Ashe and the Glass Sword

by KuroKoneko Kamen

  Ashe and the Glass Sword

  GENDERBENT FAIRYTALES COLLECTION

  Book 7

  By KuroKoneko Kamen

  Copyright © 2019 by KuroKoneko Kamen

  Cover Design by Leah Keeler

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters are invented. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Other works by the author:

  Genderbent Fairytales Collection:

  Handsome and the Yeti

  Handsome and the Yeti Audiobook now available!

  Petra Pan

  Petra Pan Audiobook now available!

  Alister in Wonderland

  Alister in Wonderland audiobook now available!

  King of Hearts

  King of Hearts audiobook now available!

  Theodore Gale in Oz

  Theodore Gale in Oz audiobook now available!

  Wicked Warlock of Oz

  Wicked Warlock of Oz audiobook now available!

  Ashe and the Glass Sword

  Ashe and the Glass Sword audiobook coming soon!

  Rockstar Ghost

  Rockstar Ghost audiobook now available!

  Rockstar Ghost Resurrection

  His Heavy Metal Heart

  Rockstar Ghost: Wedding Night

  Wicked Bartender

  Wicked Bartender Redemption

  Incubus Chocolatier

  Incubus Chocolatier audiobook coming soon!

  Incubus Chocolatier Retribution

  Hollywood Merman

  Hollywood Merman audiobook now available!

  Hollywood Merman Revelations

  Druid Vampire

  Druid Vampire audiobook now available!

  Druid Vampire Requiem

  Druid Vampire: Wedding Night

  Highlander Hellcat

  Highlander Hellcat audiobook now available!

  Highlander Hellcat Revolution

  Vampire Punk

  Vampire Punk audiobook coming soon!

  Twilight Gigolo

  Twilight Gigolo Audiobook now available!

  Galactic Goth

  Galactic Goth audiobook now available!

  Bitch Heiress X Samurai Butler

  Bitch Heiress X Samurai Butler audiobook coming soon!

  Bitch Heiress X2 Samurai Butler

  Samurai Superheroes Saga:

  Cowboy Samurai X Badass Android

  Geisha Assassin X Smartass Hacker

  Foxy Yokai X Punkass Cyborg

  Sir Genkaku Host Club

  (Books 1, 2, 3, and 4)

  Sanky Panky Pirate

  Sanky Panky Pirate Part II

  Adult Coloring Book: Strip Them! Fantasy Boyfriends!

  Chapter 1:

  “Diamonds are a man’s best friend,” Ashe muttered to himself as his sharp golden eyes tracked the lovely ladies in the casino that were drenched in glittering diamonds. Even as he watched them Ashe felt eyes on him, and he raised his chin a little higher. He knew how good he looked in the latest suit he’d made.

  The design of the suit was based on one Ashe had seen a noble wearing. The man had been on horseback at the time and was obviously on his way to the palace. Ashe assumed he was another suitor for the mysterious princess of Glass Kingdom whom no one had ever seen before.

  The ladies hungrily raked their eyes over Ashe’s suit that was made out of white silk and decorated with swirls of golden embroidery. The cravat and vest he was wearing were both the same color as his eyes. Completing his posh look was a cane that had an ivory handle shaped like a unicorn’s head.

  Lending to Ashe’s already otherworldly appearance was his shoulder-length, platinum blonde hair that looked silver in some lighting. Ashe had pulled his hair back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck using a gold ribbon that was the same color as his eyes.

  Ashe knew that he stood out even among the magical races that existed in Fantasia, but his lips dipped into a frown as he thought about how he was a dullard. Dullard was a term used in Fantasia to describe an ordinary human that possessed no magical abilities.

  Ashe envied the magical races for their power. If he possessed magic then he wouldn’t be in the shameful situation he was currently in, which was whoring himself out to mature ladies for money.

  If Ashe possessed magic he would have also been able to participate in the daily fighting competitions that were held at the Glass Coliseum where all races were allowed to participate. The nobility liked to place bets on the matches and duels that took place in the coliseum. The winners of those matches would make a lot of money as a result.

