《The Albino》


 Prologue

    ¡°Ben!¡± An excited squeal accompanied a flurry of blond hair and a flowery dress. Tracy Scaife, Ben Scaife¡¯s little sister impacted him square in the chest with a giant hug and a smile. Ben wrapped the girl up in a not quite crushing hug that lifted the 90lb 14-year-old off her feet with a spin, ¡°Hey Bug, miss me?¡±


    Tracy wrinkled her nose at her older brothers teasing nickname for her, ¡°Never!¡± She teased back, ¡°Com''on, Gramma Clare¡¯s just about packed.¡± Resisting her exuberant tugging, Ben paid the Taxi driver and hefted his duffle bag. Gramma Clare¡¯s 1972 Bronco sat in the cul-de-sac of his childhood home. Grandpa Dick and Gramma Clare were Mom¡¯s parents, and they were a constant fixture around the Scaife home since Momma passed. The loss of Patricia Scaife still stung at times. It would be almost two years since her passing, and their aunt and uncle had moved down from Minnesota in the aftermath of their daughter¡¯s passing. Ben¡¯s smile held a touch of sadness as he watched his kid sister flit around the house, stealing his bag and tossing it into his room before returning to bid farewell to Gramma Clare. While still in that lanky early teenager phase, His sister was starting to look more like mom with every passing day. Tracy was a surprise baby, almost 7 years younger than Ben; but she was still too young to be on her own. Pops had taught both of his children to be self-sufficient, but there was a difference between the occasional weekend and what could be months.


    It was the reason Ben was here. Dad, Captain David Scaife had been called up on emergency orders. Considering the recent news coming out of Eastern Europe, Ben knew this was coming the moment he saw the explosion on the evening broadcast. It was an easy choice. Ben had already worked out his leave with both his Engineering college and his JROTC contact. It was easy enough to explain, and he was more than accommodated. He would be pushing his senior year back until his father returned, and his JROTC program would give him an exemption for family circumstances. His aunt and uncle had moved to the Carolinas to be nearer to them, but they were still two hours away. Both were past retirement, but Dick owned a classic car maintenance and modification shop which flourished in the two years since their move. Gramma Clare was Grandpa Dick¡¯s right hand when it came to Marketing and Financial wizardry. They were there if needed, but Tracy had refused to let them kill their passion just to take care of her. Ben agreed, and the plan was in motion.


    Ben¡¯s brooding was interrupted by a guttural bellow that settled into a contented rumble. He stepped outside once more to give Gramma Clare a goodbye hug before she climbed aboard her not so quietly Idling Bronco, and the two siblings watched the classic disappear down to the normally quiet subdivision road. Ben sighed heavily before looking down at his tiny sister, ¡°Pizza?¡±


    ¡°Death by Carnivore.¡± She confirmed, then laughed at her 6-3 brother¡¯s confused expression. ¡°That little place around the corner just got added to doordash, I wanna try¡¯em.¡±


    ¡°Death by Carnivore huh. What the hell, why not.¡± Ben turned and followed his sister into the house. Their home was relatively open with a short foyer opening into a large combination kitchen, dining room, living room area with the three bedrooms at the end of a hallway on the far end. The kitchen was ostensibly separated from the rest of the space with a sizable island that sported a bar style lip on one side and a quartz countertop. It was their parents¡¯ first real home, after a decade of moving for the military. Pops had gotten a permanent posting, running the training operations for McCrady. They had chosen to upgrade the home instead of Moving again. ¡°I got it! They¡¯re saved on my phone.¡± Called Bens sister and he just shrugged before heading into his bedroom. He found his duffel bag on his bed, having ruffled some of the comforter upon its impact. Ben always packed lightly, even when at school. The rest of his stuff would be here in the next few days by UPS from Stanford, but for now, Ben unpacked as he waited for the food to arrive. settled in, Ben plopped down on his bed, pulling out his phone. The news scrolled past on his feed. A dirty bomb had detonated in Moscow, and the finger pointing was in full swing. No one had come forward to claim the attack, and The Russian President was strangely silent. What was not silent was the mass congregation of troops along Russia¡¯s western border. Poland was going on full alert, and the United States had recalled every active-duty soldier in any position across the nation.


    The doorbell Rang, ¡®That was fast¡¯ Ben¡¯s passing thought passed as he stood to head for the door. His mind returned to his father¡¯s situation. It was over a decade since his father had a direct combat role, but his old man had kept fit. He was even taller than Benjamin at 6-4 and passed down his blond hair to Tracy. Ben was almost the reverse. While his sister was destined to be tiny like her mother, Ben was within an inch of being his father¡¯s clone. His 6 foot 3, 210 lb frame carried little in the way of fat. His father had seen to those habits, and yet his mother had left her mark on his genes. Her Irish Descent had gifted her son with a bright curley mop of very Irish red hair and brilliant green eyes. ¡®Dad regularly tests himself in the simulators, as well as the students under his command. He will be¡­¡¯


    A sharp crash ripped Ben from his internal thoughts, and the blood congealing scream accompanied the scene in front of him as he opened the door to his room. 4 men, all wearing balaclavas were standing in his living room, one dragging his little sister by her hair, blood covering her face from he broken nose. ¡°You said the bitch would be alone!¡± one exclaimed, ¡°Ah! The boy¡¯s home, Lucky us!¡± a sinister voice growled as the leader of the group raised a pistol and fired several times.


    A searing pain Caught Ben in the right side of his chest as he fell back into his room, reflexively diving away from the incoming fire. He pressed his hand to his side, feeling his blood flow freely, but not in great quantity. He pulled his shirt up to reveal the glancing impact. The bullet had just penetrated his skin, but the angle was shallow, and it skipped off one rib before exiting several inches later. Ben¡¯s breathing was agony, he knew what a broken rib felt like from a dirt bike accident several years ago. He sprinted to his closet, ¡®please be there, please be there.¡¯


    ____________________________________________________________________________________


    Vincent Trainer, disgraced former corporal of the United states Army, looked around the nice house of his former commander. He was out of Leavenworth less than a month ago, put there by the asshole who owned the place, and who was not there to stop him. Then Lieutenant Scaife was the man who put him there. It¡¯s not like he hit anything important, just some stupid civies car. He had drunkenly stolen an Abrams and was joyriding it around when he accidentally lost control and careened through a fence, crushing an old lady¡¯s car in the intersection. Scaife was the one who ratted on him, revealing his inebriated state and compiling a list of other incidents that proved Vincent¡¯s history. The disgraced soldier had spent ten years in Leavenworth, obsessing over the man who he believed had elevated his charges enough to have him imprisoned instead of simply dishonorably discharged.


    ¡°Ben!¡± the harpy on the ground shrieked, receiving another punch from the man still holding her hair.


    ¡°Shut up bitch, I¡¯ll make you scream soon enough¡± the man sneered before turning to Vincent, ¡°You said she would be alone. What the fuck is that puke doing back from Cali.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off Greers, He¡¯ll be dealt with soon enough.¡± Vincent snarled, ¡°Keep it in your pants, we have a twofer to collect. Kline, go finish the fuckwit off.¡± he turned to the kneel in front of the bleeding shaking girl, running a finger down the front of her shirt, ¡°Then we can get to the fun part.¡± Vincent smiled as he watched the girl struggle to retreat from his touch.


    Kline grumbled something nebulous about getting first go and began stalking up to the door the boy fell into. There was blood all along the wall, a good sign. ¡°knock knock, fucker.¡± He growled as he reached for the door. His hand never touched it. A familiar sound of a weapon¡¯s bolt racking froze everyone in the home just a moment before the door exploded into splinters. Vincent heard the familiar roar of fully automatic fire and watched Kline be thrown back bodily as dozens of rounds of 5.56 slammed into him in the span of just a couple of seconds. Greers swore, dropping the golden locks in his hand and unslinging a stolen AKM he had taken during a home invasion turned murder in Chicago. Greers raised the rifle just as Kline fell over and the Boy appeared in the hallway with his own weapon.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    It was there, Ben¡¯s Graduation present from his father. Technically it was not his. It belonged to the family trust, but He had picked it out when his father had revealed his intentions. Legally it was a preban registered M11a1, or at least that is what it had started life as. Benjamin was an aspiring engineer, obsessed with interesting and innovative designs. He was studying mechanical engineering at Stanford, with a discreet intention of becoming a firearms designer after following his father into the service. He was used to keeping that secret for obvious reasons while he was in California. The moment he had discovered the Lage Manufacturing line of accessories for the Mac platform, he was hooked. His Mac11 was used as a legal full auto trigger pack inside of his Lage Max 11/15 upper assembly, functionally turning his 80s era pop gun into a fully functional M16. Ben had not stopped there, slowly experimenting with his present, applying what he learned in school. HIS Lage had a lightened bolt and a modified operating and buffer system that allowed him to reach truly terrifying rates of fire. He saw the two remaining men there, both now shooting at him, and Ben¡¯s burning anger began to mute his whole world. He tunnel visioned¡­ and squeezed the trigger.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    His Lage roared its hate a second time at over 1100 rounds per minute. The D60 inserted into the mag well forcing ammunition into position as quickly as it could. Ben¡¯s personally designed and machined compensator held the weapon in place as he held the trigger down. This was HIS weapon. He knew it front to back, had personally put over 25000 rounds through it and replaced two barrels from the accelerated wear of full auto fire. He held the weapon on target with practice and determination, cutting the two men down with a long burst that expended the majority of the remaining ammunition in the 60 round drum. He held his aim at a high chest and head level to avoid hitting his sister, and released the trigger after a few seconds when the last man holding the rifle fell from the view through his red dot sight.


    Ben could smell the concentrated aroma of burned powder as he flicked the safety on and slowly lowered the rifle. Tracy¡¯s eyes were wide, not in fear of him but in something else as her tears flowed freely again. They mixed with the blood on her face, now more than just hers, as she stood up and sprinted towards him. It confused him, and he opened his mouth to tell her its over, that it was ok. His eyes widened in surprise as a torrent of pink bubbly blood burbled out instead of words, he looked down in confusion as his bloodlust ceased and his adrenaline was finally overpowered by the burning fire in his chest and guts. Over a dozen ragged red holes were oozing his life force as the pain drove him to his knees. His attackers were dead, but so was he. The thought wrenched its way through his mind as his body began to fail him and he fell flat on his face. His chest heaved for air, only to pump more blood out through his nose and mouth.


    Tracy reached him, managing to pull him over to his back and took his head in her lap, ¡°BEN!! BEN!! NONONONONONONONONONONO, BEN STAY¡­ DON¡¯T GO¡­ BEN!¡± she screamed several times before grabbing her phone from her pocket and frantically dialing, ¡°Please come quick! Badguys broke into our house! They had guns! Ben he.. he killed them, but he¡¯s bleeding everywhere. Hurry. He¡¯s shot bad!! Ben.. BEN.. BEN!!!¡± Tracy dropped the phone, pulling at his cloths and pushing her hands on some of the holes in a vane attempt to stop the flow as Ben¡¯s coughing slowed and his body began to convulse for air.


    Ben was unable to do anything. Nothing worked, but at least the pain was gone. He tried to speak again, tried to tell his kid sister that it was ok, but only coughing and blood came out. He was dying, he knew it, and it was ok. She was safe. Her voice began to fade as his vision began to darken before something unexpected happened. He felt a violent wrenching in his soul and his vision exploded in a violence of light and velocity as he felt himself careening to¡­ somewhere. Everything was moving in this column of blinding light. Slivers of a view darted between the small gaps in the light, ¡®are those¡­ galaxies?¡¯ Ben thought as he strained to see glimpses of his surroundings outside of the blinding light.


    Almost as soon as it began, a second flash blinded him again. His vision cleared to find himself standing in an environment of pure white. His feet were standing on what felt like smooth glass, but he could not tell anything other than everything was pure white and without form.


    ¡°Son of Terra, I welcome you.¡± A soothing voice echoed through the pure surroundings. Benjamin looked around quickly, only spotting a small glowing yellow orb as it began to expand and pulse. Benjamin felt completely frozen unable to do anything as he felt the heat from the burning orb assail his senses as it expanded before morphing into the glowing form of a human female. The glow began to recede, but still shown brightly enough to act as an almost garment that shrouded the finer points of her features. Ben could tell she was almost his height, long, lithe, and definitely female.


    ¡°Am I dead.¡± Benjamin asked, surprised to hear his voice instead of another fountain of blood and bubbles.


    ¡°After a fashion. You almost ceased to be before I was granted permission to take you.¡± The glowing being softly spoke as she finished approaching him, standing just inside arm¡¯s length with total grace of confidence.


    ¡°What happened to me. Is Tracy safe. Who are you, is this heaven or hell or something else. Can you take me ba..¡± he fell silent as the being raised a placating hand.


    She regarded him for a long moment before placing one almost uncomfortably warm hand on his shoulder, ¡°Calm, Son of Terra. I can answer some of what you ask. Your sister is safe. I swear by eternities flame that she is alive and well. You did well, the vile creatures that entered your home are indeed slain.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s knees gave way at the news, and he stumbled back a step and found himself on one knee panting as his mind replayed the Horrors from a moment ago. This time he was seeing them, and feeling them without the benefit of his body¡¯s fight or flight instincts... He clutched his chest as he felt the bullets impact, ripping their way through his chest and stomach. ¡°Who¡­ Who were they¡­¡± He gasped. Pops had always taught him to protect himself and others, refusing to punish him when Ben had beaten the elementary school bully into a pulp for punching a female classmate. This was different. He had killed three people without remorse and without any feeling other than rage.


    The being knelt in front of him. She ignored his question, laying an almost searing hand on his shoulder, ¡°Peace, Son of Terra. Your actions were righteous and valiant. They are the reason you are before me.¡± Benjamin took a deep breath as he felt a soothing heat radiate from her touch and calm him somehow. ¡°Who are you, then. Answer me that much. If you can, where am I and what do you want with me.¡±


    The being helped him up before speaking, ¡°You are valued, by the Cosmos itself. There are so few who exhibit the qualities you showed. Compassion, love, tenderness are rare enough; but to have them coexisting in harmony with violence of action, wrath, and aggression is rarer still. Your Sire and Dame have raised you well. I have need of your very soul, Benjamin Scaife of Terra.¡±


    Benjamin felt ice run down his spine at her admission, ¡°My¡­ my soul?¡±


    The being sighed softly, but Ben could not see enough of her face to discern her expression, ¡°Yes, but more accurately, I need you¡­ to help me¡­ I cannot tell you more. I am truly sorry, Son of Terra. I cannot give you the peace you so richly deserve, for I must send you into another battlefield¡­ a world set alight by evil fires of will. I will watch you, and I will help you where I can. I cannot force you, but my options are limited. Time grows short, will you aid in the saving of an entire world.¡±


    Benjamin regarded her for several moments as his mind raced. He was planning to serve his country after graduation before moving into the private sector anyway, and he was probably already dead. His heart ached as he thought of his kid sister, but her safety was assured, at least in the direct aftermath of the attack.. ¡°I¡­ I will try. You gave me a second chance¡­ It is not something I can refuse.¡± He bowed his head slightly in difference. ¡°Are you¡­ God?¡±


    The being let out a soft sweet laugh before approaching him until they were barely separate, ¡°No, I am not¡­ I am but a part of the Cosmos¡± Benjamin felt uneasy as she pressed closer to him, ¡°I can only grant you the understanding of the first language you hear, and I can send you early so that you may at least have some rest in this new world.¡± She whispered to him, her face barely an inch away from his.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Benjamin faltered. She was close enough to for him to finally make out a few features. Cheek bones, a nose¡­ lips. She was stunning. ¡°What¡¯s your name¡­¡± He stammered.


    ¡°I am what your race named me.¡± She whispered, ¡°I am¡± He felt her warm lips touch his in a light chaste kiss before taking a single step backward ¡°the one you call, Sol.¡± She placed a hand in the middle of his chest, ¡°I wish you luck.¡± She smiled, then pushed.


    __________________________________________________________________________________________


    Jukha¡¯s footfalls landed with expert placement, avoiding every fallen limb, every betraying leaf, every potentially rustled grass stem or snappable twig. He was close, the Sow Yarkinal Deer was quietly grazing in the clearing, and she was alone. It was rare to find a female without foal at this time of year, but if a hunter could find one, their meat was its most tender during the spring birthing season.


    His finest arrow was Nocked, with a freshly sharpened iron head. It was an expensive metal, especially for his meager earnings as a hunter for a small FeralWood¡¯s village. Two more steps had him within range of his bow, and he felt the familiar tension in his arms and core as he drew the wood and sinew recurve weapon that he had crafted as his right of passage. His breathing steadied as he willed his body still. He waited a heartbeat more before holding his breath, refining his aim just a bit more before releasing. An explosive clap of thunder rang out instead of the customary soft twang of his bow. The shockwave of the explosive blast of light that accompanied the sound threw Jukha a great distance before he landed. He groaned and slowly stood, dusting himself off and pensively looking toward the clearing. The Sow was still there, lying in the grass with an Arrow in its side. It must have been killed by¡­ whatever that was. Jakha nocked another arrow, and slowly crept into the clearing toward the animal only to notice¡­ something laying in the middle of a charred patch of ground. It was not an animal... It was a person; of what kind he had no idea. The being was slowly breathing, with hot whisps of steam radiating from its unconscious body. It was big. Almost as big as the Warrior Orcs that loved to lord their status over the rest of the Village. It groaned but did not stir.


    ¡°Morag¡¯s Cock.¡± Jukha moaned, and began collecting vines and sturdy limbs. He was going to need them.

 Chapter 1

    T¡¯was dark. confusing mists wafted about like an indecisive pestilence. Here and there, voices whispered.


    ¡°¡­.. Son of Terra¡­.¡± Benjamin spun to see who spoke only to see but a fading figure in the mists.


    ¡°¡­.I want Death by Carnivore¡­¡± Benjamin recognized his sisters voice. A flash of her blond hair caught his attention, and he turned to hug her only to come face to face with a horror.


    ¡°¡­ Knock knock, fucker¡­¡± The expressionless face hidden in a balaclava, red dots turning to gunshots, one on his cheek, his left eye.. the base of his throat. Benjamin recoiled in horror, spinning to run away only to be assailed by the acrid smell of dozens of rounds of ammunition fired indoors with too little circulation¡­ a shriek pushed Benjamin forward, through the murky, almost viscos atmosphere.


    ¡°¡­Peace, Son of Terra¡­¡± Benjamin ignored the soothing voice pushing towards the sounds of struggle.


    Suddenly he was in a hallway, his Lage machine gun in hand ¡­ a strange female made of light standing before him ¡°I need your soul.¡±


    Benjamin took a step back raising his rifle at the being before she flashed brightly and vanished. Two men stood in her place., one dragging his sister by the hair, her nose broken, her eyes wide in terror.


    The defending roar of three weapons bellowing their rage overpowered his senses.


    BEN!!! STAY¡­ DON¡¯T GO!!! Benjamin¡¯s sister raced towards him only to turn into mist herself.


    Pain.. Benjamin, alone in a sea of swirling grey looked down, watching his body pour its lifeblood from a dozen holes. He touched one of them, trying to stop the bleeding, ripping at something between him and his body.


    NOOOOOOOOOO!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes flew open, screaming uncontrollably, surrounded by brown, dimly lit brown, a fur blanket covered him as he pawed frantically at it.


    ¡°NOOOOOOOO!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!¡± Was all he was capable of howling, throwing off the blanket and curling his knees to himself shaking uncontrollably as Sobs finally overtook his screaming. Moments later, the door on the other end of the room burst open. ¡°WHAT THE FUCK!! Was all Benjamin could scream as the hulking green monster burst into the room. Benjamin threw himself into a corner, back against the wall. His eyes frantically searched for any makeshift weapon.


    ¡°PEACE!! Easy there pink skin..¡± the thing in front of Benjamin said, deep rumbling voice resonating inside the small confined space. ¡°You are safe here¡­. Calm yourself, you will not be harmed.¡± Benjamin stopped, less out of reassurance and more from pure shock. The being in front of him was speaking to him.. Benjamin could understand him, yet he was acutely aware of the fact that the language was not anything he had ever experienced before.


    Stranger yet was the being itself. It appeared male, and stood less than an inch shorter than Benjamin. Dark, almost pine tree green eyes punctuated a square jaw and smallish nose, and upward facing tusks. A dark green complexion, almost as dark as his eyes rippled with lean power, but lacked the mass that Benjamin had put on in the last two years. The being before him looked like a fantasy orc¡­ if someone had forgotten to give them absurd muscles, heavy brows and severe underbites. If anything, the being appeared to be a hybrid of Orc and Elf from fantasy book Benjamin red as a kid. Small but decidedly pointed ears protruded out of crudely cut Black hair. This vaguely Orc like male was wearing clothes, a simple grey tunic and brown leather pants. Both were roughly made but serviceable.


    ¡°Are you ok, pink skin.¡± The being spoke. His language rolled and rumbled, edged with guttural accents that reminded Benjamin of several different languages. He did not hear his new acquaintance in English, however his mind responded to the words; translating them almost like he was back visiting his dad¡¯s side of the family in Finland.


    ¡°Who the¡­ who are you.¡± Benjamin finally got out, surprised to hear his own voice return his thoughts in this strange language. That realization triggered his memories all over again, and the violent flashback left him shaking.


    ¡°Do you not hear me, pink skin. I am Jukha. I found you.¡± The being stated. ¡°Who are you in return.¡±


    ¡°Ben, short for Benjamin.¡±


    ¡°Well Ben short for Benjamin. Please, calm yourself and sit. I¡¯m afraid you did not come with any clothes, my bound will be making some of my spare garments larger for you. It is not yet early morning. Rest, pink skin. I will come check on you when the sun wakes.¡± Jukha said, turning and closing the door behind him without waiting for reply.


    Ben stood there for several more moments, waiting to see if this was a dream¡­ nothing happened and soon Ben¡¯s body began to shake uncontrollably as his body purged the adrenaline that it had used to wake him from his nightmare.


    Except, it wasn¡¯t a nightmare. The last time he was awake, he was bleeding out with his head in his sister¡¯s lap as she frantically tried to save him. His mind would not relent, playing his own final moments again before adding in whatever it was that had transpired after. Ben remembered it, he just wasn¡¯t sure he believed it. He dared not sleep again, and soon the first rays of the day began to shine in through the window.


    Benjamin did not stir, watching the long streak of amber as it traced its way across the wall. He lost all sense of time, His mind holding him captive as he was forced to repeatedly relive his own death. He did not here the knock at the door. His eyes and ears blinded by the turmoil inside, He was motionless as another entity entered the room, touching him on the arm softly. ¡°Been¡¯jaymene


    ?¡±


    Benjamin was ripped out of his stupor with a start, flinging himself backward wide eyed as he registered someone next to him for the first time.


    ¡°Been¡¯Jaymene? My bound asked me to fix some of his garments for you. I did not wish to scare you¡± The voice was soft, almost velvet. Benjamin finally focused on who was in front of him, only to inhale in surprise and confusion. She stood barely 5 feet tall, Her skin was a dark tanned complexion with faint speckling about her cheeks, neck, arms and legs that seemed to shimmer in different colors as she regarded him in concern. Her eyes were slightly larger than a her face would suggest proportional, with a small sharp nose, high cheekbones and a smallish mouth with full lips. She wore a green roughly made halter top made of leather covering her small but not nonexistent chest before flaring out into a black cloth skirt.


    ¡°I¡­ I apologize,¡± Ben stammered, bunching up the blanket around his waist in a belated attempt at modesty, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not myself. Thank you for the clothes¡± He barely got out before the woman flared out 4 pairs of shimmering wings not unlike that of a dragonfly and began to flutter them slightly, performing a quick surprised rearward hover after Benjamin reached out, taking the offered clothing..


    ¡°You speak Orcish?¡± She asked in surprise. ¡°I have yet to meet a being such as yourself. I am Vilora, life bound mate of Jukha.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m. Benjamin. I¡¯m¡­ not sure what I am. You may just call me Ben, if my name is difficult for you to pronounce.¡± Vilora raised an eyebrow as he pronounced his name, ¡°I¡­ I do not know where I am, or how long I have been here. Am I¡­ Am I dead?¡± Ben looked up into her eyes as he asked, ¡°I need to know¡­ Is this the afterlife? Is this heaven or.. Somewhere else.¡±


    Vilora¡¯s eyes widened at his question, ¡°This is not the afterlife, Ben. This is the ¡®Fegilis Arborillium¡¯.¡± She paused at Benjamins confused expression, ¡°Apologies, that is its name in my peoples tongue. In Orcish it would be called the Feral Wood. We are a half days walk from the village that jukha hunts for¡­ Do you not know your own lands?¡±


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°I am¡­ very far from home.¡± Benjamin stated finally. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of this place. I¡¯ve never seen anyone that looks like Jukha, or you. What¡­ What are you.¡±


    ¡°I am Feylafiulda. In Orcish that would translate to a Farie.¡± Vilora stated giving a small hovering spin. ¡°Dress, Ben¡¯Jamin. Jukha needs help in the skinning yard, He wishes to speak since you no longer slumber.¡± She said, giving him a very serious look before shivering and departing.


    Ben slowly slipped out from the fur blanket, pulling on the slightly scratchy tunic and pants. They were just a touch larger than would be fitting, but they did not fall off; and Ben slowly stepped out of the room for the first time since he awoke. He stepped into a simple combined living room and kitchen with a fireplace at one end, and an iron stove in the kitchen that appeared to be capable of holding cooking pots on its top. Vilora was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of something savory, but completely foreign in aroma. ¡°He waits for you. Out the door, and to the left past the pigs.¡± Ben nodded a thank you and stepped out of the log cabin into the unrepentant ambiance of a subsistence farm. The aroma¡¯s assailed Ben with a familiar scent as he passed the pens and came face to face with what he had learned was the Orc that had found him.


    ¡°Ah, Ben short for Benjamin. I see you finally awoke from your slumber. I was beginning to wonder if you were a nightborn.¡±


    ¡°Just Ben will do, Nightborn?¡± Benjamin asked, still uncomfortable with the language coming from his own mouth.


    ¡°You don¡¯t, Oh.¡± Jukha said, walking over to Ben with a butchering knife in hand. Ben took a single step back and readied himself and Jukha froze momentarily as the intention of violence registered. He followed Bens steady gaze to his knife. ¡°Ah, I see you are not an innocent. My apologies.¡± The Orc Flicked the knife back towards the hanging animal, smoothly impaling the blade into the wall next to it. ¡°Ben, what is the last thing you remember.¡± The Orc walked up slowly, spreading his hands in a peaceful nature before slowly inspecting Ben¡¯s arms, face and body for any signs of a struggle. ¡°You look remarkably untouched for one whom violence has so clearly flailed.¡±


    ¡°The last thing I remember was three men, sho¡­. Fighting with me. I believe they were there to violate my little sister.¡± Jukha¡¯s eyes snapped to Benjamin¡¯s as the vitriol registered. ¡°I¡­ I killed them..¡± Bengamin paused, fighting another flashback down, ¡°But I thought they killed me too... until..¡± flashes of a light born female, and their conversation burst through his mind. ¡°Then I woke up in your home.¡± Ben lied.


    Jukha caught it, eyeing up Ben with a piercing gaze. ¡°Benjamin, please. No falsehoods, if you wish to keep your secrets do so. But be forthright about them. It is one of the greatest transgressions a man of worth can commit.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I understand. Yes, there is more. It is hard to even think about. I still feel the pain, even in memory, and I fear for my sister. I am sorry.¡± Benjamin answered, bowing his head slightly.


    ¡°A falsehood born of pain and fear can be forgiven, once.¡± The Orc said after a moment. ¡°Come, working with one¡¯s hands tends to salve the mind.¡± He picked up a second knife and more slowly turned its handle toward Benjamin.


    Benjamin was no stranger to skinning game, but he followed Jukha¡¯s instructions with this animal he knew nothing about. Soon the beast was skinned and quartered, separated onto different racks to cure properly. Jukha nodded in approval, ¡°Your skills with an animal are practiced.¡±


    ¡°I hunted when I was younger, but I haven¡¯t been out in a few years now.¡± Ben stated, washing his hands of the animals bodily fluids after cleaning the knife he was given and slipping it back into its home in the shed. ¡°I¡¯ve hunted a few animals close to this size, but I¡¯ve not seen a beast such as this.¡±


    Jukha gave him a glance, ¡°Truth? Yarkinal Deer are quite common just about everywhere in the Realm.¡±


    ¡°Im.. I¡¯m from very, very far away.¡± Ben said slowly, ¡°I would like to just leave it at that.¡±


    Jukha grunted a nod, stowing his own tools before guiding the two back toward the cabin, ¡°I need to get the Yar-Deer into town by sundown. I would welcome the company.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see the harm. I need to learn the lay of the land sooner or later.¡± Ben offered, garnering a snort from Jukha.


    ¡°Lay of the land, I¡¯ve never heard that turn of tongue; but it has a nice simplicity to it.¡± Jukha said as the two stepped into the house to the smell of something truly delicious being spooned into a set of bowls. ¡°I¡¯ll not have my ¡®Yor¡¯krivlas travel to town without a full mid-day gullet.¡± Vilora called, walking over to the two with her wings buzzing slightly. ¡°Stew is ready. I¡¯ve Jerky and Tack in your travel bag as well, enough for the two of you.¡±


    Jukha waved off the question on Benjamins face as they were ushered to the small rough hewn table and chairs. ¡°So an Orc and a Farie. I¡¯m not sure I would have ever guessed that match.¡±


    ¡°You know of our kind?¡± Volira asked between bites, ¡°You told me that you had never seen one of my people before.¡±


    ¡°Its¡­ Complicated.¡± Ben started, ¡°Where I am from, your species don¡¯t exist. We have stories, works of fiction with creatures named after the two of your people, and many more. But they are only the imagination of writers and storytellers.¡± Ben paused.. ¡°My sister loved those stories.. When she was young, She made me read Tolkien at bedtime after¡­.¡± Another flashback began and Ben knew he was along for the ride.


    He began to sweat as the memories tore through his mind, and he was along for the ride. He was seeing everything from his own eyes perspective up until he heard his sister scream, he jumped up from his bed but looked on in confused horror as his body left him behind, headed toward the door. He felt the pain of the first glancing gunshot, but this time he heard a quiet gasp from next to him. He looked to his left to see Volira, right hand clamped onto his left hard enough to whiten her knuckles. Her wings were glowing brightly but not moving as she hovered next to him in his own memory. The two of them stayed rooted in place as Ben¡¯s memory self frantically ripping through his closet to get to the tall thin gun safe in the back, a females ever present screams goading him on. A familiar weapon seemed to appear in his hand as he ran to his bed, pulling a loaded Drum magazine from under it, slamming it into the weapon before charging the open bolt Lage. Both of them heard it ¡°knock knock, fucker¡± and they could only watch as Benjamin¡¯s memory unleashed hellfire and supersonic metal into his closed door before Bens memory kicked open the door, and stepped into the hall.


    Three weapons roared as one, and Benjamin watched himself take hit after hit while still holding the bucking machine gun with grim determination. He felt every round hit, and just as he was about to fall, a strange lurching sensation ripped him out of the flashback. Across from him sat Volira, wings glowing, her two eyes locked on his with a third blazing in between her brows. She just stared for a long moment before pulling her hand from his, bringing it to her mouth as her third eye closed and tears began to form in her other two. She was breathing heavily, her wings sagging as she fought to contain the physiological repercussions of what had just happened.


    Benjamin just looked back at her in a mix of awe, confusion and sorrow as the sharp pain of seeing the loss of his whole life flash in front of his eyes again. He had heard of some of Dad¡¯s Veteran friends describe this phenomenon, but now he truly understood why they hated fireworks, refused to talk about their tours, and despised medals ceremonies.


    ¡°Volira, Are you ok?¡± Jukha looked between Ben and his Mate. ¡°Benjamin, what happened. Where were you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Ben stuttered, ¡°A memory¡­ One I wish did not haunt me as it does. One I was not ready to share.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ so sorry¡­¡± It was Volira. She was no longer weeping, and her eyes held his with a steadiness he seemed forced to reciprocate. ¡°I did not intend that. I¡­ felt the turmoil in your soul and sought to comfort you. Your mind is¡­ different than other peoples of the Realm. I did not mean tread into your memory¡± Benjamin began to say something, but she held up her hand, ¡°You do not need to speak the unspeakable. Know this, your memory will be taken to my grave. It is yours to tell as you see fit. I swear this.¡± She held Benjamin¡¯s gaze for a long moment before nodding, changing the subject, ¡°I see your food will have to wait. I¡¯ll add some jerky to the packs for later. Go! You can¡¯t afford to be late!¡± She sho¡¯ed the two of them out the door.


    ¡°Ben, I¡¯ll be just a moment. I wish to give my bound a proper goodbye.¡± Jukha let Ben move ahead of him and pulled Volira into a passion filled kiss. ¡°Are you truly ok, my love.¡±


    ¡°I am¡­ but¡­¡± Volira pulled him close, ¡°I saw something¡­ I¡¯m not completely sure¡­ He¡­. He ¡­¡± she paused, gathering herself, ¡°I think he is H¡¯mureanis¡±


    Jukha stiffened. The Farie were the longest lived of all, and they were the only ones left whom had the living memory of the dark times from the Age of the H¡¯mure. The species ruled with an Iron fist for over 4,000 years before being driven into the eastern sea by a combined army of every other race in the Realm. It was believed that there was nothing but the edge of the world past the eastern sea¡­ but if they were wrong¡­ If one was back. ¡°I will kill him, He already lied to me once. It was a small one, excusable because of his obvious trauma¡­ but¡­¡±


    ¡°NO.¡± The word was soft but carried a resonance through Jukha¡¯s soul. ¡°I may not know if he truly is one of the H¡¯mure¡­ He has gone through something unspeakable, and¡­ I felt the touch of the Olde Ones.¡± Volira¡¯s reverence in her last statement widened Jukha¡¯s eyes. It had been over 1500 years since the H¡¯mure were defeated, almost as long since the Olde Ones showed themselves to the people for the last time. If this Benjamin was touched by Cosmos¡­


    ¡°I will not touch him as long as he gives me no cause to¡­ but, we will need answers before long.¡± Jukha relented, turning to head out to the Floxorin pulled wagon. The shaggy bovine beast bawled softly at his presence. ¡°Are we ready, Benjamin?¡± Jukha asked, putting on a practiced calm.


    ¡°I guess so, pelts and quarters. Snacks, and travel rolls. At least we don¡¯t have to Ruck it.¡± Ben responded.


    Jukha ignored the odd turn of phrase, instead nodding approvingly and clicking his tongue. The wagon lurched as the Floxorin started to pull, and soon his beloved homestead vanished from sight.

 Chapter 2

    Jukha tried to focus on the two-track road ahead. Benjamin seemed to retreat into himself, and whatever had happened to the pale skinned man tore him away from reality whenever he was not actively engaged with. Actively speaking to the possible H¡¯mure was the last thing Jukha wanted to do, so he contented himself with the relative silence. His wagon creaked and rattled slightly, and the flox knew the well-travelled way. Jukha mulled over what his beloved had told him. Benjamin did not look like the artist rendition of the of the H¡¯mureanis of old. He had no fiery red eyes, His hair was a Firey red, but that wasn¡¯t correct either. All the H¡¯mure tales boasted of a beast of long flowing golden locks, claws from its fingertips and long downward facing fangs that were rumored to inject toxic venom into their victims for fun as well as for killing. Benjamin was distinctly lacking in these characteristics. Yes, the pink skin was powerfully built, but his teeth were largely flat and rounded. His fingernails ended at the tips of his fingers, equally unimpressively blunt. His eyes were a vibrant green and lacked the viscous edge of the historical artwork. They seemed hollow, empty, devoid of true malice even when he prepared himself for violence upon mistaking the skinning knife for a threat. The only thing he shared with H¡¯mure was his skin, a pale pinkish hue, devoid of all but the thinnest whisps of body hair.


    Benjamin shook himself, life seeming to come back to the present. The trees were alive with song, and the pink skin took a deep breath before turning to Jukha, ¡°So, what do I need to know about this village. I wouldn¡¯t even know if I was stepping on any toes until its too late.¡±


    Jukha raised an eyebrow at another strange expression, ¡°I.. think I get your meaning. Most peoples stick to themselves, and their own cultures can vary widely. Out this far into the wilds, many do not have that luxury in their working lives, and there are a few basic understood rules of decorum. The first, we already have dealt with. Falsehoods are a universal transgression going back to an age of darkness thousands of years ago. Violations of free personhood generally begins at physical touch, although this becomes¡­ loose¡­ this far away from any formal township with a paid guard. In general, if it feels like you shouldn¡¯t do it, don¡¯t; and be willing to protect your own person. We will be together for this trip, but it will not always be so. I suggest we get you at least a dagger or large knife, just in case.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ I do not have anything to purchase such an Item.¡± Ben offered thoughtfully, ¡°perhaps I should inquire about employment.¡±


    ¡°For now, consider a reasonable dagger as payment for aiding me with the skinning and transporting of the Deer. I do not know what jobs you may be suited for, but asking around may not hurt.¡± Jukha sized up Benjamin. ¡°May I ask, what skill do you have, or remember having.¡±


    Benjamin thought for a long moment. ¡°I was in school to learn how to design and make¡­ things. I don¡¯t know if you would have them here. I guess the best way to describe them would be machines. Things made of wood and metal designed to do something like pump water. Or move dirt. This wagon for example. I was in school to learn how to be able to create a better wagon.¡±


    ¡°You seen a bit old to be in school.¡± Jukha offered, ¡°Most everyone out here learns the basics, and a trade. They maybe learn one language to read and right if they are lucky, and that is complete by the age of 10.¡± He thought for a moment. ¡°Was this something more? Like an Artificer¡¯s academy, or the Realms Literary Academy?¡±


    ¡°Something closer to that.¡± Benjamin confirmed, ¡°I did not start this schooling until I was 18 years old. Before that sounds like what you describe, the basics.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Well, I do not know if your skills will be useful. You could hunt for money, like myself, but the village already has three.¡± Jukha slowed the cart as a small wooden wall with lanterns fixed atop it came into view. ¡°I¡¯m sure you will find something. For now, let us meet with the innkeep.¡± The cart was at a walking pace from the previous trot, and Benjamin tried not to stare, past them walked an 8 ft tall seemingly lanky being made of stone. Its arms seemed to overly large in proportion to its body, with its wrists reaching its knee¡¯s ending in bulbus hands that looked like they could be clenched into a respectable mace if needed. Its eyes seemed to be made of a quartz geode pattern with dark Irises and a piercing gaze. The lumbering being met his gaze with equal curiosity as it passed the cart, headed out of the village.


    ¡°Garvak! How goes the mining!¡± Jukha called to the lanky stone skinned creature, who paused to turn to him.


    A voice that reminded Ben of a rockslide echoing through a deep valley in the Rockies responded in a slow language that he could not understand. Jakhu seemed to smile and nod at the response, ¡°Congratulations are in order then. A new vane will be welcome for many.¡±  Another echoing avalanche followed while Jakhu glanced at Ben. ¡°He is a recent acquaintance. He helped me quarter my latest hunt. He is new to this area and looking for work.¡± The lanky rock creature nodded before giving a parting rumble and resuming his trek out of the village.


    Jakhu noticed Ben¡¯s expression and chuckled, ¡°She is a¡± the Orc uttered a poor imitation of the rumbling language, ¡°In Orcish, the closest translation would be Child of the Mountain. Most other races just call them Mountain Trolls. Do you have trolls in your people¡¯s fiction stories?¡±


    ¡°We did, but they were nothing like that. They were usually large and fat, lived under bridges or in mountains, were incredibly stupid, and turned to stone if they were caught in direct daylight.¡± Benjamin smiled sadly as the conversation brought his sister back to mind. She truly did love classic fantasy stories.


    Jukha just laughed heartily, ¡°Your people have a wild imagination, but it might be best to keep any preconceptions to yourself. The Children of the Mountain are one of the more intelligent races in the Realm, and expert miners.¡±


    Ben just nodded, silently wondering just how many more creatures he would meet that shared the names from Tracy¡¯s beloved stories. He wondered what they would look like as the wagon grumbled to a halt in front of a roughhewn wooden building that stood two stories tall, looking more like a double-decker log cabin than an Inn. The odor of stables and thrown refuse intensified the further they travelled into town punctuating its presence as the side stable opened and yet another new creature revealed itself to Benjamin. It was a furry creature, about 4 feet tall and had a face like what Benjamin imagined a humanized Fruit Bat would look like. The being wore males clothing, waddling slightly on its shorter legs, but sported an extra pair of arms and hands. One pair of hands carried a round tuber looking plant of some kind while the other pair carried a halter line. ¡°Jukha! Back so soon? You haven¡¯t found a new nectar hole, have you?¡± The being chittered flashing a mouth full of small but sharp teeth. Somehow, the higher pitched rolling chitter mixed with what he had learned was the Orcish language seemed to clash violently. If Jukha thought the same he did not show it, instead hopping down to greet the being, ¡°Chorren! I thought you were home helping with the new clutch!¡±


    ¡°I was¡± chittered ¡®Chorren¡¯, ¡°Teeka, got tired of me. Told me to go make more coin for the hatchlings.¡± Chorren rubbed the Flox¡¯s nose tossing the strange treat into its mouth as it bawled appreciatively. ¡°After all, She didn¡¯t marry me for my skills with raising children, only making them.¡± Jukha snorted at the joke.


    ¡°We will be staying the night, Chorren. Same as always?¡± Jukha asked hopping down and nodding to Ben.


    ¡°Indeed. 4 bronze for hay and board, 6 if you would like a hook up in the morning.¡± Chorren answered rubbing the Flox affectionately as the Ben and Jukha collected the skin and the sacks of quartered deer.


    Juhka seemed to think for a minute before deciding. ¡°6 will do as always, Chorren. See you at mid-morning. This is Benjamin, a new acquaintance. I¡¯ll be showing him around the village and helping him see if he can find work. He is far from home.¡±


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Howdy.¡± Ben mumbled raising a quick hand in greeting.


    Chorren cocked his head for a moment before shrugging, ¡°You are a strange one. Greetings. You speak Orcish, but You look like No Orc I have met.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Not entirely sure what I am anymore¡­¡± Benjamin just shrugged.


    ¡°Hmm, well you look like an Albino. Jukha¡¯s people occasionally bring pink Orcs into the world. Your eyes are about the right color, weird hair though.¡± Chorren prattled, walking up to take a look at Ben. ¡°I guess if you don¡¯t know what you are, an Albino is as good a name as any.¡±


    Benjamin only shrugged uncomfortably. Being reminded that he may not be human anymore only served to elevate his heart rate, threatening to bring back another of those horrible flashbacks. ¡°I guess it will have to do.¡± He managed, turning quickly to follow Jukha into the establishment.


    It took Benjamin his entire force of will not freeze in the entrance. Several races were inside, in various states of either relaxing, eating, or drinking. Several Orcs, 6 inches taller than Jukha and almost double his weight by Benjamin¡¯s eye sat in a corner. They would have met the stereotype of Tracy¡¯s stories except for one thing. They were objectively handsome, and wore shining, well kept armor with a code of arms. Immaculately kept weapons either rode at their sides or were leaned up against the wall within arm¡¯s reach. Their eyes tracked him with practiced scrutiny, showing careful neutrality.


    The Rest of the establishment was less civilized. Several new to Benjamin races stared back at him, several men, with roughhewn faces, bald heads and large wide beards that seemed to writhe on their own, adorned themselves with a pair of extremely thin, almost to the point of starving, women that appeared to be not much older than his sister. Matted greyish purple hair draped across their faces, and their bodies were loosely covered in course dresses that, in Ben¡¯s previous life, barely would have counted as a potato sack with holes cut for head and arms. They might have been pretty girls at one time, but emaciation, bruises and scraped skin spoke to a much more brutal existence. Several more girls from this same thin, fragile race seemed to exist in various states of neglect. Some of them were dressed in more finery, accompanied by a male of the same level of adornment, but everyone, to a face, wore the same hopeless expression.


    Less prevalent, were tall red skinned women with a pair of horns extending from powerful forarms drinking in the opposite corner, and Benjamin noticed they wore chains attached to their belts. These chains ran to a clasp around the necks of what appeared to be males from several species, including ones from the men sitting not 20 feet away, and at least one of the bat race. One man seemed to be almost the same race as the women in rags, and all of the chained males were dressed in nothing but a loin cloth, covered in matted hair and bruised skin. ¡®Slaves¡¯ Benjamin seethed internally. Human history was littered with slavery of all races and creeds. From the Vikings taking slaves during their raids on Europe, to both the Muslims and Christians of the Crusade era taking their own human property as perverted spoils of war, to the African slave trade of the 16<sup>th</sup>, 17<sup>th, </sup>18<sup>th</sup> and early 19<sup>th</sup> centuries. Even today, in the more reclusive parts of Earth, dehumanizing practice, renamed ¡°Human Trafficking¡±, was still alive and well.


    He recognized the evil in front of him, and it boiled his blood¡­ He stood there trying not to lash out, knowing full well the room would not respond with the intent of his survival. He needed to stay calm, find a way out¡­


    Jukha rapped Benjamin on the back, seemingly noticing the pink skin¡¯s reaction, ¡°Come Ben, let us make our sale and retire for the night.¡± Their eyes met, and Benjamin realized the Jukha was both agreeing with Benjamin¡¯s reaction and protecting him from doing anything foolish.


    Benjamin took a deep breath and nodded.  The rest of the occupants were interesting in their own right. A Wolf seemed to be content sitting at the bar nursing a beverage, A few more of those 4 armed fruit bat people, and one very long fingered, almost arachnid looking individual with large eyes and an extra pair of legs were among the congregation of races staring at Benjamin as he walked alongside Jukha to a second Arachnid being behind the counter. ¡°Mi¡¯kivixus, I see you have a lively evening ahead of you.¡± The Orc raised an eyebrow that seemed to encompass the mass of living beings in the.


    ¡°Jukha, you know my full name irritates me. Why do you harass me so...¡± The musical female voice startled Benjamin out of his anger, looking up at her sharply as Jukha laughed.


    ¡°That, is why I do so. Dearest Mi¡¯ki, meet Benjamin, my newest acquaintance and the one responsible for aiding me in getting you the freshest kill you will have seen in quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Oh, hoh? Well met Benjamin.¡± the Arachnid Innkeeper huffed, as Jukha pulled a corner of a flank out of one of the sacks they both were carrying. A quick swipe of a clawed finger, and Mi¡¯ki slipped a sliver of meat into her mandibles. ¡°Oh. Less than a week, cured well, this will do nicely. I can give you 3 silver 20.¡± She said quickly.


    ¡°Make it 5 silver, and the rooms for a night.¡± Jukha responded without hesitation, smiling widely at their customary game.


    ¡°4, and the rooms and breakfast for the two of you¡± Mi¡¯ki clicked her mandibles a few times.


    ¡°Always a pleasure doing business with you. We have an accord.¡± Jukha smiled shaking one dangerously sharp looking flawed hand/appendage. A second clawed hand withdrew a pair of large keys and placed them on the bar.


    ¡°The two room at the end of the east hall.¡± She said quickly. ¡°Have a wonderful slumber.¡± She almost Coo¡¯d at Jukha, intentionally making the Orc uncomfortable. The two of them dropped the quartered meat in the back room, retaining the pelt and ascending the stairs towards their rooms. Benjamin took one key, handing the other to Jukha. The Orc opened his room and put a hand on Benjamin¡¯s shoulder as his hands shook slightly as he attempted to open his own door


    ¡°Benjamin...¡± Jukha asked cautiously.


    ¡°Jukha¡­ If you are worried about me going back down, there¡­ Don¡¯t, but I think I need to be alone right now.¡± Benjamins didn¡¯t look at Jukha, finally getting the key in the lock and disappearing into the door. The door clicked shut and Benjamin started hyper ventilating. ¡®What the fuck¡­¡¯ He stumbled to the basic bed in the room, sitting down as he stared at his hands. His knuckles were almost pure white atop the fists he clenched. It was too much, His soul burned with a fury he could barely contain; and he hurled the key across the room just to see it freeze in mid air. Slowly, a glowing orb formed around the key heating it red hot before it fell to the floor hissing as it burned the wood.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Benjamin breathed. The figure who had pulled him from his own death, The one who had requested his soul slowly coalesced inside his room.


    ¡°Son of Terra¡­¡± That familiar voice said, ¡°Now you see, but the surface¡­¡±


    ¡°But what am I to do? Slavery, in the open¡­ flaunted¡­ and yes, I know what those... slaves¡­ were purchased for.¡± Benjamin growled.


    ¡°This is only a symptom. What do you know of the H¡¯mure.¡± The being asked.


    ¡°Nothing, I know nothing of this world other than the one tongue I learned as a fluke of where I arrived.¡± Benjamin pierced her with a glare, ¡°You promised to help me where you could, I¡¯m calling in that marker.¡± For the first time, he saw the being of light take a small step back before responding.


    Sol sighed, ¡°It would be better if you learned of this world¡¯s history from the people who reside in it. I¡­ cannot tell it too you.¡±


    Benjamin surged to his feet; his voice cold. ¡°You can¡¯t ¡®tell it to me¡¯? You claim to be my planets FUCKING SON, the star it orbits¡­ and you can¡¯t be bothered to give me a history lesson!?!¡±


    ¡°It is not that simple. The star you call Sol is my body in your physical universe, but It is also my body in this one as well as countless others.¡± Sol stated overpowering the fear a mere mortal had somehow manifested in her.


    Benjamin wanted to shrug her away, but he did not. She put a hand on his shoulder, ¡°I¡¯m not on another world am I.¡± He breathed. The realization drove him back into sitting on the bed. ¡°This¡­ This is Earth¡­ or¡­ some version of it...¡±


    ¡°Yes and No. I am sorry, Son of Terra; but I am bound by a code older than your big bang in this. I can still give you aid within my power.¡± Sol answered softly.


    ¡°What good is it if I don¡¯t know what your allowed to do.¡± Benjamin snarled shrugging off her hand and pacing the room. ¡°I¡¯m alone, probably dead¡­ In a ¡®Realm¡¯ that flaunts people as their own personal property¡­ I have no resources, no weapons, no back up, no contacts¡­ I don¡¯t even know enough of the languages to properly start a movement¡­¡± He stomped up to a literal star, ¡°I.. Have¡­ Nothing¡­¡±


    ¡°Ask, Son of Terra. Ask and I will see if I can give. That is all I can promise.¡± Sol replied, meeting his gaze.


    Benjamin began pacing. ¡°I need intel, that you cannot give me. And I will need an edge. I need¡­ I need..¡± He sat down, his mind racing at the speed of thought. He pushed through all of history, everything from Mesopotamia, to the fall of Rome¡­ From the Crusades, to the War on Terror, there had to be something.


    ¡°The Forest, Son of Terra..¡± Sol¡¯s response froze him. He looked up sharply as her tone registered. She only gazed back at him with an expression that seemed to pierce into his own soul.


    ¡°I know what I need to request of you.¡± Benjamin realized out loud, and Sol stood to approach him. He felt that familiar heat as she closed until their foreheads almost touched.


    ¡°I believe I can grant this...¡± She whispered, clasping the back of his head with her hand, and pressing their foreheads together. ¡°Now sleep, Son of Terra.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Benjamin woke up the next morning, wondering if the previous night had been a dream. It was a welcome respite from the constant nightmares of late. He groaned, sitting up slowly and stumbling toward a small wash bucket of relatively clean water sitting on a sorry replacement for a sink. Something clinked under his foot, pausing his listless lumber. He lifted his foot to find the key to his room, shifted from a perfect charred outline on the floor. Ben slowly knelt to pick it up, ¡°So, not a dream.¡± He murmured to himself, shivering slightly at the implication. He washed his face and armpits quickly; it would have to do for the time being. He silently hoped there was a river or a stream nearby as he was rapidly becoming unable to stand his own smell. He was just finishing up when a loud thumping echoed three times, ¡°Benjamin! Do you live, pink skin!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m awake,¡± Ben bawled back unlocking and opening the door to see Jukha¡¯s raised eyebrow.


    The Orc chuckled, ¡°We can clean the road off us later, Lets go. I have some iron arrowheads to replace, and you need a dagger, and coin.¡± He turned with a wave of the hand, ¡°Come, The ForgeMaster lost his latest apprentice. Maybe you will have luck there.¡±


    ¡°Is that like a blacksmith? I¡¯ve never done any work remotely similar to that.¡± Ben asked as they stepped down the stairs into the ground of the Inn. It was early, and thankfully most of the peoples Benjamin had seen last night were not present. It did not stop shadows from echoing in his face as they departed.


    Jukha seemed to either not notice or choose to push Benjamin from his thoughts, ¡°You said that your academy training was in making machines and other things right?¡±


    ¡°Well, Yes; after a fashion.¡± Benjamin stated. ¡°Its, complicated.¡±


    ¡°Well, it cant hurt to see.¡± Jukha sighed, walking along side Benjamin for several more paces, ¡°You¡¯re, not a fan of slavery, are you. I¡¯ve seen it in your face; ¡®was worried I would have to keep you from tryin¡¯ to kill someone last night.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Benjamin hesitated, worried about how much of his earth he would say before becoming seen as a loon, or worse. ¡°Where I come from, most places will throw you in prison for trying to own another person. My great great grandfathers fought a war over it. They left their home in disgust to fight against their own kin, because of slavery.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ I see. Unfortunately, the Realm is unwilling to ban slavery. Too much of the more¡­ civilized¡­ provinces would rise up if they did. You saw those girls, the thin ones.¡± Jukha paused.


    Ben immediately tensed up, ¡°I did. I know what they were for...¡± He growled.


    ¡°Be warned Benjamin.¡± Jukha stated in a low voice, ¡°There is much history behind their bondage. Their kind chose the wrong side in a war, generations gone. It is the reason that few of their people live outside of chains.¡± Benjamin speared Jukha with a viscous gaze, but the Orc continued, ¡°I don¡¯t like it, I think they have been punished enough; but most peoples you will meet do not share this view. Tread carefully, pink skin. Most of the Realm does not see them as a people. And the rest, they are usually paying of a debt, being punished for a crime, or were born into it. In that way, anyone can end up a slave.¡±


    Benjamin understood the tone of Jukha¡¯s statement. He was but one man. Benjamin needed to learn more. ¡®Dam Sol, I need to know more about this Realm, This world. This conflict Jukha talks about.. dammit!! I know nothing!¡¯ Benjamin cursed himself inwardly for not pressing his guardian angel, the fucking Sun if she were to be believed, about the details of this place. The smell of smoke, oil, and hot metal broke Ben from his brooding. The two of them stepped into a dark shop from which the odors were emanating.


    Yet a new language bawled and growled from the back, and a man from the same race as the ones holding the slave girls rounded the corner in a full-on tirade that Benjamin could not understand. Anger flared for a moment in Ben¡¯s chest, but he crushed it soundly. The blacksmith was the same race, but a different man altogether. Ben chose to keep his eyes open.


    ¡°Qort! You wound me! I brought you a new apprentice!¡± Jukha smiled widely, slapping Benjamin firmly enough between the shoulder blades to force him to take a step forward.


    ¡°Aye, did ye?¡± The Blacksmith spoke back in Orcish, eyeing Benjamin, ¡°Ye don¡¯ look¡¯ike much. Y¡¯ever swung¡¯a Hammer, boy?¡±


    ¡°A hammer yes,¡± Benjamin started, ¡°For blacksmithing? Never¡± he finished, remembering this world¡¯s sensitivity to lies.


    The Blacksmith walked closer, Stroking the strange wriggling beard before snatching up Benjamin¡¯s right hand and turning it over in his rough fingers. ¡°Aye, You¡¯ll bleed fer¡¯ta first week¡¯or so.¡± He reached up, and grabbed Ben by the shoulders, almost inspecting him for signs of strength. ¡°but, Ye¡¯ll do. a silver¡¯a month, room and board provided. Ye¡¯ll be up¡¯at ta¡¯sun, n¡¯down well after it sleeps. What say¡¯yee.¡±


    Benjamin glanced over the Jukha, who only shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s a pretty fair deal for unskilled labor.¡± Benjamin was about to voice his concerns, but something caught his attention. Looking across the blacksmith shop he saw various metal pieces strewn about, but that was not what Ben noticed. He felt oddly drawn to this place. He stared into the fire roaring in the Forge, almost singing to him¡­ ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll do it.¡± The words fell out of his mouth before Benjamin could think to stop them.


    ¡°Good! Now, albino, wha¡¯do Ah Call¡¯yee.¡± The Forgemaster smiled broadly enough for Ben to see his dull yellow teeth from under his strange living hair of a beard. Ben raised an eyebrow at ¡®albino¡¯ and The Qort only laughed a rolling thunderous laugh, ¡°Ah Know an Albino¡¯n I see¡¯on. Don¡¯worry boy, It matt¡¯rs not to me. Just that yee¡¯can work.¡±


    ¡°Benjamin, my name is Benjamin. Just call me Ben.¡± Ben responded with bemusement. He wasn¡¯t going to argue what he was when, at his core, he truly had no idea. He felt human, he looked human¡­ but it appeared that Human¡¯s weren¡¯t a thing here, so Albino Orc it was. ¡°I don¡¯t really have any belongings. I can start when you need me to.¡±


    ¡°Drive! I like¡¯ee. I¡¯ll-ve fresh beddin¡¯ fer yee by the evenin¡¯. Go ahead¡¯n start wit¡¯tha Broom.¡± Qort waved to the rudimentary broom in the corner. Benjamin suppressed a sigh, having guessed just where he was going to start.


    ¡°On it, boss¡± Benjamin responded, crestfallen. Jukha and Qort shifted to Qort¡¯s native language as Ben began where every bottom level employee begins, sweeping the floors.


    ________________________________________________________________________________________


    The first week was indeed as Qort advertised. Benjamin was the blacksmiths apprentice in the lowliest of definitions. The heavy work, shovelling coal, working the billows, moving heavy armfuls of scale out back as well as fresh metal in took its tole and scabs turned to calluses by the second week. Benjamin could feel his bones creak and his muscles ache as he worked, but the pain was ignored. He watched Qort work with fascination and welcome distraction. Benjamin had learned the name of a new people. His employer was Durranis, or Durr¡¯s (Dure¡¯s) in short, and was indeed the same race as those he saw in the Inn upon his arrival.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Qort had explained that His people tended to either be high level forge masters, or slavers. He cared not one way or the other regarding slavery, and he assumed that anyone who found themselves a slave was simply either unlucky or deserving. Qort also put name to the Realm they resided in. Orcish race was apparently split into two casts. Jukha was apparently part of the cast known as ¡®Orgose¡¯ whom made up the majority of the Orc population. This caste had a manner of honorable vocations; Scholars, Alchemists, Miners, Litigants, teamsters, Textile masters, cobblers, and the like. The second Orc cast were the called ¡°Octorese¡±. They tended to be much taller and stronger than the Orgose, and they had only one of two vocations, soldiers, and nobility. They ruled this Realm, the Octorallus Principality, with what Qort described as a harsh but fair hand.


    The Octorallus Principality was one of several kingdoms Scattered loosely about the ¡°singular¡± landmass ringed in islands. Principality territory extended as far inland as the FeralWood. There were technically borders, according to Qort; but most borderland was largely lawless and largely ignored. The ocean coastline created a natural eastern boundary, and it was dotted with Islands that the Principality nominally claimed if they were inside their northern and southern boundaries.  When Benjamin asked what lies beyond the Islands, the answer was simple. ¡°Aye, there¡¯s only Tha¡¯Edge. N¡¯body com¡¯s Back Frum¡¯it.¡± That had been the end of it in Qort¡¯s mind, but Benjamin was giving a gift of understanding just where this world stood in their development.


    Benjamin swept the floors until the fourth week. The first day of the fourth week, Benjamin finished working the forge starting bellows, but was asked to stay. Qort began breaking down raw iron ore from his latest delivery, and melting it down into ingot pucks. Benjamin found himself oddly entranced by the process, almost as if the forge called to him. It was a strange feeling, born from deep in his chest that almost urged him to reach for the bellows, or ask about adding charcoal. Benjamin forced himself to follow instructions, watching as Qort withdrew the ingots to cool. The week¡¯s new duties continued until the fifth day. This day Qort retained a pair of glowing pucks, hammering them flat before using a wedge to cut the still glowing metal into pieces. Soon he had a stack that he placed back in the forge.


    Benjamin listened to Qort, barely able to pay attention through the distractions of the forge, but he assisted as the Durr hammered out a crude knife, a bit longer than a skinning knife, but not quite a short sword. It had a broad flat single edged blade that would have most closely resembled a drop point on Earth. The blade had a thick spine with a flat that was a bit widely angled. The edge, however, appeared serviceable. Benjamin watched as Qort worked the metal over, before dropping it into an oil bath to quench. The forgemaster slipped a simple small cross guard from his pile of pre forged parts and slipped it over the tang. Qort next selecting a set of wood grip scales, using pair of what Benjamin assumed were brass dowels to serve as anchors. Qort hammered the scales in place before offering the blade to Benjamin. ¡°Finish¡¯t¡± the Durr said simply, but continued upon seeing the confusion of Benjamin¡¯s face, ¡°This¡¯s ta see where¡¯yee fall. N¡¯where Aye need¡¯a start teechin¡¯ yee propper.¡± Quort stated. ¡°Aye¡¯ll be at¡¯tee Inn. Don¡¯ burn down Mee shop¡±


    With that, a stupefied Benjamin was left alone in the Forge, and the Durr Forgemaster departed for the Pub at the bottom of the Inn. Benjamin just stared at the three quarters finished knife. Its wooden handles were ugly square things suck in place by protruding brass dowels. ¡°Finish it, he says. How the fuck do I do..¡± *The forest, Son of Terra* Benjamin reeled around to find himself alone, but not. His eyes fell to the still smoldering forge, and that indescribable feeling returned. It made little since, but he felt himself pulled toward the forge. His mind began to flash through all of his old metal structures and materials classes and the world around him began to blurr. The only thing in clear focus was the knife in his hand, and materials science information flying into his mind as if delivered by a fiber optic cable.  He found himself focusing on the blade, removing the wood and fittings. Concepts flowed, Oxygen, Temperature, carbon¡­ Benjamin watched in both horror and fascination as the metal blade began glowing red hot in his hands. Thermal barrier, Kevlar, airgap separation techniques raced through his mind as the molten metal rose from his finger tips as Benjamin found himself refocusing on his mental image of steel. He knew steel, inside and out. He had worked with it many times during his college courses. This was¡­ different¡­ and Benjamins began sweating as the blade heated up. Heat: 1700C¡­. add oxygen and cabron¡­ agitate¡­ separate¡­ cool¡­ The moment Benjamin thought of the cooling process the glow began to fade from the metal. Soon it touched back down in his hand only slightly warm. He reached for the wood and brass just to find them still in his other hand. They fitted back on perfectly and Benjamin grabbed a file. His fingers were shaking violently, both terrified of what was happening and completely unable to stop. He dropped the file, and as he did, a memory of an old ¡°Bowie¡± knife his dad bought him for his 13<sup>th</sup> birthday flashed into mind. Benjamin shook his head to clear it, looking back toward his task at hand to see the blade hammer itself out as if by invisible stikes. The shape of a bowie knife, complete with furniture, settled onto the table next to Banjamin¡­ and he passed out.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Benjamin. Oi! Pink¡¯skin,¡± Benjamin opened groggy eyes, looking up at the disturbingly wriggling beard of Qort, accompanied by a not-so-subtle smell of ale, ¡°What¡¯ee doin on¡¯a floor o mee Forge.¡±


    ¡°I, Uh.. I passed out..¡± Benjamin mumbled, slowly rising, ¡°I think.. I need to rest.¡± His head was spinning, and his brain hurt in more places than he knew it could. ¡°I feel, ill.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡± grumbled the forgemaster, ¡°Git, yee left a mess. It best¡¯bee cleaned¡¯up by mornin¡¯.¡± Benjamin only nodded weakly, stumbling into his room before face planting into his bed. He was snoring before he landed.


    Qort swore at the mess, but noticed a completed knife lay on the table. He frowned as he approached it. It was not the knife he had given the Albino to finish. It had the same grips, the same dowel material and color. Its handle scales were simply carved but serviceable. It wore the same crossguard, but that cross guard was deburred and semi polished. The blade was a strange shape with its tipped turned up and a small chunk out of its spine. It made for an intimidating sillouette, and Qort picked it up. He was mad at the boy for using his furnace, but could not punish him. His test had been too vague, but this was not the blade of a first timer.. The scales were on properly, and the Cross guard was tight. The balance seemed to be slightly different, and the metal seemed¡­ off¡­ Qort casually reached over to his files, pulling one he usually used to test incoming ore with. He slipped the file over the spine with practiced ease, but froze at the sound. The blade¡­ rang.. it was a small thing, heavily muffled by his own grip on it, but it sounded different from an iron knife, and Qort looked at his file to find its teeth almost completely flattened. This knife his apprentice essentially just reforged, had ruined one of his expensively strong files, and there was no damage to it at all. Qort set the fill down, placing knife next to it with shaking fingers, and turned to watch the Albino apprentice snore loudly in the other room.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin woke with a start, the sun was coming into his window, and that meant he was very late. He stood up quickly realizing he was still wearing his work clothes from the night before and there was no time to change. As he stumbled out to the forge, Benjamin saw Qort, sitting in a chair with unfocused eyes, Idly tapping the knife on an anvil. The blade was held with deftly loose fingers, allowing the metal to ring with each tap. ¡°Benjamin, please sit. I am in dire need of questions answered, and you will be answering them¡± Ben stood stunned, Qorts usual heavy accent was completely gone, replace with a polished Orcish that seemed a touch formal for the small nameless village on the edge of the FeralWood.


    ¡°I..Ok.¡± Benjamin mumbled, slowly walking to a chair that Qort had placed across from him. Benjamin sat slowly, eyeing the knife in Qorts hands as the flood of last nights memories assailed him.


    Qort took a long breath looking at the knife now laying on his Iron Anvil. The unhardened hunk of metal showed the dents and dings of a well used unhardened tool. Benjamin had noticed similar damage on Qort¡¯s metal hammers. ¡°Benjamin, My anvil, and its hammers were gifted to me upon my graduation of the Royal Academy for Iron Works. They are the hardest forms of their material  that is not to brittle for their purpose.¡± He picked up the knife, ¡°This has destroyed every file I have taken to it.. and dented both my anvil, and one of my hammers with a single strike. I will have to reforge the hammer. Tell me truthfully, this is not the same blade I gave you to finish.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± Benjamin started with, ¡°Or at least, it started as that knife.¡±


    ¡°Do not lie to me son. It took me 5 times as long with my finest wet stones to sharpen this blade.¡± Qort state sharply.


    Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°I.. don¡¯t know how to explain it to you, at least not properly¡­ I sear to you that it is the truth.¡±


    Qort growled a humm, standing to pace across his smithery. His eyes fell to the basket on his counter that held some of his spare or undersized ingots. ¡°Show me.¡± He ordered, taking three of them out, handing them to Benjamin who just looked at them. ¡°Show¡­ Me¡­¡± Qort¡¯s voice was deadly serious as he picked up one of his hammers, holding it at his side. Ice cold spikes of fear arced their way down Benjamin¡¯s spine, Jukha¡¯s words on the seriousness of falsehoods ringing in his ears


    .


    ¡°I¡­ OK..¡± Benjamin relented, slowly standing to take the offered pieces of metal and slowly stepped toward the forge. He had no idea what he was doing, and his mind started racing. Qort had started the forge this morning and it sat roaring in front of him as Benjamin stared at the metal in his hands, panicking.


    *The Forest, Son of Terra* Benjamin heard it and spun to Qort in shock, only to see the Durr¡¯s eyebrow quirk in a very ¡®well, I¡¯m waiting¡¯ expression. Benjamin realized that the forgemaster had not heard the same voice. *The Forest* that ethereal voice rang in Benjamins head as he turned back to the forge. His mind seemed to be guided back to that night in the Inn, and he smiled as the familiar pull from the previous night returned.

 Chapter 4

    Benjamin took a deep breath as the steel stiletto dagger sat rapidly cooling in his hand. It was one singular piece of metal with a simple twisted cross guard and a 6inch handle. The blade was an 8 inch triangular profiled blade with a fine point. Benjamin wondered why his mind had chosen this design, but thankfully this ability did not force him to unconsciousness this time. His mind wandered to the conversation with the glowing being that previous night.


    *I believe I can grant this¡­* The memory floated through his head just as a thudding clank brought him back to the present. Benjamin slowly turned to see Qort having dropped his hammer to the ground, and slowly holding out a hand that was ever so slightly shaking. Benjamin handed him the freshly made dagger. Qort took up the blade gently, expertly turning the weapon over in his hands before tapping it on his iron anvil. A familiar ring of carbon steel rang through the shop. ¡°You are touched.¡± He said, reverence evident in his voice.


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know what that means.¡± Benjamin admitted, settling heavily into one of the two chairs, part exhausted and part overwhelmed by what he had just done. ¡°What.. What the fuck did I just do.. What am I¡­¡± Qort looked at him sharply for a moment before realization spread across his face.


    The Durr slowly sat down across from Benjamin, gently placing the dagger next to the bowie knife resting on the anvil. ¡°So, this was your awakening.¡± He stated, taking the utter fear and confusion in Benjamins face as a sign to continue. ¡°Benjamin, you carry a powerful gift, and a powerful curse within you. Tell me Albino, where are you from. One with talent such as yours would have been appropriated by The Principality at a very young age, and you would have been raised in the royal academies.¡±


    ¡°Im¡­¡± Benjamin paused. If what the Forgemaster said was true, along with the rest of the limited information he had been able to learn about this Realm, he needed to be very careful, ¡°I¡¯m from a very long way from here. Outside of the Principality, as it were.¡± He said carefully.


    ¡°I don¡¯t begrudge you your secrets boy, hold them close. I sense no falsehood in you.¡± Qort settled into his chair. ¡°What you bear is both blessing and curse in equal measure, my people call it Mahorri. In Orcish, it is known as Majik¡± He pronounced the final word in two parts, almost out of respect (Ma-JiK). ¡°It is as Rare as it is Dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Where I am from¡­ powers like this only exist in legend and storytellers tales¡± Benjamin breathed, remembering to speak more like the people around him only just in time. He doubted using the term ¡°Fiction¡± in a positive connotation was healthy. ¡°What is¡­ Majik.¡±


    ¡°I see.. Qort said quietly, ¡°Very well. At its core, Majik is knowledge made power. Understanding made a weapon. Wisdom turned physical form.¡± Qort took a deep breath, ¡°Majik is the ability to directly manipulate your surroundings without limit. Majik is the catalyst to shape reality to your will¡­.. if you have the fortitude to learn. Therein lays its curse. You must know what you manipulate, what you shape. You must know it down to the smallest of pieces. You must be able to form your desire accurately in your mind down to the smallest detail, or risk failure, agony or death.¡± Qort paused letting his words sink in.


    ¡°What¡­ I¡­ How can I have this Majik, I¡¯ve never¡­.¡± His voice trailed off slowly, looking down at his clenching and opening hands, remembering the ethereal being who sent him here... and her words.


    ¡°Many of the touched go years without awakening, some never awaken at all. Many many more do not survive their awakening, turning themselves to stone, dismembering a friend or a loved one then killing themselves. Some go mad, or worse, insane. Some kill themselves because they lack the discipline to learn.¡± Qort finished.


    ¡°To learn?¡± Benjamin asked carefully leaning closer, semi terrified of his own body.


    ¡°Yes, it is why many call Majik a curse. You must learn, Benjamin. You must have both the discipline to study your desires in great detail, and the discipline to refuse to act on your desires until you know them better than you know yourself. Anything less is lethal to the Touched as well as to those around him.¡± Qort answered. ¡°If you are willing to learn, and the raw components exists at hand, a Touched can bend natural law to their will, and reshape their own reality¡­. IF¡± Qort raised a finger, ¡°They truly know how.¡± The Durr picked up the steel blades on the anvil, holding them out to Benjamin, ¡°These are yours, I am honored to provide the materials for awakening.¡±


    Benjamin took them gently took the blades, setting them in his lap, ¡°How do you know this about Majik. If This Majik is as powerful as you claim, why is it not in everyday life?¡±


    Qort just chuckled, ¡°Oh it is, but many simply use small amounts of Majik on instinct. A baker being extremely good at making pastries, will likely use small amounts of Majik without knowing it as he pursues his craft with hand and sweat. He knows his pastries; they are his whole life. He simply does not recognize that his batter smooths more quickly, or that the sugar mixes more freely into his dough than it should. A weapons master may not recognize that his understanding of the art of the sword allows him to see what his opponent is doing slightly before everyone else. It is only the ones who willfully flaunt Natural law, such as you have, who get noticed. And they, are singular beings among dozens of thousands of souls. They, are the touched.¡±


    Benjamin nodded before pausing, ¡°touched by whom?¡± He asked. Many of the pieces of his violent arrival were beginning to make since.


    Qort thought for a moment. ¡°We do not know, not with certainty. We Durr call it The Great master, The Orc¡¯s call it Suelin, as they believe that the great burning orb and her nightborn mate Lurinar gift those of great potential the Majik. The Farie call it Cosmos, but they are as elusive as they are dangerous. We know not where they get the name.¡±


    Benjamin froze, Cosmos was the term that Sol used. He thought back to Jukha¡¯s mate, she was Farie; but she did not go into town with Jukha, nor did he speak of her while in town. ¡°This is¡­ a lot..¡± He stated slowly. ¡°I¡¯m sure you will need to tell someone about me, I can have my things out of here by the afternoon.¡± Benjamin stood to leave but Qort shook his head.


    The Durr Forgemaster stood, taking Benjamin about the shoulders, ¡°I hold no love for the principality, I was one of those taken as ¡°touched¡±. I was thrown out of the royal academy when they discovered that I was unable to learn anything but the forge. You possess something I hold most dear. New knowledge of the forge is what all Forgemaster live entire lives pursuing.¡±


    Benjamin looked at him in shock, ¡°You have no knowledge of steel? Then what were the soldiers wearing in the tavern.¡±


    ¡°iron, thinly made and coated in silver. It dents easily but will save a life in a fight. It is also Illegal to wear armor, or carry anything longer than a dagger inside any chartered town or city.¡± Qort walked over to the wall, picking up a 7 foot talk great sword that most closely resembled a Zweihander from germany¡¯s 15th century. ¡°This town does not have a charter, or it would have a name.¡± Qort handed it to Benjamin. It was made entirely of iron, and his suspicion of the realm being locked into a weird hybrid version of the dark ages, and the iron age. ¡°Teach me this¡­ Steel, and I will teach you all I know of Majik.


    Benjamin looked back at the Forgemaster¡¯s for a moment, ¡°On one condition, keep my secret, I do not wish to become hunted.¡± He offered his hand to Qort


    ¡°Deal¡± The Durr said without hesitation, and Benjamin had to suppress a smile as Qort¡¯s thick drawl returned, ¡°Now¡¯mee¡¯boy. What¡¯is dis yee call, steel¡±


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Over the next week, Benjamin taught Qort to make steel. It had taken a bit of doin, converting modern processes into a more manual technique. Qort learned quickly, despite Benjamins occasional use of strange terms and his lack of information on what this realm called various tools and component. Sol¡¯s gift of Orcish helped greatly, but there were still differences and difficulties. Some words, such as ¡°slag¡± and ¡°Coke¡± simply did not exist in Orcish. Benjamin was surprised to hear English when he attempted to speak of those concepts, drawing a raised eyebrow from the Forgemaster. Eventually, things smoothed out, and by weeks end Qort had produced his first ingots of high quality steel. Qort had explained that this was often the way that a ¡°Touched¡± learned more, by doing it manually, and learning without Majik before attempting to bend reality to will.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Benjamin watched Qort inspect the cooling Ingots before looking to the rest of his tools. ¡°Qort, I have a request.¡± The Durr stood up, recognizing the tone of Benjamins voice, ¡°I would like to be able to have several materials on hand. I will find a place to safely test my Majik, but I need to see what I am capable of. I do not wish to put your establishment at risk.¡±


    The Durr nodded in understanding. ¡°Aye was¡¯wondrin or¡¯yee knew more¡¯n just steel.¡± he held up his hand as Benjamin opened his mouth, ¡°Peace, Albino. Yee¡¯ve givn¡¯ mee a gift¡¯I thinks¡¯ll be bote¡¯ dang¡¯rous an¡¯profitable. Had¡¯yee been at¡¯ta Academy, Yee¡¯d be¡¯a Forgemaster yur¡¯self. I¡¯ve an ole shop on¡¯ta other end o¡¯town. Aye¡¯ve used¡¯t Fer¡¯ storage o¡¯mee bulk buys. If¡¯yee swear¡¯to me at¡¯I wonna¡¯ave ta worry¡¯bout competition, it¡¯s yurs¡± The Durr smiled at Benjamins raised eyebrow, ¡°A¡¯Durr has¡¯a name¡¯ta up¡¯old. Even¡¯if Aye prefers¡¯to pedal¡¯in metal ¡®stead o¡¯flesh.¡±


    ¡°Consider it done, I thought you didn¡¯t care about the slave trade.¡± Benjamin said. Cleaning up the forge as they finished for the evening.


    ¡°Aye¡¯don¡¯t, but¡¯forgin¡¯ does¡¯na need feed, nor¡¯beddin, no¡¯in a hole t¡¯shit¡­ At¡¯said, Mee people consider slavin¡¯ to¡¯be¡¯a better work to¡¯live on.¡± Qort admitted. ¡°Now! Enough¡¯o depress¡¯n tings.. TO TA¡¯ INN!! Celebratin¡¯s the propper¡¯ting ta be doin¡¯ now.!! T¡¯yer futur¡¯n Mine!¡± The Durr bellowed, his living beard writhing in excitement.


