ã€ŠOf the Fifty-Twoã€‹


 Prologue

    Jace squinted blearily and found only fog and haze surrounding him. A distant thunderous boom shook the very hazy plane all around, yet he knew that sound.

    Recognised it.

    It was familiar to him, as if he¡¯d heard it just recently. What started as a distant roaring boom, was but a beeping blip of a tone as it reached him.

    The sound was a reminder. Yet of what he couldn¡¯t remember.

    ¡°Jace?¡± a voice asked, except it was his voice. His lips and tongue had formed the name. But was it his name?

    ¡°Jace?¡± this time a different voice, and suddenly he felt something. Something loom over him all encompassing. A presence encircling all around.

    He felt like a naked flesh-doll in this ¨C entities - smothering embrace.

    Stripped down to the very atoms of his being.

    Then he was weightless and hurtling across the foggy plane, then falling sideways. Coursing along and not knowing where he was going.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± a soft voice apologised across the expanse. Jace didn¡¯t understand why, but he was sure this voice was talking to him.

    ¡°For what?¡± Jace called back and with a lurch his momentum halted.

    ¡°You¡¯re conscious?¡± the voice asked inquisitively. Jace swore the presence of this being, or entity, was examining him now.

    Jace spun, fright pounding through his heart. Something moved through the haze. Massive and far more enormous than he could ever hope to comprehend.

    He felt like prey. Like he was bleeding and it was shark season in the open waters.

    ¡°What the hell is a shark?¡± he muttered, still spinning, still trying to catch a glimpse of the -things- movement.

    ¡°Interesting. None before of those who¡¯ve been summoned here have regained anything of their former selves. Why you then? Why now?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jace asked concentrating. He caught the edge of movement as something flowed sinuously through the distant fog.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°Has the reclaimer finally decided to involve himself at last?¡±

    He felt the presence grab a hold of him and tighten its grip. He wheezed as its unseen hold began to crush him.

    ¡°I- I don¡¯t¡­k-know what you mean¡­¡± he coughed, and spittle flew from his grimacing mouth.

    ¡°Then hope for your own sake that you never find out.¡±

    There was edge of finality to the voice this time and the fog grew still like dead water.

    With a bursting cacophony numerous spotted limbs shot through the plane. His cry of alarm was cut short. Looming beneath him was a gaping maw filled with a dozen row¡¯s of sharp triangular teeth.

    Like a swirling serrated vortex the horrid mouth swallowed Jace whole.

    Jace squinted blearily and found only fog and haze surrounding him. A distant thunderous boom shook the very hazy plane all around, yet he knew that sound.

    Recognised it.

    It was familiar to him, as if he¡¯d heard it just recently. What started as a distant roaring boom, was but a beeping blip of a tone as it reached him.

    The sound was a reminder. Yet of what he couldn¡¯t remember.

    ¡°Jace?¡± a voice asked, except it was his voice. His lips and tongue had formed the name. But was it his name?

    ¡°Jace?¡± this time a different voice, and suddenly he felt something. Something loom over him all encompassing. A presence encircling all around.

    He felt like a naked flesh-doll in this ¨C entities - smothering embrace.

    Stripped down to the very atoms of his being.

    Then he was weightless and hurtling across the foggy plane, then falling sideways. Coursing along and not knowing where he was going.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± a soft voice apologised across the expanse. Jace didn¡¯t understand why, but he was sure this voice was talking to him.

    ¡°For what?¡± Jace called back and with a lurch his momentum halted.

    ¡°You¡¯re conscious?¡± the voice asked inquisitively. Jace swore the presence of this being, or entity, was examining him now.

    Jace spun, fright pounding through his heart. Something moved through the haze. Massive and far more enormous than he could ever hope to comprehend.

    He felt like prey. Like he was bleeding and it was shark season in the open waters.

    ¡°What the hell is a shark?¡± he muttered, still spinning, still trying to catch a glimpse of the -things- movement.

    ¡°Interesting. None before of those who¡¯ve been summoned here have regained anything of their former selves. Why you then? Why now?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jace asked concentrating. He caught the edge of movement as something flowed sinuously through the distant fog.

    ¡°Has the reclaimer finally decided to involve himself at last?¡±

    He felt the presence grab a hold of him and tighten its grip. He wheezed as its unseen hold began to crush him.

    ¡°I- I don¡¯t¡­k-know what you mean¡­¡± he coughed, and spittle flew from his grimacing mouth.

    ¡°Then hope for your own sake that you never find out.¡±

    There was edge of finality to the voice this time and the fog grew still like dead water.

    With a bursting cacophony numerous spotted limbs shot through the plane. His cry of alarm was cut short. Looming beneath him was a gaping maw filled with a dozen row¡¯s of sharp triangular teeth.

    Like a swirling serrated vortex the horrid mouth swallowed Jace whole.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter One

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

    He flailed as he tried to escape the entity¡¯s maw. His very soul being crunched down and torn asunder.

    ¡°Get. Me. Out,¡± Jace shouted and sat up in a rush. His head spun dizzily, his vision blurred, going filmy momentarily.

    He looked around himself as his sight cleared by small degrees. The cold press of the hard stone beneath him and the rough spun fabric of his clothing grounded him back in reality.

    A pair of torches illuminated either side of the small room he¡¯d woken up in.

    A small room, he realised that was packed to the brim with a lot of people.

    People who were watching him.

    ¡°H-hi,¡± Jace greeted automatically, catching his breath as he tried to smile. All it did however was make him look even more insane in their eye¡¯s, and possibly his.

    He looked down at his hands briefly and noticed that they were shaking. He tried to calm himself but all that did was make him tremble even worse.

    ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± a voice close to Jace asked him. He looked up to see a man standing there.

    He was tall, at least six and half feet in height. He looked athletically built, though Jace had no idea what athletics were.

    ¡°Y-yeah. Where am I?¡± Jace replied quizzically.

    The man sighed heavily and Jace noticed that a few of the other people in the small room had slumped a little at hearing his question. Obviously dejected.

    ¡°We ¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± the man replied and crouched down to eye Jace. On closer inspection Jace noticed that he had a buzz-cut and a neatly trim beard. His eyes were a stark blue, and his teeth pearl white.

    ¡°None of us know,¡± the man continued and reached out a hand to Jace.

    He accepted and with the mans¡¯ help he climbed to his feet.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Jace whispered, standing. He clench his hands into fists and hid them behind his back.

    Out of sight, out of mind, he thought.

    Except now his knees and balls were shaking.

    Being at eye-level with everyone else didn¡¯t help much either. They were all focused on him.

    He gulped and turned slowly around, surveying the room. He then realised that there were more people crowded in the space that he¡¯d first thought.

    ¡°How- how many people are there here?¡±

    ¡°Fifty-two now, including you,¡± the man who¡¯d helped him up said. Jace¡¯s mind spun for a fraction, as the words correlated with something.

    Something he realised, that he couldn¡¯t¡­remember.

    ¡°What is everybody¡¯s name?¡± Jace gestured to encompass everyone.

    He wasn¡¯t sure why he¡¯d asked. But something in him said that when more than five people crowd into a small dimly lit room. They usually start with everyone introducing themselves. Followed by how long they¡¯d gone since their last drink

    ¡°We don¡¯t,¡± the man breathed out. ¡°We don¡¯t know that either,¡± he muttered and sighed.

    Jace registered that he might¡¯ve touched on a subject that was plaguing everyone. And soon, possibly him.

    ¡°Man is it cold,¡± Jace shivered and looked down at his clothing.

    The rough spun material he was wearing, was something he¡¯d usually see in¡­? In? Where?

    ¡°Where am I? Jace parroted his earlier question and looked intensely around the room.

    On the opposite side of the room from him was a thick wooden door with bands of iron criss-crossing over it.

    Had they even tried to check outside?

    The man who had helped him now eyed Jace intently.

    ¡°Do you know your name?¡± Jace directed a pleading note in the man¡¯s tone.

    He hesitated and then softly murmured, ¡°Jace.¡±

    Everyone froze and stared at him, then his helper¡¯s intense gaze softened. A wide grin split his face. Jace thought he might even tear up.

    ¡°Ah-hah! Finally someone who knows something,¡± the man exclaimed.

    ¡°Why is that a good thing?¡± a women asked with a frown. She was taller that Jace with a thick braid of blonde hair gathered over her shoulder. She seemed strong and sturdy. Built to take a beating and give one as good in return.

    Jace¡¯s mind rapidly sorted out the answer. ¡°Because if I know who I am, then hopefully so will the rest of you.¡± Yet something in Jace knew that this was incorrect.

    These people and even Jace himself, knew they were never getting back what was lost. There was a hollowness in him. In these people. A fragmented void that stuff bled occasionally every now and then.

    ¡°It could just take time. Different intervals for different people,¡± the man explained with a smile. To Jace though, the smile seemed false.

    He¡¯s trying to keep everyone¡¯s spirit up.

    Good for him.

    But as he scanned the faces of the crowd, he saw that more and more of them were either despondent or starting to be.

    There was a sharp splintering crack that resounded throughout the room. Jace froze, his instincts screaming at him to run and flee.

    Something¡¯s here. Something bad is fucking here.

    Another crack and the door at the opposite of room caved in. The iron bands bulging from a blow. People screamed and rushed about. Some slammed into Jace and his helper, who he had just decided to call Guy.

    Guy fanned his muscular arms out wide protectively.

    Something heavy sharp and metallic struck through the wood of the door popping one of the iron bands at its centre.

    Guy cursed, and Jace fearfully pressed himself back further into the crowd. Wedging himself as far back as he could go.

    Put more bodies between you and it now! His instincts cried out.

    Then the door broke off its hinges with a crunch, and as it hit the stone floor a bloom of dust and dirt spread up into the air cloaking what was outside.

    People cried quietly to themselves and huddled against each other. Trying to do exactly what Jace was doing.

    Then a figure in black clothing sprinted through into the room with an odd stumbling gait.

    It rattled a deep ragged screech in its throat and charged directly for Guy. The mountain of muscle smashed his fist square into the figure¡¯s face. It slammed into the ground with a heavy thud.

    Guy turned to the rest of them and smiled cockily.

    Then he started screaming.

    Jace elbowed and jived his way to a crouch among the pile of screaming bodies.

    There!

    The black clothed figure Guy had presumably knock flat on its ass was sinking its teeth into his ankle. With a tearing squelch the zombie tore the flesh free in a bursting gush of blood. Then it started biting further up Guy¡¯s calve muscle, tearing chunks of flesh.

    More zombies poured through the door and into the already crowded room.

    Jace wasn¡¯t one hundred sure why, but the name zombie set alarm bells off in his head. As if he had experience with them before.

    Their heads were mostly covered by a black hood stitched to their face to only reveal their mouth¡¯s. Their skin was a sickly pale white and blue, with pink pock like blotches.

    They like Jace wore rough spun clothing, except theirs was a deep-black.

    He cowered back as a zombie lunge for the pile, for where he¡¯d viewed through the press of bodies. He ducked and dive backwards as the reek of rotting flesh and foulness sprayed over him in a stench of foul breath.

    The zombie gnashed its teeth at Jace, and he got the distinct impression that being bitten by one wouldn¡¯t be great for his health.

    So Jace gave it someone else to chew on.

    Grabbing the arm of a woman practically climbing over him. Jace thrust their limb into the zombies maw and watched with a sickening amount of horror and fascination as the zombie chowed down and tore through.

    Blood spilled and sprayed out, hitting Jace and covering him in its sticky warmth.

    ¡°Bleh! I need to get the fuck out of here,¡± he said sagely. Wiggling his way upwards proved to be a bad idea. The woman who¡¯d been climbing over Jace, using him as a stepping stool to her own safety was now one of them.

    She growled ferally and tried to bite him. Jace just managed to get his arms free enough to catch her jaw in one as the other snaked around to the back of her head. With a twist he snapped her neck and twisted her head around. It spun and Jace tried his best to not spew right then and there.

    He needed to keep moving. The broken neck hadn¡¯t killed the woman though and she began to munch down on the flesh of another person¡¯s shoulder.

    Jace kicked, punched, and elbowed his way to the top of the mosh-pit¡ªwhatever the hell that was. There, he scanned the chaos and instantly realised how utterly fucked they all were.

    The zombie who¡¯d bitten his would-be-best-friend Guy, were now set to fully devouring Guys dead body.

    Why hasn¡¯t he turned yet? Jace shook the question away and focused.

    The most dangerous place right now was the press of bodies he stood upon. They rolled and wavered under his feet, the sensation felt familiar to Jace.

    Had he surfed on a pile of bodies before?

    He jumped, clearing the press of them entirely and hitting the ground at a roll. An inhuman screech roared at Jace and without thinking he snap-kicked his leg out and caved in a zombies knee. He then rolled to his right and sprung lithely onto his hands and feet.

    Another came at Jace as the one he¡¯d downed crawled for him, only to get distracted by other prey. Jace grabbed the zombie¡¯s outstretched arm and spun inwards, pulling, and tossing with his shoulders, arms, and hips. The zombie went down and thrashed as it hit the hard stone but was up again quickly enough and coming for him.

    He backed off, bumped into a woman who was in the process of crushing a zombie¡¯s head with the heel of her foot. Jace picked her up from under her arms and threw her at the zombie charging him. The woman cried out in terror as she and the zombie went down in a tangle of limbs.

    He frantically looked about and saw that the exit was free of clutter. He sprinted for it and slipped on a spill of blood and intestines, sliding for the broken-down door. Jace sprung to his feet and grabbed a hold of the intestines. He wrapped them around the arm of a zombie and twisted, tying the arm and the its head together. He kicked its ass and sent the it stumbling into the feast for three, now munching down on dead Guy.

    Jace turned and ran.

    He hit the corridor outside the tiny room at a sprint.

    Momentum, he kept drumming through his thoughts.

    He needed to keep moving. Keep running and fighting.

    Why the hell am I so calm? he thought and bounded off the wall as he hit a tight turn in the corridor. He ran on. More dead bodies. More feasting zombies too occupied to pay him any mind. He ran past an open door and skidded to a halt. There was light emanating from within.

    Something crashed down from behind him and he twisted as a man holding a plain ball mace hit the ground. A zombie lunged through a broken door to land on the man.

    They started to struggle.

    Jace ran over to them and kicked the man in his head, hard enough to daze him.

    The zombie then darted in and bit down on the mans exposed neck. Jace, using that distraction pried the mace from the dying man¡¯s fingers. He hefted it and then crushed the zombies head to a palp.

    That¡¯s how you kill them. Go for the head, he thought and nodded.

    Jace went to run when a hand caught his trouser leg. He turned and saw the dying man, his throat pissing out with blood as he tried futilely to stop its flow.

    A scream and more crashing came echoing down the corridor Jace had come from.

    ¡°Help,¡± the man mouthed. Ignoring him Jace twisted his trousers from the man¡¯s grasp and fled.

    He slowed himself down to a jog and darted looks in every room he passed. There were sleeping quarters and cafeterias. Dining halls and study rooms. There was a ridiculous amount.

    In fact the amount of rooms Jace past were seemingly endless.

    A loud grunt and a yell came from up ahead of him. Zombies came sprinting around the corner, three of them, each holding a weapon. One a cleaver, another a crutch, and the third held a rusted sword.

    They screeched as they saw Jace and ran at him. He dived and ducked away as they cluttered and interrupted each other swipes, jabs, and swings.

    Something in Jace told him that zombies weren¡¯t usually meant to hold weapons. That this was a deviation from conventional norms.

    Jace told that part of himself to shut the fuck up as he bounced forward and kicked the centre zombie wielding the crutch in its sternum, sending it tumbling backwards.

    He blocked a wild swing from cleaver on his left and then reversed his action and smashed the mace through the head of the zombie with the rusted sword.

    Jace leaned back as cleaver tried again to flail at him. The zombies¡¯ attack¡¯s with the weapons were clumsy and wide open, seeming unwieldly.

    Ducking another swipe Jace threw himself down in a roll and came up bearing his mace in a swing that collapsed the zombies left thigh inwards.

    Then he hopped to his feet and brained the zombie as it fell to a knee. The crutch wielding one had somehow entangled itself. Its right leg wedged in through the opening ¡®V¡¯ of the wooden support.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Jace kicked it in the back of its head and then smashed its skull.

    Brain soup, lovely.

    Pounding footsteps from behind had Jace on guard instantly. A tall bloodied woman with a braid of blonde hair, wielding a rusted and chipped longsword on her shoulder. She ran down the corridor from where the three stooges had come from.

    Three what? Agh, never mind!

    Jace eyed her warily as she came to a stop before his handy work.

    ¡°Is this your doing?¡± the woman asked with a cocked eyebrow. Jace recognised her as the one who¡¯d spoken with¡ªthe now dead¡ªGuy.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Jace answered coolly. The woman grinned at him, looking fierce and feral.

    ¡°They came from your direction,¡± Jace said and nodded back the way she¡¯d come.

    ¡°Yeah, the fuckers actually ran away from me. I can¡¯t help but feel like that ain¡¯t right, if you know what I mean,¡± the woman gestured Jace to follow her as she started back down the corridor.

    Jace followed behind, watching the bounce of the woman¡¯s muscular ass and thighs. He got full definition, her cut-off trousers were that tight, plus the thin layer of blood coating her ass helped.

    ¡°Eyes up killer,¡± the woman said and nodded ahead of them. Two men with axes and shields were fighting off against six or seven zombies.

    ¡°Are we helping them?¡± he asked. He wasn¡¯t particularly fond of the idea of stopping to fight such a large group. The woman just grinned and increased her speed.

    Should just leave them. Leave the woman as well and find a way out of this place.

    Jace wasn¡¯t entirely sure when the change had hit them. But he knew that just before the zombies had crashed their party, he¡¯d been a mess. Now though he was calm, analytical, and felt oddly distant from the situation.

    Which only meant one thing. That he would crash soon enough.

    He needed somewhere¡ªpreferably not infested with zombies¡ªto collect himself and calm down. Jace suspected though that he wouldn¡¯t be finding anything like that soon enough.

    Xena, the god-damn warrior charged the rear flank of the zombies and smashed through them like a bull at a tomato festival. Then Jace was wading through, crushing heads, snapping limb¡¯s, and stomping his way through the wave of undead.

    Seconds later Jace and Xena¡ªas he now thought of her¡ªwalked towards the two men. But stopped when one of men started to shake and vomit as bloody air bubbles began to froth from his lips.

    The other man took a clumsy step away and bumped into Xena who pushed him aside.

    Jace titled his head and observed as the infection spread through the man. He searched the man¡¯s rigid and shaking body for bites and found one on the man¡¯s upper left thigh.

    That must¡¯ve hurt like a bitch, he thought.

    The man stopped shaking and threw his head back with feral cry of animalistic hunger and anger. When his head came back down, Jace noted that the man¡¯s pupils were now black, and thick varicose-like veins were webbing out from his eyes.

    The newly minted zombie raised his axe to attack, but Xena¡¯s sword was already sweeping through its neck. Turning, Jace glanced at the other man, who¡¯d been fighting alongside the now zombie.

    ¡°Were you bitten?¡± Jace asked him.

    ¡°W-what?¡± the man scowled confusedly at Jace.

    ¡°Were. You. Bitten?¡± he repeated, stressing each word.

    ¡°N-no,¡± the man stammered and swallowed thickly as he glanced at the zombie corpses, and then at Xena and Jace.

    ¡°Where did you find the axes and shields?¡± Xena asked, stepping over the undead bodies. Jace heard a lone cry and clash echo from behind.

    That¡¯ll be last of those still near that room I bet.

    ¡°There were these glass display¡¯s in one of the rooms. We broke them open but these ¨C thing¡¯s - they must¡¯ve heard us. We were swarmed by fifteen, and a few of us ran.¡±

    The man looked guiltily from Jace to Xena. Xena nodded as if expecting such an answer. Jace simply shrugged, he would cut the legs off both Xena and the man if it meant escaping this place.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s move,¡± Xena spat on the bodies and started off down a random corridor. Jace followed behind. His eyes were no longer on Xena¡¯s muscular ass but now on the backs of her knees.

    ~*~*~*~

    He kept pace with Xena as the tall woman strode down a tight corridor that branched into three passages. One to either side and another straight ahead of them. Looking back over his shoulder, he realised that the man who had been following them moments ago was now gone.