  But Ashe didn’t possess magic, and so here he was at a casino in Glass City trying to find a rich, elderly, er, mature lady to seduce and rob, er, charge an arm and leg for his time with her. Ashe let out a heavy sigh, and assessed the women who currently appeared to be interested in him.

  There was a pretty, young elf with pointed ears, long blonde hair, and bright green eyes. She was wearing a dark green dress with the pattern of leaves on it embroidered in golden thread. There was a thick, gold necklace around her neck that must have cost a pretty penny.

  Unfortunately, she was way too young. Young women fell in love too easily. And this wasn’t about love - this was about sex. He only wanted to sate a woman’s lust and carnal desire, not her lonely heart.

  Ashe’s calculating gaze went to another woman. This one was obviously a witch since she was wearing a black, wide-brimmed, pointed hat on top of her head of red curls. The witch was wearing a black dress with belled sleeves. Ashe shook his head. Again, this woman was too young for his purposes. It was a shame she wasn’t an old crone.

  Ashe’s gaze traveled to a demoness, then an angel, and lastly a vampiress. Too dangerous. Too pure. Too…bloodthirsty. Ashe thought to himself, rubbing the back of his neck in a frustrated gesture.

  Finally, Ashe met the gaze of a mature human woman that was probably in her late forties. She wasn’t unattractive, though attractiveness didn’t really matter for what Ashe had in mind. What really drew Ashe’s attention was the diamond necklace she was wearing. Ashe decided that he’d ask her for that necklace in exchange for one night with him.

  Ashe sidled up to the woman, who was currently standing next to the craps table, and just as she was about to throw her dice he leaned over and blew on her clutched hand causing her to shiver in pleasure. “For luck,” Ashe said in a deep, husky voice.

  The lady giggled in a girlish fashion that made Ashe want to cringe because of how old she really was. But Ashe made sure to keep his expression stoic as she threw her dice, and won. The lady beamed at Ashe, and quickly ordered him a fancy cocktail.

  Ashe continued to give the woman company as she played casino craps. He blew on her dice and gave her smoldering looks that had her cheeks turning pink and her breath quickening. It wouldn’t be long before she asked him to accompany her to a hotel, or perhaps even her home.

  I’ve got this cat in the bag…or should I say cougar? Ashe thought with dry amusement until a sudden presence at Ashe’s side caused him to jump. He turned to gape at a young woman who’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and who was currently stroking the unicorn-shaped handle of his cane. What the hell? Where did she even come from? Ashe wondered.

  “Ooo. Such exquisite craftsmanship…” the girl cooed as she continued to stroke the handle in an admiring fashion.

  The eccentric young woman was wearing a white unicorn facemask decorated with a short, golden horn. The mask concealed the features of her face entirely so that A
she deduced it had to be enchanted for her to be able to see out of it, which meant it was an expensive item.

  The young lady wasn’t wearing any jewelry, but Ashe could tell that she was wealthy. Her pink gown was obviously brand-new and made of the finest silk. Ashe also noticed that she was wearing glass slippers. Only noblewomen wore glass slippers that had been enchanted by the witches and wizards that lived in Apple Kingdom to be both comfortable and unbreakable.

  Lastly, Ashe took in her physical features. She had long, black curly hair, and when his gaze drifted down to her cleavage he noted her breasts were firm and pert, which could only mean she was much too young for his purposes. She was probably a beautiful woman beneath that mask of hers, which made Ashe briefly wonder why she wore it, but then decided it was none of his business anyways.

  She’s much too young…and she seems to be more interested in my cane than in me anyways. That’s a first. How odd. The corner of Ashe’s lip twitched as he tried not to smile. “It belonged to my father…” he found himself saying inexplicably. His eyes widened in surprise since he’d never told that to anyone before.

  “I love unicorns,” the girl declared.

  “I never would have guessed, Milady,” Ashe said dryly, giving her mask a pointed look.

