by Jake Daniel
She chuckled and walked over to an end table and opened a small drawer. She rifled through the drawer for a moment while she hummed a sweet song until she apparently found what she was looking for.
She pulled out a small envelope and handed it to me. “Here, I believe this will suit you better, anyway. Whoever left this was human, I believe. Although there have been a few groups that have come through here and tried to lay claim to it. It was a safe place for my sisters and me for a while until a few days ago. Although, this place is definitely not like what satyrs are used to.”
“What are satyrs typically used to?” I asked as I accepted the envelope.
She answered without hesitation. “Being out in the forest, with lots of alcohol.”
I laughed and nodded. “I can relate.” I accepted the envelope and eyed her curiously. “So, was there anyone here before you and your sisters showed up?”
“Of course. But they definitely didn’t belong here. They won’t be an issue though.” She shrugged.
“Why is that?”
“Cus’ I killed them.” She turned and continued humming her melody.
“Wait, what? You killed them? Why?”
“They were wicked men. Humans.” She paused. “They weren’t like you. These men were evil and wanted to do evil things to us. I could see what they planned to do with us by using my Sight.” She took a deep breath and then sat down on a chair in front of the fireplace. “We came seeking help and shelter. They wanted to use us, to defile us. If anyone is going to be doing any sort of defiling, we’re going to be the ones doing it, not the other way around.”
I ambled toward the fireplace and sat in the chair next to her. I hadn’t really taken the time to think that she could actually be a threat to my life. I’d not been very careful since arriving. The best sex of my life didn’t help to maintain a rational mind as well.
I flipped the envelope over in my hands and pulled out a small folded sheet of paper. I carefully read the note multiple times, trying to decide if it were actually legit.
To whom it may concern:
If this deed has seen the light of day, then that means that our journey has ended.
I originally set out to rid this Aurilon of the festering evil that continues to show its vicious face. While we have been very successful, it’s become increasingly difficult to remain safe any longer.
I want to pass along to the surviving members of our families we did not give up, and we fought to the end.
Now, if you be of a pure core and good moral character, this manor and the land surrounding it can become yours.
Don’t worry, you will know if you don’t belong here!
I hope that you will use this manor and the surrounding land for good. It stretches from the cottage to the sea.
May you have better fortune than I.
-W
I looked up and met Gwen’s eyes. “So, you want me to take over the deed on this place?”
She shrugged and rose from her chair, moving across to mine and sitting in my lap. “Yes. You seem to fit the description of a pure core, at least. Your morals, however, that’s debatable.” She stopped and kissed me gently on the lips, her intoxicating breath filling my nose.
I ran my hand along her back and thought about it for a couple of seconds. I remembered the letter W that had been carved into the mantle. There was a decent chance that he was the one that left this note. “I’m pretty sure this means my hunting trip is over.” I held the deed in front of me. “Where do I sign?”
“It’s a blood contract. Once you sign it, this place becomes yours forever unless you sign away the deed to someone else.”
“What happens if I’m not worthy to take this place over?”
“Then you die.” She said flatly. She looked up at me and smiled. “Not really, you will just have to find a new place.”
“Fair enough.”
She pulled out her small dagger and held it to my hand. “When you’re ready.”
I glanced at the deed before my eyes fell still on the dagger held firmly across my hand. I nodded and Gwen dragged the blade across my palm, sending a line of fresh blood to the surface. I pushed my palm down onto the bottom of the deed and the paper lit brightly. Several yellow wisps of light rose into the air before fading out of existence. “Is that it?”
“That’s it. This manor and all the land around here is now yours.” She smiled and rose from my lap, replacing the dagger to its sheath. “Since it looks like you were worthy of taking this place over, it also means it will be harder to find by those who wish to do you, or anyone that you have welcomed here, harm.”
I shifted slightly. “So, this place has its own camouflage?”
She smirked. “Yeah, I guess you could say that, to an extent. Other humans and monsters will find us, but only if they don’t mean to do us harm. I can disguise myself to look human if you wish.”
“What if I want you to appear as you are now?”
Her cheeks reddened. “You truly are a unique human.” She straightened and regathered herself. “I can, but it may be more dangerous if I do not hide my appearance. If any travelers wander through here and find out you have been harboring a satyr, they would surely report us and bring much-unwanted attention.”
I sighed and grabbed my gun off the table. “They would surely not report a damn thing if they knew what is good for them.” I glanced around the room one last time and tucked the deed in my pocket. I threw on my shirt and opened the front door. I motioned for Gwen to exit. “After you. Let’s go save your sisters.”
Chapter Six
We followed a worn dirt path that wound through thick overgrown forest for nearly an hour before we ran into any others.
I pulled Gwen off the side of the road as a large wooden wagon neared. A horse as wide and tall as a Belgian draft horse pulled the wagon down the road. The crucial difference was that it was a shade of light green, almost mint-colored. Its hooves clapped loudly against the ground as it pulled the wagon effortlessly along the path.
I glanced up at the driver and saw a pudgy man with a thick mustache and glasses three sizes too small for his bulbous head.