    ¡°Do we split up?¡± Jace asked and scanned each passage.

    These corridors seemed dimmer somehow, and he got the sense of something swallowing and drinking in the light. Something that was heading right towards them.

    A screaming snarl crescendo down the left and right passages. Jace cocked his arm back preparing to meet there assault but froze.

    There were ten or twenty of the zombies on either side of them. But amongst those in the right passage was some Baldur¡¯s Gate ¨C Dark Descent looking motherfucking.

    A humanoid squid-faced man walked among them, and their eyes met. Jace felt a flicker of intense pressure passed over his forehead and eyes.

    ¡°Go!¡± Xena shouted and started running for the straight passage, howling cries from the zombies followed after them as they ran. Xena lead the charge through the tight hallway as Jace brought up the rear.

    ¡°Fuck!¡±

    ¡°What is it now?¡± Jace asked and watched as the shadows behind them built and built till a horde of undead began swarming down after them.

    ¡°There¡¯s door ahead,¡± Xena called back. One of the zombies broke away from the horde and sprinted for Jace. He whipped about and jabbed his mace into the zombies jaws. The tight confines of the passage made it hard to swing his weapon.

    His attack connected and the zombies jaw crushed inwards with a crunch of bones breaking. Jace kicked the stunned zombie in its chest knocking it to the ground.

    A loud crash came from behind him and he spun to see that Xena had broken down the door. The warrior woman stumbled to her feet and picked the door up.

    Their eyes met and Jace saw the instant she¡¯d decided to betray him.

    She dead lifted the door closed.

    ¡°Fuck that nonsense,¡± he growled.

    He pumped his legs furiously down the passage straight for the door. He wondered if Xena was attempting to block and barricade it from the other side.

    Time to find out.

    The zombie kept pace though and Jace knew he only had one shot. A hand clipped his heel and he almost fell as he reached and hurled himself bodily through the door and smashed into the wooden barrel Xena was carrying. She had tried to barricade it,

    Rolling to his feet Jace groaned and felt at his side. It was bruised but nothing severe. He hissed as he prodded along a tender rib and quickly ducked out the way when a sword gilded through the space he¡¯d been in.

    ¡°Should¡¯ve just fucking died and let me escape,¡± Xena growled at him and was about to swing again when a zombie jumped onto her back.

    A hand reached for Jace just as his own hand found his weapon and swung. Snapping the wrist down to the elbow with a crunch. Like a hammer hitting a nail.

    Jace scrambled to his feet clutching his chest and jogged winded for the exit. He left the woman to her karma, as she fought ferociously against the undead.

    More corridors, more empty rooms, and studies. Where the hell were they? Jace shook his head and kept winding his way through. The sounds of fighting and the inhuman cries were fairly muted as he walked.

    He was so tired his mind began filling with dreadful thoughts. Was there actually an exit? Where on Earth were they? Could he actually go outside? What if he made it all that way and just found some apocalyptic wasteland?

    Jace stumbled and lean against the hard-stone wall to catch his breath. Ahead, the passage reached a T intersection. Faint light shone dimly from either end.

    Then a figure sprinted past, and Jace blinked. Then another, and another.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Jace called out just as another figure passed by. Jace swallowed thickly and pushed off the wall. The light dimmed on one side as the figure Jace had called out to came back.

    He squinted as the person hissed a shushing sound and waved at Jace to follow frantically. Without even waiting for him to acknowledge the figure took off.

    ¡°More running- figures,¡± Jace grumbled, and taking a deep breath he ran to join them. His ribs no longer sore.

    Running down the corridors, through rooms, and hallways, Jace loosely followed behind. Just always catching sight of the figure he was following.

    ¡°In here,¡± Jace looked to his left and saw a short man waving at him frantically. He was standing in a doorway, the door only slightly ajar.

    Jace entered quickly inside and scanned the interior of the room. A few tables, and a pair of chairs. A cold damp fireplace, a few shelves, and a moth-eaten bed.

    Four other people were in the room with him, not including the man still peeking out of the door.

    A young petite woman with strawberry-blonde hair was holding to a wound on the side of her head. Her eyes kept blinking owlishly focusing in and out.

    Another, a grey-haired woman who was in the process of tearing strips of fabric taken from somewhere.

    Bandages, Jace guessed.

    The other two were a long-haired skinny man with a small goatee. And leaning against the wall was a dark-skinned man with a black beard and black curly hair.

    Jace gave each a jerky nod as they eyed him critically. He moved further into the room and flopped down onto the floor with an exhale of relief.

    He kept a death grip on his mace though and eyed the small man at the door. It wasn¡¯t even a ten seconds before the small-man stepped back and closed the door as quietly as possible. He turned back to the rest of them and held his finger to his lips. Everyone shuffled nervously and Jace got to his feet silently and crouched with his mace in hand.

    Distantly he heard the bare slapping sprint of feet growing closer and closer. Then an instant later, thundering footfalls and the sound of panicked breathing whizzed past the closed door.

    The small man by the door, slowly crept up to it and pressed his ear against the wooden surface. Jace froze and his breath quickened as adrenaline began to pump through his veins so loudly that he had trouble hearing.

    Then out of nowhere the door buckled slightly as a roaring force of what could only be many, many zombies ran past.

    Jace was up on his feet in an instant and ran to the door to press his weight against it.

    The strain was continuous and Jace got the distinct impression that whatever was on the outside was in fact not a horde of zombies but something far larger, heavier, and continuous in length.

    More hands joined Jace and the small man¡¯s effort. They grunted and pushed against the door, and Jace felt the wooden geography of the door actually bulge inwards jabbing him in his once again sore ribs.

    He winced but kept his mouth shut.

    Then it was over, and the pressure vanished all at once.

    Slumping away from the door the four men all looked at each other and nodded minutely. Jace brought up his mace and nodded to the smaller man.

    ¡°Open the door slowly. I¡¯ll peek outside and have a look,¡± Jace whispered and they all nodded. He heard the woman with the head wound whimper as the older one hushed her.

    The dark-skinned man grabbed a hold of one the chairs in the room and nodded at Jace. long hair and the small man pried the door open silently and Jace peeked out.

    The walls, ceiling and floor were coated in a thick mucus(y) slime.

    ¡°I do not think that was the undead,¡± the dark-skinned man commented quietly and Jace had to agree. The man had a strange accent that was familiar to him, but he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it.

    Jace stepped outside and frowned, looking one way and then the other. The soles of feet plunged into the thick substance and Jace felt a momentary burn roll across his bare feet.

    ¡°I think we need to move. Whatever that was its bound to still be nearby.¡±

    ¡°I agree with you. The others though¡­¡± the man replied off. ¡°I doubt it.¡±

    Jace sighed as they re-entered the room and they shut the door behind them. His bare feet were sticky and sore from the slime in the corridor. It had dried almost instantly when he¡¯d stepped out of it.

    He grimaced and rubbed at the almost smooth surface of the slime coating.

    I really hope this washes off easily, he thought and glanced at the others.

    ¡°We can¡¯t stay here for long,¡± Jace told them.

    ¡°Why not?¡± long-hair asked him and scowled.

    ¡°Because we do not know what that was,¡± the dark-skinned man offered. ¡°An unknown variable will cause us problems I think.¡±

    The smaller man nodded agreeable and drew a line across his neck.

    ¡°Look, we need to move swiftly. Whatever that was it could still be in the area. Not to the mention the undead still roaming this place. What we need is a way either up or down, or out.¡±

    ¡°Yeah see, that all sounds good. But what if there isn¡¯t a way out of here. We don¡¯t know where here even is,¡± the older woman said in a whine. Jace heard a slight drawl to her accent.

    He nodded agreeing with her, ¡°we don¡¯t, you¡¯re right. Which is why we need information.¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you go?¡± long-hair asked him.

    Jace sighed and with his free hand rubbed at his brow.

    ¡°Let¡¯s say I leave and find this exit,¡± Jace suggested mildly. ¡°Why would I come back for any of you?¡±

    ¡°You mean you wouldn¡¯t?¡± the older woman asked Jace.

    Jace nodded. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t. Because I¡¯ll be putting myself at risk backtracking to find you all.¡±

    ¡°I again agree with you,¡± the dark-skinned man said nodding at Jace. ¡°We have unity together. A part, even I would look out for only myself.¡±

    The man then gestured at Jace¡¯s weapon and then added, ¡°plus he is also the only one with a weapon.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving soon,¡± Jace exhaled still slumped against the wall by the door. His hearing was focused on distant sounds and noises.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m not going. We have safety here. I¡¯m not throwing that away for the possibility of escaping where there is none,¡± Long hair said firmly and sat his skinny frame down in the only available chair in the room.

    The women spoke in hushed whispers and eyed Jace, the smaller man, and then the dark-skinned man.

    ¡°We will go with you,¡± the older woman said and sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll be able to keep up though.¡±

    Jace scratched at his head and only then did he realise that his entire head had been shaven.

    I guess it wasn¡¯t before then if I¡¯m that surprised by it.

    ¡°We should break the legs off that chair then,¡± Jace suggested straightening upright in a stretch. The dark-haired man nodded and spun the chair in his hands and quickly set about snapping each leg off.

    They were about three feet in length. It wouldn¡¯t provide much protection, but it was enough for now.

    They left the scowling hippy alone and crept outside quietly. They paused every few yards as they walked through the maze silently. The young woman with the head wound now had the right side of her face and head covered by strips of cloth in an improvised bandage.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Jace asked nodding at her head. The woman didn¡¯t reply and instead moved closer to the older one.

    ¡°A man tried to rape her. She fought back and when the zombies came, he hit her over the head and ran.¡±

    Jace nodded, he expected they would encounter more people being assholes like that.

    ¡°Well, for what it¡¯s worth, I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that,¡± Jace said softly.

    ¡°Coming from the man who had said he would abandon us,¡± the older woman retorted archly.

    Jace smiled and nodded, unperturbed. ¡°Of course I would abandon you. None of you mean anything to me as of yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh? When will we matter then?¡±

    ¡°When you prove yourself. At least when I do abandon you, I won¡¯t be trying to force myself on you before-hand,¡± Jace turned his attention back to his surroundings.

    He heard the woman say something along the lines of, ¡°that¡¯s what you say now.¡±

    ¡°Shush,¡± The dark-haired man said coming to a stop. Jace paced up next to him, mace at the ready. They listened.

    Voices.

    ¡°Those are-¡±

    ¡°People,¡± he agreed. Judging from his expression, though, Jace guessed that he wasn¡¯t fond of the idea of meeting other¡¯s.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go right,¡± Jace said nodding down the passage that had a few open doors. These doors, he noted as they past, had small grated viewing windows. The doors had a series of locks all along the outside. Jace shook his head and once again wondered at what this place was.

    They turned right and then left, keeping a steady pace as they jogged lightly. He heard what sounded like a questioning growl and suddenly one the doors behind them burst open as a zombie crashed into the wall opposite the door.

    The women immediately froze as they saw it. He could only imagine that their minds were harkening back to the small room where this chaos had started.

    I wonder how many of the fifty-two are actually left.

    The zombie came at Jace and he dodged, narrowly avoiding its lunge. Swinging his mace overhead, he brought it down in a crunch that saw the back of the zombies head crushed underneath his blow.

    His weapon dripped blood and Jace looked to the others.

    ¡°Anymor-¡± he was cut off by a small wet splashing sound. Looking down he frowned at the zombie corpse. There in between the bits of fragmented skull and brain matter something moved.

    ¡°What it is?¡± the dark-haired man asked Jace.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Hold on¡­¡± Jace nudged the pieces around, pushing bits of brain to the right and blinked in surprise.

    He hadn¡¯t expected this at all.

    There within the mushed brain of the zombie, were thin tentacles like that of a squid¡¯s.

    Though I have no idea what a squid looks like. This is still odd.

    A need built inside Jace. An eager urge to kill whatever it was and quickly at that.

    Without even hesitating he buried his mace in the brain, over and over until all that remained was an indescribable paste.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Jace looked up and saw that everyone was watching him intently.

    ¡°Yeah. Just really needed to kill it,¡± Jace replied and swiped at his forehead. He hadn¡¯t realised how hot he¡¯d gotten until now. He swiped at his brow again and frowned at the other¡¯s. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Kill it?¡± the dark-haired man asked.

    Jace nodded, his frown deepening when they looked at him like he was crazy. Shrugging off their confused glances Jace stalked off, pushing on through the floor.

    Maybe only I saw it then, he thought. If so what does that mean for me?

    He had no answers to any of his question¡¯s. He was also getting tired of referring to these people by their damn descriptions.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace punched the first zombie that ambushed them. It crumpled in a heap and he brought his mace down hard enough that he connected with the stone floor underneath it.

    Need to make sure I kill the squids as well.

    Swinging his mace in a wide arch he caught the neck of one and smacked the head of another, they went down, and he dispatched them quickly.

    A scream drew his attention and he spun just in time save the older woman as a zombie caught hold of her legs and was pulling itself towards her.

    Jace kicked it off snapped its arms in half with two blows and then stomped it skull.

    Tentacles burst out of the brain and wrapped themselves his ankle, they had tiny suckers with thin hook¡¯s hidden within, and they dug into his leg.

    Jace cried out as he was then tackled to the ground, he punched the zombie with an uppercut and threw an elbow in its face as he rolled on top. He leg spasmed with pain, yet he clench his teeth and buried his mace in through the zombies nose and into the floor.

    Grabbing a hold of the strange brain squid proved to be a bad idea as the tentacles suddenly latched to his hand. ¡°Get the fuck off,¡± he yelled frustratedly. Inch by inch he pried the tentacles off of him.

    Save us. A voice blunted Jace¡¯s mind and he winced. Prying it off he threw it down. The voice speaking to him sounded like that a child.

    Don¡¯t leave us. We must be one. You are strong- Raising his foot Jace stomped down repeatedly, not caring if it attacked his leg again.

    ¡°Can my day get any stranger,¡± he groused and grunted as he clubbed a zombie wrestling with the dark-haired man in the back of its head. Helping the man to his feet, Jace scanned around and grimaced.

    The older woman he¡¯d just saved was being feasted on, whereas the small man was defending the shocked and paralysed younger woman.

    She just kept repeating, ¡°I¡¯m gonna die-I¡¯m gonna die-I¡¯m gonna die,¡± over and over like it was her personal mantra.

    Jace almost walked away. He almost said leave them, yet that small squid voice and it words were interposing themselves with these people.

    ¡°Save them. Don¡¯t leave them. We must be one. We are stronger together.¡±

    Muttering, Jace charged the ranks of zombies attacking the small guy and pounded into them.

    In a striking frenzy he swung and spun with a fury as he broke limbs and crushed skulls. The dark-haired man rushed past him and picked up the young woman eliciting a scream as she tried to fight him. Jace and the small guy brought up the rear.

    No one chased after them, though, and he breathed a sigh of relief grimacing as he looked his hand and leg. Deep puckered mark line the skin, each centred by vertical lines that bled freely.

    He blew out a breath.

    ¡°We need to rest,¡± the dark-haired man said after a few minutes of jogging. ¡°That ambush came out of nowhere.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Jace sighed as they slowed down. ¡°The fact that they¡¯re ambushing us this far away from the area we started in, could only mean a few things.¡±

    ¡°Such as?¡± the man asked.

    ¡°Well either more of us have made it further than we thought. Or¡­¡±

    ¡°Or we¡¯ve gone in a circle and are back near that room,¡± the man finished for Jace.

    ¡°Let¡¯s rest,¡± Jace said finally. ¡°I need rest.¡±

    They all nodded their agreement, with the exception of the woman who was now despondent. Small guy lead the way and soon enough they found an empty workshop. Several small cages lined one side of the room and the desk was filled with notes and murky brown jars that there were empty.

    They set the woman down in a corner and propped the chair up against the door as well as sliding the desk over to reinforce it.

    The dark-haired man gasped and Jace looked over his shoulder to see that the man now sat cross-legged on the floor, a journal in his hands.

    ¡°Oh damn. I can read this,¡± the man said and seemed mystified by this knowledge. Jace wasn¡¯t entirely sure why but he was surprised as well.

    All it did, though, was reaffirm the belief that he wasn¡¯t where he was meant to be. That this wasn¡¯t even his world.

    ¡°It¡¯s a journal,¡± the man started and Jace nodded for him to continue. ¡°The date of the first entry is: 5<sup>th</sup> Hindus. Barrendel. Aederon Eclipse Cycle. Year 682.¡± The man licked his lips, ¡°They¡¯re only a few entries in this, and the last two are coated in dried blood.¡±

    He scanned the page for a moment and then nodded. ¡°This journal belongs to one: Tormund Yasgaes. The first entry¡­¡±

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Two

    ¡°Entry one:

    As foretold the end is upon us.

    Even as I write, the Wretches leave their haunted lands and ascend on the lands of Aederon once again.

    Sun and moons have met.

    Their joining brings us nigh to the end,¡± the dark-haired man looked up at them wide eyed.

    Jace frowned, his brows creasing together in thought. ¡°What does it mean? Sounds like nonsense to me.¡±

    ¡°It does. Yet it hints at a uh¡­ prophecy,¡± the man replied scanning over what he¡¯d read.

    ¡°Continue,¡± Jace prompted and leaned back on the floor. He tried to keep his hearing trained for any unknown sounds outside their room.

    All was thankfully quiet.

    ¡°I saw it.

    Storms and darken skies. Harkening the thundering, birthing, swell of horror and madness.

    Come again¡­ Those that Dwell ever Wakeful for their evil god.¡±

    Jace¡¯s mind drew images he couldn¡¯t properly focus on. Reaching out mentally, he tried to followed these vague blurs. To bring them clarity.

    They were hazy and confounded things that he couldn¡¯t quite¡­ He shuddered as a wave of revulsion suddenly hit him then. Clamping a hand over his mouth, Jace breathed deeply. His troubles went unknown to the others in the room.

    He¡¯d felt it for instance there. That hollowness inside himself. In his mind, where he imagined his forgotten memories would¡¯ve been. He¡¯d touched it then only briefly, and felt like his soul had recoiled away from it.

    ¡°The Prime Fragment is true terror, and our executioner. Yet it¡¯s action can herald our salvation.

    The Wretches of our lands. The Nigh Dwellers and their control of thought and mind.

    Come. Do they summon the Fifty-One servants of Scale and Balance.¡±

    They all looked at each other then as the dark-haired man stopped reading.

    ¡°Whoever wrote that sounds crazy,¡± Jace said looking at the two other men.

    The small guy shrugged his shoulders and remained silent, though his attention was riveted on the sleek journal in the dark-haired man¡¯s hands.

    ¡°His writing is rushed and barely legible. I can¡¯t help but imagine that whatever he is describing was soon to happen. Shall I continue?¡±

    Jace looked at the journal then, and for a long moment considered what they were getting themselves into. It had mentioned Fifty-One servants of Scale and Balance.

    How many people are there here? he asked himself. Well less than fifty-two now obviously,¡± his thoughts countered back.

    The number wedged itself firmly in his mind. Were they the servants of Scales of Balance? It sounded like total nonsense in truth.

    Jace he nodded and the dark-haired man continued.

    ¡°Entry Two: 29<sup>th</sup> Hindus. Barrendel. Aederon Eclipse Cycle. Year 682.

    Parkers Hold is now under siege. We. Are. Under siege.

    I fear not for my life. But for my mind.

    There is a Dweller leading amongst the Wretches.

    His voice and presence fills these halls and my dreams¡­

    I see them¡­

    They call for me¡­

    Yet I have enough presence of mind to turn away.

    We came here to study magic. To learn the devices of our creation. Now we will be nothing more than a Wretch Hold.

    Another conquest in the ever-punishing blows of vile and evil.

    They still call to me.

    I worry for Barrendel. The Duchy is not yet ready to face such a force.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Now we¡¯re getting somewhere,¡± Jace said and sighed exasperatedly.

    ¡°How do you mean?¡± the dark-haired man asked.

    ¡°I mean¡­ That we now know where we are. Parkers Hold.¡±

    ¡°And a Duchy,¡± the man continued for Jace catching on to he what meant. His eyes drifted back down the page. ¡°Duchy of Barrendel.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯m guessing that these undead, the zombies. Are their Wretches,¡± Jace supplied and ran his hand over his shaven scalp. ¡°I think¡­ I think I¡¯ve seen these Dwellers, maybe.¡±

    He recalled the strange squid-humanoid he¡¯d seen. ¡°Are there any illustrations?¡±

    The dark-haired man frowned slightly and quickly flicked through the short journal.