  The woman Ashe had been trying to seduce earlier squeezed his arm to get his attention. “Ashe, I need you to blow on my dice again,” she said in a whiney tone that irritated him.

  Ashe reluctantly returned his attention to his prey. “Ah, yes, of course, Milady.” Ashe leaned over to blow on her clutched dice.

  The strange, dark-haired girl appeared to be easily distracted and her attention was drawn to the roulette table. Out of the corner of Ashe’s eye, he watched her go with a feeling of unease building up inside of him.

  The young girl seemed so out of place. What is a highborn lady like her doing in a casino at this hour unescorted? Ashe mused. The girl had an aura of innocence and purity that seemed to make her stand out against the casino’s other patrons. Ashe knew he must have been imagining it, but he thought she was glowing.

  Ashe continued to watch the strange girl flit from one game table to the next like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. The girl curiously leaned over people’s shoulders and watched them place their bets and play the various games. When people won she would clap excitedly and squeal. “Ooo!”

  Ashe snorted. How could the girl be so easily entertained? Ashe frequented the casinos so often that the games had become boring to him. That’s when Ashe noticed that the girl had managed to draw the attention of several men, who were now tracking her with their eyes.

  Ashe bristled with irritation when he noted that their lascivious gazes lingered on her curves. She’s way too young for you, old geezers! Ashe thought venomously, and when he caught himself in his thoughts he let out a groan and scrubbed a hand down his face. What am I? Her father?

  Ashe watched as the girl approached the back of the casino, and a man pulled a velvet curtain aside for her. The girl obliviously passed through the doorway, and into a hallway. As soon as she’d passed through the doorway the man let go of the velvet curtain so that it concealed the doorway once more. Ashe frowned at this sudden development.

  Ashe knew that the backrooms were for private, high-stakes poker games. Had that young lady really been invited to participate in one? Well, she does look rich. Ashe mused. Perhaps, he had nothing to worry about. In fact, why was he worrying about the girl in the first place? He didn’t even know her. She had nothing to do with him.

  Ashe diligently turned his attention back to the woman at his side, and resumed his seduction. He tried to put the strange girl with the unicorn mask out of his mind. However…

  A girl’s startled cry reached Ashe’s ears and he instantly knew that the girl had made it. Shit. Before Ashe even realized what he was doing he’d left the mature woman behind and had stalked over to the velvet curtain. He pushed the curtain aside, entered the hallway, and spotted an open door.

  Ashe approached the room, and saw that three noblemen were currently seated at a round poker table. One of the chairs was unoccupied. The girl in the unicorn mask was currently standing. From the looks of things, she’d been forced to stand since there were two uniformed men on either side of her with a harsh grip on her arms.

  “What’s going on here?” Ashe barked, stalking into the room. All eyes were suddenly on him.

  A fat lord addressed Ashe in a haughty tone. “This young lady lost and yet refuses to pay up. You know the rules of this casino. If you can’t pay - you’ll pay another way. If she’s sold off as a slave we should be able to get back the money she owes us.”

  Sold off as a slave? Ashe nearly swayed on his feet at the terrifying suggestion, but quickly pulled himself together. Ashe tightened his grip on his cane’s handle, and his jaw clenched. Ashe sent a fierce look the young woman’s way. “Why don’t you just pay them? Surely, you have the money.”

  “Money?” The girl quirked her head at Ashe.

  Ashe let out a frustrated huff and waved his hand impatiently at her. “You know, gold, silver, jewels, precious gems.”

  “Oh!” the girl exclaimed and nodded in understanding. “Let me return to the palace and I’ll-”

  “Palace!” the fat lord interrupted, and let out an amused, dark chuckle.

  “The Queen will-” the girl tried to continue.

  “This poor girl is touched in the head,” the fat lord sneered. “She thinks she knows the Queen!” He narrowed his eyes on the girl. “You trying to run, girl? You won’t get very far.”

  “But I do know the Queen. Why won’t you believe me?” the girl insisted with an edge of frustration to her voice that to Ashe appeared sincere.