    The two of them locked up, and Benjamin went to change. His extremely light complexion tended to make people uncomfortable for some reason, so he had purchased a dark green tunic with a simple traditional looking pattern of some kind on it. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but most people tended to at least pay him no mind at a distance. He had also gotten simple sheaths for the bowie knife and Stiletto dagger. They weren¡¯t ornate, but they made carrying his new creations practical and comfortable. The same leather worker had made him a belt to hold up his now heavier, andslightly too large leather trousers, and soon Ben was ready to head out. Qort loved to drink, and while Benjamin was never into booze; He realized that low alcohol content drinks were going to be safer to imbibe than water of questionable purity. The Ale seemed to be roughly 1 to 2 percent alcohol. There were other options, but Ben had settled on the Ale to be safe.


    Soon enough the two of them had crossed the town¡¯s meager breadth and entered the Inn that also provided the only watering hole for the small village. Benjamin was halfway through one of Qorts long explanations when he froze suddenly, just inside the doorway. The Durr he had seen the day he arrived was back.. and the two slave girls he forced to sit on the floor next to him bore fresh marks on their skin. Their bodies were barely covered this time, as if their owner was flaunting their malnourished state. Benjamin slowly forced every muscle to uncoil as he followed Qort past the sight and up to the bar just as Mi¡¯Ki skittered up from the back with various bottles.


    ¡°Mi¡¯Ki! How¡¯yee t¡¯day, beautiful!¡± Qort half bellowed. Benjamin looked on with a mix of confusion and amusement.


    ¡°Qort you old tease, you know I get hungry when you flirt with me¡± Mi¡¯Ki gave her version of a lyth smile, flashing a pair of impressive fangs. Benjamin palled quickly and Qort only laughed


    ¡°Mi¡¯ki¡¯s people¡¯re an¡­ aquire¡¯d Taste. Tey¡¯ hatch twice¡¯a many boys¡¯n tey¡¯ve girls. Need¡¯it too, Considerin¡¯ erry¡¯ 3¡¯in4 males donna¡¯ survive a matin¡¯.¡± He turned back to Mi¡¯ki from a thoroughly concerned Benjamin.


    Mi¡¯Ki gave a dainty shiver and moaned audibly, ¡°I¡¯ve not eaten a lover in ecstasy  in almost a decade¡­ hmm¡± She eyed up Qort with a mixture of teasing, lust, and hunger. ¡°I might even let you live, if your good enough. A fantastic partner is a treasure.¡±


    Qort met her gaze with a broad smile,  ¡°Donna¡¯ threat¡¯n mee wit¡¯a gud time, lovely. Aye¡¯ll bring¡¯mee gud armor, just¡¯n case. But¡¯fer tonight, a¡¯pair o¡¯the gud ales tonight. Tis a¡¯Celebration.¡±


    Mi¡¯Ki gave Qort a playful pout while quickly pouring a pair of tankards. Qort and Benjamin settled into table off to the side as Benjamin shook his head in bemusement, ¡°Do I want to know?¡± he asked as they sat.


    ¡°Mi¡¯Ki¡¯n Mee¡¯ave known each¡¯other Fer forty years. We¡¯re foundin¡¯ members o¡¯dis slice¡¯o civilization. We¡¯ve Save¡¯d each¡¯other a¡¯few times. It¡¯bee an¡¯old game¡¯ee play. Few man no¡¯o her kind¡¯av tried to bed¡¯a spider¡¯folk. The one¡¯n survive tell¡¯o a wild¡¯ride, If¡¯n you get¡¯mee drift.¡± Qort took a long pull of his tankard as a travelling bard began song. The music faded to the background as Benjamin found himself lost in thought. It happened often enough, and he still found himself drawn back to the last time he saw his sister. The events of his ¡°death¡± haunted him still, ripping through his mind any time he was not excessively exhausted, or occupied with a task. It was one of the reasons he liked working with the Forgemaster. Qort was a harsh task master, but a fair one. And Benjamin¡¯s whole being was exhausted to the point of a dreamless night by the end of most evenings. He still had nightmares, and Qort had awoken him a few times during them. When Benjamin explained, vaguely, what was going on. Qort had nodded, ¡°Yee Demons bee yee¡¯own fight. Aye¡¯ll leave¡¯ee to¡¯it.¡± He said, leaving him to his slumber. It was Qorts way. The Durr Forgemaster would make sure Benjamin didn¡¯t kill himself, but Benjamin was expected to make mistakes, and learn from them.


    Benjamins memory surged, feeding his mind with familiar yet horrifying images, smells, and sounds. He mulled over his conversations with the ethereal being called Sol, his brow furrowing as he struggled to make since of everything¡­


    ¡°Hey, Pink Skin. If ya¡¯ keep Starin¡¯. I¡¯ll make you pay a silver. Maybe I¡¯ll make her sit on it for yee.¡± A deep voice broke Benjamin from his thoughts, realizing that his unseeing eyes had come to rest on one of the barely covered slave girls. ¡°Do Yee hear me, Pink Skin. Get Yee pecker wicked or stop starin¡¯.¡± The Durr holding the chains to the girls gave them a jerk, drawing a small cry from the two shivering terrifies girls.


    ¡°Suck my cock!¡± Benjamin spat, without thinking, leveling a murderous gaze at the slaver who spoke to him. This one had a much-reduced drawl, but still had some accent. He was almost as big as Qort, but Benjamin could tell he lacked the power of body created by swinging a forgeing hammer all day.


    ¡°What¡¯yee say to me, pink skin?¡± The Durr growled standing, ¡°Yee don¡¯t demand another man wick¡¯is pecker and get away with it. Outside, you measly shit.¡±


    Benjamin raised an eyebrow, ¡°I have no desire to fight you, Durr.¡± He stated, taking a pull from his tankard. His heart was racing, but he knew he needed to stay calm¡­ He also knew he needed to have a new conversation with Qort.


    ¡°Yee can die outside, or I can fillet you where you sit.¡± The Slaver growled, and Benjamin noticed some of the Soldier Orc¡¯s sit up with interest, but not in intervention.


    ¡®fuck¡¯ Benjamin thought. He was going to have to fight this Durr, and he felt a flush of memories from Basic, and the extra combat training his fathers buddies had inflicted on him poured through his mind. ¡°So be it¡± he growled, glaring at the Durr, ¡°If I have no choice.¡±


    Benjamin slowly walked outside, making sure to not fully turn his back on the Durr. His suspicion paid off, as the moment he cleared the threshold, the Slaver lunged. He swung a short hatchet at Benjamin¡¯s head, and Benjamin had to dive into the street to evade it. ¡°You fucker,¡± he spat. Pulling his Bowie knife from his waist, holding it loosely in a defensive grip. He noticed the gilded Orcish soldiers stepping outside and leaning against the railing, mild curiosity on their faces.


    ¡°Common boy. Time to bleed yee.¡± Was all the Durr said, and charged. Benjamin dodged two more swipes before being forced to block a third with his blade. He felt the steel knife dig into the much softer iron hatchet head, and the Durr growled in hate as he saw the wide knotch in his weapon. ¡°I¡¯ll rip yee in half, n¡¯take that blade boy.¡± He bellowed before pulling a second hatchet from his waistband. ¡°time to meet the next life, Pink skin¡± Benjamin had to dodge another swing before getting under the overhead blow from the Slavers right hand. Benjamin¡¯s body seemed to move on its own, as lessons He had taken years ago seemed to pour into his muscles. ¡®This must be what Qort said about Majik¡¯ and Benjamin slipped under the over extended arm, swiping his bowie knife along the rib cage of the Durr as he finished the dodging attack. Something felt off, and Benjamin felt a familiar ring in his blade as the edge scored into soft iron, but ultimately bounced off.


    The Slaver just laughed, looking at his ruined shirt before ripping it off, revealing a shirt of mail atop a thin gambison. ¡°Close, Pink skin. I¡¯ll be sure to take the worth of my tunic out on The whores.¡± Snearing, the Durr began to close a second time, hurling one of the hatchets at Benjamins head to help close the distance. Benjamin barely dodged it, rage boiling over as he recognized the connotations of what the slaver had in mind. This time he met the Durr head on. Slamming his bowie knife up under the base of the head of the hatchet, binding the weapon between the blade and the hilt of his steel creation. Benjamin slowly overpowered the grunting Durr, pulling the weapon over to the side while keeping it locked tightly in the bind. ¡°Yee wanna die up close, do yee, Pink ski.. UGGHH!¡± the explosive exclamation was forced from his body as Benjamins Steletto slipped through the chainmail, effortlessly piercing the thin gambeson and skewering various organs in the Durr¡¯s body.


    Benjamin didn¡¯t know where any vital organs might be on a Durr, he just kept stabbing repeatedly, ¡°Suck my cock, you stupid slaver mother fucker!¡± Ben¡¯s blade drove in again and again with every word. The Hatchet fell from the Durrs hand and Benjamin held him up by the writhing beard as he stopped stabbing, and stared his hatred and fury into the eyes of the Durr. He poured all of the rage and torture he had been forced to relive for weeks into his gaze, staring down the dying man until life¡¯s light faded from the slaver¡¯s eyes. Finally, he let the Dead man fall to the side like so much trash.


    Then the shaking began. Benjamin¡¯s anger and rage subsided, and the magnitude of what he had just done slammed into him.  His body purged his adrenaline, and he staggered slightly as he picked up his fallen bowie knife. His stiletto still dripped, and Benjamin ignored it as a pair of gilded soldier class Orcs lumbered up, dragging the two slave girls. ¡®I guess this is where I¡¯m arrested¡¯ he thought as he wiped the stiletto on his pants, and sheathed both weapons.


    ¡°I guess, I should expect this¡± He said darkly, raising his wrists with his palms up, expecting to be added to small chain gang in front of him. Instead, the soldiers wordlessly dropped the chain leaders into his hands.


    ¡°Your name, subject.¡± One asked in smooth formal Orcish.


    ¡°Benjamin Schaife, some call me Albino¡± Benjamin answered almost listlessly, looking down at the chains in his hands, then at the girls bound by them. ¡°What is this?¡± He asked, scorn filling his voice.


    ¡°The rights of Combat.¡± The second Orc stated, ¡°It was a legitimate duel, and when the conclusion brings about the death of one party, the other is entitled to any of the items or property in the deceased¡¯s immediate possession. The Slaves are yours by right.¡±


    ¡°Benj-jaymeen Schayefe, albino.¡± the first orc murmured clearly writing it down before nonchalantly pulling down the skirt of each of the slave girls, duplicating a mark that had been scalded onto their skin. The girls didn¡¯t even flinch, and Benjamin felt another surge of rage. He forced himself to ignore the blatant humiliation as the soldiers finished their ¡°inspection¡±. He knew they were not alone, and he would be committing suicide if he attacked them.


    ¡°These two will be logged under your name with the Inn, and with the Principality when we return to the capital. Safe evening to you Benj-jaymeen¡± The second Orc stated before the pair turned and walked back into the Inn.


    Qort walked briskly up to Benjamin, recognizing the stunned confusion and torture in his eyes, ¡°Come, say nothing. We will talk privately.¡±

 Chapter 5

    The walk back toward Qort¡¯s Forge was a long one, not in distance, but in emotional toll. Benjamin now owned two people¡­ he owned these two girls, at least according to the principality. He had accepted them as his as a complete accident, as his outstretched arms of surrender were misinterpreted as some manner of claiming gesture. The spring was quickly warming, but the dead of night was still brisk. Benjamin could almost hear the girls shivering as they reached the forge and entered. As soon as the doors closed, Benjamin dropped the chains, rushing to a waste bucket, and voiding his stomach into the metal container. He wretched several times before coming to his senses. Ben was breathing heavily, wiping his mouth on his arm before turning to see the girls and Qort eying him in confusion. Ben could see little thin body hairs stand on end as the girls quietly but violently shook where they stood, and Ben¡¯s face flashed with understanding ¡°come, this way. God dammit, I don¡¯t even know if you can understand me.¡± He beckoned them into his small room, Qort following behind. ¡°We¡­ Understand, my lord.¡± Came a sweet but terrified voice. The slightly taller of the two girls had answered him, and her accent vaguely reminded Ben of a blend of Scandinavian tones. ¡°What do you wish of us, my Lo..¡±


    ¡°Benjamin, or just Ben¡­ please.¡± Ben stated, quickly cutting her off as the honorifics in her speech quickly threatened what little remained in Ben¡¯s stomach.


    ¡°As you wish¡­ Beenjaymin¡± the girl said, as Ben turned around again. He had pulled most of the bedding off of his cot early on in his move to the Forge. It helped with the nightmares of nothing was constraining him as he slept. Now he pulled a pair of simple blankets out and turned to hand them to the girls only to freeze in shock. Qort had left the room, and the two slave girls had stripped completely naked and were standing there, heads down¡­ still shaking. Their purplish grey hair draped across their shoulders, and Benjamin couldn¡¯t help but notice the signs of torture left on their bodies. They were too emaciated, too sickly, to physically pummeled to even tell if their skin color was accurate, or bruises on top of bruises. The missing frail straps of clothing only seemed to intensify their ribcage creasing their torso, emaciated busts, and gaunt hips, and legs.


    Benjamin fought back tears of sorrow mixed with rage. If the Slaver wasn¡¯t already dead, Ben felt he could have killed him more slowly. ¡°That the fuck, no. No no no no.¡± He rushed over, quickly pulling the simple blankets around each of them in turn. ¡°Come, sit. We need to speak on this.¡°


    ¡°Yes.. my¡­ uh, Been¡± the one who spoke answered.


    ¡°Bin¡± Benjamin enunciated, ¡°not been, Bin¡±


    ¡°Ben..¡± the girl stated faithfully, causing Ben to cringe inwardly.


    ¡°Dammit, I need help. QORT! get in here!!¡± Ben yelled, startling the two girls who were now wrapped tightly in blankets, sitting on his bed, while he sat in a simple chair he pulled from the small writing table in the corner.


    The Durr slowly opened the door, ¡°ah, so¡¯yee ain¡¯t of¡¯a mind to take¡¯em.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ben¡¯s tone of finality seemed to brighten the Durr some, ¡°but I am going to need you to fill in some gaps, information wise.¡±


    The Forgemaster nodded, closing up the door and leaning back against it with folded arms, ¡°aye, dat aye can¡¯do¡±


    ¡°Ok¡± Ben huffed slightly, turning back to the now confused slaves. ¡°First off, I need to know your names.. What do I call you.¡±


    ¡°My birth name is Viola, this¡­ this is my younger sister by one season, Valtrya. She doesn¡¯t speak. Not anymore.¡± Viola answered, and Valtris slipped a hand out of the blanket to hold her sister¡¯s.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you Viola and Valtrya. Please, understand that I have no intentions of forcing myself on you¡­ it already sickens me that I may have accidentally accepted you as property¡­. I need you to understand that as soon as I can find the right paperwork, you will be free. I do not wish to own you.¡± Benjamin stated, but watched in surprised concern as Valtrya seemed to panic, frantically looked to her sister.


    Viola slowly rubbed her sisters hand, but her eyes pleaded with Benjamin, ¡°my Lo¡­ Benjamin, do we displease you so? What may we do to, persuade you to keep us¡­¡±


    That request nearly blew Benjamin off of his chair, ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°If I may Benjamin.¡± Qort spoke up. Ben¡¯s eyes narrowed at the lack of Qorts usual drawl. The Durr slowly stepping away from his position by the door and slowly kneeling in front of the girls, ¡°Benjamin means well, but this is not his Realm.¡± He said softly, taking their arms and legs in his hands as he expertly inspected them. He then carefully opened their blankets, gently checking their rib cages and torso¡¯s for signs of illness or serious injury. Viola winced hard as he touched the second rib on her left side, and Valtrya had a nasty scar along her right side from her armpit to her hip. It was healing, but still fresh. ¡°You have done well to survive this long.¡± He wrapped them both back up in their blankets and turned to Benjamin. ¡°Benjamin, these girls have been slaves their entire lives. They are also Aereesin, if you freed them anywhere inside the Principality, they would be almost immediately captured and sold again. You have shown them kindness and dignity far beyond what an average slave owner would have. From their perspective, you are their best hope of survival.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s face fell as he heard this, but Qort was not finished, ¡°their race has long been branded traitors, ever since the H¡¯mere war. They are barely considered people by most¡­ only good for working to death, fucking to death, or breeding for cheap forms of the former. Simply put, they would not stay free, not within the Principality, and neighboring realms who are less¡­. dependent on slave labor will not take them.¡±


    ¡°Why the fuck not.¡± Ben asked rage boiling in his soul, but feeling helpless at the same time.


    ¡°Because these girls only know how to be used by men¡­ and beaten by masters.. they have no skills that would be considered worthy¡­¡± Qort said simply.


    Ben looked at the two of them in horror¡­ but Viola spoke up, ¡°you are not from the principality? Is there not slavery in your home Realm?¡±


    ¡°There was, in some places there still is¡­ my family fought and died to free the slaves in my Realm.¡± Ben answered, ¡°I hate the concept, with my very soul. You two seem like sweet girls who have been through hell. I have no ill feelings toward you, it is the act of owning a person I find abhorrent¡­ any person¡­¡±


    ¡°But if you free us¡­¡± Viola pleaded softly


    ¡°I know¡­.¡± Benjamin growled standing quickly to stomp toward the small window on the far wall. ¡°If keep you, I betray everything I believe in¡­ if I free you, I am effectively murdering you¡­ what the fuck am I supposed to do here!¡± Ben shouted the last part out of the window.


    the forest, Son of Terra Benjamin heard the voice clearly that time. ¡°I¡­¡± he paused as a flood of memories from his childhood raged through his mind. Math, English, basic science¡­ ¡°I.. I¡¯ll do it¡± he breathed, stepping back to the chair he stood from and sitting back down. ¡°I will keep you, on three conditions.¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The two sisters looked at each other, nodding in unison, and Benjamin took it as a sign to continue, ¡°first, I will teach you how to work and use numbers, and I will teach you to read and write. You will do you best to learn it¡± the girls nodded in unison again and Ben continued,


    ¡°second. When the time comes, I will take you to a boarder of a realm that will have you for your skills, and I will free you. Until then, you will do the bare minimum of acting like slaves with me. You need to learn to act like a free person, so you can become a free person.¡± This time the girls looked at each other for a long moment, but still nodded in understanding.


    Ben took a deep breath. ¡°The third. I will never force you to fuck me, and I do not want you to force yourself to fuck me, or think that giving me your body is expected. It.. is¡­ not. And anyone who forces themselves on you will meet the same end as your former master.¡±


    Viola¡¯s eyes widened at the final condition, and tears quickly formed as she felt Valtrya squeezing her hand tightly. ¡°We¡­ we will do as you ask my lo¡­. Benjamin.¡± She stood stiffly, bowing deeply as her sister do the same. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± she stood again, tears streaming down her face.


    ¡°No need to thank me yet¡­ You are not free, yet. Use my wash bucket and clean yourselves as best you can. I¡¯ll heat some water for you to rinse with.¡± He quickly turned to leave, following Qort out of the door quickly as the girls once again began to strip in front of them.


    ¡°Qort¡­¡± Ben asked as they stepped into the forge room. ¡°Am I going to need to leave the forge¡­ I did just kill one of your kin. I¡­. I didn¡¯t have a choice¡±


    ¡°Yes, Korgan was kin, as all orcs are kin to you.¡± Qort began, pulling kindling from a pile to light the forge, ¡°But he was not family. He chose to fight you over words, and he lost in lawful combat. We have no quarrel, albino.¡± He stepped to throw the kindling in only for Ben to stop him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to waste resources,¡± Ben said, picking up a pale of water usually kept in case of fire. His early college courses on thermodynamics flooded into his mind, almost as if on command, and Benjamin began pulling energy directly from the surrounding air with on hand and directing the energy directly into the water. The large mass of nominally warm air quickly cooled within moments, and soon both Qort and Ben could see their own breath. Benjamin smiled as he watched the bucket of water simmer.


    ¡°Energy can neither be created or destroyed¡± he stated absently, ¡°but it can change its form.¡± he picked up the steaming bucket and tested it with his finger, unaware of the flabbergasted expression on Qort''s features. It was hot, but not scalding and he placed it just inside the door ¡°warm water is ready¡± he called, closing the door without looking in.


    Moments later a suds covered head appeared through a cracked door, ¡°Um.. Ma¡­ Benjamin? We need your help¡­ we.. we can¡¯t lift the bucket¡­ please?¡±


    Ben mentally face palmed, and stepped inside hoping this wasn¡¯t another attempt to bed him in gratitude. Luckily, it wasn¡¯t. Both girls were naked, but their backs were turned to him enough that they weren¡¯t totally exposed ¡°if we could get the bubbles out of our hair¡­. We haven¡¯t used soap before¡­.¡± Viola explained.


    Ben easily lifted the full bucket, carefully and slowly pouring the hot water over each girl to help them wash the soap from their skin. ¡°There is a towel in the chest. I¡¯m sorry it is just the one, we can figure out the rest in the morning. Wrap up in the blankets for now, and I¡¯ll see you in the morning.¡± He left them in his room a second time, stepping back into the Forge in time to see Qort lighting a fire in its heart.


    ¡°You scare me pink skin. It feels like deep autumn in here¡± the Forgemaster gruffed, piling some wood in for a simple fire instead of charcoal for metal working.


    ¡°Qort, what¡¯s with the accent change, you¡¯ve done it several times now¡± Ben asked, settling into a chair near the fire. He would be sore in the morning, but It was his choice.


    ¡°Ah,¡± the Durr grunted, ¡°The academy tried their damnedest to rip my culture from me¡­ when I was expelled, I decided that I would never let it happen again..¡± the Forge master smiled ¡°An,atts why Aye like T¡¯keep mee Drolle. Y¡¯seem ta understand me¡¯nuff¡±


    Ben could only chuckle, ¡°aye, I understand¡¯yee¡± he responded back, getting a snort from Qort. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the mornin Boss.¡± And with that, Ben settled in next to the fire.


    __________________________________________________________________________________________


    *Knock knock, fucker*¡­.


    BEN!!!!


    Peace, Son of Terra


    Don¡¯t go! Nononono!


    Benjamin, Benjamin


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes bolted awake with an explosive gasp before his eyes fell to the quickly cooling embers.


    ¡°Benjamin..¡± This time the voice was real and Ben jerked his gaze to his left in time to Viola standing next to him, in the barely covering garments from the earlier evening ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my¡­ Benjamin; but I have a request¡­ and I don¡¯t want to anger you.¡±


    Ben stood, taking the blanket around his waist and wrapping it around the violently shivering girl. It was not yet first light. ¡°Viola, you shouldn¡¯t be uncovered. What is it.¡±


    ¡°My.. sister¡± Viola said between violent spasms of shaking. ¡°I cant keep her warm, We are usually forced to sleep with our master. I do not want to break your conditions but¡­ we are so cold. Please¡­¡± She paused, clearly worried about what she was going to say next, ¡°Please come to bed mas.. Benjamin. If not for pleasure, at least for warmth.¡±


    Ben kicked himself internally as she asked. ¡®Of course, they don¡¯t have the body fat or energy reserves to stay warm¡­ shit.¡¯ ¡°Ok, but tomorrow I¡¯ll be making a stove for the room. Come on, lets get you warmed up before you catch an illness.¡± Ben stood, only to have his hand taken by Viola. She led him back to his room, where he saw Valtrya shaking violently in a cocoon of bedding. She looked up, pleadingly as Ben entered. The bed was not large enough, not really. But it was up against the wall, and Benjamin slipped in behind them. He kept his trousers on, but removed his shirt. He felt Valtrya¡¯s shaking form instantly press itself to his chest, her skin soft but like fresh ice after a blizzard. Viola began undressing almost instantly, while Ben closed his eyes to give her some privacy. Soon he felt her crawl into the small cot, pulling herself close to the not quite so violently shaking Valtrya. With three blankets on, Benjamins body heat quickly warmed the two girls. They pressed uncomfortably close to him, drinking in his warmth. Valtry was pressed firmly against Ben¡¯s chest, with her sister wrapping herself around her protectively. The two were so frail and tiny that Ben could reach entirely around the two of them, putting a warm arm on Viola¡¯s back and tucking the blanket under her to seal the cacoon of bedding. She recoiled slightly at his touch, but soon forced herself to relax as he did nothing else. Ben didn¡¯t sleep the rest of the night, but for little spurts of unconsciousness broken up by the two poor girls wiggling for comfort in the all-to-small Cot of a bed.


    One particularly long doze had him awaken to the first rays of light coming into the room. The Two girls were still asleep, but no longer in danger of freezing; and Benjamin slowly slipped from beside them , wrapping them tightly in the warm blankets before putting a work shirt on, and stepping out into the forge.


    ¡°Morn¡¯¡± Gruffed Qort, handing Ben his breakfast. ¡°Don¡¯ expect me t¡¯feed yer¡¯ new Charg¡¯s. Tey¡¯be Yur probl¡¯m now¡±


    Ben nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll go down to the market and pick up some extra food. Let them sleep, and if they wake up. Give them my portion for today.¡±


    Qort raised an eyebrow, but nodded nonetheless, and Ben quickly started the Forge before departing for the market. The walk to the market was quick, were it not for the renewed staring. Word had spread quickly, and he was hard pressed to decide how many nodded in respect or approval, vs who glared at him in either veiled fear, or disgust. Ben quietly slipped about the market grabbing dried meats, some of the limited vegetables, and a few extra eggs and potatoes. The seamstress was on the way back, and he picked up a pair of simple dresses that appeared the correct size. The seamstress seemed confused as to why he would spend money on such slaves, ¡°If they are to work in the forge, they are worth nothing to me hurt¡± grated Benjamin before setting an appointment for the girls to come back and be properly measured for further clothing.


    Ben hated that he was now a slave owner, but his soul refused to allow him to throw these two girls back into the Realm to be picked up by some asshole or murdered by another. If he could get them educated, he could make them free; and that plan seemed to salve his nerves on the former. His brooding saw his return to the Forge, laden with food and essentials. He stepped in to find Viola and Valtrya sitting at the small table near the anvil, sharing his plate. And wearing nothing but the whisps of clothing their former master had forced them into.


    Ben sighed heavily, stepping into the shop fully and closing the door with a clank. ¡°Ok, you two. Into the room.¡± He said, ¡°Lesson one about being free, Modesty.¡± he held out the two plain looking dresses.

 Episode 6

    Qort watched the Albino patter around the shop, slowly collecting a large quantity of iron. Benjamin had shown him how to make the strongest metal to have ever crossed his tables. It had taken him a full week to learn its intricacies, and he still could not quite come to the quality of the two daggers riding on his apprentice¡¯s hip. Then, in the span of a night, He had sent Krogan to the after, acquiring the slaver¡¯s two prized toys. He had not spoken false, Korgan Romoregin was not family, but he was the head of one of the three largest slaver houses. His death would cause a shattering of the balance of business, once news of it reached the company. Qort was not looking forward to the retribution duel¡¯s likely to be demanded should one of the slavers 4 sons find Benjamin.


    His brooding was interrupted when he saw Benjamin set the iron ingots on the table and stare at them. Qort had watched Benjamin rip the very heat from the air to warm water, mumbling strange machinations after he did so. Up until now, the Forgemaster had only watched Benjamin from over a shoulder, but now the boy was facing him. The Albino¡¯s emerald eyes flickered once, then began to flash and glow internally in the familiar signs of Majik¡¯s presence.  Qort watched in awe as the Forge flickered, the flames changing color as they were ripped of their heat. Each of the ingots began to glow and press to each other in turn, the mass of molten medal seemed to flatten and fold in on itself several times before taking a final shape of a rectangular plate with four almost animal like feet. Qort¡¯s eyes widened slightly as the air in the Forge room quickly heated to a familiar temperature, and the Forgemaster realized that Benjamin was doing the opposite of his achievements from the night before, pulling the heat from the iron and releasing it into the air.


    Qort turned to open the windows, gathering his wits as he let the cool spring air rush in, displacing the stifling inferno Benjamin had quickly created. He turned back to see Benjamin handling the piece with his bare hands as if it was already cooled to a safe level, ¡°By¡¯The Masters¡­¡± he whispered as he realized that his apprentice had indeed ceased the use of Majik. Benjamin began arranging 6 more stacks, repeating the process until each stack was its one piece of a quickly developing puzzle. Benjamin was sweating now, breathing heavily and leaning on the table by the time he was done. ¡°Benjamin, I think you should rest.¡±


    Benjamin nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll go check on the girls. They should have been out by now.¡± And stumbled slightly before heading toward the closed door. The Albino opened the door, ¡°Ah, I guess I should have guessed.¡± Qort walked over as Ben entered his room, leaving the door open as he did so. The two slave girls were in their dresses, but full bellies for the first time in who knew and a safe environment had sent them into Ben¡¯s Cot. Viola was again wrapped protectively around her sister, and Qort watched his apprentice draw the blankets over their slumbering bodies before slipping back out of the room and closing the doors. ¡°I guess that¡¯s a good sign. Maybe they won¡¯t need me tonight¡­¡±


    Qort fround, ¡°Aye, So¡¯tey did bed¡¯ee.¡± He asked cautiously, and Benjamin winced before settling into a chair. ¡°Yes and no.¡± his apprentice said. ¡°I did eventually share the cot with them, but not for pleasure. Those girls... They had so little left that they could not even keep themselves warm. The oldest came out and begged me to come keep them warm. I¡¯m surprised they are even alive at all, at this point.¡±


    Qort took a deep breath, relieved, ¡°Aye mus¡¯ beg¡¯ee pardon. When¡¯ee returned from¡¯yur room, Aye feared¡¯ee took¡¯em.¡±


    Ben smiled slightly and pursed his lips at the Forgemaster, ¡°Am I rubbing off on you?¡±; and Qort snorted before stepping over to Bens half finished project, ¡°Aye, maybe, Albino. Slavin¡¯ Aye donna have a problem wit¡¯still. But¡¯at¡± he pointed to the closed door. ¡°At¡¯aint slavin. Atts¡­. Som¡¯n else. N¡¯Aye¡¯ll Nor have¡¯a part in¡¯it. No Thinkin¡¯bein¡¯ deserves¡¯at.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a start I guess.¡± Ben sighed, watching the Forgemaster inspect his work, ¡°It¡¯s meant to be an iron stove, when its done anyway.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, Aye¡¯seen One¡¯or two in T¡¯royal mans¡¯ns. Aye¡¯guess When¡¯yee can bend¡¯iron t¡¯yee will, it becom¡¯ less fancy.¡± Qort said. ¡°How¡¯ee plan t¡¯combine em¡¯?¡± and he caught Benjamin freeze for a moment.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Benjamin stammered for a moment, ¡°Welding¡­¡± he admitted, ¡°but I don¡¯t think I can pull that off right now. I feel¡­ exhausted, Like I¡¯ve been taking exams for months straight.¡± Qort settled down beside him in another chair, dropping his accent. ¡°Aye, Majik strains the mind. Yee shouldn¡¯t be capable of doing what you are this close to your awakening. I don¡¯t know if that makes you a madman, or the most powerful Touched to walk among us.¡±


    Benjamin snorted, ¡°Qort, if it weren¡¯t for last nights fight, and the girls¡­ I¡¯m not sure I would be able to keep my sanity. Being able to bend reality¡­ Its¡­¡± Ben paused as the door to his room creaked open. Viola and Valtrya, properly clothed this time stepped out sheepishly. Benjamin thought he noticed a bit of change in their skin coloring and hair, but he didn¡¯t get a chance to ask as the two of them walked up, as if expecting instruction. Qort huffed as he watched Ben¡¯s dumbfoundedly lost expression, ¡°Aye¡¯ll put¡¯ta iron parts¡¯in ta¡¯ wagon. Yee¡¯ll be needin¡¯ the space, an The spare shop¡¯ll need a cleanin¡¯.¡±


    The parts of the iron stove were tossed into a hand cart, and Benjamin had to force the girls to sit in it as well before He and Qort walked the cart down towards the edge of town. The building was maybe three quarters the size of Qort¡¯s current store front, and he grunted as they sat the cart¡¯s handles down. ¡°Aye¡¯it done¡¯ look¡¯ike much, but¡¯it served¡¯mee well fur¡¯a decade. It has¡¯a Forge In¡¯it still, should¡¯use need it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll do Boss, and I can help make steel from here as well. Thank you.¡± Ben¡¯s gratitude seemed unfazed as the dusty, dirt encrusted interior was entered. Soon the Iron plates for the stove were inside. Viola and Valtrya refused to not help as Ben and Qort loaded up a wagon full of fresh ore and other materials  for a walk back to the Forge. ¡°Qort, how safe is it here.¡± Ben asked as they loaded the last of the supplies for the Forgemaster¡¯s storefront.


    ¡°A¡¯safe  as¡¯n any¡¯wer else¡¯n town.¡± Qort answered and Ben considered the answer for a moment. ¡°Viola, take your sister. Go ahead and get settled in, I will be back as soon as I help Qort unload. I¡¯ll bring a spare cot, and some wood.¡± The two nodded without hesitation, turning to return to the dank, now not quite abandoned building. Benjamin cringed internally as he recognized their unnaturally unwavering obedience. The return trip was a workout, and it was already almost dark when Benjamin departed for his new accommodations. The air was heavy, and Benjamin felt as much as heard the thunder roll as a squall line threatened to unleash its fury on him as he walked the streets of the nameless village that had become his home. It was pitched black, pouring rain like waves of airborne surf as Benjamin finally stumbled into the decently, if dimly lit building. Ben paused almost instantly, feeling and ice cold searing feeling down his spine that had nothing to do with his soaked nature. His new home was clean, much cleaner than It had been before; but that was not the reason for his reaction. The two girls were sitting at a table, facing him as he stood in the open door.


    Their faces were twisted in terror as they looked at him shaking ¡®no¡¯ he realized, feeling his muscles tense and his right hand slowly drew his bowie knife. ¡®they aren¡¯t looking at¡­ me¡¯ he realized. He felt his breathing slow and his veins burn with the familiar fire of adrenaline flooding his system. His mind did the calculation, realizing that Viola and Valtrya were staring at something, on the other side of the still open door. He held his position, slowly raising a single finger to his lips. Viola¡¯s eyes widened and she tried to shake her head no. he read her lips begging him to go, but he held his ground. A subtle creak from the other side of the inward opening door provided him with his que. Dropping his carried load, he threw his body into the door, smashing whatever was on the other side against the inside wall. A Squawk of surprise told Benjamin he had found his mark as he threw the door shut, grabbing the clothing of the shadow concealed figure, and threw it across the room and into the brick wall of the forge. The being tried to stand, but Benjamin was already upon it, slipping the knife under the intruder¡¯s throat as he pushed his body weight down to immobilize.


    ¡°Pease, BeenJaymin!¡± came a strangling choke, and Ben paused, slowly dragging the attacker into the light of one of the candles. The flickering light revealed the face of Jukha¡¯s wife, a great big bruise growing on her cheek and a cut on her neck from his blade to her throat.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Vilora?!?¡± Benjamin instantly pulled his knife away from her throat, slipping it into its sheath before picking the Farie up bodily and setting her into one of the table chairs next to a still horrified, but now stunned Viola and Valtrya. ¡°What the fuck! I could have almost killed you!¡±


    ¡°It was necessary. My kind are not¡­ welcome.¡± The Farie said, and Benjamin stepped away for a moment, before brining back three pints of the low alcohol content ale that he had decided was a safe enough water replacement. Vilora took the beverage, pulling from it in a long chug before setting it back down, ¡°Jukha said you hated slavery, but I visit to find you in possession of these two.¡± Her accusatory tone seemed to hit deep in Benjamins soul, and he recounted the events that unfolded that lead to the fight, and after.


    ¡°I can¡¯t ¡®free¡¯ them, not in the traditional sense. It would be like murdering them¡­ that, that I cannot do¡± Ben finished.


    ¡°I see.¡± Vilora looked skeptically at the girls, regarding their appearance and clothing, ¡°Tell me, children¡­ Has he treated you well.¡± She asked seriously. Viola and Valtrya seemed to shrink back before finally answering, ¡°He has been honorable. He has clothed us, fed us, and kept us warm at night without demanding pleasure. He has not touched us, as are most¡¯s want.¡± Viola said before bowing her head, ¡°Keeper of Nature, spare him. He is a good man.¡±


    ¡°Keeper of Nature?¡± Benjamin asked. ¡°Why are you here, and what¡¯s with the title.¡±


    Vilora sighed, quickly turning her expression from scrutiny to one of dread, ¡°My bound¡­ My Jukha hasn¡¯t come home. He went out on a hunt two days after he returned without you¡­ I¡¯ve not seen him since.¡± She pulled her sleeve back, revealing a long streak in her skin that shimmered through the bandage she had on it. She placed her sleeve back down with a wince. ¡°He¡¯s alive, I can feel it, but he is hurt.. and I cannot find him.¡±


    Benjamin sat back in his chair, taking in a deep breath, ¡°He¡¯s not just your husband¡­ is he.¡± Viola spoke up, fear and certainty in her tone. ¡°You¡­ You bound his soul.¡±


    ¡°I did.. but It is not what you think Child.¡± Vilora said carefully. Benjamin focused on the Farie, ¡°I think you better explain a bit of this.¡±


    Vilora sighted, nodding in understanding, ¡°the Farie have never been unified. Many of them chose the H¡¯mure  during the great conflict that pushed them to the sea¡­ I was part of a small Nest, we opposed the H¡¯mure, but we were found out¡­¡±


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    -long before-


    ¡°Archers! Nock!!!¡± Jukha¡¯s hand shook violently as he slipped the arrow onto the his bow string. It was pouring rain, and the sky was set alight with brilliant streaks of blue and white. The entire Pantheon seemed to be present for this clash. This was not Jukha¡¯s first taste of war, but this was the assault on the accursed H¡¯mure capital. The horrors said to be inside of the gates were told to be unfathomable to the mind of mere mortals. ¡°Light!¡± Jukha shook himself, dipping the tip of his oil-soaked cotton and linen wrapped arrow into the burning flames in front of him. The oil lit instantly, and soon the tip of his arrow was fully engulfed in flames. ¡°DRAW!¡± his officer growled above the din of the broiling storm overhead. Jukha drew is bow, feeling the heat of the burning arrow on his face. His arm was just barely beginning to tremble, when¡­ ¡°LOOSE!¡± Jukha¡¯s arrow was one of thousands of fire arrows arching up over the walls of the fortress. The arching barrage of arrows was quickly followed by the clanking of catapults. Burning tar covered stones sailed through the air.


    Over the next three hours. Jukha and his company of archers depleted their entire allotment of flaming arrows. The capital was burning from several places. The catapult artillery barrage had punched several dents in the rock face of the wall, and one lucky shot had landed directly into one of the towers tops, shattering it while raining down burning rubble. Two more volleys of artillery, concentrated on the front gates and its surrounding supports, and a roaring cheer erupted as the walls were breached.  ¡°All units! Forward!!¡± came a different below. This new voice belonged to their leader, the Orc WarMaje Morag. ¡°WarMajik to the front! Clear us a path!¡±. Several soldiers, unable to be differentiated in any way other than the fact that they carried no contemporary weapons stepped to the front of the formation.


    Jukha dropped his army long bow, pulling his prized Inherited hunting bow from his back. It was a gift from his dying uncle, the bow that had fed his family for generations. It was shorter, quicker to fire, and lighter than a warbow; and Jucka nocked one of his home-made arrows as he sprinted for the breach. He was to cover the Octorese knights as they charged the breech, their shining armor quickly dulling with smatterings of mud and refuse.  The unarmed soldiers filtered through the formation, and Jukha felt the air around him cool violently as one of them used a WarMajik to fuel a burning ball he then hurled into one of the towers. A mere mortal would never have made the throw, but Jukha felt a blast of wind as the flaming ball arched, carried on an artificial gust to its target.  From there on, time blurred. And Jukha found himself in the middle of a fight for his life. Dozens fell to his bow, and at least three fell to his skinning knife.


    He had been drafted for this conflict and went to war with what he owned. Outside of the warbow and the heavier arrows it needed, Jakhu fought in his hunting gear. Several hours passed, and Jukha found himself deep in a prison area with three Octorese Knights.  They went door to door, opening the cells in search of survivors and political prisoners.. The feed deprived dregs of H¡¯mure society were summarily executed, no quarter was given to any of their kind. Jukha ignored the screams and pleadings, fighting back the urge to void his guts at the murder of the defenseless, but he had a job to do. He opened the next door, and froze. A Young woman lay in the corner, protectively covering a putrid but still fresh corpse of an older woman. Jukha¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the sickly ruined wings of both beings. ¡°farie..¡± he growled, drawing his bow.


    ¡°Please¡­ We are not like them¡­¡± a small faint voice quavered from the young woman. ¡°We are here because we opposed the H¡¯mure. We are not Fay. We are V¡­ Vin clan. She weakly spread her wings, forcing them to show him their pattern. He had worked with Vins before, and recognized the genetic markings on her wings, and slowly lowered his bow.


    ¡°What are you waiting for¡­ archer¡± growled a deep voice behind him. ¡°Kill it before it feeds on us.¡± One of the knights drew his sword.


    ¡°She¡¯s a Vin, an ally.¡± Jukha stated, slipping the arrow from its nocked position.


    ¡°Fuck the Vin. Dangerous beasts¡­ all¡­ Fine, I will do it.¡± The Orc Knight growled, stepping closer to the young Farie. She tried to flee, tried to fly; but her wings were too damaged to be of any use. ¡°Come here, bitch. I know your kind. This will be¡­ Fuugh!¡± The knight¡¯s breath was driven from him as Jukha¡¯s arrow pierced the thin gilded backplate, rupturing his heart. ¡°Run.¡± He said, watching the larger knight fall, ¡°Get away from Here..¡± A sickening crunch followed by a searing pain ripped through his senses as his own breath failed him. Jukha looked down, staring in confusion at the blade sticking through the front of his chest.


    ¡°Then die with her, traitor.¡± It was the rest of the first Knight¡¯s squad. The man who killed Jukha threw the dying smaller orc from his blade, and Jukha struggled to breath, puking up blood and bubbles as his vision began to fade. He watched the Farie¡¯s eyes fill with tears before an explosive high-pitched shriek left her throat. The room flashed with a familiar white and blue that reminded Jukha of the storm outside, and then he breathed his last.


    And then he woke up¡­ He was laying on a simple bed of leaves, covered in the blanket from his pack. A heaving breath escaped him as he sat up violently, and Jukha pawed at his chest in panic before finding the buttons to his shirt. He tore the buttons from their knitting as he pulled his shirt apart to see a rapidly healing scar pulling itself together on his chest. ¡°Your¡­ awake¡­¡± a soft voice jerked him from his stunned panic. Jukha slowly turned to see the same young Farie squatting over an open fire, slowly spinning a few small animals on a stick in a deliberate rhythum.


    ¡°I¡­ I was dead¡­¡± Jukha breathed, pulling himself upright. ¡°I saw the¡­ I saw the sword in my chest.¡±


    The Farie stood, pulling a cooked squirrel from the stick and walking over to him. Jukha¡¯s instincts overwhelmed him, and he backed up frantically until his back was planted firmly against a tree. ¡°I was wrong... your¡­ your Fay, you must be¡­ What did you do to me... What did you do to me!!¡± he screamed, unconcerned with the high pitch of his voice, or the quaver in it. He was facing one of the most dangerous being in the Realm.. the creatures that taught the H¡¯mure Majik¡­ The ones responsible for generations of torment and suffering, all to feed their sadistic desires. ¡°Peace Jukha of the FeralWood¡­ I am not Fay, I swear it on my life.¡± She soothed, and Jukha had to struggle not to feel the affects of her sweet smoothing voice.


    ¡°Then¡­ How¡­ How am I alive¡­ Am I a¡­ a¡­¡± His voice died, unable to even speak his fear.


    ¡°No, Jukha. You are not one of the undead. Only Fay can create a rot slave.¡± The Farie fluttered over to him, kneeling next to him so that she was a mere foot away from him. She slowly reached for her blouse, deliberately unbuttoning the front of it as Jukha pressed himself further into the tree. ¡°Vin cannot create rot slaves, but we can preserve life.¡± The last button broke free and she opened her blouse to him. Jukhas eyes widened as she bore her chest to him. Her skin was rapidly recovering from her time in pirson, as all Farie healed and flourished in the deep woods. Between her breast was a shimmering cut that seemed to mirror his own stab wound, and she took her blouse completely off, turning her back to show him a corresponding mark. ¡°I took your wounds to myself¡± she explained, recovering herself with what Jukha guessed was a slight blush. ¡°With the life I pulled from the knights, I was able heal you enough to bind you to myself, and Myself to you.¡± The Farie explained.


    ¡°You killed the knights?¡± Jukha asked horrified, but now more intrigued.


    ¡°No, I merely drained them of a portion of their life force. They will die a few years early, but they did not perish.¡± She said before bowing her head, ¡°Jukha. I¡¯m sorry. To save your life, I had to bind it to my own. As long as I live, so will you. But we are now bound together, if you are hurt, it will weaken me. I will feel every injury, every cut, every broken bone you will ever experience, and If I die¡­ We both will perish. That was the cost of bringing you back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m not a rot slave?¡± Jukha asked slowly. And the Farie shook her head violently, ¡°Then¡­ Thank you, I owe you, my life.¡± He lifted her bowed head up to face him, ¡°May I know your name?¡±


    ¡°Vilora, Vilora Vincile.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Benjamin sat back, Stunned. Not only was there some massive war that occurred in ancient history, but the two people he first met were over 1500 years old¡­ ¡°That¡¯s, a lot to take in. If You are linked to Jukha, you should be able to find him?¡± Vilora bowed her head, ¡°I could follow the link as you say, but.¡± She was cut off by an involuntary hiss from her own lips as a new sparkling slash appeared on her cheek. ¡°Every blow Jukha takes weakens me... If I were to find him, whoever has him would kill us both.¡±


    Benjamin watched as the new wound began to slowly stitch itself back together, ¡°How do you know someone has him, and not that he is simply mauled.¡± Viola winced as her cheek healed, ¡°because of this.¡± She unbuttoned the top of her bouse, exposing the upper part of her chest just above her busts. *This ends when you find us, come alone.* ¡°Whoever has him knows about us. They recut this into Jukha¡¯s skin every time it heals. Along with¡­. Other things.¡± She quickly buttoned her top back up. ¡°Please, Benjamin. You are the only one who will not treat me with fear or vengeance. The differences between the Fay and the Vin have been lost to time. The vast majority of the Farie left are Fay, and their machinations appear enough that explaining the difference would be less than useless.¡±


    Benjamin stood, stepping over to Volira, ¡°I will do what I can, but I need to prepare. You will stay the night here, and we will depart the following evening¡¯s darkness.¡± Volira nodded, ¡°Viola, I don¡¯t want to make you do anything, but is it alright if you could help Volira to my spare bunk. I¡¯ll be making enough heat to keep the building warm. You and your sister should be comfortable enough without me tonight. I must begin.¡±


    ¡°I.. I can do it.¡± Viola stammered, still clearly afraid of the Farie. Jukha¡¯s wife looked over at the forge, ¡°It will take you several hours to get the forge lit properly, and you have no tools.¡± Benjamin simply picked up a piece of scrap iron, using majik to agitate the metal itself until it grew red hot. ¡°I¡¯ll be ok.¡± He smiled.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Vilora awoke to a still quite warm room, Benjamin¡¯s two slave girls lay under a bundle of blankets, still keeping together for warmth as she slipped out of the room and into the small workshop. Benjamin was asleep in a chair, hands still dirty from his nights work. His capacity for Majik came as a shock, but not a surprise to the Farie and she walked gingerly to check on him. She had not been allowed a restful night sleep. Whoever had her bound continually gave him little nicks and cuts, almost as if to keep her from sleeping through the night. Ben woke with a start before she reached him, and he looked around frantically before his wits returned to him, ¡°Morning.¡± He grumbled, slowly standing from the chair and stretching. ¡°How are you feeling.¡± he asked gently.


    Vilora winced at a fresh cut, this one across the underside of her left bust. ¡°I live. It will take a bit more to kill me. Are you ready?¡± Benjamin stretched, ¡°Mostly, but I need to visit the Alchemist. I have some spare jerky in the pack. If I¡¯m not back by the time the girls wake, it is theirs to eat. They need it more than I do.¡± Vilora nodded as Benjamin dipped his hands in some water, washing away what he could before departing the building.


    Benjamin had been to the alchemist only once before, to acquire a cure for one of Qort¡¯s many hangovers. His feet carried him across the town square, and to the front stoop of the establishment. The Being who ran it was named Morique, and he was yet another colorful representation of the vast variety of thinking beings in this Realm. Morique still roughly 6 ft 1in tall, he bore jet black hair, that was smartly trimmed into a short style, and his thin build was punctuated by an angular face. He would have looked the perfect copy of an Elf from one of Tracy¡¯s books, had he not sported a pronouncedly hooked nose, grey slick skin, a full smile of serrated sharklike teeth, and an extra set of arms with clawed hands. The Shark-ant-elf man smiled widely as he saw Benjamin, forcing the Human to violently smother several intense instincts. ¡°BeenJayman, welcome! Has Qort run out of the Piclin root already?¡± Ben forced a smile back, remembering that the strange and terrifying was now normal, ¡°No Mori, Qort is fine. I¡¯m here on my own accord. May I browse for a moment?¡±


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Viola woke slightly before Valrtya. They had gone to bed with full bellies for the first time since they were children and were kept cozy by Benjamin¡¯s work in the forge bleeding heat into the room. The Farie was nowhere to be seen at first, but Viola found her in the main forge room, a single old pot sitting next to a roaring wood fire inside the forge, ¡°Good morning.¡± Vilora smiled weakly, ¡°It¡¯s not much, but a warm soup might be better than jerky for breakfast. It will be ready in a moment.¡± The farie winced hard and held her side, probably from another attack on her bound.


    ¡°I¡­ I.. can help, keeper of..¡± Viola was cut off by a wave of Vilora¡¯s hand, ¡°Please child, I haven¡¯t deserved that title in over a millennia. Just call me Vilora, please sit.¡± Viola nodded, but instead went to grab a pair of bowls that she and her sister had cleaned the night before. She scooped a pair of ladle-fulls of food for the two of them as the Farie limped to the table. ¡°Thank you, child. A toll, this is taking on me. Viola is it, and your sister is Valtrya.¡± Viola nodded, taking an appreciative sip of the steaming concoction. ¡°We are.¡± She said finally. ¡°I did not know the Vin still lived until last night. Do our names offend you?¡±


    Vilora smiled kindly, ¡°No, dear. It was a  surprise to find an Aereesin with a Vin given name, let alone two. May I ask about them?¡± Viola froze for just a moment before taking another spoonful of soup to her lips. Swallowing, she finally spoke, ¡°My people had no choice in the war, you know this better than even I. Mother and father were on forced breeder farm. We were her 40<sup>th</sup> clutch, and she gave every one of her children a Vin name. It was her way of giving her offspring a small chance at finding happiness. Very few remember the Vin, but they exist. She never found out if it worked, but she did it all the same.¡± Viola bowed her head, remembering her mother for a moment.


    ¡°How much does Ben know about you and your sister.¡± Vilora asked gently, and Viola shook her head, ¡°He know¡¯s the name of my people. He knows they are branded traitors. His Forgemaster told him what the world thinks we are good for, but I do not believe he knows anything more.¡± Vilora watched the girl for signs of deceit and found none, ¡°Please, kee¡­ Ms Vilora. Benjamin is more than we could ever ask for. Please do not push him to rid himself of us. He wishes to give us more skills that those we learned with our thighs.¡± Viola¡¯s eyes glistened, ¡°This world has already taken my sister¡¯s voice, I only wish for it to not take her life.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Vilora said, ¡°Peace, child. You need not fear my swaying BeenJaymin from you. Please, just be careful.¡± Viola nodded vigorously, taking another bite and wiping her eyes just before Benjamin stepped back through the door carrying several bags.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°Ah good, the fire is lit. Viola, are there any pots of particularly poor quality, it will not be safe for cooking after I am finished.¡±  Benjamin set the bags down at the counter. Viola stood to get it for him, only to be waved back into her seat, ¡°The one on the far end. Its handles are broken.¡± She said instead.


    Ben grumbled slightly before picking up the pot and filling it a portion full of water, ¡°It will have to do.¡±


    Valtrya stumbled into the room, awoken by all the noise, and Viola poured her sister a portion of the soup. No one left the old forge turned lodging for the rest of the day. Benjamin seemed content to ricochet around the workshop doing Cosmos knew what for several hours until darkness fell. As the sun slipped below the horizon, the four of them departed, and Benjamin was stopped short by an annoyed Qort walking up as they were leaving. Viola, Valtrya, and Vilora slipped into the shadows as the Durr stomped up, ¡°Benjamin, what is the meaning of all this.¡± He dropped his accent, as was his wan¡¯t when he wanted to be understood. ¡°I give you a lodging and work, and you disappear a day later. What the hells is wrong with yee.¡±


    Benjamin sighed, ¡°Qort, I must go. I can¡¯t explain it all, but Jukha is missing, and I have to go find him.¡±


    ¡°So! Yee couldn¡¯t tell me this in the morning?!? What¡¯s really going on, Albino¡± Benjamin winced at the use of the moniker but met Qort¡¯s gaze levelly, ¡°I should have. Everything is true, but it is more complicated than my explanation. If I live, I will return and explain what I can. I¡¯m not running off on my favorite Forgemaster.¡±


    ¡°If yee live hmm.¡± Qort eyed Benjamin up for a moment his face shifting to one of grim understanding, ¡°Well, yee took down Korgan easy enough. If you don¡¯t come back, I get whatever yee left in that warehouse.¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± Benjamin smiled, clamping the Durr on the shoulder, ¡°We will talk when we return.¡± Qort raised an eyebrow, ¡°We?¡± before waving his arm at Benjamin¡¯s silence, ¡°Fine, when you come back.¡± With that the Forgemaster turned and stomped back from where he came from.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Vilora had not come by wagon, but by wing. She could no longer fly well enough to make the return trip, and she certainly could not carry Benjamin and the girls. Viola and Valtrya were still extremely thin, but they were no longer in danger of dying from malnutrition. It still took two days to return to Jukha¡¯s cottage, and the Girls had to share his blanket for the night, to the consternation of Vilora. They arrived to find the cabin in shambles, the furniture was smashed to pieces, and a portion of the barn as burned to the ground. ¡°I came home to this from a forage for herbs¡± Vilora said softly, ¡°I almost didn¡¯t get the barn put out.¡±


    Benjamin felt that familiar rage build in his chest, ¡°have they returned?¡± Vilora simply shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t like that they know where your home is¡­¡± He pulled his bowie knife from its sheath, ¡°Take this, It¡¯s not much, but I will be back as soon as I can.¡± Viola took the knife, staining a bit to hold it, ¡°I will protect the Kee¡­ Vilora. Please, come back Benjamin.¡±


    ¡°I will¡± he said, and Benjamin hefted the improvised packs he had made from a spare rug and some iron. It was heavy, cumbersome, and ill comforted; but it would have to do. Benjamin took a deep breath, starting out in the direction that Vilora pointed him in. The end of the first day had him sleeping under the forest canopy, a simple fire scaring away whatever roamed the night of the FeralWood. The second day he was about to give up when he heard screaming, and he slowly crept towards the sound until darkness fell, He lit no fire that night, creeping through the darkness towards the sounds of torment. What he found when he reached the small clearing left red tinges to the edges of Benjamins vision.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Aye, this never gets old.¡± Brogue¡¯s sinister chuckle accompanied the screams of the Orc as he carved more obscene scenes into the chest of their captive. The Durr was an outcast slaver turned Monster killer. His family had cast him out after one two many virgin slave girls turned up no longer fit to be sold at a virgin¡¯s premium. His partners, a disgraced lancer Orc named Jaars, and a Hellirine named Kastina. The red skinned woman wore barely but a simple loincloth and string top, flaunting her body while she ran a sharpening stone over her naturally forming forearm spikes. The last of their crew, an orc from the lower cast by the name of Yuurak was off on a scout now that they believed the fay to be sufficiently weakend, ¡°How, yee¡¯doin rot slave. Feelin¡¯ ready for another ¡®bout?¡±


    An exasperated sigh escaped the Hellirine put the stone down for a moment, ¡°Give it a rest Brogue. You know the smell of blood make me horny.¡± Brogue reacted without hesitation, driving the dagger through their captives shoulder, ¡°Aye¡¯m right here, If¡¯yee wanna blow off steam.¡± Kastine stood and visibly bit her lip, drawing a few drops of her own blood that she licked clean before sauntering towards Brogue, ¡°tempting, but we¡¯re on the job¡±


    Brogue barked a laugh, ¡°Never stopped us before, but so be it. When is Jaars supposed to be back.¡±


    ¡°He was supposed to be here already¡± Kastina shrugged, ¡°Maybe he went back to the cabin to sniff knickers.¡± The two of them laughed heartily, and Brogue slammed his fist into their captive as he struggled. ¡°You might be right, He¡¯s a bigger perve than I am. How much juice does this bitch still have left in her. This poor fuck is almost already healed up¡±. Kastina finished sauntering up to the captive and Brogue, squatting down next to their captive, ¡°Don¡¯t worry you poor thing, I know you aren¡¯t really there. Your body will rest soon. The bitch that reanimated you will die slow for it.¡±


    Jukha¡¯s just growled his defiance back at them. He had tried to speak when he was first captured, but these hunters had simply believed that he was parroting a sent message from Vilora. He didn¡¯t know how long he was bound, one stab, slash, or crass carving seemed to flow into the other at this point. He could feel his bound¡¯s exhaustion. These hunters could not tell, but he knew she was weakening, and he prayed they didn¡¯t find her.


    ¡°Aye needa take a piss, Don¡¯t run off now, or I might have to take a few toe¡¯s.¡± Brogue laughed before sauntering off toward the edge of the clearing.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamins heart froze as he watched the Durr swagger directly towards him. Ben had found a mostly clear puddle of mud, and smeared it across his face and down his kneck. While thoroughly disgusting, he needed something for his extremely pale skin to blend in with the night. He slowly drew his stelleto, tensing up as the Durr stopped directly in front of him and began unbuttoning his trousers. ¡°Did our employer say anything about a bonus? Maybe I could get a pair of her wings as a trophy. That would make us all rich.¡± He said, unbuttoning fully.


    Benjamin took the advantage, waiting until both hands of the Durr were fully.. occupied.. He sprang his trap, exploding up from the bush he was hiding in, driving the triangular blade directly up under the chin of the Durr, through his upper pallet and into the brain.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Jukha heard the tell-tale gurgle of Benjamins strike, but so did the Hellirine, ¡°Brogue!!¡± She shouted, grabbing her lance and sprinting toward the already falling Durr. Jukha¡¯s eyes could only widen as a familiar face, covered in mud, and topped with fiery red hair stepped over the dead hunter. ¡°You¡¯re dead mother fucker!¡± Screamed Kastina, lowering her lance into a full on charge, her shield and her armor forgotten in rage. Benjamin¡¯s eyes held a violent mix of burning rage, and terrible calm. He slipped a strange lance from his shoulder, this one with a crude rope strap. He didn¡¯t lower it to meet the charge. Instead he swiped his hand over a strange contraption near one end, and placed the wooden end to his shoulder. Jukha readied himself to watch the pink skin become a Kabob on the end of the Red woman¡¯s spear, just before Benjamin disappeared behind a violent bubble of flame and thick grey-white smoke.


    The center of the back of the Hellirine¡¯s head exploded, showering Jukha in blood and gore. Three more holes added to the grizzly drizzle as the red woman dropped like a puppet with its strings cut. There was no wind this night, and the smoke hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity before an atrociously calm Benjamin stepped through the cloud, wiping the mud from his face as he ignored the bodies at his feet. He stepped up to jukha, quickly freeing his binds, ¡°Can you walk, we need to go. NOW.¡±


    ¡°Is Vilora safe.¡± Jukha gasped, rubbing his wrists as the last of the cuts slowly closed.


    Benjamin growled before answering, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I left her with the girls at your home. We need to get back¡­ now!¡± Jukha¡¯s eyes widened, remembering the conversation about the third hunter. He stood quickly, picking up his bow and his skinning knife, ¡°I can get us back quickly.¡± He pauses as he watched Benjamin pull a small packet of parchment from his pocket, he tore the end off with his mouth, pouring a tiny bit of black dirt into the contraption on the outside of his strange blunt spear. Ben closed the contraption, setting the wooden end on the ground and pouring the rest of the sizable amount of black dirt into the metal end before stuffing the whole thing down the hole in the front of the very much not a spear. Ben then reached for a long straight dowel he had strapped to his backpack, slamming it down after the parchment until it the dowel bounced. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± He said finally, locking eyes with Jukha. ¡°Let move.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Benjamin was breathing hard, struggling to keep up with Jukha as they raced towards his home. Ben had lost track of how long they were running, but his breathing was the least of his worries. A fresh thunderclap echoed over his drenched head. A full-on thunderstorm raged over their heads, soaking them and everything they were wearing in icy rain drops. Ben wiped the stinging rain from his eyes before almost running smack into a stationary Jukha. The Orc was standing stock still, staring at his ruined home from between the trees. Benjamin stepped up next to him, ¡°That was like this when we got here. Come, Let¡¯s find the gir..¡±


    A massive crash echoed over the din of the now dying storm, and the sound spurred Jukha and Benjamin to action. A familiar winged figure sailed into view from the broken window. She was thrown across the living room, impacting the floor as the two sprinted toward the house. A fire in the fireplace had the room fairly well illuminated, and Benjamin watched in horror as the third member of the monster hunting party appeared, dragging both Viola and Valtrya behind him by the hair. The Orc monster hunter had Benjamin¡¯s knife in his hands, and a bleeding cut on his forearm. His massive size denoted him as one born into the soldier class, and he threw the girls effortlessly next to Jukha¡¯s wife. Benjamin took his chance, stepping into view from the other side of the broken window, ¡°Hey! Asshole!¡± He bellowed, raising his weapon, and pulling the trigger¡­ *CLICK*. ¡®fuck¡¯ Ben growled internally, and he stepped over the sole of the window as his presence paused the massive green monster hunter¡¯s actions. ¡®This is not good¡¯ Ben cursed the rain overhead as he placed himself between the women, and their attacker.


    The Orc hefted Bens bowie knife, ¡°You¡¯re an ugly looking fucker, another one of the winged Whore¡¯s rot slaves?¡± Benjamin just stayed silent, praying that Jukha was well enough to get a shot off. His mind raced, his weapon had been reduced to little more than a club, and he doubted he would be given the time to remediate that situation. He still had his heavy pack, and his Stiletto, ¡°Do you get your rocks off killing half starved girls and Vin?¡± Ben slowly slipped his pack from his shoulders and drew the stiletto dagger from his waist.


    ¡°That¡¯s what she calls herself is it.¡± The Orc smirked, ¡°She hooked you right proper too,¡± Ben quirked an eye brow as he realized that the Orc was not talking to him, but to Vilora. ¡°Nice try, bitch. The Vin all died generations ago¡± he smiled sinisterly, ¡°My ancestors saw to that. Now, looks like you¡¯ad one more rotter than we thought. At least the other one¡¯s OOOF¡± The big Orc was interrupted by an arrow ripping through his shoulder from the back, and thick green blood flowed from the tip that protruded through the front of him. Jukha appeared from his hiding spot with a skinning knife of his own and charged the bigger orc. The Monster hunter dodged him easily, driving a meaty fist into his gut before swiping Ben¡¯s bowie diagonally across his back. Vilora cried out as she felt Jukha¡¯s pain, and the smaller Orc tumbled to Benjamin¡¯s feet. Ben watched as the slash began to seal itself, even as Vilora lay trembling alongside her bound, and he realized something. ¡°I¡¯m no rot slave, and I will prove it.¡± He growled, taking up Jukha¡¯s dropped skinning knife, and carefully cutting a small line into the skin of his left palm. Red flowed freely, Viola and Valtrya gasped quietly, but Vilora did not so much as flinch. Ben held out his hand, letting the red drip as the wound failed to majically seal itself, ¡°Not, a Rot slave.¡±


    The Orcs eyes narrowed, and he tossed the bowie knife to Ben¡¯s feet before reaching to the wall next to him. He picked up a long lance with a long, but thin blade. ¡°There¡¯s only one race that bleeds red.¡± He growled, settling into a fighting stance, ¡°Prepare yourself H¡¯mure, this day you die, and your body will fuel the flames of crusade once more.¡± Benjamin opened his mouth to argue, but recognized the look in the large warriors eyes. Talking was over, and Ben slowly bent down to pick up his bowie knife. As he did so, he let his head drift to Viola slightly, ¡°In my pack, a curved piece of wood and iron, the one that smells of rotten eggs and alchemy. Find it.¡±  Ben rosed, ¡®I pray its dry¡¯ and he took a few steps forward, keeping himself between his friends and the monster hunter, ¡°I¡¯m no H¡¯mure,¡± he took a deep breath, ¡°On with it, I have things to do.¡±


    The Orc obliged, instantly charging him with a flurry of stabbing thrusts. Benjamin side stepped, blocked, and dodged to various affect. The Orc still connected, and Ben took glancing blows to the outside of his thighs and on across his ribcage that glanced off a bone. He needed to get inside the Orcs range, but the head of the spear blocked and slashed at him at every attempt. He was floundering, and he knew it. His totality of training revolved around firearms, and he was far out of his element. *The forest, Son of Terra* the saying lingered in the back of Benjamins mind as he took several smaller cuts and one stab through his left bicept that forced him to drop his stiletto. ¡°What the fuck do you mean!¡± he growled, dodging out of the way, then charging the Orc to keep him away from jukha and the girls. Images began flashing through his head as if in answer to his exasperation: Pressure values, velocities, and images flooded his mind, and on a whim, Benjamin reached around, ripping one of his parchment packages from his pocket and griping it tightly in one hand. He ripped heat from the air around him and the fire roaring in the fireplace. he poured the energy into the package in his hand. The Orc¡¯s eyes widened as Benjamin¡¯s breath became visible in the air and his hand began to steam with rapidly evaporating water. Ben said a small prayer and threw the object, summoning a final concept, friction. The packet of parchment exploded, the energy was largely wasted, expanding in all directions in a bubbling core of flame surrounded by thick white smoke. Benjamin ripped the smoke from the air, using the now noticeable temperature difference in the air to flush the smoke out of the room. The Orc stood there, bleeding from two small holes, one in his left thigh, and one through his right hand that he had used to cover his face. He pulled a dull grey orb from the palm of his hand as Benjamin reached for another packet from his pouch. The air in the room plunged again and the fire flickered, and the Orc bellowed a challenge before charging, not wanting to give Benjamin time to pull the trick a second time. Ben realized he was not going to be able to dodge, and used the bowie knife to barely deflect the spear. It almost worked, but the spear struck true, punching through Benjamin¡¯s chest and out the back. ¡°Got you, abomination.¡± The Orc growled, drawing Benjamin to him like a skewered piece of roast. Ben coughed up a familiar taste, but smiled, ¡°And I got you.¡± He pressed his hand to the middle of the Orcs chest, and triggered a spark.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Viola was digging through the pack frantically when her ears rang with the sound of thunder. She looked up, expecting to see the storms return, but instead found Benjamin and the Orc enshrouded in a cloud of acrid smelling smoke. Benjamin waved a hand, and the smoke wafted away, Viola stared in shock even as her hands continued their search. She felt something curved and wooden, with strange metal levers on it and a metal tube. She pulled it out and it reeked of the Alchemists store. She had found it! She turned just in time to see a spray of red, and the tip of a spear rip out of the back of her master, she could hear words said, and then her eyes widened at a second explosion of fire and smoke. Benjamin and the Orc collapsed instantly. Vilora groaned as Jukha¡¯s body healed itself and he woke up again only to hear Valtrya scream. The Mute girl ran over to Benjamin, tugging on him frantically, just screaming. In shock, Viola dropped her prize. She was too late; she had failed her master. Vilora slowly rose, clearly drained from keeping Jukha alive and stumbled over to Benjamin, ¡°He breaths, but he does not have long¡­¡± She groaned as Viola shook herself and ran over as well, ¡°Can¡­ Can you save him¡­¡± she asked, meekly pleading with her eyes as she watched the depleted Farie struggle to inspect Benjamin.


    Vilora nodded, ¡°I could, but I am too weak. I would have to pull life force from somewhere to do it, but I don¡¯t think I would need to bind him. But..¡±


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Do¡­ it¡­¡± Vilora looked over, and Viola¡¯s mouth fell open in shock as Valtrya spoke for the first time since they were children,¡± do¡­ it¡­¡± She croaked, ¡°I¡­ give¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you sure, I would have to take two, maybe three years of your time in this world.¡± Vilora asked, and Benjamin¡¯s breath began to burble as blood began bubbling from his mouth.


    Viola straightened to face the Farie, ¡°Do it, I will give too.¡± She stated firmly.


    ¡°Very well, I will not take more than is needed.¡± Vilora extended her hand, taking one hand from each of the two slave girls, and closed her eyes. Her wings began to glow, then crackle with blue lightning as she bowed her head. A moment later, her eyelids snapped open, eyes shrouded in the same blue glow as the lightning arcing across her wings. She released the two slave girls, using her free hand to rip the lance from Benjamin¡¯s chest. Ben¡¯s body convulsed as lighting rippled from her fingertips, lancing into the wound for almost a minute before Vilora sagged. She closed her eyes again, and the blue arching faded. ¡°He will live for now, but he is still gravely wounded. I¡¯ve never seen a being with his body¡¯s internals. I¡­ I don¡¯t understand it.¡±


    ¡°Is he...¡± Jukha groaned as he stood, ¡°H¡¯mere¡­¡± He picked up a skinning knife and was immediately intercepted by Viola, the strange device raised over her head like a club, ¡°Peace girl, I wish him no harm. I could not kill him even if he were H¡¯mure¡­ I owe him my life.¡± Viola slowly lowered the club before turning back to Vilora. ¡°What does he need.¡±


    The Farie hummed, ¡°He will get the blood shakes. I cannot heal him more until I commune with the woods, and I won¡¯t take more from you. He will need to be kept warm if he is to survive. We cannot risk moving him far until I can heal him again.¡± She turned to Jukha, ¡°Beloved, see if there is any surviving bedding, It will have to do. You girls, I know he has not bedded you, but¡­ can you keep him warm for the night.¡±


    Valtrya nodded quickly and Viola spoke, ¡°He saved our lives, we will keep him warm.¡±


    Jukha came back with a set of bedding, and the four of them risked moving Benjamin closer to the fire. Vilora and Jukha quickly put together a pot of warming soup, feeding everyone from their emergency stores in a secret compartment under their home, and the Girls cleaned, and bandaged Benjamins mangled hand and forearm. Soon, everyone retired to various improvised beds with Jukha taking the nights watch.


    __________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin woke up, shaking uncontrollably. Nothing made since, he remembered getting stabbed. He even remembered the surprise he felt when it didn¡¯t quite feel as horrible as a gunshot wound. He tried to move his hand but found it uncontrollable, and his whole body ached with violent shudders as he recognized the signs of shock. ¡°hmmph¡± he groaned once, trying to get up before a thin hand pushed him back, ¡°My Lord, Ben. No. Forgive me, but you will perish if you move.¡± Ben opened his eyes to see Viola¡¯s face smiling softly down at him in the flickering fire light, ¡°W-w-w-w-water.¡± Ben croaked. He knew that he was taking a risk, but alcohol of any concentration might start him bleeding again. He recognized this even as he prayed he wasn¡¯t bleeding out slowly already. Viola nodded, ¡°broth. Warm, safe.¡± She whispered, bringing the warm liquid to his lips. He recognized the taste from his first day on this world, and had several more spoon fulls, ¡°Thank you¡­ so¡­ cold.¡± He sputtered, the broth had helped, but his body refused to keep him warm. Viola nodded, slipping over to her sister.


    She gently shook Valtrya awake and spoke something in their language. Valtrya quickly stood, stripping naked instantly before slipping under Benjamin¡¯s blanket and snuggling up against his chest. Benjamin tried to complain, and tried to keep her from stripping down, but her body pressed itself tightly to his anyway. He could tell she was recovering from their starvation, her skin was softer, and she felt a little heftier, but the biggest difference was¡­ she was warm. Viola slipped in behind him, also pressing her naked body to his. In moments he was surrounded by warmth, and he felt a breath on his ear, ¡°Mast¡­ Ben, rest. We will keep you warm.¡± She whispered before wrapping herself around him from the back. Benjamin quickly warmed, and with that warmth came unconscious bliss.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin was bedridden for the next two weeks, Jukha¡¯s torture had brought Vilora closer to death than She had originally let on, and it took here that long to recover to her full self. Viola and Valtrya kept Benjamin warm, refusing to let him sleep alone until the Farie could heal him properly. The morning finally came, and Ben found his head on Viola¡¯s lap being fed a breakfast gruel of some kind. Vilora fluttered in hovering over using her wings as she returned from her communion with nature, ¡°May I see Benjamin,¡± She asked softly. Viola looked up quickly before nodding slowly, and Vilora settled down next to her, ¡°Ok, Benjamin. Can you talk?¡±


    ¡°I can,¡± Ben coughed a bit, ¡°I can try.¡±


    The Farie nodded before continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve seen your past, you know this.. I must know however, are you H¡¯mere. They are the only race on this orb that bleed crimson. I¡¯m sorry, but I must know if I am to treat you without killing you.¡±


    ¡°I..¡± Benjamin croaked, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He answered truthfully, ¡°I¡¯m.. It is hard to explain,¡± he coughed again, and Viola wiped a little bit of blood from the corner of his mouth. ¡°You need.. you need to know to not kill me.. with Majik.¡±


    The Farie nodded, ¡°If I am to bend Cosmos to save you, I must know you.¡± Benjamin groaned softly, ¡°I¡¯m not a doctor. I was in school to be an engineer¡­ a¡­ maker of things. It¡¯s my lung isn¡¯t it.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Vilora confirmed, ¡°It is built differently than an Orc¡¯s or a Durr.¡± Benjamin thought for a moment, thinking back to how he taught Qort about steel, ¡°Could you mirror something if you used it to learn?¡± Vilora hummed for a moment, ¡°I could, in theory. I could at least mend the worst of the damage.¡±


    Benjamin nodded, ¡°Then look at my other lung. My people, Humans. Our lungs are almost identical on either side. You might.¡± A stronger cough wracked his body and Benjamin spit up a bit more blood. ¡°Peace, Ben. I can work with what you have told me.¡± She reached up, placing a hand on his forehead, ¡°Now sleep.¡± Benjamin instantly fell into unconsciousness, and the Farie slowly pressed her hands to his chest. She began to glow about the wings and the eyes, but this time it was the soft green of the forest instead of the harsh blue of the storm. Viola gasped as both the farie¡¯s hands disappeared into Benjamin¡¯s chest. The ¡°human¡± twitched as if rejecting the invasion, ¡°hold him.¡± Vilora spoke, her voice as if three of her were speaking at once. Viola pressed her hands on Ben¡¯s shoulders as the Farie worked. Half an hour later, Vilore pulled her hands from Bens chest, and he began to breath much easier. Vilora did the same procedure for his arm and hand, using his healthy limb to learn what she needed to rebuild his mangled fingers and shattered wrist and forearm. ¡°It is done, He will live,¡± Vilora sighed, ¡°Let him sleep. He will wake up naturally.¡±


    Benjamin slept through the day and the following night, waking up to the familiar warmth of soft bodies pressed against him just as the sun came up. He found himself gently stroking Valtrya¡¯s hair It was darkening significantly into a shimmering raven black that seemed to shimmer with shades of purple in the morning rays. She grumbled absently, wiggling into him without conceding defeat to consciousness. Viola woke with him, sitting up and pulling on her clothes before leaving the blankets. ¡°How do you feel, My lor¡­ Benjamin.¡± she asked, setting a new log onto the fire.


    Benjamin groaned, as he slowly sat, ¡°Like I¡¯ve been stabbed.¡± He moaned, finally waking Valtrya who followed her sister, dressing and tending to the fire and breakfast. ¡°How long was I out.¡± He asked.


    ¡°About a day. Vilora tells us that you will live, but your body will have to do the rest.¡± Viola sat down next to Benjamin with a bowl, and Ben smiled at her, ¡°I¡¯m ok to feed myself,¡± The girl nodded, handing the bowl to Benjamin with an almost imagined look of disappointment that nagged at Bens mind. ¡°When we finish eating, I want to talk to everyone. You all deserve an explanation.¡±


    ¡°I agree, pink skin.¡± Jukha rumbled, walking in with a pair of fresh small game over his shoulder. Benjamin noticed that Vilora was floating in from the kitchen and she settled into Jukha¡¯s lap after he sat down next to Ben, Viola, and Valtrya.