    ¡°They¡¯re none.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s continue then,¡± Jace waved and the man nodded his assent. Jace cast a quick glance over to the injured petite woman in the corner of the room. Her eyes were fixed on their conversation, listening intently. When she caught Jace glancing at her, she brought her knees up and stuffed her face in them.

    With a mental shrug he refocused on the journal.

    ¡°Entry Three: 43<sup>rd</sup> Hindus. Barrendel. Aederon Eclipse Cycle. Year 682.

    They¡¯ve breached our walls and scaled our stronghold.

    They¡¯re too many of them.

    I fled.

    I hide in my study, awaiting my turn of torment.

    Still my dreams and mind are ruining me. I¡¯ve concluded that the Dwellers are indeed the true controllers of the Wretches. Its voice calls for me¡­beckon¡¯s even.

    Sometimes it¡¯s my wife Deidre. Others it is Kaywin, my daughter.

    I spent hours fighting against them in my mind. I know they¡¯re both dead. I am unsure how long I can resist that call now.

    The dying screams of my peers haunt the halls like a wraith. Seeping through every crack of stone and splint of wood.

    I found a map yesterday.

    There is a town to the west named Oedrin. I knew that. Yet my head is confused and weary. It has a population of about one hundred thousand people.

    Right now. I believe the Wretches march at thirty thousand strong. It¡­ the Dweller¡­ has shown me glimpses of what is to come.

    If they make it to Oedrin before winter. The Duchy is doomed.¡±

    The dark-haired man flipped the page, cleared his throat, and began the next entry.

    ¡°Entry Four: 45<sup>th</sup> Hindus. Barrendel. Aederon Eclipse Cycle. Year 682.

    I am broken.

    Broken. Haunted and shrivelled. WHY MUST THEY TORMENT ME WITH THEM!

    Now they whisper.

    Deceiving lies.

    Rot.

    Rot from the inside. There is no bringing them back.

    Dead is dead.

    I wished for more. I wished for creation at the tips of my fingers.

    Magi.

    We bend all of life to our whim. So why¡¯re there so few of us?

    The fae betrayed us long ago. The dwarves have scurried back inside their caves, like rats retreating into their burrows. We are alone in this. Humanity and Kin must face this evil.

    Evil nurtured by the fragment of a god.

    I can see it now. It tendrils weaving through the skies when there is a storm. The Fragment watches us.

    Commands from on high. There never were any servants of Scale and Balance. For they would¡¯ve come as I had begged them.

    Shre¡¯s light guide me to peace. I wish to see my family once again.¡±

    ¡°Damn¡­ I- I guessed he killed himself,¡± the man said and closed his eyes briefly.

    Jace for that matter looked around. If that was so. Then where was the man¡¯s body?

    Then again. How long ago had that journal been written.

    The slim journal seemed in good repair, but Jace hazarded a guess and suspected that everything he thought probably didn¡¯t match-up with this world.

    ¡°Fae, and dwarves¡­¡± the dark-haired man mused, rubbing at his chin. ¡°Those are¡­ are¡­ ahh. I thought I had something then.¡±

    ¡°Nothing comes to my mind,¡± Jace said and shook his head. A part of him was distantly disappointed that those mentions hadn¡¯t rowed the waves of his mind.

    Climbing to his feet he stretched and shook out his legs. ¡°We should probably get some rest while we have the chance. I¡¯ll take first watch.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. And I¡¯ll go second,¡± the man replied, placing the journal down on the desk with some care. Jace couldn¡¯t help but think that maybe taking that journal with them would prove useful later on. If they ever escaped of course.

    Soon enough everyone except him were trying fitfully to get some rest. Oddly enough, Jace watched the small guy lay down on his stomach, on the cold stone floor. And instantly passed out.

    The dark-haired man curled up in on himself and started counting something called sheep. Jace ignored them all and shuffled on his feet, pacing lightly throughout the room.

    Now and then he would close his eyes and lean slightly against the door, and listen.

    It wasn¡¯t until his eyes started to droop with heaviness, that a loud gong shook everything. Jace bolted upright with a startled cry, and clamped his hands around his ears.

    His mace fell to the ground unheard.

    Even through his hands he felt the gong¡¯s boom ring a continuous drone. He blinked his eye blearily and looked to the others. The small guy was writhing on the floor, his own hands squeezing his head so forcibly that Jace was surprise it hadn¡¯t popped off.

    The dark-haired man¡¯s mouth was open in a silent yell as he to tried to quell the noise invading their hearing. Then he noticed the woman. The injured woman in the corner stood up seemingly unaffected by the loud and oddly long gong.

    She tilted her head quizzically to one side, as if hearing something they couldn¡¯t.

    Or, Jace thought, we¡¯re hearing something she can¡¯t. Something that has no effect on her.

    The petite woman¡¯s eye alighted on his fallen mace. She quickly darted over and scooped it up, twirled it in her hands. She then grinned ferally at Jace. Reminding him queasily of Xena.

    Jace tried to reach out to her but she skittered away from him, barking something he couldn¡¯t hear. What made it worse, was that every time he removed a hand from his ears, the gonging noise only grew more intense.

    The woman looked to the door, and Jace noticed movement by her feet then. Small guy had crept up on her. His teeth visibly clenched, his eyes blood shot.

    His hands snapped forward and grabbed a hold of her leg.

    Jace moved to help, stumbling to his feet. But it was all too late. She roared a soundless cry in surprise and swung the mace down on small guy¡¯s head.

    Jace thought he heard a crunch and felt the hit through the floor. She swung the mace again and Jace charged her. Barrelling into her stomach and sending them both sprawling to the floor. He winced briefly as his hands moved to protect his head as he hit the ground.

    The woman thrashing wildly, and swinging wide with his weapon. She connected with the back of his knee and he stumbled with the blow, rolling away.

    His leg now numb with pain. Tears streamed down the petite woman¡¯s face.

    Jace noticed that a portion of the bandage on her head, had moved fractionally. In fact it was still moving. The entire right side of her head was writhing and wiggling. Undulating like a lung.

    Revulsion punched his stomach then, an intense wave of conflict peppering his mind. One side wanted to help her. The other drew upon images of what could only be happening to her.

    And that whatever it was, he needed to kill it. And kill it soon.

    The woman screamed then as she got to her feet and dropped his mace. It fell soundlessly to the floor and rolled towards the dark-haired man.

    Jace watched as the woman started frantically bashing at her face and head with her fists. Crying out as she did so.

    He knew what he needed to do. He needed to end her misery - quickly. Crawling towards his mace, he frowned as he suddenly felt the clothing on his back jerk, then he was lifted and thrown back across the room.

    Smashing into the desk they¡¯d propped against the door.

    He saw the journal skid across the floor and stop by the woman¡¯s feet.

    Thick sinuous veins in her legs bulged as they wiggled like live eels beneath her skin. Then the sound of the gong booming broke and he felt his hearing pop in a flood of eased pressure and blood.

    Jace swayed and shook his head, the sound of the gong now replaced by the terrifying scream of the woman. Her whole-body writhed, seemingly out of her control. Her face contorted briefly as she stared at Jace pleadingly.

    Then the side of her head burst open, teams of tentacles tore through the ragged cloth bandages on her head and side of her face. A spray of gore and skull fragments shot out to splat on the ground.

    Bile rose in his throat as the woman¡¯s single remaining eye rolled in its socket. The side which had burst in a Cthulhu-esque style, writhed hauntingly as the tentacles wavered through the air. Then he heard the sound of bone cracking, and the sickening squelch of flesh being torn apart.

    ¡°We must go,¡± the dark-haired man panted as he slid besides Jace. Thankfully, the man had grabbed his weapon on the way over.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got to kill it,¡± Jace hissed firmly, as the man help him to his feet. As if hearing his words, the thing that had been a petite woman focused its attention on him. The tentacles stilled slightly at his words, the tearing sound halted. He felt its awareness of him like a physical presence in his mind.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    You can kill us.

    It agreed with Jace, and he frowned looking to the man beside him. He had heard it to apparently, his eyes wide, both disturbed and horrified.

    We will never stop existing. Your task is pointless. The Fragment will draw his attention and we will trap him here.

    ¡°Who?¡± Jace demanded, his voice surprisingly firm and commanding despite his revulsion.

    Ah. We feel it now. You are indeed different, as she said you would be. Are you his agent?

    ¡°Who? You tentacle porn freak,¡± Jace spat vehemently.

    You must not be allowed to leave here. We will claim you.

    With those words, Jace twisted as the thing launched ten or so appendages at him. He dodged aside and pushed his dark-haired companion away, narrowly avoiding the strike as they penetrated the wooden door with a crunch.

    Stumbling to remain up right, he and the man rushed for the door as the sinuous limbs withdrew writhing with annoyance. He heard the breaking tear of flesh and crack of bones as the dark-haired man swung the ruined door open.

    Looking back briefly, he stared in shock as a bloody seam split down the centre of the woman¡¯s body. In a spray of visceral blood the corpse parted in two and flopped to the stone floor. Standing there in its place, were seemingly hundreds of undulating tentacles, each as thick as his wrist and all extending out from beneath a squid shaped head.

    Churning yellow eyes blinked rapidly, focusing in on Jace as the writhing mass of tendrils twitched. He got the impression that the thing was smirking at him.

    A hand seized his arm and dragged him forcibly out of the room.

    We will find you, this time the voice impacted his mind and he stumbled almost falling over. The man caught him and helped to keep them moving. His leg ached from where he had taken blow to the back of his knee. As they hit a corner, he looked over his shoulder and saw the thing as it moved outside the room.

    Its mass of tentacles forming and twisting like cords to shape limbs and a thin torso.

    Then they were out of sight and running. He felt drained all of a sudden. Like he was losing the energy to carry on, to keep momentum.

    That had been his mistake.

    He¡¯d stopped and integrated himself with others. Now he paying the price.

    Should¡¯ve kept moving. None of this would¡¯ve happened if I had simply walked away.

    His thoughts spiralled constantly as they moved, going where? Neither of them knew.

    ¡°In here,¡± the man dragging him said and nodded towards a door with a faded plaque on it. Neither of them could make out what the words could¡¯ve been.

    Jace rested against the wall beside the door as the man slowly pried it open. He heard a distant crash followed by the sound of shouting. Then all at once it stopped. Turning back towards the door he startled as the man appeared and hauled Jace in.

    They had found a shared sleeping quarters of some sort. Rows of dusty moth-eaten beds lined the walls on either side, ten in total. Each with a wooden and ironbound chest at the end of them and a table between. The dark-haired man dragged Jace over to a small table and pulled out the chair.

    Plopping himself down Jace sighed, happy to be off his feet. He closed his eyes briefly and rested for a few seconds.

    ¡°You know,¡± the dark-haired man began, and Jace cracked one eye open to look at him. ¡°I have come to the conclusion¡­ that we are lost,¡± the man said sagely.

    Jace snorted and rasped a dry chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s took you this long to figure that out?¡± he cocked an eyebrow and rubbed at his sore leg.

    The pain had begun to noticeably lessen now that he was resting his feet. After about ten minutes had past Jace¡¯s leg felt fine. Surprisingly, his recovery was quicker than whatever fatigued the dark-haired man.

    He stood up and went about searching the room quietly. He wanted to take his mace back from the man. But, he suspected that trying to do so as the man rested may not be good for his health.

    His head ached a little from whatever mental blow that thing had hit him with. Squatting down he rifled through a chest. Its contents surprisingly sparse.

    A few minutes later the dark-haired man woke up with a start and looked around. Jace finished gathering the last of whatever he could find useful from the chests and bedside tables.

    He¡¯d placed it all on a bed arranging the small amount clothing off to one side. While the rest of what he found lay in a mismatch pile of miscellaneous items.

    He had already pulled on some extra clothing he had found in a chest.

    A dark burgundy tunic, a belt with a brass buckle. Ragged fur lined boots, that squished slightly as he walked in them. Some wraps that he partially used to cover the bare skin on his forearms, and a loose torn pair of dark brown breeches.

    The other man got dress wordlessly and moved to stand beside Jace. They had both kept their rough spun clothing on underneath as an added layer of protection.

    Jace frowned as he scanned over his findings.

    There were small devices and instruments he had no idea what they were used for. There was something like a mirrored spherical glass bobble, ringed by copper, with an ink-quill on a stand above it.

    What looked to be a golden cigar case¡ªthough again Jace had no idea what that meant¡ªexcept, when the dark-haired man opened it. All it held inside was a selection of small brushes, finely powdered paint, and a list of small symbols on a tiny velvet cloth.

    They both cast a look at each at other and shook their heads in wonder. Jace picked up a small two inch roughly curved piece of copper, and frowned at the absent of wonder he felt for it.

    I bet my ass, that this is currency.

    Pocketing the copper piece, Jace took one last glance over the assortment of utterly useless crap. Seeing that the dark-haired man had placed the brush case back down not wanting it.

    Jace decided to take it instead.

    There was something about it that called distantly into that hollow part of his mind.

    As they made to leave, Jace stopped and frowned at the man.

    ¡°Pass me back the mace,¡± Jace said and held out his hand. The dark-haired man¡¯s brow pinched together thoughtfully. He hesitated looking down at the weapon in his hand.

    Then reluctantly he passed it back to Jace.

    Jace breathed a quiet sigh of relief. For a second there, he thought he¡¯d have to kill this man. Thankfully, though, he hadn¡¯t.

    Jace wasn¡¯t in the mind of killing those who had helped him. The man had dragged him away from that thing after-all, when he could¡¯ve simply ran and left him there gawking in horror like an idiot.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jace nodded gratefully. ¡°We¡¯ll need to find you something as well soon. I don¡¯t like our odds going forward.¡±

    ¡°Neither do I,¡± the man sighed, then smiled rifling around himself for a second. Then from the inside of his rough spun tunic he pulled out the slim journal. ¡°At least we still have this.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Jace drawled, not entirely sure that the mad ravings in that journal would help them much. ¡°Do you think that thing was one of these Dwellers, the journal talked about?¡± Jace asked and stepped back towards the exit of the sleeping quarters.

    ¡°It would make sense. That ¨C creature - had talked to our minds after all,¡± the man replied and shuddered at the memory of it.

    ¡°It was inside her though,¡± Jace pointed. ¡°She had been one of us. So how did that thing get inside her¡­¡± He shook his head and jarred the door open, peeking outside and looking both ways.

    ¡°The head wound,¡± the man murmured and Jace looked over to see him touching the side of his face.

    Jace knew how he felt. The terrible thought that it could be you next. ¡°It must¡¯ve happened then.¡±

    ¡°Or¡­ or it happened through a bite or something. And that older woman lied to us about it, covering it up?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. You¡¯ve seen how only certain people turn whereas others don¡¯t. We need to find the common denominator.¡±

    ¡°Well. I don¡¯t think we¡¯re gonna have much luck doing that here. We need to find the exit soon, because I¡¯m really starting to get really sick of this place,¡± Jace nodded to his right and walked down a wide corridor. It was large enough to fit seven people abreast.

    The floor before them had a faded into ruined red rug that seemed stuck to the stone floor. On either wall as they walked Jace noticed several torches. A few were alight with flame.

    Jace stopped, his confusion apparent.

    ¡°What is it?¡± the man asked. Jace flicked his hand at the torch.

    ¡°Why are the torches lit? I¡¯ve only seen a few outside that room we all woke up in.¡±

    For that matter, Jace thought. Had we all been in the room together. Simply waking at different times. Or were we all transported individually.

    Appearing out thin air maybe?

    ¡°That¡­ that is strange,¡± the man muttered and reached out to touch a cold unlit torch. ¡°Yowch!¡± the man hissed withdrawing his fingers. ¡°It¡¯s scolding hot.¡±

    Do the undead need the light and warm. Or are there people still living here. Hiding in the depths of this ridiculous maze.

    Jace walked over to a still lit torch and carefully withdrew it from the sconce. Walking back over to the torch they had stopped by. Jace held his up against it. For fifteen seconds he held it there and not once did the flames spread over.

    ¡°Strange,¡± he muttered and gestured for the man to grab another torch. The fire¡¯s warmth was a wonderful sensation that Jace suddenly realised he¡¯d been missing.

    Warmth was something of a creature comfort, all things living sort warmth, either for fire or in each other. The burning flame at the end of his torch made him grateful, yet also drove home the point that he was in a strange place with no memories other than his name.

    If it even is mine, he thought, and holding the torch before himself he carried on down the wide corridor.

    They took a left at the end and came upon a dark dreary stairway going down. Cool air blew up at them, flickering their torch lights, and with it came a chilling sound like a distant cry flooding their ears.

    ¡°Well, this is certainly something,¡± the dark-haired man muttered.

    ¡°All for going down?¡± Jace asked and started down the flight of stairs. They wound to his left and he shuffled as he went further in.

    Wish I could the see the blueprints for this place. I bet it was a nightmare to plan.

    ¡°Blue¡­ what?¡± he murmured, then the thought was the gone. He still maintained the gist of his idea, but the actual context was lost to him.

    They stumbled on downwards, wandering through this Parkers Hold.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Jace called behind him quietly.

    ¡°Yes?¡± the dark-haired man replied a moment later.

    ¡°Have you thought of name for yourself?¡± Jace asked and waited as the man processed what he meant.

    ¡°No. I hadn¡¯t even considered it. To give myself a name¡­ it¡­ well it feels as if I would lose something in the exchange you know?¡±

    Jace shook his head. ¡°Nope. Do you mean as if giving yourself a new name, would lose you what would¡¯ve already lost?¡±

    Jace heard the man paused then and laugh softly. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. Still¡­¡±

    ¡°Well I need something to call you by. I can¡¯t just keeping thinking of you as dark-skinned or dark-haired all the time.¡±

    ¡°Dark skin?¡± the man asked, a note of confusion lacing his tone.

    ¡°Well, yeah. You do have a different skin colour than me,¡± Jace turned and looked back over his shoulder. He¡¯d gone down several steps as the man had come to a halt. He was staring down at his arms and hands, a look of wonder and confusion plain across his face.

    ¡°You alright?¡± Jace asked hesitantly.

    ¡°How had I not noticed?¡± the man mumbled and shook his head from side to side. ¡°I am¡­ not who I was¡­?¡±

    Jace¡¯s brow pinched at that. And he too looked at the skin of his own arms. He wasn¡¯t shocked by what he saw at all. Though some of the small freckles on his skin, oddly stood out to him.

    For that matter, what colour are my eyes? What is the colour of my hair?

    He ran his tongue over his teeth. At least I have all of those.

    He actually hadn¡¯t thought of that. The possibility that they weren¡¯t in their original bodies. Jace shook away the entire conversation, the questions he had giving him a headache.

    ¡°Come on, we need to-¡± a shriek cut him off, as it travelled down the stairway behind them. The sound snapped the dark-haired man out of his trance, and he jolted, sprinting past Jace his torch brushing close to Jace¡¯ tunic.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Jace growled and ran after the man.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± the man called back without looking. Jace heard several solid thumps behind him and guessed that the zombies were tripping down the stairway after them.

    Sooner than he would¡¯ve liked, the zombies had caught up quickly.

    ¡°Move.¡± Jace barked, and pivoting he lashed out clipping the knee of a zombie stumbling down towards him. The blow connected and the zombie stumbled into a roll and fell past Jace, towards the dark-haired man.

    The man yelped and started frantically cursing as the zombie climbed to its feet and charged after him.

    Jace refocused on the three stumbling over one another. Lunging forward he kicked out to his right hitting a zombie into the wall, then backhanded another with his mace.

    The blunt weapon caved in the right side of its head.

    Then Jace darted forward and jammed his torch into the open mouth of the third. The zombie crunched down as the hot flame and ashy embers of the torch lit its head on fire.

    So they¡¯re susceptible to fire. Good to know.

    The zombie he had kicked barged into him then, stunning Jace as it grabbed his head and smashed it into the wall behind him.

    Dazed, he shook as a warring painful numbness set over him. He pushed weakly at the undead as it tried again to bashed his head against the stone.

    Reaching out Jace¡¯ fingers fumbled at the shaft of his torch, now sticking out of a charred head. ¡°Jace, I need your help!¡± came the dark-haired man¡¯s voice travelled up to him. It was the first time someone had said his name. Weirdly it didn¡¯t sound right.