  “If you don’t have any gold or jewels then-” the fat lord was saying.

  “Jewels? You mean like diamonds?” the girl interrupted.

  “Indeed,” the fat lord said dryly.

  “I…I can make you some diamonds,” the girl blurted out. “I just need to-” She was unable to finish her sentence when all of the men present except for Ashe began to laugh very loudly.

  “Make diamonds!” the fat lord crowed.

  “Maybe she plans to lay them like the Golden Goose!” one of the nobles suggested, a leer forming on his face. “Why don’t you lift up your skirt and show us what you can do, girl.”

  Ashe groaned and scrubbed a hand down his face. The young woman certainly did have quite the imagination and a knack for getting herself into trouble. He didn’t know her but he couldn’t just stand back and do nothing, and allow her to become a slave. “How much does she owe?” Ashe found himself asking.

  “Three hundred Gold Apples,” the fat lord said with a glint in his beady eyes.

  In Fantasia, Gold Apples were gold coins, which had the image of King Reginald of Apple Kingdom engraved on one side, and an apple tree engraved on the other. Silver Roses were silver coins that had the image of King Leopold of Rose Kingdom engraved on one side, and a rose engraved on the other. Copper Skulls were copper coins that had the image of King Gothel of Bones Kingdom engraved on one side, and a skull engraved on the other. Two hundred Silver Roses were equal in value to one Gold Apple while two thousand Copper Skulls had the value of one Gold Apple.

  Greedy bastards. “I’ll pay her debt,” Ashe said, reaching for the coin purse that he always had strapped to his belt. Unfortunately, Ashe’s hand gripped nothing but thin air, and that’s when he remembered he’d left his coin purse at home that night. He rarely needed to have money on him when his aim was to seduce mature ladies, who would pay for all his food, drinks, and for his company. Shit.

  Ashe quickly assessed the situation. The three noblemen seated at the table weren’t knights so weren’t armed with broadswords. Instead they had fancy, swept hilted rapiers strapped to their sides. Luckily, the two casino guards also had rapiers strapped to their sides, and not broadswords.

  Five against one. Ashe thought and shrugged. He�
��d faced worst odds. Ashe lamented the fact he hadn’t decided to wear a mask this evening since they were fashionable in Glass Kingdom, and a rotten scoundrel could conceal his identity without looking suspicious. What Ashe was about to do was quite rotten, and lamentably he’d never be able to return to this particular casino.

  Oh, well. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Ashe thought as he unsheathed his cane sword and pointed it at the two guards. He didn’t know her. She had nothing to do with him. But he couldn’t let this naïve girl become a slave. “Unhand her at once,” Ashe growled lowly.

  The five men gawked at Ashe in shock. The fat lord started to chuckle darkly. “It’s five against one, boy. The odds are in our favor. You’re bad at gambling.” The lord stood and unsheathed his rapier. The other two noblemen shared a glance before following suit, standing up from their seats, and unsheathing their rapiers.

  “I’ll just have to even the odds.” Ashe smirked before charging forward towards the fat lord. They swung their rapiers at each other, and their blades clashed with a clang as they both managed to block their opponent’s attack.

  With a swift, graceful twist of his wrist Ashe disarmed the fat lord. Ashe could have gutted him at this point, but sent a kick into his stomach instead. The lord let out a grunt of pain, stumbled backwards, and ended up on his ass on the floor.

  Ashe leapt up onto the poker table and started to engage the other two nobles in swordplay. One of the noblemen leapt up onto the table and swung his rapier at Ashe in a horizontal slash, aiming for Ashe’s stomach. Ashe blocked the attack, and as the nobleman stepped forward they were almost chest-to-chest. They both tried to overpower their opponent with brute strength. Ashe decided to play dirty, and headbutt the noble, breaking his nose.

  “You uncouth barbarian!” the nobleman cried as he reached up to touch his bleeding nose, and stumbled backwards a few steps. He’d temporarily forgotten he was standing on a table, and ended up falling right off of it.