After I ensured there wasn’t anyone else in the wagon with him, I stepped out from the bushes on the side of the road.
He obviously wasn’t expecting my grand entrance as he pulled back so hard on the reins of his horse that he nearly toppled backwards into the wagon.
I stepped closer and gave him a small wave. “Hello there.”
The man sputtered slightly and searched the forest on both sides of the path before his gaze settled on me. “Um... yes, hello there, good sir. May I ask what you’re doing out here in monster territory?”
“Monster territory?” I shrugged and shook my head. “I’m not sure, I’ve been out here for some time now, and I’ve yet to see any monsters.” I paused and nodded toward his hulking horse. “This fine creature here is the only thing close to a monster I’ve seen.”
The pudgy man scoffed and rose from his seat, eyeing the surrounding area cautiously. He straightened his shabby overcoat. “Ok, well fair enough. My name is Wofferd, and I’m a traveling salesman. Finest wares this side of the Capitol. What can I help you with?”
“I am looking for a group of poachers. They may have a few satyrs with them.” I kept my eyes fixed on his as I waited for his answer.
Wofferd rubbed his chin thoughtfully while making small noises that apparently helped him think. “Hmm, well yes, there have been many poachers out this way. To be honest, I thought you may have been one yourself. “
“Poaching really isn’t my thing.” I looked back toward Gwen, but couldn’t see any sign of her. “Can you tell me which way they may have gone?”
The man wrung his hands together greedily. “Oh, absolutely. For a price, of course.”
I cleared my throat and cocked my head at the odd man. “All right, fair enough. You tell me which way they went and I’ll leave your wagon and all your goods alone.”
The man let out a huge belly laugh. “Ha! Good one, young man. You had me going there for a second. So, tell me, what happens if I don’t tell you which way they went?”
“Then? I leave you here and relieve you of your supplies.” I shrugged and kept my gaze steady.
“And if I tell you?”
“I borrow your horse and return it once I find them,” I said matter-of-factly. The man stopped laughing and his expression turned serious. I noticed his hand shift down toward his hip slightly, reaching toward what I knew was some sort of weapon. I held my hands out to calm the man. “Listen, you’re a businessman, right?”
The man relaxed slightly, his face still hardened. “Of course! The best around, and if I tell people that you stole my horse, there’d be more people on your ass than flies on shit.”
“Okay, look. I only need to borrow him temporarily. How about I make you a deal?” The man eyes me curiously and I realized I was speaking his language. “I understand you need your horse, and you do not want me to take him, but maybe I can make it worth your while.”
Wofferd cleared his throat and straightened slightly. “You have my attention, but don’t waste my time.”
I stepped forward and caught a flash behind the man’s big round head. I closed my eyes and thought a simple word, wait. I hoped that somehow it would reach Gwen and she would hold off on whatever she was about to do. The last thing I wanted was for her to set off a chain of events that would make things ten times harder than they needed to be.
Gwen crouched along the side of the road and moved back to the cover of the trees.
I took a deep breath and returned my focus to Wofferd. “I’m willing to offer you this. You tell me where I can find the poachers and let me borrow your horse.” The man spoke up, but I held my finger up and cut him off. “And I'll promise to buy your entire lot when I get back.”
The man rubbed his chin and pushed his greasy gray hair back into place atop his head. “How do I know I can trust you?”
“Good point. I’ll admit, you don’t know me and I don’t know you, but I can guarantee you I’ll get what I want and will take that chance. Are you willing to do the same?” I straightened slightly. “Wofferd, you have my word.”
Wofferd grumbled under his breath and shook his head. “I must be crazy.” He massaged his temples for a few seconds before meeting my eyes. “Alright, you have yourself a deal. I am warning you though, you will not like the consequences if you do not hold up your end of our deal.”
“I’m a man of my word. Now, if you will.” I walked to the side of the wagon and helped the portly man down. He stretched his back to each side and placed his hands on his hips. It was then that I saw what he was reaching for earlier and chuckled. “Were you going to whip me?”
The man glanced down to the bullwhip hanging loosely at his side and blushed. “Well, if you would’ve tried anything funny, yes.” He puffed out his chest. “Anyway, you will find many of the poachers near the village of Dunway, up the road from here. They were there causing trouble last night, I believe.”
I shook my head and clapped the man on the shoulder. The man couldn’t have stood over five feet tall and only came about halfway up my chest. “Thank you.” I turned and motioned down the road from where we came. “Follow this road. There’s a small house near a waterfall about an hour away. That’s my place. You are welcome to stay there until we get back. If you hit the sea, you’ve gone too far.”
“You expect me to walk an hour?! I’ll never make it.” The man’s breaths increased as he paced anxiously back and forth in front of me.
“You’ll never know until you try.”
Gwen’s voice came from near the wagon. “Here, take this. It should last long enough until you reach the manor.” She stepped forward and held up a small bottle with a glowing opaque liquid inside.
Wofferd’s head whipped around to face Gwen. He held his hands up and backed away slowly. “A satyr? How? Why? If someone catches us cavorting with the enemy, we’re both goners.”
