps that’s why you’re doing better this time. Something to consider. Though now I should go check on the master tender.”
Steve felt like there was something ominous in that statement. He was glad he wasn’t this master tender and had nothing to do with them.
“How’d you know about my memories and tools? Do you know who I am?” Steve asked.
“Yes. You’re Steven Bril, and you’re currently in your final examination,” said the voice.
“Final examination… what am I being tested for?”
“You traded away your memories. The information you’re requesting was part of that,” said the voice.
“Ok… can I trade you something for some answers?” Steve asked, slowly turning around in place.
“No. You have nothing I wish for,” said the voice. “I was merely checking in to let you know you’re succeeding. Though I now see that this conversation is pointless. You have no way of knowing what you’re testing for or how to improve.
“We’ll see how it turns out at the end.”
“Wait, tell me more. Give me an idea here. I’m sure I can do better,” Steve said. “Better than good. I bet I can be great.”
“No,” said the voice simply.
“What about—”
“No. Good luck,” said the voice.
“Wait!” Steve said.
There was no response from the voice. As far as Steve could tell, they were gone.
Okay… so… there’s someone watching me.
Testing me.
The notes Shitty Steve left behind weren’t just for shits and giggles. And maybe… maybe Shitty Steve set me up as best as he could, given conditions I don’t know about.
And if that’s true… does that mean the voice is responsible for the brainwashing?
For the fact that the need to breed is stronger than survival instinct?
Steve frowned and shook his head, thinking.
What else are they controlling then? Are they the reason the birth rate is so skewed?
Wouldn’t natural genetics redistribute a population over time?
There’s no reason men would continue to have a low birth rate.
Could they be behind men being sent to the front after they’ve finished breeding?
No. No… that’s a country-specific thing.
Nikki said that Lamals would be destroyed for its views if it wasn’t for the manpower it produced. That means men might be treated better or different in another country.
In fact, she mentioned that, didn’t she?
Fuck.
Grunting, Steve got back to work.
If whoever was watching him said he was doing well, he’d continue with what he was doing.
Expand, take land, earn bounties, wipe out murderers, and destroy Creep.
That’s what I’ve been doing. We’ll keep doing that.
Keep doing all those things.
Yes. That’s what we’ll do.
Six
For the last day and a half, Steve had done little else but dig. Relentlessly, ever southward, backbreaking digging.
Gwendolin had gone back with the wagon the other day with a promise that someone else would come back soon with the watering can.
Steve had insisted on it going back with her. There was no way he would ever dare leave it away from the farm too long. His plan was to link to the waterway that ran to Filch. Once he did that, the outpost would be fed all on its own.
When he’d finally managed to reach it hours ago, water had started filling in the expanded trench-way to the outpost immediately after he’d connected to it.
And only with water that was runoff from the farm, no less. He never wanted to risk his farm. That one location was home to everything he gave a crap about.
Looking where he knew the cabin was, he could just barely make out the details for it. The long trek back to the outpost after he’d finished his dig had felt never-ending.
“Husband, welcome back!” said Jaina, rapidly approaching him from the west and slightly behind him. She seemed to delight in surprising him. Coming up at him from his blind spots or whenever he couldn’t sense her.
“Thanks. All good here?” Steve asked, not stopping.
“Yes, yes. Everything is good.” Jaina came up out of her four-legged running sprint and moved into a casual walk next to him. “Ina and I have been working at adding rock walls while the farmhands dig.”
“Good work. Think it’s worth trying to put up a palisade, or is it just easier to do it all in stone?” Steve asked.
The loving and kind Kobold looked thoughtful.
“I think stone would be best, husband. It’s very, very strong. Witch-stone is what we’re calling it,” Jaina said. “I’ve been making arrowheads out of it for practice. I think Lucia will like them.”
“Oh? Interesting,” Steve said.
“Can we have sex? Right here?” Jaina asked out of nowhere.
Ever since she’d been shown the proof that Gwendolin, a widow, was pregnant, Jaina had been unceasing in her quest for sex and a litter.
It was a constant, all-day thing.
Steve had been reluctant. Part of him really didn’t want more children. He was happy with just impregnating Gwendolin for now. If he had his way, he’d make Jaina wait a few months.
“I mean, we could. You sure you won’t get depressed again?” Steve asked. Jaina was taking it hard after each time they had sex without getting her pregnant.
“Yes, yes. It’s fine. I realized it doesn’t matter. Gwen is pregnant. She was a widow and had a child before you met her,” Jaina said. “I only need to be patient and have lots of sex with you. Soon enough, I’ll get my litter. The priestesses lied.”
“That… makes sense,” Steve said cautiously. It was honestly what he wanted to hear from her. If Gwendolin was pregnant, anyone could be. Time and repetition were all that was needed to ensure that.
“Lots and lots of sex,” Jaina said. “Good thing I like sex.”
“Heh, good thing I like se—”
A giant purple square went screeching up into the sky.
It was truly massive. Massive, dense, and angry looking.
Angry sounding as well.
A loud, nasty crackling noise drowned everything else out.
Jaina didn’t wait for him. She went off at maximum speed on all fours. Burning across the grass toward the square.
Must be Ina.
What could it be, though? That’s a fucking huge—
Blinking, Steve had a thought. A thought that, if true, was frightening in a way.
Nancy?
Holding tight to his axe and shovel, Steve started sprinting as fast as he could. He needed to get to that square as s
oon as he could.
He wasn’t expecting Nancy to have come back. Truth be told, he wasn’t half as confident in her as he’d made it seem outwardly.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t see very much of what was going on. The big purple magical construct itself made it almost impossible. With the density of the magic and the power it was putting out, it was almost like a wall.
Even as he ran on and got closer, he still couldn’t see very much.
It wasn’t until he was practically on top of it that he could finally see what was going on.
Inside of the big magical square were a very large number of people. More than Steve could readily or willingly count. They were, one and all, looking around. Each and every one looked bewildered, confused, and angry.
Off to one side was Ina, Jaina, Kassandra, and surprisingly, Nancy.
She had a black eye and a fat lip, but otherwise looked intact.
Behind her and to the side were three women, a man, and seven children.
She’s not married, though. Must be the rest of her family.
Steve came to a stop in front of the group and looked at the square again.
“I take it this is your village, Nancy?” he asked.
“Yes,” Nancy said. “It’s… everyone, really. Or almost everyone. A small group of people were left behind to guard the village, along with all of the men.”
“They do that to you, by the way?” Steve asked, not looking at her. He was curious who’d given her the beating.
“Yeah.” Nancy’s tone dropped. “They didn’t believe me that I’d escaped and the others hadn’t. It took some convincing, but I made it happen.”
“How in the world did you get everyone out here?” Kassandra asked, her arms folded in front of her.
“I told them there was a village here, full of food and water,” Nancy said. “Told them we’d have to send everyone here if we wanted to secure it before the other village could take it. This is everyone who could walk and carry food back.”
Looking into that mass of people, Steve saw quite a few children in there. Quite a few.
This isn’t what I was thinking it would be.
Not at all.
This is… this isn’t what I was expecting. I made a mistake, didn’t I?