    Benjamin took a deep breath, wincing as his lungs burned a bit. ¡°You have shared your secrets with me, and I will keep them until my dying breath.¡± He looked between Jukha and Vilora. He reached out and took Vilora¡¯s hand, gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, ¡°I wish for you to see my entire story as I tell it, so you may know that I tell no falsehood. It will not be hard to find, as I will probably flash back to it as I speak.¡± He waited until the Farie nodded, taking his hand more firmly in both of hers. Ben felt a familiar anguish burn up through his chest, and he opened his mind. He actively invited the flashback, breathing slowly to keep from panicking as the memories began to flow, ¡°I¡¯ll begin at the beginning¡­ I¡¯ll begin with the day I died.¡±

 Chapter 9

    ¡°I want Death by Carnivore¡± Benjamin almost broke down as he watched his kid sister through his memories, speaking as he did so. He could feel the Farie next to him even as he saw through his own eyes this time. He described everything in brutal detail, heard the screams, felt the bullets tear into him as he spoke. The vision¡¯s felt distant this time, and Ben recognized Vilora¡¯s gentle touch as she dulled the worst of the sensations for him. He had not asked her to, but he suspected that she had felt the full brunt already from their first experience of his flashback together.


    ¡°Ben! Don¡¯t go! NONONONONO¡± Ben could still see his kid sisters blood-stained fingers, and face. Then the ¡°trip¡±. Hurtling through the universe or rather, into the universe. He felt Vilora tense violently when His memories of meeting the being made of fire. ¡°I am the one you call, Sol.¡± She kissed him before pushing him and the memories ended.


    Benjamin opened his eyes, failing to contain tears. He missed Tracy. He was terrified of whether she was ok or not. He wished he could have talked to his father one last time. Emotions broiled through him as he took a deep breath, realizing that he was still holding onto Vilora¡¯s hands tightly. He released them, noting the complicated look on her face. ¡°Now, you know everything.¡± His voice was barely above a whisper, ¡°I don¡¯t know what I am because, I was not born into this world. Where I come from; Farie, Orc, Trolls¡­ They don¡¯t exist. They have never existed outside of the fantasy of Literature. Viola, Valtria, Qort¡­ All of you only serve passing resemblance to what our fiction stories created, and there are many more peoples that I have never imagined in my wildest dreams. ¡°


    Vilora nodded slowly, ¡°But, your sister¡­ her golden hair. She is¡­¡±


    Benjamin cut her off, ¡°Human. She is Human, like me. Humanity is the only sentient being on my¡­ orb¡± He noted Vilora¡¯s eyes as he used her terminology, ¡°Humans come in a wide variety of shapes, sized and colors. Humans who have lived for generations in the deserts of Africa can have skin as dark as the coal a forgemaster uses to fuel his flames. People who live in the cold, bleak climates without much sun¡­ They end up with skin much like mine. My mother Is Irish by blood, she gave me my eyes and my hair, and she gave my sister her short stature and petite form. My father is Norwegian by blood. He gave me my height, and my facial features, but he gave my sister her golden locks. My best friend was a Filipino named Crisanto, and he has dark hair, dark eyes, and brown skin. All of us, are still human, all of us bleed as I do.¡±


    A pregnant silence fell over the group until Jukha finally spoke, ¡°I believe you, Pink Skin.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been touched¡­ Cosmos, who was she that brought you here.¡± Vilora asked finally.


    ¡°She told me that she has many names, She claims that My planet.. um¡­ Orb.. has many variations, and that she is there for all of them. I¡¯m guessing that This is earth, what we call my orb, but in some sort of alternative time, or dimension; but that is all but a guess.¡± Ben said, ¡°She only ever named herself Sol. It is the name we gave to our sun, but she spoke of the Cosmos.¡±


    Vilora nodded, ¡°If she is our sun¡­ Then¡­¡± she froze as Jukha put a hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know..¡± Benjamin said, ¡°She told me she was sending me to a time of peace, but that I was needed to save this world¡­ But I don¡¯t know what I am doing. I don¡¯t know what the threat is. I don¡¯t even know where I am. I¡¯m lost, hardly able to fight, and haunted by the day of my own death¡­¡± Ben lowered his head, ¡°I have no¡­¡± he couldn¡¯t finish the words..


    ¡°You are touched by Cosmos,¡± Vilora responded, ¡°No one has seen a god in over 1500 years. My sisters will need to hear of this, they may able to help. The Vin are not nearly as extinct as the brute believed them to be.¡±


    ¡°If they can, I would be grateful. I need to get back to the Forge. I swore to Qort that I would return.¡± Benjamin began to rise, only to be stopped by both slave girls.


    Jukha nodded, ¡°We will go in the morning, I require supplies to fix my home.¡± Benjamin nodded, leaning back against Viola, thankful for the support. He raised an eyebrow as she placed an object in his hand, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.. I was too late. I found it right as the Orc stabbed you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, about that¡± Jukha grumbled, ¡°Would you care to tell me what sort of Majik you know if you can blow a hole through the middle of a soldier caste, and destroying your hand in the process. Or rather, how you managed to kill a Hellirine with fire. They are dam near immune to heat. ¡±


    Benjamin chuckled, ¡°If you could help me outside, Ill show you. Grab that strange pole from over there.¡± He gingerly stood, being supported by his slave girls ¡®I really need to get them free¡¯ he thought as they helped him to the bench outside pointed facing the court yard. ¡°I probably shouldn¡¯t shoot that right now, so lets see if the powder is dry enough. Jukha, hold the wooden end to your shoulder. Pull back the hammer looking bit back and make sure the curved metal is covering the cup at the bottom. Jukha did so, and carefully looked over at Benjamin, ¡°Now, point that end at the tree over there, and pull the little metal bit underneath.


    *chuff¡­BOOOM!* fire belched from the end of the metal tube, and Jukha was pushed hard enough to take a step back. The powder was slow, possibly still a touch damp, but it ignited, hurtling four round pieces of lead at the tree, two of them hit, blowing bits of splinters out the back of the wood. ¡°That is an early version of what my people use for war. It¡¯s called, a musket.¡±  Jukha looked wide eyed at the crude weapon. Benjamin had modelled his hastily thought up design after the British Short Land pattern Musket, commonly known as the Brown Bess. The stock was a bit thicker than it should be, and the barrel was crudely formed, but it worked after a fashion. Benjamin had chosen to use an equally old ammunition design known as ¡®Buck and Ball¡¯ turning the musket into a 4 ball shotgun consisting of one .68in round lead ball with 3 .32in lead balls accompanying it. ¡°I didn¡¯t have time to make something more advanced, and I was never taught to fight with sword or lance. Viola here¡± He glanced over to the girl still clutching the curved stinky object, ¡°Is holding a smaller version of that musket. It¡¯s called a pistol.¡± Viola¡¯s eyes flew wide as she held the weapon away from her in fear. ¡°Its ok, I¡¯ll teach you how, come here.¡± He stood her in front of him, leaning forward to support her. ¡°Put both hands on the curved part, stretch your arms out¡± he ran his hands along her thin arms, giving his aid to her form. ¡°¡­ That¡¯s close enough, we can work on the details later, now pull the hammer back and close the ¡°frizzen¡± the curved bit. Now, pull the small lever underneath. It¡¯s called a trigger. *bang!* the smaller report of the weaker charge still bucked the pistol in Viola¡¯s hands, and she missed the tree entirely. The recoil drove her back into Ben¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Very good. I¡¯ll take that now. Thank you.¡± She handed the smoking weapon to him, eyes wide in wonder. ¡°In simplest terms, I am using Alchemy to create pressure to throw a round rock. I didn¡¯t kill the¡­ Hellirine with heat, I used heat to throw four rocks seven times faster than any bow. The impact did the rest.¡± Benjamin had to suppress a laugh at the slow dumfounded expression that Jukha gave the musket in his hand before turning back to Benjamin with a serious face.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here less than a year. You can¡¯t have mastered majik to this point already, how are you not dead.¡± Jukha scowled.


    ¡°The night you brought me to town.¡± Benjamin answered, ¡°Sol visited me in my room. I sorta¡­¡± he paused scratching the back of his neck, ¡°blew up in her face. I was yelling at her, cursing her for sending me here with nothing in my possession to be able to do what she asked of me. She told me that she could not aid me in the way I wanted because of some old rules from the beginning of time, or whatever, Then I got this wild idea in my head. What if I could perfectly recall everything, I had ever laid eyes on. Every class, every concept, every formula and compound matrix. Before I knew it, she told me ¡°I believe I can grant this¡± without me asking it out loud. She forced me to sleep like you did¡± He pointed at Vilora. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what she meant until I began working at Qort¡¯s..¡± Ben slowly drew his Bowie knife from its sheath, tapping it lightly on the barrel of the musket. It rang like a chime.


    __________________________________________________________________________________________


    Qort grumbled as he closed down his shop. It had been three weeks since the Albino had left, and he was beginning to doubt the man¡¯s survival. Benjamin was a paradox of an Orc, but he had given the Forgemaster the gift of steel. He had already sold a sword and two daggers for double what he would normally ask for. He secretly wondered how long it would take before the Academy came knocking on his door demanding his secrets. For now, he was content to sell what he could, and build a nest egg for himself. He rounded the corner to the building he had allowed Benjamin to live in, and stopped cold as he recognized Jukha¡¯s cart. ¡°Qort!¡± The Orc called out from the doorway, ¡°My friend! How are you!¡± The Orc smiled.


    ¡°Aye¡¯m Doin¡¯ fair. D¡¯yee bring¡¯ta pink skin Back T¡¯Mee?¡± Qort asked speculatively, and a heavily bandaged Figure, topped with Red hair and propped up by a pair of familiar girls slowly waddled out of the doorway, ¡°I¡¯m here Qort, but I¡¯ll need a few weeks before I can return to work.¡±


    Qort pushed past the Orc, walking quickly up to Benjamin, ¡°What did you do to yourself, boy.¡± He looked Benjamin over as he leaned on Viola and Valtrya.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ok, boss. I Just got a little beat up saving the overgrown Olive.¡± Benjamin put on a smirk, recognizing Qorts ¡®serious¡¯ voice.


    ¡°What is an Olive, and why do I wanna punch you now.¡± Jukha joked back. ¡°He saved my life, Qort; but he took a lance to the chest for it. It¡¯s a miracle he survived.¡±


    ¡°I see. Well, considering how well business is going; I can make do until you recover. Savin a friend of mine is to be respected.¡± Qort said before finally dropping back into his accent with a smile, ¡°N¡¯don¡¯t Yee be getting Soft wi¡¯the girlies. Aye¡¯ll be workin¡¯ta snot outta¡¯yee, when¡¯yee return!¡± With that, the Durr Forgemaster waved his goodbyes, picked up the stack of coal he needed for tomorrow, and headed back home.


    ¡°That was close,¡± Vilora murmured after he rounded the corner. She had concealed herself behind the inward opening door, ¡°His people suffered the worst in the hands of the Fay. I don¡¯t think he would let me explain.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Jukha nodded, ¡°Best to leave tonight then. Qort¡¯s no idiot, and Benjamin needs to rest.¡± He turned, squeezing Ben on the shoulder, ¡°Rest up. I owe you. I¡¯ll swing buy with some game in a few days to keep everyone fed while you recover.¡±


    Ben nodded, waving bye to the two as they slipped out into the night. Benjamin spent the next 4 weeks forcibly being cared for by the two Aereesin girls. They refused to let him sleep alone for the first two weeks of their return, and he lacked the will to complain. He didn¡¯t let them off lightly, however. And as soon as he could sit for a long period of time, he began teaching them basic math, science, and writing. Luckily his ¡°Orcish¡± automatic conversion from English transferred to reading and writing. They worked hard at their studies. Valtrya was excelling in basic math but struggling in phonics as she still refused to speak. Viola seemed to jump on the idea of letters and sounds but had more trouble with her numbers. Both of them, to Benjamin¡¯s surprise, liked the sciences, but LOVED the Forge. Maybe it was the heat on their still thin bodies, or maybe it was because it was the first place that they experienced kindness. Benjamin did not know, but he added basics of running the billows and heating the furnace to their studies. By the time he was fit to return, they could get the forge roaring almost as effortlessly as they could swiftly.


    Their bodies were also changing rapidly. Viola was obviously the older of the two, and she was quickly becoming painfully gorgeous to look at. Valtrya was following in her sisters footsteps, quickly bringing Benjamin to question just how young these girls may or may not be. It was a small relief when the two finally decided he could keep himself warm at night and began sleeping in their own room that used to be the old apprentice quarters. The building was built much like Qort¡¯s current forge, just smaller. The Forgeroom was in the middle with the main entrance to the building on one end, and the two separate living quarters on the other. The walls proved thin, when Benjamin was awakened from one of his nightmares by the soft shaking of Viola. She could hardly be persuaded to leave his side, knowing in full what he was dreaming about, she instead sat with him for over an hour until he finally began to doze off.


    Their return to work saw Qort elated. The Forgemaster watched as the girls prepared the Forge, and Ben started gathering tools and material. The Forgemaster had essentially two apprentices and a partner Forgemaster in his shop, and the next few months flew by. Summer came, and the Forge began drawing high end clients from across the realm. All races, and all creeds requested commissions from Qorts establishment, and soon Benjamin made the observation that they could make even more if they used both forges. So, it was done. Viola and Valtrya floated between the forges, assisting in keeping everything running smoothly; and Benjamin began working in the smaller forge. He began to feel better as the summer heated up, and His dreams slowly faded in their frequency and intensity. The second forge also allowed Benjamin to begin his journey further into Majik. His first attempts were rudimentary at best, but he searched his memory  for the techniques and concepts that he would need. He tested his less¡­ mechanical ideas in the forest during his visits to Jukha. Vilora picked up where Qorts understanding of Majik failed, and the things that were possible both intrigued and terrified Ben.  He almost blew himself up three more times, but they were under the watchful eye of Vilora, who was able to heal him more easily each time as she learned the Human body. The last ¡°accident¡± took her no more than a half hour to repair his seared off hair and mangled hands.


    The first leaves were just beginning to turn colors when Benjamin began introducing Viola and Valtrya to advanced math and engineering concepts. Neither one showed any promise in Majik, despite being present for the majority of Benjamins learning of the supernatural art, but they worked hard to soak in all he taught them. Both of them now preferred the leather working clothes of the forge, and they were beginning to craft kitchen cutlery and small knives for the more generic commissions. Benjamin watched as the village slowly accepted them. In the villager¡¯s eyes, they were valuable, if pampered slaves, but their ¡°masters¡± treatment of them was seen as acceptable because of the results that it was producing. The girls were contributing, being made to work hard, and Benjamin¡¯s occasional explanation of the rigors of the Forge sufficed as reasonable for their food and clothing requirements. Viola was widely acknowledged as Benjamin¡¯s proxy when buying food or procuring material from venders, but they did not need to know that Benjamin often sent her out to ¡°practice being free¡± with no actual mission in mind. The villagers never asked, so Ben and the girls never needed to lie about it.


    Valtrya was a harder problem. Her mute status would make her a harder sell for immigrating into a more lenient kingdom, and Benjamins attempt to get her to speak were proving a failure. Viola simply said that it was not her story to tell, and that Valtrya wished for him to not see her with pity. Ben still wracked his brain to figure out a way to get through to the girl.


    One morning, Benjamin woke up early. He was happy, it was a strange feeling for him. It was the weekend, and he stepped out into the forge to find Viola sitting at the table. She was spooning a mouthful of gruel to her lips, and he waved her down as she tried to get up to serve him. He smiled as she sat down without argument this time. ¡®Maybe she¡¯s finally getting it.¡¯ He thought as he filled his own bowl and sat down across from her, ¡°How¡¯d you sleep.¡± he asked between mouthfuls.


    She sighed heavily, ¡°well enough.¡± She responded, ¡°What shall we do today?¡± and Benjamin smiled at her with mischief in his eyes, ¡°lady¡¯s choice. What shall we do today?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Viola stuttered pausing for a long moment, ¡°I.. I want to go out¡­ to get fitted for a new dress, then to eat, The three of us.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow and Viola quickly backpedaled, ¡°I mean, we don¡¯t have to. I don¡¯t know what I was...¡± but Ben held up a hand.


    ¡°Out it is.¡± He said gently, ¡°Go wake Val, Lets get some food in us before we leave.¡±


    ¡°Val?¡± Viola asked and Benjamin smiled broadly, ¡°My people shorten the names of friends. Your sister¡¯s name can be shortened to Val, and Yours to Vi. Is that ok?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I like it.¡± Viola said after a moment, ¡°I¡¯ll go get her, she¡¯s been wanting a nice dress for a long time.¡±


    Viola got up and semi rushed toward the room she shared with her sister, and Benjamin filled a third bowl and set it at an empty place on the table, Today was going to be a good day.

 Chapter 10

    Benjamin smiled, watching the girls skip ahead of him. Today was a testing day of sorts for him. Unwilling to release firearms into this world haphazardly, yet unwilling to go without them as a backup; he had pulled from one of his sister¡¯s favorite video games. He had ¡°melted down¡± his bowie knife, repurposing the metal to be used in his latest creation. The final product rode on his hip like a short sword, but Ben was satisfied in the design when the vast majority of the people he passed ignored it as just another adventurer¡¯s blade. Benjamin hoped, that with the existence of Majik, that he would be able to pass off any¡­ peculiarities... as the realm of the supernatural.


    The three of them arrived at the tailor¡¯s establishment, and the girls were met with a customary indifference that seemed to present itself when a slave¡¯s ¡°master¡± was present. The moment Benjamin entered, the seamstress ceased to pay attention to the girls, and instead addressed him directly, ¡°Ah, The Forgemaster¡¯s Prot¨¦g¨¦. What can I do for you this day.¡± She said cooly, bowing slightly in welcome. ¡°I¡¯m here commission some clothing for these two, a reward for good service.¡± Benjamin began. It was technically true; the success of the forge had afforded him much more coin than a mere apprentice could have made. Qort had taken him on as a true partner, and Benjamin earned enough to comfortably afford to cloth his ¡°slaves¡± in whatever he chose.


    Some stigma¡¯s remained however, and the seamstress seemed to glare sideways at the girls as they perused the fabrics adorning the walls. ¡°Is that wise? A slave could lose her place with such gifts.¡± she asked, her polite tone barely hiding her disapproval. Benjamin sighed internally, ¡®oh for fucks sake¡¯ he groaned in his own mind before putting on facad, ¡°I find that proper reward, afforded on the right servant can result in¡± he paused, projecting a smug expression and blatantly looking the girls up and down. ¡°a profound dedication to their duties¡± he finished with a satisfied smile as the seamstress covered her mouth with a hand to hide a smile of her own. The gambit worked, and the Seamstress was obviously satisfied that the ¡°Aereesen slave whores¡± were being properly ¡°used¡±. ¡°Ah, I understand. What did you have in mind for them.¡± She practically moaned back at Benjamin. ¡®This hag needs a good pounding¡­.¡¯ Benjamin¡¯s inner monologue threatened to crack his facade, ¡°That¡¯s the fun part, my good lady. It¡¯s their choice. The surprise is half the excitement.¡± He chuckled.


    The seamstress openly smiled at him this time before nodding and stepping over to the two girls. Benjamin breathed a sigh of relief as she seemed to treat them at least marginally more warmly. The old racist bag didn¡¯t need to know that Benjamin was secretly building a small nest egg for his girls, or that his sending them out to do errands for him was how he was teaching them about money, value, and the application of Mathematics. She also didn¡¯t need to know that the full Cutlery set that she had purchased last week had been made by Vi¡¯s own hand as her first full solo commission set. Benjamin had stamped his ¡°mark¡± on them, because slaves were not allowed to own anything, including their own work; but Vi had begun with raw steel and finished with one of the finest cooking knife sets he had seen in this world or his.


    Benjamin settled onto a bench outside, using the excuse of wanting to enjoy the morning air to afford his girls some privacy. Now that Viola and Valtrya were eating a healthy diet, and the right calorie amount; they had blossomed into absolute bombshells. Their hair had recovered, and both sported long flowing locks that boasted a silky satin black color and texture that betrayed hints of deep royal purple. The color reminded Benjamin of one of those expensive custom car paints that changed color depending on the lighting.


    Their skin recovered almost as quickly as their hair. The sickly, scabbed look was quickly replaced with the same satin quality as their hair to the touch, but with a light grey coloring that almost seemed to tease the edge of hinting at a greyish purple. A dense pattern of Small freckles of the same dark, almost royal, purple as the highlights in their hair frolicked on both girl¡¯s cheeks, and down the sides of their necks. Because of their early lack of understanding on modestly, Ben knew that those freckles traveled much further. The sad truth was that Benjamin understood fully why Aereesen¡¯s were the prize of slavers and brothels, and he silently prayed that he could give them enough self-worth and skill to have a better life than that, once he got them out of the Principality.


    A door¡¯s soft creaking broke Benjamin from his thoughts as the two sisters stepped out smiling, ¡°Get everything you need?¡± he asked standing as the three of them departed the establishment. Val nodded vigorously, and Vi smiled as she spoke, ¡°I think so, but I had to practically beg the woman to stop showing us lingerie¡­ what did you tell her?¡± Benjamin felt his cheeks heat as he responded, ¡°What I had to. The old hag doesn¡¯t get enough at home. It¡¯s not my fault that your ¡®enthusiasm¡¯ is in the forge and your studies, not between the sheets. I didn¡¯t lie to her, I just let her draw her own conclusions, sorry.¡±


    Vi¡¯s eyes twinkled for a second, ¡°Oh,¡± She smirked, ¡°Thaaat¡¯s why she broke out the silk. Some of her options were..¡± She blatantly bit her lip at Benjamin. ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­¡± He asked in shock, and Vi lifted up on her tippy toes to brush her lips against his ear, ¡°Not telling¡± she purred, setting Bens senses on fire. She backed up a step, openly smirking at his beet red face. ¡°But your expression is adorable¡­ My Lord¡± She stated the last two words with a deep sultry tone, knowing that Ben couldn¡¯t scold her in public before taking his hand, ¡°May we visit the bazar next? Val saw some jewelry she wanted to look at.¡± Benjamin gave her a pointed look, that turned into a smile as she beamed at him, ¡°Ok, sounds good. I need to pick up some food for the week.¡±


    It was later that afternoon when the three of them left the bazar. They found Jukha waiting on the bench in front of their home. ¡°Jukha! How are you!¡± Benjamin called, clasping the Orc¡¯s hand firmly as the girls rushed inside to put up their purchases. Jukha reciprocated, if somewhat stiffly, to the strange to him gesture. ¡°Benjamin, it is good to see you well.¡± His tone stopped Ben in his tracks, ¡°What is it. Is your wife, ok?¡±


    Jukha shook his head, ¡°Vilora is well, but I have been tasked with finding you.¡± He said carefully, ¡°The slaver, the one you dueled for those two,¡± he nodded to Vi and Val as they stepped back out of the building, ¡°The Heir of The Romoregin house is here. He has lodged an official demand for satisfaction, and he brought a champion.¡±


    Benjamin stiffened, ¡°Another duel? You said an ¡®official demand¡¯¡­ what happens if I refuse.¡± Jukha winced at Ben¡¯s tone, ¡°It is an archaic practice of my people, rarely remembered, and even more rarely demanded. You cannot deny a satisfaction claim, but should you prevail, no further claims can be made upon your person. I am sorry Benjamin, but if you flee or refuse, your life is forfeit; and your property goes to the claimant.¡± Jukha looked pointedly at Viola and Valtrya. ¡°The young puke has put me in danger as well, if I do not deliver you and them to the duel, I can be detained. If they torture me¡­.¡± Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened before hardening in understanding. ¡°Jukha¡­¡± He turned to find Viola standing next to him, with his musket in one arm and his ammunition bag in the other, and sighed, ¡°Fuck¡±. He loaded his musket with a single roundball cartridge this time, unwilling to fire buck and ball in the town streets. He pealed the ball out of the paper wading after pouring the poweder, reaching into his haversack to retrieve a small round patch made of pillow ticking. Jukha looked on in mild fascination as Benjamin spit on the cloth patch before wrapping the ball in it and ramming the whole thing down the barrel. It wasn¡¯t much, but it reduce windage, ensuring at least reasonable enough accuracy from the smoothbore to keep from hitting innocent bystanders. It would also virtually eliminate blow-by, upping the chamber pressure and giving him a little more velocity. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    The four of them entered the small city square to be met with Qort and three Org guards. These soldiers wore different insignia that Benjamin had been taught were the mark of the capital. ¡°Beenjaymen Shayfe¡± one of them butchered his name, ¡°I am.¡± Ben nodded firmly, the other guard nodded, ¡°And your two slaves, good. Has Jukha informed you of the proceedings.¡± Benjamin scowled, ¡°A legalized way to attempt a revenge killing? Yea, I¡¯ve been told.¡± Ben didn¡¯t bother to hide his vitriol, ¡°So I have to kill a motherfucker for defending myself from his father?¡±


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Not quite. The Heir has brought a champion. The rules are simple, all forms of combat are allowed¡± The first guard began as the second one began chaining the wrists of Viola and Valtrya. Benjamin began to move before thinking, only to be held back by Jukha, ¡°Peace albino. They must do this. Fighting them will cause a forfeit.¡± Benjamin looked at the terrified faces of the two girls. He forced himself to calm down outwardly, but Benjamin could feel the rage building. He had worked so hard to save those two, to get them out.. now some snot nosed brat was going to try to kill him because his father didn¡¯t know when to fuck off. Benjamin stepped out from around the guards. The ¡°heir¡± was a young Durr. Ben had no frame of reference for age, but the Heir was substantially shorter, and his facial tentacles were almost mere buds. Beside him stood a crimson colossus, the same species as the Hunter he had shot saving Jukha. He was taller than that female, and was wearing plate armor, gilded in silver. He hefted a great sword of some kind and smiled openly at Benjamin. It was not a pleasant expression. ¡°Ah, so You¡¯re the puke I¡¯ll be cleaning from my blade. I am Krastorin. Come here, pale one, I¡¯ll make it quick.¡±


    Benjamin looked him over, subtly shifting into a shooting stance but keeping his musket looking like he was resting the butt of a spear on the ground. ¡°You look accomplished, what makes you do the bidding of the boy.¡± He asked, blatant scorn on his tone. The Young Durr flinched, his small tentacle buds writhing violently. ¡°H¡¯Dare Yee!¡± he bellowed, voice cracking with the strain of fury, ¡°Aye¡¯ll ¡®ave Yee Head on Me¡¯Wall!!¡±


    Benjamin ignored him, focusing on the Hellirine. The man looked back at the boy with a raised eyebrow, ¡°The young puke promised me one of those.¡± He pointed at Vi and Val, who had reverted to their former trembling submissive postures that Ben had met them in. ¡°It appears that they are as well kept as claimed. I look forward to sampling them.¡± He leered. Benjamin looked over at the Young Durr and found his face a mixture of relief and anger. ¡®Ah, lied about daddy¡¯s slaves.¡¯ He turned to the soldier standing next to him, ¡°Is the duel on?¡± he growled.


    ¡°Combatants! Begin!¡± was the Soldiers response, and the crimson mercenary lifted his sword from his shoulders advancing forward with a long confident stride, ¡°at last, let¡¯s get this over wi..¡± a clap of thunder echo¡¯d through the Feral wood, and most of the crowd cried out in surprise as Benjamin disappeared, seemingly behind a bubble of fire, and brimstone. The single round ball ignored the mercenary¡¯s plate armor. Punching straight through as the soft lead mushroomed out into a ragged disk that measured almost an inch and a half. The mangled projectile, still travelling at almost half the speed of sound, eviscerated the chest cavity of the Mercenary before blowing a one foot wide hole out of the crimson man¡¯s back. The exit wound missed Krastorin¡¯s spine by an inch, but it didn¡¯t matter. The projectile embedded itself into a post, thankfully missing any bystanders by mere inches in some cases. The Young Durr, who was standing just behind and to the side of his champion, was screaming as he pawed at the bits of pale yellow blood, bones, and fragments of internal organs now covering him from head to toe.


    Benjamin handed the smoking musket to Jukha, drawing his short sword and walking over to a sputtering, choking, and coughing Krastorin. The Hellirine lay face down on the ground, having fallen that way from the momentum of his initial advance. The back of Benjamins mind was sickly amused as he remembered the old Hollywood trope of bullets throwing people backward, and a pinch of regret sparked in his soul as his opponent death rattled. He stepped up to the Heir, resting the blade against his neck, ¡°Are we done here. Be a better man than your father and learn when to save your own life.¡± The Young Durr froze, staring up at him in abject terror for several moments as a puddle formed at his feet. Benjamin opened his mouth to speak again when the boy simply passed out, falling into the puddle of his own mess as his mind refused to stay conscious.


    Benjamin turned to walk back towards Jukha and the girls. ¡°Unchain them.¡± Benjamin¡¯s tone could have frozen a raging forge¡¯s inferno. To his surprise, two of the soldiers drew their weapons on him, ¡°You need to come with us. All Touched must be registered with...¡± Benjamin pointed his short sword at the one talking¡­ and pulled the trigger. The percussion revolver built into the hilt of the short sword was zero¡¯d using a notch Benjamin cut into the crossguard, and the tip of the curved blade as a crude set of open sights. The barrel of the revolver lay along one side of the blade, and was rifled. The speaking soldier orc¡¯s took the smaller pistol round through the forehead, exploding the back of his skull in a cone of dark green and grey mist. The exit wound showered his companion in bits of bone and brains. Benjamin¡¯s thumb found the hammer, and four satisfying clicks echo¡¯d in the stunned silence, ¡°HEAR ME!¡± He growled, ¡°I, am touched by the Gods. I posses the power to end any life I choose using the power of Hell itself!¡± ¡®if I have to show them a gun, might as well throw them off the trail¡¯ ¡°The violence of the raging volcano obeys my very fingertips.¡± His revolver/sword bucked a second time as another soldier orc made a move to rush him. The smaller pistol round still punched through the orcs armor and out the back, but only left him screaming on the ground. Benjamin re-cocked, and leveled his weapon at the orc holding the chains to Val and Vi. ¡°Now, release them.¡± This last remaining Orc did as asked, before gathering up his screaming companion as the girls rushed to Benjamin, he pulled them close, whispering, ¡°I¡¯m sorry we wont be able to pick up your dresses.¡±


    The three of them packed up that night. Qort had understood, knowing all too well what the Principality would do to acquire a Touched of Benjamins ability. ¡°Stay safe my friend. I pray our paths cross again.¡± Jukha snuck them out of the village that night, using his wagon to get them to his home. They stayed a week, laying low while they planned their next move. The girls spent their time learning recipes from Jukha¡¯s wife, and ben took the time to unwind a bit. Jukha and He went on a hunt, and Benjamin was given a run down on the flora and fauna of the Feral wood. The two of them brought back a pair of Stags, and the three women cooked them a feast.


    ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready!!¡± called Viola, setting the last of the sides on the table as the dutch oven roasted meat was brought off of the stove top. It was a simple yet elegant meal. Stag, potatoes, some kind of Kale style vegetable that Benjamin had never seen before. Soon enough, everyone at the table was leaning back, as full as they could make themselves. ¡°So, pinkskin,¡± Jukha asked, ¡°Where do you plan on going. I wouldn¡¯t mind you staying with me. I could use another hunter, but I suspect that they would notice the extra product I brought to the village.¡±


    Benjamin Hummed, ¡°The Maridian Combine. Qort told me that they banned slavery over a century ago, the girls have learned so much already. It would be easy to find jobs for them.¡±  Vi and Val drooped slightly but hid it well. Jukha noticed it but said nothing. ¡°A good choice, their boarders are well guarded, you would need to free them before you cross, or end up in a dungeon yourself.¡±


    ¡°Good point, I can write up a simple writ of freedom. Something I can sign and give to them.¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°I can get started on that to¡­¡± he paused as a hand fell on his. He looked to see Viola staring at him, fighting back tears, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong. You will be free¡­¡± Jukha nodded slowly and stood. ¡°love,¡± he said to Vilora, ¡°I need some help with the livestock¡± The Farie met his eyes in unspoken understanding, fluttering out the front door with Jukha.


    ¡°Vi, what¡¯s wrong.¡± Benjamin asked gently.


    ¡°No¡­ go¡­ Val¡­ stay¡­¡± Both of them turned to Valtrya in shock. She was trembling, ¡°I wont..leave.¡±


    ¡°You speak?¡± Benjamin looked in shock, but Viola spoke next, ¡°Benjamin, we don¡¯t want to leave. We want to stay, with you. I¡­¡± She paused. Ben sighed, ¡°I want you to stay too.¡± He said, finally admitting it to himself, ¡°But I can¡¯t own you. It¡¯s killing me that you are my property.¡± He reached up and wiped a tear from Vi¡¯s eyes, ¡°You are so much more than property. I feel evil, every day that I wake up knowing that I could do anything I wanted to you, or worse, die and have someone else hurt you for the fun of it.¡± Benjamin bowed his head. Viola reached out, lifting his chin to look into his eyes, ¡°Then come with us.¡± She whispered as Val stood up and stepped around the table, ¡°yes.. You, come.¡± She wrapped herself around Ben from the side leaning in until she was resting her head against his shoulder, ¡°I¡¯m¡­ staying.. with you.¡± she said softly. Viola nodded, ¡°Benjamin, how old do you think we are.¡±


    Ben looked at her in confusion, ¡°I have no idea, I¡¯ve always assumed you were teenagers. 13-14 years old for Val, maybe 16 for you, but that was when you were skin and bones.¡± He admitted.


    Viola¡¯s eyes widened in understanding. ¡°You did not want to bed us because you thought us children.¡± Benjamin nodded slowly, answering. ¡°And forcing sex on a child is the worst kind of crime on my world¡±. Viola and Valtrya looked at each other, before Vi spoke. ¡°Ben, my sister will turn one hundred and three in a fortnight. I just had my one hundred and fifteenth birthday last week.¡± She leaned in, pressing her lips to Bens as she kissed him passionately for a moment. ¡°We are no children,¡± Viola paused as Valtrya leaned in, kissing Ben lightly on the neck, ¡°You are not forcing us to do anything, but leave.¡± Viola whispered as she began to close in to a surprised Benjamin for another kiss.


    The door to the cabin flew open violently, and the girls pulled back to a more modest distance. Jukha walked in, carrying a panting Vilora. ¡°What happened.¡± Ben asked hurriedly, hoping he wasn¡¯t blushing as hard as the heat on his cheeks suggested. Vilora waved a hand as Jukha set her down in her chair, ¡°The Vin¡­ My sisters¡­ they reached out¡­ They wish to meet¡­¡± The Farie gathered herself, ¡°They also sent a warning. We must leave, tonight¡­ hunters.¡±

 Chapter 11

    Benjamin stared at the exhausted looking Farie in shock, ¡°How much time do we have?¡±. Jukha simply stood, stepped over to the floorboards near the fireplace, and began ripping them up with his bare hands. After several planks yielded to his strength, Jukha pulled out a pair of packs, and handed one to Vilora. ¡°Oh¡± Ben stated flatly, having been given the answer to his question. He turned to see the sisters already packing up their packs, and Ben began the same.


    In moments, the four were ready to go, slipping out the back door and into the forest. Benjamin paused, ¡°Hold on a moment.¡± He turned to look back at the house, reaching out with one hand before clenching it into a fist. He ripped the heat out of the roaring fire dispelling it into the air before kneeling down and placing both hands on the ground. Vilora gasped quietly at the power Benjamin began channeling a volatile amount of majik. He pulled from the depths of the world itself, summoning pure compounds from the ground and from various natural sources. He used the refuse in Jukha¡¯s farmyard to provide him with the last of the required ingredients before infusing them into the charcoal remnants from the fireplace. It wouldn¡¯t be much, but Benjamin relit the fireplace, forcing the flames to turn a few of the remaining logs into charcoal without burning them.


    Extinguishing the flames once more, he combined the components he had acquired, before willing the concoction up into the flue and packing it around the circumference of the inside of the brick chimney. Vilora stepped up to him, touching his shoulder with a trembling hand, ¡°What¡­ what have you done. I felt it, but I don¡¯t understand it.¡±


    Benjamin took a long cleansing, and slightly shakey breath. The exertion left him feeling drained for a moment. He turned to her, expression was grim, but he patted her hand on his forearm, ¡°Giving us some breathing room. They will search the house. I¡¯ve just left them a little surprise.¡± He stood, looking towards the forest, ¡°how do we get to your sisters.¡±


    Vilora nodded and they followed her into the forest, it was not a long walk. And after about 20 minutes they came to a clearing with a strange tree in the middle. ¡°Please, Ben. Whatever happens next, know that we are not Fay. Promise me.¡± Benjamin heard the fear in her voice wondering if it was from what he had just done, or something deeper. He nodded once absently, his musket already unslung and in his hands. He had loaded a buck and ball cartridge into it before they left the cabin, knowing that he was only going to get one shot in an ambush. Viola had his original flintlock pistol in her hand, and Valtrya was semi hiding behind her sister with Bens Stiletto dagger clutched tightly in her fingers. ¡°Very well,¡± the Farie stated, and turned to face the tree. Her wings quickly began glowing a vibrant green, and they fluttered violently as she began to chant something in her native tongue.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    The Hunters arrived, led by the singular Orc from the capital guard. He was the same one that had been spared by Benjamin just over a week earlier. He brought with him a tracker. Ski¡¯murika was one of the arachnid people known as Sil¡¯skira. This one was a flat grey to Mi¡¯ki¡¯s own jet-black carapace, and she skittered lightly into the room. The Sil¡¯Skira had no sense of smell, but their sense of taste bordered on the supernatural. She raised one leg to her mandibles, tasting the ground around them, before dipping it into a bowl and repeating the process, ¡°four of them. An Orc, a Fay, two Aereesin females, and¡­ a strange one. I¡¯ve not sampled this one before, but he carries majik¡¯s sour aftertaste.¡± The Soldier orc, and the three other Hunters managed to not cringe. The Sil¡¯Skira were known for their wide¡­ pallet¡­ as far as what they considered food. Many a sentient being had been turned to a husk by a hungry Sil, and The Orc did not doubt that this one came by her¡­ flavor recognition¡­ honestly. The other three; a Hellirine named Jazeel, her twin brother named Jeraal, and a Mountain troll who¡¯s name defied pronunciation gave the Sil a wide birth, stepping up to the fireplace. ¡°Well, while we¡¯re here. Lets warm our bones.¡± Jazeel casually began stacking wood and kindling atop the chared remains of an apparently freshly quenched fire. ¡°How far do you think they could have gone?¡±


    ¡°Not far¡± the Sil¡¯Skira stated absently, ¡°Their food is but lukewarm. I can still taste the spittle on the strange one¡¯s spoon.¡± She turned to pad over to the fireplace. The Soldier orc, named Gurrut leaned up against the table, ¡°Should we really be stopping for a fire? If they are so close?¡± Jeraal only smirked, ¡°It¡¯s a long game boss. They may not have gotten far, but they will be frantic. Look at how they left. Something, or someone warned them. They will be ill prepared. No, better to keep our pace. We will wear them down easily in the mor..¡±


    Jazeel lit a spark into her tinder box while her brother was talking. She placed it into the fireplace and the kindling lit quickly. A single twig flared up, sending an ember into the flu where Benjamin had packed his quickly made gunpowder. It ignited instantly, and the flu provided enough constriction to pressurize the reaction. The fireplace detonated in a weak, but effective improvised bomb. The brickwork shattered into shards of deadly fragmentation, Jareel simply ceased to exist, being turned to a cloud of yellow blood and internal organs trimmed in red skin and white bone fragments. Her brother¡¯s head was caved in by a large brick chunk, sending skull bone spalling deep into his brain, rending it to ribbons. He died before he hit the floor. The Sil¡¯Skira¡¯s abdomen popped like a balloon in the over pressure wave, and she quickly curled into a quivering ball as her blood pressure dropped, no longer fighting against her leg muscles. Their employer, the soldier orc from the capital, lost his arm above the elbow. His armor saved his vital organs however, but one shard threaded the needle, taking his right eye. The Mountain troll was thrown to the far wall, but Her naturally resilient body survived both the shockwave and the fragmentation impacts. She picked herself off the floor, stumbling to the screaming capital guard. She bound his wounds quickly before taking a flaming shard of the sabotaged fire and searing the stump to stop the bleeding. She then left him there. There was no point in anything else. The hunt was over.


    ___________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin tried not to stare, but he was failing miserably. Jukha¡¯s Farie wife¡¯s body was glowing bright green now, and he almost had to shade his eyes if he tried to look directly at her. She was not the only one he was struggling not to stare at. Viola¡¯s explanation and subsequent revelation had taken him by surprise. He realized that he had treated them like children, pupils at best. Benjamin had focused on training them to be free, turning a blind eye to the relationship forming between them and himself. *You are not forcing us to do anything but leave* He ran that statement over in his mind. The ¡°leave you¡± was implicated heavily, and it ate at him. He did not want to force these girls to do anything. Yet, despite his best efforts, he was forcing something on them anyay. He silently both cursed his situation and cursed his own ignorance. He found that, if he was truthful with himself, he did not want them to leave either; and that more personal revelation brought its own paradox. He could not bear to own them as property, but the thought of leaving them tore at him with similar pain.


    ¡°It is almost time!¡± Benjamin looked back from where he was keeping watch, Vilora was panting heavily, her painfully bright glowing wings drooping slightly, ¡°I won¡¯t be able to keep the connection for long!¡± She called as the tree in front of them began to creak. Two of its great limbs began to move on their own accord, groaning under forces older than space and time. Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened as the two branches slowly formed a sphere, then his head snapped around at the sound of a dull thud emanating from the direction they had come. He smiled grimly. His little IED must have been triggered, and with any luck, taken their pursuers with it.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Ready yourselves!¡± Jukha called, and Ben turned back to a view he had not expected in his wildest dreams. ¡®you¡¯ve gatta be shitting me¡¯ He thought as a rippling green mirror filled in the center of the circle created by the branches of the tree. Benjamin felt the sisters at his side.  And he nodded to them, ¡°you first. I¡¯ll cover our six.¡± Vi raised an eyebrow at the odd expression but nodded. Taking her sister¡¯s hand and stepping through the portal. They were closely followed by Jukha, who seemed absurdly calm about the whole thing. Benjamin held his ground, slowly backing toward the portal while he kept his eye on the treeline.


    ¡°Benjamin. Hurry, I can¡¯t.. I can¡¯t hold!¡± Vilora¡¯s frantic tone moved Benjamin into action, He spun on his heels, slipping his musket to his left hand and scooping up Vilora as he passed her at a full sprint. He jumped as the portal sputtered, passing through it and into a familiar tunnel that he remembered from his first meeting with the Celestial, Sol. This one was a minute fraction of the distance, however, a single step in fact. His feet landed on soft moss and an earthy smell alerted him to his change of location. His eyes began to adjust to the much dimmer light as he set Vilora¡¯s exhausted form on the ground gently. His eyes peeled away the darkness after a moment and Benjamin grunted, tucking the butt of the musket under his right arm as he thumbed the hammer and slapped the frizzen in place. He drew his sword/pistol hybrid and settled the sights on a second being, who just so happened to have the misfortune of being ordered to bind the sister¡¯s wrists. The mechanical sounds of his weapons attracted the attention of everyone in attendance, but his voice froze them in place, ¡°unbind them¡­ now¡± he growled.


    His musket, loaded with Buck and ball, was trained on a small group of Farie¡¯s standing in close formation with thin lances rested base to the on the ground. The other Farie was currently holding the rope leash to the sisters. He glanced at the small squad of lancers, ¡°you move, you die.¡± His tone bore icy promise on its wings, and even Jukha could not bring himself to act. ¡°Benjamin. Peace, please. These are my sisters. They are Vin. Remember your promise¡± Vilora¡¯s voice cut through the silence first, and Benjamin glanced at her, then back at the scene in front of him. He took a long deep breath, sheathing his sword/revolver, and lowering his Musket. He did not sling it, he returned it so a muzzle up ready position designed to keep his ammunition from falling out of the barrel should he still need it. ¡°Then please explain to them that I have a pathological aversion these women being bound, and that It would be in their best interest to release them...mediately.¡± Vilora¡¯s eyes widened as she turned to see the state of Vi and Val. She spoke quickly, and the Vin who held the girls looked back at Ben in shock before frantically unbinding both Vi and Val. The girls sprinted to Benjamin, slamming into him with shaking embraces before he gently, but protectively pushed them behind him.


    One of the Lancers, a Farie with more ornate armor on than the rest stepped forward and Benjamin turned to face her, not so subtly settling his musket into a position to easily kill her if he needed. The Fairie paused, clearly considering something before Vilora stepped over and laid a hand on her shoulder. She shook her head at the other woman, it was an almost imperceptible thing, but the other farie¡¯s eyes widened as she regarded Benjamin again. ¡°Peace, Beenjaymin.¡± She said finally, handing off her lance to a subordinate and opening her hands to show them empty. ¡°We do not mean you harm, but we must protect what little we have left. The Matriarch wishes to see you, but we cannot allow you to meet here bearing arms. Please, understand.¡±


    Benjamin hesitated, and Viola leaned around him to look up. He gave her a smiling glance before looking back at the Farie. She nodded in understanding, ¡°I swear to you. Your¡­ girls¡­ will be permitted to stay at your side for the trip. Our sister has explained that they are not mere slaves to you.¡± Benjamin eyed her skeptically, and if this realms concept of honesty were not already explained to him, he would have not believed her. He slowly reached for the hammer on his musket, lowering it gently to half-cock before handing it slowly to the Farie who originally bound the sisters, ¡°Do not touch anything on it. This is not a weapon you have any concept of, and it can kill 4 people at once.¡± He held her gaze until she nodded, ¡°lean it against something. This side up, and DON¡¯T touch it.¡± He then unhooked the scabbard from his belt, handing the revolver sword and its sheath to her as one unit, ¡°Same goes for this. I¡¯ll know if you touch it. It is very loud.¡± He did the same with Vi¡¯s flintlock pistol, surprised that it didn¡¯t go off when it was dropped on the ground during their capture. The stiletto dagger was the last, a familiar weapon to this realm that needed no explanation.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Benjamin said finally, ¡°I believe that is everything.¡± The head lancer nodded, waving an arm elegantly toward the biggest live oak that Benjamin had ever seen. Benjamin thought it might be a live oak, at least. It stood twice the height of a California Red Wood but had the proportions of a Live oak. Massive drooping main branches arched overhead before touching the ground and returning skyward. Some of the largest limbs were the lowest and seem to bounce along the ground. Each grounding seemed to sprout smaller trees, and Benjamin felt his mouth fall open as they drew closer. The texture of the limbs sharpened as they closed, and Benjamin began to make out lit windows, carved into the tree limbs themselves.


    Carved into the base of the tree was an ornate entrance with lettering that Benjamin didn¡¯t recognize carved into the arches. Benjamin felt Viola take one of his hands, and Valtrya take the other. He ran his thumbs over the soft tops of their hands, trying to comfort them as much as he could. He felt them press up against him as they entered a throne room of some kind. On the far end, atop a series of steps was a throne, carved into the wall itself. ¡°The Matriarch¡± Vilora whispered from behind him.


    Ben halted several paces behind the lancer squad, bowing as he watched Vilora and Jukha do so out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Rise¡± came the command from the ornately yet unarmored Farie sitting on the throne, ¡°So tell me,¡± She asked, looking directly at Benjamin, who was keeping the girls directly behind him, ¡°Are you the reason that my orders to bind the Aereesins were not followed?¡± Benjamin instantly regretted giving up his weapons. ¡°I am,¡± he stated meeting her gaze unflinchingly. ¡°Oh? You believe yourself above my command?¡± Her cold tone registered, and Benjamin slowly closed his fist, finding what he was looking for. A single guard, one not present at their arrival began to march toward him, hand on her sword.


    Benjamin speared the guard with an icy glare, while talking to the Farie ruler, ¡°I expected Vin to be more hospitable.¡± He reached out with one hand and the guard froze as he gripped the metal of her armor with his mind, ¡°Especially with women baring Vin names in solidarity.¡± He slowly began to close his outstretched fist, and the guard inside the armor began screaming as the metal buckled, compressing against her body. Benjamin finally turned his icy gaze to the monarch, ¡°My girls¡± He hated to use that card, but it was the only one he had that wasn¡¯t lethal, ¡°Have spent over a century being bound, tortured, raped, and degraded. I killed their former master, a Romoregin no less, for it. I killed his puke son¡¯s champion for it. I¡¯ve killed two capital guards for it. I will kill without mercy to keep bindings from touching their skin. So, my lady what are you willing to do to bind them.¡± He gave the guards armor another small squeeze, using the shrieking metal to punctuate his resolve.


    The queen slowly stepped off her Throne, walking stoically over to her guard as she eyed Benjamin contemplatively. ¡°Stand down, Vailin.¡± She said to the now trembling guard, but her eyes were on Benjamin. Benjamin slowly released his grip on her armor and she fell to the floor, weeping. ¡°You two, get her to a healer.¡± The monarch ordered before taking to her wings and hovering up to face Benjamin at eye level. ¡°You care so much for your slaves, yet you do not free them. Why is that.¡±


    ¡°Benjamin doesn¡¯t want to keep us slaves!¡± Viola blurted out before she caught herself meekly adding ¡°Your majesty¡± as the Monarch leveled a surprised but firm expression at her. ¡°Oh? And yet you are still his, dear.¡± she said, turning back to Benjamin. Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°The principality would have resold them anyway. My only choice was to own them, teach them, then smuggle them to a free nation, or murder them by returning them to the system. Had we made it to Maridia, they would be emancipated already.¡± He met the Monarchs gaze levelly, ¡°Their lives are in my hands¡­ but at least their blood isn¡¯t on them.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, compassion and violence of action. No wonder Cosmos touched you.¡± The Queen mused. Benjamin chuckled at the expression drawing a raised eyebrow from the Vin Monarch, ¡°Something funny, young one?¡± and Benjamin gave her an amused smile, ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve heard something like that before, from Sol. I believe the Orcs call her Suelin.¡±


    This time, the Vin Monarch¡¯s face smoothed of all expression as she failed to find any falsehood in Benjamin, ¡°Come with me, please.¡± She stated it as a question, but her urgency peaked Benjamins curiosity. The four of them followed the queen up to the throne. She pulled on an armrest and the throne slid into the wall to one side, revealing a simply carved passage into the heart of the tree.

 Chapter 12

    Benjamin stepped slowly into the secret passage, placing the girls between himself and Jukha as he brought up the rear. Vilora seemed completely unafraid of the Queen Mother. She followed the Vin monarch into the narrow chasm without hesitation, leading the group as they walked the long damp roughly carved passage.


    Soon enough, the passage flared into a simple, yet well-furnished cavern. The Farie queen turned to them as they followed her in¡­. And pounced on Vilora in a tight, full embrace, ¡°Sister, oh I¡¯ve missed you...¡± she half whispered to Vilora as the rest looked on in shock, ¡°I see your life has been as interesting as you hoped.¡± She released Jukha¡¯s wife and turned to the Orc, ¡°You¡¯ve proven me wrong. My sister lives, and I thank you for it.¡±


    Benjamin looked to Vilora and Jukha in not so mild surprise, and Vilora spoke up first, ¡°This is Victoria. Queen of the Vin, and my twin sister. We shared a womb, even though we do not share a face. I have not seen her since I saved Jukha.¡±


    Vi and Val instantly fell to one knee, as Benjamin crossed his arms as he regarded her, ¡°So why call your sister home now, other than...¡±


    ¡°Other than you.¡± Victoria answered, ¡°please, sit. I must ask questions that I cannot have heard in open court.¡±


    The group sat, with the queen in a singular chair facing the rest as they settled into surprisingly comfortable couches. Victoria raised an eyebrow as the Aereesin girls gravitated closely to Benjamin who seemed to both be comforting them; and coiled tightly, ready to protect them instantly. ¡°My sister and I have not spoken face to face in generations, but she shared bits of her experiences with you. She made it clear that she knew more, but was oath bound to keep your secrets, ¡®not my story to tell¡¯ I believe was her words.¡± The Queen began, ¡°You bleed red, do you not?¡±


    Benjamin shifted slightly, ¡°I do, I hear that is a rather unpleasant fact among some.¡±


    The Queen nodded somberly, ¡°It is¡­ there is only one race that carries iron in the blood as you do, yet you claim to not be H¡¯mure. My sister appears to believe you whole heartedly.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s gotten a more¡­ intimate view of me from the lance wound. I¡¯m assuming she told you that?¡± Benjamin asked carefully.


    Victoria smiled in understanding, ¡°Ah, her needing to study your anatomy to heal you. Yes, that is a strong mark in your favor.¡± The queen then sighed raising a placating hand, ¡°unfortunately, in this existence we live in, that is not enough. The H¡¯mure were addicted to modifying themselves, either to hide, or for pleasure, to improve their chosen skill, or in search of perfection. My deepest apologies, Benjamin; but I must see for myself. Why does my dearest sister trust you so.¡±


    Benjamin did not say anything for a full minute as his eyes seemed to lose focus. Victoria watched as the older of the two Aereesen girls sat up taller, reaching for Benjamin¡¯s hand, rubbing it gently between hers. Benjamin seemed to return as she whispers something in his ear, too softly for anyone else to understand.


    ¡°I¡­ I will show you, on two conditions.¡± Benjamin said slowly. He paused; eyes locked on the Queen Mother until she nodded almost imperceptibly. ¡°You cannot share anything you see with anyone; eternity is not long enough for this oath and only I can release you from it.¡± Benjamin spoke with slow, deadly precision. Victoria recognized the iron in his eyes, unyielding in its challenge, ¡°I accept this and so swear it¡± she found herself stating, almost as if the response was demanded from her soul. ¡°And the second?¡±


    ¡°Vilora will accompany us, She has seen what I must show you, and she will be able to keep me grounded. What I am about to show you is¡­ traumatic¡­¡± Benjamin finished.


    Victoria leaned back, ¡°An interesting second condition. Very well, I accept it as well¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Forty minutes later, Vilora released both Victoria¡¯s and Benjamin¡¯s hands. The link broken; Victory opened her eyes slowly as Benjamin leaned back into his seat. The oldest Aereesen girl seemed to comfort him, but his expression straining against an unseen force. Victoria had seen the horrors of war, but she now understood the brutally personal nature of Benjamin¡¯s story. She also no longer wondered why he was so protective of the two sitting next to him. ¡®Then there are¡­.¡¯


    ¡°I¡­ I believe you,¡± the Queen spoke finally, equal parts intrigued and irritated by the quaver they danced around the edges of her voice. ¡°I¡­ understand your requests now, and you are wise to require them, even if a Queen.¡± Victoria stood, walking to a set of shelves, hoping to give Benjamin time to recover. ¡°You are of this orb, yet not of the 4 realms.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Benjamin said, ¡°I am human, and we are the the only ¡®race¡¯, as you know them, on my home¡­. Existence. We have no Majik, no H¡¯mure, and we¡¯ve¡­¡± Benjamin paused, but the Queen nodded, ¡°far surpassed us in the art of killing.¡± She stated solemnly. ¡°You¡¯re the first being to have met a celestial in over a millennia, and you have confirmed much of what we believe we know about this orb.¡±


    Victoria returned with a rolled piece of parchment almost twice as tall as her 4ft 8in height.


    She handed one end of the scroll to Vilora, and rolled it out upon the floor between them. ¡°This is our orb as we know it. The vast majority of the peoples living here believe it to be flat, but we Farie know it to be round, like a ball.¡± She began, conjuring a long thin shaft of wood. She pointed to the large land mass in sections, ¡°the four realms; the Orc Principality to the south, the Meridian Combine and the Barristine Oligarchy reign either side of Centristan Demarcation, and the Hirakan Ascendency reigns the far north. The four realms were founded upon the end of the H¡¯mure wars. Morag, and his head generals, split up the land as spoils of the conflict. Morag The Hammer, Merida the Just, Barris the stoic, and Hirak the cunning began building west from their portion of the coast. They created the realms upon their own image, and they persist to this day.¡±


    Benjamin studied the map. It reminded him a great deal of the theorized Pangea from his natural history classes, but something was off, ¡°where are we, exactly¡± he asked absently.


    ¡°The FeralWood.¡± Victoria replied, ¡°Or rather, deeper into the FeralWood. All of this,¡± she waved the wooden pointer across a vast stretch of continent west of the outlines of the four realms, ¡°Is the Feral wood. You travelled to us from here¡± she pointed at the edge of principality territory. ¡°Each realm had claimed a portion of the feral wood for its own, but the loss of life during the conflict stunts their attempts at reclamation, even to this day.¡±


    Benjamin let out a long low whistle, ¡°So many people died that this is all just forgotten and lost today,¡± he paused, the nagging feeling like something was off returning to him. ¡°I¡­ ¡° he began, leaning forward to the map as it hit him, ¡°where is Eurasia?¡±


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Everyone immediately looked at him, and the Queen cocked her head quizzically, ¡°Eurasia?¡±


    Benjamin sighed looking around until he found something he could use, ¡°forgive me,¡± he spoke as he reached out, obliterating the jewel encrusted silver plated iron lampstand next to the wall. The floating almost liquid glob of iron and silver filings was punctuated by four floating jewels.


    Everyone in the room flinched at his actions, but the swirling sphere quickly coalesced as Benjamin spoke, ¡°over 50 years ago, Humanity left this planet in exploration. We travelled above the earth, what you call the orb, and even visited the moon.¡± The swirling mass swirled wildly, depicting the Apollo flights, the shuttle missions, space X, and others before changing to a floating map of Pangea. ¡°This is a land mass made up of every continent we know today. Many believe that it existed long before the continent split into what I know them to be today,¡± Benjamin split the land mass apart before recombining it. ¡°If I remove the Eurasian landmass¡­ this happens¡±. The room gasped as Benjamin made the Eurasian chunk of Pangea disappear, and the remaining landmass quickly appeared almost identical to the map on the floor. ¡°My people have a scientific theory, more a thought problem than anything else, that our world exists in infinite versions, all occupying the same space at the same time, Yet very different.¡± Benjamin slowly shifted the image around showing the map on the floor in the swirling storm of iron and silver. ¡°If we take this theory as truth, you are missing a land mass. If I remember correctly, Morag and the other generals chased the H¡¯mure into the sea, but never followed them.¡± Benjamin spun the swirling globe to reveal Eurasia, on the other side of the planet, and the Queen gasped in understanding.


    She reached out, almost touching the swirling globe, ¡°they could be¡­¡± she stopped unable to put to words what she now feared to be true. Benjamin slowly closed his fist, reconstructing the lamp as he replaced it in its original resting place, as a heavy silence hung over the room.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    The Queen questioned Benjamin for over an hour on his world, the similarities, and differences, before leaning back in her chair.


    ¡°You have shown me much, Benjamin. Thank you...¡± the Queen took a deep breath, ¡°we will meet again in the morning, but I have one final question for you.¡±


    Benjamin nodded, ¡°Of course.¡± And the Queen leaned forward, ¡°What you said in the throne room, Is it true. If your¡­. Servants¡­¡± she winced as Benjamin¡¯s face flashed angrily but continued, ¡°we¡¯re no longer on principality soil, they would be free?¡±


    Benjamin met her gaze levelly, ¡°yes,¡± he said simply, ¡°I own them as a means to get them out of the principality. They are free to do as they wish, even now.¡±


    Victoria nodded, turning to the two surprisingly somber girls, and smiled as their eyes widened when she spoke in their native tongue.


    Tell me truthfully, what is your wish the queen asked


    We wish to stay with Benjamin. We care not that we are his property Viola responded instantly before pausing, but, it causes him great pain to own us, but the thought of leaving hurts us.


    The queens eyes narrowed , Us?


    Us Viola stated firmly.


    Victoria¡¯s eyes widened in understanding, Does he know? the queen asked


    He does not know, but he is kind. He believed us children until a short while ago, yet he still protects us. He took us to his bed, using his own body to keep us warm, and we slept next to him while he was injured to keep him alive through the blood shakes. He has asked for nothing more. He even refuses to watch us dress Viola explained, blushing slightly.


    I see Victoria smiled warmly, Then I shall give you aid, young ones. she stated, closing her eyes for a moment as her wings glowed slightly, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged accommodations for all of you.¡± She stated in Orcish as a second Farie, wearing the colors of the royal court, appeared from a door on the other side of the room, ¡°rest and recover; We will talk again in a few days.¡±


    The group followed the courtier out the hidden door and into a more ornate part of the carved palace built into the heart of the tree, ¡°The tree we are in. How is it not sick or dying.¡± Benjamin offered in slight wonder. The aid waved at the walls, ¡°We did not carve these passages into the mother tree. Her name is Veeranil, and she provides us with the passages and homes. We carve the finishing touches into the passages and rooms, but we do not cut them from her flesh. Ah, here we are. The Queens sister and her bound are to reside here for their stay.¡± She pointed to a door molded into the wall.


    ¡°Thank you, dear. I¡¯m honored to stay in the mother tree.¡± Vilora stated formally, bowing before she and Jukha stepped into their room, closing the heavy doors. The aid turned without saying a word and began walking further down a hall before making a corner and stopping at the door at the end. ¡°And this shall be where you three shall be residing for your stay.¡± The door opened and Benjamin surpassed the urge to sigh as he entered their quarters, but the complaint died in his throat as stunned silence took him. The room was breathtaking. A single massive ornately carved bed stood as the center piece with handmade matching furniture against the walls. One was obviously a woman¡¯s vanity with a tall flawless mirror attached to it. Benjamin set the large backpack he had carried during their escape, noticing that his musket had been leaned carefully up against a dresser with his pistol sword, stiletto, and Viola¡¯s flintlock pistol laid carefully on top of the piece of furniture.


    He walked toward the massive half dome window to see a completely unencumbered view of the stars, and the cloudless night shone in all its glory. Fresh air wafted in through the open terrace door, and Benjamin turned back to take in the room as a whole. He found Vilora and Valtrya sitting on the bed watching him, and he felt his cheek heat in memory of the kiss given to him just before they were forced to flee. ¡°Benjamin, please. Sit.¡± Viola said quietly, but something in her tone caught Ben¡¯s attention. He slowly walked over, sitting next to them, ¡°I¡¯m here, what is it?¡± he asked as Viola reached out her hand for his.


    Viola paused, steeling herself, ¡°Benjamin, you wish us free. You are kind to do so. You wish us to be able to make any choice we wish for ourselves?¡±


    Benjamin nodded, ¡°I do.¡± He watched as Viola turned to lock eyes with her sister before returning to look up at Benjamin, ¡°Then we wish for you to understand.¡± She took Valtrya¡¯s hand in her other one before continuing, ¡°There are only three peoples on this orb that do not die of old age. Farie¡¯s, The Mountain Folk¡­. And Aereesen. Sickness can claim my people, as can starvation, torture, and injury; but after our 17th year we become adults, and by our 23rd year, we cease to grow old. It is one of the reasons we are hated, not just in the Principality. Even in Meridia, we would be free; but we would be refused work anywhere but the Brothel or the mines.¡±


    Benjamin took a long deep breath, feeling a heaviness settle into the room, ¡°So even if I got you to a free state¡­ all because your ancestors chose the wrong side in a war a dozen generations ago.¡±


    Viola shook her head violently, ¡°My people did not choose a side, we were¡­ addicts¡­ Our grandmother survived the war, making herself¡­ useful¡­ over the ages until she chose to stay at the breeding camps when she had our mother.¡± Viola said softly, ¡°You¡¯ve been told of the H¡¯mure, how they torture their victims before killing them?¡±


    Benjamin shifted uncomfortably, ¡°They, um¡­ bit them, injected some kind of Venom.¡± He answered. and Viola nodded, ¡°They did. A small dose would cause a Warrior Orc¡¯s heart to race, and his vision to narrow, often burning his energy out in a few moments before rendering him unconscious¡­ Larger doses would cause the victim''s heart to explode from its rapid beating, or burst the vessels that carry life throughout the body, but¡­¡± She paused, shaking slightly before Benjamin squeezed her hand, then continued. ¡°For an Aereesen, It¡¯s a drug. A euphoria of both mind and body. My grandmother would tell us that she would have anything at all, even kill her own child, for a single bite from her master. The hold was so complete on my people, that when the H¡¯mure were driven from the realms, thousands died from withdrawl. Thousands more killed themselves rather than suffer any longer. My people were decimated, yet we do not die.¡±


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Benjamin breathed, taking in the implications of an entire race addicted to another race that was the embodiment of evil. Viola squeezed his hand once and continued, ¡°It was decided in those days, that we needed to know the fear of death. So, my people were made to suffer unspeakable fates for generations. My sister caught the eye of my mother¡¯s master on her 17th birthday. He took her from us during her small life party¡­ a week later she returned broken, hollow, and barely alive. She would have died, save for Gramamma¡­¡± Viola paused. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I..¡± Benjamin began, but Viola stopped him, ¡°It was not you, and it was a long time ago. Gramamma saved Valtrya, but it came at a price. My sister and I¡­ we are a paired soul. My Gramamma was a master in the majik of the soul, and I begged her to save my sister. I told her I would do anything. So Gramamma agreed. She blended our souls together, using pieces of me to heal the damage to Valtrya¡¯s essence and spirit.¡±


    Viola squeezed her sisters hand as Valtrya leaned against her, tears flowing. ¡°My sister lost her voice on her birthday, but I know what she needs as if she were part of my own body. She knows the same of me. We are two minds, two bodies but one soul. If we are separated from each other for too long, it can kill us¡­ Several Master¡¯s have done so for fun, bringing us to the brink of death before reuniting us for even the smallest infraction. We have, by a miracle of the gods, been able to survive until now, but Korgan had promised to kill us the night we met you. We could no longer¡­¡± She stopped as Ben touched her lips with his finger. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± he said, ¡°You do not need to relive that for me. I understand¡­. His son did not know about your soul, did he.¡± And Viola shook her head, ¡°He would have split us up, giving one of us to his champion, and we would have died within a fortnight. As I said, Val lost her voice on her 17th birthday, until you took the Orc lance to the chest.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened and Viola continued, ¡°You gave my sister back her voice. You¡¯ve saved us and returned us to health with kindness and modesty, demanding neither our servitude, nor our bodies as payment. We want to be yours Benjamin, if not in servitude, then as¡­¡± Valtrya stood as Viola paused. She stepped slowly up to Benjamin, cupping his face with her hands before taking his lips with hers for the first time. ¡°Something more.¡± Viola finished.


    Benjamin stiffened slightly, before pulling Valtrya into a gentle embrace. She broke away from him after a moment and Viola smiled softly at Benjamins conflicted expression, ¡°Benjamin, come to bed; It need not be for warmth or for pleasure. The rest can wait for the morning. Please, just be with us tonight because we, as free¡¯d, wish you next to us.¡±

 Chapter 13

    The early morning rays crested the low window seal of the ornate panoramic window that occupied the centerpiece of the room given to Ben, Vi and Val. The amber glow of the rising sun broke across Ben¡¯s eyes, wrestling him from his comfortable slumber. His mind slowly spun to life, and he realized two things that kept him firmly immobile. The first was that sometime in the night the bedding had ridden down around their waist. And the second was that he remembered that all three of them were naked.


    The sisters had insisted, claiming that both of them slept more comfortably this way; but they had understood Benjamin¡¯s desire to respect their modesty. The three of them had crawled under the blankets before disrobing fully, but that had not stopped them from promptly pressing themselves against him afterwards. Viola, in particular had hummed in profound satisfaction as she tucked herself under his left arm. She had done her level best to melt into his side, falling asleep almost instantly. Valtrya had settled in more timidly, only with her back facing him. Benjamin¡¯s right arm had been inescapably captured, and Val had snaked it between her breast before placing his hand on her side. Benjamin found that he was unable to move his right arm from Val¡¯s embrace.


    Benjamin was effectively immobilized in the softest prison he could have asked for, and he thought back to the conversation of the previous night. He could see it now and He kicked himself for not seeing it sooner. His first impressions of them, shivering, frail, and not more than skin and bones had blinded him. He treated them like children, and the impression was reinforced as he had needed to teach them things he had learned as a child. The protective, slightly baggy, clothes of the forge had helped hide their recovery from him, but no longer. His left hand absently traced the outlines of Viola¡¯s elegant curves, and Ben failed to not stare at their beauty as they slept. They looked every bit the immortal goddesses they revealed they were the night before. A gentle breeze swept in from the still open terrace door, forcing the tiny little body hairs on their exposed top halves to goose bump.


    Vi and Val were now in perfect health, having fully physically recovered from their life of chronic starvation, and blossomed into the stunning women they were meant to be. Viola was very obviously of a more curvaceous build, with an elegant hourglass body that was firmly toned from her work in the Forge. Benjamin guessed that she was probably on the smaller side of a D¡¯cup, and he felt her press her chest against him as the cool breeze slowly drew her from her dreams. Valtrya kept her slim form, even though she now sported the same toned solidity of her sister. She would have fit perfectly as a long lean fashion model strutting the runway, and her chest seemed to ride the line between a B and a C cup. Both women, now with the strength and the self-worth to stand tall, revealing them to be of the same 5 ft 6in height. They would not have been considered extraordinarily short on earth, but They seemed so small next to Benjamin¡¯s massive frame.


    Benjamin felt Viola shuffle, and he looked to her face to see her watching him with her chin on his chest. ¡°I¡¯m busted, aren¡¯t I.¡± he said slowly, already feeling the heat in his cheeks. Viola smiled gently at him, with just a hint of mischief before she slowly rose to sit on her heels. She yawned, stretching her arms over her head. She blatantly refused to cover herself, arching her body in a long slow stretch. Her eyes, however, were locked on Benjamin as she succeeded in tempting him to take her in with an awed expression, ¡°That implies¡­ I don¡¯t want you to look.¡± She coo¡¯d. ¡°You¡¯ve given me back my body, does it please you?¡± Viola asked in that same tone, leaning over and running her hands through his red hair. She slipped her hands behind Benjamin¡¯s head, cradling it as she hovered her body over his.


    Benjamin¡¯s heart raced. She was openly teasing him, both begging and daring him to touch her. ¡°Yes..¡± He gulped, ¡°Y. You''re¡­ gorgeous..¡± Viola¡¯s eyes softened at his sudden nervousness, and Benjamin felt Valtrya stir. Viola smiled as her sister rolled over, slipping between them to lock lips with Benjamin. Val never let go of his right hand, but instead guided it between her thighs. Both of the women gasped as Val slipped Benjamins fingers to their destination, and she made room for Viola to lean over Ben again. Val held Benjamins hand in place as Viola arched her back, slowly lowering herself with her elbows on either side of Benjamin¡¯s head.  Benjamin found Vi¡¯s breast just in front of his lips as she offered them to him, ¡°Benjamin. We have wanted you for so lo..¡± both girls gasped as Benjamin¡¯s lips accepted her invitation. His tongue swirled around each areola in turn, teasing her nipples into a vibrant perky deep purple. Val involuntarily shifted, sinking Benjamin¡¯s finger further into herself. ¡°¡­long¡­¡± Viola got out after a moment, and Val ran her fingers along Ben¡¯s waist, then under the sheets, and it was Benjamin¡¯s turn to gasp at her touch. Viola smiled softly, desire plain on her expression as she fought for the words, ¡°We wish it. Will you have us?¡±


    Benjamin reached up with his one free hand, cupping the back of Viola¡¯s head before pulling her into a passionate kiss. It was all the answer he needed to give. Viola shifted, giving room to Valtrya while keeping her chest on Ben¡¯s lips, but Benjamin shook his head gently. Viola looked at him for a moment before he smiled, slipping his fingers from Valtrya and coaxing her into Viola¡¯s place from the other side. His lips tasted Valtrya¡¯s skin for the first time the same moment his free hand found its way between Viola¡¯s thighs. Benjamin gently attended to Valtrya the same way he did Viola, and soon he saw them look at one another before Viola spoke, ¡°Val wants you to know that you are very gentle, and she wishes to be first to have you.¡±


    Benjamin looked at Vi with momentary concern. She smiled gently back at him before sinking his fingers deeper into her in a ¡®I¡¯m happy where I am¡¯ expression, and he nodded. Vi slipped slightly to the side, making sure to keep Benjamin¡¯s hand right where she had it, as Valtrya locked eyes with him. She slowly slipped over top of him, and kissed him fiercely for a moment before reaching for him. Benjamin shuddered as their bodies met, and all three of them moaned as she took him to her thighs. Their hips met, and Val leaned back down to Benjamin, cupping his head in her hands as she began to move on top of him in a slow grinding motion. Benjamin¡¯s mind began to blur. Valtrya kissed him for several minutes, before shifting and offering her breasts to him for the next several. It took a little bit for Benjamin to get used to how one touch, or one carress, or one thrust affected both women, and was quickly getting close when Valtrya suddenly paused, with a knowing expression. She lifted off of him, keeping his lips on hers as he calmed down before slipping to the side. Viola straddled herself over Benjamin. She said nothing, but smoothly settled onto him with a moan from both of them again. Viola revealed a difference between them. Valtrya preferred to grind against him, their hips pressed tightly together as he explored the deepest reaches of her. Viola began to kiss him fiercely, electing to slide up and down while rocking her hips in time. Benjamin lost track of time. The Aereesin women seemed to know exactly when to give him a break, switching out each time he was close to finishing. He wasn¡¯t sure when it happened, but he began to find that he could last longer, and finally let go of his nerves. He let his hands roam freely, exploring their bodies as they shared him. Viola climaxed first, sinking down on him before collapsing completely in ragged breath and quivering body. She managed to roll off just as Valtrya took her place. Their shared soul let her feel her sister¡¯s orgasm, and she was not far behind once she settled Benjamin into her. Benjamin discovered another difference when Val came. She planted her hands on his chest and almost screamed a moan, but she did not stop her grinding. She did not collapse, but rather rode Benjamin through her climax. Benjamin almost finished with her, but Valtrya somehow managed to fall off him, panting as Viola recovered. Benjamin was not quite calmed down when Vi sank herself onto him, leaning close to him with ragged voice, ¡°Val got to have you first. Now, Benjamin. I get to have you last.¡± She half moaned and half growled, ¡°Fill me, my Benjamin. I¡¯ll not be stopping this time.¡±


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    With that, she began her slow bouncing thrust with little hip jerks becoming more pronounced as she began to climax again. Benjamin¡¯s body quickly passed the normal point where the two women usually traded places. He felt himself swell inside Viola as her moans increased. ¡°Please.¡± Viola moaned over and over. She sat upright and showed off her body to him, speeding up her thrusts until he crossed over past any ability to stop. Viola leaned over just as Benjamin began to climax, driving him as deep into her as she could before starting an agonizingly slow hip grind that she combined with rapidly flexing her pelvic floor. ¡°Yes, Benjamin.. goddess, yes..¡± She cried out just above a whisper as she pressed her forehead to his. Benjamin¡¯s body took over, and he bucked uncontrollably under Viola as he climaxed. It felt like he couldn¡¯t stop, encouraged by Viola¡¯s constant slow coaxing movements. Benjamin lost track of time as his brain switched off, and his body reacted on primal instinct until he could give her no more.


    Viola slipped to the side of Ben as Valtrya melted into his other side. Ben was suddenly both worried, and happy for the open terrace door. ¡°That was¡­. Whoa¡­¡± He breathed as his heartrate slowed, and the breeze brought in a welcome coolness. Ben stroked both of their backs, watching the sun rise as the three of them recovered, ¡°Two bodies, one soul, hmm? That will take some getting used to.¡±


    Vi snuggled close, ¡°we¡¯ve all the time we need.¡± And Benjamin winced sadly. Both sisters felt him tense and looked up at him in unison as Ben slowly pushed himself to a sitting position with hooded eyes.


    ¡°I.. I¡­¡± Ben stopped himself, taking a deep breath, ¡°¡­ I¡¯m barely 20, and my people¡­ Most Humans do not live to see a century. Vi.. Val.. You¡¯re people don¡¯t grow old¡­. I will die eventually, and you will¡­¡± But Viola eye¡¯s widened for a moment in surprise before she shook her head. ¡°Benjamin, The H¡¯mure ensnared us for a reason. They lived much like you. A Durr can see two and a half centuries. An Orc can see one hundred fifty. A Child of a mountain can see half a Millenium. The Perennial races, and the Elven can see a full one thousand years. The H¡¯mure lived but sixty years¡­ without us.¡±


    Ben looked at Vi in confusion, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t understand.¡± And Viola took a deep steeling breath, ¡°My people have one final secret, Benjamin. One that we hid from history and keep above all. My people¡­ We can grant the gift of life¡­. Through blood.¡± Benjamin¡¯s brows furrowed in further confusion before rising in shock as Viola opened her mouth. Her teeth were much like Benjamins, obviously designed for a meat and vegetable diet, but he looked on in nervous wonder as the top row seemed to shift on their own as a pair of long, thin almost translucent viper-like fangs slid out from between what her incisor and her canine would be, on a human. They extended to just under two inches in length. Benjamin watched transfixed as a small shaft of almost black purple extended down the middle of these natural hypodermic needles. The hollow center filled, releasing a single drop from each tip. Benjamin had seen the girls get cuts and bruises, and recognized the drops as their blood, but these droplets were much darker...  She gave Benjamin a profoundly longing look for a long moment before licker her fangs clean retracting them. For a moment, Benjamin wondered if he was about to be jumped for round two, but the expression passed quickly from Viola¡¯s face as her teeth returned to their normal position. ¡°Benjamin, We Aereesin have two venoms hidden within our blood. These venom¡¯s are separated from our blood and concentrated above our fangs. Both must be mixed with our saliva to affect another being, and it will turn inert if it touches air. When we are terrified, or enraged, we can inject the first venom, Hemorai, that sets the body on fire before killing by making the bitten sweat and cry blood.¡± Viola stopped, watching Benjamin carefully as he processed it all. ¡°I can¡¯t say I saw this coming¡± he said finally, dark myrth in his voice. His expression quickly softened at the nervous fear on the women¡¯s faces, ¡°Hey, Hey. Easy. It was a surprise, but it doesn¡¯t change how I see you.¡± His comforting tone had the desired affect and the two calmed quickly, ¡°Now, what¡¯s the second venom.¡± he asked gently, hoping to distract them from his momentary instinctual reaction.