    As the zombies fingers clamped around his forehead, Jace slammed his fist upwards meeting its stretched out arm. It broke under his strike and stumbled backwards. He drove another into the side of its right knee. The joint popped and bent at an odd angle.

    Shaking his head free of the daze, though his vision still had yet to fully adjust, Jace kicked the zombie sending it into the wall and tumbling down a few steps. Almost tripping himself Jace propped both hands against either wall and swayed in place. The painful numbness at the back of head slowly receded as his vision properly aligned.

    Further down the stairway the dark-haired man was on his back, fighting against the Wretch on top of him. His torch firmly wedged between them.

    The zombie he had tripped however was now crawling back up towards him. When it was close enough Jace kicked it full in the face. The head literally exploding around the force of his strike, sending fragments of bone and parts of brain everywhere.

    A high-pitch screech sounded then. The instant Jace heard it a compulsion overwhelmed him to find it and kill it.

    For the sound only meant one thing.

    Another damn brain squid!

    Stumbling over the zombie corpse, Jace skidded down the steps when he realised the brain squid was flopping over toward his struggling companion.

    Then it was too late.

    Its tiny thin tendrils hooked onto the man head and face, and even as he screamed and tried to fight it. The zombie used that distraction to press its attack. Launching down on the man and burying its face in his neck as it tore its teeth through his trachea and ripped a large chunk out before gulping it down gluttonously.

    Jace froze as he watched this happen. His legs felt wobbly and weak, yet his mind told him to watch and observe the brain squid.

    He did just that.

    Its thin tentacles wormed themselves in through the man¡¯s ears, eyes, and nose. Endlessly wiggling and weaving themselves inside. Then it began it pulse, and undulate, its tendril¡¯s bulged as something passed through it. From the dark-haired man into the brain squid.

    For several seconds this went on, until the tendril¡¯s in the mans¡¯ ear withdrew and it coughed a thick wad of brain mush onto the stone step.

    Did it just eat his fucking brain¡­? Jace¡¯s mind tried to process what he was seeing.

    Then the brain squid made a squelching, burping sound and shuddered. The actual brain began to deflate like a lung as the tendrils withdrew and congregated on one side of the deflating brain.

    With a chirping squeal, a small and bloody cephalopod plopped with a wet squish onto the step and began wiggling towards the ear of the dark-haired man¡¯s head.

    Jace decided he had seen enough and stomping down the steps he boar this mace through the back of the zombies with an enraged cry. Then drove his torch¡ªfiery point¡ªdown onto the back of the ¡­ well ¡­ whatever the hell it really was.

    It screamed in agony and seconds later shrivelled up into a burnt dried husk. Its screams still eerily ringing in his ears. Jace wanted to sit down and rest. or maybe even puke.

    He felt mentally exhausted once again. But sounds echoed down the stairs from above. Quickly Jace crouched down and rifled through the man¡¯s pockets. He found the journal and snatching it up he turned and fled.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace rubbed at his face tiredly, he had reached the bottom of the stairway and smacked right into a dead end. There was simply nothing there. Just a blank wall of stone.

    He could hear them above, howling like animals as they ran down towards the bottom. Towards him.

    Is this my punishment, or a practical joke, or something?

    The least the idiot who had blocked this stairwell off could¡¯ve done was put up a sign at the end. Telling him it was blocked off.

    Jace started probing at the walls, quickly running his hands around, trying to find anything that could¡¯ve been a hidden switch. If there was it was well hidden even from him.

    Dropping the idea Jace propped his torch against the wall and took his mace in both hands.

    With a furious grunt he connected with the wall and cursed as the impact rippled up through the haft of his mace and stung his hands. Gritting his teeth and not giving up Jace swung again, and again, and again.

    The zombie¡¯s cries were getting louder and steadily closer now, drawing nearer to him.

    Jace swung at the wall. Crack!

    The wooden haft of his mace splintered and snapped in half. The plain ball head fell with a solid thud against the stone floor and Jace stared in shock.

    I¡¯m going to die, the thought breezed through his mind. Then a stone brick in the centre of the wall, slid backwards with a scrape and tumbled into the darkness beyond.

    I¡¯m going to live!

    Bending down Jace grabbed his torch and flung it through the opening provided by the fallen brick. Reaching through and grabbing a firm hold of the bricks around the opening, Jace pulled with all his might.

    He grunted as they begin to shift and loosen, shift, and loosen.

    Within a couple of seconds Jace had pried two other bricks out, as they fell on his side of the wall. Judging the gap critically, he decided it was good enough to barely shimmy through.

    Thrusting the upper half of his body through was easy, his waist though was where he got stuck. Then a bone chilling howl of undead emanated behind him and Jace heaved.

    Pull your fat ass through. Now. Damn it!

    He heaved and came unstuck, his foot struck out hitting a hand or face before he face-planted into the ground.

    With a shake he stood up and turned to see arms and snarling faces, peering through, and trying to reach for him.

    He spun grabbing his torch and frantically searched the path forward.

    The air was cool, damp, and earthy, and made him cough with how wet it was. Soon his walking pace picked up into a jog as he ran through the earthy hallway he was in.

    Too late did he see the wall ahead and slammed bodily into dirt and stone, and crumbled through it out to the other side. Jace sputtered and wiped at his face then blinked as he realised he was in a well-lit oval chamber. At the center of the room, above and below were twin iron grates.

    The cloudy sky of day through the grate above. Threw down pale light over him as he strolled into the center. Below, was a pitch blackness that sent chills running down his spine.

    The chamber¡¯s ceiling had high domed curve, seeming more like a holding cell that anything. It was completely sparse of everything except for an iron ring bolted to the ground, reaffirming his opinion of where he was.

    He felt it then.

    An immense pressure that almost forced him to his knees. He panted as the very air around held an intense gravity to it. Even as it filled his lungs, the air seemed to weigh him down further.

    The criss-crossing iron bands of the grate beneath him bent ever-so-slightly. The wall on one side of the chamber parted. The stone bricks literally dislodging and floating aside as the squid-humanoid Jace had seen previous¡ªwhen running with Xena¡ªentered the chamber.

    It wore a frayed black robe that hid the majority of its thin frame. Jace noted the faded purple stitched tear drop on the left breast of the robe.

    YOU AGAIN?

    Jace cried out and clawed at his face as his mind seized as if struck by a mental blow. The pain oddly belonged, continuous, stretching out into oblivion. The aftershock when it finally subsided rocked him to his knees¡¯ as the voice in his mind grew faint.

    Then the damn bastard carried on talking.

    YOUR STRUGGLE IS RECKLESS. YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE US AGAIN. WE MUST STUDY YOU, ANOMALY.

    Jace¡¯s mind closed itself off as he spasmed in agony. He couldn¡¯t understand the pain that was being inflicted on him, and that somehow made it worse.

    Don¡¯t fight it.

    The voice was softer now, gentle, and soothing.

    We can give you back what you¡¯ve lost.

    His mind flashed, even as his body writhed in pain on the iron grate. His consciousness was sent somewhere else.

    Jace stood in an empty white room. A sound beeped and spinning around he saw ¡­ himself. He was just sitting in a chair beside a bed.

    The room had changed. Fading from white to cream. There were these ¨C things - in the rooms, all of them making sounds, beeping, humming, and clicking. And all of them familiar and yet also completely strange to him.

    ¡°Jace,¡± a figure in the bed rasped.

    Something inside of himself told him that this wasn¡¯t right. That he¡­ that he wasn¡¯t¡­ ¡°Forgive me.¡±

    No. not me. This isn¡¯t me. At least not how I am¡­

    ¡°Sam?¡±

    No, no, no, no.

    ¡°NO,¡± he boomed through his thoughts and the scene wavered, rippled. In his place beside the bed now was a monster of oceanic nightmares. It turned to regard Jace, and he saw a flash of surprise flit across its churning eyeballs.

    ¡°GET OUT!¡± he boomed again, and the Dweller¡ªfor that¡¯s what it was¡ªrecoiled away from him as he advanced on the thing. Reaching out to grabbed it.

    DIE THEN, the Dweller boomed back. Pain anew erupted all throughout his mind and the room disappeared completely.

    Panting he rolled onto his back and stared up at the distant sky through the grate. Wishing the clouds would part and that light would shine down on him.

    I don¡¯t deserve the light, though, do I.

    Rolling back over and climbing to his knees Jace looked at the Dweller. It was a writhing tangle of tentacles on the floors. Its robe torn and thrown off to one side.

    Then, all at once they stopped, and the Dweller¡¯s head floated up on the mass of tentacles and glared at Jace. He would¡¯ve smirked and told the thing to go fuck itself, but the grate beneath him jarred loosely.

    They stared balefully at for eternity, though, a only a few shorts second past.

    He winced as its eyes narrowed, the pressure in his mind began to summit its peak. In that same instance he gave a wordless roar and brought both hands down to slammed them into the grate beneath him.

    The grated fell away, taking him with it. Plunging Jace into darkness.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas. Then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Three

    Jace cried out in fear as darkness seemingly swallowed him whole.

    Then he hit something, the grate smacking into it first and because he still stupidly held onto it Jace followed through. His right wrist snapped and several of his fingers dislocated as he banged about and then he lost his grip on the grate.

    Tumbling he hit something jagged with the right side of his chest and felt it puncture through, cracking several of his ribs.

    His legs whacked solidly numbing his ankles. The back of his head struck something pointy and ice filled Jace¡¯s mind and body. He coughed and spluttered as he smacked into icy cold waters then, face down. All, was lights out for Jace as he struggled pitifully to right himself and hold his breath. His body didn¡¯t respond. Then he was weightless and falling still within the water. His legs crumpled as he hit a rock at the bottom of a small waterfall, his back bending awkwardly as he had a brief moment of fresh air.

    It was too brief though and Jace missed it. Then he was back under, flowing with the current or rapid, which ever it was he was losing time and air.

    He couldn¡¯t hold it any longer and bubbles started to peek and erupt from the corner of his mouth and out of his nose. Water rushed in to fill his mouth, throat and then lungs. He tried to shake his head, to reject this kind of end. He stopped fighting then, and for a seemingly endless moment, all was cool.

    Warmth spread through and seized his lungs. He would¡¯ve described it as pain, but all he could manage was stillness. He jerked and compressed. And then stopped. Stopped Everything.

    The fighting. The running. The pain. The fear. All of it evaporated. His eyes slid shut.

    Then snapped open as a something gripped the collar of his tunic and lifted Jace bodily out of the icy cold water. Before Jace could even gasp in surprise, or expel his lungful of water. He was dropped unceremoniously to the ground, smacked his head, and then passed out.

    ~*~*~*~

    Mrs. A, looked at her husband at he dragged her fathers agent out of the water and let him go to flop like a fish on the ground. ¡°Honey,¡± Mr. R, said turning to her with a cocked eyebrow. ¡°I believe he¡¯s dead.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s only pretending,¡± Mrs. A, sniffed and looked at the mangled corpse.

    For a long moment they simple stared at it, ¡°he did say this one right?¡± Her husband asked her.

    ¡°I believe so. Apparently they were acquainted some time ago. This one owed father a favour,¡± she replied and peered closer at the corpse. ¡°Father did say that he had given the man a few gifts.¡±

    ¡°Apparently none of those involved breathing water,¡± Mr. R, noted with a dry laugh. Mrs. A, looked at her husband and rolled her eyes. They were simply meant to check in with the man, drop off a present or two and shoot out of there.

    ¡°Can you save him ¡­ without using any spells,¡± she added hurriedly as bands of green began to form around her husband¡¯s wrists.

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Mr. R, hummed for a long moment and then shrugged. Bending down he grabbed a hold of the man¡¯s leg just above his broken ankle and lifted him bodily off the ground. Mrs. A, took several steps back to avoid the water splashing off the corpse as her husband whipped it around in a circle, and accidentally let go.

    The body slammed into a tree and crumpled there. ¡°Shitfuckpissass,¡± her husband gunned and suddenly appeared next to the broken body. ¡°Honey?¡± he called to her, sounding both innocently apologetic and sheepish.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming,¡± she grumbled a sigh and walking over, trailing a path of dead foliage even as those around her feet sprang to life and died in her wake she stopped by her husband.

    ¡°I think you¡¯ll to have take this one. Otherwise we¡¯ll be here all day,¡± he said and adjusted his glasses while fingering at the chuff of his suit sleeve.

    Mrs. A, bent forward at the waist, ignoring the spank her husband gave her bottom. And reaching out she cupped the chin of the corpse, it skin slimy, cold and pale blue. Her white irises glowed as she expelled a breath filled with glowing blue mist over the man¡¯s head.

    ¡°Fucking Instant Recovery. Strange from the source. How I miss those,¡± Mr. R, sighed wistfully.

    Standing up Mrs. A, patted her husband¡¯s shoulder. Knowing full well how he missed the old days. Times were simpler then.

    They both stepped back as the corpse began to twitch and spasm violently. Then they both turned as its bones started to contort and realign. ¡°You know. If we finish this fast enough, we can back to your father and then make it home in time for Ally¡¯s delivery.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Well you did agree with father on this, and it was partially your plan,¡± she reminded her husband.

    ¡°Yeah- okay. Just poor timing is all. What, with these fucking fragments of the prime showing up everywhere, it¡¯s starting to become a pain in the ass.¡±

    Mrs. A, sighed heavily then wince as something crunched behind her. ¡°Yes well. We have to avoid direct confrontation until the time is right. They however, don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Well your father should just make a whole new plane which we can stuff everyone on. This whole being sneaky, really isn¡¯t us. I mean when-¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace groaned and spluttered as water vomited out of him like from a blocked fire hose, spraying out of his mouth and nose in all directions. Everything ached and his mind was on fire. His throat was rung ragged and coarse.

    Rolling onto his back and narrowly missing the puke of water pooling the ground beside him. He blinked at the forest canopy above, the trees all around him, and the sounds of water cascading loudly from nearby.

    Then he heard the people. Groaning he sat up slightly to see two oddly fashionably dressed people standing a few yards away. Their backs turned to him.

    ¡°- I know exactly what you mean, dear. But we can¡¯t get involved ourselves just yet. If we play our hand too early the Prime will take notice and after what happened last time. None of us want that.¡±

    ¡°Ex-¡± Jace tried to called to them, but his throat simply croaked instead.

    ¡°So we¡¯re agreed on the other thing?¡± the man asked the woman.

    ¡°What? getting this over with quickly so we that can see our daughter being born ¡­ absolutely,¡± the woman replied and touched the man¡¯s cheek kindly. Then they both swished about to face Jace. A few things instantly struck Jace about their appearances.

    The man, wore a neatly tailored dark-brown suit, his equally brown hair was combed back, and a pair of thickly rimmed glasses sat on his nose. His eyes were a brilliant shade of blue, with vibrant red shards scattered about the rim of his irises.

    The woman, wore a figure-hugging white sundress with matching white heels. Her equally white hair was stylised to frame her gorgeous face and slender neck. She shone like purity given form, made stranger by her white eyes centred by a black pinprick of a pupil. She folded her gloved hands across her sleek stomach and smiled at Jace. Where as the man shrugged at him.

    ¡°Ah! He¡¯s awake. That¡¯s one hard tree¡­¡± the man muttered and then grunted as the woman swatted him in the stomach.

    ¡°Sorry for the rude introduction,¡± the woman began and shot a look at the man who just grinned. ¡°I am Mrs. A. And this rude Oaf beside me is my husband, Mr. R.¡± She waved her gloved between them.

    Swallowing and gaining enough moisture to in my mouth to talk, Jace said; ¡°if he¡¯s your husband. Wouldn¡¯t that make you, Mrs. R instead?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re our codenames,¡± the women explained in a huff.

    ¡°Plus,¡± the man, Mr. R, interjected. ¡°I¡¯m pretty certain Marcus gave me Mr. R. So that I¡¯ll be mistaken for your father.¡±

    ¡°Quite likely,¡± Mrs. A, mused. ¡°Uhm, where were we?¡± she looked at Jace then and frowned fractionally. Jace simply looked between the two of them, unsure if he should run away. Though he was certain, he should¡¯ve been dead right now. So maybe these people had saved him. He owned it to them then to listen.

    ¡°The gifts, hon,¡± Mr. R, told her.

    ¡°Right!¡± her eyes lit up, with a soft glow and Jace leaned away from them. Something clicked then in the back of mind and tension he hadn¡¯t known he had before melted away, flowing down his spine in a shiver.

    ¡°Now Rh- Mr. R, the other gift if you will, dear?¡± Mrs. A said over her shoulder to the man.

    ¡°You know. My gift from you was a lot more violent than what everyone else receives,¡± Mr. R, grumbled and crouching down, he pressed hands against the foliage near him.

    Mrs. A, smiled at him. ¡°You were my first in all things, after all,¡± she smirked at him and laughed lightly as he coughed in embarrassment. Jace watched the byplay between the two and got the sense they had quite a few good stories between them. The woman stepped back as a kaleidoscope of colours bloomed beneath Mr. R¡¯ hands.

    Jace shielded his eyes as the colour grew and intensified, washing an array of vibrant rainbows across the trees and forest floor.

    As he turned away, Jace noted the dead foliage leading a trail towards where Mrs. A, stood. Around her though grass and vines grew bustling and died all within seconds of each other. I think my life just got stranger, Jace thought and blinked repeatedly as the array of colour ceased.

    ¡°These are a gift from your benefactor, and an apology,¡± Mr. R said standing and dusting a hand across his suit trousers. In his other hand sat a dark green silken wrapped bundle.

    ¡°W-who?¡± Jace asked and blinked dumbly, the tension that eased from him earlier, now made his head feel light, like he was spinning in the clouds.

    ¡°Your benefactor, I can say no more than that. The apology is because we had no idea that the Prime Fragment was gorging herself on a summons¡¯ memories.

    ¡°Memories¡­¡± Jace trailed off, ¡°can you give back to me?¡± A kindle of hope burned deep in his soul at the prospect.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Mrs. A, interrupted before her husband could reply. Jace caught the slight frown flitting across the mans face before he sighed and then nodded.

    ¡°We can¡¯t,¡± Mr. R, affirmed and stared hard at Jace for long moment. Jace nodded acquiescing and catching the strange man¡¯s meaning. Someone could. Just not them. Then who?

    ¡°And this is the gift,¡± the man knelt and place the silken bundle on the ground before Jace, and removed the covering. Beneath it rested a wooden inlayed with steel vambrace. Small caricatures of figures and symbols Jace couldn¡¯t identify decorated around the outside of a steel panel at the centre of the vambrace.

    Jace reckoned that the outside layering was all wood¡ªthough why wood was used he couldn¡¯t understand¡ªwhile the interior of being a layer of steel. It looked well-crafted but other than that, Jace wasn¡¯t quite sure of the vambraces¡¯ importance.

    ¡°Oookay,¡± Jace started slowly reaching out to take the piece of armour.

    ¡°Once who¡¯ve placed it on your arm, it will be bound to you and you alone,¡± Mr. R, warned him. Jace frowned at that and cocked an eyebrow. ¡°I cannot say more. You will learn to use it in time.¡±

    ¡°We must be going now,¡± Mrs. A, told them. Jace nodded absently and retrieved his hand, leaving the vambrace on the forest floor for a moment.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jace nodded his head gratefully. Though he felt absently like he shouldn¡¯t have been saved. That he wasn¡¯t worth this much attention. Then again the Dweller seemed to think that Jace was an anomaly. So maybe there was some truth to Jace actually being sent here by someone else. Maybe whoever this Fragment opposed.

    ¡°Word of advice?¡± Mr. R, said to him. Jace nodded agreeably. ¡°Head west,¡± the man then pointed to Jace¡¯ left and he followed the gestured looking that way.

    ¡°Right, well thanks-¡± he began but as he turned back they were simply gone without a trace of them ever being there. Well ¡­ other than the rows of dead forest floor and the ornate wooden and steel vambrace beside him.

    Standing up unsteadily Jace sighed and bending over picked the vambrace up, carefully tucking it under his arm. Then he followed the sound rushing water to the small waterfall, spouting out a cave mouth embedded in large cliff face.

    Jace looked up. And up. And up. A widely thick mountain of rock, spruced by odd trees and vines dandling like wiry beards stood before him. The top of the mountain¡ªor cliff, or whatever the hell it was¡ªwas cut completely off by a swarm of dark clouds.