“Gwen is not our enemy. Far from it.” She tossed me the bottle, and I inspected its contents. A single line of text appeared on the side of the bottle. Potion of Stamina... I flipped it in my hand and held it out to Wofferd.
He accepted it cautiously. “What… is this?” He held it up to the sun and looked through the bottle as if half expecting to find something hidden inside.
I smiled and caught Gwen’s eyes before turning back to Wofferd. “It’s a... potion of stamina. I’m not exactly sure how long it lasts, or hell, even what it does exactly, but if Gwen thinks it will help, I’d believe her.”
Gwen joined my side and whispered in my ear. “Looks like someone’s persuasion rank is strong. Impressive.”
I gave her a small acknowledging nod and turned back to Wofferd. “We’ll be back soon. Take care of my manor for me while we’re gone.”
Wofferd stared at the stamina potion for a few seconds before shrugging and downing it with one swig. “Oh yeah, that’s the good shit!” The chubby man turned and jogged down the road in the manor's direction. It was one of the funniest things I’d seen in a long time.
I turned to Gwen, who wore a wide smile as she watched the man waddle down the road. “My lady, your ride awaits.”
She raised her eyebrows and smiled. She waddled over to the cart, doing her best impression of Wofferd, and held her hand up for me to help her onto the wagon. “Thank you, my fine gentleman.”
We climbed atop the wagon and I grabbed the reins of the mint green horse. Gwen flipped her hood back up onto her head and pulled her cloak closed over her legs.
I grabbed the reins and gave them a quick snap. The horse lurched forward with a shiver and moved down the road. I pulled the wagon down the road a short distance until I found a safe spot to turn around. Wofferd was already well out of sight. “I hope that merchant finds the manor. He didn’t exactly strike me as the survivalist type.”
Gwen scanned the area in front of the wagon. “Maybe that would teach him right for carrying around that whip. Only poachers and tradesmen carry those things. Makes them feel invincible.”
I kept my eyes focused on the road in front of us as the wagon rumbled noisily down the path. “Makes me think they’re compensating for something. Don’t worry, I won’t let them whip you.”
“Oh, they know better than to whip me. You however, can do anything to me, any time you want. Maybe he will even let you borrow his whip when we get back.” She gave me a sly smile.
She turned and rummaged through the man’s goods. Her firm ass waved seductively in the air as she rifled through a few crates. After a few seconds, she found what she was looking for. “Ah ha! Here we go.” She lifted a bottle of red wine out in front of her face and shook it lightly. “This will do.” She popped the cork out of the bottle and took in a deep breath, savoring the smell for a few seconds before bringing the bottle to her lips and taking a long draw. She lowered it slowly and gave me a slightly embarrassed smile. “Sorry, satyrs worship the god of alcohol, Bacchus. Drinking is kind of our thing.”
I gave her a smile and grabbed the bottle, taking several gulps of the wine. The tannins burst throughout my mouth. “I’ve never been much of a wine guy, but if it all tastes like that here, there may still be hope.” I could tell that my reaction had put her at ease some, as if she were expecting me to take offense.
Gwen leaned over toward me and reached up with her right hand. She caressed my face as she kissed me slowly, her tongue gently exploring my lips momentarily before she returned to her seat. “I never thought I’d find a human male that would amaze me the way you have either, yet, here you are.”
We continued down the path for another hour and reached a few planted fields that marked the boundary of Dunway. A few farmers acknowledged us as we passed by, giving us small waves or tipping the enormous hats that each of them wore to keep the persistent sun from beating down on their necks.
Several children ran alongside
the cart, their laughter filled the air. I leaned over and saw a few boys and girls fighting for position. “Are they expecting me to give them something? They look like they're chasing an ice cream truck.”
Gwen looked slightly confused and shrugged. “I’ve never had ice cream and I’ve only had limited interaction with human children.” She leaned over my lap and craned her neck around me to get a look at the kids before sitting back down. “And I hope I can keep it that way.”
I reached behind me and rifled through a burlap sack. All I could find was a small decorated box. I reached down while keeping the horse straight and handed the box to the largest of the boys. “There you go. Now go, run along and play. I don’t want to run you over on accident.”
The children peeled back and stood in a small huddle as we continued forward. I smiled and turned to Gwen. “See, you just need to know how to keep them occupied. That box will probably keep them busy for a while.”
Gwen appeared to be holding back a laugh. “I’m not one hundred percent certain, but I believe humans prefer to wait until their offspring are much older before giving them those.”
“What? A box? It didn’t even feel like anything was inside.” I shrugged and gave her a sideways glance.
She finally let out the laugh she’d been forcing back. “Oh, my sweet Logan. Those are what I believe you humans call cigarettes.”
“Oh, shit.” I turned back and watched as several of the kids removed the small white cylinders from the box. “Great, I gave them a pack of smokes. Guess it’s a good thing I don’t have any kids.” I shook my head and gave Gwen a shrug. “Well, I guess they were going to learn, eventually. Do me a favor and don’t let me give out any more mysterious boxes.”
She smiled sweetly and ran her hand along my back. “Of course. Although, I shouldn’t have said anything. Imagine what other prizes the children of the town could go away with.”