    Viola nodded. ¡°The second Venom must never be revealed to exist, Benjamin. Swear to me.¡± Benjamin nodded, snagging Vi¡¯s chin with his thumb and fingers before pulling her into a quick kiss, ¡°I swear it.¡± He said, before doing the same to Val. He forcibly ignored the instinctual side of his brain that screamed out about all the Venomous creatures from his earth. These were his Vi and Val, having them be a little extra dangerous was a good thing in the end.


    Viola nodded, ¡°The second venom, my people don¡¯t know why we possess it, but it can normally only be injected during true passion of the heart, not the body¡­¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°It is called the ''Kiss of Eternity''. To be injected with this venom begins with the same full body burning, but instead of death¡­ it grants the bitten our life span, immunity to our more dangerous venom¡­ and the ability to bear or father children with an Aereesin¡­ The H¡¯mure learned that addicting us to them could trick our bodies into giving them eternity¡­¡± Benjamin was rendered dumbfounded, and the sisters stayed silent to let him process what they had just told him. After several minutes, ¡°May I ask a dumb question?¡± Benjamin asked at last, and the sisters nodded together, ¡°If you can kill any attacker with a single bite, why didn¡¯t your people never use it to defend yourselves, after the war.¡±


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t. Our entire race was suffering from withdrawal in the beginning, and by the time our people recovered it was too late. We were all enslaved. Those that did try were slaughtered. In that time, it was also learned that a half starved Aereesin could not concentrate venom¡­ over the generations the idea that Aereesin should be remain half dead, persists, but the why has been lost to time.¡± Viola responded.


    A loud pounding on their door interrupted their conversation. The sisters flinched at the sound, but Benjamin recognized the familiar tempo. A booming voice rang through the heavy timber, ¡°DO YOU LIVE, PINK SKIN?¡±


    Benjamin broke down in a hearty laugh, ¡°I live Jukha!¡± he called back and the Ork returned the laugh through the door, ¡°GOOD! COME, WE ARE HEADED TO THE BATHS!¡± he bellowed.

 Chapter 14

    Benjamin¡¯s eyes flew wide as the five of them entered the baths at the base of the tree, or at least he thought it might have been the base of the tree. That assumption was quickly dissipating as he took in the massive entanglement of roots that seemed to create a natural dome that was elegantly bisected by intricately woven draping green moss. ¡°We¡¯re underground?¡± he asked at last noticing low moss screening that acted as a doorway between the two sections. The screens were draped over a low bar 6 or so feet overhead, which was not so for Benjamin. The space was clearly built for the more diminutive Farie race, ¡°Over here Benjamin.¡± He turned to see Jukha nodding to the right-hand screen and Vilora guided the sisters to the opposite side.


    Benjamin followed him in, slipping between the moss strands to find a massive steaming body of water surrounded by interwoven roots that seemed to make up the edge of the pool. Benjamin turned back to Juka to find the Orc already up to his waist in the water with his clothes laid out on a table near a wall alcove. Benjamin raised an eyebrow and Jukha just laughed, ¡°Hurry up pink skin, our clothes will be returned to us when we leave. Get in, I can smell last night on you from here!¡± Benjamin flashed beet red, which only made Jukha laugh all the harder, and He quickly disrobed before hastily followed the Orc into the pool.


    Jukha settled down, chortling to himself at Benjamin¡¯s expression. ¡°Worry not, Pink Skin. I don¡¯t fault you. You are but a victim of your own success.¡± Benjamin settled down into the muscle soothing waters, still mildly glaring at Jukha, but more in embarrassment now, ¡°My own success?¡± he asked cautiously. Jukha regarded him for a moment. The two of them were alone on this side of the baths, at least as participants. Vin attendants bustled about, and the two men¡¯s clothes quickly disappeared as they relaxed in the water.


    ¡°Benjamin, you saved their lives, showed them both kindness and dignity, and put your own life on the line for them more than once. My biggest surprise is that it took them this long to bed you.¡± Jukha explained. Benjamin sighed, ¡°What am I supposed to do, Jukha. They told me their people¡¯s full history¡­ It¡¯s some fucked up shit¡­ and it¡¯s nuk¡­ Uh¡­ destroyed my plans to get them to Meridia. I¡¯ll never be able to return to the Principality with them as free, and they have no interest in leaving me¡± He bowed his head, ¡°Truth is, the nightmares are less with them around. I don¡¯t want them gone any more than I want them as my property.¡±


    Jukha nodded before clamping his friend on the shoulder, ¡°You¡¯ve got it bad, Pink Skin.¡± He slapped Benjamin on the back hard enough to send him sprawling into the middle of the pool with a crashing splash, and Ben surfaced to Jukha¡¯s bellowing guffaws, giving in to the infectious cleansing laughter.


    __________________________________________________________________________________


    Jukha¡¯s laugh was heard through the thick screen separating the men¡¯s and women¡¯s baths, and Viola looked worriedly at Vilora, ¡°Everything is fine. Jukha likes to think He¡¯s funny¡± The Farie smiled, ¡°How are you two, last night was more¡­ exciting¡­. than I had expected. I hope my sister wasn¡¯t too intense.¡± She was sunk up to her chin in the steaming water, floating contentedly in place. Viola blushed slightly, ¡°She was kind. I was worried Benjamin was going to kill someone¡­¡± she admitted.


    ¡°As was I.¡± A familiar voice startled the three of them as the Queen, Vilora¡¯s sister, stepped into the bath. ¡°I¡¯ve not seen someone that protective of supposed slaves in a long time.¡± She stated before waving the girls away from bowing to her, ¡°Oh don¡¯t start that¡± she said in a strangely motherly tone, ¡°No bowing and scraping here, and no apologies. It was a miscalculation on my part. I meant to test what my sister told me about him, but I very nearly got the head of my palace guard crushed to death. He¡¯s a deeply wounded soul, is he not?¡±


    ¡°He is, my lady. He still has nightmares of his own death.¡± Viola admitted softly. ¡°Is your vassal well?¡± The Queen disrobed quickly, slipping into the bath and settling into the water next to her sister, ¡°She is. We¡¯ve had a long time to perfect healing our own. She should be out of the hands of our healers by this morning.¡± She floated there for a second, gauging the two Aereesin women, ¡°Were your accommodations to your liking?¡± She asked after a moment, smiling at the flushed expressions of Vi and Val, ¡°Good, I pray his view of my people is not permanently harmed. We may need him in the coming future.¡± Everyone gave her a strange look of confusion and worry. The Vin Monarch continued, ¡°While I do not wish to be pragmatic, the decision is sometimes removed from my hands. If what he showed us last night is accurate to our world, then some of the reports made by my spies are¡­ lining up.¡±


    ¡°Sister, what is going on?¡± Vilora asked, eyeing the queen with a knowing gaze. Victoria only smiled sadly, ¡°That you may need to return from retirement¡­ Many things have been happening over the last 2-300 years. I did not want to request that of you, until I was sure.¡± The Queen¡¯s gaze was apologetic for a moment, but then shook herself, ¡°But that is a conversation for tomorrow. You¡¯ve only just arrived.¡± She reached for her sister¡¯s hand, squeezing it before turning to the Aereesin women. ¡°And the three of you have earned your rest. Take Benjamin to the eastern gate. It leads to the gardens. You three could use some time to unwind.¡± With that, the Queen stepped out of the bath, picking up her almost miraculously appearing and cleaned clothes before departing.


    ¡°So¡­.?¡± Vilora asked with a coy smile, ¡°What was that all about? She only recommends the Eastern Gardens unless¡­¡± The Aereesin sisters blushed brightly. ¡°Oh dear, both of you?¡±


    __________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin stepped out of the men¡¯s side of the bath in perfectly clean and pressed clothes. The fact that they were the exact pair of clothes that he stepped into the bath with, was only mildly dumbfounding. He still had to remind himself on occasion that Majik was a thing, despite his blatant abuse of it in the last 24 hours. He heard an unintelligible conversation happening in the other half of the bath, but he could tell who the participants were. He elected to step out into the hall since he could technically look over the ¡°door¡± if he tried. His mind spun with Jukha¡¯s words mixed this mornings, and the previous night¡¯s, events and revelations. He opened the door to the corridor, stepping out just in time to be impacted in the side.


    A dainty ¡°oof¡± accompanied the impact, followed by a quiet gasp of surprise mixed with terror and a loud clattering of metal. He looked down to find a Farie scrambling away from him with a horrified expression. Watched her for a moment, his confusion giving way to recognition as he remembered the guard from the night before, ¡°Hey, hey, hey, its ok. I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± Benjamin knelt down, offering a hand to the panicked woman as she paused her mad backward scooting scramble. ¡°Your Vailin.¡±


    The Farie froze at her name, slowly nodding before tentatively taking his hand to help her stand. ¡°I.. am..¡± She said shakily, and Benjamin stayed kneeling to be nearer her eye level. ¡°Are you well?¡±


    ¡°I am.. The healers here are quite good. It did not take them long to fix my ribs.¡± She said, a hint of challenge rising in her voice as she recovered from her original shocked fear. Benjamin winced, ¡°Three.¡± He said, and the Farie¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°I broke three of them, and a punctured lung¡­ I¡­ felt them give. I was hoping to meet you, to apologize.¡± He said quietly. Vailin huffed, glaring at him, ¡°I don¡¯t understand it. Why are you protecting those two. Aereesin are¡­¡±


    Benjamin raised his hand, ¡°I know what they are,¡± His voice turned firm for a moment, and a spark of fear returned to the Farie in front of him. ¡°Where I am from, all slavery is considered evil. My ancestors fought a war to free everyone, no matter creed, color, or worldview.¡± Benjamin began, his gentle tone returning. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to understand, and I am truly sorry for hurting you.¡± Benjamin looked to the pile of ruined armor that had obviously been cut off Vailin. Benjamin recalled the image of what the armor looked and felt like the night before, and slowly opened his hand toward the pieces of metal. Vailin¡¯s eyes widened in terror, but she remained frozen in place as the metal shrieked and groaned before a burst of heat made her flinch. Benjamin had friction heated the armor pieces into a workable state, reforging them into the armor that she was wearing the night before. This armor, even if it was still only iron, had no forge marks, no seams, and was devoid of even the smallest impurity. The armor repaired, Benjamin pulled the heat out of the metal smoothly, removing any stresses in the grain of the material. The cooled armor settled onto the floor, and he stood, ¡°A piece offering. You may take it to the Forgemaster if you wish, but as a Forgemaster myself, I can vouch for its quality.¡±


    Vailin stood, picking up the pieces and inspecting them before looking up at him sharply, ¡°I¡­ Thank you.¡± She stated, ¡°I still can¡¯t comprehend your actions, but I can accept your apology.¡± Benjamin watched her quickly gather up her armor, not wanting to agitate her any further, and soon she was marching off down the hallway.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.¡°Cosmos chose well,¡± Benjamin whirled to face the Queen of the Vin, hovering just at eye level. ¡°Tell me Benjamin, this threat Suelin saved you for, do you think it to be H¡¯mure?¡± Benjamin shrugged, ¡°I have no idea, but considering what I¡¯ve been told about that war, and considering the fact that you are sill missing an entire land mass from your maps¡­¡± He let his voice trail off before his face hardened. ¡°All I know is that I was sent here ¡®early¡¯ to give me a time of ¡®peace¡¯¡­ I¡¯ve failed to see the peace I¡¯ve been promised.¡± Ben practically spat, eliciting a complicated expression for the Vin monarch. ¡°I, see. We will talk later. For today, enjoy the mother tree and her bounty. Good day to you, Benjamin.¡± With that, the Queen fluttered away, choosing to float on her wings instead of walk.


    Benjamin watched her go, leaning his shoulder against the hallway¡¯s wall. It seemed that whether a Farie chose to fly or walk was almost completely personal preference. He had seen perfectly healthy Vin do both regularly, but it seemed that all of them were capable of extended periods of flight if they so desired. ¡°Ben? Are you well?¡± Ben turned to see Vi and Val, in perfectly pressed clean clothes of their own, standing next to him. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine. Just thinking.¡± He mused only to be surprised as Viola openly stood on her tippy toes wrapping her arms around his neck. She pressed herself to his chest, and kissed him deeply for a moment, ¡°Thinking less now.¡± Ben smiled down at her satisfied expression, ¡°So, what do we do now. The Queen seems content to leave us to our own devices.¡±


    ¡°East¡± Viola looked down and smiled as Valtrya barely whispered the word, ¡°yes, the east gate,¡± She finished for her sister. ¡°The Queen told us of a supposedly wonderous garden attached to the east gate.¡± She looked around confused for a moment, ¡°Um¡­ how do we find out which way east is¡­¡± The three of them began walking back the way they had come until meeting an attendant who directed them towards the gardens. The eastern gate was another grown/carved opening in the base of the tree, but this one lead directly into a hedgerow rimmed ornate arrangement of fastidiously cared for walkways winding through vast tapestries of ornately arranged flowerbeds. Ben, Vi, and Val began wandering the pathways, hands intertwined.


    The Palace/mothertree quickly disappeared behind them, and Benjamin found a secluded spot in a natural looking alcove of trees. He stepped off the path, settling down onto the densely packed grass. He lay on his back, looking up at the canopy of trees before sitting up as Vi and Val sat down next to him. ¡°This is beautiful¡± Viola breathed, slipping up next to Benjamin and leaning in to kiss him on the neck. ¡°It is,¡± he said, pulling her in for a proper kiss, ¡°the garden is pretty nice too¡± He responded, smiling at her reaction. Benjamin turned to pull Val into an embrace of her own, only this time it was his turn to kiss her lightly on nape of her neck. Val and Vi shivered at his touch before melting into his embrace, ¡°About this morning.¡± He said finally. He let his awkwardness show, still unsure of how he was supposed to show affection without leaving one of the sisters out. Viola gave him a careful expression and he shook his head, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not complaining. It was..¡± he pulled Vi in for another kiss, ¡°amazing.¡± He said as he finished. ¡°It was just a surprise. One I should probably have seen coming.¡±


    ¡°Benjamin, If you don¡¯t want to..¡± Viola began but Ben shook his head, ¡°No¡± he said firmly, ¡°It hurts to think of you as property, but it hurts the same to think of you leaving. I don¡¯t know how to reconcile the two yet, but I want this..¡± He reached out pulling both into a tight embrace, ¡°Maybe the Cosmos orchestrated it, maybe it was all random chance; but I¡¯ve come to care for both of you. My question is, are you ok with me being 20? I¡¯m barely considered an adult where I came from. I was still in school to be an Engineer. I was going to join the army, serve my country, then work creating¡­ machines¡­¡± He stumbled slightly, not quite sure how to explain modern firearms to anyone.


    Viola¡¯s eyes softened, ¡°Benjamin, we may have lived a century; but we were never allowed to learn, to thrive. You gave us that. You¡¯re far more mature than many who have owned us before.¡± She winced at his pained expression but continued, ¡°You¡¯ve taught us what kindness is. You¡¯ve shown us gentleness, even in bed. You¡¯ve fiercely, if sometimes over exuberantly, protected us. Even if you were to wished us your slaves, you are someone we would gladly serve until our death. If you were to order it, we would gladly gift you eternity, bear your children, and happily live as your ¡®property¡¯ through the eons.¡± Viola fell silent, letting Benjamin process her words¡­ She watched a complicated sequence of emotions play on his face for a moment. ¡°Ben..ja..min, I.. stay.. Please.. don¡¯t make¡­leave.¡± Val¡¯s broken sentence pulled Benjamin from his own mind. He rubbed her cheek lightly with a thumb, wiping away an escaping tear. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think I can¡­ not anymore¡­ I promised you that I wouldn¡¯t force you to do anything you don¡¯t wish to do¡­ If this is what you want, I won¡¯t force you to leave. The rest I¡¯ll have to fig¡­¡± He was interrupted by two gorgeous bodies impacting him and driving him to his back. ¡°Ok, ok,¡± He laughed, ¡°but not here. I¡¯m sure there are ears and eyes everywhere, and I¡¯m not sure I want my second time to be in public.¡±


    Viola sat up abruptly, ¡°you¡¯re second time? You mean¡­¡± and Benjamin smiled sheepishly, ¡°Yea¡­ I haven¡¯t made love, with anyone, before this morning.¡± Val sat up with a bright flush on her face and looked to her sister, ¡°Val wants to know how you knew where to kiss us¡­ You were¡­ good.¡± Benjamin blushed brightly, ¡°I tried to be gentle. The rest I just followed your lead¡­¡± The sisters looked at each other before Val spoke softly, ¡°made¡­love?¡± Benjamin froze for a second before a gentle smile spread across his features, ¡°Human¡¯s have many words for¡­ that. Most of them are for just casual copulation. Sex, Fucking, Hook up, those are all doing it for lust or personal gratification.¡± Benjamin said, ¡°When It¡¯s done because two people care for one another and want to give themselves to each other. When you¡¯re invested in making it feel good for them, and they¡¯re invested in making it feel good for you. It¡¯s called making love.¡±


    A long silence settled between them. Finally, Viola leaned in, eyes glistening as she pulled his forehead to hers, ¡°Then it was also a first for us. We¡¯ve never¡­ made love¡­ before, either.¡± After a long moment, the three of them stood, and the sisters pulled themselves close to Ben. They spent the rest of the morning wandering the gardens, only interrupted by a profound rumbling from Val¡¯s stomach that reminded all that they had not eaten yet today. As they worked their way back the way they had come, Benjamin noticed a side exit between the hedgerows, and a chatter of a strange language escaped through the forest. On a whim, he veered off following the sound through the well-manicured doorway, and into some kind of training area.


    Several Vin in armor were fluttering around an arena to clash into each other in a flurry of blows. Further away, a few Vin were standing in front of a line of targets. Benjamin heard the crackle of electricity as familiar blue-white streaks of lightning flashed out, scoring the targets. He recognized a few of the lancers from the night before and began to wave politely to them. He was Interrupted by a tall being he had never seen before. The black-armor clad figure¡¯s tapered breastplate, and wide hips betrayed her as female, she easily stood 4 inches taller than Benjamin, who was already well over 6ft tall. She crossed one of her two sets of powerfully built arms, resting the second pair on her hips and scowled down at him fiercely. Her blue eyes seemed to be inlaied into a striking, if not classically beautiful face. Her deep tanned skin, and vaguely angular features were topped with shortly cut brunette curls and punctuated by a mouth of disconcertingly pointed teeth. ¡°Training personnel only¡­¡± She paused looking back to the nervous expression of the lancers behind her, ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re the one who threatened an entire squad of my best students, over these, no less.¡± She scoffed at the sisters. Benjamin¡¯s face flashed with fury, but he forced himself to remain calm. Prejudice, he could not control, but the Queen had offered them her protection, so there was no true threat here, probably. ¡°My apologies, we were looking for a mess hall, or a dining area. We¡¯ve not eaten today.¡± He forced a pleasant tone into his voice. The titanic woman regarded him for a moment before a not so pleasant smile crossed her lips. ¡°Food is being brought here, if you wish to stay; but it is only for those participating in training. Do you wish to train while you wait? I¡¯ll even make an exception for your¡­ females¡­ should you join us in the pursuit of the martial discipline?¡±


    Benjamin thought for a moment, ¡®I need to learn these weapons at some point¡¯ He thought, ¡°Sure. You may need to start at the beginning. Fighting with sword and lance is not done where I come from.¡±


    The giant armored woman raised an eyebrow and grinned, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go easy on you.¡± She flashed her terrifying teeth down at Benjamin, and he began to regret his decision immediately, ¡®Well, this is gonna hurt.¡±

 Chapter 15

    ¡°AGAIN!¡±


    Benjamin huffed, pulling himself off the ground for the 4th time in as many minutes. He felt ridiculous, wearing a poorly fitting set of practice armor, and a barely fitting half helm that was still ringing from its latest impact. He reached slowly for the short pike with a dagger-esque blade he had chosen as his weapon. He had picked the weapon on account of it being the only one that even remotely resembled a rifle with a bayonet.


    That had not helped him, and neither did the exceedingly basic bayonet training he had been given in Army Basic. ¡°You have heart, and you have aggression. I¡¯ll give you that.¡± came the hearty chuckle of his titanic, four-armed instructor. The Goliath of a woman was wielding but a single broadsword, large enough to require two hands for a smaller being. ¡°Now, come at me, with intelligence this time!¡± She bawled, and Benjamin slowly approached her. He again took the same stance as he was taught in basic. He closed with his tormentor, quickly being rewarded with yet another brief yet brutal counter that left him breathless and heaving for air on the ground. ¡°No no no¡­ stop!¡± The black-clad warrior groaned. ¡°I was told you killed a slaver for those two, and a champion after. Where is THAT warrior!¡±


    Benjamin stood, she was trying to piss him off, and it was working. He slowly stripped off the cumbersome metal from his body, standing defiantly as he dropped the spear. ¡°I told you¡­ my people don¡¯t fight with sword or lance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not with your people,¡± his instructor stated, then scoffed ¡°show me how they fight then.¡± she ordered. Benjamin tensed visibly¡­ ¡°I¡­can¡¯t¡­.¡± Benjamin responded. The 4-armed colossus simply raised an eyebrow, expecting further explanation. When Benjamin gave her none, she narrowed her gaze. ¡°You can¡¯t, or you won¡¯t¡­¡±


    Benjamin sighed, ¡°I can¡¯t fight you how I would fight at home¡­ without killing you.¡± He said simply. ¡°Confident are we,¡± the 4 armed warrior chuckled harshly, waving to an approaching Farie. Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened as he recognized the weapons from his room and a sinister smile spread across his instructor''s features. ¡°I am responsible for the safety of the palace and the palace grounds. All weapons inside my domain are mine to retain at my pleasure.¡± She picked up Benjamin¡¯s musket with little respect for it. She looked it over before sniffing the muzzle of the barrel and setting it down. She Mockingly waved to his weapons on the table ¡°Choose, then. You must at least know how to use the weapons you threatened my lancers with.¡±


    Benjamin stepped up to the table, slowly looking over his musket, pistol sword, dagger, and the flintlock pistol he had given to Viola. ¡®This is not good.¡¯ He began stalling, checking the priming pan in his musket before using the rod to check to see if his cartridge wadding was still in place. He repeated the process with Viola¡¯s pistol, ¡°I¡¯m not going to fight you with these, I came here to learn the sword and lance.¡± He said over his shoulder.


    ¡°Prove you can fight at all, and I will teach you. Now choose.¡± The tall warrior stepped out into the field, turning to face him while she waited. Benjamin sighed, picking up his hybrid short sword revolver. It was robust enough for melee combat, but it was not built for it. It was too heavy in the wrong places, and the handle was excessively curved to be better for shooting. He slipped the stiletto into his other hand before turning to face his opponent. The four-armed woman raised an eyebrow as Benjamin¡¯s face hardened, and he took a strange stance, short sword extended out in front of him, ¡°Ah, there¡¯s the Warrior. Common boy, show me wha¡­¡±


    Thunder rolled through the trees of the FeralWood, once, then twice, then three times. A fourth and fifth clap sounded deafening, and Benjamin lowered his weapon. His ¡®instructor¡¯ stood frozen, shaking violently from the intimately close, directed explosions. Benjamin set the weapon down on the table with a clatter before walking out to the stockstill woman. She was just now beginning to check herself over for injuries. Finding none, she looked back at Benjamin sharply, ¡°All that¡­ for nothing?!? I should have...¡± ¡°NO.¡± Benjamin¡¯s steeled voice cut through her anger, and he slammed the practice armor he had left on the ground into her hands. He said nothing else before turning and walked off.


    He reached the sisters just as the food to the training area, and no one challenged him or the sisters when they filled their plates, picked up the weapons taken from their room, and disappeared back into the gardens. The head of Palace security slowly looked down in bewilderment that quickly morphed into wide-eyed shock. 5 perfectly round holes were punched through the chest plate, and 3 holes now perforated the back plate of the practice armor. ¡®I can¡¯t fight you¡­¡­¡­. without killing you.¡¯, and the practice arena looked up as the practice armor fell from her hands with a clatter.


    ______________________________


    Benjamin and the sisters found themselves back at the little grove of trees, reclining into the soft moss as they ate. Benjamin picked at his food, his mind a million miles away, but soon smiled as he watched Vi and Val devour their food with a purpose. ¡°You two really were hungry.¡± He mused, finally taking a bite of some type of bird¡¯s thigh. It was a bit gamey, and he missed his Carolina BBQ seasonings, but it wasn¡¯t horrible.


    Val bobbed her head once, never stopping the inhalation of her own cooked bird. The sides were plain. They consisted of potato¡¯s, a boiled vegetable of some kind, and a small loaf of bread. Benjamin forced himself to eat it all. ¡°I hope this doesn¡¯t become a thing; I would desperately like to take advantage of that peace I was promised¡± he spoke the last part rather pointedly into the air.


    ¡°Benjamin please¡­¡± Viola spoke in almost hushed reverence. Benjamin sighed and gave a resigned shrug, ¡°Alright, she did save my ass, and bring me to you. I guess it can¡¯t be all bad¡­ but I think I¡¯m going to need a combat instructor. Holy hell, that woman was¡­ intense¡±


    Viola nodded, swallowing quickly ¡°Most Elven are¡­Ben?¡± Benjamin started coughing violently, pounding his chest before spitting up a portion of bread. ¡°THAT was an Elf?!?¡±


    ¡°I am¡± All three of them spun at the new voice, and Benjamin instantly reached for the musket leaning within arm¡¯s reach. The Titanic ¡®Elf¡¯ raised a pair of placating hands ¡°Peace, I wish only to talk.¡± The Elven woman sat a respectful distance opposite them, ¡°I need to apologize, I treated you harshly, and I need you to know why.¡±


    Viola looked at Ben, who very slowly leaned the musket back against the tree, ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± He finally responded. The Elf crossed her legs, putting all four hands in her lap, ¡°I¡­. needed to know, if the stories were true¡­Krastorin was¡­a friend.¡±


    The two sisters gasped out loud and Benjamin stiffened, the death rattle of the slaver son¡¯s Champion ringing in his ears. ¡°I¡­¡± he faltered, and just closed him mouth for a long moment, ¡°What¡¯s your name.¡±


    ¡°Yilarran¡± the Elven warrior answered, ¡°Krastorin was young when he apprenticed with me, almost two young. I found him brawling with four other street urchins for a bag of spudroot. He learned fast, but enjoyed running his mouth¡­I told him it would get him killed one day.¡± Yilarran sniffed, and Ben reached over with a cloth, ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know what to say¡­ I did not want to kill him. I¡­ didn¡¯t see a way out. I didn¡¯t know him.¡±


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Yilarran took the handkerchief, wiping her face hurriedly, ¡°Tell me.. please. I need to know how it happened.¡±


    Benjamin felt a pit in the bottom of his stomach growing. The feeling threatened to swallow him whole, but he began after a moment, ¡°I was told it was some sort of Principality law. Their former master tried to kill me in a duel and failed. His son used an archaic mostly forgotten law to force me to fight¡­ your friend¡­¡± Ben paused as an angry snort erupted from Yilarran, ¡°Fucking Principality satisfaction duels. For the rich, it¡¯s a game. For us sell swords, it¡¯s a risky chance at practice and a big payday. It¡¯s rare; but when it does happen, a sellsword can win enough coin from a victory to never work again¡­. What did the Romoregan twerp offer my Kras¡­¡±


    Viola slid over to the Elf who eyed her with confusion, ¡°He was not just a friend¡­ was he..¡± She laid a gentle hand on Yilarran¡¯s arm as the larger woman nodded her head, ¡°he promised me one final job, enough money that he could help me retire¡­ What did they offer him¡­. Oh¡­¡± she paused as the look on Viola¡¯s face registered. Val moved away from her food, choosing to sit down in Benjamin¡¯s lap, wrapping his arms around herself with the same expression. Ben leaned over, kissing the top of Val¡¯s head, and giving her a gentle squeeze. ¡°The twerp offered him one of them. I suspect that an Aereesin in good health would sell well in¡­ certain places¡­. I¡­ I went into the fight, hoping that I would be able to talk down whoever was the champion.¡± He began, ¡°I¡­.¡±


    ¡°You never had a chance at talking him down,¡± Yilarran interrupted as Ben faltered. ¡°To him, you were an easy win. You don¡¯t carry yourself as a warrior¡­. Nor like a Maje. He could not have known. I don¡¯t fault you, Benjamin. Thank you for telling me.¡± The titanic four-armed elf stood, ¡°Come to the arena tomorrow morning, I will teach you sword and lance. I will be harsh, but I will make you worthy of Krastorin¡¯s death.¡±


    Yilarran bowed slightly before departing. Viola watched Benjamin hold Val for a moment, ¡°Are you well, Benjamin?¡± He looked at her, smiling weakly as he gave Val a reassuring squeeze she leaned into. ¡°I think so. Maybe it¡¯s an ¡®I will be¡¯. I knew that I might have to kill when I joined my home military, but actually taking life is¡­¡± he shook himself, looking up at the sky, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I think we can see the sunset from our room.¡±


    The three of them wandered back towards the Mother Tree, eventually finding their way back to their room just as the sun began dipping down below the treetops. Their room resided high enough in the side of the tree to watch the waning evening fade over the forest tops. Streaks of amber fluttered through the trees, and the cool evening breeze flooded in from the west. Vi and Val shivered slightly in unison, pulling into Benjamin as they took in the view. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to get used to this¡­¡± He murmured, wrapping his arms around both of them, ¡°It¡¯s a beautiful site.¡± Viola answered and Benjamin smiled down at them, ¡°It is, but that¡¯s not what I mean.¡± He answered. He took their hands, walking back into the room and sitting them on the bed beside him. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to do¡­ this.¡± He caressed each of their cheeks in turn. ¡°I was raised to be monogamous. One woman, and me.¡± Viola nodded cautiously but Ben continued quickly, ¡°I¡¯m ill-equipped to understand your shared soul. I don¡¯t want to hurt one of you or the other out of pure ignorance.¡±


    Viola¡¯s worry evaporated as understanding washed it away, ¡°Oh, Benjamin. That can¡¯t happen. When Gramamma paired our souls, we became one person. We have two minds, but over the years, they have blended as well. We are still our own selves, but we are also one being. Our soul lets us feel what is happening to the other, both pain and pleasure. When you touch me, you are touching Val. She can feel your fingers on my skin as if you were touching her yourself. When her passion crests, I feel it in my core as if you were inside me as well.¡± Val stood, slipping Benjamin¡¯s hand beneath her skirt and between her thighs. Viola became breathless as Valtrya then ran his hand up her body to one of her breasts. ¡°The feeling is slightly muted, and I can keep control over this body if I need to; but you could make love to my sister and I would crest with her, and I would feel your release when you fill her.¡± Val released Benjamin¡¯s hand and switched with her sister. Vi pulled her dress over her head, and Benjamin leaned in, kissing her stomach before working his lips up to her breasts. Val gasped, feeling Benjamins through her sister. ¡°Touching one of us, is touching both of us Benjamin, even if we can tell the difference.¡± Gasped Viola, ¡°Now finish what you started my Benjamin.¡± She moaned as Val pulled her dress from her body as well, ¡°But tonight, I shall have you first. Val wishes to have you last.¡± Benjamin paused, looking up at her as she stood there. He stood as the sisters began tugging at his clothes. The last fabrics fell away; and Benjamin gently captured Viola, laying her down on her back. She spread her thighs to him. Benjamin began making love to her first, slipping into Viola while kissing her about the chest and neck. Viola rolled her hips in rhythm with him and was soon in the throes of ecstasy. Valtrya cried out, intimately feeling Benjamin through her sister as they made love. Benjamin couldn¡¯t keep his lips off of Viola¡¯s soft skin, and soon he lost track of time. Eventually, Viola could feel Benjamin getting close. His breathing became ragged, his rhythm quickening; and she put a gentle hand on his chest.


    Benjamin paused at her touch, and Viola gave him a final passionate kiss before slipping out from under him. It took a long minute for Benjamin to calm enough to continue. Val kissed him about the neck and shoulders, letting him recover while still exploring his body. Soon his breathing calmed; and Val wrapped her arms around him, slowly leaning back to pull Benjamin between her thighs. She was clearly worked up from feeling Viola¡¯s climax, bucking her hips against him as he took her. She clamped her hands around the back of his head, pulling his face to the nape of her neck. His slowed rhythm quickly drew loud gasps and moans from her lips. Her body arched involuntarily as his lips latched to each breast in turn, his tongue teasing her nipples. Her breast may have been smaller than Viola¡¯s, but Benjamin didn¡¯t care. Both sister¡¯s skin was addictingly soft, and the scent of their bodies intoxicated him. Time began to blur yet again, the pleasured cries of both women reminding him that they were indeed one being with two bodies. Val was panting loudly, still bucking in time to him as she climaxed again. Benjamin began to get close a second time, and there was no trading off. Val pulled his head away from her breasts, putting her forehead to his as Vi had done that morning, ¡°My¡­ Ben¡­ Please¡­ My Ben¡­¡± Her breathless voice was gorgeous if somewhat raspy from exertion and lack of use. Benjamin¡¯s body shuddered, and his control finally failed him. Benjamin thrust one final time, their hips pressed together, and Val wrapped her legs around his back, locking him deep inside her as he bucked and shuddered his climax into her. Her legs clamped down like a vice, and her own hips began to roll uncontrollably at the sensation. Benjamin¡¯s ragged irregular breathing eventually began to slow, and Val¡¯s legs slackened their grip but did not release him.


    He struggled to hold himself above her, unwilling to let his much larger frame fall on her, but Val held him there. She stroked his hair, little coos and hums of bliss escaping her. ¡°My Benjamin¡± was all she mumbled, repeating it over and over as the three of them calmed down. Benjamin finally recovered enough to pry Val from him. Kissing her gently on the lips before pulling them both under the covers with him. ¡°That was... perfect¡± Viola said, pulling Benjamin into a kiss before laying down next to him. She lay to his left, her curvier body tracing shapes into the sheets as they draped across her being. Val¡¯s much leaner figure rode the line between a runway model and an Olympic volleyball athlete, carving its own sensual shapes in the bedding. ¡°Yes¡­¡­ perfect.¡± Val mumbled and Ben looked down at her in surprise, hoping that her recent chattiness was just the beginning for her. He turned to Val for a moment. Teasing the outline of her side with his fingertips. ¡°Yes¡­ You are perfect.¡± He said to her. And Val looked at him in surprise. Her entire adult life, Viola had spoken for her, but now Benjamin was addressing her directly. ¡°Your voice is beautiful.¡± He continued softly ¡°I¡¯d love to hear it more.¡± He finished, holding her gaze and stroking her body gently. Val¡¯s eye flitted between her sister and Benjamin, hoping to have Viola answer for her. Viola stayed silent, nuzzling up to Benjamin''s other side with her eyes gently encouraging. ¡°my¡­ voice¡­ you¡­ love?¡± she asked at last. ¡°I do.¡± Benjamin answered instantly. Valtrya paused a long moment, but still her sister was silent. ¡°You¡­ give¡­ you¡­ to... us¡­.¡± She took a breath, slowly working out the words, ¡°I¡­share¡­ voice¡­ you¡­Vi¡­only...¡±


    It was a start, and her soft quiet tone brought Benjamin more joy than he thought it could have. ¡°Deal¡­ You speak only when we are alone. Your voice is special, let''s not waste it.¡± He pulled her up onto his chest for a moment, kissing her gently, but passionately on the lips before sliding her back to his side. Val mumbled something unintelligible but was asleep too quickly for Benjamin to inquire about its meaning. Her chest slowly rose and fell, and her body slackened, melting slightly into Benjamin¡¯s side.


    Val¡¯s slumber was quickly drawing Benjamin into his own dreams when he felt a soft pair of lips brush his ear ¡°I know what you did.¡± Viola had watched and listened to the two of them from her position on the other side of Ben. ¡°¡­ and I adore you more for it.¡± She breathed softly into his ear. Ben turned to face her gently stroking her side with the arm she was tucked under, ¡°You should know by now. I¡¯ll do anything for those I love.¡± He felt Viola¡¯s breath catch, and he smiled as his words sank in fully. ¡°You¡­¡± She stuttered softly, and Benjamin nodded once holding her eyes in his, ¡°..us?¡± He nodded again, ¡°Both of you. Two bodies, one soul. I swear it.¡± He whispered kissing her on the forehead.


    ¡°Then you wish¡­.¡± Benjamin watched Viola¡¯s fangs begin to slide out of her gumline and he shook his head with a gentle smile. They retracted quickly and she looked up at him with an almost hurt expression, ¡°But¡­you..¡± but Ben put a finger on her lips, ¡°I¡¯m not saying no. I want to accept your kiss of eternity, but I am not from this reality. I am also still three years younger than when your people stop growing. Human males can continue to grow into their twenties, and we do not know if your venom is compatible with my biology... uh¡­ my blood. I will have eternity with both of you but let us be cautious as well.¡±


    Viola¡¯s hurt expression slowly gave way, and she sighed in relief, ¡°I understand. We will be careful.¡± She whispered, snuggling down against him again. Her breathing quickly slowed to the almost identical tell-tail rhythm of Valtrya¡¯s, and their soft bodies on his quickly drew him from the conscious world.

 Chapter 16

    ¡°¡­. Son of Terra¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­.Awaken, Son of Terra¡­¡±


    Benjamin awoke with a start but found himself alone. Neither Viola, nore Valtrya, were beside him as he sat up from in the bed. The room was the same ornate guest room he had fallen asleep in, but that was the only thing that was the same. The waning streamers of the evening sun streaked through the window, but the scene appeared both fluid, and frozen in time.


    Ben¡¯s eyes narrowed at another major difference and slipped out of the bed to walk towards the terrace door. Sol, the avatar of Earth¡¯s Sun, stood upon the terrace of his room. She faced the west, gazing over the view of the forest. ¡°Peace, Son of Terra.¡± She spoke without turning, but Benjamin could hear her as if she were right next to him. ¡°You mind has been awakened, but your corporeal form still rests with them.¡±


    Benjamin turned back toward the bed, struggling to comprehend as he observed his body appear in the bed, flanked by the Aereesin sisters. He could see himself breathing slowly, and he could feel his own body still there. It was a strangely muted sensation, like a tingling foot after it¡¯s fallen asleep. ¡°What the Hell.¡± He whispered to himself, oddly trying to keep from waking Vi or Val. ¡°They cannot hear us here, Son of Terra.¡± Sol answered his unasked question, ¡°We are in the realm between mine and yours.¡± Benjamin forced himself to turn and continue out of the terrace door, painfully aware that he was completely naked. He didn¡¯t bother trying to grab his trousers, if he was really outside his body, it wouldn¡¯t matter anyway. ¡°Think it, Son of Terra, and be covered. Your mind is yours to control in this space.¡±


    Benjamin raised an eyebrow as Sol once again responded to his internal reactions, and he imagined himself in his leather working trousers and green shirt. He felt a tingling sensation as a dusty gold glow enveloped him. The swirling mass receded, leaving him fully clothed; and Benjamin stepped up beside Sol who had yet to turn to face him. ¡°So¡­ what is this about,¡± Benjamin asked, leaning against the railing. He could feel the breeze, smell the gardens and the earthy scent of the forest, and yet he was not really experiencing them, or was he... ¡°And why could you not just visit me normally.¡±


    The glowing goddess sighed, ¡°My daughters are not ready to see me, and I would cause them undo pain if I took you from them. We must talk, Son of Terra.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow, ¡°You¡¯re daughters? Does that make me your son somehow?¡± His scorn brought but a dainty laugh from the avatar of a burning star. ¡°Goodness no. You, Son of Terra, would never accept me as your master; but they¡­¡± She nodded to the sleeping figures behind them. ¡°They know me to be the reason you¡¯ve been gifted to them. You told them as much. Is it wrong for them to wish to thank me?¡±


    Benjamin only shrugged, ¡°Gods and goddesses are not my cup of tea, but I see your point. Now, what did you really wish to talk to me about, or rather; what can you talk to me about.¡± Sol only sighed at his mildly annoyed tone. ¡°You¡¯ve existed in this¡­reality¡­ long enough that your soul has attuned to it more properly. You have also earned my aid through your actions. Cosmos is not something easily survived, let alone mastered. The closer you develop your bond with Cosmos, the easier, and more freely, it is for me to speak with you.¡±


    ¡°The ¡®Cosmos¡¯?¡± Ben asked, ¡°I haven¡¯t been¡­. Oh.¡± A second annoyingly adorable giggle escaped the goddess, ¡°He sees,¡± She said simply, reaching out to rest a hand lightly on his cheek, ¡°Yet his journey is just beginning.¡± It was almost as if Sol was not talking to him, and he raised an eyebrow before gently removing her hand from his face. ¡°Ah, I see.¡± She responded, taking a step back and conjuring a globe between them. ¡°Your instincts were correct; the peoples of this existence do not know they failed in their war, and the H¡¯mure have not been idle. I¡¯m sorry¡­ I cannot tell you much more¡­ only that it was not only the H¡¯mure that escaped in the final battle. Tread carefully, Son of Terra. Your women hold you in their heart, but you must protect their heart if they are to survive what is coming.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°What is coming?¡± He suspected she could not tell him even as he asked, but he asked, nonetheless. Sol slowly stepped up to him. She seemed to grow in height. The first two times she had shown herself to him, she was half a head shorter than Benjamin. This time, when she closed on him, her eyes met him on the same level; and Sol flagrantly ignored any concept of personal space, stopping only when he felt her chest bump into his. Sol seemed to revel in his awkward discomfort, her face mere inches from his. ¡°Perhaps next time.¡± She mused, ¡°Now,¡± She closed on him suddenly, locking her lips on his too quickly for him to react. She pulled away, licking her lips in coy satisfaction, watching Benjamin visibly fluster. ¡°I return your soul to your body.¡± With that she gave him a gentle push. Suddenly, the dull sensation increased, and he felt reality shift around him. The feeling of a strained rubber band being released tugged at him, and he gasped at the unexpected yank.


    ¡°Benjamin?¡± It was Viola¡¯s voice, Ben sat up straight with a jolt, panting heavily, covered in sweat. The earliest rays of light were just cresting the treetops outside, and Benjamin looked around in sheer panic, ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± Valtrya sat up with him, kissing him lightly on the shoulder, ¡°Dream¡­. Bad¡­ Come back¡­ Rest.¡± She whispered, and Benjamin smiled down at her before stroking her satin hair. ¡°Ok, Val. Ok, maybe just a few more minutes.¡± Ben laid back down, easing back under the sheets as the sisters returned to their spots beside him ¡®what the fuck was that a dream?¡¯ He tried to make since of it. It seemed like a dream, but it didn¡¯t fade like one. He pursed his lips before freezing. Benjamin slowly ran his tongue over his bottom lip, a light sweetness combined with fiery taste returned to his senses, and he recognized it instantly. ¡®Whoa¡­ not a dream¡¯


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Why Suelin, how far you have fallen.¡± A dark chuckle followed the statement as a pale, male figure materialized next to the Sun¡¯s avatar, ¡°Or should I call you Sol now.¡± Sol refused to dignify the newcomer with as little as a glance, choosing instead to glide out over what would be considered a high orbit above the glimmering green and blue Orb below. ¡°Come now Lurinar, you and I have not been bonded since before the Divergence. Who are you to have a say with whom I share my lips?¡± Sol feigned an innocent expression, rounding her eyes at Lurinar, ¡°Or are you afraid I¡¯ll share my thighs as well.¡±


    The pale grey male avatar of the moon openly laughed at the statement. He was Sol¡¯s equal in height, presenting himself as a king. An Ivory crown adorned his head, and the same purest of white robes clothed him in a radiant glow. ¡°You would render him to Cinders in second, or did you forget the last mortal you tried to bed.¡± Sol snorted at the last statement, ¡°I did promise that one a blaze of glory, such a shame he could but last only a moment.¡± Sol mused fondly.


    ¡°And yet you tease this poor mortal,¡± Lurinar scoffed, ¡°His control is not in doubt¡­ yours, however.¡± This time Sol speared Lurinar with a mildly reproachful glare, ¡°It matters not. I may possess his soul, but his women own his heart. It would be unwise for me to tempt him further.¡±


    Sol turned to look down over the world once more, ¡°I needed to be certain. A man easily guided by his stones can be no champion of mine, but I also need him invested in this reality. My champion will need an anchor, something in this reality he finds worth fighting for. I was willing to be that for him, but¡­ He found his anchor on his own. I just hope they can be worthy of him.¡± Lurinar scratched his short, neatly trimmed black beard for a moment. ¡°Does he know you own his Soul? For that matter, do those girls know that¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Sol spat angrily, rounding on Lurinar. The avitar of the moon merely raised an eyebrow as She continued, ¡°The die is cast. Divergence has been permanent for eons. Too many lives were lost when we tried to reverse it. Now we must ensure each existence¡¯s population. The H¡¯mure are the threat in this existence. They, unlike the rest, have been getting help from¡­. Somewhere. Someone has weighted the scales, and the cost will be blood.¡± Sol seemed to take a moment to calm down as a massive Solar flare roared out from the sun¡¯s surface. Lurinar was no longer smiling, instead seemed to be as somber as she. Sol began again, her voice but a whisper, ¡°There is enough suffering across the universe. So many existences are now lifeless wastes¡­ destroyed by their inhabitant¡¯s own hubris¡­ This one¡­ This one we can save, not just be forced to watch its obliteration.¡±


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°Peace Suelin,¡± Lurinar said after a long pause, raising a single hand. ¡°I understand. I even agree with you. I came here to tell you the Council agrees with you as well, at least to a point. Tread Carefully, my love; for I do not know where the tip of that point may be.¡± Sol spun to the avatar of Earth¡¯s moon in shock, ¡°Lurinar, I¡­¡± but he was already gone. ¡®He hasn¡¯t called me that in¡­¡¯ She stared at the space Lurinar¡¯s avatar previously occupied in silence. Eventually, Sol shook herself from her thoughts, slowly floating back down through the atmosphere that englobed Earth in its life-giving embrace. He let her avatar wander, generally watching the people of this existence live their lives until she reached the singular smaller continent on the far side of the world. From there, she saw a very different story unfolding.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°AGAIN!¡±


    Benjamin was exhausted, but at least he was not being actively pummeled this time. He retook his ¡°starting position¡± swinging his wooden practice sword through a very basic attacking progression designed to get him used to attacking what he had learned were the four quadrants of an enemy¡¯s body. His ¡°opponent¡± was Val, and She performed an equally slow progression of basic defenses to his basic attacks. Vi was doing the same thing as him, only her opponent was Jukha. He had volunteered to serve as a reasonably sized training partner.


    ¡°Good! Reverse Roles! BEGIN!¡±


    The almost ear-splitting bawling of Their Elvin instructor began Benjamin¡¯s turn to defend from Valtrya¡¯s slow deliberate practice attacks. It sucked, but Benjamin understood why he was to perform what Yilarran admitted were children¡¯s drills. It was the same principle that guided his father to bring 9 year old Benjamin out into the middle of the forest with a large square target and a rimfire single shot rifle instead of a coke can at 1000 yards with a deer rifle. There was a beginning to everything, and Benjamin learning the absolute beginning of medieval melee combat. The last of Val¡¯s progression ended, and they reset to their original positions, ¡°How are you doing.¡± Ben asked, and Val responded with one of her sweet smiles and a nod. ¡°AGAIN¡± came the call and she swung at him again. Her progression was still deliberate, but her swings were slowly gaining strength and confidence. Another sequence finished, ¡°REVERSE, BEGIN!¡± and Benjamin began to ¡°attack¡± Val once more.


    Two more iterations of attack and defense later and Yilarran stepped into the practice area, ¡°That will do for now. Mid-Day meal is here, Then We will move to Majik.¡± Benjamin and Val walked back toward the pavilion, Val shifting her wooden sword to her outside hand so she could take hold of Benjamin¡¯s. Today¡¯s provided meal was just as basic as yesterday¡¯s. Instead of a boiled/ baked chicken, it was some kind of vaguely Pork flavored meat, with bread loaves and a vegetable, but this time a large salad with small clippings of fruits and vegetables accompanied the hot dishes. Benjamin grabbed a knife from the table, and quickly heated it red hot. He reshaped it with his bare hands into a usable, if crude, steak knife before ripping the heat from the blade again.


    Then he began slicing up the meat as thinly as he could before using the same knife to cut a small bun/loaf in half. He then packed the slices of meat, and a healthy portion of the salad into the middle of the bun and squeezed it together. Benjamin took a massive bite from his ad hock sandwich. It was dry but compared to the almost tasteless affair of the previous day, he was in heaven. He looked up just in time to see the entire table staring at him, ¡°What?¡± The Lancers were both confused and intrigued, Yilarran had her top set of arms crossed as she regarded him, ¡°Ben, what are you doing?¡± Viola asked, and a realization thundered into Ben¡¯s consciousness, ¡°Your kidding¡­ Do sandwiches not exist here?¡± he asked. Viola¡¯s expression of confusion deepend, ¡°What¡¯s a ¡®sandweech¡¯. And why would you put sand in your food?¡± Benjamin choked into his water, pounding his chest to get the food down before, ¡°No! Cough not sand..¡± Benjamin looked around at the bewildered crowd, ¡°Its¡­ I¡­ Have you never put meat and vegetables between bread before?¡±


    Viola slowly shook her head and Benjamin was about to continue when he felt a tug on his hand. Val had grabbed ahold of the arm holding his sandwich, and a new bite was missing from his meal. Ben raised an eyebrow at her, but couldn¡¯t help but smile as her face brightened, ¡°Good, is it?¡± He asked gently, and Val nodded vigorously, ¡°would you like one?¡±. She nodded vigorously again, and Benjamin began putting together a second and third sandwich for the sisters. Soon He, Val and Vi, and about half the occupants of the pavilion were eating varying versions of a sandwich of their own. Yilarran stood as most everyone finished, ¡°Alright, Alright. Breaks over. To the bays, everyone.¡± The group began walking to a set of dummies arranged several meters away from a what looked suspiciously like a firing line to Benjamin. Benjamin was wearing his pistol sword, and he picked his musket up from the lance rack. The lancers themselves took positions further down where the dummies rested at a greater distance.


    Yilarran stopped the three of them at the closer targets, ¡°Alright, before I begin my instruction here, I need to see where your baseline is.¡± The hulking ¡®elf¡¯ paused at Benjamins sudden waryness. ¡°Come now, It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen this before. I need all three of you to use Majik to hit one of those dummies.¡± Benjamin sighed heavily, pulling his musket from his shoulder and checked the priming. He was almost ready when Viola stepped past him to the line and level¡¯ed the single shot pistol that was one of his first creations. She leveled the weapon with a two handed grip, and he watched as the barrel traced small circles in the air before steadying completely for just a moment. Violalet out a long exhale, and squeezed the trigger. The flintlock pistol bucked in her hand, belching fire and smoke as it spat its single round lead ball from its muzzle. Yilarran flinched before whirling toward the sound to see viola shrouded in acrid white smoke, grinning widely as she lowered her pistol.


    ¡°You!?! You¡¯re bear the gift of Cosmos?!?¡± She exclaimed as the entire training area quieted. ¡°I.. do not¡­¡± Viola said slowly walking over to Benjamin and taking a small pistol cartridge from him. She calmly began reloading her weapon as Benjamin used a metal pic to clear the flash hole on his musket. The crudely made weapon was never made to last, and the franticness of their escape and arrival had not allowed Benjamin time to clean it. The corrosive salts in the fired black powder residue were already beginning to leave rust and pitting all over the weapon. ¡°These do not use Majik.¡± Benjamin said slowly. He stepped up to the line, noting Viola¡¯s well placed ragged black smudged hole in the linen draped over the targets. He assumed the cloth was there to make hits easier to see, and he leveled his musket, lining up and pulling the trigger. A much louder clap of thunder boomed through the area. The range was exceedingly short for even a smoothbore such as his. The Dummies were barely 25 meters away, and the buck and ball load connected with all four projectiles. ¡°I cannot say more.¡± He left his musket unreloaded, and He planned on rendering it down into base components later anyway.


    ¡°But you, both of you, wield death and hellfire.¡± Yilarran responded, ¡°I.. I don¡¯t understand. I saw you hold molten metal in your hand, you are touched.¡± Benjamin shrugged, ¡°Where I come from great metal birds fly through the air, and lightning is used to carry people¡¯s voices between realms. Yet, we have no Majik. We cannot break the laws of reality. I am touched, but I do not know how to fight with Cosmos, only build.¡±


    Yilarran pursed her lips looking at the musket still in Benjamins hands, ¡°I see. Well, show me what you can do, with just your mind, and your gifts.¡± Benjamin nodded, handing the musket to Val before stepping up to the line, and turned to see Yilarran standing right next to him. He returned his focus to the dummies, ¡°You have a deep knowledge of the world around you, Benjamin¡± Yilarran spoke softly. ¡°But you wield it as a ForgeMaster, not as a Maje. You must be able to use this existence as an extension of your will, not as resources outside of yourself. What are the dummies made of?¡± Benjamin focused on the dummies, feeling the old familiar feeling as information flooded his mind. He felt the iron screw holding the dummies frame together, he could slowly begin to taste the straw, feel the linen. ¡°Wood, Iron screws, linen and straw.¡± He said slowly. ¡°Good, but there is more, you must know your clay more than that to mold it.¡±


    Benjamin stiffened, he had heard Vilora say that many times when he failed an experiment, ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What else is there. Iron is¡­¡±


    Yilarran tapped him on the shoulder, interrupting him ¡°Deeper Benjamin. See what is hidden inside the straw, the iron, the wood. They are just as similar as they are different. Every one of us is the same, if you look deep enough.¡± Benjamin looked at her for a moment, and the Towering Woman simply nodded, turning back to look at the dummies. ¡®Deep enough that we are all the same. That¡¯s insane. Nothing is the same, not until you¡­ oh shit.¡¯ Benjamin ¡®looked¡¯ the dummy second time, through the material structure and down to the lattice work of atoms themselves. ¡®Jesus Christ¡­ They flirt with Oblivion¡­ and they have no idea.¡¯ ¡°I see it, the sameness. Now, what do I do with it.¡± Benjamin asked cautiously.


    ¡°That is what each maje must learn for himself.¡± Yilarran responded, and Benjamin realized that her voice was now some distance behind him. ¡®ha, playing it safe. Ok, here goes.¡¯ Benjamin returned his focus to the Dummy in front of him, finding what he was looking for, and began to pull. Viola¡¯s voice gasped from behind him, but he ignored her. He could not break focus, and all the horror stories told to him by Qort and Vilora suddenly made since. He needed a structure for this, and as dumb as it sounded in his head, he reached out with his second hand. He began stripping electrons from the dummy in front of him before beginning to do so on the wood and linen. He concentrated on the point of the most intense positive charge in the center of the dummies chest as he drew his right hand back. He imitated the drawing of a bow, remembering the few bow hunts he did with his grandfather.


    A heavy crackling sound drew everyone¡¯s attention from their practice. Yilarran, Viola, and Valtrya watched on in not so mild concern as a straining string of white crackling lightning began to form between Benjamins outstretched left arm, and his right hand. She could feel the hairs on her arm stand on end like it had in a wild thunderstorm from her youth. Benjamin¡¯s right hand was now even with his ear lobe in an odd three curved finger position. He opened his eyes, straightened his three fingers, and erased the Dummy from reality.

 Chapter 17

    *Benjamin*


    Benjamin heard his name, almost as if in a dream. His ears rang, and a gritty dusty sensation filled his mouth. His right arm hurt and his first attempts at moving it failed him. ¡°Benjamin!¡± the voice repeated his name. ¡®Viola¡¯ he thought, recognizing the tone. Benjamin groaned softly, opening his eyes to see what the commotion was. His body was being shaken, but Benjamin did not remember lying down. Every joint throbbed, and his first view was that of a very sideways, and equally unamused Elvin instructor crossing a pair of arms at him. Quickly realizing that he, in fact, was the one lying sideways; Benjamin rolled to his back with a second groan. ¡°Ooow¡± He got out just as Valtrya scrambled into view. She had stopped shaking him when he began moving and moved to his side. ¡°Benjamin, are you hurt?¡± Viola pressed, still somewhat frantic.


    Benjamin tried to move his right arm again, and the limb slowly began responding. ¡°My arm fuckin hurts¡­. Oh, that¡¯s why¡±. Benjamin¡¯s right arm was now in view, and long tendrils of charred black skin wound their way up his forearm to his elbow. His mind rewound the last few moments, reminding him of what had just happened. The target dummy was in splinters spread across several square yards, and its original position was now a smoking, char-scored patch of earth that was still smoldering along its edges. His arm fared little better than the dummy, and he was having trouble getting it to follow his commands. ¡°Well, Benjamin. I presume that you saw?¡± Yilaaran asked less than patiently. It was obvious that she had seen several variations of this incident play out over the years. Benjamin touched his forearm gingerly and winced, ¡°I¡­. did¡­.¡± He murmured, ¡°I¡­ I might need a healer. My arm is not¡­ moving right, at the moment.¡±


    Yilaaran snorted, ¡°I¡¯d surmised that when you called down a god light. Go, I¡¯ll send you with one of my guards to lead.¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°Thank you,¡± He tried to stand, and stumbled twice before he felt petite, yet sturdy shoulders under his arms. Val was at his right, taking extreme care to avoid his electrical burns, and Viola was at his left. ¡°Thanks.¡± Ben murmured and the three of them began making their way towards the Mother Tree. It was slow-going, but they were led to what appeared to be an infirmary of some kind. ¡®At least they don¡¯t use leaches here¡¯ The thought brought a darkly amused chuckle to Benjamin¡¯s lips as one of the nurses fluttered up to him.


    ¡°Oh, I see we¡¯ve had an accident on the martial grounds again.¡± She gently lifted Benjamin''s arm by the fingertips to avoid touching as much of his seared flesh as possible, ¡°Come, sit Mister...?¡± Benjamin laughed properly this time, ¡°Just Benjamin will be fine. Are you sure you can fix me? I¡¯m not what you would consider normal.¡± The Nurse paused in confusion, ¡°So, you¡¯re not an Albino Orc?¡± Benjamin¡¯s amusement disappeared instantly. It was quickly becoming apparent; the Queen was keeping his identity close to the chest. ¡°Well, I¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m..¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it from here, Vivanin¡± a familiar voice cut Benjamin off, and he turned to see Vilora float into the room. The nurse quickly backed away and bowed deeply, ¡°Of course, my lady.¡± She hurriedly responded before spinning in place and making herself busy elsewhere. Vilora wafted up to him, ¡°So, what did we learn?¡± she asked sweetly, even as her wings and eyes began to glow green. Benjamin felt his entire body relax as the pain receded from his arm and the electrical scoring began to fade. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think I am ready to say¡­¡± Benjamin said slowly, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated¡­¡± He spoke again at the unspoked question Vilora looked at him. ¡°Well, I guess I should not be surprised. Many a young Maje has stumbled upon knowledge he fears. When you are ready lad, I will listen.¡± Benjamin sighed, looking down as the pattern began shifting from chared black to a pinkish-white hue of scar tissue, ¡°Wait.¡± He said, holding his hand up. Vilora paused her healing, looking at him before following his eyes to his arm. ¡°Ah, I see. A lesson such as this deserves to be remembered, in both flesh and mind.¡± She met Benjamin¡¯s eyes, boring into them for answers for a moment before sighing and releasing his arm, ¡°You¡¯ll do fine, Benjamin. Come, my sister wishes to see you.¡±


    The three followed Vilora through the winding corridors until they arrived at their quarters. Benjamin raised an eyebrow at the presence of the Vailin standing guard with one other guard at the door, and the Farie gave him a thoroughly unapproving look as the group passed through the door. Inside sat the Queen, and the Queen alone. ¡°Come, sit.¡± Her tone was cordial, but the words lacked request in their utterance. Vilora settled into a chair next to her sister, and Benjamin sat down on the couch, the Areesin sisters on either side of him. He rubbed his forearm absently, feeling the fresh scars coiled around it. ¡°What can we do for you, Your Majesty.¡±


    Queen Victoria regarded the three of them for a moment before speaking, ¡°I need to begin by asking you whether or not you have given any further thought to the possibility of this hidden land mass, Ur-Aze-ee-ah I believe you called it.¡± Benjamin visibly stiffened squeezing the hands of Vi and Val before taking a deep breath, ¡°I¡­ have. Or rather, it has been confirmed as truth to me.¡±


    Victoria¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°I see. Have you been gifted any further revelations?¡± Benjamin shook his head, ¡°On Eurasia¡¯s location or population, no; Just that I was correct.¡± He paused for a moment, ¡°The rest is more¡­ personal, and I am unsure about what it means.¡± Benjamin finished, sitting back in his spot on the couch. Victoria nodded, ¡°I see. This revelation is unpleasant but not entirely unforeseen. Benjamin, do you remember what I told you of the four realms?¡± She waited for him to nod, ¡°Well, what I chose not to divulge; is that very little news or information crosses between borders, but it is worse where the Principality is concerned.¡±


    Victoria leaned in, ¡°The Orctorese cling to the old ways, and tend to stamp out progress where it does not benefit them.¡± The Farie queen looked at the Aereesin sisters in the eyes, ¡°You are correct about the Principality, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve told him about the problem that resides in freeing you in Meridia.¡± The two nodded, but drew closer to Ben as they did, ¡°There are other options. The Vin are not universally forgotten. The Ascendency is one such realm. They are also the most accomplished seafaring realm of the four. We¡¯ve a tenuous but cordial relationship with their monarch, Hirak the 13<sup>th</sup>. He was a young Aquilar when he spent a good portion of his youth among us in hiding during their latest civil war.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Benjamin mumbled, and everyone looked at him, ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ I haven¡¯t met an Aquilar, have I?¡±  Vilora snorted at his confusion but quickly recovered to answer, ¡°No, dear Benjamin. There were no Aquilar in the village. The Principality is far too warm for their people to prosper in that portion of FeralWood. Do not fear, The Aquilar are more open-minded than most.¡± Victoria nodded in agreement with her sister, ¡°There will be little risk of your women being immediately pressed into servitude, but it would be wise to keep some form of documentation.¡±  Viola squeezed Benjamin¡¯s hand before he could speak, ¡°We¡¯ve no intention of leaving Benjamin, and he has agreed to have us.¡± Victoria turned to Benjamin who nodded heavily, ¡°I still don¡¯t know how I feel about it, but I¡¯ve also been forcing them to do something they do not wish. I will not force them to leave; and in truth, I don¡¯t want them to leave.¡± Benjamin smiled down at each of them in turn, ¡°What that means legally, I still don¡¯t know. How ¡®open-minded¡¯ are these Aquilar.¡±


    Vilora hummed for a moment before answering, ¡°With their own, the sexes are considered equal. Legally, it goes the same for most other races within the Ascendency. The main problem is the Aereesin. An Aereesin must be considered of ¡°good moral standing¡± to be considered free inside of Ascendency borders. One must be sponsored by a citizen to be given the chance to prove one¡¯s character. As you can imagine, that puts incredible power in the hands of the sponsor.¡± Vilora¡¯s voice rang with disappointment, and Victoria nodded sadly, ¡°Outright slavery is outlawed there. However, in the case of visitors, the Ascendency honors servitude contracts from other Realms. With the three of you, my letter of introduction should remove any problematic issues.¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°An introduction letter?¡± Viola asked in a worried tone. Queen Victoria nodded, ¡°It is the other reason I wished to speak to you. As I said before, your revelation of a missing land mass fits a piece into a relatively recent puzzle. The Aquilar are the only peoples who widely ply themselves to the sea trades. They have provided the four realms with a coastal merchant fleet since the H¡¯mure wars. In the last 300 years, they have begun exploring further afield. Most of their vessels returned without issue. It is tragically expected to lose souls to the deep from weather and accidents, but in the last decade, they¡¯ve not had a single exploration voyage return.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s stomach sank as the implication hit home, ¡°You think the H¡¯mure are¡­¡± Victoria only nodded. ¡°We fear it. I would like to send my sister, her bound, and the three of you to the Ascendency to find the truth. This orb is not united as it once was. If the H¡¯mure are truly back, we need to know. Goddess help us if we must fight them again.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s heart sank, ¡®so much for finding peace¡¯, ¡°You got us out of the Principality, and gave us a chance. What do you require of us, Your Majesty.¡± Victoria¡¯s eyes widened slightly at his formal tone. ¡°In due time Benjamin. I cannot send you the way you arrived here. I have no envoy in Hirak, and the pass is frozen over for the winter. I will send an emissary with the spring thaw with your introduction letter. She will open a gateway once we have the permission of Hirak. It will be at least another 4 months until you depart.¡± Victoria smiled at the relief on Benjamin¡¯s face but continued, ¡°Until then, I hear that you are a Forge Master. My Royal Forge Master has seen your work through my captain of the guards rather miraculously repaired armor. I¡¯m sure I can make the introduction.¡±


    ¡°If she is ok with all three of us, I would be grateful. The sisters were becoming quite accomplished before we had to flee.¡± Benjamin responded, ¡°I would like to continue their training.¡± Victoria nodded, ¡°Of course, I will tell her to expect you in the morning.¡± With that, she stood, ¡°Enjoy your evening. My sister and I must take our leave.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow at Vilora who only shrugged and followed the queen out. Soon the three of them found themselves alone.


    The moment the door closed, Benjamin sagged visibly and let out an explosive sigh, ¡°Well¡­ That was¡­ yea¡­¡± He sat there a moment before he felt Val¡¯s hand on his arm, ¡°When, Sol¡­ talk to¡­ you? Tell you¡­ H¡¯mure land¡­ real.¡± Benjamin smiled down at her before pulling her into a momentary passionate kiss that both women felt. ¡°She pulled me out of my body last night while I slept. She said something about a.. realm between realms¡­ I still don¡¯t understand it. That¡¯s when she told me about the landmass out in the ocean.¡± Val scrunched her face, clearly trying to put words together, ¡°What else.. you said¡­ told¡­ more¡­¡±


    Benjamin nodded. ¡°Yea¡­ She told me that I needed to protect you.¡± he put a hand in the middle of her chest, ¡°Here. Both of you are somehow important in all of this. That¡¯s all I know, and it terrifies me.¡± Val reached for his hand with hers, pressing it to her chest as she leaned in for another kiss, ¡°Val.. keep Ben¡­ safe.¡± She held him against the back of the couch as their tongues danced. Both women stood, taking one of Benjamin''s hands apiece, ¡°Come to bed, my Benjamin.¡± Viola¡¯s voice dripped with desire. ¡°Let tomorrow''s problems for tomorrow.¡± Benjamin stood, letting himself be guided towards their lavishly large bed. The sisters reached for his clothes, Viola pulling at his belt and pants while Valtrya pulled his shirt over his head. ¡°My turn. To¡­ be first.¡± Val smirked as her dress fell. She stepped up to Benjamin, pressing her body to his, and she kissed the nape of his neck as she began pulling him toward the bed. Benjamin slipped between her thighs as Valtrya pulled him with her onto the bed, but he didn¡¯t take her. He could feel her bucking against him, but he gave her a wink and a smile before beginning to kiss her on the neck. She felt the tip of him tease her, but he still did not take her. Then his lips reached her collar bone, then her breasts, which left both women panting at his touch. Val was still recovering when she felt his lips travel past her belly button, and she looked down at him just as his tongue found her womanhood. Valtrya gasped as Benjamin kissed and sucked and swirled his lips and tongue between her thighs, ¡°Ben¡­ What¡­ You¡­. OH!¡± Benjamin had never done this with a woman, but he quickly found what made Val squirm and buck against him. Viola lay panting on the bed, and Benjamin gently coaxed her closer to Val. The two of them lay side by side, and Benjamin''s fingers began to wander Viola¡¯s body until he felt them sink into her. Ben began working his fingers and his mouth in time, and both women responded. Val could feel Benjamin''s fingers through her sister, and Viola could feel Benjamin''s tongue through Val. Benjamin waited to switch positions until each of the sisters climaxed. Then it was Viola¡¯s turn to feel Benjamin''s lips between her thighs, and Valtria to feel his fingers stirring inside her. The two sisters were already close, and it did not take long before Benjamin felt Viola¡¯s fingers dig into his firey locks, pressing his face against her woman hood as she bucked against his lips in climax.


    The two women were breathless as Benjamin stood, following the sister¡¯s request. Valtrya moaned as he took her at last, and she wrapped her legs around him as he sank into her. Benjamin began to pull out to thrust, but felt Valtrya¡¯s legs holding him tightly against her, ¡°No¡­ Ben¡­ Stay¡­ deep.¡± She whispered. She began rolling her hips against his, keeping him tightly wrapped with her legs. On a whim, Benjamin slipped his fingers back into Viola, teasing her sensitive spots with his fingertips.


    The reaction was instant. Viola let out a low long moan that turned into a louder shouting cry of climax. Valtrya echoed her sister, and Benjamin felt her legs clench down on his waist as she bucked against him. Benjamin finally escaped Valtrya¡¯s grasp while she was recovering and took Viola. He did the same to Valtrya that he had done to Viola, and this time he finished with them. The three of them slowly dragged themselves into bed properly. Benjamin stroked their sides as Val and Vi pressed themselves up next to him. ¡°That was¡­ woah¡­¡± Val murmured, ¡°I loved¡­ it.¡± Benjamin stroked her hair before lifting her chin to peck her on the lips. ¡°I did too. I love you, Val¡± Benjamin had to resist laughing at the wide eyes stunned expression on Val¡¯s face.


    Viola had indeed left the surprise for Val as promised, and her thunderstruck expression had been worth it. ¡°love?¡± She asked. Ben nodded, ¡°Yeah, but we are waiting on the Kiss of Eternity until we know my body can accept it.¡± Something passed between the sisters and Val nodded in understanding. She slid her body up Benjamin¡¯s chest and kissed him deeply. ¡°I too¡­ love¡­Ben.¡± She got out before settling back down into her warm pocket of bedding next to him. Ben felt Viola wiggling down next to him. She said nothing, only giving him a contented smile before closing her eyes. Benjamin blinked; he swore he only blinked. When he opened his eyes, the sun was just cresting through the trees the next morning. Viola was already up, and Benjamin caught a view of her firm ass as she slipped into her protective Forge clothing. Val was still snoozing in her little pocket of warmth, and Benjamin began bombarding her with little kisses and nips until she woke up. ¡°Good morning.¡± He mumbled to her. ¡°Morning.¡± She murmured back. ¡°Forge?¡± she asked.


    Benjamin nodded, standing up to reach for his Smithing clothes. ¡°It will feel good to go back to just making things.¡±  Benjamin followed the halls to the exit of the Mother Tree and began following the plume of dark smoke billowing from a small village outside of the tree. Half an hour later, the three of them stepped through the door of a cleanly kept, if a bit small, Smithery. The forge building was a bit short. Vi and Val could barely stand straight upright inside. Benjamin was forced to stoop a bit, and eventually gave up, kneeling on one knee. ¡°OI! We¡¯re closed for another hour yet!¡± A gruff female voice echo¡¯ed from outside of an open back door. Moments later, what could only be described as a stocky Farie in leather overalls trundled in carrying a stack of wood almost as tall as she was. She heaved the pile into her forge before turning to eye up her visitors, ¡°Oh, Hello. Might you be the Albino? The Queen Mother sent word ya¡¯ might be stoppin¡¯ by. Let me get this infernal forge started and I¡¯ll come¡­.¡± She never finished the sentence. Benjamin ripped the heat and fire from a lantern on the edge of the room. He kept the air in the palm of his hand hypersaturated with oxygen as he used his surroundings as fuel for the glowing ball of flame. In the next instant he flicked his wrist sending the burning orb into the kindling before blowing more air into the forge. In seconds, the forge flared to life; and the wooden logs began to blaze away. ¡°Whell.. Ok, then.¡± The stocky Farie raised an eyebrow at Benjamin. She fluttered into the air and hovered over to where Benjamin was kneeling. She noticed a quickly fading green glow emanating from the scars on Benjamin¡¯s right arm, and an equally fading otherworldly color from Benjamin¡¯s emerald eyes. ¡°So, you¡¯re touched, and practiced at that. Considerin¡¯ I ain¡¯t either. I¡¯m not sure what I can learn from ya. The name¡¯s Varris. What can I do for ya Forge Master¡­.?¡±


    Benjamin took the offered hand with a smile, ¡°Benjamin, just Benjamin will do. I would make use of your forge while I¡¯m overwintering here. These are my students, Valtrya and Viola. I was completing their training before we needed to run from the Principality.¡± Varris fluttered over to look the Aereesin sisters over, ¡°Hmmm, well, they look the part. Seem strudy ¡®nuff as well. I¡¯m not against it if you vouch for¡¯em.¡± She turned back to Benjamin with a critical eye and an admirable poker face, ¡°What did you have in mind for compensation?¡±


    ¡®There it is.¡¯ Benjamin grinned openly at Varris¡¯ last statement. Qort had well acquainted Ben with the businessman¡¯s side of Black Smithery. ¡°I offer a trade. Knowledge of metalwork that I have only taught to one other soul in the four realms.¡± Benjamin watched Varris turn her undivided attention to him, ¡°Oh? Think you¡¯ve something special I can make without Cosmos?¡± Benjamin only nodded, drawing his stiletto dagger from his waistband and tapping it against one of her iron hammers where it lay on the counter before him. Varris¡¯ eyes widened, and her jaw fell as the weapon sang its harmonics between them, ¡°Mistress Forge Master, let us discuss something I call, Steel.¡±

 Chapter 18

    CLANG¡­.. CLANG¡­. CLANG¡­


    Benjamin was currently hammering away at a particularly special piece of metal. The revelation of steel had forged an instant connection between himself and the Farie Forgemaster, and Varris quickly became exceedingly busy forging new weapons and armor for the Royal Guard. Benjamin had personally converted the armor of Vailin, the Queen''s personal Captain of the guard. He still felt a pinch of remorse at causing her pain the night they arrived and added a Majik forged sword and lance-head in addition to her new armor.


    His current project was for the two closest people in this new life. Just over a month had passed since their conversation with Queen Mother Victoria, and unfortunately, Sol was less than forthcoming. The Avatar of Earth¡¯s Star remained absent this last month. That was a quiet relief to Benjamin, but her words were partially to blame for the urgency of his current hammer falls.


    The three of them were keeping a grueling schedule. They were in the training grounds from early morning until mid-day, followed by forge work that often lasted deep into the evenings. Benjamin spent the first week at the forge building a second forge room. In truth, there was nothing terribly wrong with Varris¡¯s forge, but it was build for a Farie. Benjamin had drawn heavily on Cosmos. It took him a full day to rip the silicone, calcium, and other components from deep inside the earth. Luckily, the gravel media to complete his rudimentary concrete foundation was an easier acquisition, and Benjamin was able to create a smooth foundation from which to build from.


    The rest of the first week saw Benjamin ripping massive amounts of clay from the surrounding area, flash cooking it into square bricks for the walls. Varris had finally understood, enlisting the help of a group of craftswomen to help raise the building. No doubt the change of interest came as Benjamin revealed that he would be departing in the spring, and the new extension to her business would be hers upon his leaving in the spring.


    Benjamin slipped the metal he was currently beating into submission back into the Forge, reheating the bar to begin yet another fold to the metal. Both women insisted on making their own armor, and had spent the last few weeks polishing their steel working skills alongside Varris. The Farie Forgemaster, in turn, taught the sisters how to traditionally make armor.


    Currently, Benjamin was banned from entering the smaller original forge. This morning, the Aereesin sisters decided that they were going to surprise him with their creations. He was not allowed to see their armored creations until they were finished.


    Benjamin, instead, was forging a weapon¡¯s set for each of them. Valtrya had taken to the short lance and shield during her training, and her official present was already finished, safely hidden in the back of the armory. Viola, on the other hand, was becoming adept with the long sword, but she tended to struggle with the balance of the type of iron broadsword that appeared to be common here. This lump of steel would eventually be forged into a light, nimble, and fast single-handed weapon. Benjamin was drawing on a combination of his memory of his few visits to various museum visits from his youth, and what he had learned since his arrival. He affixed his mind on light, fast single-handed design, and His plan was to combine a basket hilt grip and handguard with a blade that would be considered an early rapier instead of a longsword.


    Benjamin pulled the glowing metal from the forge bending and beating it several more times before being satisfied with its composition. He was not using Majik to actively manipulate the metal, but he could see deep into the molecular construction as he worked. Sometimes it just felt good to beat on something. Now was the time, however, and Benjamin simply picked up the still glowing metal with his bare hands. No searing of flesh followed.


    The scars on his right arm began to glow along with his emerald eyes, and he willed the metal into shape. It took but a moment to shape the blade, but Benjamin took his time in distressing the metal properly before forcibly cooling the blade down to a safe room temperature. He already constructed the hilt previously, and now the two were joined properly. Benjamin slipped the cherry-colored hardwood handle panels in place before driving in the thick tang pins to hold everything in place.


    He channeled Cosmos once more, compressing the pins until they acted as rivets to hold everything together. His hand waved over the grips themselves, perfecting their shape and adding gripping textures. ¡°There, done¡± he mumbled to himself. He had not been able to find an acid strong enough to permanently etch the blade with folded pattern he had forged into the metal, and Benjamin had drawn the intricate Damascus design from the metal with Majik.