    If I was a betting man, he thought, and reckoned that Parkers Hold was somewhere on top, or inside this mountain. Walking over to the flowing pool of water, he crouched down at the rim and splashed some cold water across his face, arms and neck. He then took a few tentative sips of the chilling liquid. It was fresh, but he didn¡¯t trust it beyond a few more gulps.

    Afterwards he set off into the forest, heading west.

    He check his possessions as he went, finding both the weird golden brush case and the journal. Oddly the journal was completely dry, and the brush case was sealed and airtight, so no water got inside. He had however lost the small copper piece he suspected was money, though of a low brand.

    Looking out across the forest he saw that further ahead; the cloud coverage was endless, not even a spot of sunlight was pouring through. The sky seemed to be in a perpetual state of bleak grey clouds.

    He hummed and picked up the pace.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace froze as a scream tore through the darkened woods. Night had fallen quickly over him, and made his travelling harder. His clothes had thankfully dried off in the trek, but the cold night air chilled his bones. Add in the sounds of scurrying and animals creeping across the forest floor. Jace decided that staying on the move was probably better than finding some place to hunker down. Who knew what could lying in wait for him.

    Than was about when the sounds of shouting, fighting, and screaming started off.

    He unfroze, as the scream picked up again, this time louder and joined by other voices. There was then a soft pop that seemed to travel on the night air. He ran, weaving between tree as a light bloomed up ahead. His footsteps loud and pounding against the leafy ground. Then Jace heard a sound, he¡¯d hoped to not hear for some time. An inhuman chattering howl and feral shriek.

    He rushed on pushing himself as the light ahead of him set ablaze like a burning wicker man. The fire¡ªfor that¡¯s what it was¡ªblossomed in a roaring gush of exhalation as a ring of three people fought desperately against  a tithe of zombies. A wagon had been wedged to close off a gap in a wooden staked fence.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Jace exploded out of the forest of trees and into the rear end of the horde. Without stopping he swung wide and smashed his gifted vambrace into the face of a zombie. It gurgled a growl and went down, Jace stomped his heel into the top of its head, mushing its brain.

    Twisting back around he drove an elbow into the back of another neck, snapping broke, making it fall limp. Taking the vambrace in both hands Jace brought it down on the zombies nose, there was a crunch as its face caved-in weakly.

    Arms and hands gripped his shoulders and neck, and Jace rolled forward, taking whoever held him down in a falling tumble. Rolling across the muddy ground Jace came to a stop and pushed himself to his feet. Looked up and saw that the majority of the undead¡¯ attention was now on him.

    Feet sliding partially, Jace cursed the ground. Obviously the zombies and whatever people trafficked through here had churned the ground into a soft squelching mud.

    Sniffing Jace squared his shoulders, there was a good seven or eight stumbling haphazardly towards him. He firmed his grip on the vambrace, as the first of them got close enough. Jace skidded into a slide and went down on his ass, yet his foot flailed out and caught the zombie just above its waist.

    It fell back but managed to grabbed a hold of his boot and breeches and pulled Jace along. Kicking frantically, while trying to back pedal, he clipped the zombie in the side of its of jaw and tore the all of the skin off its mouth, chin and nose.

    ¡°Fucking gross,¡± Jace threw his vambrace at its head. The blow knocked it back and gave Jace enough time to slide forward, grab one of its arms, while planting his foot firmly on its chest, he pulled.

    With a sickening squelch, the arm tore easily free. He swung it and back handed the zombies head, turning it to the side. Scrambling back onto his feet, Jace swung and battered the zombie flat on the ground.

    Then an intense need built inside of him and Jace spun on the next zombie cutting close. The second he saw this one, it drew all of his attention.

    It got one of them inside its head, he thought. Swinging home and bashing into the back of its jaw. It growled and tried to stand quickly but Jace was already slipping and sliding onto it.

    Stomping his foot down on its lower back and throwing the arm-bat aside, Jace bent and gripped both of its own. With a tearing pop, Jace felt the arms tear and dislocate from their sockets. He pulled harder and stumbled back as they tore completely free. The zombie tried kicking its legs and gnashing its teeth, as it tried to move.

    Jace beat the ever-loving shit out of it. Noticing that the skin on the arms where he was holding had torn away, and were now bleeding and stinking.

    Throwing them at the approaching zombies, Jace scanned the ground looking for his vambrace. There! He dove for it, driving into the mud and slid several feet before stopping. Jace spun it in his hands and slipped it on over his right arm.

    The instant his hand coned and slid through the open, Jace felt it pulse and grow warm. Then all of a sudden, what felt like hundreds of steel spikes drove through his forearm stabbing him continuously, though it only lasted three seconds it seemed endless.

    Then it stopped and the vambrace cinched tight on his arm. Then nothing. ¡°Well that was fucking useless,¡± Jace cursed and stumbled to his feet. He¡¯d expected some awesome power and instead got a Chinese wrist burn¡ªif a Chinese wrist burn involved stabbings nails, and bolts being driven through your arm. Wait, what? Jace shook away his nonsensical musings.

    The forgotten whatever it was¡ªhe¡¯d been thinking about¡ªworked to only piss him off even more. ¡°Six left,¡± he grumbled, and steadied himself. A horn erupted¡ªseemingly¡ªfrom the darkened skies above them. The zombies all collective chattered, like constructions workers grumbling when called off of break time early.

    Then all together like a pack of wolves they retreated running into the woods, circling the staked fence. ¡°What the hell? They¡¯re retreating,¡± Jace¡¯ recollected back to when he had met Xena. The asshole-warrior-woman had mentioned that the armed-zombies had ran away from her. Maybe they¡¯re more coordinated than I thought.

    Walking over toward the fence, through which he could see a few houses, and a small barn. Jace tapped on the wooden stake, knocking. ¡°You alive in there?¡± he called out.

    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± a man panted gruffly. ¡°Just¡­ give me a¡­ minute while I¡­ catch my breath. Son, help your mother burn more sticks.¡± The man said to someone else.

    ¡°Hang on. With me now¡­¡± the man said, and Jace heard him grunt as he tried to pull the wagon aside. Jace guessed the man had been talking to him, so from his side Jace planted his feet as best he could and pushed against the wooden wagon. It slid easily out and Jace heard the squealing wheels groan as they began rolling it to the right.

    Clapping his hands and checking for splinters, Jace came around the wagon and almost stumbled. Standing before, muddy and exhausted was someone who bore similarities, but was also decidedly not human.

    For one the man had red-furred fox ears protruding out the top of his brown-haired head and a thick bushy red, black, and white tip tail, that swung limply between his legs.

    His eyes were a vibrant shade of orange and as the man squinted at Jace he noticed how the fire light reflected a stripe of silken red fur curve beneath the mans eyes lid and just above his cheek bones.

    Realising he was staring at the fox-man, Jace stuck out his hand. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Jace¡­ -uh, Yasgaes.¡± He added dumbly remembering the owner of the journals surname.

    The fox-man nodded and smiled slightly at Jace, and accepted his hand. ¡°Hello Jace. I am Douglas Shaw. Thank you for helping to save my home.¡± Jace felt the man¡¯s nails¡ªor should he say claws¡ªwere rather long and sharp. ¡°Come on, and help me to push this back in place.¡±

    A few seconds later, they¡¯d pushed the wagon back, and wedged it firmly through the gap. ¡°It won¡¯t keep the wretches out if they come back, but it¡¯ll certainly give us notice when they try.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll come back?¡± Jace asked worriedly. He looked about and saw that all that was really here was a few squat, thatched houses, two in total. A well for water, and a small barn. They¡¯d build a pyre to help illuminate the encroaching darkness.

    ¡°They come back every night,¡± Douglas sighed heavily and limped towards a woman and small boy roughly around eight or ten years old. Both of them had fox-like features, though the boy¡¯s ears were tiny, and his tail was a mottle brown.

    The mother, Jace assumed she was, had long curly auburn hair with the same red furred ears and tail as Douglas, though a streak of white shot down the centre of her tail, from base to white furred tip. She had a lovely figure as well, full breasts and round hips, slim waist and a mature firmness to her. She wore a dark blue linen dress with a lace string back, and long embroidered lace sleeves.

    Douglas and his son wore matching dark grey tunics and breeches. Both of them turned as they approached. Jace saw the mother grab her sons¡¯ arm and pulled him behind her protectively, her vibrant yellow gaze narrowing on Jace.

    ¡°Jace, this is my wife Marcia Marcy Shaw,¡± Jace nodded respectfully to her. ¡°And my son, Cain Shaw.¡± Jace smiled slightly and gave the small fox-boy a gentle wave.

    ¡°What is a human doing out here in Trager Forest?¡± Marcia asked Jace suspiciously. Her voice terse and sharp.

    ¡°Exploring,¡± Jace replied immediately. Exploring? You didn¡¯t even know the forest had a name, Jace winced internally. And hoped they wouldn¡¯t ask him anymore questions.

    ¡°Exploring where-¡±

    ¡°Marcia,¡± Douglas cut her off tersely. ¡°He helped us. The least we can do is not pry the mans secrets out of him.¡±

    Marcia¡¯ vibrant yellow gaze churned on her husband then. An unspoken and verbally abusive silence settled between them like a battle of wills.

    Jace felt a tug on his hand and looking down he saw the small fox-boy, Cain holding his wrist. Looking back up at the wordlessly arguing couple, Jace chose to ignore the boy. I do not, want to piss off his mother, Jace thought and nodded sagely at the commonly good sense.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Jace cleared his throat loudly, and inwardly shrunk away as Marcia¡¯ gaze alighted on him and then fumed as she saw her son gripping his hand. ¡°Let go of my-¡±

    ¡°Will the zombies come back again tonight?¡± Jace interrupted her, pointedly focusing on Douglas. The man shook his man, as his ears twitched forward. ¡°No. They come once every night. Never in larger numbers than tonight. Its strange really. You read the old books and they explain how the wretches roved across the land decimating everything in their wake. Yet only a few ever show up here, attack and try to get in then retreat.¡±

    ¡°How long have they been doing this?¡± Jace asked leaning in.

    Douglas cocked an eyebrow at Jace then, ¡°some two months. We¡¯re what?¡± He looked to his wife, who was still eyeing Jace suspiciously. Her full lips pulled back in a silent snarl, showing off long pointy fangs jutting down from her upper jaw.

    ¡°Nearing the mid-term of the Hindus calendar,¡± Marcy growled, ¡°It¡¯s the 49<sup>th </sup>of Hindus.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so almost half way through,¡± Douglas said and gave his wife a blank look as she continued to growl at Jace. Jace for his part tried his best to show no obvious signs of discomfort. The woman¡¯s gaze felt like a physical thing, pushing and overwhelming his sense of bravery.

    ¡°We lost our son in law those first few days. It only took one of them stumbling out of the forest,¡± Douglas eyes grew distant then, even his wife stopped snarling at Jace as her ears wilted flat atop her head. ¡°Mathia tried to help the man, believing him to be some lost stranger¡­¡± he trailed off.

    ¡°It bit him,¡± Jace finished softly for him.

    ¡°Aye¡­ it did. That¡¯s ¡­ that¡¯s how we knew the Eclipse was upon us. Our slow inevitable end,¡± Douglas sighed and then his eyes brightened. ¡°Come. Let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯m sure Athena is getting cramped in the crawl space.¡±

    Jace blinked as the man swished away, though his tail remained limp. Marcia said nor did anything out towards Jace, though her eyes stayed narrowed as she took Cain¡¯ other hand. They followed Douglas to the larger of the two thatch houses. Douglas cracked open the door slowly and whistled inside, Jace heard a small thump and someone expel a loud heavy breath.

    As they entered, he saw Douglas sliding a table back and lifting a plain rug, revealing a small two by three-feet wooden floor hatch. Pulling the ring up, Jace watched as a slender and pale arm thrust upwards and Douglas clasped it.

    Jace hustled inside, as Marcia nudged his shoulder and Cain took off running to climb onto a chair where he sat and swung his legs, watching his father. Douglas helped a young fox-woman carrying bundle protectively to her chest, out of the crawl space.

    ¡°We have company,¡± Jace heard Douglas say softly to the woman. He was amazed, he¡¯d heard it at all. Then possibly the most beautiful woman Jace had ever seen in his forgetful life, turned and looked at him.

    The gentlest yellow eyes shone on him, and he felt his insides quiver with something unexpected. Protectiveness. He didn¡¯t even need to speak, nor say his name. Her simply staring at him across the short distance of the room felt overwhelming. ¡°Athena, this is Jace. We would¡¯ve been dead if not for him,¡± Douglas said, and sighed as Marcia snorted at that. ¡°Jace, this is my daughter, Athena.¡±

    ¡°H-hi,¡± Jace stammered and cleared his throat. He inwardly berated himself, for fucking stuttering. Athena had her mothers beauty, though on the her it seemed kinder. The only difference between them was that Athena lacked the white stripe down her tail, and her auburn hair was darker than Marcia. Her body was fuller, and her burgundy linen dress hugged her curves gloriously.

    ¡°Its wonderful to meet you, Jace. And thank you for helping my family,¡± Athena cooed sweetly. Then the bundle wrapped against her rather amble chest squirmed and babbled. ¡°Aww,¡± Athena laughed lightly, as a tiny-tiny pair of fox ears poofed up from within the bundle.

    Then the fox baby, gaggled a nonsensical litany of garbled words.

    A small baby hand pushed a fold of the wrap aside and leaned up as Athena¡¯ arms supported beneath it. A small head and baby face shot out and looked around the room, babbling incessantly. Then stopped as it came to Jace and stared in wonderous confoundment.

    Athena leaned in and spoke softly to the baby. ¡°Gabrielle, this is our hero Jace,¡± then speaking up and smiling at him she carried on. ¡°Jace, this is my daughter, Gabrielle.¡±

    The baby burped at Jace, gurgled, and then dribbled some sick over itself.

    ~*~*~*~

    A few minutes later Jace was sitting down at the table as Douglas played with his granddaughter. His son flicking through a picture book. Athena and Marcia were gathered around a stove fire, cutting, chopping and mixing all sorts of greens and sparse meat into a pot.

    Jace couldn¡¯t take his eyes off either Athena, nor her daughter. The baby, though he was avoiding going near her, had sparked another intensive surge of protectiveness within him. And frankly, that terrified Jace, now that he had the chance to calm down and collect his thoughts.

    Should just leave tomorrow. Continue on westward. Find this town mentioned in the journal. Oedrin? They¡¯ll just slow us down. And I doubt they¡¯ll leave here anyway. His objections were weak willed and Jace knew it. Something inside him, told him to remain with the Shaw family.

    There was a familiarity to this family setting, that Jace recognised. Did I¡­? His mind drawing back to the scene the Dweller had shown him. Shaking away the morose thoughts. Jace pried the journal out from within his tunic and ran his hand down the cover.

    On a whim, Jace placed the journal on the table and slid it over. ¡°Douglas, what do you make of that?¡± Jace asked the man. The man eyed it briefly and then held out Gabrielle to Jace.

    ¡°Take her for me, a moment.¡±

    Grumbling, Jace did so. Holding onto Gabrielle, Jace and the baby simply looked at each other. The hair on the top of her head was a light shade of red, almost orange like Douglas¡¯ eyes. He wondered if that was inherited from her father side. Her eyes were a bright forest green. Her tiny ears twitched at Jace, and then baby reached out both hands making grabbing gestures.

    ¡°Dab-bah,¡± Gabrielle babbled at him.

    ¡°You¡¯re a right little stinker, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jace said softly and even surprised himself by smiling at the baby. Lowering his face down, he flinch as Gabrielle slapped both of his cheeks roughly. ¡°Hey!¡± Jace chuckled. He felt like this was somehow a turning point for him. That it would change the way he viewed others and their worth to him.

    He was still analytical and steely at heart. That change had happened the minute everything went crazy in that room he¡¯d woken up in. He still expected himself to crash and break down at some point.

    But the stinker he was holding on to, as she patted his face and scrunched up his mouth, cheeks and nose warmed something inside him. Made him realised that even if he did break down and crash, that it would be okay in the end.

    ~*~*~*~

    As Jace occupied himself with making Gabrielle giggle and bubble with laughter. Douglas leafed through the small journal. When he came to the last entry and saw the bloody fingers prints, he gasped lightly and the read the entry silently to himself. After and flicking back through and finishing once again he looked to the young across the table from him, playing with his granddaughter.

    The lad seemed innocent enough. But how many innocent people would run charging into the rear of a small horde of wretches?

    The name, he thought checking the front page of the journal. Tormund Yasgaes. Douglas wanted to ask this stranger a couple of questions but feared the others might hear what he had to say. Placing the journal back down on the table, he poked it twice with a claw tipped finger catching the young man¡¯s attention.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace looked over at Douglas, his face flush with laughter and red from the many faces he¡¯d been pulling. The fox-man eyed him sternly for a second or so and nodded fractionally, his eyes flicking briefly to the women who were still cooking. Jace understand the unspoken later, that passed between them.

    Taking the journal back he hid it in his tunic, tucking it down by his waist. Hugging Gabrielle to him to make sure he didn¡¯t drop her. Jace spent the next few seconds bouncing her on his knee and blowing raspberry on his arm.

    When diner was done, Athena took Gabrielle back with a kind and thankful smile that burst his heart into sparks, and they all dished themselves some stew. ¡°We¡¯ve no mead or the like here,¡± Douglas told Jace after they¡¯d cleaned their bowls empty with a slice of bread. Soaking up the juices of carrots, onion, potatoes and something that tasted similarly to beef.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine with me. I¡¯m not much of a drinker anyway,¡± Jace replied and accepted the mug of cool water that was passed to him. Drawn out from a bucket that Jace guessed came from the well. It was fresh and chilled and Jace gulped it down greedily. He sat staring into the small stove fire at the centre of the house.

    ¡°Jace,¡± Douglas prompted him, ¡°you can stay here if you like. It¡¯s the least we can do for helping us.¡± Jace saw Marcia eyes narrowed dangerously at the suggestion, though her husband paid her no mind and ploughed ahead. ¡°Just know that if you do, you¡¯ll have to help around the lot tomorrow. If you stay past that ¡­ well, we¡¯ll discuss it then.¡±

    Jace blinked at the fox-man, his mind tumbling. Should leave them and go. Oedrin needs you. Needs to know what you know. Would they listen to him though? He was a stranger in a strange land. So far he¡¯d been pretty accepting of his situation. But would others be of him?

    ¡°Thank Douglas. I guess beyond that, we¡¯ll see.¡±

    Athena smiled across at him, as Marcia scowled wiping Cain¡¯ face and fingers free of stew.

    ¡°Bab-dah-bah-baba,¡± Gabrielle babbled her agreement.

    Not long after that, the bowls were rinse out and everyone made ready for bed. Douglas pulling out a straw mat and throwing two thick wool blankets down for Jace. A curtain was erected then, dividing off the women as they changed into their nightwear. Jace for his part looked to Douglas and the fox-man nodded to the front door. Once outside in the bitter cold, the men turned to each other.

    ¡°You have questions?¡± Jace guessed, and Douglas nodded slowly.

    ¡°Aye, I do. First off: Does that journal belong to a relative of yours?¡± Douglas asked him quietly.

    ¡°No,¡± Jace replied simply and shook his head.

    ¡°Your surname isn¡¯t Yasgaes?¡± again Jace shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been to Parkers Hold?¡± this time Jace hesitated and then nodded.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a pleasant place. I almost died escaping.¡±

    ¡°Aye, son. I know of it. But I imagine it was something entirely different for you.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯d you mean?¡± Jace asked him.

    Douglas took a long moment to consider his reply, ¡°it¡¯ll be better if I explain tomorrow morning as you help around. But, lets just say, that a few people know of Parkers Hold. The most disturbing thing though is that its now overrun, if that little book of yours tells the truth.¡±

    ¡°From what I saw inside,¡± Jace paused, ¡°I would say it¡¯s more than occupied.¡±

    ¡°Alright, next question. Are you a Magus?¡±

    ¡°A what?¡± Jace asked confused. Then from the look of confusion mirroring Douglas¡¯s own face Jace realised he should¡¯ve simply said no instead of questioning him.

    Douglas nodded slowly then, as if agreeing with something he had thought of. Jace felt like whatever it was, it wouldn¡¯t bode well for him.