    He wrapped the sword in an oil-damp cloth before slipping it into a storage cabinet. He was just finishing up when Valtrya came bounding in from outside. She rushed up to him, ¡°Ben!¡± She half whispered,


    ¡°Come! Ben Come. The sky is flaking!¡± Benjamin smiled down at her and reached for his coat. The weather had grown bitingly cold over the last month, and Benjamin had purchased some winter clothing for the three of them. He had gone for a thick woolen overcoat with a hood. The girls had each chosen long fur trench coats, made from some kind of fox, ¡°flaking hmm? What color is the sky flaking?¡± Ben asked, pecking Val on the cheek. He tried to show her little bits of affection every time she spoke. It was bribery, he knew that. He suspected Val did too, but She was coming out of her shell because of it.


    ¡°White! And it¡¯s cold!¡± She exclaimed and began tugging at his hand, half dragging him out of the forge. Benjamin looked back, ripping the heat out of the lit forge with his mind before doing the same to the candles. They stepped into the evening air into a sparkling wonderland of falling ivory flakes.


    The two of them met Viola outside. Val joined her sister in staring up in wide-eyed wonder, and Benjamin watched them in amusement. Vilora reached out, palm up, and a singular pearlescent falling spec landed in her hand. It dissolved instantly against her warmth, and she turned to Ben in wonder, ¡°You¡¯ve never seen snow, have you?¡± Ben asked gently. Viola shook her head and attempted to catch another one. It too melted in her grasp. Valtrya attempted the same before Benjamin pulled on a pair of woolen gloves. With the fabric protecting the falling flakes from his body heat, he held out his hand.


    Several snowflakes slowly wafted down to rest on his glove and his girls leaned in to stare at them, ¡°Snow is what happens when water gets really cold, up there.¡± He pointed up to the sky. ¡°It turns solid and clings to itself in a crystalline pattern.¡± Valtrya reached a single finger toward one of the white specs on his arm, and it disappeared into a water droplet on her finger as she touched it. ¡°Snow¡­¡± She whispered softly. Benjamin nodded, ¡°Yeah. Your body is much warmer than it is, and it melts when you touch it.  He looked up ¡°I didn¡¯t think we would get cold enough for snow. I hope it gets to stick for a few days.¡± Viola wrapped around one arm and shivered, ¡°It¡¯s getting cold, Can we go home?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Benjamin nodded, and the three began walking back to the Mother Tree. Their stroll was not a lengthy one, and Benjamin noticed the weather dropping its temperature drastically as the snowfall began to increase in both flake size and severity. The first whisps of drifting white were just beginning to stick as they reached their destination. Ben quickly headed for the terrace door, closing it against the biting cold. ¡°There, that ought to do us for the night.¡± Vi and Val slowly shrugged off their forge clothes, wiping the worst of the grime of the day with wet rags that accompanied a wash basin in their quarters. Ben noticed Viola rubbing her kneck, trying to work out the kinks, and he slipped up behind her and began kneading her shoulders and neck. ¡°Tough day?¡±


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Hmmmm, that¡¯s nice.¡± Vi moaned slightly at his touch, ¡°Yeah, making armor without your gifts is¡­ hard.¡± She leaned back against his touch, wincing slightly as he found one of the bigger knots in her shoulders. Benjamin worked her muscles over in his hands for a few more minutes before he cleaned up as well. Val followed him, and Ben gave her the same message as he gave her sister. Val had many of the same knots, but hers seemed deeper than her sisters. Benjamin worked her shoulders over for a few minutes, as well, before calling it quits, ¡°If I overdo it, I can hurt you more. Common, I¡¯m beat.¡± The three of them crawled into bed. Viola curled up ¡®round behind Valtrya, harkening back to when Ben first met them. Ben slipped up behind Vi and wrapped his arms around them both as the sisters wiggled back against him slightly. They were asleep in seconds.


    The next morning, Benjamin was awoken by a positively vibrating Valtrya, ¡°It stuck! It stuck!! It stuck!!¡± Viola was awake as well, staring stock still out through the windows of their room. Benjamin groaned but sat up and trundled out to join them. ¡°How much did we¡­ Whoah.¡± Benjamin came to a halt next to Viola. The entire forest was covered in drifts of white. The snow was still descending with wild abandon, but it lacked the blowing wind to create a true blizzard ¡°Can we¡­ go see?¡± Val asked. Benjamin raised an eyebrow at her and then laughed, ¡°Sure, why not. Put an extra layer on under the coat. It¡¯s going to be freezing out there.¡±


    Vi and Val scrambled for their warmer clothes with a burble of laughter from Ben, and the three of them quickly dressed for the cold. Benjamin was practically dragged down the corridors by the two. Their exuberance continued up until they reached the main entrance. The girls skidded to a halt when a wall of positively frigid wall of air slammed into them. ¡°I did say it would be cold.¡± Benjamin joked, casually stepping into the biting weather and walking out into the still-falling snow. ¡°It¡¯s freezing!!!¡± Viola cried out, but followed him out anyway. Valtrya proved to be


    more timid, but she too stepped out into the falling white wonderland. ¡°It¡¯s cold.¡± She murmured just loud enough to be heard by the two, and Ben smiled internally. ¡°We¡¯ll be ok.¡± He responded, pulling her into a quick embrace. ¡°Go ahead,¡± he bent down, cooping a hand full of fluffy ¡®fresh powder¡¯ like snow, and poured it into her hands. Val¡¯s eyes widened when it didn¡¯t melt instantly, ¡°When this much snow falls, it can¡¯t melt fast enough, and you can hold it.¡± Viola scooped up a handful for herself in wonder before throwing it up in the air, showering the three in extra powdery downfalls. ¡°Why does this make me happy?¡± She asked, giggling.


    Ben laughed, ¡°Donno for sure, I spent winters with relatives in Scandinavia. It can get much colder than this. Always loved fresh powder though.¡± He picked up another hand full, packing it gently into a ball of snow. He kept it just firm enough to stay together, but soft enough to break apart on impact. Viola looked at him in curiosity until he casually tossed it at her. The snowball thumped against her coat and exploded in a shower of white, ¡°Wha! What¡¯d you do that for!!¡± She looked at him in mild shock. ¡°It¡¯s called a snowball. We used to throw them at each other in massive snow ball fi.. oooof!¡± Benjamin was rudely interrupted by a round clump of snow to the back of the head. Val had ambushed him with a volley of her own, and soon Benjamen was embroiled in a running three-way snowball fight all the way to the training grounds.


    Yilarran turned to watch the three laughing and hollering as the snow flew. They entered the training yard and slowly settled down. ¡°I see you three are enjoying yourselves. Care to explain?¡±. Benjamin breath to stop laughing, only to get clouted in the back of the head one last time by an excellent throw from Viola. ¡°Snowball fight.¡± He finally got out. ¡°What is the plan.¡± Ben asked, brushing off the last remnants of the icy battle Royal. Yilarran smiled unpleasantly ¡°Armored duels. You vs each of them. We will begin after you arm and armor yourselves. NO going easy on each other, or you¡¯ll duel me.¡± The four-armed titan of an Elf Growled.


    Benjamin looked over to the sister, recognizing their quickly paling expression, ¡°It will be ok. Common, let''s suit up.¡± Vi bobbed her head in a cautious nod, and Val took her sister¡¯s hand to follow. Benjamin dressed quickly in one half of the Armory, donning the extra full-face helmet and a thick hybrid Gambeson/chainmail neck guard he learned was called a Coif.


    He picked up a one-hand broadsword and dagger. The weapons were quite dangerous, being all metal, and with the same weight and balance as real sharpened versions of the same type. They were still quite capable of breaking bones and causing concussions. However, their tips were rounded, and the edges were heavily blunted. Benjamin would have been appalled by the significant risk of serious injury that still remained, but he forced himself to remember that this reality relied heavily on more supernatural forms of healing.


    There were several fairies he recognized from the infirmary huddled under an overhang. They had their own roaring fire to stay warm, and they were obviously here to save any would be casualties. Benjamin sighed as he realized the Vilora was indeed among them. ¡®Still keeping me a secret, I see¡¯.  He settled his weapons on the table next to the ring, shifting and fiddling with the extra bits of armor that were not his usual practice attire. They were, however, standard fare for soldiers and war; and Benjamin knew he needed to get used to the added weight and hindrance.  Vi and Val slowly emerged from the armory, wearing their standard training breastplate with all the extra bits of core body protection. Viola was wearing a steel-plated pauldron with a neck deflector on her left shoulder, and a sequence of articulating plates sheathed her left arm down to her wrist in iron. Ben could not see her hand, as she was carrying a modestly sized buckler that Ben estimated to be no more than a foot in diameter. Her left hip had a dagger riding in a scabbard strapped to it vertically to her belt. Her right hand held more of Benjamin¡¯s interest. She was holding a single-handed long sword, but not. The blade had been crudely thinned and beaten back into shape. She walked over to Ben with an embarrassed smile, ¡°It¡¯s not my best work.¡± She hefted the modified sword, handing it to Ben. ¡°It was broken in the back of the armory, and they let me have it. I¡¯m trying out some blade shapes to go with my armor.¡± Ben held it in his hand. ¡°Feels fast¡± he said, mentally comparing it to her gift hiding in the forge, ¡°What¡¯s with the arm?¡±


    ¡°I wanted Val¡¯s shield, but I don¡¯t actually want to carry one. The Buckler fits on my belt, nicely. And the arm is to protect the rest of me, that¡¯s the theory at least.¡± Viola looked over the arm. ¡°I¡¯m not so sure if I like it, yet.¡± Benjamin was about to respond when Valtrya tapped on his shoulder.


    She was wearing her standard practice breastplate, but with the added protection around her neck. She carried the same full-face helm as the other two but sported an armored skirt that went to her knees instead of pants. Her arms were bare, but she carried a large round shield in her right hand. Valtrya was the only of the three who was left-handed, and she carried a lancer spear with a ¡°safe¡± broad headed tip installed. The Vin lancers were short of stature, so their spears tended to be just a touch over 6 feet long instead of the 10 to 12-foot spears used by Orc and Elf. Valtrya had taken to the shorter spear with abandon, and quickly pared it with a shield in what Benjamin did not have the heart to tell her was far from unique in his human history. She was in the beginnings of developing a fighting style that was very much reminiscent of ancient Rome or Sparta, if significantly less flashy than Hollywood tended to portray. Her right hip bore the weight of a short cross-guarded sword, an emergency backup in case her spear was lost. ¡°An interesting choice¡± Ben responded, looking her over in mild concern. Valtrya tip-toed up to whisper in his ear, ¡°Move¡­ need to, move.. more.¡± She said softly before stepping back to warm up. She bounced lightly on her feet despite the armor¡¯s added weight and began lunging side to side as she stretched.


    Benjamin and Vi joined her, properly warming up for a few minutes before a pointed cough interrupted them. ¡°Are you three love birds ready? Or do you need some more foreplay?¡± Benjamin blew a snort through his nose and turned to step out into the snowy ring. ¡°Alright, Viola. You¡¯re up first. There is only one rule, I call the points. You will fight until I call a point, and not before. There are no other rules. War is brutal, and battles are unforgiving. When you step out into that ring, you are enemies. If I even catch a hint of mercy before I call time, I will personally pound you into the ground myself. After all, we have excellent healers.¡± Benjamin watched as both girls shrank back at that. He slowly pulled his helmet back off and glared at the Elf before walking back to a terrified Vi and Val. ¡°Hey, look at me. I know what she is doing, and it sucks, but it is a good thing to learn.¡± He pulled both of their heads to his and planted a kiss on each of their foreheads. ¡°I had to fight my friends in boot camp, you won''t be hurting my feelings, ok? If you need it, you have my full permission to beat the ever-loving tar out of me, ok?¡±


    ¡°But, what¡­ what if¡­¡± Val trembled slightly, and Benjamin unfortunately knew why. ¡°Ssshhh. You''re covered in armor; you are the strongest you¡¯ve been in your life; and you''re capable of fighting back this time.¡± He whispered, holding her close. ¡°It¡¯s better to face those fears with someone you trust, than in a fight where your panic might kill you. I¡¯ll be right there the whole time; do you trust me?¡± Val looked into his eyes and held his gaze for a moment before nodding. ¡°I do..¡± She whispered. ¡°Good¡± Ben responded, giving her a peck on the lips. He knew their instructor was scowling at them, but he also knew Val needed the attention to help calm herself, ¡°Just watch me and Viola, if you decide you don¡¯t want to. I¡¯ll talk to Yilarran.¡±


    He turned and stepped up to the Titan of an elf and she raised an eyebrow at his serious expression, ¡°I know what you are doing, and I don¡¯t disagree with it, but I need you to listen to me, and understand.¡± Yilarran narrowed her eyes at his hard tone, but did not immediately reprimand him, ¡°Those two were rendered helpless, and then ruthlessly tortured both emotionally and physically for over a century. Some serious psychological traumas might present themselves. That means, they may have a flashback, or start to panic for seemingly no reason.¡± Yilarran nodded slowly in understanding. ¡°I will go all out as you request, but if one of them has an episode; especially Val, the fight is over. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯ve called a point or not.¡± He didn¡¯t bother waiting for an answer, stepping out into the training ring. He turned to face the entrance of the dueling area just as Viola stepped up and slipped her helm down over her head. She nodded once, then raised her guard. Benjamin returned her nod and donned his helm.


    ¡°Combatants! BEGIN!¡±

 Chapter 19

    ¡°Combatants, Begin!¡±


    Benjamin hefted his wide-bladed longsword in his left hand, and dagger in his right. He settled into a familiar stance with his sword at mid-guard and his dagger withdrawn to his waist with its point up. He heard Yilaaran snort at his pose, but he ignored her. Viola began bouncing on the balls of her feet, flicking the sword a couple of times before suddenly lunging toward Benjamin with considerable speed. Benjamin was forced to give ground, parrying several thrusts from Viola before returning a diagonal cut that severed naught but air. Viola spent the next minute dancing in and out of range in a series of thrusts and reposts. Her weapon was extremely fast compared to Benjamin¡¯s more medieval broadsword, and Viola quickly homed in on its stabbing potential, slipping past Benjamin''s guard with a resounding CLANG. Her blade bent impressively at the force of her stab into Ben¡¯s breastplate but sprang back as he recovered.


    ¡°POINT!¡± Yilaaran shouted, ¡°Your armor is to protect you during sparring! It will not always be there to save you. AGAIN!¡±


    Viola, emboldened by her success, attacked with renewed aggression. But this time Benjamin began using both of his weapons to defend. An errant thrust saw Viola¡¯s sword bound tightly between the blade and cross guard of Benjamin''s dagger, and his sword fell heavily on the iron pauldron protecting her right shoulder. The blow drove Viola to her knees and Benjamin heard Valtrya gasp as she felt the impact of his blade on her sister.


    ¡°POINT! Beware the parrying dagger. It is small in stature, but its decisive use can turn a disadvantage into a victory. AGAIN!¡±


    Benjamin took a step back out of measure. Viola stabbed the tip of her blade into the dirt, using it to heave herself to her feet. She took a moment to roll her shoulder before shifting her stance. Her heavily armor¡¯d left arm and buckler swung around in front of her body, her sword laid atop it, and she crouched low, circling Benjamin. Benjamin reversed the grip of his dagger and raised his sword over his head in an extremely high guard. He waited for half a heartbeat and attacked. He attacked her less armored sword side, forcing her to parry a heavy blow from his sword. Viola¡¯s body was the strongest it had been in over a century, but Benjamin had her in both reach and power.


    Their blades bound, and Benjamin took a step forward as Viola gave ground. His left-hand fist, still clenching the reversed dagger, connected with the side of Viola¡¯s helmet, pinwheeling her away from the sword contact. Benjamin advanced but no call of point was made this time. Vilora shook her head, staggering slightly from the blow. Benjamin cursed himself for not using the point of the dagger to score. The blunt force punch instead of a decisive stab was most likely the reason for Yilaaran¡¯s silence. He reached her in two steps, launching in a single-handed thrust with his sword only to be deflected by Viola¡¯s armor¡¯d forearm. The surprise threw his balance, and Benjamin¡¯s sword flew out of position as a vicious triplicate of stabs slammed into his throat before a final semi-wild looping slash rang his helmet. Benjamin stumbled and fell as the flurry of blows finished taking the rest of his balance.


    ¡°POINT! Keep your wits about you. A wounded opponent is most dangerous when underestimated. Raise your hand if you are fit to continue.¡± Yilaaran waited for a few seconds. Viola raised her offhand, signaling her readiness. And Benjamin stood slowly, raising his dagger in the same. ¡°Good, AGAIN!¡±


    This time each combatant circled the other. Gone were the preconceived impressions. Benjamin stayed warry of Viola¡¯s speed, and Viola had tasted Benjamin¡¯s power. In the end, it was Viola who struck first, prancing in with a flurry of lunging stabs. Benjamin parried using both his sword and dagger, once again catching her blade in his dagger''s bind. This time, when Benjamin swung for the kill, Viola danced to the side, and Benjamin¡¯s helmet rang again as Vilora threw a haymaker with her armor¡¯d arm. The buckler connected firmly with the side of Benjamin¡¯s helmet, and he spun away slightly dazed. He lost his sword in the impact, but his dagger ripped Viola¡¯s sword from her hands as he spun. Vilora ripped the dagger from her belt and charged the recovering Benjamin with a cry. Benjamin saw her just in time and caught her dagger with his.


    Benjamin crouched low, driving the wild thrust over his head. He hooked his right arm through Viola¡¯s legs and heaved, using her momentum to throw her cleanly over his head and to her back on the other side of him. He was on top of her in a flash, and the blunted point of his dagger dug into the gap in her armor at the armpit. Viola Yelped in pain and Benjamin instantly withdrew.


    ¡°POINT! Well done!¡± Yilaaran shouted. ¡°Now, Both of you see the Medic¡¯s before the next match.¡±


    Benjamin gingerly helped Vilora to her feet, and she pulled her helmet off. Her hair was a matted mess, and there was a deep stain of purple blood running down the side of her cheek from a cut on her brow. ¡°Shit¡­ are you ok?¡± Benjamin¡¯s heart dropped, remembering that armor was not perfect. Viola bobbed her head heavily, ¡°Shh. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve had worse. That punch was¡­ wow¡­ I didn¡¯t know you were that strong.¡± She leaned on him as he helped her to the medics. He tugged his helmet off, ¡°I¡¯ve always tried to be gentle with you two. Am I bleeding? You gave me a good whack as well.¡± Viola looked him over. ¡°I don¡¯t think so, but your temple is turning strange colors.¡±


    Benjamin left Viola with the medics, walking over to Vilora as she took her head in his, ¡°What¡¯s up Doc?¡±


    Vilora¡¯s wings began to glow as she held him about the temples, and every ache or pain from the recent bout quickly faded away, ¡°She did more damage to you than I thought she would. How is she doing?¡± Benjamin grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s not her I¡¯m worried about.¡± The red-haired human looked over to see Valtrya staring at the dueling area. ¡°Viola¡¯s always been the rock of the two of them. Val¡­. Val¡¯s more fragile. I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯m to get her to fight properly without doing more harm.¡±


    Vilora nodded, ¡°I believe she may be more prepared than you give her credit. I¡¯ve seen only a few paired souls, but one always seems to appear more timid than the other. I also know that She will draw on the strength of her sister. Have faith, Benjamin. You¡¯ve done well with them, and now you must trust them to show you.¡± Vilora stopped glowing, and settled to the ground, ¡°There, good as new. Now, off with you.¡±


    Benjamin nodded his thanks and headed back towards Valtrya. She was going over her spear and shield but paused when she saw Benjamin stop next to her. ¡°Hey gorgeous¡± he whispered, smiling as she blushed, ¡°Are you still, ok?¡± Val looked at him for a long moment before leaning up to his ear, ¡°I need.. do this¡­ I am fine.¡± She whispered, and Benjamin sighed heavily. ¡°OK, I¡¯ll wait for you in the ring.¡± Benjamin stepped back out into the ring. Valtrya followed him after a moment and took her position opposite him.


    ¡°Same rules as before! Combatants, BEGIN!¡± Yilaaran shouted. Valtrya didn¡¯t hesitate and lunged toward Benjamin who swung his broadsword down from his high guard. Valtrya saw the strike, and pivoted on her right foot, deflecting the strike with her round shield. Benjamin stumbled as she deflected the heavy strike. She continued her spin, striking out with the opposite end of her spear from the blade while keeping her shield between his sword and her. The butt-end of the spear caught an off-balance Benjamin about the back of the neck, and Valtrya followed through. She used her left leg, planting it in his way. She used his own momentum as she threw him, and Benjamin slammed face first into the ground and slid two feet in the loose dirt. Benjamin spun to his back just in time to see Valtrya standing over his body, thrusting down at him with her spear. He rolled out of the way just in time, only to be forced to scramble away from a second strike.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Benjamin scrambled to his feet, catching yet another thrust with the flat of his dagger, but Valtrya ripped the dagger from his hands with her recovery before clobbering him about the head with the leading edge of her shield then stabbing him firmly in the breastplate with her returning spear tip. The pair of blows drove Benjamin to the ground again, and he stabbed the point of his sword into the ground to brace himself.


    ¡°POINT!¡± Yilaaran called out. ¡°Pay attention to your strikes, your enemy has a say in where your weapon ends up. AGAIN!¡±


    Benjamin stood slowly, shaking off the blow before settling into a low guard with his dagger reversed. This time, Valtrya¡¯s thrust was parried, and Benjamin slid the shaft of her spear down until it was against the hilt of his sword. He stepped forward, and Val swung her shield at him from his right. Benjamin was forced to jump back, and Val recovered her spear. Benjamin redoubled his attack with a thrust that forced Valtrya to block with her shield, and Benjamin took a second step kicking the shield firmly just as she was beginning to repost with her spear. Valtrya went flying, smacking the back of her head on the ground when she landed, and Benjamin rushed her. He swatted away the spear but took the edge of her shield in the stomach just below the breastplate. Valtrya rolled over on top of him as he fell, straddling Benjamin as she drew her dagger and stabbed at him from above. Benjamin caught her by the wrist and threw her off to the side before standing. He had fallen next to his sword, he scooped it up and rushed her. Valtrya was forced to abandon the retrieval of her spear and was now fighting with just a dagger and shield.


    The two exchanged several blows, Benjamin struggling to get through Valtrya¡¯s combination of defense and agility. She would cartwheel out of the way one moment, then body slam him with her shield the next. Ben was forced to be careful with his sword because of her ability to knock it off course and throw his balance. Valtrya was unable to get back to her spear, and could not get into her own measure because of Benjamin¡¯s longer weapon. Benjamin closed on her again and she drove another shield lunge at him, but this time Benjamin did something new. She gasped in surprise when he hooked the lip of her shield with his dagger, and used the leverage to drive her to the ground. She cried out when his knee found the small of her back, driving her firmly into the dirt before tapping the tip of his sword against her Coif.


    ¡°Point! Beware becoming predictable against a stronger enemy. If he takes you to the ground, it can be the end of you.¡± Yilaaran shouted.


    Benjamin got off of a thrashing Val, pulling her helmet off just before she started to panic, ¡°Hey, Shhh, it¡¯s over. You did great.¡± He picked her up to her feet, ¡°Just breathe, It¡¯s ok.¡± Val looked up at him in abject terror for a moment before she took several deep breaths. ¡°I am¡­ will be.. well.¡± She whispered. The two of them walked together to the medical staff. Within moments, both of them were back to their full capacities. Lunch was served under the same pavilion where the now absent Healers had stayed, and Benjamin was once again rudely reminded of just how little the Farie used in the way of seasoning. ¡°So, you three.¡± Yilaaran began in a conversational tone, ¡°First of all, well done for only three months of weapons training. You have a long way to go, but it is a start.¡± The titanic four-armed woman who Benjamin still struggled to call an ¡°Elf¡± took a bite of her food. ¡°Now comes the second half of today''s training. I want each of you to go through what you learned. It could be anything, and no detail is too small. And leave nothing out.¡±


    Benjamin thought for a moment, but it was Viola who spoke first. ¡°I liked my blade design, but I think I went a little to far. It was too light in the bind, and I felt like Benjamin had more authority in his strikes than would be from just strength alone.¡± She paused, taking a drink of the light ale that seemed to be a constant replacement for water, ¡°I like my buckler arm, but I think it¡¯s overkill. It slowed me down a little too much and I felt lopsided with the weight.¡± Yilaaran nodded in approval, ¡°And the fighting itself?¡±. Viola thought for a moment, ¡°You pointed out most of what I would speak to, but I would add that it was strange to fight someone who bears their main weapon in their left hand.¡± Vilora stated, ¡°I will need more experience in that area.¡±


    ¡°Very Good,¡± Yilaaran turned to Benjamin, ¡°And you? You¡¯ve surprised me with your decision to learn the sword in your left hand. How did it work out for you?¡± Benjamin swallowed his food, taking a drink, ¡°I need a lighter sword.¡± He mused waving his left hand in moch strikes, ¡°I did not have trouble wielding it, but that design feels¡­ slow. I have some better ideas on what I want to build into a sword, but it won¡¯t look like that.¡± He pointed to where the sword was leaned up on a stand with the other weapons. He turned to Viola, ¡°I underestimated her speed with the blade. I still need to be able to recognize what a weapon might be capable of from its appearance.¡± Ben then turned to Val, ¡°I completely underestimated her shield and agility. Fighting left-handed leaves me open to attacks from her off-hand. I¡¯m still not entirely sure how I would beat someone my size, with her weapons, if I only had a sword and dagger.¡±


    Yilaaran hummed lightly, ¡°and your Majik?¡± Benjamin looked down at his food and his mod darkened, ¡°I can¡¯t rely on my Majik in combat. It still takes too much concentration¡­. And¡­ I don¡¯t want someone I care about to die because I couldn¡¯t control it.¡± He admitted after a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t feel ready to use Majik against anyone in practice, not yet anyway.¡± Yilaaran thumped him on the shoulder, ¡°Combat is Chaos, which is when Majik is most dangerous to its user and his allies. These are good lessons. Eat, I¡¯m sure Varris awaits you.¡± The Elf gave Valtrya an appraising gaze, but did not ask her to speak.


    The three ate quickly before donning their coats. Benjamin waited until they were out of Yilaarans earshot before speaking, ¡°Are you two ok, really I mean.¡± Viola just patted him on the hand, ¡°We are ok.¡± She reassured. ¡°Val did not like being pinned down, but we trust you. You and Yilaaran are correct. We need to face the scars from our old life. You are wonderful, my Benjamin, but you are only one man. We must be able to protect ourselves if you are not there.¡± Benjamin groaned a resigned noise, ¡°I don¡¯t like how right you are, but you are.¡± He pulled both of them into a tight embrace. The three walked in silence through the winter wonderland until the smell of coal and hot metal heralded the end of their stroll.


    Viola spun in front of Benjamin just before they reached the door, ¡°Now, Now. No peeking. We aren¡¯t finished yet.¡± She teased, ¡°We will see you this evening.¡± The two of them disappeared through the door, and Benjamin could only chuckle as he stepped through the much larger entrance to the second forge room. In moments, the forge was lit and the lighting ablaze. Benjamin pulled Viola¡¯s sword from its hiding place, and looked at its encompassing basket hilt. He had been watching more than just Viola¡¯s blade today, and her style was quickly bringing modifications to his design. His eyes began to glow along with the scars on his right arm, and he began take a form firmly into his mind. The Hilt of Viola¡¯s present began to glow and shift under his imagination. Benjamin smiled as the full basket became a sweeping three-quarters design that left plenty of room for Viola¡¯s wrist-heavy style. That done, he pulled the thermal energy out of the sword and dumped it into a large ingot of Damascus that he had left over. The Ingot began to bend and form to his will, taking a roughly round shape before refining itself further, ¡®This will do nicely.¡¯


    Benjamin formed the glowing metal in his bare hands, taking the shape pattern welded buckler to match Viola¡¯s sword. He modified the design from the basic roundel that she fought him earlier with. It still retained the central fist-sized cup, but it now protruded from the center of a shallow bowl designed to catch blade tips and control them. Benjamin opted to keep the handle inside the central bulb metal. He added a moderate knurling texture that would work well with a glove or provide purchase to any wrap that Vi might decide to use. He tempered the metal carefully, and fully cooled it before placing the matching pieces back in the cabinet.


    In truth, he was stalling. His hand-to-hand combat skills were progressing at a decent pace, but He still had the problem of blending blade and firearm into one usable system. Benjamin was aware that He could most likely use Majik in place of a firearm. His recent revelations, on just how much he could be capable of, firmly placed the more supernatural elements of combat in the ¡°last resort¡± category. He pulled the recovered material from his musket and dropped it into a crucible. He then added several more pieces of steel that were of far greater quality than anything capable of being made by this reality''s current stage of technology. Benjamin leaned against the work counter and watched the metal heat. He let his mind drift through the gift Sol had given him. The first time he had searched his expanded memory, it was not pleasant; but It was slowly becoming easier. He was never someone into pre-firearms history, but There were points in history where the sword and gun coexisted.


    Benjamin pulled out the crucible and set it on the stone counter. His mind affixed itself upon a rough idea of an officer''s saber from the mid-19th century. He willed the molten metal out of the crucible and cooled it enough to be no longer liquid, but still soft. He reached out, picking up his hammer and tongs. He had his direction, an idea fixed in his mind. His ears began to ring with the heavy falls of his hammer. His arm¡¯s scars returned to their normal appearance and the glow in his eyes faded. He began forging and folding the metal by hand, hammer, tong, and anvil. Benjamin began to slowly feel the sweat bead on his forehead, and the familiar tension on his muscles as he began to work.


    Sometimes, It just felt good to beat on metal the old-fashioned way.

 Chapter 20

    A knock at the door finally ceased Benjamin¡¯s hammer falls, ¡°Come!¡± He called, setting the hammer into its storage place and gazing down at his work. Viola, followed by Valtrya walked in, covered in grime from the day''s work and looking both haggard and happy with themselves, ¡°Hey you two. I¡¯m almost finished, I just need to quench.¡± He greeted. His right arm began to glow, and he picked up the still-glowing metal with his bare hand. He ran a hand along the length of the piece, pulling and shifting the grain of the material until it was properly de-stressed, before dipping it in a vat of oil. His girls stepped over to watch as he pulled the metal out of the hissing liquid and laid it back on the table. ¡°What is it¡­ blade, funny.¡± Valtrya asked, ¡°looks too thin.¡±


    Benjamin smiled down at her, ¡°it is much thinner than an iron sword. It is a type of sword from my home, called a ¡®Saber¡¯. Benjamin pulled out a roughly mocked up hilt, ¡°It¡¯s much lighter than what I used today.¡± He winced at Viola¡¯s ascent shoulder rub at the reminder of their duels, but he continued, ¡°I¡¯m making it left-handed so that I can use a gun in my right. That''s why I¡¯m learning the sword the way I am,¡± He slipped the saber hilt over the tang, showing roughly what he was going for. ¡°How are your armors coming?¡±


    Viola groaned, ¡°I¡¯m redesigning my left arm. I made it to match what I was practicing with, but our duel is giving me ideas to change it. I still haven¡¯t started on my buckler yet.¡±


    Benjamin nodded, struggling to keep from spilling his secret project. ¡°Good, I was hoping some good would come out of beating on each other.¡± He turned to Val, ¡°Hey, now that we¡¯re alone. Let¡¯s do what Yilarran asked. Tell me, what did you learn from our fight.¡±


    ¡°I need to¡­ keep my spear¡­¡± She began, ¡°I also need to add to¡­. shield¡­. Something pointy¡­¡± she paused and dropped her head, ¡°I panicked at¡­ end. Knee on back¡­. Blade to neck¡­ bad memories.¡± She shuddered for a moment, only to be engulfed in a gentle embrace. Ben kissed her on the top of the head, ¡°I was wondering, that. How do you feel now?¡±


    Val looked up at him, ¡°Still trust¡­ my Ben.¡± She said softly, giving a gentle smile before wrinkling her nose,¡°Come, baths¡­. We stink¡­¡±


    Benjamin snorted a laugh, ¡°the Baths would be nice. Our clothes need a good scrub.¡± Ben was slowly getting used to the¡­ different¡­ grooming standards in this reality, but all three of them were pushing those standards to their limits with the combat training/ Forgeworking Days.


    The three of them departed for home, and Benjamin noticed the weather darkening more quickly than the setting sun usually dictated, ¡°Looks like a blizzard.¡± He mumbled. ¡°What is a, blizzard¡± Viola asked, reaching out to catch individual snowflakes in her glove. These flakes were almost comically large, and Benjamin enjoyed watching the sisters wonder at them. ¡°Basically, it¡¯s like when the snow fell, but much much thicker, with wind and ice. It might not be safe to leave the tree in the morning.¡±


    As if on que, an icy blast kicked up a portion of slow on the ground, momentarily obscuring the walking path, ¡°yup, we might actually get a day off.¡± Ben snorted. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry. Even I¡¯m starting to get cold.¡± The three half jogged the rest of the way to the Farie¡¯s Mother tree, making it inside just as the gates at its base began to close.


    Vilora greeted them just inside the threshold with a hug, accompanied by a haggard-looking Jukha. The Hunter appeared to be covered in a slick silvery substance that reeked of death. ¡°I was beginning to worry.¡± Vilora huffed, but Benjamin raised an eyebrow at the Ork, ¡°I guess that explains what you¡¯ve been up to. What was it?¡±


    Jukha snorted, ¡°a western great Egret. I don¡¯t get to hunt them often. They hibernate in the summer, and hunt in the winter.¡± Benjamin looked him up and down, ¡°How do they taste?¡±


    Jukha laughed outright, ¡°You will see. The Queen requested one for a formal dinner.¡± Vilora patted him on the back, ¡°Come, the baths await all of us.¡±


    The group soon arrived at the familiar baths, but this time Vilora guided them past the normal door to a second entrance revealing a singular pool with attendants waiting for them. Benjamin looked around cautiously. He threw a hand up over his eyes as he caught a glimpse of Vilora disrobing ¡°WHOA! Can someone tell me what¡¯s goin¡¯ on?¡± Jukha broke into a hearty laugh and the attendants just looked moderately attentively at him. Vilora just chortled, ¡°Oh come now, Benjamin. I¡¯m old enough to be your matriarch, and I¡¯ve healed enough of you to know just how you are built.¡±


    Benjamin slowly lowered his hand to find the Farie and Jukha already settled into the pool, thankfully covered by the water. Vilora simply raised an eyebrow, ¡°These are my private baths. It is our custom for people we consider family to bathe together.¡± Benjamin glared at her for a moment before being distracted by Vi and Val splashing eagerly into the pool. ¡°Awe fuck it¡± he growled, stripping off the grime-laden forgework clothes and settling down into the pool, ¡°I guess it makes sense, and You honor me by calling us family. A little heads-up would be nice. I was raised a bit less¡­ flamboyantly in the modesty department.¡±


    Vilora gave a dainty laugh, ¡°But where¡¯s the fun in that? Your expression was just so priceless.¡± Benjamin gave her a more relaxed scowl, ¡°I guess some of the Farie stories of your people are close to true. Speaking of, I¡¯ve not seen any male Vin, at all?¡± Vilora nodded, ¡°Both the Vin and the Fay do not bear sons. Our race¡¯s biology overpowers that of our mates. It allows us to bear children with almost any race, but we will always give birth to a Farie. I¡¯ve over 20 children with Jukha, but I know not who they are. Each generation is raised in the mother tree together, it is our way. I only learned of my twin sister by chance much later in our lives.¡±


    Benjamin regarded her for a moment before getting a splash on the face from Val. She tackled him from his right, driving him under the water momentarily. Ben surfaced only to see Vi splashing a wall of water at him from their other side. ¡°No more serious talk, it¡¯s time for, AAAHHH!¡± She was interrupted by both Benjamin and Val diving on her, dragging her under with them. Jukha and Vilora just smiled, watching the much younger than their millennia of years have their fun.


    After a few minutes, things calmed down. Soaps were brought out and soon the pool had a respectable lather of foam covering its surface. ¡°So, how are you liking your stay with my people?¡± Vilora asked, curled up in Jukha¡¯s lap.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nice. Being able to work with my hands feels good. I¡¯m sure introducing steel has thrown everything up on end.¡± Ben pulled both of the Aereesin women to him, ¡°I¡¯m, happy. I could live in peace here.¡± He murmured almost prayerfully, before perking up visibly. ¡°These two are working on their graduation project.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Jukha asked, ¡°What do ya have these poor girls making for you this time.¡± He teased. Ben was beaten to the punch by Val, ¡°We are making¡­. Own Armor¡­ steel Armor¡±, she looked around at Vilora and Jukha¡¯s stunned expressions then blushed, ¡°Benjamin family¡­ you family¡­ I share my voice with¡­. Family.¡± She turned and kissed Ben passionately for a moment, ¡°The bribes are.. nice too.¡± She smirked as she felt Benjamin react to her body on his. ¡°Busted again,¡± Ben snorted, extremely happy about the foam covering the water¡¯s surface. Vilora smiled gently, ¡°Your improving. Your voice is getting stronger.¡± Val beamed at the praise and settled down next to Benjamin.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Viola floated out from the side of the pool, ¡°Ben says there is a blizzard coming.¡± Vilora gave an exaggerated shudder despite the steaming pool, ¡°It is a particularly cold winter, this year. I suspect we may be tree-bound for the next several days.¡± Benjamin furrowed his brow, ¡°I knew we were north, but I didn¡¯t think we were this far North. Come to think of it, I don¡¯t know exactly where we are outside of just ¡®deeper into the FeralWood¡¯.¡±


    Vilora huffed a sigh, ¡°My sister¡¯s decision. We are also higher in elevation than the village we left. There is a large central mountain range that separates the east and west of the realms. We are west of the peaks. No realm has made it this far in over 1000 years.¡±


    Benjamin looked around the room, ¡°And the mother tree?¡±


    ¡°Planted from a clipping saved from our original mother tree around the end of the H¡¯mure war.¡± Vilora answered before stretching. Jukha snagged her mid-stretch, pulling her to his chest and whispered something in her ear. Vilora¡¯s face flushed brightly for a moment, ¡°It is getting late. Our clothes appear clean. I think I¡¯ll¡­ um¡­ retire for the night¡±


    Benjamin glanced away as the two toweled off, instead choosing to lather his face and hair on last time. When he finished rinsing; He, Val, and Vi were alone. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure how that is physically possible.¡± He snickered, ¡°I guess we better fo¡­.. Ooof!¡± Val had forcefully pushed him back down onto the in-pool bench seat that ringed the edge below the waterline. She straddled him quickly, taking his head in her hands and kissing him fiercely. ¡°My Benjamin¡± she whispered, smiling as she felt him react to her body against his. Val sank down onto his lap, her body giving a shuddering wiggle as Benjamin slipped into her.


    ¡°Hm¡± Ben let out a pleasured hum, ¡°what brought this on.¡± Val bit his lower lip, and began slowly teasing him with little hip rolls, stirring Benjamin in small circles inside her ¡°Work so hard, we only fall asleep at night. Val¡­ No¡­ I need to feel you.¡± she put a hand on her stomach, ¡°here.¡± She rolled her hips again, and Ben watched the tension leave her body, ¡°Tomorrow, we have no work. Tonight¡­¡± she began stirring her hips again, drawing a grunt from Ben. He looked over to Viola to find her out of arms reach, laid back with her head on the side of the pool. Her eyes were closed, enjoying the women¡¯s shared sensations. Val pulled his attention back with a passionate kiss, followed by arching her back in invitation. Benjamin leaned forward and began teasing her nipples with his lips.


    He let her guide his rhythm, kissing her breasts and neck in time to her hips. She set a maddeningly slow pace, reversing direction every so often as she knew he was following. Her body became his teacher, her hips slowing when she wanted his lips to linger, and speed up when she wanted him to wander. Their first few nights making love had been each discovering the other, building trust as barriers fell.


    Tonight, Benjamin gave complete control to Valtrya. She led, and he followed. Benjamin found himself trapped between her thighs as Val kept him on the brink of climax, but resolutely refused to finish him.  She could feel when he was close, and would sink herself fully into him, holding them both motionless, ¡°Not yet, my Benjamin. Not yet.¡± She begged into his ear each time, her forge-sculpted body immobilizing him in her soft but powerful embrace.


    Benjamin did not fight her, it was an act of total trust. His breathing slowed once again and she released him, returning to her lesson as his lips fell on her neck. This time Viola climaxed next to them. She let out a long low moan, finally overwhelmed by her sister''s slow stirring rhythm, but Val never wavered. ¡°Not yet, my Benjamin. Not yet¡± she whispered, pausing again as she felt Benjamin begin to lose control, ¡°stay with, me¡± Val whispered, shivering when Ben nipped the nape of her neck. She began again, and he focused on that spot. Val began to shudder and moan as his lips worked up and down her neck. This time she slowed down as she brought Benjamin to the edge, but she could not stop. ¡°Stay with¡­¡± her voice failed her as her own climax rippled through her body.. her back arched away from Benjamin, who caught her by the small of the back, drawing her breasts to his lips. Her hips rolled outside of her control this time, and her body shuddered as she felt Benjamin explode.


    Viola let out a loud cry as she felt everything happen. Benjamin held a shivering and bucking Valtrya to his chest, unable to stop his hips from bucking against her as he experienced a long rolling climax. He realized that she had been holding herself off from orgasm so she could finish with Benjamin. ¡°My Ben¡­¡± she mumbled. ¡°My Ben¡± she repeated, draped over a still recovering Benjamin.


    The three finally dried and dressed, Benjamin carried an exhausted Val to their room. Viola slipped up next to him after they settled Val into the bed ¡°Rest, my Benjamin,¡± Ben looked a worried question at Vi, but she only shook her head before settling in with a gentle smile, ¡°I am content. We wanted it this way, tonight. The snow is heavy,¡± she looked out the sealed terrace windows, and Benjamin noticed the deepening snow drifts upon them, ¡°I shall have you in the morning.¡± She finished, hovering over him for a kiss. Benjamin couldn¡¯t help himself, hooking her by the lower back and drawing her larger breasts to his lips, ¡°tomorrow then¡± he whispered as Vi shivered at his teasing touch. He released her and soon followed them into slumber.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    ¡­¡­. Knock knock, fucker¡­.


    Benjamin pulled the trigger on his rifle, riddling the door with full auto fire from his Lage machine gun. He kicked the door open, just in time for a blinding wave of heat and energy to rip at him from the front. He was in a field, and he realized that the inferno around him¡­ was coming from him. His body blazed with waves of howling radiant energy as various shapes in vaguely medieval armor found themselves ripped apart.


    ¡­¡­ Benjamin!!¡­..


    His heart stopped, turning to see Valtrya running towards him, her skin bubbling in searing blistering wounds. He opened his mouth to speak, only to have foaming blood pour from it. His body pulsed with power, and his heart imploded as he watched one of the women he loved disintegrate in front of his eyes, her armor slowly melting from the onslaught. Benjamin heard a second scream, turning to find Viola writhing in agony, her body reacting to Val¡¯s death. She never recovered, taking a lance to her back from a near-faceless figure with long fangs and red eyes.


    *No!* he could not scream, only think. And he felt his body surge as the ground blackened beneath him. He felt the energy from his being pulse again, and his vision flashed white.


    Benjamin bolted upright in his bed, drenched in sweat, his head whipping to the side as the raging howl of the blizzard tore him further into the conscious world.


    ¡°Ben?¡± Viola¡¯s soft but urgent whisper was almost missed in the moment, and Benjamin fought to calm his breathing through a cascade of emotions, ¡°My Benjamin, what is it?¡± Viola asked a second time. Benjamin finally looked at her, her worry deepening with the abject terror in his expression, ¡°A dream¡­ a vision¡­ maybe both¡­ a nightmare¡­¡± He whispered. He shifted to sit up fully, ¡°I need a minute.¡± Viola shifted to let him out of their bed, and Benjamin turned to pull the blankets up around them both to keep them warm.


    The floor felt like ice to his feet, but he walked over to the terrace door, opening it fully to face the raging fury of the storm. The cold blast of wind and snow contributed to the desired affect, purging him of the last vestiges of sleep. He stood there for several long moments before a shivering arm reached his shoulder, ¡°Benjamin, speak to me¡­¡± Ben closed the door, turning to take the hand of Viola, who stood with him, wrapped in a throw blanket. The two of them sat on the loveseat-style couch, ¡°I¡­ I think it was a battle of some kind, I was¡­ I don¡¯t know what I was¡­ but I was aflame¡­. Almost as hot as Suelin herself. Val tried to¡­. ¡° Benjamin started shaking uncontrollably, and Viola threw her blanket around the both of them. She ignored his frigid skin, straddling him and pulling his head to her chest, ¡°shhh my Benjamin¡­. Shhhh¡­ It was but a horrible dream.. shhh, I¡¯m here. Val is here, we are safe.¡± Benjamin sobbed into her embrace, unable to hold in his emotions. ¡°It felt so real¡­¡±


    ¡°I am real, my Benjamin.¡± Viola whispered into his soul, ¡°We are real, and we are well..¡± she squeezed his face  into her more generous breasts for a moment before releasing his head, ¡°What do you need, my Benjamin¡­ ask it.¡±  Benjamin lifted his head, sharing a kiss with her, ¡°why do you call me, my Benjamin?¡±


    Viola smiled down at him from his lap, leaning in to kiss the edge of his jaw, ¡°You would never let us call you ¡®My Lord¡¯. You hated it, but we adored you even then.¡± She half whispered, slowly kissing her way to his ear before starting down his neck, ¡°Later, as we understood what you were doing, why you hated being called ¡®master¡¯; we spoke it in hope, that you would stay with us, and not send us away.¡±


    Viola smiled as she felt Benjamin¡¯s body simultaneously melt into her touch, and harden between her thighs, ¡°and now?¡± He asked, shuddering slightly as she shifted her hips to take him to herself. ¡°Now¡­ My Benjamin¡­¡± she emphasized the phrase as she took him fully, ¡°It is truth. You are ours. You belong to me, you belong to Val.¡±  She took a breath, and began to move him inside her, ¡°In the same way that I and my sister belong to you, in here¡± she pressed a hand to his chest as she rode him. ¡°What do you need my Benjamin¡± she repeated.


    Benjamin caught her around the small of her back, sinking her firmly onto his lap, and his other hand caught the back of her head. he pulled her face to his, and their tongues danced. Viola let her body melt to his, realizing what he was asking.


    Their lovemaking turned into a long intimate kiss accompanied by the occasional hip roll. Benjamin¡¯s lips explored her breasts, then Violas lips teased her ear lobes. She nipped him on the collarbone, then gave him her throat as he returned the love bites with his own. ¡°My¡­ Benjamin¡­¡± Viola whispered, finally beginning to bounce on his lap.  Benjamin slipped his hands around her ass, lifting her gently to guide her tempo.


    Benjamin gave her a gentle squeeze, ¡°Mine.¡± He whispered back, and Viola gasped at the possessive tone in his voice. He began adding a buck to his hips with every bounce. She did not tease his climax. She drove him to it with determination, giving him no choice but to fill her. His explosion cascaded her own, causing her to shudder wildly through her own passion.


    They clung to each other for a small eternity, and eventually, Viola spoke first, keeping Benjamin in a desperate embrace, ¡°We are yours. Nothing in this realm can change that,¡± she kissed him fiercely, ¡°My Benjamin.¡±

 Chapter 21

    Vilora¡¯s prediction had proven true. The Mother Tree¡¯s main entrances remained sealed for a full 2 weeks, and it took almost three days for Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya to leave their room. Eventually, they resurfaced, to the less than gentle ribbing of Jukha. Benjamin spent most of the rest of his time exploring the Mother Tree, wandering its walls in silence, or with the sisters. At the end of the second week, the Queen mother held a banquet for the occupants entombed together during the storm.


    Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya were met by a beaming Jukha and a smiling Vilora who fluttered up to give each an embrace, ¡°Ah, I see rest has done you well. Come, Jukha is dying to show you finally.¡± The five entered the ballroom doors, and Benjamin took an explosive breath. There, as the centerpiece was the Egret¡­ well, what he assumed was the Egret. The bird was mounted, its carefully crafted pose attached to a bronze baseplate that was almost certainly necessary. The massive avian stood 15ft tall, and wore the face of an oversized shoebill stork save for a massive hook-like ending on the tip of its beak. Its pure white coat of feathers and outstretched wings betrayed a body that seemed more eagle than a stork, and its pose crafted to guard the main banquet table with the queen mother directly centered beneath it.


    ¡°Come! Come!¡± The distance-muted voice of Vilora¡¯s twin sister beckoned them in. Benjamin instantly felt underdressed but ignored the eyes upon him and his friends as they were escorted to the Queen''s table. ¡°I see the weather has not treated you too harshly¡± she began as they sat. Vilora and Jukha sat to her right, and Benjamin sat between the Aereseen sisters to her left. Benjamin smiled, sliding the chairs in behind the sisters before taking his own, ¡°No, your majesty. We¡¯ve not left the tree. I¡¯ve spent a good deal of time in snow, but I know when I¡¯ve met my match.¡±


    ¡°But is it.¡± Queen Victoria asked, ¡°Your match, I mean¡± she asked. Benjamin looked at her first in confusion, then In understanding, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± The queen raised an eyebrow at him before their exchange was terminated by fanfare.


    Large crowds: staff, guards, and noble Alike all filed in and began sitting. At the tables. ¡°What did she mean?¡± Viola¡¯s quiet whisper tickled Benjamin¡¯s hearing. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± he responded before snagging her hand for a quick peck, ¡°not today, today is for fun.¡±


    Soon the hall was bustling with activity. The Queen Mother revealed herself to be an odd monarch, staff and servants appeared to be necessary for the smooth running of the palace, yet when the main table filled with food was rolled in, those same servants were offered the opportunity to fill their plates first in a buffet style line. ¡°It is our way¡± the Queen had stated simply, as the buffet line seemed to naturally take on a reverse order of seniority, with the Queen and her guests filling their plates last.


    There was no risk of running short of delicacies, however, and soon Benjamin was stuffed to the brim with savory meats, salads, vegetables, and a wildly popular dessert that seemed to blur the line between fried ice cream and something he could not decipher. Jukha regaled the group with the story of the hunt, proving himself to be an excellent storyteller in his own right. Musicians finished their fill and began to play for the rest as the feast shifted from consumption to conversation. A low din of multiple voices in small groups buzzed as Benjamin took a pull from his ale flagon. ¡°Your majesty, do you think this storm is to delay our trip north?¡±


    ¡°Ah, eager to stay longer?¡± The Queen teased for a moment, ¡°It may, I do not normally like sending an envoy this early in the year, but this storm will slow the thaw in Medina¡¯s Pass.¡± Benjamin perked up, ¡°Medina¡¯s Pass? Forgive me, but I am still behind on learning the history of¡­ well, here.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well¡± Vilora began, ¡°Medina¡¯s pass is named for a Maje, but what we know is still considered hearsay, even among my people.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow, well aware of the Farie races¡¯ immortal status, ¡°that seems a bit odd, surely there must be some information?¡±


    ¡°Almost none,¡± Victoria answered, ¡°No Vin survived the event to recount it. Legend is all we have to go on.¡± She smiled at Benjamin¡¯s interest before continuing, ¡°The legends are¡­ cryptic. Suposedly, Medina was a powerful Ork Maje that had escaped the principality, but not their hunters. She lived a life of solitude, almost as deep into the FeralWood as we are now, but much further north.¡±


    Jukha stirred, ¡°Aye, I¡¯ve heard of this, Some called her a fire-breather, others believed her to draw her power from a blood pact with Suelin herself.¡± Benjamin looked to the Orc, eyes intent as Jukha continued, ¡°The legend goes that a bounty party, like the one that hunted us, found her meditating.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, but what comes next makes little sense,¡± Victoria picked up the story, ¡°the stories say that the stone itself melted below her feet, and that she wielded fire so hot that none could see it. There was a Maje among the hunters, Jerall. It is said that he was her equal at the Principality academy¡­.. The two¡¯s battle created the pass. Some accounts claim that Medina called down hell itself to fight. Others recount a mountain removed in a single flash. What we do know, is that Jerall survived, for a time¡­ He made it to an ascendancy village. he¡­ Benjamin?¡±


    Benjamin was visibly shocked, but his eyes held something else. Viola placed a hand on his, knowing the nightmare he received the night of the storms beginning. ¡°How did she die,¡± Queen Victoria raised an eyebrow but ignored the lack of honorifics. ¡°That, we have records of. His hair fell out within days, followed by a complete collapse of his literal life¡¯s core. Boils and bleeding from the eyes and nose. The Vin that treated him lived a month before falling ill with similar symptoms. She lived, but her weakened body succumbed to disease a few years later.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Benjamin sighed, then visibly steeled himself, ¡°I would like to accompany the envoy. I need to see this Madina¡¯s pass.¡±


    ¡°It can be arraigned, but it will lengthen the journey, for you, considerably. I must think on it.¡± The Queen responded. With that, the conversation meandered to more joyful topics.


    The next day saw the return of clear skies and warming days. Benjamin finished his saber but slowed his combat training. Yilaaran had not liked it. Twice a week, Benjamin would disappear into the deep woods. He left early, and alone. And would often come back sweating and too exhausted to forge. The next weeks saw the beginning of the thaw. Snow drifts gave way to mud, and flurries to a damp drizzle. Yet, Benjamin seemed intent on trudging out into the muck without fail.


    This day was like the others. Benjamin sat in an empty clearing a mile from the Vin settlement, the stone he chose as his perch kept him from sitting in mud but did little against the rainwater streaming down his face into haunted eyes. His nightmare was the worst kind, a repeating one, His original death mixed with a horror that felt inevitable. Val and Vi were worried for him, but he forced them to promise not to follow him. He prayed that they listened to him.


    He reached out with his scarred arm, and the faded echos of the electrical burns began to glow once more. In the center of the field, rainwater stopped falling, hanging motionless in mid-air before being pressed into a hovering ball of clear rippling liquid. Benjamin began to sweat, not from effort, but from stress. He was in over his head, he knew it¡­. But he felt he had no choice. ¡®Just a little more¡­¡¯ steam began rising from the ball of liquid as Benjamin worked slowly, straining under the mental demands of this task as the ball of liquid began to fizz and change state. ¡®Just a little furt..¡¯


    *STOP!* a familiar voice bellowed and rampaged through Benjamin¡¯s Psyche. His scars and eyes stopped glowing and his body fell limp, tumbling off the boulder and into the mud where it lay face up. ¡°I was wondering when you would show up.¡± Benjamin watched from outside his corporeal form, as Sol appeared next to him in this in-between existence. Her eyes flashed irately, grabbing him about the collar of the shirt he was happy to still be wearing from last time. ¡°Cosmos is not to be trifled with! You know not the forces you play with!!¡±


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Benjamin firmly grabbed her by the wrist holding him, ¡°What was that dream?¡± He inquired, and The Wildly raging aura about Sol faded in realization, ¡°you did all of this¡­. To ask about that?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Benjamin admitted, ¡°I need to see where my limits are, where my knowledge is lacking; but since you are here¡­. That was not just a dream, was it.¡±


    ¡°The touched don¡¯t get to just dream, Son of Terra¡± Sol released him with a huff, ¡°By the Cosmos, If I knew you were going to be this reckless¡­¡± she paused at his raised eyebrow, ¡°You are developing too quickly, you should not be having visions yet.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s ethereal form crossed his arms, ¡°And yet I saw myself melting people¡­ I saw Val die by my hand. I felt no control. If that was a vision, I must continue, to prevent it..¡±


    ¡°Or fulfill it, Son of Terra. Many such touched have raced to their doom in this way. Your Human knowledge has limits.¡± Sol regarded him before sighing, ¡°I cannot have my champion falling before his task is complete.¡±


    ¡°Your¡­ champion?¡± Benjamin said slowly, his tone drawing a raised eyebrow from the interstellar avatar, ¡°I belong to no one¡­¡± Sol slowly walked up to him, ¡°That is not¡­ strictly true. We all have masters to serve. This body of yours¡± she waved down to the unconscious muddy form on the ground, ¡°is not the one you died in¡­ That one, sadly, is dead and gone.¡± she paused as the confirmation hit Benjamin like a truck, ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, but I could only save your spirit, and in doing so I am required to take responsibility for it¡­¡±


    Benjamin slowly dropped his hand, ¡°you mean¡­¡± Sol winced sadly, ¡°Yes, you once told me that you are not interested in gods or goddesses¡­ but to take your soul, I had to make you mine¡­ I¡¯m sorry Benjamin, but under the old laws, you belong to me.¡±


    Benjamin stumbled and sat down on the boulder his body fell from, ¡°fuck¡­¡± Sol let him be for several moments before putting a hand on his shoulder, surprised he did not recoil from it, ¡°It was the only way, this I swear it. Like I told you, I need you to preserve this realm. Stakes are simply too high to be ignored for such a noble thing as freedom.¡±


    ¡°My girls¡­ they will die if I do this,¡± Benjamin rasped. SOL squeezed his shoulder, ¡°They will die if you fail; they only may die if you succeed. I can promise no more.¡± She stepped around to kneel in front of Benjamin. ¡°Tell me, why do you play with¡­¡± she waved at the clearing, ¡°this.¡±


    Benjamin raised his head to look at her, a mix of anger and resignation boiling behind his gaze, ¡°You know why¡­ I barely know the basics¡­ I¡¯m a gunsmith playing at being a physicist, toying with the powers of the universe itself¡­ I have to find the line somehow because I cannot allow myself to cross it on accident.¡±


    Sol stood, ¡°I see¡­ and If you crossed that line, here?¡± She asked. Benjamin shrugged, ¡°then I only take myself out, I hope.¡± Benjamin shook himself, and Sol regarded him cautiously as he squared his shoulders to her, ¡°I will serve you, on two conditions.¡± He paused, waiting for her nod. She gave it, and he continued with deadly care, ¡°When this mission is done, I am free. When this realm is safe, I will live out my life in peace.¡± Sol nodded, ¡°I accept, and the second?¡±


    Benjamin stepped closer still holding her gaze in his, ¡°You have knowledge I need. I will have it, or you will kill me here and now. I cannot complete my task if I must walk eggshells to do it. If I am to be your champion, then give me what I am missing. Allow me what I need to save this reality without erasing it in ignorance.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure,¡± Sol asked carefully, ¡°Your mind may not survive,¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°I do not need cognitive understanding, build what you must into my instincts, into my subconscious. Then, erase it when my task is complete. This mission will force me to walk a terrible line. You and I both know that I possess the knowledge to erase continents¡­ I seek the knowledge to avoid doing so, blindly, or by accident.¡±


    Sol¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°very well, Son of Terra. I will grant this, but do not test me further. Even I have limits.¡± Benjamin did not flinch or pull away when she grabbed his head, placing her forehead to his, ¡°Let us begin.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    ¡°We promised, I¡¯m sure he is fine,¡± Viola was busy polishing the last bits of bright work on her newly completed armor set, but he gazed remained affixed to her sister. Valtrya abandoned her own polishing, instead focusing on staring out the window. It was still an odd feeling at times, being only one half of an individual, intimately familiar with the storm of emotions raging inside their soul, yet capable of independent thought from her sister.


    It was late afternoon, and Benjamin had not returned. Viola struggled to focus through the waves of panic thrashing the two of them, ¡°Val, come. Sit¡­ Benjamin is strong, I¡¯m sure he will be here soon.¡± Viola watched her sister drag herself from the window. It was pouring down rain now. Thunder clapping between flashes of god light.


    She trusted Benjamin, but did not like that he was hiding stuff from them. this was not like him, and he had changed since his nightmare during the blizzard. She noticed several more of such dreams; often waking him in the early morning. It hurt seeing him this troubled, but it hurt more that they were unable to help him calm his mind.


    Thunder clapped, louder this time. The storm rolled in fully on top of them, but Val jumped as she recognized an almost hidden sound. The door had slammed in the second forge room, and Val rushed through the conjoining entrance closely followed by Vi. Benjamin stood next to a roaring forge, and lit lanterns that had been cold not a moment before. ¡°Ben¡­. You were gone.. too long¡± Val scolded; much to the surprise of both her sister and Benjamin.


    Benjamin sighed, ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Vi raised an eyebrow at his tired, but not completely exhausted expression, ¡°I¡¯m done through. I¡¯ve got what I was looking for.¡± Vi watched in familiar awe as Benjamin¡¯s scars and eyes began to glow. All at once, all of the water soaking him was ripped from his clothes and body, congealing into a sphere in front of him before being dropped into a wash bucket. ¡°What.. you.. what did you.. find¡± Val asked, stepping up to a now bone-dry Benjamin. ¡°What was so.. imper.. important¡±


    Benjamin pulled her into a capturing embrace, ¡°It would take too long to explain; but in short, control.¡± He said ¡°Understanding.¡± Vi followed her sister, catching a long embrace as well. ¡°You scared us, when you did not come back. We¡¯ve been waiting. We are finished.¡±


    Benjamin visibly brightened, ¡°Oh?¡± He asked, ¡°Show me.¡± The sisters practically bounded into the other room, and Benjamin stepped over to the tall cabinet in the corner. His saber was long finished, as well as Val¡¯s spear tip. Viola¡¯s sword was almost done, but Benjamin needed her for the finishing touches. The same went for Val¡¯s shield. He laid everything out and covered it in a canvas tablecloth just in time for the women to return. Each wearing their armor; Val and Vi stood before him, in all their shining glory.


    Both had chosen an almost fantasy-style breastplate that accentuated their female forms. Val had gone for an armored skirt, much like her practice armor, but with well-made thin articulating pieces of steel instead of iron. Her breastplate comprised one solid piece of forged steel that protected her from her throat to just below her bust. That piece ended there, replaced by a series of riveted pieces that articulated and overlapped with the main chest plate. She had clearly put thought into giving herself the maximum amount of flexibility and maneuverability. It was form-fitting, but still sized appropriately for the short-sleeved gambeson backer.


    ¡°I have, mail.. long sleeves, but.. wanted lighter, cooler, for travel.¡± Val explained, hefting a fully-sleeved gambeson with interwoven chainmail. She wore leather gloves with small pieces of steel protecting her knuckles and the top of her hand, and they disappeared under a pair of gauntlets. Benjamin smiled as he recognized the pattern on them. Val had mimicked and stylized the electrical scars on his arm into an ornate design on the gauntlets.


    Benjamin stepped over to her, feeling out the plates and inspecting the joints, ¡°impressive, well made. I''m not sure how I feel about the sacrifices you¡¯ve made for movement, but You¡¯ve done well.¡± Val beamed for a moment then gasped as Benjamin¡¯s eyes glowed. She could feel her armor warming about her, but it did not burn her, the metal seemed to groan for a moment before Benjamin stepped back.


    Val looked down, seeing the armor unchanged around her ¡°What.. did I make, mistake?¡± Benjamin shook his head, ¡°No, you¡¯ve made a truly exceptional set. However, not all steel is equal. Where I come from has the ability to make steel far stronger than what is capable with hammer and forge. I simply am giving you that steel. Bounce a little, you will feel it.¡±


    Val bobbed up and down lightly, ¡°whoa! So. Light. Is, safe¡± Ben nodded, ¡°it is, and it matches these,¡± he pulled part of the canvas back to reveal Val¡¯s present. ¡°The spearhead will need you to choose a shaft you like,¡± he handed her the shield head and watched her carefully inspect the mirror-polished edge. Her thumb pulled away from the tip quickly as Val stuck it in her mouth, ¡°ow, sharp¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°Here, take this,¡± he handed her the shield he forged for her, it spanned almost 3 ft in diameter, and easily covered most of her body while still being extremely light for its size. An individual of Val¡¯s stature should have had trouble hefting it, but Benjamin smirked as Val¡¯s forge sculpted strength easily hefted it, ¡°It¡¯s light.. practice shield¡­ heavy.¡± Benjamin stepped over, ¡°good, I need you to grip it properly, I am going to fit it into your hand.¡±


    Val gasped this time as the metal of the central grip began glowing in her hand. Again, she felt the searing heat, but her hand remained unburned, ¡°that¡¯s it, now give the handle a moderate squeeze.¡± Benjamin asked. Val did so, and felt the hot metal give under her grip, molding to the contour of her hand, ¡°there..¡± she whispered, ¡°Comfortable¡± she stared in fascination as Benjamin pulled the heat back out, leaving a perfectly molded grip in its place, ¡°last thing,¡± he said, ¡°reach out in front of the grip, find the lever that is there, and squeeze hard.¡± Val noticed Ben step back as he finished. The lever was there as promised, and she squeezed.


    Her and Vi gasped as the shield clanged, sending an 8-inch spike out of the edge of the shield that stood directly in line with Val¡¯s arm. Benjamin gave a dark chuckle, ¡°I remembered the clobbering you gave me with the shield, I hope you like your ¡°something spikey¡± Val released the lever, and the spike snapped back into place. She gave Benjamin a massive grin and squeezed the lever several more times, cycling the ¡°punching spike¡± in and out. ¡°I love it.¡± She squealed, setting down the shield and slamming into Ben with a hug, ¡°oof! Armor, can¡¯t breathe.¡± Ben laughed, and Val bounced back with an only half apologetic look. Benjamin looked toward Viola and raised an eyebrow.

 Chapter 22

    ¡°My turn?¡± Ben looked over to Viola. She struck a pose, and Benjamin smirked at the teasing expression. Viola¡¯s armor was much more of an hourglass shape, mimicking the same feminine ques that Valtrya had put in her breastplate. Benjamin was not entirely surprised. Considering them two halves of the same person was becoming a bit easier these days. Viola¡¯s breastplate followed the same form as her sister, with the exception of carefully sculpted accommodations for her larger bust size. The extra breast room accentuated the hourglass shape a bit more, and her main breastplate retained its singular piece further than Valyria¡¯s. It resembled almost a long V that ended near her belly button with articulating plates spread from it to protect her sides and hips. Viola opted for taking a pair of heavy leather pants, sewing in sculpted sheets of strategically placed thin steel plates into them. ¡°The pants will be easier to put on than plate, and I still need to be able to move quickly.¡± She explained. Her right arm had a simple gambeson sleeve ending in a leather glove, having forgone a gauntlet for wrist mobility and weight. Her left arm was another story. Benjamin took her left hand and gently moved it through its articulation.


    Her Left shoulder provided a protective pauldron from which a sleeve of this articulating steel extended. The gleaming pieces were far smaller and lighter than her practice armor, and Benjamin hummed in approval as he looked it over. Viola was wearing a long sleeve gambeson underneath for padding, and Benjamin began channeling Majik again, perfecting Viola''s armor into something far stronger than anything this reality was capable of making. ¡°Well done,¡± he said, ¡°I¡¯ve a present for you as well.¡± He stepped over to the table pulling the canvas back to reveal his gift.


    Viola slowly stepped over, picking up the sheathed modified rapier with shaking fingers. She ran her hand over the intricate guard before slipping it in to find the grip, and drawing the blade into the light. The flickering lanterns flashed, revealing the intricate pattern welding that Benjamin had built into her sword and Val¡¯s shield. ¡°It¡¯s gorgeous¡­¡± She whispered, slowly stepping into a clear area to give it a practice swing. ¡°It feels great.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Benjamin stepped over to her, ¡°Now let¡¯s get your grip set.¡± Benjamin¡¯s arm began to glow as it touched the hilt, and it was Viola''s turn to feel metal mold beneath her fingertips. ¡°WOW, just a little more curve, perfect.¡± she muttered, feeling the metal form to her request. In a flash, the sword was cool to the touch once more. ¡°One final touch,¡± Benjamin took the sword from her and picked up a chord of deep purple. The wrapping seemed to come alive as it spun tightly about the newly formed handle. Soon, it was done, and Benjamin handed it back, ¡°how does it feel now, with the gloves¡±


    Viola swung the weapon through a simple progression, ¡°Oh, very nice,¡± she coo¡¯d. Benjamin smiled, ¡°Good, because you have a buckler as well.¡± He picked it up and held it out. ¡°Stab the buckler, gently¡± She did so and Benjamin showed her how the shape was designed to control a sword¡¯s tip or spear point, ¡°you have a spike as well, for punching.¡± He handed it to her and she hefted it, noting that it slotted nicely into her metal encased left hand, ¡°it feels perfect, I don¡¯t think I need it molded.¡±


    Benjamin was about to speak when the two sisters looked at each other, ¡°We have one more thing to show you.¡± Viola stated, and retreated into the main forge for a moment before returning with a rolling stand draped in cloth, ¡°It is our gift, to you,¡± the two of them pulled the cloth away, revealing a third set of steel armor. ¡°Will you let us fit you?¡±


    Benjamin swallowed hard, choking back his own emotions as he stepped forward to look over their surprise. ¡°I¡­ I would be honored¡±


    The Aereesen women slowly removed Benjamin¡¯s Forge jacket and shirt, ¡°We figured you would want full use of your arms, and be able to move quickly. We don¡¯t know if this is going to be too much or too little for what you want with your ¡®guns¡¯.¡± Viola stated as she and Valtrya slipped a thinner gambeson over his head and laced it together in the back, ¡°But we wish to protect you, in the ways we can.¡± Viola continued. Valtrya picked up the breastplate that Benjamin realized was paired with a backplate. The two pieces were linked together with an intricately woven series of leather straps, and it reminded Benjamin a bit of some of the Grecco Roman Era armor, that he had seen in a museum once.


    He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he noticed that his women had transposed their desire for astetic value to his armor, giving the metal a flatteringly muscular and masculine figure as it was sinched to his body, ¡°Is this what I look like? To you?¡± Val stepped around to his front and tugged firmly on the chest piece to perfect its position, ¡°My Ben, Forged by Forge¡­ Man, mine.¡± She half growled before standing on her toes to kiss him, ¡°Now, the rest.¡± Benjamin chuckled as he felt a draft. Viola had pulled his working pants off with ease, and returned with a set of pants similar to her own, but with larger plates interwoven to the front of the thighs and shins. Soon, Benjamin was dressed in his armor, with Val snapping his saber to his belt. ¡°Try it.¡± She asked.


    Ben stepped into the open space Viola had used and began a simple progression with his saber. To his surprise, the gift of armor flowed with him, allowing him a full range of motion. Yes, technically only his vital areas were covered in steel, but He preferred that considering what he wished to use as his armaments. Excessive plates or chain mail would actively inhibit certain capabilities. ¡°Its smooth, comfortable, it fits perfectly. I love it.¡± Benjamin¡¯s eyes glowed again and the armor began to heat on his body for a moment before flashing cool again, and Benjamin completed the transformation of his armor as he had done the two women¡¯s. ¡°I have one more present for each of you, but we will have to head to the training pavilion for it.¡± He stated. ¡°Thank you, Your gift is wonderful. Have you thought about helmets?¡±


    The two nodded, and Val bolted back into the other forge to grab three full helms. Two of them bore the same double eye slat falling faceplate design that Viola and Val had been practicing in, but both helm¡¯s were noticeably lighter and sported ornate padding and stitching inside for comfort, and more ventilated about the mouth and nose for better breathing. Benjamin looked over their helmets, ¡°I¡¯m impressed. You two have truly passed your final exams. What is going on with this one?¡± Benjamin picked up a simple helm that was mostly finished but had no eye slots or any sort of provisions for usage.


    ¡°We¡­ We know you like your muskets.¡± Viola stated, ¡°We don¡¯t know how to shape your helmet so you may use them.¡± Benjamin looked back at the helmet and recognized it as the blank slate that it was, ¡°Ah, I see. May I?¡± The two nodded and Benjamin slipped the bare metal over his head using a simple gambeson hood as a spacer. He stepped over to his locking cabinet and pulled a three and a half foot long object from the back. Vi and Val immediately recognized it as a musket, but it was different somehow. Benjamin raised the weapon and pointed it at a safe wall, pressing the side of the helmet into the stock. Metal began to glow once more butt neither Benjamin or the strange musket seemed to burn. Vi and Val watched as Benjamin pressed the helmet into the stock even as a T shaped visor began to open in the front. After about a minute, Benjamin lifted his head and placed the weapon back in its cabinet. The helmet was cooled by the time he took it off, and Benjamin inspected the mold he had created on the side where he had pressed his face far enough to see down the sights of his new weapon.


    Locking the image in his mind. Benjamin¡¯s eyes glowed yet again, mirroring the patter onto both sized of the helmet before adjusting the front facia into the style he was going for. With Vi and Val looking on in wonder, the Helmet began to take a shape they had both never seen before and seemed perfectly matched to the armor they had made for Benjamin. The air seemed to hiss as the Helmet cooled again and Benjamin slowly slipped the helmet back over his head. He slowly turned to face them, and The women bore witness to the wide T shaped visor that revealed glowing eyes in the darkness of the inside of the helmet. The cheeks were sharply sunken in giving his face a severe expression that seemed to beg for violence. Behind the eye slot, Benjamin watched his girls freeze as he faced them and paused. Neither one spoke, but Benjamin saw a flicker of awe flash across their faces.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Yilarran groaned as early morning training faltered. It always did at this time, and the warriors currently sparring all paused as the albino and his¡­ whatever they were¡­ entered the training grounds. She begrudgingly respected Viola and Valtrya, but still bore mixed feelings about returning an Aereesen to his or her full strength¡­ if the old stories were true. She shook herself from those thoughts, Viola and Valtrya had shown no signs of malice and turned out to be excellent students. That combined with the full backing of the Queen Mother, and the matter was considered settled. Yilarran quirked an eyebrow as the early morning fog finally revealed that the three were already wearing armor, and her eyebrow raised further as she realized that it was not any set of the ground¡¯s practice armor. ¡°Ohho? What do we have here?¡± She asked as the three stopped at the staging table.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°We finished our armor,¡± Viola stated and Valtrya nodded, setting her spear on the table along with Benjamin¡¯s Stiletto she had become attached to. Viola laid her oddly thin, but strangely wicked-looking sword on the table along with her buckler, and a clip-pointed dagger that seemed to resemble the weapon Benjamin had nearly killed her with, but smaller somehow. Benjamin held Yilaaran¡¯s attention the longest. He was wearing a strange, curved blade that resembled a scimitar, but less curved and entirely too thin to be useful. She almost laughed out loud at the outlandishly styled armor with fake muscles forged into the breastplate itself. A quick inspection, however, brought her to the realization that his armor was not of his making, but his women¡¯s. The strange albino orc also carried a giant locked wooden case on his shoulders that he also set on the table ¡°Nice of you to join us today Forgemaster. I assume your escapades into the forest were fruitful?


    Benjamin sent her a sharp glare but otherwise only nodded, ¡°Consider them complete.¡± He stated flatly before moving to warm up along with the Aereesens. Yilaaran regarded them for a moment before signaling for all to gather around. ¡°Alright everyone, listen up. Today is exam day. You will not be facing each other. Today you will face me. Feel free to go all out against me with blade, spear, and Majik. I will see what you have learned before I can recommend you to our Queen. And you!¡± she waved one of her massive swords to Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya, ¡°you three will be departing on a great journey, You must be tested so I may report upon your readiness to¡­.¡± Yilarran was interrupted by a feral shrieking laugh followed by a massive orb of fire that slammed into the middle of the training grounds¡­ and detonated.


    The impact through Yilarran from her feet, landing several feet from where she had previously been standing. Vailin was the first to act , ¡°TO ARMS!! TO ARMS!!! SOUND THE¡­ ACK!!¡± The captain of the guard was cut off by a spear slamming into her breastplate from above, throwing her across the pavilion. Where she had stood was now occupied by a Farie, but it was no Vin. She wore Bright yellow and black garments with blackened armor and no helm. Her eyes appeared dilated in a crazed expression with wild black hair unkept and tangled in branches and leaves. ¡°Yes! Oh please!! Sound the alarm!! WHAT FUN!!!¡±


    A chorus of similarly crazed laughter erupted from about them as more spears appeared from the foggy shadows, slamming into guardswoman and trainee alike. The Palace Horn sounded, but Benjamin could not see their attackers. Vi and Val surrounded him, back to him, weapons and armor outwardly facing, and Benjamin watched as Vin Farie fell from the barrage. His mind flashed through painful memories for a moment before his eyes hardened. He unhooked the helmet from his belt and slipped it on. ¡°Stay close,¡± he stated, pulling his saber from its sheath. ¡°RALLEY!!!!¡± he heard Yilarran howl as she struck down a flying demented Farie, ¡°Fae Attack!! RALLEY! SOUND THE ALARM!!¡± The mighty Elf bellowed as she struck down two more flying nightmares. One of the trainees, a spear through her side reached the gong and rang it once before falling. It was enough. Soon the chimes of the mother tree began to ring, but it only seemed to excite these winged horrors. ¡°OH!! MORE! WHAT FUN!!¡± came the voice of the Fae still on the ground as she strode toward Vailin, only to be surprised as the Vin stood. ¡°Oh? Not dead? Come then¡­. We dance!¡±


    Vailin raised her guard as the demented duplicate of her species rushed her, her wings crackling with power. ¡®Touched¡­¡¯ Benjamin realized only to see Vailin begin to channel her own abilities. ¡°Our turn!! A second maniacal voice shattered his revelry as he was forced to dodge another spear. Five Fae exited the fog and dove into the three of them, forcing them to split up and dodge smaller balls of fire. Benjamin stood and turned to rush back to his girls when he was stopped by a pair of Fae, ¡°Not so fast! I wanna hunk of Orc for supper! Albino¡¯s always tasted the best with wine sauce!!¡±


    The two charged him as one, and Benjamin backpedaled quickly, deflecting some incoming attacks and dodging others. He could only catch glimpses of Vi and Val as they fought as one, but he could see they faced at least three. ¡°Fuck he swore.¡± Parrying another blow before using his blade¡¯s speed to force one of his attackers to back off. ¡°Oh! A fun one. Fuck you? Maybe it will work up my appetite!!¡± The shrieking laughter only enraged Ben, but he circled his retreat back around until he had joined with Vi and Val. ¡°HEY!! No FAIR!!¡± The five laughed before taking to the sky and circling the three. Vailin was still locked in mortal combat with her assailant, trading blows laced with some kind of energy that Benjamin recognized as some manner of energy discharge, at least he thought.


    A strike flew from his left, and one of the Fae cried out in pain as Val¡¯s spear pierced her shoulder through the mail. Her tool steel grade fine pointed spear easily separated the iron mail overtop gambeson, and a splash of an almost blackish green fluid erupted from the wound. The hurt Fae shrieked and fell into a frenzy, diving for Val with a crazed expression and her spear outstretched. Val slipped to the side, deflecting the spear to her left with her shield before letting out a yell of her own. She punched with her shield, timing the release of her spike perfectly. The combined impact punched straight through the Fae¡¯s iron armor, crushing her rib cage and pulping her internal organs. The four others seemed to ignore their dying comrade, ¡°What fun!! What fun!¡± They continued to cry until a second of their number was cut down by a swift lung to the throat by Viola.


    Suddenly they became serious, ¡°Sisters, These mortals think they can play at warrior. Let us show them.¡± The remaining three began to humm with swirling energy, and Benjamin recognized it as a version of what he had seen from the Vin. ¡°Enough!¡± he growled, ¡°ENOUGH!¡± Benjamin¡¯s body pulsed with Majik, and a shock wave of explosive wind knocked down most of the airborne Fae. More importantly, it blasted away the fog revealing the larger battle ongoing throughout the Vin capital. The three facing him and the girls faced shrieked in surprise then began to take flight once again. Benjamin was just too far away to see one catch Viola off guard, slicing into her right shoulder, drawing her deep purple blood from her veins. ¡°What!?! Your..¡± She never finished. Benjamin¡¯s vision blurred, effortlessly reaching out and outright crushing Viola¡¯s attacker inside of her own armor.. the breastplate crumpled instantly, severing the head, arms and legs of the Fae before Benjamin released it. The crushed torso fell between its two companions who looked on in shock as Benjamin¡¯s green eyes began glowing violently from inside his helmet. ¡°ENOUGH!¡± he bellowed this time, and a new set of clouds began forming overhead. Benjamin stepped away from his women and toward the stunned Fae, only to take a massive lightning bolt directly to the top of his helmet. The entire battle seemed to pause for a moment at the clap of deafening thunder. Benjamin coiled the unbridled electrical power about his person. His body crackled with raging blue energy as he looked down at his hands and his sword. Benjamin looked over to Vailin¡¯s fight, seeing her desperately fighting a losing battle, straddling from above with the touched fae pressing a blade down towards Vailins exposed throat. Their eyes locked.. and The Touched Fae shrieked in understanding desperately extricating herself in an attempt to run.


    It was too late. The moment she was no longer touching Vailin. Benjamin pointed his saber, sending a titanic lighting bolt from its tip that ripped the fleeing Fae maje bodily asunder before leaving only charred fragments of remains. Benjamin turned to the two remaining who faced him and his women.


    ¡°Run¡± Benjamin¡¯s voice was soft, but a deep darkness laced with promise lay within that single syllable. The two fled, but only one made it as Val¡¯s spear snapped out from her powerful arm, skewing one of them as they fled. Benjamin turned just in time to see Yilarran struggling against no less than five, but Benjamin could not attack. Instead, he drove all of his stored electrical energy into the ground, rushing over to his box. He ripped the lock from its brackets, and opened the case to reveal a pair of revolver, and his strange ¡®musket¡¯ as Viola had called it.


    In truth, it was no musket. Benjamin had combined two of his favorite historical weapons into one device. The action closely resembled a Swiss Schmitt Ruben from the early 1920¡¯s, but the fat stock and Potbelly rotary magazine were pulled straight from the pages of Melvin Johnson¡¯s recoil-operated infantry rifle. Metalworking was now child''s play to Benjamin, and he had spent a month collecting the correct materials for this project¡­ including the gleaming brass cartridges that were carbon copies of the round that both the M1 Garand, and the Johnson shared. Ben slammed two, five-round clips into the rotary magazine¡¯s feed port, and yanked on the straight pull action. He had also fiddled with the dimensions to allow him to reach the trigger while still operating the bolt, a trick he borrowed from the British.


    Yilarran was in trouble, She was slashed in a dozen different places, and her vision was beginning to fade from a spear wound to her side. Her opponents numbered many, and she swung both of her great swords in a defensive pattern designed to both keep momentum and intimidate her opponents. ¡®this is how it ends.. I guess I will see you soo¡­¡¯ her thoughts were interrupted by a clap of thunder. She knew that Benjamin could not use the godlight to save her, she was too close to her enemy¡¯s and many of them were actively in contact with here armor or her weapons¡­ That is what she thought right up until the chest of the Vin in front of her face exploded with an invisible impact.


    BOOM¡­..BOOM¡­..BOOM¡­. three more vin died around her, all turned to shattered ruins, dead before they fell, and the rest fled.


    She turned to see Benjamin holding one of his strange weapons, yanking on a piece of it like it was stuck. Her eyes widened as a Fae, larger than the rest, and covered in plate armor careened out of the sky. ¡°BEHIND!!¡± Yilarran yelled, and Benjamin turned just in time to take a lance to his exposed shoulder, spinning him away from the impact. Yilarran bellowed her war cry, slamming into the arriving Fae, using their combined momentums to snap its neck, before decapitating it all together for good measure. Yilarran huffed, recognizing the ebbing nature of this part of the battle, and she turned to Benjamin only to freeze in complete Shock.


    Benjamin groaned as he stood, ¡°Fuck that hurt.¡± He turned to face this new attacker, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. Yilarran ended the threat expertly, then turned to Benjamin before freezing entirely.. ¡°Is everyone ok!?¡± He called just as Vi and Val rushed up to him, ¡°Benjamin, sit. Please. Quickly.¡±


    Benjamins shrugged them off for a moment, ¡°I¡¯m ok, wait¡­ what¡¯s wrong¡± he had noticed they had taken off their helmets, and were fussing over him in panic.. Val finally spoke first, ¡°Ben¡­ Bleeding.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow before looking down at the pain of his shoulder. Bright red poured through the gash in his shoulder, out of the Gambeson and down to his fingertips, and his head snapped up to meet Yilarran¡¯s rapidly hardening gaze. ¡°Oh¡­ Fuck..¡±

 Chapter 23

    ¡°Oh¡­Fuck¡± Val jolted slightly at Benjamin¡¯s exclamation, but a low rumbling sound ripped through her body. Her head spun to follow her Benjamin¡¯s gaze to lock her own eyes on the source of the horrific bone-shaking rumble, Yilarran.


    ¡°ABOMINATION!¡± Yilarran¡¯s voice boomed off the trees ¡°Fucking Iron Blood!¡± She roared, settling into a low crouch before vaulting herself straight at the three of them. Val felt herself move almost on her own. Scooping up a fallen Vin spear, Valtrya charged straight at Yilarran, placing herself between Benjamin and the enraged Elf. ¡°No!!¡± She heard Benjamin¡¯s call but ignored it. The two closed the distance quickly, but it was Valtrya who took the initiative. Her arm snapped out in a flash, driving her spear straight towards the Elv¡¯s throat. One of Ylarran¡¯s four blades deftly slapped away the speartip, but it gave Val the opening she was looking for. Val rushed through the small gap and drove her second strike as she slipped under Yilarran¡¯s lower left arm. She punched the Enraged Titan of a warrior in the thigh, squeezing her spike lever. The spike sprang out perfectly and drove straight through the thick leather pants. Yilarran howled in pain, but Valtrya never had a chance to register it.


    Both swords from Yilarran¡¯s opposite side slammed into her backplate, snapping her forearm as it was ripped from her shield. She lost consciousness instantly upon the impact and sailed across the yard and her limp form slammed into the ground and tumbled like a broken doll thrown by an angry child. Benjamin felt Viola¡¯s grip on him go limp. She fell to the ground in a groaned whimper, and Benjamin watched as her eyes widened, and her mouth opened in agony. She couldn¡¯t speak, and the barest of gasps escaped her as she fought for air. ¡°YOUR NEXT!¡± Benjamin turned toward the sound of his instructor-turned-opponent. ¡°Abomination! Come, slick my blade!!¡± Yilarran growled, slowly stomping forward, ¡°You die here! NOW!¡± With that, she threw one of her massive blades at him.


    Benjamin barely deflected the blade with his saber even as the massive impact slammed him to his knee. He didn¡¯t feel it, he ripped off his helmet to reveal his eyes ablaze with green hatred. Yilarran paused her steps at the sight. Benjmin¡¯s eyes were afire with Majik, but slithering streaks of green began rippling through the bulging veins in his neck. ¡°Fuck¡­ You¡­¡± Was all he said, rising from his bent knee. His sword hand slipped to his side, and he took a single step forward. His right foot landed, and the entire area between him and the Elf sank a full 4 inches into the ground, and Yilarran stumbled as her arms began to bulge in exertion. ¡°Fuck¡­ You¡­¡± Benjamin repeated slightly louder and took another step. The ground between them sank another 2 inches and Yilarran was driven to one knee. ¡°Wha¡­ Abomi¡­¡± Yilarran began only to be interrupted by a bellow that sounded like two Benjamins speaking in slightly different frequencies, ¡°FUCK YOU!!¡± The echoing voice bellowed, and Benjamin took another step. The ground began to crack beneath his feet, and Yilarran was driven to both knees with her lower arms holding her up, but only barely.


    Viola could barely breathe, she could feel her sister struggling for life, the pain from her sister was almost overwhelming, but she could still see. ¡°FUCK YOU!!!¡± Came a distorted bellow from in front of her, and she tore her eyes from her sister to find Benjamin standing in front of an almost prostrate Yilarran. The air seemed to warble and struggle around the two of them. ¡°You want to see!!¡± Benjamin Bellowed, but it wasn¡¯t Benjamin¡­ or rather, not just Benjamin. ¡°You want to see what I am!!!¡±


    He took one further step and kicked Yilarran directly in the face. A thunderous crack echoed with far more power than the kick should produce. Yilarran was thrown to her back, and Benjamin reached out, ripping her helmet from around her head without ever touching it. Yilarran¡¯s eyes were wide in shock and exertion, but she failed to even lift even an arm. Benjamin seemed to move with ease. He lifted his sword skyward, calling down a massive bolt of Godlight from a perfectly clear sky. The pure blue-white energy slammed into the tip of the slightly curved blade, traveling down its length and up to his shoulder with a continuous deafening crackle. He slowly lowered the blade, slipping it just close enough for some of the savage energy to bleed off onto the collar of the Elf¡¯s armor. Yilarran began to jerk involuntarily as waves of electricity ripped through her body. The jerks quickly became screams of agony as the lightning-shrouded blade closed on her throat.


    ¡°Ben¡­¡± Viola tried to speak, tried to call out, but her breath failed her. She was fading along with her sister *he thinks we¡¯re already dead* the realization brought her both terror and sorrow ¡°Ben¡­¡±


    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± A thunderous explosion of sound paused Benjamin, and he looked up just as the Queen Mother and Vilora landed on the training grounds along with several dozen other warriors. Victoria bore a pair of short swords slicked with Fay blood, and Vilora¡¯s wings still crackled with pure green energy. She broke from the arriving group and landed next to Valtrya¡¯s still form. Their friend began frantically checking over Valtryria. ¡°She lives! But only just!!¡± Valtrya called out. Benjamin slowly looked over, ignoring the shrieking, jerking Yilarran at his feet. Vilora wasn¡¯t looking at him, she was focused on her own task. Val was in bad shape, her back had broken, and her shield arm was shattered. Vilora chose to focus on the internal bleeding first, praying silently that it would be enough.


    ¡°Benjamin¡± Queen Victoria landed on the outline of the crushed ground, she slowly reached out to its edge, feeling the power flowing in the area before ever so slowly taking a single step. Benjamin watched on as the Queen Mother carefully stepped into 4 times Earth¡¯s gravity. She moved slowly, taking deliberate steps as she was forced to carefully control her immediate surroundings. ¡°My sister will take care of Valtrya, she will live¡­ Come, let us tend to you as well. She glanced pointedly down at Benjamin¡¯s uselessly hanging right arm dripping red to the ground. Benjamin¡¯s eyes raged, and the queen felt him flex his power against her barriers. The realization that this being could obliterate her with little more than a whim was terrifying, but the Queen of the Vin stood her ground, ¡°Let it be done..¡± She whispered, holding his gaze in hers. She felt him test her barriers again, harder this time; and a flicker of doubt echoed through Victoria¡¯s thoughts.


    A violent Gasp echoed its interruption from two locations as Viola and Valtrya regained their breath as one; and Benjamin broke Victoria¡¯s gaze. Yilarran¡¯s voice had failed her, and she lay twitching and whimpering under the stray electrical discharges from the sword in Benjamin¡¯s hand. ¡°let it be done..¡± Victoria¡¯s voice was just above a whisper this time as Benjamin watched Valtrya sob as Vilora ushered over a pair of healers bearing a stretcher. Benjamin slowly turned to look down at Yilarran for a long moment before lifting the energy-shrouded blade away from her. In a flash, he released his gravitational field and turned his back on the Elf. He took several steps away from Yilarran and the Queen before driving his sword into the dirt, pressing the electricity into the earth, and guiding it away into the forest. He scooped up a desperately heaving Viola from the ground and carried her from the yard closely behind the healers carrying her sister to the infirmary.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Queen Victoria looked down at one of her oldest friends, and Yilarran groaned quietly. ¡°You.. ally with H¡¯mure?¡± Queen Victoria knelt down at the Elf¡¯s head, ¡°No, I do not.¡± The Elf rolled her head over, ¡°Then, what¡­.¡±


    _________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Val¡­¡± Valtrya¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Everything hurt, but it was a throbbing ache instead of the searing agony from her last memories. Everything was very different from those moments. Benjamin was standing next to her, and they were inside. ¡°Ben?¡± she asked, trying to lift herself up, but a gentle hand kept her from succeeding ¡°Easy, you are not ready yet.¡± It was a healer she did not recognize, ¡°Your back was broken in three places. It is healed, but your body needs time.¡± Valtrya reluctantly settled back down and looked throughout the room. Over a dozen uneasy guards were in the room along with Benjamin, her, Vi, and the healers in the infirmary. ¡°What¡­ Happened¡­ My Ben.. Safe?¡±


    ¡°I am, Val. I am, but focus on you right now. Focus on getting well.¡± Benjamin rested his hand against her cheek, ¡°I have to go, but I will be back. The Queen has summoned me.¡± She noticed a sad smile on Benjamin¡¯s face before he turned to leave. Benjamin left with Viola, and half of the guard contingent left with him. ¡°Rest now..¡± the Healer returned, handing her a sip of water, ¡°It is what you can do.¡±


    It took everything left in Ben to leave Valtrya in the infirmary, but after today¡¯s events the Queen¡¯s request held very little in the way of leniency. The chorus of boots echoed in the hall, and in his mind; he could feel Viola tighten her grip on his hand. Both of them had not bothered to change out of their armor but had been pointedly disarmed shortly after the battle ended. Benjamin had noticed the not-too-subtle replacement of regular guard with that of the truly touched among the Vin lancers. ¡°I guess I deserve that¡± he murmured, drawing a look from Viola. He opened his mouth to explain but was interrupted by their arrival at the throne room door. Vailin stepped up and knocked twice.


    ¡°ENTER!¡± A familiar voice called, and the doors opened. Benjamin and Viola were escorted into a surprisingly empty throne room. The Queen sat on her throne, flanked by her sister on one side, and a fully armed and armored Yilarran on the other.


    Benjamin felt a guard pull Viola to the side, and fought the urge to react this time. Instead, he gave her hand a squeeze and let her be escorted to the side before stepping into the center of the room.


    ¡°Benjamin, I respect your promptness considering.¡± Queen Victoria spoke first, ¡°I trust Valtrya is well?¡± Yilarran flinched almost imperceptibly as Benjamin¡¯s gaze flashed angrily at her for a moment. Her hand seemed to tremor at random, almost in remembered electrocution as she stood there, but Benjamin turned his gaze to the queen. ¡°She will be, in time¡­ Forgive me, but I have very little use for pleasantries at the moment.¡±


    Yilarran shifted to take a step, but Victoria raised a hand. ¡°A bold tone, young one. Very well. I have called you here for two reasons. The first is so that my council may interview you in the open.¡± With that, she nodded to a group of vin dressed in more courtly attire. One of them spoke from among them, ¡°You bleed red, yet claim to not be H¡¯mure.¡±


    Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°I have been told, that the H¡¯mure bore fangs and venom. They are also told to have red eyes surrounding their pupils. I possess none of those traits.¡±


    ¡°So, you have not drugged your¡­. Women¡­ to do your will?¡± It was a second, more frightened voice. Benjamin shook his head, ¡°I did not, and will not¡±. The same voice responded almost instantly, ¡°Yet they stay, without chains.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes hardened, and he heard a few weapons creak as they were clenched, ¡°I killed their torturer, fed them, taught them a trade, and treated them with respect without asking anything in return.¡± The same seemed to huff at his answer, ¡°And you expect us to believe that one of them is capable of loyalty without control?!?¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s eyes flashed bright and the granite beneath his feet groaned, ¡°I don¡¯t give a flying rat fuck what you believe.¡± Instantly, no less than 4 Vin surrounded him readying their own abilities, ¡°Ah, I see¡­¡± Victoria slowly stood, ¡°Benjamin, you bear powerful gifts; I¡¯m sure you understand¡± Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°I do..¡±


    Victoria nodded to the council, and the same voice continued, if a bit more subdued this time, ¡°Yes, well¡­ this brings us to our next question. You dabble in forbidden knowledge. You nearly crushed one of our own using the power of this orb itself, never mind godlight. You know not what you toy with young one.¡± Benjamin simply shrugged still working to keep his calm as a new voice began, ¡°If you are not H¡¯mure, what are you. Orc bleed bright green. Aereesen, purple. The Spider folk bleed black as night. The Farie¡¯s life flows a dark shade of the forest. The Elven bleed a grey. There is only one race in this existence that bleeds red. That same blood flows through your veins.¡±


    Benjamin turned to look at Queen Victory, and he held her gaze for a long moment before she nodded to him. He took a deep breath *Well, here goes* ¡°I am not from this¡­ existence.¡± The room erupted in various states of shock or disbelief. Benjamin paused until the din quieted, ¡°My¡­ existence resides alongside this one, upon this same orb. Before you ask, the answer is no. I do not have the ability to travel between Dimensions. My people¡¯s word for the theory that I have become the proof.¡± Benjamin raised on hand in placation, ¡°With your permission, Your Majesty.¡± Victoria nodded once again, and Benjamin drew on his power, more slowly this time. He pulled from the window¡¯s, bending the light to his will, stripping individual frequencies from the visible spectrum. This was only the first half. Benjamin began drawing particulates in the air as well as stray dust in long forgotten corners of the rafters.


    ¡°My orb looked much like yours¡± he began, blending light and particle using his memory of countless science fiction films as inspiration. The forms he created danced as he spoke, ¡°My world never had the spider folk, or elves, or Durr. Our stories of Fay and the Mountain children have all been fantasy and imagination. This¡­ is Earth¡± a massive blue and green orb morphed into existence with the continents where he remembered them, ¡°There is only one race on Earth. We call ourselves Human, and we lack any concept of what you know of as Majik. For us, it simply does not Exist. What we do have, is science¡­ Technology¡± Benjamin morphed the globe into an F1 car first, then an aircraft, then a giant cargo vessel. ¡°With science, we discovered how to build what we need. We learned how to soar like birds, traverse oceans without wind, travel roads several times faster than any beast of burden.¡± Benjamin whispered away the images before sobering, ¡°We reached for the stars,¡± he pulled into existence the Apollo 11 launch followed by a montage of images from that mission, ¡°Humans have set foot on Lurinar himself, in my reality, and returned home safely.¡±


    He allowed his illusions to fall and simply placed his hands behind his back. A heavy silence fell upon the Throne room, and even the Queen fell back heavily in her chair at these new revelations. Finally, she spoke, ¡°This¡­ Technology you speak of. Can you pass it on to us.¡± Benjamin lowered his head in a heavy sigh, ¡°I cannot¡­ It would be ignorantly reckless at best, and Genocidally stupid at worst.¡± Instantly the voice from the council barked an insulted laugh, ¡°You would deny the Queen Mother?!? Explain yourself!!¡± but Benjamin simply nodded, ¡°I would.¡± He began before steeling himself, ¡°My people have a concept of Ages in history. You had the Age of the H¡¯mure, and now it appears that you are in some sort of age of kingdoms. I have born witness to your tools, armor, and weapons. In many ways, your development parallels our own. My people would call it, technological progression. If I had to take a guess, your collective civilizations are 2500 years behind where Humanity was when I was taken from my home. I do not know what would happen in this¡­. unprepared reality.¡±


    ¡°Very well, young one.¡± Victoria stood, ¡°I believe this completes this part of the matter.¡± Benjamin held her gaze, ¡°And the second?¡± Victoria stepped down from her throne, ¡°I will not punish you for the altercation with Yilarran, but You cannot stay. Fortunately, the attack on our stronghold is proof enough that the pass to the Ascendency has opened.¡± The blow punched Benjamin in the gut. He had become attached to his life here, and had hoped that the three of them would have the ability to return once they completed this journey. ¡°How long do we have¡­ Your Majesty.¡± Benjamin forced the honorific into his statement, even as he realized the bridge was most likely burned.


    ¡°You will depart when Valtrya has sufficiently recovered. I will be sending my sister as my ambassador, along with her bound, to accompany you.¡± Victoria stated, ¡°Go now, young one. Make your preparations.¡± Benjamin bowed deeply, before turning to leave. He and Viola departed for the infirmary. Victoria waited for them to leave before turning to the court,


    ¡°Leave us, I would have words with Yilarran and my sister.¡±

 Chapter 24

    ¡°That¡¯s everything¡± Viola mused sadly, hefting her own duffel bag and walking towards the door. Benjamin nodded heavily, taking a moment to survey the mother tree quarters that had become their home. He picked up his rifle and slung it over the opposite shoulder to his own duffel. ¡°It is.¡± Memories flooded behind his gaze for a moment before he closed the door behind him. He discovered a new family in that room, found love, and felt truly home for the first time since his arrival in this ¡®existence¡¯ ¡°I will miss it too.¡± Viola answered his unuttered thoughts, causing him to raise an eyebrow at her, ¡°You can read my mind now?¡± He teased.


    Viola only leaned into his side, ¡°Your face. To us, your book remains open. There is something else.¡± It was a statement, not a question, and Benjamin¡¯s brow creased in thought. ¡°There is¡­¡± he admitted, but did not elaborate further. Viola walked alongside him for several strides before sighing, ¡°Very well. When you are ready.¡± She sighed in resignation. Benjamin began feeling guilty as they rounded the corner to the exit of the mother tree. It was obvious that she did not like Benjamin keeping secrets. ¡°Vi, I.. what the FUCK!¡±


    Vi looked up and hissed her own exclamation, reaching for her prized sword at her side; and Benjamin¡¯s bag thudded to the ground as his rifle seemed to spring into his hand. ¡°What the fuck is SHE doing here.¡± Benjamin paused even as his sights settled on the titanic four-armed individual standing with the convoy. It was not usual for hatred to pour so freely from Viola.


    ¡°Benjamin, Viola, settle!¡± The heavy tone of command made Vilora¡¯s voice almost unrecognizable. Benjamin was forced to lower his rifle only when Vilora took flight and put herself between him and the elf. ¡°These are the Queen''s commands,¡± she stated none too softly. ¡°As her ambassador, I speak with her voice. Yilarran has been assigned as my personal guard. She will be joining us on this journey.¡±


    Benjamin stayed silent, slowly slipping the sling of the rifle back over his shoulder and picking up his bag. Viola purposefully kept herself between Ben and the Elf, very obviously not for Yilarran¡¯s protection. The two of them walked to the second of two wagons hitched to familiar beasts of burden. Valtrya was already inside their wagon. She had almost fully healed in the two weeks following the attack on the Vin, but her strength had been severely weakened from the strain of accelerated healing and forced inactivity. She waved to them, and Jukha nodded from his spot behind the reigns.


    Benjamin tossed his bag into the second wagon before taking Viola¡¯s bag and doing the same. ¡°Thank you,¡± the anger was not gone from her tone, but it was not directed at him, but rather the titan of a four-armed warrior who watched them from beside the lead wagon. ¡°Go, talk with Jukha, I¡¯ll see to my sister.¡± She said tilting her head to the lead wagon slightly.


    Benjamin climbed into the seat next to Jukha, and the convoy departed in relative silence. A third wagon, heavily laden with supplies fell in behind the main convoy, and it quickly became clear as to why. An entire squad of lancers winged into view taking perching position arching covers of the three trundling contraptions. The Mother Tree quickly faded into the forest, almost too quickly to be natural; and soon only the two-track trail through the forest remained.


    Benjamin sat next to Jukha, his armor on, and his strange-looking new ¡®musket¡¯ settled across his lap. The only addition to his armor was a sturdy leather belt studded with strange brass cylinders, a pouch on one side, and a sheath for a oddly shaped version of the pistol Benjamin had shown Jukha. ¡°I see you have been¡­ tinkering¡± Benjamin looked sharply over at Jukha before his features calmed quickly, ¡°Ah, yes. I have. I may be trained in the sword now, but I am much more proficient in these still.¡± he tapped the weapon across his lap, ¡°Jukha, what is going on¡­ why is Yilarran here.¡±


    Jukha clicked his tongue at the beasts, urging them gently to keep pace, ¡°She did not say, but I can guess.¡± He stretched slightly on his seat, ¡°Yilarran is formidable, well, to most anyway.¡± He gave Benjamin an appraising glance, ¡°She also knows the pass the best of those who travel it on foot. A Farie would normally take to wing to traverse it, but we cannot. The fact that the Fay made it to us says that it has warmed enough to melt the snow. Otherwise, their wings would have frozen during the journey, and they would have perished.¡± Jukha took a breath, ¡°The other reason¡­ well, Victoria likes to¡­. Encourage¡­ resolution between individuals.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ I will be sorry to disappoint her.¡± Benjamin allowed his emotions into his growling tone, ¡°She almost killed the two people keeping me sane in this¡­ whatever it is¡­ That is not something so easily forgiven.¡± Benjamin leaned back against the bench seat, ignoring the creaking of the planking. ¡°I was going to be a soldier, Jukha. My world is on the brink of conflict. I knew what I would be getting into, but¡­¡± he looked back at the two women curled up together in the thankfully heavily padded wagon, ¡°I expected to be fighting on foreign soil, on a battlefield far enough away from those I care about. Far enough away for me to not have to worry about my family''s safety¡­ this? This is different.¡±


    Jukha grunted in agreement, ¡°And they seem to insist that they fight alongside you,¡± Benjamin sagged for several moments before bobbing his head heavily, ¡°I made a promise. I would not force them to do anything they did not want. I just did not expect them to be so¡­ protective.¡± Jukha barked a laugh, ¡°They had a good teacher. Did you really expect them not to follow your example as well as your instruction?¡±


    Benjamin looked back at the two, now sound asleep in the mid-morning light. ¡®Val¡¯s recovery must be hitting Vi harder than she is letting on¡¯ ¡°I guess not.¡± The two fell silent, letting the sisters sleep. Benjamin looked down at his rifle on his lap, rubbing at a smudge on the receiver with the hem of his tunic. He kicked himself for the failure of his initial design. He should have known better than to combine two designs without testing them first.


    His weapon had jammed during the fight for one simple reason, he failed to match the rotary magazine¡¯s feed angle to the feed ramp of the barrel. The bullet had deformed on the steep ramp, and jammed in place. It was a much simpler fix in this world than in his. Channeling Majik almost felt like cheating at times, but it allowed him to mold the metal to his will, fine-tuning the feed ramps in real time as he tested fitment with inert ¡°dummy¡± rounds. Majik was to thank for those as well. Yes, he could probably teach this reality to make wrapped brass foil cartridges; but his were more modern in design.


    Made with but a thought from a pile of raw materials; they would have been called 30-06 or 30 caliber M2 ball on his earth. They carried a modern smokeless gunpowder charge and packed all the same deadly capabilities of their Human siblings. It had taken him some time to create the ammunition stores he still considered merely ¡°adequate¡± and he would have to introduce the girls to their new pistols soon enough.


    They were a hybrid design as well, but one that he had tested. Their exterior would fool anyone from Earth into believing the pistols to be of a Schofield design, but Benjamin had added two things to the venerable pattern. Firstly, he added in a double action/ single action mechanism to the design. His women would be able to empty their sidearms with but the repeated pull of the trigger. The second was the modifications necessary for the addition of a firing pin and a transfer bar. This removed the need for a rebounding hammer or a hammer-mounted firing pin. This modification would allow the sisters to carry a full six rounds, instead of having to carry with an empty chamber under the hammer for safety.


    Benjamin found himself drawn from his thoughts a little after mid-day by a pair of gentle arms winding around his neck from behind, heralding the gorgeous face of Val peeking over his shoulder, ¡°My Ben is sad. Why?¡± Benjamin spun his head quickly, stealing a peck from her lips. He smirked at her quick surprised face followed by a not so chased biting of her own lips, ¡°I¡¯m not mad, not anymore. I just don¡¯t like the situation. The Queen sent Yilarran with us, to protect Vilora.¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Val wrinkled her nose for a moment, flashing her gorgeous purple eyes toward the titan stomping along beside the wagons, clearly too large to ride in one. Benjamin watched her upper lip twitch as she gave a not quite snarl in that direction, ¡°Ben kill her?¡± She asked, none too nicely. Benjamin raised an eyebrow, ¡°what brought that on?


    Val took a breath and lowered her gaze in concentration, ¡°She tried to¡­ kill you¡­ she almost kill¡­ us¡­¡± her eyes softened and she turned to rest her head on his shoulder from behind, her voice barely a whisper, ¡°I want her¡­ dead.. the feeling is strong¡­ it scares¡­me.¡± She admitted. Benjamin gave a small sigh, wrapping an arm over her head in an improvised hug, ¡°I understand, part of me feels the same way, but she is not a threat. Killing her in combat that she starts is not wrong, but murder is not our way.¡±


    Val nodded from her spot, ¡°I know. It is why¡­ feeling.. frightens me.¡± Benjamin tightened his ¡®hug¡¯ slightly before letting go, ¡°It is good that it scares you. It means you still know what¡¯s right.¡± He paused as his stomach growled, and Val giggled at the sound, ¡°Forgot, I give you.. this.¡± She handed him a pair of pieces of bread with some kind of dried meat in between it, ¡°Lunch, sandwich.¡± With that, Val retreated back into the wagon only to return a few moments later with two small containers of ale and a second sandwich for Jukha. ¡°We eat.¡± She said before settling down next to her sister again. Benjamin looked back to see them tearing into their own sandwiches.


    Progress trundled along at an excruciatingly slow pace. The first two days saw the sisters convalescing in the wagon, but by the third day, Val insisted on walking alongside the wagons to begin rebuilding her strength. The poor girl could barely walk five minutes before having to climb back into the wagon to rest. She still could not pick up her shield or don her armor, but she remained determined to recover to her former self.


    A week went by at a snail''s pace, but by the second week, the trail began a gradual upward slope. Nights began to cool noticeably over the next few days, and Benjamin realized the reason for the heavy padding insulating the wagons. Benjamin did his part in making and breaking camp each day. Drawing coal from the ground to aid in a hot fire, ripping the air away from the flames to smother them in the morning. He fashioned simple iron pots from the raw materials he pulled directly from the ground. He fashioned a clamping top and used it along with properly heated coals to provide safe heat to warm the inside of the wagons in the evening. The pots would slowly smother the coals inside, but it was enough of a jumpstart to help all sleep comfortably through the night.


    ___________________________________________________________________________________


    The sun had just disappeared behind the mountains. Vi and Val were bundled up tightly, and Benjamin was forced to suppress a smirk at the sight. Viola opened her jacket and waved its halves, trying to cool off. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand, it is not cold enough for all of this.¡± Benjamin just smiled at them, ¡°You will need them soon enough¡±. The camp of wagons had just disappeared around the bend, and Benjamin stopped to take each of their hands. ¡°Are we not still too close? Will they not hear the shooting?¡± Viola asked, and Benjamin just smiled at her again. ¡°We will not be for much longer." Both of the sisters looked up at him as he began to channel Majik. His fight with Yilarran, if you could even call it that, had taught him what manipulating gravity on a larger scale than dust and dirt felt like. To his eternal amusement, it also gave him a ridiculous idea straight out of a cheesy superhero movie. Vi and Val let out a unified gasp as the air around them began to warble and flutter before all three of their feet left the ground. Both turned their handholds into vice grips around Ben¡¯s arms as they ascended through the trees, ¡°What are you¡­ oooohh Goddess.¡± Viola whimpered. Benjamin just looked down at them, ¡°It is safe, I tested it out while Val was recovering. Now, for the fun part.¡± With that, He looked forward and the three began to shoot along the tree line at incredible speeds, their bodies slowly rotating until they were careening headlong through the sky. ¡°Ben!!¡± Val finally cried out, catching her breath after the shock of taking flight for the first time in her life.


    Benjamin only laughed and slowed down slightly to abate the onslaught of felt wind. 15 minutes later, Benjamin set them down in a small clearing about 15 yards long, ¡°This should be about enough distance.¡± Viola gasped for air, and Val refused to release Benjamin¡¯s other arm. ¡°What was that for!¡± Viola finally got out, ¡°How, when, what did you just do?!?¡± Benjamin just shrugged, ¡°I believe you would call it ¡®the power of the orb¡¯. My people simply call it gravity. I¡­ did not know how far one can control gravity in this existence until Yilarran almost killed you.¡± Benjamin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, ¡°But she failed, and I learned that if I can magnify this ¡®orb¡¯s¡¯ power, I could also redirect it, or cancel it out entirely.¡± Benjamin unslung the bag he was carrying, ¡°We should be far enough away for these.¡± He opened the bag, withdrawing a pair of leather gun belts complete with guns in the holsters. ¡°These are for you.¡± He returned to the bag as Vi and Val strapped on the gun belts, returning with an odd arching contraption with large wooden roundels packed with moss. ¡°It won''t be as good as what we use in my world, but these should help your ears for practice. He placed one pair on his head, covering his ears with the bowl-shaped roundels, and the Areseen women did the same.


    They stood shoulder to shoulder and Benjamin pulled a mound of dirt up from the earth molding it into the shape of a dummy from the training grounds. ¡°Now¡± Benjamin spoke loudly, ¡°Use the sights like I showed you on mine. Pull the hammer back and gently squeeze.¡± Val was the first to fire, and the weapon bucked in her hands violently. It was clear that she was still weakened from her recovery, but she kept control of her weapon and a cylindrical hole exploded through the chest of the mud golem. She began to lower her weapon when Benjamin stopped her, ¡°Again. You can fire six times, just squeeze the trigger this time.¡± Val looked up at him in confusion, but raised her weapon and squeezed the trigger''s long double action pull. The gun went off, but the round missed. It didn¡¯t matter, Val¡¯s eyes lit up and she squeezed the trigger again connecting this time. she squeezed three more times, emptying her pistol before smiling broadly as Viola took her turn, she too struggled to hit in double action at 15 yards, but connected with 4 of her six shots. ¡°Again?¡± Val asked and Benjamin drew his pistol and activated its top break latch to pivot the pistol about its hing, ¡°You load like this,¡± he pulled a cartridge from the cylinder, ¡°these are the cartridges now. They are waterproof, and you drop them in from the back, like this.¡± He dropped the round back into the weapon and snapped it closed, ¡°the latch is here.¡± He said. And raised his weapon. Thunder rolled as he ripped 6 rounds off quickly, putting 6 new holes in the chest of the dummy, ¡°your cartridges are on your belt.¡± He said, laughing openly as the two frantically started reloading their new pistols. This was going to be a long evening.


    _____________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin awoke ensconced in a warm cocoon. It was the familiar entrapment between two gorgeous heat thieves, but something was off. His breath hung in the air in whisps of pure white, and the burning cold bit his lungs with a deep breath. One careful extrication later, he had Vi and Val tucked back in, and he donned his winter clothes. They had camped against a cliff for the night, and the early dawn was just cresting over the far mountains. ¡°Ah, good morning.¡± Vilora smiled handing him a steaming cup of some kind of mint tea, ¡°sleep well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I was not expecting this cold snap. You?¡± Benjamin admitted. Yilarran thumped up next to Vilora, and Benjamin blatantly ignored her presence, choosing to focus on his friend. ¡°The same, Jukha proves to be an excellent heater, as always. I did not see you three return to camp last night. Is all well?¡± Vilora¡¯s tone was cordial, but Benjamin noticed Yilarran¡¯s interest peak. ¡°We returned after dark. I wanted to give Val a little bit of training, she is recovering nicely.¡± ¡®And I¡¯m sure as shit not telling you about her new pistol¡¯ Benjamin held Yilarran¡¯s gaze with a face of stone only to be interrupted by an exasperated huff.


    ¡°Benjamin.¡± Vilora¡¯s tone held a hint of warning and Ben turned to look at her, ¡°Please, I know you better than most. I know what you must be feeling, but let us not make this any harder than we have to.¡±


    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Yilarran scoffed, ¡°He¡¯s a fucking Iron blood, even if he might ¡®not¡¯ be H¡¯mure. When the Ascendency finds out, I will be the least of your problems.¡± Benjamin gave her a sharp look but forced himself to calm down. ¡°Vilora, if you wish; Val misses you. You are welcome to come visit the wagon.¡± He grated out before turning to walk away. Yilarran gave a low grumbling growl, ¡°That¡­. ¡®human¡¯¡­¡± she forced herself to say, ¡°Is as hot-blooded as any iron blood you¡¯ve told me about. He will screw this up. You know that.¡± Vilora turned to her friend, even if their relationship was strained as of late. ¡°He is fiercely protective of those he loves. There is another side to him that you have never been allowed to see. If you do, you will know it.¡± Yilarran shook her head, ¡°You tread a fine line, and you do so with all our lives hanging from it.¡±


    Vilora had no answer, and soon the rest of the convoy was breaking camp. Her friend was wrong about Benjamin, but she was right about the situation. The relationship between Vin and Ascendency was a tenuous one. She could only hope that the letter she bore from her sister would soften the brunt of revalation when the time came. The Sisters stepped out of their wagon as Benjamin aided Jukha with the beasts of burden. The light was just beginning to fall into the valley they were in, and to the northeast, Medina Pass became fully illuminated. Several minutes passed as the convoy ate breakfast and readied themselves before all were once again onboard the wagons and trundling toward their destination.


    Benjamin was watching the lead wagon, or rather the lumbering elf alongside it as they rounded the bend. ¡°What the¡­ whoa, you can¡¯t be serious.¡± He blurted out, getting a chuckle from Jukha. The Orc slapped him on the shoulder, ¡°Impressive isn¡¯t she? Welcome to Medina¡¯s Pass.¡± Benjamin was rendered speechless as Vi and Val climbed up behind him to look. The walls of the pass had long been overgrown with foliage, but they were close to the tree line in this mountain range. Benjamin could clearly see the artificially perfect semicircle cut into the side of the mountains as It blazed through the mountain range in an impossibly straight course. A sense of dread deep in his gut began to spread through his body. ¡®This pass holds secrets¡­ and none of them good.¡¯ The thought wafted through his head almost as a foreign invader, but they could not stop. The convoy crossed the threshold of Medina pass, but Benjamin found himself tightening his grip on his rifle.

 Chapter 25

    Yilarran stomped along beside Vilora¡¯s wagon, but her attention was elsewhere. The ¡°not H¡¯mure¡± had insisted on talking out in front of the Caravan. The ¡°human¡± seemed off, not asking Vilora¡¯s permission. Rather, he simply walked past her and unslung his strange weapon. Vilora only sighed and commanded the wagons forward. The Floxorin were incredible beasts of burden, but they were slow enough for a fit being to keep up on their feet. This Benjamin seemed to be on a razor¡¯s edge, but his attention was surprisingly not directed at her. For the first time since their journey began, Benjamin seemed to ignore her entirely. Yilarran glanced back at the wagon behind, guided by Jukha. Normally, she would scoff at Benjamin¡¯s abandonment of his women, but the new leather belt wrapped around Violas was adorned with a new and strange-looking weapon. Having seen them practice with the ¡°muskets¡± and ¡°pistols¡± in the training arena, Yilarran had no doubt that she had no chance of success against those two¡­ not at this range at any rate. Again, Yilarran quietly kicked herself for ever having accepted those three into her good graces.


    Her personal feelings and opinions were of little matter. She was sworn to Queen Victoria. Her Oath bound her to the will of the Queen Mother, and that put the iron blood and his bitches off limits to her, for now. She turned back to regard this¡­ ¡°human¡±, and simply decided to placate his need to be at the head of the group until evening fell. The tense dinner and evening conversations, or lack thereof, continued to exist as the standard for overnight camp. The ¡°Human¡± and his Aereesen kept to themselves, save for Jukha and tonight, Vilora. Yilarran chose the company of the lancers, the women she trained, often from childhood. Tonight¡¯s meal was slowly cooking over the fire. It was to be a pot of roasted meat with various vegetables stewed in the fat for flavor. One of the Aereesen emerged from their wagon carrying a leather satchel and from it, a few vials of various powders and herbs that Benjamin sprinkled into their food before stirring it and letting it simmer.


    Benjamin had fashioned his own cooking wear and insisted on cooking his own food portions. ¡°I wonder what sorcery he puts in that.¡± The voice of one of the lancers, Vurmirin, whispered into Yilarran¡¯s ear. ¡°It has to be how he binds them to himself.¡± Yilarran huffed a scoff, ¡°Unfortunately, whatever he is, that part of his story appears true. Jukha and Vilora, I trust; and they witnessed his interactions with those¡­ two. I suspect far worse has happened,¡±


    Vurmirin raised an eyebrow, ¡°What could be worse than addicted servitude?¡± Yilarran pointed to Valtrya, who was currently curled up in Benjamin¡¯s lap, being gently cradled in a way no slave holder would ever dare treat a servant, ¡°Love¡­ Those Women are truly his in a way far more dangerous than mere master and chattel¡­ If they were slaves, we could begin a wedge between them, and promise freedom.. The problem is.. they already believe themselves free, and that buys him their loyalty.¡±


    Vurmirin looked over at the four, raising an eyebrow as Benjamin began serving not only Jukha and Vilora, but also Valtrya and Viola. Watching a supposed ¡°owner¡± serve his property brought home its own terrifying confirmation. ¡°Do you think they¡¯ve¡­¡± Yilarran shook her head, ¡°I have no idea, but if they have¡­¡± The titan of an Elf let the sentence die in her throat, taking the generous portion of her own stew handed her. She watched as a surprised gasp escaped everyone in the wayward group apart from Benjamin, who only laughed at the other three who began positively devouring their own portions. Yilarran ate as she continued to watch, and noticed that same razor''s edge resurfaced after only a few moments. It was as if Medina¡¯s Pass was spooking the iron blood, and the mountain of an Elf smiled inwardly as she hoped that maybe the Queen¡¯s recounting of its creation had awakened some fear in him. ¡®Good, at least I won¡¯t have to hear them again tonight.¡¯


    _________________________________________________________________________________


    The new advent of Benjamin leading from the front became the norm as the caravan traversed the long artificial gouge through the heart of the western range. They were deep inside the Feral Wood still, but fewer of its beasts called the Pass home. It was never discovered why, but it made the pass simpler to traverse. There were always stories, of course, and many claimed that wildly mutilated monstrosities roamed the pass. Yilarran never paid those stories any mind, as the truth of them would also mean the teller could never have survived to spin the fantastical tale in the first place.


    Days turned into weeks, Benjamin ever at the front. Vilora never stopped him, even conceding to his request a few times. He had stopped the Caravan a total of 4 times and requested that they take a different route. There was no established second route, but the iron blood had insisted. So far, each excursion found the caravan hacking through the forest for days before returning to the wagon trail. The extension to their travel time was¡­ significant. The grade finally leveled out from its slow climb, signaling the end of the pass. They had about a week left of their travel before they would depart Medina¡¯s Pass and turn north for the Ascendency, unless¡­


    Benjamin held up his hand in a fist and the convoy halted. Yilarran let out an open exasperated sigh, ¡°How much longer must we humor these detours.¡± Benjamin ignored her, but the Elf raised an eyebrow as the iron blood very slowly raised his strange weapon and began backing up in singular crouched steps. He made it three steps before a blur flashed out of the shrubbery in front of them. Benjamin dove to his left and one of the Floxorin bawled in pain, a three-pronged spear protruding from its chest. Its amber-colored blood poured from the wound and the beast stumbled and fell to the ground, puking up its life¡¯s fluid through ruptured lungs.


    Benjamin stood and sprinted back to the lead wagon. ¡°Rally!¡± Vilora¡¯s voice cut the air as Yilarran, the lancers, and the Aereesen girls joined Benjamin who was kneeling with his rifle pointed at the bush the spear had sailed from. Yilarran was about to call a challenge when a blood-curdling sick laugh reached their ears. It began as a trickle that burbled into a sick river of sadistic amusement. 4 gigantic creatures limped out of the foliage. The beasts would have passed for wolves on earth, but Benjamin was focused on the fact these monstrosities were almost 6 feet tall, and that their mouths split into four serrated beaklike segments, at least two of them appeared to be missing at least one part of their mouths, and thick black ickor oozed from wounds on all of them.


    ¡°I had to see¡­ Gods, I had to see¡­¡± The sick laugh wheezed, and a tall thin bipedal figure slinked out from the forest to take its place behind these sickly abominations. ¡°It¡¯s true¡­ I thought I was alone¡­. But it is true!! Brother!!¡± The sickly being pulled apart its long dirty hair to reveal bloodshot red eyes as he pointed at Benjamin. Yilarran glanced down at the iron blood, seeing that the spear had grazed his neck before impaling the Floxorin. Red flowed down the side of his throat, but it appeared but superficial. ¡°Brother!¡± the crazed red-eyed being cried out again, his voice faltering in confusion.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you!¡± Benjamin called out, ¡°You¡¯re no brother of mine!¡±. The Being in front flashed a set of fangs, dripping with silver, ¡°You have forgotten? You still have your whores! You must know!!¡± Benjamin¡¯s finger pulled the trigger on his rifle and a sharp crack echoed through the Pass. To Yilarran¡¯s surprise, there was no billowing acrid cloud of smoke. ¡°Shit¡± Benjamin swore, and Yilarran looked back to find a new wound in the side of one of the decrepit monstrosities. The sickly beaked wolf had stepped in front of its master, deflecting the round slightly with its body as the 30 caliber projectile tumbled through the beast before exiting. A surprised grunt exploded from what Benjamin could only assume was the first H¡¯mure he had ever laid eyes on as a shower of gore and gristle pelted the man. Black ickor sprayed from the wound but the beast did not so much as flinch, and it was Yilarran¡¯s turn to swear, ¡°He¡¯s a fucking Necromancer!!¡± she bellowed, and the H¡¯mure wiped his face, no longer laughing. His voice dripped with evil promise, ¡°You have forgotten, brother.. do not fear, I shall remind you.¡± With that, all four beasts attacked as one.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡®The fuck! Zombie wolf things!! H¡¯mure! Was this¡­¡¯ he had to stop thinking as his hands moved on their own. A fresh round slammed into the chamber of his rifle. He ran out of time. firing from the hip at the nearest beast. The round missed its body, but the quad beak wolf thing stumbled as he disintegrated one of the elbows of its front appendage. The monstrosity tipped as the limb failed, sliding across the ground just for a Yilarran to land next to it and decapitate it with the swing of one of her titanic blades. ¡°DON¡¯T JUST STAND THERE! You must sever the spine!! But beware the head, it can still bite even after removal!!¡± Benjamin cycled the bolt on his rifle again, and he watched as Viola lunged at the beast to her left, aiding lancers by slashing at tendons and joints with her rapier. She knew her blade could not decapitate something of this size, so she focused on disabling the undead monsters instead. Benjamin quickly realized that his rifle alone was going to be cumbersome in this style of battle, and he reached for his waistbelt, drawing a blade he had only just finished before departing. It was akin to his bowie knife, but the blade measured over a foot long, and it¡¯s handle bore a lug for a pommel, and a loop for a crossguard.


    Benjamin slipped the blade¡¯s fittings over the barrel of his rifle, clicking it into place. He then stood, and charged the beast that Viola was currently attacking. He could feel Valtrya on his heels as he raised his rifle for a quick shot through the shoulders of the beast, shattering it¡¯s shoulder blade to further weaken its mobility before a thought hit him. ¡®zombie wolf¡¯ Benjamin shifted his charge, racking his rifle once again before sliding to one knee directly in front of the creature. It swung its massive head to meet him just as Benjamin jammed the bayonet into the snout of the beast and pulled the trigger. A 30-caliber rifle bullet impacted its forehead from under a foot, shattering the rot-weakened bone and pulping the creature''s brain. The exhaust gasses from the rifle forced their way into the further weakened cavity, blowing the top of the undead wolve¡¯s head off all together. A strangled gurgle was all the beast managed, crumpling to the ground, but Benjamin¡¯s heart froze as he heard a familiar yelp of exertion. He spun just in time to see the third wolf-creature swipe at Valtrya¡¯s shield. She took the blow but managed to slide backward instead of tumble. The beast redoubled its attacks, and Val quickly dodged out of the way. She had recovered well, but her stamina was still lacking. He could see her heaving for air already. Benjamin began a sprint for her, but was passed by a much faster Viola who surged ahead slashing at the ankles of Val¡¯s attacker.


    The beast stumbled, but continued to fight¡­ right up until Valtrya drove her tool steel grade speartip straight through the top plate of the monstrosity¡¯s mouth and into its brain. She twisted the shaft and withdrew it as the beast fell. Benjamin just nodded and began charging for the last beast, trailing slightly behind Vi and Val. He was almost to the monster just as a sickly arm appeared in front of him. Benjamin couldn¡¯t react in time, close-lining himself on the arm that appeared from nowhere. He fell to the ground hard enough to drive the wind from his lungs, groaning as his body fought for air. ¡°Ben!¡± he could hear Viola screaming as she skidded in place, fighting inertia to reverse directions back to him, but her image was replaced by that of a putridly smelling, ickor covered H¡¯mure as the man straddled him.


    ¡°Remember brother, I will show you.¡± Was all he said before opening his mouth. Benjamin realized that the H¡¯mure¡¯s fangs were not retractable just before the being fell upon him, driving them into Benjamin¡¯s throat. ¡°Remember brother¡­ Reme¡­¡± The being withdrew his mouth and sat over him in confusion, tasting Benjamins blood. ¡°You¡¯re not¡­¡± He never got to finish the statement.


    Benjamin¡¯s whole body roared, he waited for the madness, the searing pain, the explosive blood pressure, but it never came. Time seemed to slow as he threw his arm up, capturing the H¡¯mure by the throat and ripping him bodily off of him. The maniacal being sailed through the air and slammed into the ground, only to get up in confusion, ¡°You¡¯re not!!¡± He repeated fervently, wiping the blood from his face. Benjamin saw all of this in super slow motion. He rose from his feet, drawing both his saber and his revolver. His rifle forgotten, Benjamin roared a challenge, and stormed toward the H¡¯mure who pulled a rough iron blade straight form the earth. Benjamin reached his measure, and the H¡¯mure swung in a wild diagonal stroke. Benjamin slipped to the side with a quick parry of his saber, squeezing the trigger on his pistol twice. Both rounds hit, and the H¡¯mure growled in pain before driving another wild swing toward Benjamin¡¯s head. He deflected the blade again, letting the rough iron weapon slide down to the crossguard of his saber before binding it entirely using a small hook he had build into the hilt. He easily overpowered the H¡¯mure¡¯s grip, dragging the weapon aside and firing three more shots from his pistol directly into the chest of his opponent before stepping back. The H¡¯mure struggled to stay on his feet, dark red flowing from his chest, mouth and nose, ¡°How¡­ you¡­ bleed *cough* iron.¡±.


    Benjamin channeled just enough majik to set his green eyes aglow and placed the barrel of his pistol against the being''s head. ¡°I¡¯m not your brother.¡± He growled and squeezed the trigger.


    The last pistol bullet left a slightly less than half-inch entrance in the forehead of the confused H¡¯mure, driving any thoughts he had on the subject out the back of his skull through a 6-inch wide gaping hole. The instant his pistol went off, the final undead creature crumpled to the ground, its strings cut as its creator was erased from the tomes of the living. Benjamin could only stare at his pistol, shaking less than subtly in his hand. It had taken the entire cylinder to kill the Necromancer, but Benjamin had no recognition of that fact. His whole body hummed and vibrated with what he could only describe as an insane adrenaline surge that was quickly turning into a massive adrenaline dump.. ¡°Benjamin?¡± Ben turned to see Vilora hovering near him but still a safe distance. ¡°Benjamin, are you whole¡± Benjamin slowly looked down at his blade, then his gore-covered pistol, shakily placing the handgun back into its holster before failing to do so with his saber, finally loosing his grip on it with a clatter. ¡°Im¡­ I.. I donno¡­ I feel¡­ strange.¡± With that, Benjamin passed out.


    ________________________________________________________________________________________


    Viola and Valtrya had been told to not approach their Ben while he was fighting the H¡¯mure, and they knew why. A being bitten by one of those monsters became an indiscriminate berserker at best, and a stark raving mad murdered soul at worst. The H¡¯mure bite was a burning torture to most beings who had no hope of survival¡­ and then Benjamin passed out¡­ snoring softly. The collapse shook Vi and Val from their positions, rushing over to his as Vilora looked over him. ¡°Get him to the caravan, we must leave this place. The sisters hefted Benjamin up, dragging him to their wagon with some effort before barely managing to get him inside. Moments later Vilora fluttered in with Benjamins Saber. Jukha departed to replace the dead Floxorin with one of the spares from the rear of the train.


    Valtrya drew her dagger as Yilarran appeared at the wagon''s rear entrance, but Vilora put a hand on her shoulder, ¡°Peace, remember you are under my sister''s protection. Let me look at him.¡± Val only sheathed her dagger when Yilarran turned her back on the wagon, taking a guarding position until the wagon train was ready to move. Vilora kneeled down next to Benjamin, her wings aglow with green as she looked deep into her friend. Several minutes passed, and barely a breath was taken as Vi and Val waited. Jukha climbed onto the driving bench, giving his bound a pensive glance before the convoy began moving once more. Almost an hour elapsed before Vilora finally drew back from Benjamin and sat against the wall of the wagon, panting heavily. Val was the first to speak, ¡°What happened.. Is Ben¡­¡±


    Vilora shook her head lazily, ¡°He lives, and he is¡­ unhurt.. I¡­ I don¡¯t understand it¡­ Benjamin shouldn¡¯t be alive. His body is¡­ processing the Venom¡­ He took a massive dose, and his body just¡­. Used it¡­¡± Vilora and Val looked at each other, ¡°Used what?¡± Benjamin groaned, sitting up and sliding until the wagon was supporting his back, ¡°What happened.¡±


    Vilora looked into his eyes, watching his pupils follow her appropriately, ¡°Benjamin, what do you remember?¡± Benjamin groaned, ¡°The fucker bit me.. then a¡­ rush¡­ then I passed out, I think.¡± Vilora¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°A¡­ rush?¡± and Benjamin nodded in confusion... ¡°Yea, like an adrenaline rush... everything slowed down, and it was like I could see time¡­ faster¡­ somehow.¡± Vilora looked over at the Aereseen girls before speaking aloud, ¡°Yilarran, return to the lead wagon, we are on the move, and I don¡¯t want another ambush. Go!¡± Yilarran leaned in, to protest, but closed her mouth upon seeing the serious expression upon Vilora¡¯s features. The resounding thumping of Yilarran¡¯s footsteps faded as she departed, and Vilora turned back to Benjamin with a serious expression. ¡°I need you to tell me¡­ everything about this¡­ ¡®adreenaleene¡¯.¡±

 Chapter 26

    ¡°..Adreenaleene¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow at Vilora¡¯s pronunciation, but straight up to sit a little more comfortably. ¡°I.. I can try.¡± He began, ¡°Adrenaline, is something my body produces and releases during severe stress. Life or death situations, extreme excitement, fear, or anticipation.¡±


    Vilora nodded along thinking carefully before speaking, ¡°What does it¡­ do..¡± Benjamin hummed for a minute, ¡°I guess, at its core, it is a stimulant. From what I remember from school, It speeds up my reflexes, dulls pain to an extent. In extreme cases, some humans have lifted or pushed or fought through things that would normally kill or incapacitate them.¡± Benjamin thought for a second and gulped,  ¡°Do you remember that feeling from my memories? When I¡­. died, or rather right before¡­ during the gunfight. How it felt like everything was moving in slow motion, how I didn¡¯t feel the pain of being shot until after it was over¡­ That was Adrenaline.¡±


    Vilora¡¯s eyes widened in memory before slowly nodding, ¡°It was¡­ different, it was like you perceived your surroundings so much faster than the moments before, when you were¡­ happy.¡± The Vin was silent for several moments but finally looked Benjamin in the eyes, ¡°I need some of this¡­ Adrenaline, give some to me.¡± Benjamin froze, recognizing the lack of compromise in Vilora¡¯s statement, but there was one problem. ¡°I¡­. can¡¯t¡± Vilora actually blinked for a moment before giving him a stoically serious gaze, ¡°Benjamin, I¡¯m not asking¡­¡± Benjamin nodded, but held her gaze, ¡°I know, but That is not how the human body works, I can¡¯t give any because my conscious mind does not control it. For a human, whether or not it releases adrenaline is no different than the reason you do not have to tell your heart to beat, or your lungs to breath, or the hair on your skin to rise with a stiff cold breeze.¡±


    Vilora shook her head, ¡°But I watched you purge it from your system,¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°Of course, when my body calms down, my liver automatically purges adrenaline from my system, it is why I got very very tired after the fight, and still am. I can''t tell my body when to do that. It is a part of my fight or flight instincts. In fact, for a Human, it can be dangerous to maintain high levels of adrenaline in their body for long periods. That is why it is purged.¡± Vilora held his gaze for a long moment, then finally relented leaning back against the opposite side of the trundling wagon, ¡°I see¡­ It cannot be helped then, but tell me this. Why did your body process the H¡¯mure venom. There isn¡¯t a being on this orb that can take a dose that large and live, how are you still with us?¡±


    Benjamin lowered his head, rubbing the site of the bite mark that had already been healed, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ what are you going to do?¡± Vilora gave him a mildly hurt look that was ringed with understanding, ¡°Nothing, for the moment. You must say nothing until I can discover some answers. If it were discovered that you both bleed red, and are immune to H¡¯mure venom¡­.¡± Benjamin felt Vi and Val tighten their grip on his arms. ¡°Ok¡­ ok, but I want you to come back in a day or so to make sure that I am, in fact, truly immune.¡±


    Vilora only nodded before climbing up to the driver''s bench of the wagon to speak with Jukha in whispered tones. Benjamin leaned back until his head rested on the canvas, closing his eyes as a deep fatigue blanketed his being. His body started shivering violently, causing Vilora to rush back to him again to ensure he was not, in fact dying. Vi and Val wrapped him in a blanket before lending their own body heat to keep him warm. Ben¡¯s brain roared between his ears as a monster of a migraine rampaged through his head. ¡®fuck¡­ this..¡¯ hurt to think. This reality had no concept of painkillers. Vilora checked on him once more, and told him that she could not see anything wrong with him. Benjamin draped one arm over his eyes, trying to darken the sensory input to his eyes and lie as still as possible.


    The jolting wagon, along with the lack of any pain medication proved the next few days to be torturous. Benjamin didn¡¯t leave the wagon that evening to help with camp, and barely ate before finally achieving something akin to sleep after three days of torture. The next morning felt like a light switch of relief. Benjamin rose just as the first rays of amber crested the sky, and slipped from his wagon. The air was brisk, thick with fog, and it made slipping from the camp all the easier. Soon, Benjamin found himself well away from the convoy, stopping eventually at a small clearing. He ignored the early morning dew-covered grass as he knelt, placing both hands on the ground in closed-eyed concentration. He was not sure if his hope was even possible, but if it was, he needed to complete his search whilst inside Madina Pass itself. The deep-cut passage gouged into the mountain range and offered the possibility of reaching deeper into the risen bedrock than would normally be possible, even for him.


    Benjamin dropped to a second knee, sitting back on his heels, taking his time in this delicate search. Almost a full hour elapsed, with Ben holding motionless until he found the subterranean veins he was searching for. It took half an hour to find the perfect sections of those veins to extract before carefully drawing the materials from the earth. He felt the materials press up against his hands as his fingers wrapped around their prize. Benjamin stood, shaking out his numb ankles, ¡°This will do nicely¡±


    ¡°What, exactly, will do nicely.¡± A familiar throaty soprano growled, startling Benjamin, and causing him to whirl on the speaker with drawn revolver, acutely aware that he was all alone. Ben Glared at the titan of a four-armed Warrior elf. ¡°Come to have another go?¡± Yilarran only raised an eyebrow, ¡°If I had wanted you dead, I would have killed you on your knees. No, you bask under Victoria¡¯s protection. Suspicion and observation, however, is an odd thing¡­ Exceedingly hard a stench to eradicate, even for one so favored.¡± Yilarran stood from where she leaned against a massive oak, ¡°Now, what will do nicely?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see. In that case, this is a personal matter. One I hope will prove its worth in time.¡± Benjamin replied, pocketing his findings and reholstering his pistol. ¡°How much further until we reach our destination?¡± Yilarran glowered at him for a long moment before giving up, ¡°We will reach the border crossing town within the next day. When we arrive, word will be sent to the capital, and we shall await a response.¡± The giant Elf turned to leave, then paused with a sadistic smile, ¡°You best have made your decision by then¡­ The border town will undoubtedly render extra scrutiny upon any foreign Aereesen entering the Ascendency. You best decide whether or not your bedfellows are your property, and do so quickly.¡± Her smile broadened at the redness flashing across Benjamin''s sour expression. He said nothing, and she turned her back on him in disgust, disappearing into the fog.


    Benjamin was just returning when camp awakened fully, Vi and Val were just beginning to pack up the wagon. Val noticed him first and gave him a mildly annoyed expression, ¡°I know, I know.¡± Ben raised his hands in surrender, ¡°I just needed to grab a couple of things.¡± His placating expression was almost ruined by the almost unrelenting need to laugh at the incredulity of him describing the last couple of hours as just a quick trip to the store. Viola just gave him a complicated expression but returned to packing up camp. Benjamin dove into the work, quickening the process until the convoy was once again on the move toward the outer reaches of Hirakan Ascendency.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    To Ben¡¯s surprise, the climate did not warm as they exited the mountain range. Despite their departure from the towering stone cathedrals, the weather had continued to creep ever colder against his skin. The Hard-packed permanent snow of the pass gave way to fluffy powder like drifts, and it slowed the convoy¡¯s progress. Yilarran¡¯s prediction was foiled, but only slightly, The Convoy dragged itself into the small border crossing town just as the sun fell from the horizon in totality. Benjamin was just finished tinkering with his recently acquired materials when they arrived, and his casual observations quickly peeled away to utter awe and shock. The entire town was made of¡­. Ice¡­ The buildings were few, but they were dominated by a massive triple-story blue crystalline structure. The temperature was dropping quickly outside as the convoy pulled up, and Benjamin was still gawking at the gargantuan frozen structure, when the abominable snowman stepped out the massive doors to greet them, and He jumped visibly at the sight, only to realize that ¡°abominable snowman¡± wasn¡¯t quite an accurate statement. A second being exited, and approached the wagon driven by Jukha and himself. ¡°You have arrived at Siku, welcome to the Hirakan Ascendency.¡± They spoke in Orcish, and Benjamin assumed that it was because of Jukha. The strange being seemed to look through the back of the wagon for a moment before returning, ¡°Have all appropriate paperwork available for any and all declarable items and property. The Immigration office will open in the morning, and you are expected to submit the appropriate paperwork by the end of day tomorrow.¡±


    With that, the being walked away. Benjamin examined a few more of these new beings as they went about their business. They stood somewhere between 6ft and and 7ft tall, and proved to be more elegant than sinister. Their long flowing fur seemed a pure white mixed with an iridescent blue that seemed to flicker and flow with their gate, and Benjamin suspected that it would blend in well against a snowy backdrop or in a dense frozen jungle. Their face¡¯s fir shortened to reveal slightly wide-set eyes that seemed both to be oriented for Binocular vision, and incredibly large for their placement. The rest of their facial features were occupied by a short wide snout that hid a wide mouth that housed several rows of terrifyingly serrated teeth. ¡°They are the Aquilar¡± Jukha spoke, shaking Benjamin from his stunned stare, ¡°Come, let us retire for the night. Vilora has already arranged for our accommodations.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow at that, only to find 5-6 more ¡®Aquilar¡¯ round the courner to take care of the wagons and pick up luggage. Benjamin managed to snag his rifle from deft paws before the wagon was scalped clean, and their belongings were whisked into the towering ice structure. Benjamin reached out a hand, making a point to aid his ¡°servants¡± out of the wagon individually. The sisters did not need it, but He insisted on making a point to the skeptically curious still watching the newly arrived wagons. Benjamin noticed a few shocked faces as Viola¡¯s armor flashed under her heavy coat, and a few more appeared when Val helfted her own shield and spear. While she had regained much of what she lost from her injury, she had elected not to wear her armor, and it was currently with the rest of the baggage being couriered up into the ice hotel. Benjamin paused before entering the building, ¡°Jukha, can you and Vilora come to meet us after everything is settled for the night? I need to do something, and I need to make the outcome unquestionable.¡± Jukha turned eyeing up Benjamin for a moment before nodding, ¡°I¡­ see, It will be done.¡±


    Benjamin stepped into the ice-forged hotel, following the rest of the group into a reception area who¡¯s wall patterns proved to be ornately carved directly into the ice itself. To his surprise, light wood planking seemed to be similarly inlayed into the icy foundation; and it allowing for secure purchase of foot when inside. A perfectly groomed Aquilar, Benjamin still couldn¡¯t tell if male or female appeared in front of them, ¡°This way, my lords¡±. The tall white-furred being guided them to an open-faced platform that proved to be a manual elevator of some ilk, powered by a quartet of hoisters and what Benjamin assumed was some pretty severe pully advantage. An excruciatingly long time after, they stepped off a level above and were led to a pair of rooms. Benjamin Vi, and Val were directed to the room on the right, and the three of them were surprised to see a room made of solid hardwood, with thick rugs upon the floor and a proper bed in the corner, if a bit small for three. ¡°This is a surprise¡±


    The Aquilar behind him let out a deep chuckle, ¡°We have long understood the needs of those from the¡­ softer¡­ climates, you are safe from freezing to death in your quarters¡­ mostly.¡± Benjamin eyed the being for a moment, deciding the comment was in good faith, ¡°Well, we appreciate it.¡± He reached into his pocket, withdrawing a piece of the material he had left over from his tinkerings. ¡°I do not know what your kind take as currency, but I hope this will suffice.¡± With that, Benjamin¡¯s eyes glowed for a moment, ignoring the shuffled step back and an exclamation in another language from his guide. He handed the surprised, white-furred creature a small glittering item. The Aquilar looked down into the palm of his paw in confusion, then in something else entirely. Benjamin noticed the webbing between his clawed fingers as he clenched his hand around Ben¡¯s gift, ¡°Are you¡­ sure, My lord?¡± Ben raised an eyebrow, ¡°Please, I¡¯m no noble. In truth, it was left over from a recent project.¡±


    The Aquilar butler froze for a moment before bowing, ¡°Either way, my gratitude¡­¡± Benjamin just raised a hand, ¡°Just Benjamin will do.¡±   ¡°Thank you¡­ Benjamin.¡± The Aquilar finished, then departed swiftly. Benjamin just chuckled, closing the door and turning around to find Vi and Val beginning to change out of their travel clothes and into warm-looking night attire. Viola was giving him that same complicated expression but It was Val who spoke, ¡°Benjamin, what is¡­ the matter.¡± Benjamin gave her a confused look, but Vi began before he could answer, ¡°My Ben, you¡¯ve been¡­ distant¡­ keeping secrets. You¡¯ve been acting strangely since you stopped going out into the FeralWood. It¡­ It isn¡¯t like you. Benjamin, talk to us, please.¡±


    Benjamin sighed, stepping over to the two women with a mixture of apprehension and fear on his features. He sat on the edge of the bed, letting them join him, ¡°It¡¯s been hard for me¡­ to watch you put yourselves in danger, for real, not just in practice. I grew up knowing I would likely go to war, but in my world, that war was far away from home. I watched You,¡± he turned to Val, ¡°nearly get killed trying to protect me¡­ Then there is what is coming¡­¡± Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°I was visited by, Suelin. It was the last day in the woods¡­ the day you showed me your armor.¡±


    Vi let Benjamin be silent for a moment, ¡°Benjamin, it is ok, we are strong now.¡± Benjamin mustered up a weak smile but continued, ¡°There is a war coming, one that is going to be fought here¡­ close to home¡­ Sol, Suelin¡± Ben corrected himself, ¡°She revealed that I was not, in fact, free. That my real body died in my reality. That to save me, she had to take responsibility for me¡­¡± Ben took a deep breath, ¡°possession¡­ of me¡­ as her ¡®Champion¡¯.¡± Val let out a small gasp at the admission, but reached out to take Ben¡¯s hand, ¡°Ben, not¡­ free?¡± Ben shook his head, quoting the avatar of the Sun, ¡°Stakes are simply too high to be ignored for such a noble thing as freedom.¡± He shivered slightly, ¡°There is more¡­ This war, She told me that your lives are in danger¡­ That you will die, if I fail¡­ that even success cannot ensure your survival, but I suspect that I cannot succeed without you¡­ I don¡¯t want to drag you two into a war, even as I pushed you to prepare for one.¡±


    A knock at the door brought their conversation to a close, and Benjamin stood to let Vilora and Jukha in, ¡°Thanks for coming. Did you bring it?¡± He said solemnly, before turning back to the Aereesen sisters. ¡°There is one more thing.¡± He stated, taking a leather pouch from Jukha and opening it to reveal their ownership papers¡­ ¡°I promised you, that I would never force you to do anything you do not wish to.¡± He stared at the Girls who only watched him with confusion, then horror when Benjamin summoned a spark, setting the parchment alight. He incinerated the paperwork proving them his property before stepping up to them and taking a knee in front of both of them. ¡°I asked Jukha and Viola here as witnesses, so that there may be no question of the outcome,¡± Benjamin pulled a pair of small golden rings, each with a massive pristinely inlaid Diamonds set upon them. The flawless clear gems were surrounded by ring of Emeralds to complete the fixture. ¡°I cannot own someone I wish to be my equal, for life. I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t know the name for it in your culture, or the Orcish way.¡±


    ¡°Life-Bound¡± Viola answered, taking one of the rings with a shaking hand, ¡°I¡­¡± Her words failed her for a moment, tears falling as she nodded her head. ¡°I¡­ we¡­ Yes¡±.

 Chapter 27

    Jukha smiled broadly as the two Aereseen women mauled Benjamin with affection for a moment before donning the bonding gifts Benjamin had forged for them. Vilora, for her part, stayed silent until the room had calmed. ¡°Benjamin, I assume your mind is set, and I suspected that this would be the path you would choose.¡± The Vin withdrew a piece of parchment with official looking writing scribed upon it. ¡°I guess, you can consider this my bonding gift to you.¡± She handed it to them, and Benjamin recognized the handwriting as Victoria¡¯s pen. ¡°I don¡¯t.. I don¡¯t understand. Our last meeting with the Queen Mother was¡­ less than cordial.¡±


    Vilora sighed heavily, ¡°A forced situation, I¡¯m afraid. Victoria never meant for your blood to be uncovered. Her hands were tied upon its discovery, along with your incident with Yilarran. She did, however, understand your protectiveness, and she bares you no ill will. Trust me when I say, Yilarran received the lion¡¯s share of her reprimand after your ¡®interview¡¯.¡± Vilora settled a hand on Ben¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Victoria did not want to send you away, she simply had no choice. You are an anomaly, one that is singular in its arrival.¡±


    Benjamin nodded, ¡°I still fear I may never be able to return. Even with the training regiment, the mother tree was¡­ peaceful. I had hoped to live there a while.¡± Vilora smiled sadly, ¡°In time, but back to the parchment. Victoria suspected this would be where you were headed. Your vitriol and self-loathing for owning Viola and Valtrya almost guaranteed it. She knew that, in the Ascendancy, a single male bonding to a pair of females would be a difficult sell, harder still with Aereseen involved. Her hand, and seal, upon your life bond paperwork does two things, It will vouch for your union, and solidify Vi and Val¡¯s shared soul status. It is rare, but with her name backing your claims, it will not be questioned in the Ascendency.¡±


    Vilora produced a small pen knife, ¡°All that is left is to seal the bond.¡± She slipped the blade across her own finger, placing the dark green line of blood over the portion marked for a witness. She handed Benjamin the knife, ¡°are you sure?¡± Vilora nodded, and Benjamin nodded before adding his own line of red blood next to his name. Vi and Val did the same, adding their royal purple blood to the paper in sequence. Vilora took the paperwork, and her wings shimmered, focusing her energy upon the paper itself for a moment. Benjamin watched in awe as the blood they donated to the parchment began to move and swirl, mixing before settling into a long singular name: Benjamin, Viola, Valtrya, Scaife.


    ¡°Done, under the authority given to me by Victoria Evergreen, Queen Mother of the Vin, I recognize you Benjamin Scaife as the bonded mate to the shared soul known as Viola and Valtrya, who¡¯s sir names have been lost to time, and whom willingly bind themselves to their Mate, Benjamin.¡± The entire piece of paper flashed bright before returning to its origional shade, save that Benjamin noticed that all of the writing upon the parchment was now that of gold. Viola stood, ¡°it is done, I congratulate you, all of you. The match is well made, and I will submit this to the customs attendants in the morning on your behalf.¡± With that she positively shoved a grinning Jukha out of the room, but not before he got out a ¡°Good luck, pink skin,¡±


    Benjamin was just beginning to wonder when the door closed, and he found out the reason for Jukha¡¯s grin. Vi and Val collapsed in on him, kissing about the face and neck while tearing at his clothes. Fabric flew, despite the colder room until Benjamin found himself pinned to the bed under two very determined, and very naked bombshells. He found himself shuddering as Viola continued to kiss him furiously even as Valtrya took his manhood to her mouth, swirling her tongue as she drove him to full readiness, ¡°My Ben¡­.¡± Viola whispered between kisses, moaning as Benjamin¡¯s fingers wandered, ¡°My Benjamin¡­¡± Benjamin grunted under Val¡¯s attention, and he decided to play catch up. Viola squeaked as Benjamin picked her up effortlessly catching her legs and guiding them to either side of his shoulders. Viola gasped loudly, and Valtrya moaned a humming exclamation that almost drove Benjamin over the edge as he guided Viola¡¯s thighs to his lips. ¡°Ben, this¡­ oooh,¡± Viola dug her fingers into his hair as he swirled and nibbled at her woman hood, teasingly slipping his tongue into her every so often. ¡°Val wa¡­ wants¡­ goddess! Wants a turn...¡± Viola barely got out between grinding moans. Ben released her and the two women switched. Val eagerly straddled Ben¡¯s face, letting out little squeaks as he teased her. Ben did the same for her that he had for Vi until he felt Vi stop her oral attention for a moment.


    Benjamin was about to ask if anything was the matter when he felt the tight familiar heat of Viola sinking his manhood deep between her thighs. Val cried out at the shared sensation, sinking down on Ben¡¯s face as her legs failed her. Benjamin swirled his tongue as deep into Val as he could, redoubling his efforts and blending the feedback loop of sensations to drive both of them to ecstasy. They were not alone. Viola¡¯s wild shudders drove Benjamin over the edge, pouring himself into her. Slowly the three calmed down and the girls slid off of Benjamin only for him to capture Val. He flipped her on her back easily, keeping his face firmly between her thighs as he refused to stop his attention.


    She found out why as Ben hardened a second time, and Val gasped in surprise as Benjamin kissed his way up her body only to drive himself deeply into her. ¡°Ben¡­. How!.. goddess!¡± Viola was already squirming with the new shares sensation, and her question was answered as Benjamin¡¯s lips finally left Valyria¡¯s body and latched onto Viola¡¯s lips, ¡°special occasion.¡± He whispered teasing her nipples with his teeth while his manhood ground deep into Val. He lasted longer this time, leaving Val a quivering contented mess by the time he finished the second time. ¡°My Ben¡­ My Ben¡­ sleepy¡­.¡± Valtrya murmured almost incoherently as Benjamin slipped from her.


    This time Ben was spent, he couldn¡¯t stand, and it took him several minutes to regain the strength to lift himself off of Val¡¯s chest, where he had collapsed. She relished his weight, gently stoking his hair until he moved again. The women pulled him into the bed between them, covering themselves with the thick blanket, and remaining motionless until morning


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    The next morning proved frigid, if not quite deadly, inside of the room. Valtrya awoke first. Her foot slipped out from the heaven that was their tightly tangled bodies under a heavy fur blanket, and her hiss of displeasure awoke the other two. Benjamin grumbled slightly before catching a deep kiss from Viola, ¡°Good morning.¡± She purred into his ear, ¡°My Benjamin¡±


    Ben smiled down at both of them, ¡°Hmm, good mornin¡¯, luvs.¡± He tightened his arms around them for a moment, ¡°I think it¡¯s best we get going, I don¡¯t know if¡±


    Three loud thumps interrupted him, and a fresh smile broadened his features at a familiar bellow ¡°DO YOU LIVE, PINKSKIN!¡± Viola¡¯s shoulders shudder in a delicate laugh as Benjamin snorted loudly in amusement ¡°I live, Jukha!