    ¡°Maybe- maybe I should just go,¡± Jace mumbled, looking out into the dark forest beyond the small farm lot. The pyre still blazed, lighting the entire surrounding area though it was noticeably dimmer now than before.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to that son,¡± Douglas said not unkindly, ¡°if¡­ if you are what I think you are, then I suspect you¡¯ll have questions of your own. Some I may even be able to answer. But tomorrow,¡± he added as he saw Jace about to spew forth a closet full of questions.

    Nodding reluctantly Jace went back inside and rolled onto his straw mat. The women were done changing and now all of them slid into their beds to form a rough semi-circle near the stove fire still burning.

    Jace rearranged his blankets getting more comfortable. Then he heard a feral growl and bolted up right on his straw mat looking frantically around. Except that the growl was coming from his left, rolling up from deep within Marcia throat.

    Looking over her way, Jace blushed heavily. Marcia was growling a warning and baring her teeth at Jace as he looked and saw that in fact, Athena had one of her heavy swollen breasts out. It was ripe and full, swelling with vitality.

    Athena then popped Gabrielle on the nipple, and the baby tiny mouth stretched to latch on. Jace swore that Gabrielle even winked at him as Athena blushed and titled her head. Long curly dark red hair spilling over her shoulder and blocking Jace from view.

    The growling grew, and Jace immediately snapped his eyes shut and spun on his mat to face away from them. Stranger and stranger. All I need now is a harem of warrior babes in bikinis and a thick-ass sword that bitches at me. Even as the strange thought registered and then flitted away, Jace¡¯ mind roiled into the thick haze of sleep.

    So ending his first day on Aederon.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Four

    That night his mind swam through the depths of lucidity, and delved straight into madness. He fought against smoky men with writhing and twitching beards. Killed scores of undead. Had a mental domination battle with a fish. Watched all seven people he knew die.

    Died himself. Then lusted after a pair of red-hot women with fox ears and a tail.

    With a start, Jace jarred awake and gasped. Whatever was covering him was hot, and he threw it off himself. In that moment between full wakefulness and the fog of sleep.

    Jace saw clarity. He saw everything of himself. Everything he had been and done, said and regretted. His hope and dreams, and his acquiescence of a deal struck. Then it all blew away scattering to the winds of the void in his mind.

    Jace sat up and the cold air, and early dawn light grounded him in reality. The soft snores to his left, accompanied this. He froze for a second, his mind rapidly recounting everything that had happened to him yesterday. He worried this recollection of horror, fright and fighting to stay alive¡ªto stay ahead¡ªwould be taken from him as well.

    For a long timeless moment, he simply sat there on the mat. The cold damp air, chilled his sweat soaked clothes and body. He shivered and stumbled to his feet. Looking around he noticed that Marcia was sleeping peaceably with Athena opposite her, and between them slept their children.

    Jace took that moment to fully take in the fox-women beautiful faces and delicate features. The small silken strip of fur curving beneath their eyes almost touch their long eyelashes as they slept.

    Even in her sleep though Marcia¡¯ face was still like steel. Though there was noticeably less there and that alone made her more youthful and just as stunning as her daughter.

    A sound outside drew his attention and creeping towards the door, Jace pried it open his mind operating back to zombie rules. If it squeaks, run like fucking hell,  Jace shook his head, clearing the nonsense away. Even as his mind processed the thought, it still made no sense to him.

    Outside he found Douglas chopping wood with an axe. The wiry fox noticed Jace and waved him on.

    ¡°If you¡¯re looking for the outhouse its behind the barn,¡± Douglas greeted him nodded the way. Jace waved back and headed in that direction. He immediately gagged as the smell of decomposing food and shit hit him then. Compost heap, Jace guessed eyeing the darkened mound.

    Once he was done pissing, Jace ran back to Douglas. The man handed him the axe and set a block of wood on the cut and worn-down stump. ¡°Take over for me,¡± was all he said and Jace got to work. Bringing the axe swinging down and chopping easily through block after block of wood.

    By the time he stopped, he¡¯d acquired quite the collection. Wordlessly helping Douglas by carrying a stack, Jace followed him. ¡°So you¡¯ve got questions?¡± the fox-man asked Jace and he nodded as they went around the back of the house. Jace hadn¡¯t realised they had a chicken coop, as they were so quiet.

    Except that chickens don¡¯t have scales, he thought looking at them. They were broader than a usual chicken as well, their features sharper and more reptilian. Instead of a beak they had a scaled snout, and though they clucked with a hiss they still moved jerkily like chickens did.

    Jace shook his head fractionally and set his stack down turning to the fox-man. ¡°I do. I have a lot of questions actually.¡±

    ¡°I figured as such. If you can mind to wait an hour or so. The women will be up then, and we can go hunting,¡± Douglas informed him.

    ¡°Fine with me,¡± Jace smiled his agreement.

    Two hours later after the lots chores were done, Jace stepped out of the oddly vacant barn and swiped at his brow. Though the sky was still dark with roiling clouds the heat of the unseen sun still made it through. Though the air chilled his lungs, like the onset of winter coming around the bend.

    His heart fluttered as Athena strolled from the house and stopped briefly as a ray of sunlight peeked through to shine down on her. It moved on just as Marcia stepped out beside her, carrying Gabrielle. There was a gentleness to the older fox-woman¡¯s possessive grip on the baby girl.

    Gabrielle cooed at her grandma and played with her curly auburn hair, tangling her small chubby fingers through it.

    He saw Douglas talking to them both and nodding in Jace¡¯ direction. Frowning Jace followed his instinct and honed his hearing, singling out their whispery noises. The further he focused, the clearer they became. ¡°-we¡¯re going hunting,¡± Douglas¡¯ voice warbled, sounding murky.

    ¡°Probably best that you do. Try and find any traces of where our Lurka went as well, will you,¡± Marcia replied and gave her husband a chaste kiss.

    ¡°The both of you look after each other, alright?¡± Douglas said, looking between them.

    ¡°Of course father,¡± Athena said, stepping in to give him a hug. ¡°Watch out for each other as well.¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t trust him,¡± Marcia grumbled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t trust anyone, Marcy,¡± Douglas chuckled lightly.

    ¡°I trust you, husband,¡± she replied almost immediately. This was followed by a derisive snort from Douglas. ¡°Took you a while though, didn¡¯t it. Look, I don¡¯t fully trust him either. But I do believe he doesn¡¯t mean us any harm. He¡¯s ¡­ just lost is all,¡± Douglas said.

    Jace looked away, as the family glanced in his direction. He studiously pretended to be wiping his hands clean with a wet rag. It wasn¡¯t wet.

    ¡°More like distant,¡± Athena supplied, her voice a measure of softness. ¡°I have this feeling like every time I look at him. He¡¯s looking and searching for something else, something far away from here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯ll see you both later.¡± With that Douglas limped over to Jace and dropped a sack on the ground. Jace looked at it, and then at Douglas, ¡°what¡¯s in the bag?¡±

    ¡°A quiver of arrows and a bow,¡± Douglas pulled out his own, tucking the empty sack through the belt at his waist, he swung the quiver over his head and tightened the straps.

    Jace followed suit and a few seconds later, he was shrugging his shoulders trying to get used to the dig of the strap and the loose weight of the quiver. He grabbed the reasonably plain bow off the ground and tested the draw. Shifting his stance to accommodate the bow, and using three fingers he drew the string taut all the way back to his chin.

    Easing his draw Jace looked to Douglas, who nodded appreciatively. Jace apparently knew how to handle a bow. Though Jace himself, had no idea how he knew.

    They left the lot, climbing the wagon wedged in the gap and dropping to the other side. They started off into the woods, marching the way the zombies had ran to last night. As they started, Jace began drawing out arrows.

    He found that each arrow was caught by some sort of hook device that required twisting the arrow free before pulling it from the quiver. Though that would be helpful in cases of running or falling over. Jace imagined it wasn¡¯t exactly convenient for drawing fast and quick shots.

    He checked the shafts for splits, the arrow heads for chips or cracks, and the fletching for misplaced feathers. Surprisingly, he found that a few of the arrows curved slightly in the middle, which meant he would have to adjust his aim when loosing an arrow. Out of the fifteen he had, two had the bend.

    ¡°So, I¡¯m just going to come right out and say it,¡± Douglas said after a while of them slogging in silence.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Jace prompted him.

    ¡°You¡¯re not of our world are you?¡±

    Jace shook his head doubtfully, ¡°no. I don¡¯t believe I am.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, don¡¯t believe?¡± Douglas asked curiously.

    Jace told him how he woke up in a room, in Parkers Hold without any memories other than his name. He didn¡¯t tell him about the fifty-one other people there though.

    ¡°All I know so far,¡± Jace continued, and patted at his waist where the journal was. ¡°And from what I¡¯ve gathered is that this all¡­ thing.¡± He waved his hands in an encompassing gesture. ¡°Is because of some evil god. And that it happened before.¡±

    Douglas nodded fractionally; his eyes stayed on whatever trail they were following. ¡°That¡¯s vague, but there is truth there,¡± he sighed heavily and stopped, turning to look at Jace. ¡°Most of the things people know about the Eclipse cycle is that, well yes it did happen before. It happened some three hundred odd years ago. And maybe once before even then. This evil god business, is the newest of horrors to assail Aederon and came about nearing the end of the last cycle. Most belief that the wretches and Dwellers are things made up by the church of the Sacred Light. Well, we¡¯ve seen and fought them,¡± he paused to take account of his thoughts.

    ¡°Then there¡¯re the summoned. The Fifty-One betrayers of scale and balance. Tricked, as it was told, by the fae who were in cahoots with the Nigh Dwellers,¡± Douglas shook his head. ¡°Likely is, that that was bullshit, and the humans and kin wanted the fae kingdoms for themselves. Which brought us the kingdom and its ducal territories. Now all manner of fae and goblin kind treated little better than slaves, with us kin and you humans ruling across all of Dimere.¡±

    ¡°Dimere?¡± Jace asked, interrupting.

    ¡°This continent. Aederon is the world.¡±

    ¡°So the ¡­ fifty-one summoned betray everyone?¡± Jace asked sceptically.

    ¡°So it was said, at least that is the most popular opinion. Personally¡­ I believe they sacrificed themselves.¡±

    ¡°Oh, why do you believe that?¡± Jace asked, surprise written plain across his face.

    ¡°They had fought countless battles against the wretch horde and their Dweller masters. Then suddenly this evil god arrives, and the wretches retreat into the haunted lands to the south and the Dwellers seemingly disappear along with the Fifty-One summoned.¡±

    They froze as some foliage to their left cracked, the sound loud in the eerily quiet forest. Then a small rabbit patted out and Douglas relaxed. Guess we aren¡¯t hunting bunny¡¯s then, Jace thought and blinked realising he had drawn an arrow without even noticing himself.

    Unknown to Jace. His vambrace lit alight with dim slivery blue symbols, that coalesced to form the image of a drawn bow and arrow on the surface of the steel panel. As quickly as it manifested it disappeared.

    ¡°So, what about the Dwellers themselves, what do you know about them?¡± Jace asked oblivious to had happened.

    ¡°Not much is known I¡¯m afraid. It¡¯s believed that they were powerful Magi. It was also believed that the Fifty-One summoned were as well. Other than that, there¡¯s their appearance-¡±

    Jace was finding it hard to believe that all Fifty-One were accounted for, whenever this supposed battle took place. He knew first-hand how quickly everything could fall apart. Which brough up an interesting question.

    ¡°Do the Fifty-One always show up in the same place?¡± he asked cutting whatever Douglas was saying short.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± the fox-man replied, his brows drawing together.

    ¡°I mean, like, when summoned do they always appear in the same place?¡±

    ¡°I.. don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think anything is known about that.¡±

    ¡°Are they always human?¡± Jace pressed. The foundation of an idea forming in his mind, though where it was going he had no clue.

    ¡°Human? No. The last summoned were of different races. Mostly of kin, human, elves and demons. Why?¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Jace mumbled and stored that information away, the mention of elves and demons interested him. The fact that it was elves mentioned instead of fae, and that apparently the fae were the ones that tricked the summoned, meant they were of different tribes or something. Similarly to how he guessed that not all kin¡ªas Douglas referred to himself as¡ªwere foxes. Though his wife and daughter certainly were.

    They trekked on, and Jace finally noted the trail they were following. Large prints and impressions in the ground as if something fairly big had dragged its bulk across the forest floor briefly. Noting that, he started to see others signs then. Snapped branches, odd build-ups of leaves in certain areas, crushed flowers, and twigs.

    ¡°What¡¯re we following exactly?¡± Jace asked finally.

    ¡°A Lurka. More specifically my Lurka,¡± he explained further at Jace¡¯ look of confusion. ¡°A Lurka is a reptilian beast of burden. Like a flightless drake, only smaller.¡±

    ¡°And how big is a drake exactly?¡± Jace asked sighing.

    ¡°Pretty big,¡± Douglas laughed wryly, ¡°come on. We¡¯re getting close.

    They followed the tracks into a dew heavy clearing with tall grass. They found the Lurka, at the rim of the clearing. It was on its side dead, with the entire cavity of its chest splayed open with all of its insides removed.

    Flies swarmed around the carcass, and Jace had cover at his nose and breathe shallowly as it reeked of death, blood and shit.

    Huh, looks more like a Komodo dragon. Though it didn¡¯t seem to have a tail.

    ¡°Those bastards,¡± Douglas spat vehemently and stood from where he¡¯d crouched. They scanned the tall grass looking for signs of any zombies or obvious signs and passage.

    ¡°The zom- wretches do this?¡± Jace corrected himself.

    ¡°Yes. This must¡¯ve been why they retreated, when they had the overwhelming number last night.¡±

    ¡°We should head back,¡± Jace suggested. He didn¡¯t like what this could implied. They had numbers, yet chose different prey last night. However that didn¡¯t mean they would again tonight.

    ¡°We should check in on our neighbours tomorrow, see if they¡¯re still around.¡±

    ¡°There are others living out here?¡± Jace asked curiously. He personally didn¡¯t understand it, maybe it was the isolation that people liked.

    ¡°Yes. besides us. There is a hamlet to our south east. A few farms out north west of us. And a village to our south, where we do most of our trading. Which will be more difficult now that our Lurka is dead.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯d it get out anyway?¡±

    ¡°It was already outside its barn when the wretches showed themselves. From there it panic and bolted...¡± Douglas sighed.

    ¡°And broke the fence,¡± Jace finished.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Douglas agreed. ¡°We¡¯ve enough meat at home, that hunting now would just be excessive,¡± he looked around, ¡°let¡¯s go back.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena stretched in the sun, and then rubbed at her eyes tiredly. She was relaxing on the bench in front of her father and aunty¡¯ house. Not feeling at all safe in her own home anymore, since Mathia died. Now they all stayed in the same room, under the same roof.

    The unspoken agreement that there was safety in numbers.

    Now that this stranger had come into their lives yesterday, Athena had found it amusing to watch her aunt silently intimidate the man. Ever since her mother had died, and they had all left Oedrin behind wanting to escape the riots a year ago. Marcia had become even more distrustful of outsiders, even going so far as to arm herself when a neighbour visited.

    This Jace though. There was something about him. A darkness to him, that hung around him like a shroud. Yet it was an attractive feature. To Athena, it seemed as if Jace was running away from something. Responsibility maybe? She didn¡¯t know, and doubted that she ever would.

    She had seen his uncertainty evaporate before dinner, as he played with her daughter. His green eyes¡ªso alike her Gabrielle¡¯¡ªalight in such childish wonder as he made faces and allowed Gabrielle to slap his cheeks as he pretended to be shocked. There was real love in his eyes in those moments.

    She smiled to herself. Mathia had been good to her. He¡¯d given her Gabrielle after all¡ªand she would always love him for that. But what they had, had simply started out as a fling that got so entangled when she became pregnant. That they had then decided it would be best to remain together.

    It had broke her heart when Mathia had foolishly died. They¡¯d all known it was the beginning of the eclipse, and yet¡­ Athena sighed, watching her aunt and daughter play around on a blanket as Cain read one of his picture books.

    She wanted to ask her aunt for a sleeping remedy. Remembering how Jace had twisted and turned all night. Muffling cries of panic and claiming he was sorry all the time. But, she knew that even though her aunt Marcia was an acclaimed alchemist, she guarded her tincture and remedies closely.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Maybe it was time Athena took up her family trade. Her mother had taught her aunt. It was only right that she should learn as well.

    The wretches attacking them in such a number last night had scared her fiercely. She had taken Gabrielle and hid as she panicked. Stuffing herself down the hatch, where her father kept his Oedrin guard equipment. And her aunt kept her tome and potions of medicine.

    Her mind wandered back to Jace then, and the way he¡¯d at stared at her. The raw intensity of his gaze. She knew her aunt felt it as well. Their was power to the man. Oh, he could act timid, but she guessed at the fact that he alone had strived to help them against the wretches. Could only mean he had some fight in him.

    Mathia had been kind, gentle, but he was weak willed. She heard a sound then and looking up from where her daughter played, she saw Jace helping her father down off the wagon.

    ¡°They¡¯re back,¡± she informed her aunt.

    ¡°And without the Lurka it seems,¡± Marcia sighed and ruffled Gabrielle¡¯s hair. Her smile, Athena saw, tilted into a pretend scowl.

    ¡°What does that mean for us?¡± she asked worriedly, glancing at her aunt.

    ¡°It mean¡­¡± Marcia sighed again, her vain scowl slipping briefly. ¡°That if it does get worse. Escaping here, now became a whole lot harder.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°We found her,¡± Douglas began, as they slowly made their way over to the two women and children. ¡°They killed her. And I suspect that¡¯s why they retreated last night.¡± Jace watched as Gabrielle looked up at him and held out her arms then, babbling continuously and as she grabbed at the air. Bending down he laid his bow flat and held his hands out palms facing skyward.

    Gabrielle crawled over to him, shocking everyone except Jace who wasn¡¯t paying them any mind.

    ¡°Good girl,¡± Jace laughed and brought her close to him then, and stood up. He didn¡¯t noticed how Athena, Marcia and Douglas all stopped talking to watch him carrying, and swishing a giggling Gabrielle around.

    Athena and Marcy shot each other a glance, unspoken words passing between them. Douglas shook his head and turned back to the conversation.

    ¡°Jace and I are gonna check on the neighbours tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s wise father,¡± Athena asked struggling to tear her eyes away from Jace and her daughter.

    ¡°I was thinking about that on the way here, actually,¡± Jace interjected, swishing back in and throwing a squealing Gabrielle into the air. The baby girl, kicked her arms and legs and screamed joy as she flew up and then burst out laughing as Jace caught her and hugged her.

    ¡°Oh, what did you have in mind, son?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Jace began and sighed as Marcy rather angrily pried Gabrielle off of him. ¡°Now this is just a theory. But what if the zom- wretches are purposefully trying to drive you from your homes.¡± Jace watched as their eyebrow came down then.

    ¡°What do you mean? They¡¯ve been trying to kill us and attacking our lot for weeks now.¡±

    ¡°They also killed Mathia,¡± Marcia informed him.

    ¡°Right, that was the first death. What about the other farms, or the village. Have you visited any of them since this all started?¡±

    ¡°We visited Maypor, she owns a rather large farm to our north west. And we journeyed to the village to hold Mathia¡¯ wake after he died,¡± Athena informed him looking at Jace rather curiously.

    ¡°And how many people have they lost?¡± All was silent for a moment.

    ¡°Maypor lost her two grandsons. They were out hacking the weeds off their fence,¡± Athena replied.

    ¡°The village?¡±

    ¡°A few, maybe. It might be more now.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯re getting at here, son?¡± Douglas asked him, and trotted over to sit beside his daughter on the bench.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen a good portion of their numbers, Douglas,¡± Jace informed, and saw understanding come to the fox-man¡¯ face. ¡°If they wanted to, I reckoned they could¡¯ve rolled over you and the others with minimum effort. Yet, they aren¡¯t. Why is that?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be easier to kill without our walls and homes,¡± Marcia whispered and held onto Gabrielle protectively.

    ¡°Maybe so,¡± Jace half agreed. He¡¯d thought hard on this on the way back. The number of zombies attacking this lot, was pitiful compared to the numbers he had seen. Either their force was so stretched thin, or¡­

    ¡°Or, they want to drive you from your homes for a reason. Like say¡­ send all of you scurrying to safest place you know.¡±

    ¡°Oedrin¡­¡± Douglas breathed and slumped on the bench, Athena grabbing her father hands.