    ¡°Ha! Good! Dress yourselves and come to the lobby, the customs agent arrives shortly.¡± Jukha called through the door, before his receding footsteps faded into the background. The three of them dressed quickly in the stinging cold, bundling tightly in their winter layers before stepping out into the truly deadly cold, crystalline blue hallway. An excruciatingly slow ¡°elevator¡± ride down saw their arrival into the main lobby to be reunited with Jukha and Vilora. Beside them stood an Aquilar, its face seemed older somehow, and it was looking through a leather folder filled with papers. ¡°Morning,¡± Benjamin offered, catching a glance from who he assumed was the customs agent. The Aquilar turned back to Vilora, and began speaking. A lilting rolling sound poured from the being. Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened at the vast ranges in tones rolling out of the customs agent. A high-pitched flickering chirp settled into a low growling rumble to finish, and Valtrya returned in a similar, but diminished version of the same language. The Conversation ebbed, and Vilora turned to Benjamin, switching to The Orcish, ¡°Benjamin, Viola, Valtrya, meet Uiroliuu, commissioner of immigration for the southwestern province of the Ascendancy. He needs to verify your statuses as life-bound.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Benjamin raised an eyebrow, ¡°Mr¡­ Uh¡­ Uiroliuu¡± He winced visibly at his butchering of the name. ¡°I assume you have seen the papers?¡± Uiroliuu gave a slow nod, ¡°I have, I am aware it is signed with the Vin Monarchs own hand, but I must verify.¡± The Aquilar rumbled, drawing the paper Vilora had completed with them the previous evening, ¡°Please, your hands please.¡±


    Benjamin looked tentatively at Vilora, who nodded almost imperceptibly, before putting his hand on the parchment. Vi and Val removed their thick gloves, placing their hands alongside his. The Aquilar Uiroliuu gave a low hum for a long moment before the ornate calligraphy began to shimmer slightly before their names at the bottom began to glow. The White furred being stopped his humming, and Benjamin could see the confusion in his face as he rumbled-trilled something in his own language. ¡°Peculiar, very peculiar indeed¡± he mumbled, returning to Orcish. ¡°It has been quite some time, since I¡¯ve seen the Queen Mother¡¯s hand with my own eyes. Come.¡±


    The group followed him through a side door, and out of the ice forged inn. They arrived in a side ally, and the aged Aquilar stooped along with a barely perceptible limp. They were led through a set of windingly tight side streets until they arrived at a small wooden building, Uiroliuu produced a small key from, somewhere, reaching for the door, ¡°Customs is a largely forgotten and unglamorous duty. My apologies, my office is in desperate need of refit.¡±


    The old door, weathered in its years of service, opened with barely a creak. Inside was warmly, if modestly, furnished; and Benjamin raised an eyebrow at the decidedly seafaring decor that adorned walls and shelves. He stepped up to a small shelf eyeing a model of, ¡°a¡­ longship?¡± He mumbled, confused by the model that could have come straight out of the Fjord his uncle used to live on.


    ¡°Ah, yes. A memento from my¡­ younger days.¡± The Aquilar sighed, settling heavily upon a well-worn wooden chair behind an equally loved desk ¡°Now, to task. With the documentation you¡¯ve given, I can easily grant you entry¡­ passage to the capital, however,  is a more¡­ complex issue.¡±


    Vilora settled onto the armrest of the chair occupied by Jukha, and Uiroliuu raised an eyebrow as Benjamin stood beside a chair shared by the tightly bundled Aereseen. Vilora spoke after a moment, ¡°I recognize the¡­ unorthodox nature of our request, but our needs are paramount. Prefect Hirak must hear the news we bear.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that it is simply not possible for you to meet with him¡­ Hirak has been missing since before the pass sealed¡­ his uncle rules in his stead.. and¡± the Aquilar shrugged his shoulders.


    ¡°He is no fan of the Vin¡­¡± Jukha finished, ¡°Quiiruu never could see the difference between Vin and Fae.¡± Vilora nodded, worry creasing her features, ¡°What happened to Lord Hirak?¡±


    Uiroliuu slumped slightly, ¡°Expidition..¡± he answered, ¡°We began as a seafaring people, born of the snow, ice, and surf. Until recently, we were the dominant force upon the open waves¡± the Aquilar¡¯s voice took on a haunted tone. ¡°I fear it is no more. My ship, the Ioruulii (Dancing Surf) was the first to survive such an attack¡­ I was, however, not believed. Sent out here as penance for both my failure, and my ¡®deception¡¯ in the eyes of my commanders.¡±


    ¡°Benjamin,¡± Viola spoke up, pointing to an oddly mangled ball on a table across the room. Benjamin turned to look and froze for a second before stepping swiftly to the item. ¡°It.. Uiroliuu, what.. what is this.¡±


    ____________________________


    15 years earlier-


    ¡°Sea master, the fog is beginning to lift¡± Uiroliuu looked up from his sea rations, the young Aquilar who had reported to him was just beginning to close the brown facial fur of youth, slightly whitening around the eyes and mouth to match his heavy triple coat.. ¡°we can see the channel¡¯s mouth. Your orders?¡±


    ¡°Prepare the shore parties,¡± Sea Master Uiroliuu answered calmly. ¡°Signal the rowers, half beat only. I¡¯ll not have us haul blindly into a trap.¡± Moments later Loruulii heaved under the stroke of her rowwens. She was a small vessel compared to others, but her size was the reason for her selection. Piracy had always been an on again, off again, problem for the coastal provinces of the ascendency. Lately¡­ lately had been different. Merchant Masters spoke in hushed tones about some manor of monster lurking in the islands once thought along safe trade routes. The Council of Waves refused to believe those stories. Pirates could prove inventive in their terror, sometimes going so far as to pay merchantmen handsomely for spreading rumor and intrigue.


    Today, it was Uiroliuu¡¯s job to end that intrigue, and his vessel was the perfect tool to hunt under-equipped but cunningly quick criminals. Small, fast, and maneuverable; Loruulii could press the pass quickly, and maneuver inside the tight waters well enough to catch the fiends unaware. Yet, she was large enough to still be able to release her shore parties to capture any goods, equipment, and prisoners. His prized vessel lurched under his feet, and Uiroliuu smiled a toothy grin. He was an old man according to the customs of wind and wave, yet he still played this young man¡¯s game better than most. Loruulii surged under pressure of par and muscle. Her single square sail remained furled, unneeded in the still, misty dawn air. For half an hour, they rowed before the first of the drop off points ¡°Away raiding parties¡± he growled, listening to the splashes of his men diving for the water. Aquilar developed as powerful swimmers, and could easily bare their arms and armor while surging toward the shore with powerful strokes. Moments later, the teams were ashore, and Loruulii turned to seal the tight inlet from escape.


    Her heavy wooden shields were placed along her starboard side, thickening her armor facing the enemy, and sealing the pirates in their hole. For several minutes an erie silence rested upon the operation, until the first shouts of combat could be heard wafting throught the still soupy fog. Uiroliuu turned with a practiced calm when Hirullik, His first officer practically ran to him from his position afore. With him, came the first confusing claps of soft thunder. Uiroliuu looked to the sky, considering where a storm could be hiding in these conditions before eyeing his XO¡¯s panic¡¯d expression. ¡°Sea Master, we¡­¡± Uiroliuu¡¯s second never finished the sentence. His head simply ceased to exist. A much louder clap of thunder roared from the direction of the shore line, and whatever had killed Hirullik had blown a hole clean through a wooden shield on its way in, bouncing off the opposite bulkhead before coming to rest upon the ground at the Sea Masters feet. Uiroliuu snapped his head toward the sound, the strange round object almost forgotten. He was still wiping the gore from his face, just as a shout drew his attention anew.


    ¡°Monster!!!! Monster avast, the inlet!!¡± Came the call from the rigging. Uiroliuu spun with a growl, only to take a step back as a shape out of fever dreams of lesser Merchantmen wafted through the still thick fog. The visage of a sea serpent poured from the mist, still mostly shrouded in fog, pouring fire and brimstone from its mouth upon the shore. The Surge of fire burned the last of the fog away from the shore, giving sight to the unfolding carnage.


    Smaller lights appeared. Blinking in the darker treeline just before new tongues of flame and death ripped into his advancing raiding parties. In moments, only Loriiluu remained. Uiroliuu pulled his sight from his murdered comrads. He heard his own disembodied bellows, urging the oarsman to action. It was all too late. The monster rounded, and fresh flames engulfed his command.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    -now-


    Silence reigned inside the office for several seconds, and Benjamin slowly put down the mangled iron ball, ¡°But this¡­?¡± He asked, almost to no one in particular. His mind raced through possibilities as he stood there frozen. Uiroliuu nodded, ¡°Almost none of my crew survived. My people are born of the water and ice, and we took to it. The few of us left abandoned my vessel. I swam for days, alone; until I was retrieved by a passing merchantman. My report was laughed off, in the Salt Council¡¯s eyes I was a failure, desperate for excuses. I snuck back to the battle site month¡¯s later, found the metal ball that killed my second, but they did not care. I was¡­. Summarily Reassigned¡­. To immigration and sent to this boarder town to die in obscurity, so far away from the sea.¡± The Aquilar seemed older somehow, but he shook himself and continued, ¡°I still have friends among the waves. It was they who told me of Hirak¡¯s departure. You see, in the last few years several more exploration vessels have disappeared. One or two is expected, the sea knows her own, but over twenty in the last year is different. Worst yet, over 100 merchant vessels have been lost, and a few of those have been found. They bear the charred marks and ragged holes of what I saw that day. My contacts have begun to come to me, asking to recount the story, telling me that¡­ the few survivors speak of much the same horrors, as I.¡±


    ¡°And Hirak decided to do something about it¡­¡± Vilora interjected, but Uiroliuu shook his head, ¡°Only officially, But I suspect that Quiiruu had a heavy hand. Young Hirak leaned heavily on his Uncle during the conflict for succession.¡± Benjamin put down the heavy metal ball, which he estimated to be about 20 or so lbs. ¡°So, it appears that our mission is to fail before it begins.¡±


    Vilora hummed quietly for a moment, ¡°It appears time has changed much more than Victoria had anticipated.¡± Uiroliuu nodded sadly, ¡°Your kind have been away a long time, ambassador. I¡¯ve not seen a Vin representative since I was a junior officer at the end of the succession war.¡± Jukha rubbed his eyes, groaning deeply, ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve felt the curses¡¯ touch this deeply.¡±


    Benjamin raised an eyebrow, ¡°The curse?¡± He turned, stepping back over to the chair where Vi and Val sat. Val reached out with one hand, ¡°The curse of immortality.¡± She began, ¡°For those of us who live advanced lives, time can feel¡­ strange¡­ for those races with no natural mortality, decades, even centuries, can feel like, weeks, months¡­ time can become, fleeting. It is the price we pay for witnessing the eons, but that does not solve our problems. Without the ability to safely be seen at court¡­ we won¡¯t be able to¡­¡± she paused as Vilora raised a hand. Benjamin caught a glance between Jukha and Vilora before a heavy pounding thumped through the door. ¡°Township guard, OPEN UP!¡±

 Chapter 28

    ¡°OPEN UP!¡± The voice repeated, ¡°We are here under Standing Orders from the Lord Regent.¡±


    Benjamin stood quickly, instinctively putting himself between the door and the sisters, but an inappropriate smile tried to free itself at the tell tale mechanical clicking that betrayed the fact that Vi and Val were not, in fact, helpless. Jukha stood and stepped up to Benjamin¡¯s shoulder, drawing a slender dagger from the sleeve of his coat. Uiroliuu stood and stepped in front of them, ¡°Please, peace. I will see what is the matter.¡±  He stepped up to the door and opened it, ¡°What seems to be the problem, Chief Constable?¡±


    A massive Aquilar, larger than the average size Benjamin had seen so far, stepped into the office flanked by a second. Each wore what appeared to be a boiled leather breastplate covered in some manner of navy-blue shell or scales of some kind, but what they carried proved far more interesting.


    Each Aquilar guardsman bore a tri-tipped spear that appeared to be a perfect match to the spear the H¡¯mure necromancer threw at Benjamin. ¡°You know the rules Uiro. Standing orders are the apprehension of all Farie folk found, inside our boarders.¡± The leader of the guards leveled a sinister stare at Vilora, choosing to speak in the Aquilar tongue, ¡°And yet there she sits. You may begin explaining how you are harboring a Fae under the auspices of your station. She openly brought soldiers with her, across our boarders, and into this very town!¡±


    ¡°I am no Fae,¡± Vilora poured with a complicated aura of authority and righteous indignation, ¡°I am the ambassador and twin sister to Queen Mother Victoria Evergreen of the Vin nation. Who do I have the displeasure of dealing with?¡± Benjamin, unable to understand, watched her face twist as she hid her own smile at the Constable''s momentary flabbergasted expression. ¡°You speak our tongue, if poorly.¡± The Chief Constable, retained an arrogant sneer, ¡°I assume you have the papers to prove so? Ambassador.¡±


    Vilora nodded, and Uiroliuu retrieved the packet from his desk, ¡°It is all here Chief Constable. I recognize your.. duties will prevent you from recognizing the hand of the Queen Mother herself, but luckily I have had the appropriate comparisons here for your aid.¡± The Leader of the town guard shot a dangerous glare at Uiroliuu, ¡°You cross a line, old man. Very-well, show it to me.¡±


    The constable began looking over the paperwork, and Benjamin noticed two things. First, none off the Aquilar guardsman seemed the least bit fazed by the paperwork, and second; that four more guards appeared dragging a bound and gagged Yilarran behind them, shortly followed by equally restrained members of Vilora¡¯s lancer detachment. Benjamin locked eyes with Jukha, and the Orc shook his head almost imperceptibly.


    ¡°I see, these appear to be in order, however, they do not supersede my orders.¡± The Chief Constable grumbled, ¡°You will remain confined to your rooms or the hotel lobby until I can send for an¡­ escort¡­. To Hrisenea. You can make your introductions there.¡± With that, 4 more guards entered. One grabbed each of the sisters by the arm, and the others secured the rest of the group before marching them back to the Hotel.


    The groups was firmly, if not violently, deposited back into the hotel lobby where Yilarran was finally unbound. Her form proved to be too heavy for the upper levels, so she simply sat on the floor near their gear. Moments later, the luggage from Benjamin¡¯s room joined their gear, tossed into the pile like so much garbage, save for his rifle.


    ¡°Ex¡­ excuse me, my lord.¡± Benjamin turned to find the same Aquilar he had given a tip to standing behind him, holding his rifle gingerly in its paws, ¡°My apologies. We are under strict commands, but I wanted to return this to your hand,¡± Benjamin accepted the very gently returned rifle, ¡°It smells of alchemy and death. I was unsure of what would happen should it be treated so haphazardly.¡±


    The large white furred being started to turn away but Benjamin stopped him, ¡°Thank you. Please, sit. I would ask you some questions.¡±  The Aquilar paused, before sitting down nervously next to Benjamin, ¡°How may I be of service?¡±


    Benjamin sighed at the formality, but chose not to correct it, ¡°I know very little about your people, or the Ascendancy.¡± He waited a moment, seeing no reaction he continued, ¡°Your people, I apologize, but I cannot tell you apart, or if you are man or woman.¡±


    ¡°Ah, a common enough question for the softer races,¡± the Aquilar began before leaning in, ¡°Our Dames, and our Bulls are easy enough to tell, when you know where to look,¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow, gaining a chuckle from the mountain of fur and claw next to him, ¡°oh, nothing like that. Here, see the skin visible around my eyes and mouth. Also the underside of my paws,¡± the being showed him the pads of its clawed hands, ¡°a deep turquoise blue, yes?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yea, I can see it now.¡± Benjamin responded. The Aquilar nodded, ¡°I, am a dame, a¡­ woman, in your parlance. Now, look over at the chief constable, see the skin about his paw pads, eyes and mouth, a much darker, almost black. He is a bull.¡± Benjamin looked over the chief constable for a few moments, then responded, ¡°I see, thank you, miss?¡±


    ¡°Niuroii, daughter of the inkeeper here. I must go, father does not wish me to cost him money by not working.¡± Niuroii whispered but Benjamin halted her, ¡°then earn coin, here.¡± He pulled a bit of golden metal from his pack, more left overs from The rings he forged for his mates, ¡°can you keep a secret?¡± Niurroii nodded tentatively, then barely contained an exclamation of surprise when Benjamin¡¯s eyes began to glow, and the bulk gold turned to a molten puddle in his hand. It stayed like that for several seconds before turning into a perfect small trapezoidal ingot in his hand.


    Niuroii took the offered payment, feeling it over with her paws before biting it gingerly. ¡°You are blessed of Heliri¡±. Benjamin raised an eyebrow, and she bowed slightly, ¡°My apologies, The Orcs call her Suelin.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Benjamin answered, ¡°something like that. My next question. What is so important that we must be escorted from her to this¡­ Hrisenea.¡± Niuroii winced at the name, ¡°They send you to the capital? If so, it is to ensure your arrival. The Lord Regent has become¡­ paranoid, as of late. Pappa will not answer me why, but the capital is not as safe as it¡­¡± a rolling trilling tone boiled from across the room and Niuroii responded quickly with an answer in their tongue before returning to meet Ben¡¯s gaze, ¡°I must go,¡± Benjamin nodded, sitting back in his chair as she departed.  He was soon joined by Vi and Val, and the three organized their pile of luggage just in time for Nuiroii to return with three steaming flaggans, ¡°here, take. My father wishes you to be warm before you depart¡± Benjamin¡¯s confused look drew her attention, ¡°Not all of us have forgotten our friends.¡±


    Mid-day saw over two dozen more armored Aquilar, shifting the numbers drastically against committing to any real escape. ¡°It is time,¡± the Chief Constable grumbled, ¡°Get in your wagons, You will depart within the hour.¡± The group began packing their wagons, and the Aquilar guards did not return the Lancer¡¯s weapons to them until just before departing. Benjamin knew that his women were armed, but their armor remained packed away for fear of causing a stir should a pair of healthy Aereseen openly put on full battle -rattle on while tensions were still high. Benjamin let the girls get into the wagon first, closing the flaps to give them the privacy to get everything on without attracting to much attention. He could see the last of the Vin guard being released, and Yilarran was returned her swords.


    Benjamin turned on the sisters when a heavy paw tapped him on the shoulder, ¡°My Lord,¡± a heavy voice began, Benjamin turned to find the owner of the Inn, followed by his daughter, standing next to him, ¡°I cannot accept this.¡± He offered the gold ingot back to Ben. ¡°It is entirely too generous, and even if I could¡­ There is no way for me to spend this easily. My people are¡­ strict¡­ on our currency, and that of others¡­ it would cost me a considerable amount to have this converted into legal tenure.¡±


    Benjamin kicked himself, not considering any of those facts remotely, ¡°My apologies, I¡­¡± then he paused, no one was paying him any attention, ¡°Show me a gold coin, one of your peoples ¡®legal tenure¡¯.¡± The aging Aquilar gave him a confused look before producing a rectangular gold chit with rounded edges and the sidule incorporating a strange tentacled creature holding a pair of tridents pressed into its face. Benjamin took the chit, turning it over in hi hands. It was light, maybe a quarter ounce. ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered, before taking the ingot and covering it with both hands. The barest grunt of surprise escaped the older white-furred man when he saw Benjamin¡¯s eyes begin to glow, but Ben worked quickly, so as not to be noticed. In a moment, it was over, and he discretely returned 8 pieces of chit identical to the one he had been shown.


    ¡°I told you pappa¡­¡± Niuroii whispered. and the older man looked at Benjamin in shock, ¡°An albino, and blessed. I¡¯ve not seen such things in my lifetime.¡± Benjamin just smiled, leaning in, ¡°We do not forget our friends either.¡± He whispered, repeating Niuroii¡¯s words to him back to her father. ¡°I trust these will pass muster?¡± The older Aquilar man looked over each piece, noting the detail and the pre worn detail around their edges that seemed to aid to their provenance, ¡°Aye, they will. Heliri go with you, My lord.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Just, Benjamin. I own no title.¡± Benjamin responded, ¡°But I accept your words as intended, You as well my friend.¡± A loud bellow punctuated the conversation as the guard, leading the convoy, roared his command, swinging his trident over his head in the circular universal sign of departure. Benjamin stepped up into the driver bench next to Jukha, settling his rifle across his lap, ¡°You girls good back there?¡± He called. ¡°We are,¡± Viola¡¯s voice responded, and Jukha urged the vaguely oxen beasts forward. The first several miles were tense, and Benjamin was certain that something ¡°unfortunate¡± was meant to happen to them upon passing the outskirts of the small border town. He did not begin to relax until the first weeks of travel passed without incident. It became obvious that they were¡­ less than free to take their own route. The Aquilar guardsmen and women, Benjamin noticed, were taking a very public preplanned route that kept them on major thoroughfares, but avoided all but the bare minimum required municipal areas.


    It was obvious that we were meant to be ushered to the capital without the populace at large noticing ¡°Farie¡¯s among them¡±, yet Benjamin mulled over what Niuloii had told him. It became clear that Queen Victoria¡¯s information was sorely out of date, and Benjamin quietly began planning for the worst. He was missing a forge, and while he technically did not need one, he still needed the energy it represented inside the system. While it was true that he could create many things with a thought, it was also true that certain Universal constants remained unbreakable. To work metal, he needed heat, and therefore energy.


    Metals like lead, he could melt by discreetly drawing energy from nearby sources. A fireplace, a lit lantern, or several lit lanterns, even the surrounding air as long as he did not drop the overall temperature to noticeably, but to work steel¡­ to temper springs, to forge weld and destress metal required exorbitant amounts of energy that remained elusive during the journey. So he focused on small items that needed little energy to manipulate. He fabricated discrete lenses from the overhead water vapor during the day to heat small batches of zinc and copper to produce small quantities of brass, then form it into more cartridges. It was a tedious process, the amount of energy he could collect was still small compared to a forge, but he discovered that he could store the energy, isolating it from the rest of nature until he had enough. ¡®Hmm neither created nor destroyed, but storable¡­ interesting¡¯.  Producing gunpowder, even smokeless powder proved to be easier. The energy present in an evening¡¯s fire proved enough to activate the chemical processes, and the components were largely available at his fingertips through the earth¡¯s bounty.


    Valtrya revealed another skill she had learned, fashioning ammunition pouches to store the extra cartridges that Benjamin was making, fitting the leather flapped pockets to their pistol belts. They could now fully replenish their cartridge loops with unspent cartridges from their pouches one time before truly being out of ammunition. It would help, but Benjamin still feared that close-quarters combat would still be the order of combat, at least¡­ unless¡­


    ___________________________________________________


    The monotony of the forced travel proved to be a blessing in its own right. Days were spent collecting energy to use in the evenings. The benefit of his machinations was that the Wagon remained comfortably warm, allowing Him, Vi and Val a modicum of privacy instead of being forced to huddle by the fire. His decision to make them this existences version of his bride awakened a curiosity for them. They asked about his world, his family, his life before, and he told them. It helped, at least he hoped, and he told them about his kid sister, his father, and the classic car shop. He had to pause his stories to describe what a ¡°muscle car¡± was. He leaned on them, they anchored him. He knew that, and it made what Sol had revealed to him all the more terrifying.


    Then, there was the cold¡­ the biting, stinging, unconscionably frigid cold. It was supposed to be springtime, but the further they traveled, the colder it got. It became abundantly clear that part of the decision to take the larger roads was because of the lack of maintenance on smaller streets. ¡®We must be traveling further north than I thought.¡¯ Benjamin would glance up at the sky, watching the path of the sun shift in the passing days, confirming his suspicions. Over a month passed in this manor, and the end of their travels was punctuated by the rising of a massive ice wall that seemed to grow out of the horizon at their fore. Soon after, Benjamin caught a tint of a taste on the wind. It appeared as almost an imagined memory, that soon blossomed into the salty breeze that stirred flashbacks of his trips to the Fjord where his father¡¯s family retained their ancestral home. The escorted caravan crested the hill to behold an Ice fortress citadel perched on the edge of a sprawling bay. Most of the snowbanks ended closer to the gravel shoreline, no doubt kept at bay from the increased salt content of the crashing waves. The closer the caravan drew, the taller the wall became, and Benjamin was left in wondered and confusion as to why or how a civilization in the Iron Age would choose to use ice as a fortress material.


    The Aquilar guard at the head of the caravan raised a hand, ¡°Halt!¡± he ordered before stepping up to his counterpart for this citadel¡¯s entrance. Low rolling rumbling tones were exchanged before this new guard, wearing heraldry of a significantly more ornate bent than the ones worn by their escorts, narrowed his gaze before nodding curtly and calling to his compatriots.


    The changing of the guards felt remarkably more akin to a prisoner transfer than the arrival of a visiting dignitary, and the Caravan was hushedly rushed through the city streets until it reached an inner wall with a black iron gate as its singular entrance. The hooves of their beasts of burden clacked against the cobble stonework as they stopped in front of an imposing Ice forged castle. ¡°Out! Everyone! Surrender any and all weapons to the Armory Sergeant inside the door to the right. Any exceptions will be met with summary Execution. That includes you, Elf! This is your only warning!¡± the Aquilar wearing gold trimmed armor and a sigil¡¯d helmet bellowed. The statement caused benjamin to quickly unload his rifle, stowing the cartridges in their luggage, but he was unable to get to Vi or Val to have them do the same before they were corralled out of their caravan and up to a long flat wooden counter-top. Behind it stood a Grizzled old Aquilar male, his face bore a wide, wickedly jagged black scar that bisected his left eye, a ghostly white cataract covered his left eye, and his smile betrayed just how deep the blow must have been as the upper and lower gum lines bore the tell tale signs of a cleaving blow that measured a hair''s breadth from fatality. The gold gilded guardsman spoke Aquilar to the Grizzled veteran before the scarred Sergeant turned his piercing, if singular gaze to Benjamin and the group, ¡°You Heard¡¯em. Surrender your weapons onto the counter, I¡¯ll be giving you a rack number for each item on parchment for you to recover your kit upon your departure, nothing bigger than a 2-inch knife is allowed to go through, no exceptions.¡±


    Jukha and Vilora started first. Jukha surrendered his hunting bow, and a pair of large curved knives that served as both his personal protection, and his skinning tools. Vilora remained, as ever, unarmed in a conventional since, but the Grizzled Aquilar still eyed her up with a sinister expression, ¡°Don¡¯t you be playing any of your tricks. You would forfeit the lives of your¡­ comrades if you chose to become troublesome¡­ Farie.¡± Vilora simply gave a slight bow of understanding, and soon it was Benjamin¡¯s turn. His armor was still in his luggage, but he laid his empty rifle down on the counter. He followed by unclipping his Saber, laying it next to the rifle, followed by his cartridge belt, with the Bayonet, empty pistol in holster, and pouches. He folded the leather wear on top and gave the aged warrior as strong a stare as he could muster, ¡°Do not get any ideas.¡± He half growled in Orcish, but the Older man obviously didn¡¯t scare easily, ¡°A serious face for one so young. Don¡¯t worry those pretty little Eyes, Albino. You¡¯ll have your kit returned to you. Now, let¡¯s get these logged¡­¡± Benjamin put a hand on the pile, interrupting the Aquilar, ¡°We, aren¡¯t finished.¡± He answered, stepping back as Vi and Val took his place at the counter. Benjamin found himself gaining a perverse sense of satisfaction at the expression of the Amory Sargeant as Val set her shield, spear, and Stiletto dagger upon the counter, followed by her own pistol belt.


    Benjamin paused Val a moment, ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t have time to give you a heads up. Unload, and show clear.¡± He explained to Val, who only nodded in quick understanding, before deftly removing the cartridges from her sidearm placing them in her newly created cartridge pouch and turning the entire belt in. Vi was next, turning in her spiked buckler, and rapier, before unloading her own pistol and placing it back in its holster before turning in the entire belt as well. It was obvious that the Sargeant was¡­ torn¡­ between a heavy sense of dread at just how heavily armed and armored a pair of Aereesen women proved to be, How he managed to miss it, and the gnawing intrigue of seeing new and strange weapons he had never beheld before.


    Lastly was Yilarran. The Vin Lancers had stayed behind to secure their luggage, but the Titan of an Elf was Vilora¡¯s personal bodyguard. Even with that title, she was forced to surrender all four of her broadswords, as well as a boot dagger Benjamin never realized was there, and four sets of brass knuckle daggers.


    The Armorer carefully stowed everything in individual weapons racks, but it was obvious that the pistols, and Ben¡¯s rifle held particular interest to him. Benjamin could only sigh, giving the older warrior a final warning glare before the group received their armory log receipts, and were ushered down the Ice, stone, wood, and gold-gilded hallways of the Castle. Benjamin found himself reaching out, brushing his fingertips along the frigid ice blocks while discretely channeling his Majik. What he found, surprised him. ¡°Pykrete?¡± he mumbled, sensing the large quantities of sawdust mixed roughly, but efficiently into the frozen foundations and structural pillars of the castle. The revelation was a jolting reminder of how much a Paradox of this existence was compared to the Earth he grew up in. ¡°Ben?¡± Val asked, having heard his mumble, ¡°Another ¡®english¡¯ word, what bothers you?¡±


    Ben thought a moment as they arrived at a set of ornate doors that measured the width of the central hall they had just traversed, ¡°Just discovering, nothing is the matter¡­ yet at least. Keep close, I have no idea what is about to happen, and I don¡¯t think we can fight our way out of this one¡­ not unscathed anyway.¡± A loud pointed cough from Vilora ended their conversation just as the doors began to open. An attendee on the other side of the door bellowed something in their native tongue.


    ¡°Welcome to The Hirakan Ascendency,¡± the ornately, almost gaudily, dressed Aquilar spoke in his native tongue stood. He stepped down from the chair next to the throne he was residing in, walking regally towards the group before taking Vilora¡¯s hand and kissing it, ¡°You are most gracious, Lord Regent Quiiruu.¡± She responded with a formal curtsy of her own. ¡°With the¡­ firmness of the response to our arrival, I was truly worried for our reception at court.¡±


    The Lord Regent seemed to puff just a bit at Vilora¡¯s response, and Benjamin began feeling decidedly greasy in his presence. Something about this man scrawled under his skin, and made him want to be anywhere else despite the velvet dripping from his language that Benjamin still could not understand. Their opening conversation meandered  a moment before the ¡°Lord Regent¡± turned to Benjamin, flanked by his Aereseen women. To the utter lack of surprise of everyone in the room, The Aquilar¡¯s orcish dripped with the same greasy Velvet as his native language, ¡°Ah, You must be Benjamin, It is rare to see an Albino of your species. Rarer still to find one who has tamed the hearts of two Aereseen in their full capacity.¡± Benjamin raised an eyebrow in surprised, his words failing him as this man knew both his name, but at least a few aspects of the events that led him to this moment. ¡°I¡­¡± he began before falling silent as the Lord Regent laughed, ¡°You made quite a splash when you defeated Master Korgan. I can see now, why you did it. The specimens you acquired have blossomed into true beauty.¡± He turned, and to Benjamin¡¯s surprise, the Lord Regen kissed each of his women¡¯s hands in turn before returning to Vilora. He seemed to treat both Jukha and Yilarran as her bodyguards, and therefore invisible, but he chose to continue to speak in Orcish. ¡°Now, you mentioned the¡­ expediency¡­ of your quest¡­ I fear that¡­¡± Benjamin settled into ¡°Parade rest¡± from his basic training days, recognizing that this Regent was going to neither expedite his conversation nor offer seating to the mere¡­ ¡°entourage¡±

 Chapter 29

    Salt¡­ stiff breeze¡­. The soft grumbling of wave against shore¡­


    The frigid early morning air seared his lungs, but Benjamin couldn¡¯t care less. He allowed his senses to be assailed by sensations he believed lost to him forever. It awakened a side of him buried deep in the blood of his father¡¯s side of the family.


    The Scaife family, under Benjamin¡¯s great-grandfather, were relatively late to immigrate to the United States. Bjorne Scaife had brought his family over in the closing years of the 19th century. His plan had been to travel west, but the universal constant, Murphy, had other plans. He found himself ill, unable to make the trip, destitute, and desperate for work.


    He survived his illness, and took to the one thing he knew better than most, the sea. He spent the next decade plying his skills on coasts and coves as a deckhand on fishing trawlers, saving and scrounging until he purchased a vessel of his own. He was one of the last fishermen on the east coast to ply his trade under sail, but his family was able to live relatively comfortably. The vessel''s name was lost to history, but it resurrected a tradition that endured.


    Benjamin took a second deep breath of salty air from his place atop the Pycrete ramparts, remembering the beginning of his 14th summer, stepping off the airliner onto the tarmac at Bergen Lufthavn airport. He had been terrified, only told that he was to meet ¡°family¡±. Family he had met, and a long, grueling, and exciting adventure in ¡°the old country¡± began.


    For the next 4 summers, Benjamin would repeat the journey to his family''s ancestral home in the Fjords of Norway, learning the old tongue, commercial fishing during the week, then climbing the mountains, and generally getting into mischief with relatives and friends on the weekend. This period in his life also introduced him to the one hobby that almost took him on another path, sailing. He spent two summers helping his cousins build a 60-foot traditional longship as part of a traditional sailing club. He spent his final 2 summers sailing her with them. That experience sparked his love of engineering, even if his Nautical infatuations ultimately fell second place to a decidedly more¡­ American¡­ outlet.


    ¡°Benjamin?¡± Val¡¯s voice pulled him from his thoughts, ¡°It is time¡±. Benjamin smothered a laugh at her comically overdressed visage, ¡°Yes, but time for what.¡± Val wrinkled her nose at the statement. The ¡®Lord Regent¡¯ was the quintessential politician, ever bloviating whilst saying very little. It had become obvious that their¡­. Sequestered¡­ trip to the Ascendancy¡¯s capital of Hrisenea was a failure in one regard. Absolutely everyone seemed to know that the Queen Mother of the Vin had reached out to the Ascendancy once more, seemingly just as their search for their Monarch reached the edges of desperation.


    The Lord Regent played his part well, but Quiiruu¡¯s entourage proved to of a lesser acting acumen. Benjamin noticed the discreet glares, and almost imperceptible whispers that betrayed both their displeasure and unease at the new dynamic at court. So, the dance commenced. Over the last month, a mind-numbing charade of platitudes, and counter platitudes wrapped in the thin veneer of the velvet prison inside the walls of the Pykrete castle.


    Today, was its own paradoxical situation. Benjamin was simultaneously terrified to have dragged the two women he loved into this new danger¡­ and positively ecstatic to be released from their suffocating confinement inside the hybrid ice and sawdust parapets. His thoughts drew to a close as the two rounded the final corner to the same armory counter where they first were forced to surrender their weapons.


    Jukha, Vilora, Yilarran, and Viola were already retrieving their equipment, but something felt off.. Benjamin noticed that the grizzled old armorer was no longer there, replaced by an almost catatonically terrified, and much younger Aquilar. Benjamin turned in his rack number, and watched as this new armorer looked up at him in terror before walking over to where his rifle was placed. The Aquilar picked the long gun up, holding it outstretched away from him as he walked it to Benjamin.


    ¡®Oh for fucks sake¡¯ he glared at the Aquilar before inspecting his weapon. The weapon was immaculately cleaned, without a spot of rust on it¡­ and that was the problem¡­ Benjamin had not been given time to properly clean his weapon upon arrival. So, while he had kept the metal protected during the journey, the rifle was placed in the rack much dirtier than it was returned to him.


    ¡°Is he at least alive?¡± Ben asked, but this new Armory Sargent simply stayed silent. Looking at him with a mixture of awe, and terror. Several seconds passed until Benjamin realized that both the old, grizzled armorer was most likely dead, and that he was not going to get any admissions from this armorer or anyone else.


    He gave up, and the group was ushered into their wagons and ¡°escorted¡± down to the harbor. Familiar scents of butchered and drying fish mixed with pit, tar, and lumber of the mass of traditionally rigged sailing vessels. Their small convoy trundled through the mass of men and merchandise until they halted in front of the largest vessel moored to the docks.


    ¡®Oh boy, a galley.¡¯ Benjamin mused. The vessel measured roughly 80 feet long, by his estimation, and appeared to have at least two decks. For all Benjamin¡¯s estimation, it looked like a Viking longship, mixed with a Mediterranean galley stretched to its absolute limit of development. Looking up at the rigging, Benjamin realized, to his mild surprise, that the ship was Lanteen rigged instead of square-rigged. Its singular titanic triangular sail flapped lazily in the breeze as crewmen fussed and tinkered with it, no doubt checking last-minute repairs and performing final inspections.


    ¡°This is where we must leave you.¡± Benjamin turned at the sound of Vilora¡¯s voice, and a lead weight sank in his gut. ¡°It is a great risk, but something deeper is happening here, I can feel it, and Victoria agrees. I must remain,¡± Benjamin took a quick step forward, ¡°I don¡¯t understand. You are the only one capable of understanding my¡­. Physiology¡­ this is reckless.¡±


    Vilora took his hand, ¡°it cannot be helped.¡± She waved over one of the Vin lancers, ¡°This is Veiran, she can be trusted.¡± Benjamin eyed her with suspicion, and she seemed to shrink under his gaze until he softened it. ¡°I have taught her what I know of you, she will be accompanied by Vailin.¡±


    The captain of the guard stepped up next to Veiran, ¡°It¡¯s an Honor, Benjamin.¡± She gave a quick bow before shifting to stand at a relaxed readiness that Ben had come to expect from the captain of Victoria¡¯s lancer Corp.


    Benjamin pinched the bridge of his nose, ¡°I still think I would be more co¡­.¡±


    ¡°Quit yer gill flapping and come aboard!¡± A new bellow in rough orcish roared from the ship behind them, ¡°If, yee make me miss the tide, I¡¯ll have yer Hide for a keel scrub!¡± Benjamin turned to the speaker. The Aquilar stepping down the boarding ramp wore a boiled leather breastplate that showed heavy signs of repaired damage. A broad iron scimitar rode at his right hip, denoting him as a left-handed swordsman. He was missing a large portion of fur on the right side of his face. It was an odd site, and Benjamin wondered at the reason he did not simply have himself healed. ¡®The Armorer we met when we arrived bore his own injuries¡¯ he remembered, watching the taller Aquilar approach the group.


    ¡°SO,¡± he huffed, ¡°Two concubines, a couple o¡¯ lancers, and an Albino,¡± he took a long inhale, ¡°all landlubbers by the.. no.. all but one of yee, by the smell of ya.¡± He leaned in to Benjamin, ¡°I smell the touch of the ocean on yee,¡± a massive paw napped out, capturing Benjamin¡¯s hand in a vice like grip before the Being¡¯s other paw slapped him on the palm of the captured hand, ¡°Aye, its faint though. Salt mixed with Fire. Welcome, Albino. I¡¯ll be Your guardian for this little expedition. Captain Olioorin, Master of the warship Ruuiigriloo¡± he released Benjamin¡¯s hand and clipped a short bow, ¡°Captain, or Skipper will do whilst on deck, mind yee. Now, ABOARD!! We¡¯ve a tide to catch!¡±Stolen story; please report.


    Goodbyes rushed by, and the heavily truncated party boarded the longship, carrying their kit. A quick gasp by Valtrya alerted Benjamin to final surprise. The beasts of burden bellowed in surprised pain as several Aquilar butchered them alive, on the spot, slashing their throats with long knives to bleed them out before quartering them upon the dock themselves. The quarters were this deftly wrapped in parchment and hefted up the ramp and down through the main hatch of the vessel.


    ¡°Extra mouths,¡± Captain Olioorin rumbled from behind them. Benjamin, Viola and Valtrya turned to see him eyeing them up. He turned and barked a command in the Aquilar tongue. Lines were loosed, and boat hooks flashed as the galley was pushed away from the dock. No sooner had the boat swung her head toward the open ocean, than a second order resounded. A new clattering betrayed the deploying of oars, and the steady thumping of drums echoed as the ship made way under oars alone.


    Benjamin watched in fascination and leaned up against the railing. The steady pulses of thrust from the oars carried the galley out past the wind shadow of land. Again, orders in the rolling Aquilar tongue had the oars stowed, and the massive Lanteen canvas billowing in the freshening breeze. The sheets and halyards were manned, turning the flapping overhead yards into a hardened triangular shape. Benjamin had another answer provided as a massive leeboard pair of Leeboards were hauled out of the main hatch and mounted to the outer hull with heavy iron furnishings¡­ the board to leeward was dipped into the water, and a heading change was called. The longship heeled significantly to the change in wind pressure, but the deployed leeboard did its job. Soon, Ruuiigriloo¡¯s bow wave boiled in the slow rolling waves coming into the bay from the open ocean.


    Seemingly content with the state of things, Captain Olioorin lumbered up the where Benjamin and the sisters were still observing. ¡°So, a pair of healthy Aereseen, and from outside of the Ascendency. You must enjoy living dangerously, and Life Bound to you, an impressive feat.¡± He glanced around a moment, ¡°Well, if Yee aren¡¯t here for the usual services of your kind, what exactly are Yee good for.¡± Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened as the Captain spoke loudly enough for the crew to hear, ¡°This vessel bears only salts, and warriors..¡± he shouted, ¡°with the occasional whore for good company.¡± He turned to Viola, ¡°So, little lady, which one are.. ooof!¡± Olioorin stumbled three full steps back as Viola drove the pommel of her rapier into his chest, just below his rib cage.


    The blow drove him to the middle of the relatively open main deck, and Viola followed him out, shedding her heavy overcoat to reveal her pristine armored breastplate and gleaming shield arm. ¡°Come and find out¡± she hissed, pulling her buckler from her belt before drawing her rapier fully. ¡°Viola.. I don..¡± Benjamin began but Val stopped him with a firm hand on his arm, ¡°My Ben, wait¡­ look.¡± Benjamin paused and watched as the crew took notice. Ceasing what they were doing to watch with excitedly hungry gazes, ¡°we must do this,¡± she whispered to Benjamin before shedding her own coat and pulling her shield and spear from where she had concealed it in her luggage.


    ¡°Oh, the pair of you wish to play the Warrior,¡± the Captain growled, turning toward Benjamin, ¡°You¡¯re women play a dangerous charade, care to reel them in before it gets ugly?¡± Benjamin¡¯s fury vanished in a completely inappropriate guffa. ¡°You fucked around, skipper. I¡¯m not gonna save you from finding out.¡± Benjamin shouted back, forcing himself to push a face of complete confidence. He made a show of walking over to the mainmast, and casually leaning on the massive spar casually, ¡°Leave enough for the healers to fix up, will ya girls?¡± He spoke loudly enough for the crew to hear, and a roar of laughter from the observers. Val gave him an approving smirk before turning her attention back to the captain.


    ¡°Ha! Very well then, Shall I take both of you then!?!¡± Olioorin growled, but to his surprise, Viola and Valtrya looked at each other. No words were spoken, but Val nodded, and stepped to the side, resting her shield on the ground in a very ¡°alright then¡± expression on her face. Olioorin gave a toothy smile, ¡°Very well, SHOW ME!¡± He bellowed, and drew his scimitar.


    The Aquilar raised his heavy iron blade in a possible approximation of a two-handed Falcone guard, but his eyes narrowed as Viola bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, despite being significantly more heavily armored than himself. She took a couple of slashing swings with her sword to set the grip of her gauntlet into the handle of her rapier. She did not bother with her helmet, to Benjamin¡¯s preeminent displeasure, ceased her bouncing, and blatantly strutted toward the Aquilar Captain.


    Olioorin proved himself to be no fool, quickly changing his stance to a left-handed mid guard, and he ripped a round wooden shield from its place on its storage hooks before charging straight at Viola with a roaring bellow. The charge ended Viola¡¯s approach, being forced to parry a heavy overhead blow from the scimitar with her shield arm. The blow appeared to send her pinwheeling, but Benjamin grinned fiercely as she used the blows own momentum to spin out of measure only to dart back in. Her ornate blade flashed in a triplicate of blows. The first two added to the inertia of the captains swing, driving his shield to the side, and Olioorin took a second swing the Viola slipped deftly under before her final strike connected.. she had timed her final strike with the captains second swing, and her blade slipped past his guard, driving almost a foot through his shoulder before he twisted the blade to break any suction, with drawing it before dancing out of the way of a wild swipe of Olioorin¡¯s shield.


    The Aquilar captain roared in pain, and responded with a series of arching cuts of his own. He was much taller than Viola, and used his reach and his stride to force her to give ground. Benjamin saw it a split second two late as the Aquilar set the strap by lowering his shield guard slightly, and Viola lunged only to be hammered in the chest by a powerful sweeping kick. Val stifled a yelp, trying desperately to stay upright as Viola tumbled hard before standing again with a slight wobble. Benjamin''s eyes widened, catching Viola¡¯s enraged expression moments before she charged Olioorin at a full sprint. It became the Aquilar¡¯s turn to give ground to as flurry of quick stabs and precise slashes drove him backward, and Benjamin saw it again.. that small droop in his shield arm, and again he saw Viola pounce.


    This time was different however, and he watched Viola bind Olioorin¡¯s blade in her own. The Aquilar leaned into the bind, ready to easily overpower the smaller Aereseen, right up until she used his strength against him. She released her pressure on the bind and slipping both blades over her head before spinning on her feet. Her heavily armored hand snapped out as she completed the pirouette and her spiked buckler slammed into the side of Olioorin¡¯s face. Fresh Aquilar blood splattered on the both of them but Olioorin found him self on his back with and an enraged Aereseen atop him with her blade to his throat.


    Viola leaned in and Olioorin¡¯s eyes widened when her teeth parted and her fangs slipped from her gumline and began dripping venom. Olioorin froze at the very real threat of an agonizing death, and the two stared at each other for a long moment ¡°Do.. I¡­ pass¡­ your¡­ goddess fucking¡­ test..¡± Viola hissed down at him. She held him there another half a second before pushing herself up indignantly and taking three steps back. She didn¡¯t bother to retract her fangs, drawing several panicked exclamations, and readied herself for a second bout.


    Olioorin stood slowly, eyeing his opponent with blood pouring from the gash to the side of his face, as well as beginning to soak through his fur on his shoulder, ¡°Aye, I see it is no part that you play. You have taken life,¡± with that, a smile slowly spread across his face, ¡°WELL DONE, now join us, welcome as warriors!¡±


    A chorus of rousing shouts erupted, and the crew cheered a moment before returning to their duties. Two or three crewman, one a healer, rushed to the Captains side as Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya walked over to him confused.


    ¡°No, Priurrin, she did not bite me, but I suspect it was a near thing.. patch me up in my quarters, but leave the scars. It has given with honor, and shall be worn as such.¡± Olioorin patted the healer on the shoulder and turned to Benjamin, ¡°The Three of you will accompany me. Stow your gear, then we shall dine and talk of the voyage ahead.¡± Benjamin looked over to Viola, who was only now retracting her fangs while panting heavily. Valtrya was gently stroking her sisters arm while the three of them dropped their gear into the cramped quarters they were to share. It was little more than a small cot room with three hammocks, and they found the rest of their supplies and personal effects piled on the floor in the corner. Val left her shield but retained her dagger, knuckle dusters, and pistol. Viola simply sheathed her sword and clipped her bucker back to her belt. Benjamin left his rifle in the room, but retained his saber and pistol. He felt exposed, uncertain as to ¡®what the hell is really going on.¡¯


    So the three of them reached the captain¡¯s quarters, and a singular guard/orderly was waiting to open the door for them. Captain Olioorin sat in a modest but comfortable chair, being attended to by his healer, ¡°Come, sit. I shall be with you shortly.¡± The change in tone was almost bipolar, throwing Benjamin further into suspicion. The three sat at a long table that showed several stains soaked into the wood gains, most of them appeared to be some form of blood or bodily fluid. ¡°Thank you Priurrin, send in dinner then take the night off.¡± Captain Olioorin stood, dragging his chair to the head of the table. Priurrin departed only to be swiftly replaced by another Aquilar crewman bearing a white cloth and cutlery. Soon the table was set, and yet a third crewman appeared with various cuts of fish, oysters, and a few terrestrial vegetables and starches. ¡°I hope you like seafood.¡± The captain mused as they all settled in. Benjamin reached for nothing, Viola and Valtrya following his lead. After a moment, Captain Olioorin sighed, ¡°Forgive me, I should have known you would not understand.¡± He began putting down his own food, eyeing Benjamin with an intensity, ¡°You may be the calmest iron blood to ever walk this dirt, or to sail the salts.¡± He said at last, to the gasping of Both Vi and Val, but Olioorin continued. ¡°Understand me, Benjamin. My Lord Regent passed on many such tidbits to me before your arrival. In all frankness, he wants you¡­ disposed of¡­ before you become lucky enough to find Lord Hirak, or discover his fate.¡± Benjamin sat back, boring into Olioorin with a deadly gaze. To his credit, the captain did not flinch, and continued still, ¡°Fortunately for you, there are many of us who still hold their loyalty to the Hirakan line, and more importantly to their brothers in arms. Know me when I tell you this, young Benjamin, It is by no mistake that I am your captain for this voyage. Uiroliuu sends his compliments¡­¡±

 Chapter 30

    ¡°Uiroliuu sends his complements¡±


    The room fell into a long tense silence, and Benjamin was acutely aware of the Vilora¡¯s and Jukha¡¯s absence. He found his left hand slowly drifting down toward his pistol belt, barely able to halt the reaction screaming through his body ¡®Uiroliuu, the customs agent?¡¯. The captain held his gaze until Benjamin very slowly forced his hand back to his plate, one tightly coiled muscle at a time. ¡°To answer your¡­ undeniable questions. I was Uiroliuu¡¯s youngest junior officer¡­. He and I were standing mere feet apart when his second was killed. We saw all the same things, heard the same screams, smelled the same horrors.¡± Olioorin slowly parted his tunic, revealing a deep scar that still refused to grow hair. ¡°We bear many of the same scars.¡±


    Benjamin finally found his voice, ¡°But the rest, how do you know about my¡­ There is no way the Queen Mother would have revealed that to the ¡®Lord Regent¡¯.¡± Olioorin stabbed a morstle from his own plate. ¡°You were watched, in Medina¡¯s Pass. You were attacked. I do not know the details, but I was told to check your neck for a red wound only a H¡¯mure could have. Luckily for you. Uiroliuu has conversed with the Queen mother. She left him a personal letter describing the situation, and due to your¡­. Careful¡­ transport to the capital. His correspondence reached me before you did. It was a near thing. I will not claim to understand how you can bleed crimson, yet not be of that abominable race, but I trust the Sea Master with my life.¡±


    ¡°If the Lord Regent told you about the attack then he had scouts in the pass¡­ He knew about the Necromancer.¡± Viola spoke for the first time, finally beginning to eat her food, but Benjamin raised an eyebrow at Olioorins reaction, ¡°A Necromancer? There have not been any recorded Necromancers since¡­.¡± Benjamin sighed, ¡°Our attacker was H¡¯mure¡­ If the Regent knew about him¡­.¡±. Olioorin let out a trilling whistle, ¡°I was not told. This news is¡­ disturbing.¡± He set his food down and leaned back in his chair, ¡°This, changes things¡­ If the Lord Regent knew about the abomination roaming the pass, it sets a sinister gale against our voyage.¡±  Benjamin felt a deep unsettling darkness sink deep into his gut, and he stared down at his largely untouched food, ¡°My Ben¡± Valtrya laid a hand on his arm, but Benjamin only shook himself and smiled down her, ¡°I¡¯m ok, but this is not the news I was expecting.¡±


    The Aquilar captain sucked in a huge breath of air, ¡°A problem for tomorrow. Eat! Before it gets cold, and tell me of your journey. Let us trade tall tales and fairer memories this evening.¡±  With that, their conversation meandered into other topics. Viola described their meeting, and the fight with their former master, and Valtrya tried not to giggle at how uncomfortable Ben became during the story. Olioorin responded in kind, speaking of his command, where they were headed, and what sailing the wide archipelago that stretched out from the shore of the mainland truly entailed. Soon the food was consumed, and drinks were offered. The table was cleared and the 4 retired to a set of simple but comfortable furniture residing next to the stern windows of Olioorin¡¯s vessel.


    Benjamin sat near one of the windows, noticing an almost exact duplicate of their vessel in a small model bolted onto its sill, ¡°It is beginning to make sense to me. Your people spend so much time in sheltered waters, it makes sense for you to retain the Longship design for your vessels.¡± He paused as he noticed a small detail. His eyes narrowed as he recognized an almost exact duplicate of a Roman Ballista mounted to the bow deck of the model. ¡°Captain, Uiroliuu had an iron ball in his possession¡­ one he claimed that He discovered diving on the wreck of his vessel. Tell me, what are your vessels ship-to-ship defenses.¡±


    Olioorin raised a bushy eyebrow, ¡°Very little. Our battle doctrine has us close under fire of Harpoon Gun and crossbow until we board the other vessel, or they board us. It is exceedingly rare for a ship to be sunk or defeated from a distance.¡± The Aquilar captain leaned in from his chair, ¡°He told you more than I suspected. Benjamin, these are hard memories. I trust you do not bring them afore without purpose.¡± Pain flashed across the Captain¡¯s face, remembering fallen comrades.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Benjamin paused, ¡®Is this the right time¡­ this is one bottle I cannot cap once opened¡¯. Then, another memory struck him.. the absence of the armory Seargent upon their initial departure¡­ He looked at Vi, who was watching him intently from her own comfortable chair. ¡®fuck¡¯ Straightening his back, he turned his attention back to Olioorin, ¡°Captain, I fear that I may know how your vessel died¡­ but understand me. If I give you this knowledge, it will accompany a terrible burden.¡± Benjamin held Olioorin¡¯s gaze until the Captain slowly nodded. ¡°Very well.¡± Benjamin began, ¡°I believe the fire breathing monster that killed your Uiroliuu¡¯s first officer¡­ is called a cannon¡­.¡±


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin stood on the shores of a picturesque Island in the middle of absolute silent solitude. The revelation of ¡°the cannon¡± had been almost too much for Olioorin to understand, but the Captain had sworn to keep an open mind. The product of that open mind was before him now. It had taken over a month for them to reach a small port town, where they had paid handsomely for not only then forgemasters entire supply of Iron, Sulfur, Salt Peter, and Charcoal; but also, his entire supply of what Benjamin¡¯s native tongue would call copper, and zinc. Benjamin had traded his knowledge of steel for a majority of the raw materials, playing to the man¡¯s thirst for innovation. It had then taken them another full month to sail to their current location.


    It took another full week for the grumbling crew to fell the trees needed to build the Carriages to Benjamin¡¯s drawings. Now Benjamin stood in front of four Naval gun carriages, a bit smaller than Benjamin wanted, but they would do nicely. Next to them was piled the entire stockpile of copper and zinc ingot, and no less than 6 separate bonfires were raging about the clearing. The bonfires had been the hardest sell, especially since their mission was supposed to be secretive. Olioorin had finally relented and now all eyes were upon Benjamin.


    The Aquilar captain raised an eyebrow as Vi and Val both tightly buttoned up their parka¡¯s. They were much further south than the Capital, and the weather was beginning to warm nicely, ¡°Are you Ill?¡±


    ¡°No. My thanks, but it is about to get very cold,¡± Viola answered. Val only smiled up at him, ¡°It is¡­ time.¡± Olioorin snorted his amusement, only to freeze as the vapor in his breath condensed. Then he felt it, sudden biting cold, and spun to look at Benjamin. Ben was sitting with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees. He was never a big fan of meditation, but this was going to require a great deal of concentration to do all at once. The crew gasped as the 6 bonfires flickered and died almost instantly. The red-hot coals were quickly being rendered touch-safe before frosting over completely as the air temperature itself plummeted.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Ben could not feel the cold. He was already tightly bundled in all of his winter clothing. ¡®not enough¡¯ the thought flickered through his mind. It was the one rule that he found that he could not break. Energy truly could not be created nor destroyed, no matter how easily he could manipulate the existing energy in his surroundings as of late. He did the only thing he could, be reached deeper. He could feel the heat sources of his observers, but that would prove a murderous choice, so he reached for the land and sea ignoring the gasps from all around him.


    Olioorin took two full steps back as the ground beneath his feet flash-froze solid. The instant permafrost visibly crawled across the ground like a hungry demon until it reached the shoreline. Waves froze in place, and a thick sheet of ice began creeping out toward where his prized vessel lay to her anchor. He took a deep Shakey breath, ignoring the burning in his lungs, and the fact that his exhale hung in the air, turned instantly into a cloud of ice and snow. Shouts of confusion and alarm began to echo throught clearning, but he felt a small hand on his arm. ¡°Trust, my Benjamin¡­. Please.¡± It was Valtrya, her eyebrows slowly crusting over with ice as she peeked from her tightly bound parka hood. Olioorin raised an eyebrow, regarding the largely silent woman with a conflicted expression, ¡°MEN! HOLD FAST!¡± he barked finally. ¡°LOOK!!!¡± Came a reply, and he snapped his head back to the clearing.


    ¡®That should be enough¡¯ Benjamin was holding an enormous amount of energy in his possession, forcing it into the materials in front of him until everything began to glow into its various molten states. Benjamin locked his mind on the finished product. The copper and zinc began to mix under his command, blending smoothly into a homogenous bronze tube that he molded into a familiar shape from his antiquity. ¡®The napoleon¡¯ he murmured under his breath, slowly ripping the heat from the four bronze cannon barrels and resting them upon gun carriages designed for them. They would end up being significantly smaller than the 12lb Nepoleon style cannon used during the golden age of French muzzle-loading artillery. These gun tubes would fire a solid shot that weighed 8 pounds instead of 12. It was a forced concession as Benjamin was forced to manipulate his design to his limited supply of materials. There would be no fancy quill primer, and he made sure to adjust his touchhole design accordingly. With the heat he repatriated from the cannon barrels, Benjamin melted the large pile of iron ingots. Their ammunition would be limited to 50 solid round iron balls per gun, but that was because a single, round projectile was not all he planned on making. He focused on making as many smaller round projectiles as possible with the rest of the iron on hand.  Slowly, a strained smile spread across his lips, even as large beads of sweat formed on his forehead. With care, he fixed his mind on his new target.


    The frozen hell seemed like it lasted an eternity, but Olioorin¡¯s rational mind realized that it had been merely half of an hour since this¡­ Benjamin had started. He had been told this creature was blessed, but this was something else entirely. No being had recorded this level of ability in generations. And then, it was over. Benjamin stood, wavering slightly as he did so. Both of his women immediately bolted to his side, making it halfway to him before, ¡°STOP!¡± His explosive exclamation froze all in place, and Olioorin finally noticed why. It was the slightest shimmer of a warning that told him that This man was holding back a level of power that made it dangerous to simply approach him.


    Benjamin slowly held out his arms, palms down. He had pulled the energy from the now complete items in front of him. Now, surrounding himself, was pure thermal energy of a volume that he was only just able to insulate himself from. Slowly and steadily, he eased the energy back into his surroundings. He began with the ground and the ocean before moving on to the land and the atmosphere. Finally, he concentrated the last of the energy, what he had taken from the raging bonfires, into both of his palms, quickly converting the air around them into a burning ball of plasma. With a flick he lit the six ice-cold half-burned piles of timber, spreading the energy out evenly as to not cause any unintended damage. The last of the energy bled from his fingertips just as the last of his own strength and concentration bled from his body, and he fell to one knee. ¡°Its¡­. Done¡­ Safe¡­ now¡­¡± he called out, his voice croaking from a dry throat mixed with exhaustion.


    Val and Vi were at his side moments later, ¡°Sorry¡­ too¡­ dangerous¡­ too much¡­ energy at play¡­¡± He rasped, taking Val¡¯s offered canteen and drinking greedily. ¡°Thanks.¡± Val and Vi helped him up just as Olioorin reached them, ¡°That was¡­ impressive, but I fail to understand how a brass battering ram is going to give us the edge on the fire-breathing monster you told me about.¡± Benjamin nodded, ¡°Then I guess a demonstration is in order. Val, bring the bags. Vi, brace the carriages, I don¡¯t want them moving too much.¡± Benjamin walked over to a pair of oddly shaped wooden shafts with an iron corkscrew on one end, and a massive cotton pad on the other. He picked one up and began, ¡°These, Captain, are the monsters that you faced all those years ago.. or at least a version of them. From your and Uiroliuu¡¯s recount, I suspect it was paired with St Elmo¡¯s Fire, but I cannot be sure.¡± He and the Captain turned just as Val returned with a cylindrical cotton bag filled with a strange black substance that stank to high heaven. Olioorin watched as Benjamin slipped the bag into the muzzle, using the cotton pad side of the large pole to push it all the way to the other end of the tube. Vi returned, having secured the carriage with large rocks to prevent its rolling. She was holding a single 8 pound sphere of iron, that Benjamin set into the tube and again pushed it down against the bag at the other end. ¡°First lesson, never let the gunpowder get wet. If it does, it will be useless until it dries fully again. But, when dry, Gunpowder can be both dangerous and effective in both destroying things¡­ and throwing them.¡± With that, Benjamin pulled a small powder horn from Val¡¯s pack and poured some of his leftover musket powder down the flash hole until it barely filled to the top. ¡°CLEAR ¡®WAY THE GUN!¡± Benjamin bellowed, causing so many to step back out of pure surprise. ¡°This, is slow match,¡± He said, pulling out an oddly discolored chord, ¡°It is made the same way you make your fire arrows.¡± He drew a small portion of thermal energy from the bonfires and lit the end. With that, he wound it around a small stick. Using the stick to create a semi-safe distance, he blew on the end of the chord until it glowed, and touched it to the small powder filled hole on top of the strange brass tube.


    The only warning Captain Olioorin had of what was coming, was the small puff of black that chuffed out of the hole atop the back of this ¡°cannon¡± as the fine powder lit. less than a second later, hell itself bellowed forth from the open end of the brass tube. An 8 foot mushroom of red flaming fury and white acrid smoke erupted from the far end of the ¡°cannon¡± followed by a deafening roar of what he could only describe as thunder, but¡­ enraged, somehow. The cannon had been pointed out to sea, off to the east of where his ship was anchored, and his eyes widened when the smoke cleared just in time for him to see a splash almost two-thirds again farther than his vessel''s distance from shore.


    When he turned back to the cannon, he noticed Benjamin dipping the cotton end of his staff into a bucket of water. ¡°Always sponge the bore between shots. If you do not and there are any cotton embers left behind, they will set off the powder before you are done ramming the bag home. This, is a ramrod. Keep the sponge damp.¡± He slipped the wet sponge into the tube and the water hissed as he ran it in and out 3 times. ¡°That was a round shot. I have one other type of ammunition to show you.¡± He stuck a second bag of powder into the cannon, then took an empty bag and stuffed 9 smaller balls into the bag and tied it tightly before putting it down the tube as well. ¡°This, is known as ¡®Grape shot¡¯¡± He stated, stabbing down the small hole with a small metal rod before pouring more of his finer powder into the hole on top, ¡°This is the touch hole, use the metal stick to poke a hole in the powder bag. It lets the fine grain powder connect the main charge for firing¡­.. CLEAR!¡± The call of clear was irrelevant, as no one dared come close to the monster crouching next to Benjamin. Ben touched the slow match to the hole, and the hellish fire breathing event repeated itself. This time, Benjamin ripped the smoke from the air so all could see the results.. The 9 smaller balls spread out in a cone peppering the water all the way out well past the distance that their vessel was anchored. Benjamin dropped the slow match, stomping it out fully before turning to Olioorin, ¡°I pray we do not need this, but if what I fear is true¡­ These may save our lives, and your vessel. I¡¯ll write up an exact training evolution for you by the morning¡­¡±


    With that, Benjamin simply walked off¡­ leaving Olioorin alone with the monster that even he realized, just changed the face of salt-born warfare¡­. Forever.

 Chapter 31

    Olioorin sat in the captain''s cabin of his beloved Ruuigriloo. He could hear the hammering and calls as she underwent a subtle but dangerous Metamorphosis. Benjamin had delivered his training evolutions as promised, but He also brought a diagram of Olioorin¡¯s own vessel but modified to carry these new¡­ cannon. There was little in the way of argument as to the modifications, and Olioorin instantly understood why it was the best deployment of these new weapons about his command. There were too few cannons to place them strictly on the sides. So, the fore deck and after castle were currently being laid with extra timber to support the weight of one cannon each. The Idea was simple, Combat on the rolling salts took time to be joined, time enough for the fore-gun, and after-gun to be rotated to present to the enemy, but retain the ability to shoot in front, or directly behind them. Meanwhile, one of each of the remaining two cannons would be emplaced amidships. In theory, the preamble of any sea battle would allow Olioorin to order the swiveling of his for and after guns to present to the correct side to give himself what Benjamin called a ¡°three cannon battery¡± to fight with. It was a terrifyingly simple strategy, one which forced the Aquilar Captain to wonder why and how anyone had not thought of it sooner.


    A slow triplicate of knocks echoed through his cabin¡¯s door, ¡°Come¡± he called, and sat back in his chair as the mysterious ¡®not albino¡¯ entered, ¡°You asked to see me, Captain,¡± The strange man stated. ¡°I did. sit.¡± Benjamin did as instructed, and simply sat patiently. ¡°Benjamin, the preparations are almost complete. I wish to show you, our course.¡± The Aquilar reached for a piece of rolled parchment, unfurling it upon the table before them. It revealed their past route, along with a long crimson line painted in amongst the long, wide archipelago of barrier islands that spanned the east side of the main continent. ¡°The red track is the known route that Lord Hirak¡¯s vessel took in search of his prey. We seek to follow in his footsteps, to find him, or to find his resting place.


    ¡°I.. see¡­ So, we risk walking into a trap¡­¡± Benjamin observed, ¡°I admit that I am not the happiest at this revelation.¡± Olioorin snorted, ¡°Indeed. However, with your new¡­. Revelations, we outmatch any single warship sailing the salts.¡± Benjamin shook his head, ¡°We hope¡­¡± he pinched the bridge of his nose, ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense¡­ No one should have this yet. I very nearly refused to give you cannon technology¡­. This level of disparity of martial power is¡­ dangerous¡­ for this world.¡±


    Olioorin took his focus away from the map, ¡°And yet you gave it to the ascendency¡­¡± Benjamin gave Olioorin a sharp look, ¡°I suspect that your Lord Regen is already well on his way to stealing this technology¡­I found certain items of my person¡­. Inspected¡­ upon my leaving the capital¡­. The choice has been made for me.¡± The Towering Aquilar pierced Benjamin with an inspecting gaze, ¡°And that choice is?¡± The being before him shrugged and changed the subject, ¡°I would like to make one request¡­ Stay in open water as much as possible. I was able to find a small vein of iron upon the island we tested the cannon on. We now have 60 round shots per gun, enough to practice with while we sail. It will also aid us in fighting with your new weapons. Can that be done?¡±


    ¡°In a way, I will keep that in mind as we continue,¡± Olioorin answered, ¡°which brings me to this,¡± he pointed to the end of the line that terminated in a circle, ¡°That is the last known location of His Lordship¡¯s vessel. I¡¯m assuming that you see what I do.¡± Benjamin leaned into the map, eyes narrowing in recognition. ¡°Narrow, I think. What is this symbol?¡± Olioorin smiled in approval, ¡°I knew you were of the salts, yes that is the symbol our fleets use to represent less than accurate charting. We don¡¯t actually know precisely what is in there, only what we think is there.¡±


    ¡°All of that¡­ is a fuckin guess?¡± Benjamin growled, ¡°For all we know it¡¯s a dead end with just that small entrance. It¡¯s a death trap.¡± Olioorin only nodded, ¡°It is¡­ But what are our options.¡± Benjamin looked down at the map for several long moments, ¡°The far side¡­ we need a landing party on the far side to scout the area.¡± He tapped one of the shores on the western side of the Island, ¡°Here. A small team, 4-6 total. They would move east until they found the inlet. I¡¯m sure I can make some sort of¡­ signal, that would let the team call for retrieval or sound the all clear.¡± Olioorin watched the map as Ben spoke. ¡°None of my men have this kind of experience overlanding, and after.. I cannot ask you to do this on your own¡­ but, If we take the inlet. We could at least see inside without significant risk of being cut off from more open water. I admit, it is almost as dangerous as your plan, but this way, Ruuigriloo would be much closer at hand¡­ in theory.¡± Benjamin let out a low humm in contemplation¡­ ¡°It¡¯s¡­ risky, and ultimately your call, captain.¡± Olioorin nodded, ¡°then we will take the narrows. Would you be willing to lead the land assault? I know I ask much of you, but¡­ Our conversation has proven to me that you are the only logical choice for any hope of success.¡±


    Benjamin looked down at the map, studying the terrain about the narrow pair of stubby peninsulas.  ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll need the two lancers,¡± he was not sure if Olioorin knew or cared about their names, but it was what it was, ¡°I would request you keep my mates onboard, but I suspect they will steadfastly refuse. How long do we have?¡± Olioorin sighed heavily, ¡°A month at least. The added weight will slow Ruuigriloo, by how much I do not know. I can give you 3 crewmen to aid on shore. They will report to you as soon as we are underway. Go, make preparation.¡±


    ¡°I will, Captain,¡± Benjamin gave a small bow and departed. His soul boiled as he returned to his quarters. Once again, he and those he loved would be thrust into the heart of danger. The morbid thoughts drew his feet past his quarters and up upon deck, he saw the neatly stacked and lashed musket balls, and the freshly pressed gun crews were going through dry fire exercises. He picked up one of the cannon balls, hefting it in his hands for a moment as he remembered how he got here. His mind churned, wondering how he was going to lead in a fight, a fight where almost everyone was going to have wildly different¡­ His thoughts paused and he looked down at the cannon ball in his hands.


    __________________________________________________________________________________________This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Viola stood out on the aft deck of Ruuigriloo, holding her own freshly minted musket. She was not alone. She was still less than happy with her Benjamin. He had indeed tried to convince her and her sister to avoid the fight. Deep down, she understood her mate. He was hardforged to protect them, and he had protected them for the entirety of the time they had known him. She knew it hurt him to see her and Val throw themselves into danger, but she couldn¡¯t bear to leave his side even in the face of a possible stand-up battle, or worst, ambush. ¡°Benjamin, we did not suffer, hurt, bleed, train, and fight just to hide or save ourselves! You taught us that!¡± her words and her anger still rang in her ears. It was their first real fight as a bound family. Val had sat in the corner, ever the more silent one, had cried herself to sleep that night, and Benjamin had spent most of the rest of the evening pacing the decks. He returned in the early predawn hours, collapsing into their cramped quarters in exhaustion. They had not spoken of the subject until this morning, ¡°If you are going to fight, You will need these.¡± He said, revealing a pair of percussion muskets. Each one was simply built, but they fit Vi and Val nicely. Now she stood next to Vailin and Veiran with three Aquilar crewmen she had not met before standing next to the four of them.


    Benjamin finally arrived with five more muskets. They looked very much like the first one he had made, save that they were now using the same percussion ignition from his early pistols. He handed one musket and one shoulder bag to each of the Aquilar, and to the pair of Vin. ¡°This is going to be quick, and its going to be a simple explanation. These, are muskets. They are in essence a small version of the cannon just installed aboard. I am giving you one type of ammunition.¡± He handed out a packet of ammunition containing 20 cartridges to each of them. ¡°It is called a ¡®buck and ball¡¯ cartridge. It fires 4 projectiles once, much like the grapeshot round. For this to be effective, you will need to shoot no further than three times the length of Ruuigriloo.¡± He then pointed at his own stomach. I do not know what races we will meet, but I have looked over the map of the points we must hold, anyone we fight, aim here. It will keep you from shooting over top of your enemy¡¯s head.¡± Vi and Val focused on Benjamin''s instruction. Over the next few weeks, he drilled them without using live ammunition, engraining the motions into their muscles as well as he could in the time he had. He started with loading and firing before quickly moving to bayonet drills against canvas bags stuffed with scraps of fabric.


    The last week before arrival, Benjamin gave each of them 10 extra cartridges, these had wooden corks replacing the lead projectiles to save resources, except for the last one. He Hung sheets of scrap canvas from scraps of wood that he threw from the leeward bow. The group used the practice ammunition to ¡°shoot¡± at the targets as they floated away from them. The wooden projectiles and the reduced powder charges gave them effective loading practice until the last round. The last cartridge was a full powder charge and real projectiles. Viola tore the paper with her teeth absently pouring the powder before pressing the rest of the cartridge, paper and all, down the barrel and ramming the entire thing ¡®home¡¯. She capped the percussion cone and cocked the hammer, ¡°Ready!¡± she called, and Benjamin threw her target into the sea. Her musket had no rear sight, and she lined up the single bead on the tip of the barrel just ahead of her target and pulled the trigger. The full power cartridge hammered her a full step backward, but she kept her composure. ¡°Good, NEXT!¡± was all Benjamin stated, despite Viola having obliterated her target.


    Later that night, Benjamin returned to their quarters to find Vi and Val cleaning their new weapons. ¡°Hey,¡± He offered weekly, ¡°Come here a minute.¡± Vi wanted to ignore him, but something in his voice stopped her. She and her sister put down their cleaning rods and sat next to him, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I know it was stupid to try to keep you from this..¡± Vi wanted to respond but Benjamin kept going, ¡°Please, promise me. You will stay near me. You three are going to be with me on the eastern shore. Vailin, Vieran and the Aquilar will be on the west. They don¡¯t have our other weapons and will need the numbers. If we are driven back, I¡¯m keeping the longboats in the narrows and we will make for the nearest island, if Olioorin should fail or his vessel should sink.¡±


    ¡°Benjamin, we know this,¡± Val spoke first, ¡°why keep telling us¡­¡± Benjamin smiled at her. Her speaking had strengthened steadily and was now almost as easy for her as Viola, but his expression saddened as he gazed at the muskets leaning against the wall, ¡°Because I fear what we face. This isn¡¯t a duel, or a Fae attack. We face an enemy that might already have their own cannon¡­ and have had them for decades. If they have cannons¡­.¡± Viola finally gasped in understanding, ¡°You think they have¡­¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Benjamin answered. ¡°Your armor will deflect a glancing blow¡­ maybe even a direct hit from a distance¡­ but if someone gets close¡­ or a shot finds a gap¡­ It won''t save you.¡± Benjamin¡¯s head fell to his hands, ¡°I got you trained in how to fight with the sword¡­ and now I might be leading you into a gunfight.¡± A heavy silence fell on the three of them for several minutes. Val moved first, taking Ben¡¯s head to her chest, ¡°All the more reason¡­ we stay with you¡­¡± She lifted his face to hers and kissed him. ¡°All is forgiven,¡± she whispered, kissing her way down his neck while she untied his shirt ¡°Now. Come to bed my Benjamin.¡± Her smile widened as Benjamin shuddered against her wandering fingertips,  ¡°Let us love before we fight.¡±


    _________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Ease away the lines,¡± The command whispered out into the misty ether of the predawn twilight. Benjamin watched as a pair of longboats were eased down the leeward side of Ruuigriloo. A quiet splash ended the operation, and Benjamin watched as the three Aquilar quickly scaled the railing and down the rope ladder into the first boat, quickly followed by Veiran and Vailin who flew down to join them. His Aereseen brides were next, quickly reverse-scaling their own rope ladders into the second boat before he himself slipped down to join them.


    Each member of Benjamins group carried their typical weapons. The Vin lancers carried their spears and their traditional armor, The Aquilar Sailors wore little in the way of heavy armor, choosing a lighter-boiled leather chest piece to go along with their boarding axe and what Benjamin could only describe as an oversized cutlass. Vi and Viola were both in full battle rattle, helmets included this time. In addition, each member bore their musket, an oil skin shoulder pouch that contained the 20 buck and ball cartridges for each musket along with 30 total percussion caps. The pouch was sealed with the membrane of some kind of sea creature. It was disgusting but effective waterproofing, a necessity to ensure their gunpowder stays dry.


    These precautions proved essential during the long, drenching row to shore. Moments after departure, the other boat disappeared into the mist as Benjamin and Viola began rowing towards shore. The surf was relatively calm for the larger longship, but the 5-foot waves proved a wet ride for the longboat occupied by the three of them. Val sat up at the bow, watching for the first signs of shoreline. The low fog hid most of the island, but the towering heights behind the inlet guided them towards their destination. Benjamin was again soaked to the bone by the surf on their final strokes to shore, and Val vaulted from the bow as the bow softly crunched into the gravelly, sandy beach. She pulled, with her, a rope, holding the boat in place as Vi and Ben followed her. ¡°Quietly now, we don¡¯t know if they¡¯ve posted¡­.¡±


    Benjamin¡¯s thought died in his throat as the sound of two distinct claps of familiar distant thunder rolled in from his west¡­.

 Chapter 32

    Moments earlier-


    Vailin¡¯s armored boots crunched through the fine gravel shoreline, ripping through the disgusting water protection around the bulky ¡°musket¡±.  The larger crunching of the rowboat being dragged on shore echoed softly in the predawn misty fog, ¡°Quickly now, we need to secure the point.¡± The three  Aquilar seamen with her grunted in response, lifting their own new weapons  and turning to follow her, ¡°Vierin, take two, eyes on the tree li..¡±


    Three dull thuds puked smoke from the tree line, and something heavy slammed into the rowboat. Two more thuds echoed, but one produced a burbling roar as one of the Aquilar fell to the gravel, clutching his stomach that was quickly soaking in turquoise. ¡°To Arms!!¡± Vailin heard her own voice  bark just before no less than a dozen pirates broke from their hiding positions in the tree line less than 50 yards from the landing party. Three Fay flew toward them shrieking their fury and waving small, jagged daggers in each hand. Six Aquilar followed closely behind them waving rough huen swords of various lengths. Lumbering behind them were 5 Orcs of the larger warrior subspecies, each of them carrying their own muskets of some kind. They appeared strange with a long arm tipped with a smoldering rope attached to a small metal arm bolted to the side of a wide heavy wooden stock, housing a massive thick but stubby iron barrel. The back of her mind seemed to equate it more with one of Benjamin¡¯s cannons than the weapon in her hands.