    ¡°But why?¡± Marcia asked, her distrust of Jace seemingly forgotten in the face of such a revelation.

    ¡°Remember, this is simply a theory,¡± Jace reminded them. They all looked ready to faint with shock.

    ¡°Aye,¡± Douglas agreed, ¡°but it makes bleeding-sense, son.¡±

    ¡°Overcrowded areas will have more trouble providing for everyone. They¡¯ll be riots and lack of faith in leadership. Disease and overpopulation go hand in hand in these cases. Hell, if that really is what the Dweller¡¯ are planning. You¡¯ll likely find the people fighting and distrusting each other, as much as fearing the zombies at their door.¡± He wasn¡¯t exactly sure how he knew these sort of scenarios, yet it fit with his line of thinking.

    ¡°Zombies?¡± Athena asked curiously, tilting her head cutely.

    ¡°Uhhh- wretches,¡± Jace explained.

    ¡°So what do we do?¡± Marcia asked, looking to her husband.

    Douglas looked at Jace, in fact they all looked at Jace. Even Cain and Gabrielle, though Jace reckoned the latter was actually pooping.

    ¡°Do we stay here then, son?¡± Douglas asked.

    Jace shook his head sadly. ¡°No. We can¡¯t I¡¯m afraid. They¡¯ll increase the numbers attacking, and if you don¡¯t eventually run. I imagine they¡¯ll just kill you instead.¡±

    ¡°So what do we do?¡± Athena asked him, mirroring her aunt question, though she looked at Jace.

    ¡°We gather everyone we can in the coming days.¡± He began. ¡°Then we go to Oedrin.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    A few hours later, saw Jace and the Shaw family sat around eating a late lunch. Jace ate greedily of his portion of cold cut meat served with cheese, lettuce, onions, chopped tomatoes and a hard-crunchy biscuit filled with seeds and oats.

    A horn blew then, as the light outside started to dim. ¡°Same as yesterday,¡± Douglas growled, wiping his hands on a handkerchief and standing up, he walked over to where they¡¯d left their bows earlier. ¡°We¡¯ve got an hour or so before we¡¯ll start seeing them.¡±

    ¡°Do they come straight for you?¡± Jace asked him, standing as well as he finished off a last bite of cheese.

    Douglas shook his head, ¡°no. Some¡¯ll run right passed us. Onto other farms I suspect.¡± Then he turned to his family. ¡°Marcia, you and Cain go around back and collect that wood we¡¯d chopped today.¡±

    Marcy nodded and stood, grabbing her son¡¯s hand tugging the boy towards the door. ¡°What about me father?¡± Athena asked him, a hopeful look in her eye.

    ¡°You stay in here and keep yourselves safe,¡± he told her, and then limped for the door. Jace saw the dejected look in her eyes. Keeping her locked up, just reinforces the fear she has. She¡¯ll never overcome it this rate, Jace thought and gave the beautiful fox-woman a nod before following her father. Which means, she¡¯ll either try to overcome it and get herself killed. Or freeze up in fright when the situation warrants fighting and fleeing.

    Then again the woman did have a child. And a child is nothing without its mothers nurture, and a fathers guidance.

    ¡°Catch!¡± Jace blinked and reflexively snapped out his hand as he caught the chopping axe. ¡°Figured you make better use of it than me,¡± Douglas smiled slightly at him then. ¡°You would make quite the Orcish berserker. That is if you weren¡¯t so pink and human.¡±

    ¡°Orcs?¡± Jace asked confused, but Douglas simply waived the question away. The name ticked something in Jace¡¯s mind. A need to shout: ¡®For the Horde!¡¯ as loud as he could. Shaking the mind fog away, Jace spun the axe in his hand. The shaft long enough to make it two-handed. Its edge was blunted from obvious use. Tucking the axe through his belt, Jace swung his quiver over head and shoulder and moved over to Douglas.

    ¡°Marcia will light the pyre soon. We¡¯ll stand watch and wait. Avoid making noise, or drawing them too us. If we¡¯re lucky, they¡¯ll ignore us for tonight.¡±

    I doubt that, Jace thought, if anything, we¡¯re likely to see more of them tonight, than elsewhere. Jumping up onto the wagon, wedged in the fence gap. Jace crouched down waited. The evening sky had swallowed their portion of the world in grey clouds, and pitch-black-darkness.

    The only sounds Jace heard were that of Marcia and Cain scurrying wood out to tent a fire. Jace frowned and focused on calming his breathing. A twig snapped. A hitching breath and ragged wheeze, then more and more. More branches crackled and scrunch, leaves shuffled under many feet. The breathing became more sharper as Jace homed in on it.

    It was so haggard it almost sounded like a growl. ¡°They¡¯re already here,¡± Jace murmured softly in realisation. He still couldn¡¯t see much beyond the muddy clearing outside of the fence. Marcia¡¯ pyre hadn¡¯t risen high up enough to give Jace a good gleam of the forest yet.

    ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for?¡± Jace questioned them quietly. Surprised when one of the zombies stepped out the forest. This one looked fresh to Jace. Its skin rather clear, except the gaping chunk ripped out the side of the female torso. Thick black veins spouted out the corner of its eyes, like watered mascaras running in sinuous line down her face. The zombie raised its arm, and pointed directly at Jace.

    ¡°Me!¡± Jace flinched back.

    A rasping, choke hissed out of its mouth as it loudly formed one word. ¡°Aaaaa-nooom-aaaa-lyyy.¡± It smiled a mouth of feral desire and hunger for human flesh.

    They¡¯ve come for me, Jace thought frantically. They know I¡¯m here. Looking over his shoulder, Jace saw Douglas, Marcia and cain all staring at him in fear, terror, and ¡­ disappointingly, hope.

    Beyond them he saw Athena poke her head out of the door of the house, little Gabrielle in her arms, the child oddly knowing where Jace was. The baby babbled, and reached out to him. To Jace though it seemed as if she waving Bye-bye.

    Looking back at Douglas, Jace saw the fox-man emotions warring internally, and he sighed heavily in dejection. Standing up without a word, Jace walked to the end of the wagon and hopped off into the chilled air, absent of any fire, or light. ¡°You want me,¡± he called to the undead fucking horde, ¡°then come and fucking get me!¡± Shouting, Jace turned about and ran.

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena blinked, Jace had stood up on the wagon. ¡°Get down you idiot,¡± she hissed quietly, knowing full well he wouldn¡¯t be able hear her even if she said the words aloud. ¡°Dah-Dah?¡± Gabrielle asked her, turning to looked up at her, still with her hand out grabbing at Jace.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know baby,¡± Athena replied and looked back just in time to see Jace turn about and jump off the wagon and land on the other side of the fence. ¡°No, no, no, no. Stop you idiot!¡± Athena shouted and started stumbling into a run towards her father. ¡°Where is he going?¡± she demanded frantically on her father and heard Jace then.

    ¡°If you want me, then come and fucking get me!¡±

    A massive animalistic roar went up then, filling the air in growls and snarls of feral hunger, and predatory anger.

    ¡°Stop him!¡± Athena shouted, and began to march towards the wagon, Gabrielle still in her arms. Her baby girl, simply turned into her chest, but didn¡¯t a cry or complain.

    Athena loved her daughter for that. Never once had her baby girl cried, not even when she was born. Simply welcoming the world, bright eyes full of laughter and joy.

    Hands and arms seized her, ¡°what¡¯re you doing? He¡¯s going to die out there.¡± She saw through the gap, as possibly hundreds thunder pass the fence. All of them howling as they gave chase after the heroic human.

    ¡°That¡¯s the¡­¡± her father tried to say as she wiggled in his grasp. Her aunt coming around to take Gabrielle off of her. ¡°That¡¯s the point!¡± Her father snapped angrily.

    ¡°W-what? What¡¯re you saying?¡± Athena asked of him, shoving some of her hair tangled in front of her face aside.

    ¡°That¡¯s the point. They go after him, we get to live,¡± Douglas snarled, and Athena realised then that he was angry and upset with himself. ¡°There¡¯ were too many of them, Athena. We wouldn¡¯t have made it. They even pointed at him and said they wanted him. Him, Athena. Not us!¡±

    ¡°S-so tomorrow, they¡¯ll just what- forget about us?¡± she screamed at her father. Why the hell am I so angry, she thought. Her hands clenched into fists, her clawed fingertips digging into her calloused palms. Tears flowing freely down her face. ¡°I¡­ I liked him,¡± she gasped in realisation and she clutched at the tightness in her chest.

    ¡°Dah-Dah?¡± her daughter asked them. She fell to her knees and wept for a man she barely known a full day. A man she had barely even spoke too.

    I¡¯m sorry, his voice laden with regret and sorrow drifting to her as he slept fitfully last night. It¡¯s my fault. Sweat soaking his brow, as he fumbled for escape from his blanket.

    No, she thought, It¡¯s our fault now.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Oh, fuck!¡± Jace shouted and weaved left ducking behind a tree and sprint diagonally. ¡°Worse fucking idea ever. Knew I should¡¯ve kept moving.¡± Twisting right Jace spun, axe flying out of his belt, and lodging in the back of a wretches knee, and throwing it of its feet and onto its back.

    Then Jace saw the true scope of the what chased him and rapid fired a series of garbled curses. Stomping his foot down, Jace dislodged his axe¡ªthank you, Douglas¡ªturned and continued running. ¡°You just had to start fantasising about fox-girls and mother-daughter scenarios. Didn¡¯t you?¡± Jace accused himself, breathily. The cold air hitting his lungs hard.

    He was almost certain; he was running back towards the direction of Parkers Hold. Or at least the pool of water. Lets see if these fuckers can swim. The only problem was, Jace realised rather quickly, is that the wretches¡ªhe was even using their term for zombies now¡ªwouldn¡¯t tire out like he would soon enough.

    The pool he had been dragged from was a good full days march away, and that was if he even was heading in the right direction.

    Jumping and hopping over a fallen tree laid horizontal, Jace skidded to a halt and spun into a crouch. His axe sliding back into his belt where it dug against his waist, and his bow unslung off his shoulder.

    Reaching over his shoulder fluidly, Jace pinched the end of an arrows shaft, twisted it, and withdrew. His bow already rising, his eyes training on a target; the first wretch around the fallen trunk. Before he knew it, his arrow was nocked, and the string was drawn.

    He sighted, adjusted, and loosed.

    The white fletching of the arrows shaft sprouted out of a wretches forehead. It flopped down and skidded through the leaves. The others rushing around the fallen tree, stumbled over the dead wretch and falling themselves.

    Jace let loose once more, pinging another through the mouth as it climbed over the banked tree and jumped for him, growling.

    Slinging the bow back, Jace turned and beat feet through dark forest. Listening out for the sounds of cascading water.

    More roaring howls and gurgled growls chased him as he sprinted through the tense layering of trees. Luckily for him, the wretches weren¡¯t as good at navigating around such obstacles as Jace. He wove around the trees, making the wretches following him, stumble into each other and the towering green and brown sentinels.

    They were so focused on him, that they didn¡¯t see anything else. He could out pace them at a sprint. But the wretches seemed to have only one speed. And that was a strange sort of loping sprint. A half mad stumble and run.

    Soon his breathing grew heavy, the night air playing havoc against his lungs. Making his chest constrict, as he grew winded and out of stamina.

    Jace cursed, training his hearing again and seeking out any sounds other than from those chasing him. But the wretches collective feral groans was all encompassing.

    His eyes had thankfully adjusted, allowing him some small measure of night vision. I should climb a tree, he thought looking around as he slowed to a slight jog. The wretches were so cluttered up behind him, that he was able to keep them at a distance. He scanned the towering bark of those tree¡¯s he¡¯d past. Their branches were too high for him to reach with a simply jump.

    Oh, he imagined he could climb up without the need of grabbing a branch. But if he failed.  Not worth it, he thought and carried on.

    Eventually, his legs became weary. His legs only barely shuffling up a steep incline, he hadn¡¯t remember crossing beforehand. Some of the wretches tried to follow him upwards, stumbling and gripping at the dirt as they tried to pull themselves along, prone on their stomachs.

    Others, Jace saw, started to shuffled wide. He guessed they must¡¯ve known of a shorter route somehow.  When Jace reached the top he sat for a moment. There was a good ten feet of distance between him and the lead wretch climbing after him. The bank he¡¯d climbed up spanned at least thirty feet in height.

    ¡°Should¡­ find¡­ some stones¡­¡± he wheezed and a struggled upright. ¡°Bowl theses bitches into their crypt.¡± Whatever the hell a Bowl is? he thought internally.

    Looking around Jace found only a few rocks as big as his head. Hefting one took him a few seconds and by the time he turned back, the lead wretch had banked the rise. ¡°Catch,¡± Jace grunted and threw the large rock straight into its sternum.

    The wretch crumpled around natures bowling ball, enveloping it and stumbling back over the rise. Jace heard it thump several times. Then heard several angered growls followed by more impactful thumps.

    He would¡¯ve gone over and checked the damaged, but even as the thought registered those wretches who had gone around were now stumbling up after him from his right.

    Shaking his head, Jace turned back to moving on. His stride noticeably lesser.

    ~*~*~*~

    Several hours later, Jace saw the first dawn of early light peeking down through the blackened clouds overhead. He was soo tired. His feet were barely shuffling. His legs barely moving and straining with pulsing aches, with every move.

    The Wretches were still behind him. Though for some reason there were noticeably less of them than there was a few hours ago.

    He heaved out each panting breath. Just making enough effort to stay ahead of the still sizable horde. He had noticed however, that as the sun rose, the wretches had lost much of their enthusiasm. Moving no better than Jace was now.

    He¡¯d detected no outwards signs of strain, nor stress. Simply lack of motor function. Some would even stop, fall to their knees and curl up in the fetal position, going quiet. If Jace had to hazard a guess, he surmised that the wretches were primarily nocturnal.

    Still able to operate throughout the day, but with noticeably weaker and slower responses.

    His eyes were heavy with fatigue. No longer was he listening out for the waterfall. His feet fell out from under him then. ¡°What the--¡± he tried to splutter and thrash. But suddenly a stark-naked coldness enveloped his entire being, making Jace spasm with rigidity. His body locking up cold and soaking wet.

    He had enough presence of mind to hold his breath as he plunged into the pool of water. Sinking, Jace fought against splashing up to the surface. The pool was rather clear thankfully, with no signs of active life.

    A few seconds later there was a splash above him, as a wretch flailed and started to sink. Jace waved his hands and kicked backwards avoiding the sinking undead as it streamed passed him rather quickly.

    Then more and more wretches fell and splashed into the pool, dumbly following one after the other. Even as more fell in, Jace kicked to the surface and breached long enough to take a quick breath of air and spot how many were still left to come.

    Soon enough he had gathered a good thirty to forty wretches at the bottom of the pool. All bubbling with still un-life. They couldn¡¯t swim thankfully, and for some reason were so heavy that they even had trouble moving across the bottom of the basin like pool. The surroundings banks too steep for any of them to scurry up.

    If they climbed on top of each other, maybe then, but I doubt they¡¯re intelligent enough for-- His thought was cut off as two of the wretches heads imploded in a sickening oily layer of blood that hung there in the water, before rising up.

    Then Jace¡¯ eyes widened as he caught movement from the blasted skulls. Something and sleek, and better suited to water than him. Thrashed out of the broken fragments of the head. Slid out of the mush that was the brain. And wiggled freely in the water. Then just as the second one started to the free itself. The first reoriented on Jace, and in a burst of speed propelled itself at him.

    Jace¡¯ right hand immediately slid down to his belt and shrugged his axe free. The instant it was out he swung backhandedly, as the cephalopod jarred to a halt and then dove under his swing. It spun around to fling its thin hooked tendrils wide, latching out for his face.

    He snapped his left arm back and intercepted the gaping maw centred with a beak at its core. Bubbles, frothed out of his mouth as he bit back a scream of pain, as its beak dove into the flesh of his arm.

    He brought his axe back around, the water making his movements dull and slow. The edge homed in all the same, cutting and biting through the cephalopods mantle. It screeched through his mind, and he rocked back internally trying to dam up a wall of blocks in his head. He pushed his axe deep into the small squid and was surprised when two of its longer tendrils latched onto it and started to push against him.

    He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and saw the second one breach out of the imploded skull and swivel to shoot towards him.

    Shit, shit, shit, he thought frantically, and letting go his axe he reached behind himself.

    Twisting an arrow loose, he spun it around his fingers, grimacing as the cephalopods beak dug even deeper into the muscle of his forearm, tearing chunk of it away. Then he slammed the arrowhead through its rather large eye, met some resistance then jammed the shaft further until the arrow penetrated out the other side of its head.

    Spinning and biting off another fit of pain, Jace flicked his axe out of the small squid and spun with it to slam the shaft into the second squid, propelling it off course.

    It shot through the water and shook slightly. With another burst of its thin tentacles, it launched itself back around and shot for Jace once again. He winced as he dug his way through the dead squid still latched onto his left arm. Then when the second brain squid was within seven feet of Jace, he pried deeper, and dislodged the dead squid directly into the path of the second.

    He kicked back, felt his foot hit and slide through the grip of a hand beneath and snapped his axe down, burying it through the second brain squid as it wove around its sibling.

    More bubbles of air involuntarily burst from his sealed lips, as he kicked at the wretches hand trying to drag him down.

    He swung down viciously twice, chopping the offending limbs grabbing at him. Hooking his axe back through his belt, Jace fumbled for the surface.

    ¡°FUCK!¡± he gasped as he breached, and with one hand shuffled himself over in a paddle to the pools rim. It was so damn cold. His entire left arm was numb and raw with pain. He shook fiercely and with as much effort as he could manage to prop himself up onto the flat rock surrounding the deep pool.

    ¡°N-n-need to m-m-move¡­¡± Jace chattered as he tried to stand. His whole entire being shook, his very soul felt like ice. His arm hurt badly, and felt more like dead weight to him now. The freezing climate air, made him cough and choke which increased his shakes.

    ¡°Ne-ne-need. Mo-move,¡± he forced himself to say. As if speaking the commands aloud would motivate him more. Jace got his feet under him and scanned around as his body spasmed from the cold frigid air. Thankfully it seemed as if most of the wretches had either fallen in the pool. Curled on the forest floor. Or, he¡¯d simply lost them during the long march.

    ¡°G-get back, t-to the o-others,¡± he muttered and stepped forward. Planting one foot purposefully down, then another, and another. His attention focused solely on making each move precisely. Yet, his eyes drooped, and numbness spread throughout him. The only things keeping him wakeful was the occasional hacking cough, or when he would stumble nearly falling over.

    Soon enough though it proved too much for him and collapsing to his knees, Jace past out somewhere in Trager forest.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Five

    Voices. The flickering heat and the touch of fire. Hands roamed his body, removing his clothes. A revolting paste stuffed into his mouth. Hands working his jaw and massaging his throat.

    Swallow.

    The occasional sip of lukewarm water.

    Swallow.

    Fever. Sweat.

    Lucid dreams. Figures in arcane robes and knightly armour stood against a great storm. A storm filled with monsters and an evil god.

    His spirit being devoured.

    Hands grasped his thrashing body. A voice speaking, arguing with itself.

    A new voice. Drifting on the coat tails of his mind. None before of those who¡¯ve been summoned here have regained anything of their former selves. Why you then? Why now?

    Jace gasped as air and lightness surged through, as something inside him depleted, lessened, became vacant. Like a spilled cup, whatever it was he was drawing from spilled out until he was empty.

    His lungs lightened, eased, his dreams becoming deeper. Sonorous with the world around him.

    This time he stood amongst those figure¡ªhe¡¯d seen¡ªstanding before the great storm. No. This time he stood at their head and watched as the storm broke against them.

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena panted, struggling to follow behind her aunt as they ran frantically through the woods. Casting the occasional glance back over their shoulder. How stupid they been to believe the wretches would simply leave them alone.

    Now their home ablaze with ravenous wretches. The last thing she had seen¡ªbefore following Marcia and Cain into the trees¡ªwas her father, as he fought desperately against the wretches.