    A harsh reminder of their situation came on the wings of the two remaining musketeers. The massive orcs were clearly encumbered by their ungainly weapons, but they lifted them all the same. The two barrels belched flame and smoke, but these two shots were less carefully aimed. Both shots flew wide, whistling overhead and splashing harmlessly into the water behind them. Vierin rushed to the fallen seamen, quickly beginning to glow as she looked over the fallen man. The two other Seamen bellowed their challenge, raising their own muskets. The twin reports boomed sharply, and Vailin¡¯s ears rang as she barely dove out of the way of the seamen who were still behind her. None of her near brush with friendly fire registered. She had been just far enough ahead to be in front of the acrid cloud of smoke, the universal constant in black powder explosions, and witnessed what came next.


    Each buck and ball cartridge carried 4 projectiles that left the weapon at a little over 1000 feet per second. One of the Aquilar seamen had fired too high, but his shot sent those 4 balls straight through the group of Fae who were flying in at just over head height on an Aquilar. The larger round ball slammed into the lead Fae. The impact ignored her ragged leather armor entirely, exiting the other side of the body in a cone of bone, blood, and gore that covered the leading element of the pirates behind her. The second Fae faired only marginally better. Three of the buckshot pellets struck the second Fae in the wings, severing the one while punching holes in the other.


    The second Aquilar had fired lower. His roundball slammed into one of the Aquilar on the left, and he fell with a burble, struck cleanly through the chest. Each of the three buckshot balls slammed into two other Aquilar and one of the Orcs, but the smaller buckshot rounds failed to take their victims completely out of the fight. Vailin shook herself from the grim scene. Her dive toward the ground had landed her behind an old piece of large driftwood, and she threw her musket over its lip. ¡®Aim here¡¯ Benjamin¡¯s instructions reminded her at the last second, and she lowered the front bead of the musket to the waist level of the closest group of pirates, closed her eyes¡­ and pulled the trigger. The impact to her shoulder threw her from her hiding spot, having failed to properly brace herself from the recoil. When she opened her eyes, one of the Orcs lay writhing on the ground from a buckshot strike to the throat. One of the injured Aquilar also fell permanently, taking a roundball hit to the head that ripped the top of her skull off in an explosion of blood, fur, brains, and bone.


    One more explosion heralded Veirin firing her musket. All of her buckshot pellets missed, but the roundball slammed into one of the Orc Musketeer¡¯s in the hip, spinning him in place as he fell. Vailin took flight, dropping the heavy musket in favor of her familiar lance before meeting the last surviving Fae in the air. Her fight last spring was a shocking event that struck a pointed tip on her deficiencies as a warrior, but she had a secret. The strange being known as Benjamin had shown the true power of Majik in that fight. She was able to see the basics of how he created his ¡°godlight¡± through her connection to those same gifts.


    Now she released what she had learned. She didn¡¯t know what they were called, but she felt the positive and negative forces pulling on one another when Benjamin did it. It had taken time, but she had learned how to manipulate the relationship between the particles she had seen from him. She raised her lance toward the last airborne Fae, ripping at the particles inside her own target. The Fae instantly paused in the air feeling the hair on her entire body stand on end. Vailin ripped everything she dared to from the Fae and the air around her until the blade on the end of her lance began to dance with power¡­ Then she released¡­


    It wasn¡¯t the brilliant explosive power that the ¡®human¡¯ exhibited, but the it was enough. The arc of godlight leapt from her speartip, slamming into the Fae who fell the ground shrieking and twitching as electrical burns spread across her skin and boiled leather armor. The move seemed to shock the remaining Pirates to pause their charge just before one of the Aquilar seamen managed to get his weapon reloaded, and fired again, felling two more of the Aquilar attackers. One of the surviving Orcs managed to stand and begin reloading his weapon from a bulky horn of some kind hanging from his neck, and the two surviving Aquilar redoubled their attack with a bellow. Veiran howled a challenge, having finished stabilizing the fallen Seaman, and rushed to the fore along with the two uninjured seamen. Both had attached the bayonets to their rifles and joined the Vin lancers as they rushed the survivors. The Aquilar seamen each charged their pirate counterparts in what appeared to be some sort of cultural challenge. The two Lancers worked together quickly doubling up on the injured Aquilar pirates in quick strikes before moving on to¡­


    Vailin¡¯s chest exploded in agony as she was thrown over a dozen feet backward.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    -Now-


    Benjamin¡¯s head snapped up at the sound. ¡°Fuck, tie it off. There!¡± He hissed still trying to keep his voice down. It turned out to be futile as a pair of thuds from the treeline announced their own ambush. Benjamin was driven back by an explosively painful impact directly on his chest. The projectile shattered on impact with his tool steel breastplate, sending shards of white-hot metal in all directions. Several of them embedded themselves in his arms, while a few others bounced of the arrow deflecting lip around his neck. It drove Benjamin to the ground, gasping for air. Val was just reaching him when a bellow echoed from the treeline. No Fae immerged from this treeline, but their enemies still measured a dozen. 6 Aquilar and 4 Orcs emerged, the Orcs again wielding what Benjamin realized was some kind of hybrid HandGone/Matchlock musket that appeared the comical rendition of an Arquebus with an oversized barrel for its bore. The Warrior Orcs were likely the only beings capable of making that weapon even remotely useful in combat¡­The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Unfortunately for Benjamin, this group appeared to be more aware of their weapons. The Aquilar still charged, but they charged from the center, and the two Orcs that fired seemed to be interested in reloading from a flask and ball pouch rather than engaging in close combat. Two more booms echoed as the second pair of Orcs fired from the opposite edge of their brethren, using their position to shoot at Benjamin, and his women without risking their charging compatriots. ¡°On Me!!!¡± coughed Benjamin, who struggled to one knee as Viola arrived to them, ¡°*cough* focus the middle. Shoot then go to pistols!¡± Benjamin¡¯s smokeless rifle barked in unison with the twin thudding booms from Viola¡¯s and Valtrya¡¯s muskets¡­


    The Volley immediately ended 3 Aquilar lives, while peppering the rest with individual buckshot hits in nonfatal places. The Aquilar clearly understood the slow reloading attributes of early muzzle loading firearms, and they redoubled their charge. The leader was just stepping over his fallen comrade when his head exploded from Benjamin''s straight pull repeating rifle. The second quick crack of the weapons report startled the charge.. the third halted it altogether. The last surviving Aquilar was just reaching the treeline when a high velocity spitzer projectile ripped into his back just below his shoulder blades and ruptured his heart.


    Vi and Val had followed Ben¡¯s instruction, drawing their pistols to take the Orc Musketeers under fire. The range was long for a handgun shot, but they managed to score hits on two of them before they too retreated into the treeline. ¡°Over here,¡± Benjamin gasped, and the three sprinted to a small outcropping of rocks to their left just as the survivors began peppering the gravel beach with sporadic musket fire. ¡°Stay down!¡± Ben growled, resting his rifle on the rocks, and taking potshots into the fresh clouds of smoke. He ripped off the last 6 rounds in his magazine in quick succession before pulling a pair of clips from his pouch and slamming the fresh ammunition into the rotary magazine. ¡°Loaded!¡± Val called out, pulling her musket up next to Benjamin just for a musket ball to pulverize the stone directly next to her. The smattering of shrapnel knocked her down behind cover again, and deep purple blood began oozing from half a dozen small cuts about her face and neck. ¡°I.. live¡­ Fuck!¡± Val hissed, blinking the dust from her eyes.


    ¡°Shit, here they come again!¡± Benjamin growled just as almost 20 Aquilar appeared in front of them. 5 Orcs appeared this time, all with bulky Arquebus and shooting sticks. They kept firing, each in turn as the formation of Aquilar pirates advanced. ¡°Save your shots, let me thin them!¡± Benjamin yelled between shots. Emptying his 10-round magazine to claim 6 more Melee chargers. ¡°Shit!¡± he hissed as he pulled the trigger on an empty gun, ¡°Reloading! He was only able to slam 5 more rounds into his gun before Val¡¯s cry of ¡°They''re almost here!¡± Benjamin spun to lift his rifle up over the rocks alongside Vi and Val who already had their weapons up.. ¡°Fire!¡±


    All three weapons spoke as one, and the Volley left all of 4 Aquilar alive, and then they were upon them. The remaining 4 rushed the rocks, and Benjamin drew his saber only to drive it through the first one over the top. Val dropped her musket, lifting her spear and shield from his resting place beside her. She skewered one of the aquilar before parrying a second. Vi ended that second Pirates life with a quick thrust through the throat, and Val lunged to her right, raising her shield in time to hear a pair of ringing clangs of musket balls impacting. The hits drove her to the ground, and Benjamin swung his weapon on the Orcs, taking two on the left with quick shot before running out of ammunition again. ¡°FUCK! LOADING!¡± Benjamin yelled, reaching for his ammunition pouch to retrieve another clip.


    ¡°Benjamin!!! More!!!¡± Ben looked up, and a stone sank in his gut¡­ another dozen appeared in the treeline, accompanied by no less than 10 musketeers made up of a mix of species who seemed to be pickin up the weapons from their fallen brethren Pirates¡­ ¡°Shit¡­ We can''t hold. We need to get to the¡­¡±


    He never finished the sentence as Viola cried out in pain when a musket ball clipped her breastplate and deflected into her shoulder. The hit from the huge slow moving chunck of metal spun her around before throwing her to the ground. ¡°Vi!¡± Ben turned to grab her, pulling her to safety while Val suffered the backlash of sharing the pain of her sister. Both girls were out of the fight for the moment, and Benjamin spun to fire only to be driven back by the constant incoming fire of 10 separate muskets firing in a coordinated continuous fire. ¡®We have to get out¡­ this is too much. What the hell did we walk into.. where is Ruui¡­¡±


    A howling whistle answered that question. The first salvo of Olioorin¡¯s vessel warbled in out of the rapidly clearing mist, he had wisely chosen round shot, but the affect was devastating. The pair of cannon balls slammed into shore just in front of the enemy group throwing fine gravel in their faces before bouncing through the formation to kill 4 enemy and injuring a dozen more with impact shrapnel. Benjamin took his chance, surging up to his knee and taking aim at the biggest threat.. the musketeers. All too soon, another 10 rounds was spent as quickly as he could find a target, and he knelt to reload, but this time there were only 3 musketeers left standing. An ear ringing boom erupted from his left as Val found, and fired her musket. She had wrapped her sisters arm the best she could, and was back in the fight. This time she killed three with her shot before dropping back behind the rocks to reload¡­


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°You are going to be ok.¡± Vailin groaned back to consciousness into relative quiet shoreline, ¡°Your armor stopped it, but you¡¯ve broken 4 ribs.¡±  Vierin knelt by captain, and Vailin looked around to see that two of the Aquilar seamen lay injured beside her. The third bore a bleeding scar across his flank, and had three muskets resting against the driftwood log next to him. ¡°We drove off their first wave, but It¡¯s not over. More await in the treeline. A dull Thud echoed as if to punctuate, and the Auquilar seaman growled and fired the musket he was holding into the woods before handing it to one of his injured comrades who began reloading it. ¡°Prepare.. They come again.¡±


    Vailin tried to rise, but her medic pressed her to the ground, ¡°You are in no condition, rest and load the muskets.¡± No sooner had Veirin finished when a bellow of challenge echoed from the tree line and another wave of Pirates rushed their position. Veirin and the relatively uninjured Aquilar opened fires. Shooting the 5 muskets as quickly as they could be reloaded. The hail of gunfire halted the rush half way to them, the constant rate of fire able to kill too many while the pirate¡¯s own muskets seemed to be lacking in number. ¡°We run low on¡­ cartridges¡­ we must retreat¡± The pain in the Aquilar¡¯s voice was prevalent, but he spoke the truth. They were just preparing to run when Ruuigriloo arrived. Two of her guns had been set to fire upon Benjamin¡¯s beach, but the other two made quick work of the last of the attackers rushing Vailin¡¯s position. Longboats were launched, and more seamen were sent to each shore. Vailin was helped into the rowboats, ¡°Captain¡¯s orders. He wishes all of you back aboard.


    ___________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin stepped back aboard. The salty spray had washed the blood from his dark clothing long before they reached the ship, and he was immediately ushered to the Captian¡¯s office, ¡°Captain, I thought the plan was to hold the narrows. What¡¯s going on.¡±


    Olioorin simply grunted, ¡°We were, but the Mists lifted, The inlet is tight, but¡­ My lookouts found something. My lords ruined Vessel is here. They have built an outpost around it.¡± He pointed at the newly updated map. ¡°We watched their number rush to fight you. You and yours took on an entire Pirate hoard¡­ and won. That means there is little to defend their base. Heal up, Benjamin. We will be hitting the beach with all our forces inside the hour.¡±


    ¡°Captain¡­ That¡¯s a Risky choice¡­¡± Benjamin offered cautiously. ¡°I know it is,¡± came the response from the Aquilar captain, ¡°But my duty to Liege requires it of me. If his ship is still here, we must try.¡± Benjamin sighed for a moment before slowly becoming completely rigid¡­ ¡°Captain, Please tell me that you collected the Pirate''s weapons when you picked us up..¡±


    Olioorin nodded, ¡°Of course. Depriving criminals of their weapons is a cardinal mission for the Navy, why?¡± Benjamin simply turned and gave the captain a disconcertingly grim expression.

 Chapter 33

    ¡°Prepare!¡± Olioorins voice echoed through the stillness. Benjamin hoped that the extra hour he had bargained for would bear fruit. Still, it would be a hell of a thing if even one of the hastily instructed seamen would be capable of more than one shot from the wildly overbuilt and cumbersome Arquebus that were confiscated from his initial fight. He was again, to lead men on the ground, and he was missing a key player. Vailin was a valuable mind and blade on the battlefield, but she was still with the healers. The Matchlocks muskets the pirates employed fired a lead ball almost an inch in diameter, but Ben¡¯s inspection of their powder revealed it to be much weaker than the formula he had chosen. Their foe had yet to learn how to properly bind the components together, and relied on a dry mixing from his human history had proved to be a dangerous first stage. He still had ample projectiles for these crude weapons but had to cut the powder charge in half to keep them safe for use with his formula. Most of the last two hours were spent with him rigging up a basic cartridge for them, but that still did not solve the main problem. The enemy¡¯s weak powder saved Vailin¡¯s life as the massive musket ball struck her directly in the breastplate Benjamin had repaired for her¡­ It had caved in the armor, snapping her sternum and shattering 4 ribs, but saving her life. Her road to recovery would be a long one.


    They were much too heavy to be used in mobile combat with any being less than a warrior-class Orc. So he improvised. Now came the second problem¡­ Viola was out of action, her arm too badly ruined to be quickly healed¡­ Valtrya, on the other hand, refused to stay at her sister''s side. It would normally be a cold-blooded decision, but Benjamin suspected there was some shared soul funny business going on there. Either way, Val was bound to his hip, having replaced her shield and spear with a bayonetted musket and both sisters¡¯ pistols. As much as he wanted to complain, it was the right choice. Violence of fire was to win the afternoon here¡­ ¡°On My lead!¡± Benjamin bellowed, looking back at his truncated group. Veirin was aiding the healers, and both Aquilar seamen injured in the fighting were still fighting for their lives. Vailins metal armor may have saved her, but their boiled leather seaman¡¯s cuirass had done less than nothing to stop the massive musket balls from ripping their insides violently asunder. He was down to himself, Val, and the surviving Aquilar who positively beamed at this new opportunity for vengeance.


    Ruuigriloo hurtled toward shoreline under all sail, and Benjamin was just beginning to question the seamanship of the captain when the call came in their tongue from the aftercastle. In one seemingly smooth motion, the Port side Oars were withdrawn from their ports, the sail was struck, and the helm slammed hard a starboard. The Aquilar vessel heeled wildly to the violent maneuver before coming to rest with her Port side Deck rails to the shore. Moments later, Benjamins worst fears were realized, as a pair of stubby iron cannons on wodden carriages were wheeled out from behind a building¡­ and fired.


    Both cannon¡¯s shots slammed into Ruuigriloo¡¯s flanks. The round shot itself was only a secondary danger, punching through the hull and cutting two crewmen in half before bouncing off the far hull planking, taking the legs of another crewman each, and rolling to a stop against a bulkhead. The real danger with naval cannon warfare¡­ was the splinters. Over two dozen wooden shards from each impact splayed out in a wide cone of jagged carnage that killed 8 Seamen instantly, ripping them bodily asunder, and often continuing into another poor victim. 15 more were maimed in various severities. Ruuigriloo snapped his gaze to Benjamin in both horror and memory before that same face hardened and he squared his chest toward the shoreline, ¡°FIRE!¡±


    Three brass cannons, loaded with grapeshot, spoke as one¡­ and the Aquilar captain visibly took a single step back at the resulting holocaust. Benjamin¡¯s carriages included a very basic elevation system. Where a thick wooden wedge was placed under the barrel at different levels to control the position of the barrel vertically. It was simple, crude, but effective enough. More importantly, it gave Ruuigriloo¡¯s cannons the ability to shoot DOWN at a target below her waterline. The survivors of the peninsula fight had been given time to return to their base to face them, and roughly 30 were standing before them when Ruuigriloo fired the first true broadside volley in this Globes Naval history¡­ when the smoke cleared, 5 of them simply ceased to exist, save the occasional arm, leg, or head. 8 more were missing said arms or legs or had gaping holes blown through the sides of their bodies with a glancing blow. ¡°Muskets! FIRE!¡± Benjamin had not seen the captain''s reaction and reacted to the next stage of the plan. 15 Arquebus style muskets thudded their low thumping tone, accented with the louder boom of 3 percussion muskets loaded with buck and ball. 4 of the 16 survivors of the cannon volley lived to retreat into the buildings.


    Benjamin dropped the empty musket, reaching for the loaded one leaning next to him. Sadly, he had spares. The thought was pushed from his mind, ¡°UP and IN!¡± He shouted, to the roaring approval of the men behind him. He and his gun-trained group were at the center of the attack, but they were not alone. 15 Aquilar naval Warriors vaulted the deck rails with him and charged. The fight was as brutal as it was quick. Aquilar seamen may not have been comfortable fighting a land battle, but close-quarters combat on a warship was their bread and butter. Benjamin found himself in awe of the sheer efficiency of their movements in the tight quarters of half-finished alley ways, and dilapidated structures.  A familiar explosive thud punched him from his left, and he turned to see the smoke clearing before Val¡¯s musket and two more Pirates lying dead in an alley, a small point of pride swelled, when he saw her sling the weapon over her shoulder and choose to draw her pair of pistols. ¡° right!¡± she yelled, breaking his thoughts. He spun, indexing on a orc that was charging them from less than 15 yards. Three sharp cracks rang out, and Ben realized that Val had managed to get two hits upon the target just as he himself had pulled the trigger on his rifle. He took a deep calming breath, ¡°let''s move¡±.


    ________________________________________________________________________________________


    ¡°Get up. Time to die.¡± The harsh sneering voice echoed in the damp darkness. He had never seen his capturer, he always wore a long cloak and black leather gauntlets. Those same gauntlets grabbed him by the back of the throat. He knew his captor was smaller than he, but the months of starvation and torture by larger beings had sapped his strength¡­ and his will. It would not have mattered, as a heavy green hand landed in his gut, serving to both double him over in agony and remind him that his captor was never alone. The two Orc bodyguards dragged his limp-heaving body down the familiar dingy corridor, but to his surprise, he found himself outside¡­


    The familiar sounds of men screaming and dying echoed around him as he was dragged physically toward the treeline. ¡®fighting¡­ have they found me? Will they find me¡­ I must¡­ I mus¡­¡± A second heavy hand seemed to read his mind, nearly removing his mind from the conscious realms of men, but he managed to remain awake.  ¡®No¡­ I will not go silently¡­ like last time¡­¡¯


    In a final surge of energy, He broke free of one Orc, spinning with the only weapons he had available to him and sinking his sharp teeth into the throat of the second. A quick crunch and rip removed the Orc¡¯s windpipe from him, and He caught the heavy axe as the bodyguard fell. With a heave, he threw it, not at the second Orc.. but at his tormentor who was clearly to amused at the situation to react properly. He dodged the throw barely in time, but a cry of pain and anger proved his aim almost good enough. The heavy hood was torn away, and He took two steps back in abject terror, ¡°No¡­ It can''t be¡­ You¡­ You can''t exist!¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Blood red eyes, and main of golden locks fell into the light, and a solid flow of red betrayed that he had marked his captive. ¡°a clever little puke,¡± was all he said before he lunged to the left, dodging the surviving Orcs wild attack. ¡°DEMON!¡± the Orc bellowed but two quick slashes from a slender blade severed the ligaments in the warrior''s legs, ¡°Yes¡± was all the H¡¯mure said before driving his fangs into the Orcs throat. He threw the massive green Pirate aside, not even bothering to acknowledge the searing enraged roars of a dead man raging against the venom killing him. ¡°Hmmm, It¡¯s been centuries since I¡¯ve gotten to do that.. I might have used a bit much.. No matter, I¡¯ve been dying to try this out.¡± He pulled a bulky item from his cloak, it had a single curved wooden handle with a strange lever attached to the side, the abomination opened a small port on the side of a long black iron rod and poured strange powder into it as his captive continued to shrink back, ¡°You¡¯re a monster!!! What do you claim to start with this!!¡±


    The H¡¯mure snapped his fingers against the wick on the end of the small lever, and it glowed sinisterly at him. ¡°A war..¡± was all he said before pointing the thing at him. ¡°I wish to start a¡­. ¡° an explosion seared his ears, and his sight was blinded by splattering red, but not before he witnessed the H¡¯mure¡¯s head detonate in some kind of majikle explosion.


    He pawed at his eyes for a moment before a new voice spoke, ¡°Lord Hirak, I presume.¡± Hirak froze at the use of his name for the first time in recent memory, opening his eyes to see a strange pale being in front of him. He began to shrink back a second time at the skin color before noticing the green eyes and dark hair. An Aquilar seamen wearing Ascendency colors stood next to him scanning the area with a strange bulky lance, and a slender, possibly gorgeous by the armor, helmeted being reached a hand to him after slipping one of her strange weapons into a leather pouch, ¡°Come, my Lord.¡± The sweet voice seemed to melt his fear. He stood with the help of the surprisingly strong woman and turned to what he only could assume was an Albino Orc by the shape and eyes of him. The being was stepping over to the dead H¡¯mure, absently slipping a strange brass rod into his own weirdly bulky lance. ¡°Another one¡­¡±


    ¡°Benjamin! We must go! The tide turns!¡± The Aquilar barked in Orcish. ¡°Right, Let¡¯s move.¡± With that, the four departed, Hirak being supported by the Aquilar seamen as they surged through the carnage. A straggling pirate stepped out from behind a building, missing one arm, but still wielding a saber in his other. He roared a challenge only for the Gloriously clad armored female to reveal that her weapons were not for close-in fighting. She raised them both in stride and each exploded twice in quick succession. Hirak¡¯s ears rang, but his head spun in time to see the same wounded pirate fall with three fresh holes in his chest quickly soaking his armor in green.


    Benjamin took a deep breath, ¡°WITHDRAW!!! WITHDRAW!!! RALLY TO THE SHIP!!¡± He repeated that multiple times as they raced through the burning remnants of the encampment. Moments later, Hirak¡¯s soul sang as he rounded the final corner to find one of his vessels sitting next to the shore with crewmen ashore in a defensive line. More seamen boiled out of the compound in full sprint back to the ship, ¡°Go!¡± The Albino bellowed, get on the ship!¡± he spun, rushing his group past him just as 4 more Pirates rushed from their hiding place. Hirak was transfixed as he watched the Albino raise his own spear only for it to belch the same Firey explosion of the female''s weapon. It spoke its fury 6 times before the last of the pirates finally fell, each one writhing from a monstrous hole in their chest or abdomen. Benjamin simply stood, spun on his heels and rushed up the makeshift ramp that had been constructed after the initial attack.  The Captain greeted Olioorin with a curt salute, ¡°My Lord, It is a Miracle to see you¡­ Inside, quickly. We will be underway shortly.¡± He spun to the railing, ¡°TO THE SALTS LADS!!! WE MAKE FOR OPEN WATER!!¡±


    ___________________________________________________________________________________________


    Benjamin sprinted up the ramp, the last one aboard. Almost as his feet hit the deck, the boarding ramp was raised, ¡°Away Port Rowmen!¡± Olioorin barked in his people''s tongue. Organized chaos erupted below decks and the massive port oars emerged from their ports. As one each or slammed into the shore and a mighty yell echoed. They had beaten the end of slack tide and Ruuigriloo slipped from the shoreline. ¡°Let fly the mainsail! Rowers on the double time! Helm, make for the Narrows!¡± the sequence of orders played out, but Benjamin was already headed to the infirmary, to check on his women.


    ¡°You live..¡± Viola gasped; her arm still tightly bound to her body to hold the wound still as it healed. It didn¡¯t stop her from lunging for Benjamin, gripping him tightly before shaking violently in quiet sobs¡­ ¡°All the gunfire¡­ all the screaming¡­ I feared the worst when I couldn¡¯t feel Val anymore.¡± Benjamin cuddled her close, ¡°I didn¡¯t know your connection was so short-range.¡± Viola shook her head, ¡°It is not far¡­ I haven¡¯t felt that since¡­.¡± She shuddered violently and Val rubbed her back as the Aquilar seamen who accompanied them entered the infirmary, he bore a new bleeding scar across his right forearm but he ignored being attended to, ¡°Warrior Benjamin, The Captain wishin¡¯ to see you, immediately if possible.¡± Benjamin nodded and then was surprised when the Crewman gave him an Ascendency Salute before departing. ¡°I must go. It is done, we are making for the Narrows¡­ We found him.¡± Viola nodded stiffly, ¡°Go, they will not release me from her yet; and in truth, I could use the rest.¡± Ben pecked her on the cheek before departing, Val closely behind him.


    The walk to the Captain¡¯s quarters was now a familiar one, and the Door guard knocked twice s soon as they arrived, ¡°Enter¡± Olioorins clear command was followed. Benjamin and Val entered to find the Ascendency heir and the Captain standing over the map. ¡°Ah! The Albino, and¡­ an Aereseen?¡± He looked her over with confused suspicion until his eyes fell upon the twin pistols still riding on her hip, ¡°You!¡± Val openly flashed a smile as the Young Monarch sputtered, ¡°This day is doomed to be filled with surprises, Valtrya was it?¡± She nodded, and he stepped over and taking a small bow facing the two of them, ¡° Benjamin and Valtrya, I owe you my life¡­ but I also bear ill tidings.. You have secured my temporary freedom¡­ but at the cost of your own.¡±


    Benjamin and Valtrya stepped up to the map as Lord Hirak turned to it. ¡°These Pirates, they no longer have an individual vessel¡­ This group was well organized by what I now know to be the abomination you dispatched when he meant my end. Two of them rival you in displacement Captain¡­ but the Third¡­ The third is like nothing I have ever seen. A titanic monstrosity that proves the antithesis of our entire naval doctrine.. They murdered my vessel¡­ to my shame, I was forced to surrender to them before they set my ship ablaze and bound me. Captain, they were to arrive today. I fear they¡­¡±


    ¡°SAIL HO!!! MANY SAIL HO!!! TO QUARTERS!¡± The howling announcement transcended language, and the four quickly rushed to the deck. ¡°glass!¡± Olioorin ordered, and was handed a bulky spyglass attached to a resting monopod. Benjamin raised an eyebrow at the contraption as Olioorin peered through it. ¡°Thar she be.¡± he growled in Orcish, ¡°a quarter point to windward.. She has the weather gauge on us, but where are her Oar ports¡­ Oh¡­ Gods and Goddess¡­ Benjamin, you must see.¡±


    Benjamin took the cumbersome device and pointed where directed. The view caused him to blink twice and then refocus the glass upon their enemy. It was true, each of the smaller vessels were Aquilar Longships roughly the same size as Ruuigrilooo, and each of them bore a pair of cannons, one upon the forecastle, and one upon the after castle. A two-on-one fight would undoubtedly be a costly, brutal affair, but the ¡°flagship¡± Changed everything.. ¡°Shit¡± the emotion rolled out of him, but surprise was lacking. A quick look from Olioorin told him to follow. Moments later, the four of them returned to the captain''s quarters. ¡°Benjamin, You have seen that vessel before,¡± Olioorin stated. It was not a question.


    Benjamin took a big breath, ¡°I.. I have, or I have seen its kind¡­ It is called, a Galleon.¡±  Lord Hirak gave him a sharp glare, ¡°Benjamin, I hope you have an exceedingly excellent reason to be able to Identify that ship, especially considering the company you keep¡­ and the monstrosity that tried to kill me.¡± Benjamin¡¯s blood froze at the Monarch¡¯s tone, but Valtrya Hissed a challenge before reaching for one handgun. ¡°Peace!¡± Olioorin shouted, ¡°Both of you, Halt!¡± he ordered before turning to his Monarch, ¡°Forgive me, Lord Hirak¡­ I dare not command you, but you have been in captivity for a long time¡­ much has changed in that time, I desperately advise patience and understanding before suspicion, and action.¡± Hirak glared at the captain for a long moment before speaking in a carefully cold tone, ¡°Very well, Captain. Enlighten me.¡±

 Chapter 34

    ¡°You ask¡­. Much of me, Captain¡­¡± Lord Hirak¡¯s voice was but a whisper, fearful eyes locked onto the red-soaked fabric wrapping Benjamin¡¯s left palm. ¡°And you claim the Queen Mother Victoria knows and vouches for him?¡±


    ¡°Ulioorin does. I trust the old SeaMaster with my life, or I would have attempted to dispose of Benjamin long before we arrived.. Had I succeeded, I would also have failed to rescue you, My Lord.¡± Olioorin answered formally before shifting uncomfortably, ¡°Lord Hirak, there is more¡­ forgive me, but I have come to suspect your uncle¡¯s hand aided in your kidnapping.¡±


    To Benjamin¡¯s surprise, Hirak did not react in shock and was about to speak when the door opened, and Veiran entered, fluttering over to Benjamin, and began attending to his hand without so much as a flinch at the sight of red. ¡°You know as well?¡± Hirak had noticed the same. Veiran simply nodded, never halting her attentions, ¡°I do, Lord Hirak¡±


    Hirak hummed deeply, ¡°So easily, tell me, It is not easy to earn the trust of the Vin. What has this being done to earn such favor.¡± Veiran froze, it was half a heartbeat, but it was noticed. Benjamin sighed heavily, ¡°It is ok, go ahead.¡± Veiran nodded, her wings still glowing slightly with her healing aura as she finished sealing Benjamin¡¯s wound. ¡°He¡­ he is blessed, by the goddess. I have seen him wield forbidden power far stronger than any warrior maje from the H¡¯mure wars. I was there, at the end¡­ I can assure you, that if Benjamin was facing us, we may not have prevailed.¡±


    Benjamin inhaled deeply in surprise. Intellectually, he understood that the Vin were functionally immortal, but outside of Vilora and Victoria, he assumed that not many of them had survived until now. Veiran looked up at Benjamin sincerely, ¡°Benjamin, your power is terrifying; and I suspect you are holding back, but you are no H¡¯mure. The treatment of your women alone proves that, but the way you fight is another mark in your ledger. H¡¯mure hold little weight in the worth of a life. Their Majik reflected that, often willingly unleashing their power on friend as well as foe, if the situation would result in their favor. You do not. You take great care to avoid wounding a friend, even while wielding power many would call heretical.¡±


    With that, the Vin healer bowed to Hirak, and departed. ¡°A powerful testament, I must admit. Very well, but while I am inclined to believe you, it will does not solve our current predicament. This¡­. Galleon¡­ represents an insurmountable force. Even with your new weapons, accounting for your abilities, three on one is simply suicide. How long do we have until¡­¡±


    ¡°CAPTAIN!¡± The master of the watch came barging in, ¡°Appologies, but the lookout reports a storm on the horizon, the winds have shifted accordingly, putting the narrows direct-a-windward!¡± Benjamin straightened in his chair, ¡°Captain, if this Galleon is traditionally built, she will have no real abilities to row to windward. She would have to sail at least 45 degrees to the wind to beat upwind, most likely more. If we are to even the odds¡­ it is now.¡±


    Olioorin took the measure of Benjamin in front of him, running the limited options before him through his mind before nodding sharply, ¡°Very well. It is a faint opening, but it is our best one. Give the order, Watchmaster. We will be joining you shortly.¡± The Watchmaster disappeared as quickly as he had arrived, closely followed by Hirak, Olioorin, Benjamin and Valtrya.


    Half way through the bowels of the vessel, they were intercepted by Viola, who was gingerly removing her arm from a sling before strapping on her Rapier. She caught Benjamin¡¯s distraught gaze, but only shook her head, ¡°My Benjamin, if what they say we face is true, I am in no less danger in the infirmary, than by your side. I will not die helpless in bed.¡±  Ben cradled her head, pulling her as close as their armors could allow, ¡°I¡­ I know¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± They separated and continued on, never noticing Hirak¡¯s concerned observations.


    When Benjamin and company reached the main hatch; icy, salty spray reminded him that they were still on a low-slung long oarship of a pre golden age of sail design. Every cannon was loaded and run out but not primed. The number 2 gunner¡¯s mate held a thick leather gloved paw, usually meant to prevent air from entering the cannon while sponging, tightly to the priming hole, the other hand carefully keeping the priming horn inside his wet weather gear. The cotton powder bags were inside individual metal pales with lids on them, ready to be inserted with minimal chance of receiving spray. Everyone¡¯s ears rang as the rowing cadence was pounded out, and soon a rousing song, chanted in the Aquilar tongue, rose from the rowing deck.


    ¡°Captain, look!¡± The Watchmaster handed Olioorin the oversized spyglass and a gratified growl erupted from the captain, ¡°Benjamin, this¡­ Galeeoin¡­. Is falling away!! They have no oars!!! We¡­¡± his voice failed him as the entire side of the Galleon facing them disappeared behind a wall a fire and smoke. ¡°INCOMING!!!!!!¡± Benjamin almost absently heard in his own voice. The range was long, and extending, but the heel of the Galleon, pressed to her mountain of canvas, had elevated her port side broadside battery. A hoard of low fluttering, warbles heralded the hatred coming towards them. Most of the incoming fire splashed either short or long of the mark, but Riooliuu did not survive unscathed. 3, 25 pound cannon balls crashed through her aft port quarter in a shower of splinters that scythed diagonally through the rowing deck as if death himself had come for blood. ¡°Away repair parties!!!¡± Oliroorin barked in his native tongue, Benjamin did not need to understand the word, noticing the first of the two enemy Galleys approaching. ¡°FUCK!¡± He swore, rushing straight to the starboard rail. Riooliuu¡¯s progress to windward had faltered as almost a third of her oarsmen lay dead or dying, and the enemy captain smelled blood in the water. As they closed, Benjamin got his first glimpses of the enemy¡¯s naval cannon design, and what he saw forced a fierce grin to his face. Their cannons fired a heavier shot, that was certain; but their gun trucks had no wheels, and their barrels were in-layed into them with steel bands, completely omitting the trunnions that allowed Ben¡¯s cannons to adjust for elevation. They would be very slow to reload. He spun to meet a paw on his shoulder, and Olioorin took a full step back at the crazed expression on the ¡®human¡¯s¡¯ face, ¡°They have no wheels.¡± Growled Benjamin before spinning to the master gunner, ¡°Elevate to position 3.¡± He Barked. Unsure of who to listen to, the Aquilar seamen looked anxiously at his commander who only nodded once, then bellowed the command.


    Benjamin helped the aftergun swivel into place to present three guns to the closest threat as a trio of responses sounded. ¡°On the uproll!!!¡± He called waiting half a heartbeat for the translation, ¡°FIRE!!¡± Riooliuu belched her hate for the first time in ship-to-ship artillery combat. The wind was still dead ahead, and the forecastle and amidships canon smoke seared Benjamin¡¯s eyes as they blew past. ¡°LOAD!!¡± The range was still at the ragged edge of accuracy for a smooth bore cannon on the rolling high seas, but one round shot managed to skip off the water and shatter the mast of the incoming galley, and Benjamin watched through the oversized spyglass as its captain shouted orders in sheer panic before both of his cannons belched smoke and flame in unison.


    They were not ready, and their shot sailed wildly short, one skipping along the water several times as it passed astern. Benjamin grinned as the enemy did what he had suspected. Their loading was going to be slow, he knew that now, especially since he  could see that they had no bagged charges¡­ which meant that the Galleon behind them lacked those as well, ¡°Loaded!¡± Came the translated call from the master gunner, and Benjamin waited for the next roll of the ship¡­The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°FIRE!¡± He called, accounting for the delay in having his words translated. The range has shrunk by a third, and this time two of Riooliuu¡¯s meager broadside connected, dismounting one of the enemy cannons, detonating the powder as a spark from the impact landed just right, and killing the crew. The second hit entered amidships, and Benjamin watched as oars flailed about in response to the carnage-filled chaos he knew was happening below decks. Moments later, a small memory reminded him of something from a history documentary, ¡°Captain, we need to turn to starboard, 40 degrees! Master gunner¡­ LOAD GRAPE..¡± Benjamin turned back to a confused Olioorin, the Veteran seaman was witnessing artillary-based naval combat for the first time in his life, ¡°Captain please, I mean to rake her stem to stern¡±


    Olioorin¡¯s eyes widened at the implication. He knew they would lose speed, but the turn would bear them away from the second galley, whom while out of position to give the galleon its shot, was frantically rowing in to aid her comrade. ¡°Helm! Hard over. Make your course nore-east by east!¡± Riooliuu groaned as she responded to the command, losing further way as her oar-deck was still recovering.


    In any other galley engagement, this would be suicide¡­ a blatant invitation to get rammed amidships and sunk, but Olioorin had just watched the impossible happen, true ranged combat on the salts, and Benjamin clearly understood this new carnage. ¡°AS YOU BEAR!!!!¡± The humans fierce howl was quickly translated, but there would be no fire command. Each gunner knew they were to fire when their individual gun was lined up on target, not together in a single volley. Another ten seconds elapsed before the forecastle gun spoke its vengeance. Her gun captain''s aim was true, and the center 2/3rds of her charge of grapeshot impacted the enemy, bow on, just above the waterline.


    The first hits shattered what was left of the enemy oarsmen¡¯s coordination, their oars flailing wildly just as Riooliuu¡¯s amidships gun belched her fury. The second gun shattered the figurehead on the bow of the enemy vessel as her hail of grapeshot pulverized the sea deck rail, traveling  the length of the ship as the individual small round ball¡¯s reaped their grim harvest of souls. Benjamin¡¯s eyes widened, finally shocked at the carnage now unfolding less than 30 yards from him. The after-castle gun next to him fired. None of the grapeshot from the last gun missed, and Benjamin watched the enemy captain bisected cleanly through the middle as he was hit by two individual iron projectiles. Less than a dozen sailors were left standing on deck, and the agonizing sounds of dead and dying reached Benjamin¡¯s ears for the first time.


    Riooliuu gained way once more, her oarsmen replaced, and spare oars run out from the hold.  Benjamin didn¡¯t notice at first, eyes fixed on the enemy galley¡¯s scuppers now flowing thick with a mix of tortoise and green blood. The liquid gore poured from the vessel as if the wood planking itself was bleeding her life force into the ocean, and Benjamin found he could only look on in horror at the floating holocaust of his own making.


    ¡°My Benjamin,¡± Viola¡¯s voice finally broke through, ¡°My Benjamin, the other longship¡± Benjamin snapped out of his grim trance, turning to find the after-castle gun already repositioned to port, and the for-castle gun already in position. ¡°Master Gunner, they are yours.¡± Benjamin¡¯s voice croaked dryly and the Aquilar seamen stuck a salute before turning to bark orders.


    Benjamin watched as Riooliuu¡¯s Master Gunner proved a quick study, rendering the second pirate galley into a shattered wreck in much the same way as the first. Captain Olioorin observed all of this, keeping close to the vest the emotions roiling within him as they passed the narrows and into more open water, ¡°Captain¡­ Sir, look¡­ the winds.. the storm is backing.¡±


    Captain Olioorin turned only to see Benjamin, flanked by his women, looking up at the pendant atop the mast, now swung to betray the wind now blowing hard from the port beam. He then turned to look aft just in time to see the Galleon, surf boiling from her prow, emerge from behind the trees lining the narrows, bearing straight for them on a new-found weather gauge. ¡°Captain, this is a problem¡­¡± The green-eyed being¡¯s haunted tone registered, but now was not the time or the place. ¡°We can¡¯t make full sail can we, and that ship is probably capable of 10 knots in this gale¡­ we can¡¯t outrun them..¡±


    ¡°No¡­ we cannot¡­ they will be upon us within the hour I suspect. Our damage is slowing us down.¡± Olioorin admitted, ¡°The second Longship scored a hit below our waterline. We have stemmed the flooding, but we have lost some speed and strength because of it. Riooliuu was never built for this¡­¡± he let his voice trail off as Benjamin winced sharply.


    The next 45 minutes went by in terrible silence. Benjamin never stopped watching the monster bearing down on him, the ones he loved, and the crew he had come to respect. Finally, he calmed himself, and a cold hard edge arrived in his tone. ¡°Captain, please take Viola, and Valtrya¡­.¡± He turned to the Aquilar captain to reveal his green eyes ablaze in an unearthly glow. ¡°¡­ and clear the aftercastle.¡±


    ¡°BEN!¡± Viola called out, surprised panic in her voice, and Valtrya fought powerful Aquilar arms to stay beside Benjamin, ¡°My loves, It will not be safe¡­go.¡± The two gasped at the haunting double voice that sounded very little like their Benjamin but stepped back when his seacoat and shirt disintegrated around him to reveal his electrical scars ablaze almost as brightly as his eyes.


    Benjamin gave them a small smile before rising straight up into the sky until he came to rest upon the crow''s nest atop the singular mast of Riooliuu. ¡°Go!¡± He bellowed to the lookout who practically dove to the ratlines upon his arrival. Veiran and Vailin had rushed to the deck, both having almost been flattened by the massive surge of Majik they felt and stood watching along with the entire crew. No being moved a muscle, save for Benjamin who slowly raised both arms.


    Benjamin knew what he had to do¡­ worse, he knew what he could do¡­ and it terrified him. He could feel the insane power of the energy within the storm barreling down on both vessels, but what terrified him was what happened when he touched it..It reacted to him, bending about the fingertips of his mind and soul until he was almost lost in its folds. Everything seemed so small, so insignificant, but he knew it was an illusion. There were people he needed to protect, both those he loved, and those of whom he would never meet¡­ and to do that, he needed to survive to return to the mainland. His decision was made for him, and his mind grabbed hold of the very heart of the storm, as time itself seemed to be rendered meaningless..


    Quiet¡­ deadly empty stillness. Olioorin could not quite understand what his eyes were seeing. The Broiling storm, and the wind that accompanied it¡­ had frozen. He could see the limp canvas flapping atop the now drifting ¡®galleon¡¯ behind them, but upon further inspection, even the rain and spray in the air had frozen in place.


    Suddenly, a low warbling rush, similar enough to an incoming cannon ball, made him duck. The thundercloud, and every drop of water snapped upward in a violent cacophony of deafening booms. Olioorin looked up to see a massive cone of countless shimmering disks, the closes of them shaped almost like his grandfather¡¯s reading glass, extending up into the heavens.


    From atop the mast, a pained howling bellow erupted from the lookout¡¯s singular occupant. And the air itself vibrated as the being raised one hand over his head, and another towards their pursuer, just before he was blinded by a flash of light brighter than the goddess herself.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Another cry of exertion escaped him as Benjamin forced the last of the storm¡¯s might, all 4 billion Joules of it, into a mass of pure energy that stood atop hundreds of trillions of individual droplets, all flattened out into individual magnification lenses, that were currently stretched out up to nearly 35 thousand feet into the air. No one in his human history had tried to create an energy beam using this sheer volume of power, at least, not that he knew of.. but¡­


    His thoughts were cut short as his control over the highly condensed energy failed, and the resulting detonation blew a perfect hole through the remaining layers of clouds. The sun, in all her power, fed his assembly, and Benjamin¡¯s brain seared with the overexertion of micromanaging hundreds of trillions of individual liquid lenses. It worked, after all fashion. A bright white beam of concentrated light that wasn¡¯t quite homogenous enough to be considered a laser slammed into the water 30 yards from the bow of the Galleon, and an involuntary bellow of exertion forced its way from Benjamin¡¯s lips as he was forced to adjust everything, whilst maintaining control of every atom at his command. The beam boiled the cold ocean surface instantly before traveling across the waves and impacting the bow of the enemy vessel. No one had a chance to shout, and the column of pure concentrated energy instantly cut through the wooden deck, setting everything ablaze before reaching the powder magazine.


    Viola watched in awe mixed with terror as the pure white representation of Suelin herself slammed into their pursuer, setting it ablaze only for it to detonate in a bubble of overpressure, flame, smoke, wood, and ruined bodies. Almost as suddenly, the puppet strings were cut, and a massive wave of falling water slammed down to the ocean, soaking all in attendance.


    Her Benjamin slowly drifted down from the mast, landing heavily with his back to them. She could see him struggling to stand, heaving for every breath, and her heart sank as he turned to face them. Bright red poured from his nose and ears, one eye completely bloodshot as the Majik glow in his irises and scars flickered once, then disappeared entirely. He tried to speak, only to have unintelligent gurgling gibberish come out before he crumpled, his body dropping like a puppet with his own strings cut, landing in a pool of slowly expanding red¡­

 Chapter 35

    *He will live¡­ but him brain was¡­¡­ I can repair his¡­. mind is¡­ else¡­ entirely¡­* Benjamin knew only pain, split with small moments, visions of people, and hints of broken conversations. His only respite came in a fleeting doses hot liquid poured to his lips. The back of his fragmented thoughts wandered, but the soothing warmth washed his conscious mind from the subject too swiftly for any real question to form.


    From his bedside, Valtrya set down the lukewarm mug of sedatives, fighting back the urge to succumb to the terror and depression whose icy grip threatened the very spark in her soul. Viola was away. Off in conference with the Ascendancy Monarch, and the Captain of Riooliuu, but nothing is what it had been.


    In the backdrop of desperate victory, her Benjamin had fallen, but not perished, yet. She feared that that decision would be out of her hands in due time. Hirak and Olioorin had been put in a difficult position. Benjamin¡¯s ruined body had revealed its secret to the crew of Riooliuu, pouring his iron blood upon the deck when he collapsed. The violent, instinctual response had been almost instant, and Valtrya had killed two Aquilar with her pistols, Viola claiming a third with her rapier before Hirak was able to halt the mob of seamen believing they were attacking a monster from myth and legend.


    Her Benjamin was to be spared, on account of his feats in saving the monarch of the ascendency. Val and her sister were spared as well. Olioorin had not ordered the attack on Benjamin, so in technicality, the seamen they had slay¡¯n were, by law, mutineers. It did not stop the crew from handling her roughly when they were finally restrained, but the fear in their eyes kept them from any true violation or brutality.


    No, they were ¡°safe¡± for the moment, protected by the crew¡¯s fear of Benjamin, The Captain, and the sisters¡¯ warrior prowess itself¡­. But they were no longer free. That much had become perfectly clear when no less than 4 Aquilar soldiers were posted at their door. She, Benjamin, and Viola were confined to their quarters, prisoners inside their own living space, until they returned to the Capital¡­ if not longer.


    Veiran was allowed to treat Benjamin, but the ancient Vin healer knew well the limits of Majik ¡°I can repair his body, but the mind is something else entirely. It is too dangerous¡­ You must trust Benjamin to come back to us. Give it time, just as we must give his body time to complete the healing I¡¯ve begun.¡±


    The rhythmic thumping of feet alerted her just before the heavy bolt was unlocked. Viola, struggling while clenching her face, was roughly thrown into the room by an Aquilar that Val recognized as the same one who fought through the pirate stronghold alongside herself and Benjamin. Viola hit the ground hard before rounding on her prison guard with extended fangs and a loud, feral, hissing ¡°FUCK YOU!¡± The Aquilar seamen froze, almost Hurt by the tone until Viola gave him a quick wink. Recognition flashed across his features just as he winked back, ¡°Whore!¡± he growled exasperatedly and made his own show of slamming the door shut and bolting it.


    The moment the door was secured, all of the theatrics vanished. Viola stopped covering a nonexistent wound from her ¡°interrogation¡± by Hirak and Orlioorin. She spun to sit next to Benjamin, who was currently unconsciously snoring in the single bed..


    ¡°We have a plan¡­¡± Viola whispered to her sister. ¡°Lord Hirak is prepared to go against his uncle. It appears, some remarks he overheard while being tortured have replaced a few of the missing pieces. The ¡®Lord Regent¡¯ is responsible for the kidnapping. But¡­.¡± Val pulled her sister in close before turning to the ragged breathing man next to her, ¡°I know¡­ we need Benjamin.¡± She turned to kiss the sweat-soaked mop of red hair. ¡°We need him¡­back.¡±  She stroked Benjamin¡¯s cold sweat-soaked hair through her fingers, ¡°Sister, he shakes.¡±


    The two women slipped from their clothes before crawling into bed on neither side of Benjamin. They used their own body¡¯s heat to help him regulate his own while he fought to survive. Val curled up against Benjamin¡¯s chest, pulling his head to her shoulder and wrapping his limp arms around her.


    Her Benjamin was so fragile, and in this moment, Val could no longer hold back tears of terrified desperation. ¡°Goddess,¡± she whispered, ¡°bring him¡­ home.¡± She whispered through her soft sobs, focusing on pressing into Benjamin in futile hopes of stopping the trembling. Slowly, the world seemed to melt away, and her body began to feel heavy. It pulled at her until she felt herself break away from¡­.


    Valtrya began to panic, she was looking down at her own body, lying motionless next to Benjamin and Viola.. ¡®I¡¯m dead, but how¡­ what?¡­ oh goddess, Viola is¡­¡±


    ¡°Peace, child.¡± The new voice pierced her very being, and a glow of searing warmth at her back slowly turned Valtrya from the bed her body was still lying in. A being in a vibrant blazing gown, skin of pure glowing fury stood before her. ¡°You have not perished child. I have heard you.¡± Valtrya gasped at the implication, lowing her head and refusing to look at the radiant being, ¡°Godess, I¡­¡±


    ¡°None of that, child. You are mated to my champion, not just a mere acolyte. Come, let us talk.¡± Suelin smiled patiently, waiting for Val to meet her gaze again. Valtrya seemed to steel herself, taking a deep breath, and rose with severe eyes and resolute shoulders, ¡°Can you do it?¡± She asked, her eyes bored into the galactic being¡¯s avatar. ¡°Can you bring My Benjamin back¡­¡± the back of her mind wondered at how easily it was for her to speak, but she pushed it away when Suelin hummed pensively, ¡°It is a tall request, my child. Your healer is correct, the mind is a ¡­. Treacherous¡­. thing to play with. What you know of as Majik is almost entirely based on the known; but he mind of an individual being holds many secrets.¡± Suelin reached out, raising an eyebrow as Valtrya didn¡¯t so much as flinch at her fiery touch, ¡°My, It appears he has given you more than just your freedom. It has been eons since a Terrestrial has been capable of surviving my touch.¡± Suelin brushed Valtrya¡¯s skin, leaving the barest of blemishes ¡°Benjamin has given you a great gift, a strength of will, reforged from horror and pain, fit for a celestial. I have use of that gift, my child.¡±


    Valtrya met Suelin''s gaze for a long moment, catching the Avatars wrist as it retreated, ¡°ohhoh?¡± Suelin smirked, intrigued by the aggressive movement, ¡°My sister¡­ Whatever you do to me, she survives.¡± Valtry tightened her grip upon the Avatars wrist,  ¡°She¡­ must¡­ live..¡± Suelin tilted her head, ¡°You believe yourself capable of demands? What of your Benjamin?¡± She challenged, but Valtrya held firm, ¡°If I am to fall, he must not be alone. I think you know what that would mean for him to lose both of us¡­ what it would bring to this orb.¡±


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Suelin¡¯s eyes narrowed, suspecting all too well the terrestrial before her spoke truth, ¡°Very well. I swear that your sister will live as she is,¡± her free hand snapped out, clasping Valtrya firmly about the back of the head, and Valtrya hissed as she felt the heat for the first time. She was forced to release her hold on the Avatar, but nodded her acceptance, ¡°Focus on your true purpose, Valtrya¡­ and you may yet live.¡± Suelin pulled Valtrya close, unleashing her glory upon the woman¡¯s soul, and a guttural cry erupted from the Aereseen woman before she was engulfed in a flash of blinding white heat.


    Valtrya felt her very soul set alight, flames ripping at her very being and threatening to ease her from existence. Her cry of pain howled into the pyre¡¯s inferno, Thoughts, memories, and finally her Benjamin started to fade from her mind as if being forcefully ripped from her, and it was too much, her howls of pain morphed into a fire on its own. She used Benjamin as her anchor, latching onto him with her remaining strength, clawing herself back from oblivion, ¡®¡­thats my girl¡­¡¯ a familiar voice purred into her own mind. Valtrya¡¯s eyes snapped opened, her deep purples ablaze, the violet flames spread quickly across her body, but her eyes stayed locked upon the proud expression of the goddess as their twin infernos dueled. ¡®Own it my child. Own it, and live¡¯ Suelin¡¯s lips never moved, releasing her vice grip upon the nape of Valtrya¡¯s neck¡­


    And she woke up. Her entire body was soaked in a cold sweat. She could feel her sister¡¯s soul connected to her own¡­ she dared not move from her place against¡­.


    For the first time since the fight with the Pirates, Benjamin¡¯s arms shifted on their own. They wrapped themselves around her waist, pulling her tightly to himself. She felt his breathing slow from the ragged panting into the familiar strong long breaths. ¡®Thank you¡¯ she whispered under her breath, wiggling into perfect comfort against Benjamin¡¯s chest¡­ and slept.


    Benjamin began improving, his eyes regaining their focus and recognition a week later. The three were to remain ¡°prisoners¡± for the remainder of the voyage back to the capital, but Benjamin needed the time and seclusion. Vi and Val nurtured him over the next month. They could not exercise effectively in the cramped space, but helped hold Benjamin up when he started trying to walk back and forth in their small room.


    It took almost another full month, but Benjamin¡¯s mind finally sharpened. Soon he too was ¡°Hauled off¡± to ¡°interrogation¡± regularly. The known reason was to interrogate the iron blood, find out how much of the H¡¯mure empire lives. In truth, it was to plan for their arrival and give Benjamin some room to regain his strength and coordination.


    _____________________________________________________________________________________


    Valtrya lay curled up with her back against the chest of a sleeping Benjamin while her sister was currently being ¡°interrogated¡±. The two of them were taking turns keeping close to him while he recovered, but she wondered about her experience, unwilling to speak of it to even her sister. Was she still herself, or did she just think she was still Valtrya. She felt the same, but she wondered just what had¡­ *yes, my child, you are different.* Valtrya stiffened, for just a moment, fearing a feedback response from her sister that never came. *fear not, you yet live,* Valtrya tried to ask questions, on only a slight warm amusement returned to her mind. No, she was no longer the same¡­


    ¡°Capital in sight! A quarter-point a¡¯leeward!!¡± The baying from the crowsnest stirred Benjamin for a moment, but Valtrya shuddered when she felt him shift, his manhood slipping between her thighs and hardening quickly. He had often awoken with something called ¡°morning wood¡±, but she knew it was not always a sexual rea¡­


    Her thoughts were interrupted again when arms slipped around her, pulling her closer to him, and a pair of lips began softly nibbling at the nape of her neck. Her body reacted on instinct, arching her back until she felt his tip press against her womanhood. A shuddering moan escaped Valtrya, as her Benjamin took her for the first time in what felt like ages. Gentle fingertips wandered across her breasts as he sank into her, and Valtrya melted into his touch, gently grinding in slow squeezing circles.


    A soft grunt escaped her Benjamin with every flex of her womanhood, and she felt the nips and kisses on her neck continue in rythm to her movements. Moments stretched on in perfect bliss until Valtrya felt Benjamin begin to shudder. She almost stopped, fearful that she had hurt him, until she felt his arms coil around her tightly, and she felt him drive deeply into her as his manhood began to twitch frantically. Her own climax shuddered to life as he poured himself into her, holding her against himself until they both finished.


    No words were shared, but Benjamin didn¡¯t bother trying to withdraw from Val, choosing to hold her tightly to himself and kiss on her neck and back. Val was in heaven, unthinking, and uncaring about the world about her, and an excited humm radiated from her chest when she felt him swell inside her a second time. Val redoubled her grinding circles, relishing Benjamin¡¯s reaction until Viola was returned to their quarters.


    Viola arrived with a smirk, fully aware of what was happening in her absence, and disrobed quickly. She leaned over the two and kissed Benjamin on the neck fiercely, ¡°feeling better, are we?¡± She cooed to him.  Val gave an extra squeeze that prompted a guttural grunt in response as Benjamin almost filled Val a second time. ¡°May I?¡± Vi whispered, and Valtrya rolled her hips one last time before trading places with Viola.


    Benjamin rolled to his back as Viola straddled him, driving herself down upon him with purpose before leaning over his chest to hiss her way up his neck. Her lips met his, and she rose off of him until the tip of his manhood was barely contained before slowly dropping back down. She arched her back, bouncing on him while driving her breasts to his mouth.


    His lips found their purchase, and her rythm faltered before resuming. He did not last long, and Viola was forced to bite her lip in quiet orgasm when he began to twitch violently inside her, trying to hold off his own climax. Viola knew he was there, and she drove his full length into herself, grinding her hips to his. Benjamin leaned up to her, latching onto her neck with his lips and bucked uncontrollably against her as he came.  She sat upright, sinking her full weight against his hips and grinding her own ecstasy against his. Valtrya leaned over. Kissing Ben fiercely until he was finished.


    The three of them collapsed upon the bed just before three heavy thumps hammered their door, ¡°we make landfall in 3 hours! Be prepared in 2!¡± Was all the accompanying gruff voice started before stomping off. Viola simply leaned over her Benjamin, ¡°feeling better,¡± Benjamin whispered in confirmation, pulling Viola to one side and capturing Valtrya with the other arm. He pulled them close to his chest, ¡°I don¡¯t deserve you.¡± He murmured before his voice gained a serious tone, ¡°Are we ready for this?¡±


    Viola nodded, ¡°Everything is ready, but we cannot know how the Royal guard is going to react. We risk another civil war.¡± Benjamin grunted and acknowledged before noticing Valtrya¡¯s worried expression, ¡°Hey, what is it?¡± Val wanted to speak, but she found that she didn''t have the words. She chose only to kiss him deeply and cuddle into him, ¡°ok, ok.¡± Long used to Val¡¯s nonverbal communication, He simply rubbed her on her back, tracing little designs across her flanks, ¡°well, It is best we prepare¡­ but maybe in an hour¡± he whispered, relaxing into Vi and Val¡¯s embrace.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________


    Lord Regent Quiiruu stepped out of his third meeting of the day, the Oligarchy was deep in talks to renegotiate the latest rounds of trade negotiations. Their ambassador had clearly been ordered to investigate the Ascendancy¡¯s highly elevated Iron purchases of late and were holding the claim of supply shortages over his head as their chosen tactic. Of course, he had seen completely through their ploy and was countering with a reduction in price for preserved sea goods, and merchant vessel exports. The exchange had been perfected over the last two months, and his advisors were quietly taking the temperature of the public for a more¡­ permanent solution to the situation that was the missing head of state. Hopefully, that situation would re¡­


    A heavy thud caused Quiiruu to turn towards the veranda doors, meeting the gaze of an ecstatic-looking court courier, and the smell of fish, tar, and timber betrayed him. ¡°My Lord!! My Lord! They¡¯ve Arrived!!! They¡¯ve returned!!!¡± Quiiruu raised a single hand, halting the excitable man in his tracks, ¡°Halt! Now, from the top, Mr¡­.¡± The Young Aquilar panted heavily for several seconds, ¡°Iruque, my Lord.¡± Quiiruu sighed heavily, ¡°Very well, master Iruque. Who has arrived, or returned, or whatever.¡±


    The young Aquilar Courier nodded frantically, ¡°My Lord, a Ship approaches. Lookouts make her as Riooliuu.¡± Quiiruu waved a paw impatiently for Iruque to continue, ¡°She flies the Royal standard. Lord Hirak has returned!¡± a wave of ice-cold seawater poured itself down Quiiruu¡¯s spine, causing him to stiffen visibly, ¡°My Lord?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Excellent news!¡± Quiiruu bellowed, showing a toothy if forced smile, ¡°Quickly, summon the royal guard, and the Capital¡¯s headmaster. We must prepare for Our Lords Arrival!¡± Irique flashed a quick bow and sprinted away. Quiiruu let his smile fade into a grim expression, ¡®Yes, summon the royal guard indeed. Prepare, we must.¡¯

 Chapter 36

    Care, child. Steel yourself. Valtrya jerked visibly at the intrusion into her mind if it was an intrusion at all. ¡°Val?¡± Her Benjamin was just stepping into one of the royal carriages behind her and Viola. Val just stared between her mate and her sister, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m ok¡­. bad feeling.¡± She whispered, focusing on fiddling with the straps of her armor while trying to ignore the penetrating gaze of a concerned Viola. Their weapons were conspicuously absent as part of their ¡®status¡¯ as prisoners, but their Armor was more easily smuggled in under a heavy coat and the excuse of being a ¡°softer race¡± unaccustomed to the cooler temperatures.


    ¡°I don¡¯t blame you.¡± Benjamin groaned, leaning his head back on the side of the carriage. ¡°Fuuuck..¡± Her Benjamin was still struggling to regain his strength. He had worked as hard as he was able, but the cramped ship provided little space for any true endurance or strength training. Val gave her Benjamin a worried look, but he only shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m ok, I just¡­ Don¡¯t remember the armor being this heavy¡­¡± She watched him shift in his seat, but his eyes were elsewhere, ¡°The guards, watch them. Something is off.¡± Val turned to the gathering horde of Aquilar citizens, barely held back by serious-looking Palace guards.


    He''s right, child. I choose not my champion on strength alone. Val managed to suppress another flinch, looking out of the open carriage. The Guards were doing their job, but the odd glance, and passing subtle aversion to her gaze sank a cold stone into her gut Ah, you see¡­ I have chosen well, for a second time. Val pulled her cloak more tightly around her, ¡®Goddess I¡­ how.¡¯  Val¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a flash of¡­ something¡­ from her sister. Viola was not watching the guards, she was watching her sister. Val opened her mouth to speak, but no words left them. She found herself unable to tell her sister what she wished to. ¡°Ready yourselves,¡± Benjamin spoke quietly, breaking the silence. ¡°I doubt this arrival will be as cordial as the last one.¡±


    The carriage rattled down the main road between the Warf and the Castle, reminding all that weather this far north never truly warmed. Olioorin followed in a second carriage, along with Hirak, as the Massive frozen structure loomed ahead of them. Val looked back at the second carriage, noticing the captain¡¯s pensive gaze, and Hirak¡¯s downright scowling demeanor. Ah, they see it too.


    Val turned back to watch them enter the castle¡¯s courtyard. Instantly, the voice in her mind was forgotten. No less than 30 Aquilar Palace guard were lined up along their path, armed and armored. They stood at respectful attention, but She could feel the eyes upon them. Her senses felt ablaze with an almost paranoid energy that screamed at her being. One of their number, the same Aquilar from their initial arrival, stepped up, ¡°Lord Hirak arrives!!¡± he bawled, gaining a triumphant growling chant from the formation. The head guard stepped up to the carriage holding Hirak and Olioorin, ¡°My Lord, The Lord Regent awaits you. Our orders are to take the prisoners to the hole.¡±


    Instantly,  a group of 6 guards rushed Val¡¯s carriage, quickly pulling the three of them over the sides of the open top carriage, slamming a set of heavy chains about their wrists and feet, over top of their heavy coats. Quickly separated, Benjamin, Viola and Val began being dragged toward separate doors. Val felt herself panic, struggling against the binds about her wrists until one of the guards hissed in surprise, pulling his hands away from the iron clasps. The Guard raised his arm to strike Val just before. ¡°HOLD!!¡± Hirak stormed to the group. The Captain¡¯s head spun in surprise, ¡°My lord, The Lord Regent ordered¡­¡±


    ¡°The Lord Regent, is the Regent.¡± Hirak growled, ¡°Captain, what, EXACTLY am I.¡± The head guard froze stock still Hirak took a single step, his voice low, ¡°What¡­ exactly¡­ am I¡±


    ¡°Lord Hirak, my Lord.¡± The captain stated quietly, then turned to ¡°Escort the Prisoners with Lord Hirak to the Throne room. Leave them chained.¡± Hirak nodded, ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡± then turned sharply and marched for the main entrance. The 6 guards held them tightly, but Val noticed that the guard next to her had her firmly by the arm, and was no longer holding her chains. She could feel her sister¡¯s panic. Their being bound had not been part of the plan. Thankfully, the guards tempered their handling of them in front of their Lord, but the promise of violence was ever present as they walked the pykrete halls towards a familiar set of doors.


    ¡°Lord Regent! Hirak returns!¡± the Herald called, opening the doors to see Lord Regent Quiiruu awaited them, standing next to the throne room chair, ¡°Lord Hirak! It is good to see you alive.¡± His eyes flitted to the guards, and their bound captives, ¡°I must hear of it. But first, we must dispense with these..¡± he waved at Vi, Val, and Benjamin. ¡°infiltrators¡­¡± a group of no less than a dozen guards, The same guards from that escorted them from the harbor, appeared through a secondary entrance behind the throne itself, Val tensed when the set expressions and expectant grim smirks registered. ¡°Hold them still, make this quick.¡±


    Suddenly, three of the new group of guards snapped off from their formation, grabbing both Hirak and Olioorin tightly, ¡°What is the meaning of this!¡± Olioorin growled. Struggling violently right up until a crossbow leveled at his chest. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m afraid that an infiltrator was allowed past the guards, killing Lord Hirak in the process before we could subdue them.¡± Quiiruu sneered. His demeanor changed instantly. ¡°Luckily. The H¡¯mure infiltrator was already wounded, and weak when he arrived.¡± Quiiruu whipped an item out from his cloak, a crude clunky double-barrelled pistol with an oversized set of percussion locks¡­ and fired.


    Val cried out as both rounds struck Benjamin¡¯s chest, the acrid taste of burned gunpowder and smoke searing her throat as Benjamin slumped over with but a grunt. ¡°Kill them all,¡± Quiiruu turned to step toward the throne itself but was interrupted by a deep chuckle from Benjamin, ¡°I was wondering if you had stolen from me.¡± He grunted, standing fully before his chains shattered to the floor. The guards who had come from outside had taken several steps back, confused as to what to do, and Benjamin acted. He reached out with his right arm, grinning as he recognized the royal guard''s recent upgrade from boiled leather breastplates, to iron. In a moment, three of the traitor guardsmen fell, their breastplates crushed in upon them. It was an old tactic, but Benjamin¡¯s mind was already alight with the effort of¡­. A crossbow arrow was loosed at Olioorin, and Benjamin saw his second opportunity. Do you see, child the voice in Val¡¯s soul pulled her from her panic as new strings of light and ribbons of power revealed themselves to her sight for the first time.  you see.


    Benjamin ripped the energy from the flying crossbow bolt, its path faltering until it clattered to the ground. With his other hand, he pulled at the fragments of his binds still lying upon the floor. He transferred the energy into those chards and released them toward the traitors. All but two bounced off the guardmen¡¯s new armor, but those two found the throats of their victims. Benjamin¡¯s mind could do no more. A sharp spike slammed into the side of his head from within, and he fell to one knee with a cry. ¡°He falters! Finish the job!¡± Quiiruu bellowed, drawing a small pouch from his robes in an attempt to reload his crude pistol. ¡°Rally, those loyal to Lord Hirak!¡± Olioorin had shaken himself loose, and drawn his sword, ¡°suffer not traitors to¡­¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Valtrya¡¯s mind was ablaze, she saw everything you see, child, you see the voice chanted, ¡®I see.. but, what must I do..¡¯  you must yet live the phrase ignited something in Val¡¯s soul, the memory of her conversation with the goddess flooding her consciousness ¡°what.. what am I..¡± Val breathed, no word returned to her, but she had the answer. We, my child. What are We.


    Benjamin groaned as he tried to stand. His mind swirled in agony, overexerted, and only partially recovered from its own injuries. He stood, trying to focus, trying to get back into the fight, but a new stab of fresh searing electrical energy almost drove him back to his knees. Dread and anger flooded his consciousness as the realization of his impending death, and the death of those he cared for, drew closer too¡­. A violet wave of unfathomable heat slammed into him from the other side, and he looked just in time to see Valtrya, or someone who looked like Valtrya, engulfed in an enraged inferno of Violet holocaust. Her chains melted instantly, and her heavy coat incinerated next. Valtrya left the ground, hovering two feet above the now rapidly melting pykrete floor, ¡°ENOUGH!¡± Her voice, now a combination of two voices, cut through the melee. The traitor guardsmen turned on her, but a flick of her wrist set them ablaze, dying an agonizing death by pyre. ¡°Enough¡± she stated again, and the pistol in Quiiruu¡¯s right hand melted, burning him badly, and setting off the crude powder flask in his left, removing three fingers.


    Then, the violet floating pyre shifted, its flames contouring themselves to her still-armored body. The violet lightened, changing as it formed, and Benjamin breathed in a horrified realization as a familiar golden glow and flaming gown formed about the body of his beloved Val, ¡°I will not suffer evil to thrive.¡± For the first time in almost a millennium, Suelin showed herself in the mortal realm. Her form was long remembered in tales of myth and legend, and every being inside the throne room fell to their knees before her¡­ save Benjamin.


    ¡°Hear me, Aquilar of the Ascendency. A time of great strife is upon us. I will say this simply. This being is not of this existence, but he is MINE!¡± The last word shook the entire room. ¡°MY champion to stem the tide of Evil incarnate! He does indeed bleed iron. But let it be known that it shall take a new fire, a righteous fire, to fight the inferno that comes for all innocent beings.¡±


    ¡°My lady¡­ I had no id..¡± Quiiruu was silenced as his fur ignited from the pure hatred inside the gaze of the sun itself. ¡°You knew all, and conspired with the same evil in hopes to be spared from it.¡± Quiiruu howled in pain, rolling on the ice floor in a vain attempt to quench himself of the inferno. ¡°You knew of and aided the Necromancer in the Pass, The Pirate leader¡¯s letter still abides in your desk.¡± The heat on Quiiruu¡¯s skin intensified, the subdermal fatty tissue his species used as a bulwark against the ice cold oceans bubbling behind charred strands of fur and blistering skin. ¡°You would gift those monsters the breach to return to their atrocities!¡±


    At that moment, the Captain of the guard from the courtyard, and 30 guards burst into the doors, falling to their knees at the sight, ¡°Take your Lord Regent,¡± Suelin ordered, her voice a tightly controlled fury, ¡°For he has attempted to take the life of my champion. He has attempted to take the life of your Lord, and he has attempted to take the life of my Oracle.


    The Captain of the guard stood, ¡°At once, Goddess.¡± 15 of his guards followed him, while the other half moved to encircle the surviving traitor guardsmen. Suelin held her incinerating gaze upon Quiiruu until the captain of the guard reached him, reducing him to a quivering mess of blistering charred flesh completely devoid of fur. The blazing being turned back toward Benjamin, finding a mix of fear, anger, and loss carved into desperate eyes. ¡®he thinks me gone¡¯ Val thought, watching all of this through Suelins gaze as she approached Benjamin, ¡°My Champion,¡± She whispered in Suelin¡¯s voice, but a spectator in her own body. ¡°Be at peace, your beloved possesses a soul equal to your own.¡±


    Benjamin tried to glare at Suelin, but the shock and horror of watching Val disappear marred his valiant attempt, ¡°What have you done, to her.¡± Val¡¯s soul burned at the loss in his voice Show him, my child. See, with OUR eyes. Show him, you yet live. Val found her body under her control again, and Benjamin gasped. The Blazing golden glow of Suelin morphed in front of him, returning to the brilliant violet. This time Val felt her control over the power swirling about her. She settled herself to the floor in front of her Benjamin, bending the flames to her form, taking the time to duplicate her likeness. She reached out with one hand, withdrawing the flames from her fingertips, ¡°My Benjamin..¡± she whispered in her own voice, ¡°I live, I am here. She is here with me now.¡± He fingertips reached his cheek, brushing away a single escaping tear, ¡°I am still me. I am just¡­ more, somehow.¡±


    Val took a deep breath, willing the surges of power flowing about her to withdraw inside her own body. Slowly, the violet flames faded, flickering and dying to reveal her and her armor in perfect condition, and she watched her Benjamin search her eyes for signs of the woman he loved. Slowly a profound relief washed over his face, pulling her into an embrace before turning to Hirak and Olioorin. ¡°Get this filth to a healer, and the rest to the hole,¡± Hirak spat. ¡°Find me the ambassador and her consort, and get my honored guests our best rooms for their species.¡± He turned to Benjamin, ¡°Your women appear capable of greater surprises than your own. Take them, and rest. I must discover the depths of my uncle''s treachery before we meet again.¡± He bowed slightly before departing.


    More members of the guard from outside began filing in, giving the three of them a wide berth upon being told what had happened. Val was treated like a deity, bowed to, and reverently escorted to a spacious set of quarters where their belongings quickly followed. Benjamin entered the lavish room first, still paranoid of any threat. Soon Vi and Val followed. Viola quietly closed the door, ¡°Goddess, can someone tell me what is, VAL!!¡± Her exasperation turned into a cry of panic as Val fell to her knees, succumbing to the exhaustion and fatigue now that they were in private. Benjamin scooped her up, grunting in effort as atrophied muscles screamed under the strain. He managed to still get her into the bed, and Viola helped him get Val out of her armor, and more comfortably ensconced into the thick bedding, ¡°I¡¯m.. I¡¯m ok. Just tired,¡± Val mumbled, ¡°I¡¯ve never felt anything like that before. It¡¯s draining, controlling all of that.¡± She smiled up at Benjamin, ¡°Now I understand what you felt when you made the cannons and after the Galleon... what?¡±


    ¡°Your speech, Val,¡± Viola spoke softly, ¡°It¡¯s perfect, no pauses, no stuttering.¡± Val¡¯s eyes widened a moment, ¡°I guess, it is. Words are easier now. I don¡¯t feel like I have a fog hiding what I wish to say.¡± Benjamin¡¯s concern still creased his face but eased at her explanation. ¡°Ok¡­ok¡­ Rest now, They¡¯ve returned our weapons. I¡¯m going to go check them.¡± Benjamin checked their pistols first, finding them untouched and loaded before handing one of the gun belts to Vi. Viola strapped the belt to her waist, deciding to keep her armor on until their safety was more firmly affirmed. He was just checking his rifle when their doors opened again. Both he and Vi swung their weapons at the door just to lower them at the sight of Vilora and Jukha, ¡°Oh thank the goddess!¡± Vilora rushed to meet them, flying headlong into Viola for a tight hug before looking around them. ¡°We feared the worse. They¡¯ve been keeping us confined to our rooms¡­ They still won¡¯t tell us what happened. Guards are fighting guards outside. We were told to come to you and stay put.¡±


    ¡°Quiiruu tried to Kill Hirak and the rest of us in the throne room.¡± Benjamin explained, passing Val¡¯s pistol to Jukha, ¡°6 rounds, just pull the trigger,¡± he offered before turning back to the Farie, ¡°Lord Hirak and Olioorin don¡¯t know who to trust.¡±  Vilora sighted, ¡°I hope we didn¡¯t just set off another civil war.¡± The room quieted for a moment, the occasion muted shout or clash of weapons punctuating their predicament until a quick set of oddly professional thumps echoed on the door. ¡°Who goes!¡± Jukha barked, ¡°Olioorin, Lord Hirak sent me.¡±


    Benjamin nodded to Jukha who opened the door slowly to reveal the Aquilar sea captain, a fresh if superficial cut oozing semi-dried blood from his jaw. ¡°My lady,¡± he bowed deeply to Vilora, ¡°Hirak had carried the castle. It appears that his uncle did not have the power base he believed. It is why he risked blaming my Lords death upon the Champion¡± his eyes flitted to Valtrya, still resting in the bed, but now sitting upright. ¡°The last of the traitors are being rounded up as we speak, and my lord thanks yourselves, and the Oracle for his life. I have brought my trusted men from the ship. They shall be your guards tonight, but you must stay in this room. We do not yet know who we can trust.¡± He turned to face Valtrya, ¡°Oracle,¡± He bowed, ¡°Champion.¡± he turned to Benjamin with a second bow and then departed.


    ¡°Oracle?¡± Viola slowly turned to Val, who was settling back down into the bedding. She fluttered up to Val, landing next to her and placing a hand on her forehead, and another on her chest. The Vin¡¯s wings glowed bright green for a long moment before pulling back in sudden profound shock. ¡°Oh, my dear. What have you done¡­¡±