    The tide was too much for him alone to bare. He went down fighting for them. She¡¯d been weeping tears almost continuously since Jace had sacrificed himself for them. That they had returned in such a large number, Athena could only guess that meant that they¡¯d killed Jace.

    Gabrielle bounced in a makeshift harness against her chest. Her daughter had been quiet since the attack. She hadn¡¯t uttered a word since the wretches swarmed into their lot.

    ¡°Where - where are we going Marcia?¡± she asked breathlessly. Her aunt turned, her face contorted in grief, yet she was still determined.

    ¡°We¡¯ll followed your fathers¡­ plan¡­¡± Marcia panted heavily and cast a look down at Cain. The young boy vacantly staring around. ¡°Head to either the farms or the village.¡±

    ¡°You mean, Jace¡¯ plan,¡± Athena hissed at her aunt. Who had the good grace to flinch back at her words. ¡°It was his plan to head to them, then onto Oedrin.¡±

    ¡°We cannot trust an outsider¡¯s words,¡± Marcia snapped back, and shook her head, scowling at her.

    ¡°No? But you sure as fuck trusted his sacrifice, didn¡¯t you? You were all too pleased for him to die, so we could live. Yeah well, we paid for that karma rather quickly didn¡¯t we,¡± Athena spat. She wasn¡¯t usually this venomous or ever this angry. But her aunt was pissing her off. Now her father was dead, and all she was left with was her.

    ¡°Your¡­ You¡¯re right,¡± Marcia replied quietly. Athena kin hearing, picking it up. ¡°But regardless of that, we need to keep moving. If the human was right, we¡¯ll be doing exactly as they wanted. Hopefully they won¡¯t attack us anytime soon.¡±

    ¡°His name was Jace. You should do his death the curtesy of using his name. It was for us that he died after all.¡± With that Athena stomped passed her stunned aunt, moving ever deeper north west of their home. Hopefully Maypor was still around.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace shot up in his bed. His mind woozy and filled with haze. His head swayed unsteadily on his neck, rocking side to side as drool fell from his lips.

    ¡°W-where am ¡­ am I?¡± his speech was slurred, and he looked around in a daze. For a moment he thought he was back in Douglas¡¯ house. The door banged open and Jace swung his head to peer at it. Stepping inside was a bundled up, old woman. Beyond her, darkness spanned the outside.

    A large hound trotted in beside her, going over to rest down tiredly beside the fire place a few feet away from Jace. The hound had to be four-five foot tall standing up. The old woman stomped over to crouch beside Jace. Gripping his chin harshly and twisting him to face her.

    There was a ruggedness to her features. Wiry white-grey hair. Lines and deep wrinkles crisscrossing the contours of her visage. She squinted her right eye at Jace, the one he belatedly realised had cataracts forming from the opaqueness, dullness blurring her pupil.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake then,¡± it more of a statement of facts than an actual question. ¡°Good. You would¡¯ve been a poor treat for Marit,¡± her tongue flicking the end of what Jace guessed was the large hounds name.

    ¡°Who are y-you?¡± Jace asked and closed his eyes as her breath rolled over him. She stank of tobacco smoke and it drifted over Jace, involuntarily breathing it in. He gouged out a rough hoarse cough. And the woman released his chin. Rolling onto his side as he hacked and choked, Jace tried desperately to breathe.

    ¡°Take your time, boy. You¡¯ve used up a lot of yourself,¡± the mysterious woman informed him. ¡°Good idea with the pool, by the way. I saw your handy work. It was well done.¡±

    ¡°Th- thanks,¡± Jace managed before he was sent into another fit of coughing.

    ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t worry about thanking me, just yet. Its likely you¡¯ve got Hypothermia after your little stunt with the wretches.¡±

    Fucking great, Jace thought. Shakily-even though he was still coughing¡ªJace grabbed a hold of the thick fur blanket draped over him and pulled it up. He needed to stay warm.

    ¡°If its get worse. Marit and I will take you to the village. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s someone there who can help you.¡±

    ¡°Wh-why are y-you helping m-me?¡±

    There was silence for a brief moment before the old woman responded. ¡°Because, if you hadn¡¯t pulled such a massive horde last night. I imagine none of us living in Trager Forest would¡¯ve seen the new day. You have my thanks for that. Now get some rest, while I cook something hot.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jace murmured burying himself deeper in his blanket. ¡°I¡¯m J-Jace, by the w-way.¡±

    ¡°My names Maypor,¡± Jace heard her reply quietly, ¡°and don¡¯t thank me until you¡¯re better¡­ boy.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Maypor!¡± Athena called out as loudly as she dared. Which really meant she was whispering. They were standing outside of her farmhouse. A large two story, stone and timber structure. Athena had seen plenty of houses like this in Oedrin. Except they were usually narrower, and about three or four stories tall. Oedrin, by Athena standards was already overcrowded. So she couldn¡¯t imagine how much worse it could get in the coming months.

    Especially with winter on the horizon. Once Hindus was mid-way-through, the wintery showers of Lundo would be upon them.

    ¡°No reply,¡± Marcia muttered, scanning the house and grounds. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s out the back?¡±

    ¡°Her dog would¡¯ve heard us¡­¡± Athena trailed off and unlatched the wooden gate, stepping into the grounds carrying Gabrielle protectively.

    Her ears twitched, swivelling to detect even the slightest of noises. Her nose picking up the heavy odour of the iron filings Maypor tended to sprinkle around her porch.

    According to the few people Athena had talked to about Maypor, the old human woman, still suspected the fae of intervening in their lives.

    Whether iron stopped the undead was another matter. There was a wet splosh then, and both her and her aunt twisted towards the noise. It was coming from behind the house. Marcia waved her hand at Athena and passed Cain off to her.

    Crouching down onto all fours, Marcia prowled forward towards the corner of the house like an actual fox. her nose twitched heavily and scrunched up in disgust. Peeking her head out and around, she froze. Her ears flattening, and her tail bushed out.

    She bit her bottom lip, to quiet her instinctive growl.

    Just out off to the left-back of Maypor¡¯ farmhouse, were four wretches all feasting greedily on a Lurka corpse. Marcia knew Maypor had kept quite a few Lurka, though she couldn¡¯t quite remember if the human woman had bred them or not.

    Knowing so, may help them in their escape.

    As quietly as possible Marcia backed up and twisted silently to appraise her deceased sister-wife daughter. Who had very much come into her own. Marcia had to constantly remind herself that Athena wasn¡¯t Amaya. Holding up four of her clawed tip fingers, Marcia waved Athena back further.

    ¡°They¡¯re four of them around the back. They¡¯re eating a Lurka,¡± Marcia added hastily as she saw the panic in the Athena¡¯ eyes.

    ¡°What should we do?¡± Athena hissed.

    ¡°I want to check the barns. Do you know if Maypor bred Lurka or not?¡±

    Athena bit her plump bottom lip, ¡°maybe¡­? I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t¡­¡± Marcia hugged her briefly, giving her a firm reassuring squeeze.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. We will get through this. Understood?¡±

    Athena nodded and held a bit tighter to Gabrielle. She wasn¡¯t at all used to sneaking around or lying low. They¡¯d left Oedrin after the riots got too out of hand there. What with her mother dying and all. She still remembered the mass panic, as the towns lord had finally decided he¡¯d had enough and set the guard on the protesters.

    It had gotten bloody fast. And soon enough the town was divided into two quarters. As the guard had quarantined most of the races that weren¡¯t either Human, or Kin. They¡¯d just ended up on the wrong side of the divide.

    Marcia took Cain back from Athena and tugging her son behind her, she slowly climbed up the steps onto the porch and towards the front door.

    Athena followed behind staying slightly crouched and shifting Gabrielle in her arms. Her daughter looked at her, and stuck her chubby thumb into her tiny mouth. Athena smiled and refocused on her aunt. Marcia stood to the side of the door, and sliding over she slowly twisted the iron door knob. They heard a soft click, as it unlatched and swung open slightly, she poked her head inside.

    The interior of the house was quite grand, reminding Marcia of the manor¡¯s she¡¯d been through back in Oedrin.  Inside all was quiet. Stepping through the entrance threshold she pivoted her ears, twitching them back and forth, searching out any hints of noise.

    The place was a complete mess. Marcia guessed it had been thrashed by wretches, or by vandals.

    The scent of iron was thick inside the house. Marcia found herself shrinking away internally from all the animal head mounts hanging on the walls. She¡¯d heard that Maypor¡¯ husband¡ªwhen he was alive¡ªhad been something of an avid hunter. Sometimes trekking out for days and weeks on end pursuing something or other.

    Marcia had only been hunting a few times, and had enjoyed it. Whereas her sister-wife Amaya had simply sniffed at the prospect of going all natural. It had been during one of those hunting trips with Douglas, where they¡¯d finally consummated their bond, and she became his second wife. The very same day Amaya had been killed in the Oedrin riots.

    ¡°Maypor!¡± she hissed, her hearing only picking up the soft tread of Athena boots behind her.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s left,¡± Athena noted, and Marcia couldn¡¯t help but agree.

    ¡°Let¡¯s look for anything useful. Don¡¯t worry about stealing. If that old crow has abandoned this place, then its fair gain.¡± Marcia smiled slyly. They both moved for the stairs.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Here you go. Now drink up, boy.¡± Maypor tilted the small bowl for Jace to sip from. His shakes had gotten worse, to the point that the last two bowls of stew had spilled mostly over himself and the fur blanket.

    ¡°Stop chattering your teeth,¡± the old woman said brusquely.

    Jace took a sip and had a hard time swallowing. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ give you¡­ s-s-something to¡­ ch-chatter¡­ about,¡± he retorted and scowled in annoyance at her.

    The old woman smiled winningly, ¡°there¡¯s that fighting spirit. Now shut up and drink. Swear its like feeding a toddler.¡±

    ¡°O-or¡­ an¡­ old b-bat,¡± Jace retorted again and drank. His head rocked from the sharp cuff delivered to the of his head. Yet he saw her eyes crinkle in amusement. ¡°H-how much¡­ w-worse can this g-get?¡± He closed his eyes briefly, hating the sounds of his stammering voice.

    A thought struck him then and opening his eyes, he twisted to look at his left forearm. There was nothing there, no wound nor sucker marks. It was completely clean and devoid of any injuries.

    ¡°How¡¯d y-you.. f-f-fix my f-forearm?¡± he asked the older woman in wonder.

    ¡°Your arm? You fixed that yourself. Fastest healing I¡¯ve ever seen on a Magi, I guessed you were too depleted from your run and your fight in the pool, to dispel all the ailments of your body. Otherwise I would¡¯ve just left you there,¡± Maypor replied, and then frown as she saw Jace look of disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m no saint, boy. I have enough troubles of my own,¡± she defended rather tersely. Mistaking his lack of response as judgment.

    ¡°No,¡± Jace shook his head, he opened his mouth to say, but stopped. Pressured surged through his mind like an avalanche, he groaned and clutched at his head. The intensity was raw and unbridled.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Maypor hissed, grabbing Jace¡¯ shoulders as he nearly collapsed. The wall he¡¯d built in his mind¡ªwhen he was in the pool¡ªwas crumbling brick by brick.

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± he croaked out through gritted teeth.

    Maypor frowned, ¡°who-¡± she began but then Marit, her hound who¡¯d been silent started to growl. His hackles rising, and standing on end.

    ¡°I- I think, there¡¯s a Dweller among them this time.¡±

    ¡°Oh shit. Boy, I need you to try and stand on own by the time I get back, got it?¡± Maypor stood and Jace nodded his head dumbly.

    God this hurt, he thought. Maypor cursed as she stomped throughout the room slinging essentials and whatever she could find into a few rucksacks.

    Jace fought against the mental assault. Filling the gap in his mental wall, as each one broke apart and fell away. But too soon, were they falling all to quickly for him to reinforce. He guessed that somehow the Dwellers were trying to track him down. By sending out waves of mental force, like sonar, then latching onto an absence of feedback.

    Climbing shakily too his feet, Jace braced himself on all fours, his head lolling. He wanted to puke with each racking movement that jarred his body. Sweat amassed on his brow, yet even unsteadily Jace stood his ground.

    In his mind, he erected another wall, this one considerably shoddier than the last one.

    Maypor came sprinting in, ¡°we have to go now!¡± She demanded and running over she practically picked Jace up and carried him through the room and out into the open night air.

    Each brush of cold wind, sent him into a fit of shivering and as his body racked with frigid rigidity. Jace could now hear the howling inhuman cries of the wretches passing along the wind.

    The attacks on his mind stopped. His mental barrier no longer being assaulted. Maypor placed him in the back of a wagon and climbed onto the drivers bench. Marit jumping up to sit beside her. A second later, she cracked the reins and the wagon set off so abruptly it jarred Jace about.Stolen novel; please report.

    He heard the hissing huff of the Lurka pulling the wagon. He was stuffed in the back between sacks of goods, and even spotted his own belongings. Then he saw the numbers sprinting out of the forest surrounding Maypor¡¯ manor house - or was it a farmhouse? She hadn¡¯t kept him inside there at all. Jace figured that was a smart move on her end.

    The wretches would sooner attack a larger established home first before moving onto the smaller ones. If their goal was, as Jace thought it so. Gathering the fur blanket around himself, he trained his eyes, focusing on how the horde moved.

    They swarms like rats around the house first, beating against the windows and doors. There was easily enough there, that could¡¯ve simply broke inside and killed any occupants. Some of the mass broke off and headed for the stables. He hoped there weren¡¯t any Lurka inside, but a few seconds later one broke out through the stable doors yowling and hissing. Wretches clinging to it as they bit and gouged the beastly reptile.

    It was then, that the horde ransacked the farmhouse. Swarming in through the windows and doors, some even vaulted back out, to hit the ground with a thump.

    Scare tactics? Jace thought curiously. The Dweller commanding them, is guessing that the home owner is nearby hiding. Make enough noise and carnage, then see if they run. Jace buried his head deeper in the blankets.

    ¡°Wake up,¡± something cold hit his face. Jace jarred awake and the shivers returned with a vengeance. He wanted to tell Maypor to fuck off. But his throat was so sore, and swallowing made him convulse like he was about to be sick.

    ¡°Damn, May. What the hell did you do to the boy?¡± and man¡¯s voice joked.

    ¡°This boy, Gerard. Fought against forty-five wretches, and won.¡± There was an air of silence then and Jace tried to fold himself and sit up.

    ¡°Then what¡¯s wrong with him?¡± the man, Gerard asked her.

    ¡°He¡¯s got hypothermia,¡± Maypor told him bluntly.

    ¡°Any bites?¡±

    ¡°None.¡±

    ¡°What about¡­ the¡­?¡± Jace heard him whistle a note.

    ¡°I saw him killed two of them, Gerard. The boy can fight, and he¡¯s not stupid either.¡±

    ¡°T-t-thanks,¡± Jace muttered with a groan as he managed to sit upright finally. ¡°L-love you to-o, M-Maypor.¡± He heard her snort then, and felt it when Marit jumped up on to the wagons bed. The big hound coming over and sit right beside Jace, lodging himself up against him.

    ¡°He needs to see Joanna, Gerard. Otherwise he won¡¯t make it,¡± Maypor told the man. Jace actually saw him then. He was a broad-shouldered man, with a rotund belly, thick ginger hair, beard and eyebrows. His ears Jace noticed were pointed like an elf¡¯s. His eyes were a dull violet. Seemingly misplaced on the gruff looking visage.

    ¡°You got the coin for that?¡± Gerard asked Maypor, who shook her head.

    ¡°They swarmed my entire estate last night. I doubt there¡¯s much left considering how many there were,¡± Maypor sighed heavily.

    ¡°Damn¡­¡± Gerard breathed, then nodded.

    ¡°Besides, I think Joanna will want to see him,¡± Maypor grinned slyly. Gerard raised a bushy eyebrow, but Maypor shrugged and said nothing else. Sighing, the burly man waved them through. Jace set to rocking slightly as he rode backwards into the village.

    It had high staked lumber walls, treaded with thick cables of cordage. The houses were squat, one story things with wide areas spacing between each home. Some had gardens filled with various vegetable or fruit growing. Or, Jace thought, wilting is more like it.

    As they moved he saw all manner of people going about their day. Some stopping to wave at Maypor, or even peering into the wagon bed. All who saw him, wondering at who he was. Jace could just imagine the rumours already.

    A few minutes later the wagon stopped, and he heard Maypor jumped down off the bench. ¡°Marit,¡± she called, and the hound shuffled to his paws beside Jace and stretched. Maypor stuck her head in the back to look at him, ¡°wait here. We¡¯ll be back in a moment.¡± With that she walked off, Marit trotting at her heel.

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut as she a deep shuddering breath. She was hiding in the bedroom opposite the one Marcia and Cain had gone into. It was then that she had heard feet shuffling down the hall from the back of the second floor.

    She¡¯d stuffed herself and Gabrielle in Maypor¡¯ large bedroom closet, burying herself deep within. Softly sliding the clothes hanging in front of her aside slightly. Athena peered out through the gap, her breath expelling shakily.

    The door to the room, creaked open and a haggard wretch swayed inside like a drunk. Her ears flattened as she heard its rasping breath and her own breathing hitched.

    In that moment all she wanted to do was shut her eyes and curled up on the floor. Then she heard another sound, coming from across the corridor. A door banging open. The wretch twisted it rictus of a visage and looked over its shoulder. But it didn¡¯t leave or go and investigate.

    Squeezing her eyes shut again she leaned far to the right and away from the wretches line of sight as it turned back. It shuffled further into the room, moving deeper towards the open closet door.

    Athena cursed herself then. She should¡¯ve closed the doors. But her mind had simply fried beyond the thought of hiding. Gabrielle squirmed in her arms, chewing at her thumb.

    The wretch came closer, and a scream pierced the air. It sounded like Marcia, and peering partially out of the closet. She saw the wretch smile as it twisted looking around the room.

    The entirety of its mouth was nothing more than exposed jaws and stained teeth. The skin around its mouth and neck was gone, torn off. Its lips gone as well. She could see how it¡¯s tongue lulled through gap beneath its bottom jaw.

    She swallow reflexively, and grabbing a hold of Gabrielle, she swung the harness slowly over her head and shoulders. Bending down she flinched as another scream, this one of terrifying anger or frustration pelted her ears. She hoped Marcia was okay.

    The sound of something shattering and a deep thump reverberated through the floor. Placing her daughter down with care, she shushed her lightly. Righting herself back up, Athena took a deep breath and leaning back towards the gap she froze in horror to see the wretch standing there, and staring at her menacingly. She screamed as its hands grabbed around her face and threw her bodily out of the closet.

    Athena hit the ground and tumbled, the air whooshing out of her and she screamed again scurrying on her hands and knees away, as the wretch lunged on top of her.

    ~*~*~*~

    Maypor stepped inside the small healers shop. The few people waiting inside to be seen, got up and left as she entered. ¡°Well, you know it¡¯s going to be a good day when you simply entering scares off my customers, Maypor.¡±

    Looking around Maypor saw Joanna, using a Magi brush to paint a rune above the twisted knee of a small half-elven boy.

    Joanna was rather beautiful for her age. If you considered the unnatural beauty of elves as such. And the fact that Joanna was as old as Maypor herself. One could become rather jealous. But Maypor liked being older. She liked looking old as well

    People didn¡¯t cross you so much. And you were righteous when you beat the piss out of them when they did cross you.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a patient for you, old woman,¡± Maypor said and leaned against the wall inside just by the door. Marit coming over and sitting dutifully beside her

    ¡°Okay. Let me finish up with Lue here, then see to those you haven¡¯t run off yet. Then I¡¯ll see whoever you¡¯ve got outside,¡± Joanna replied and placing her brush down, she murmured softly to the young boy. As he lead down, Joanna placed left hand above the rune and starred into space as she channelled her Mana.

    The boy gasped, and cried out in pain as the knee twisted back into place, mending. The flesh wound where some bone had broken through, didn¡¯t mend though.

    It would require, cleaning, stitching, and bandaging. There was still the possibility of infection setting in or the bone mending wrong.

    ¡°I think you¡¯ll want to see this one, Jo,¡± Maypor said, her voice sounding awed and hushed. Maypor had seen Joanna work her rune magic quite a few times. She was nothing special. No high Magus. Yet even Joanna¡¯ small runic channelling was a wonder to watch.

    ¡°Ugh,¡± Joanna grumbled, turning her pure blue slanted eyes up at Maypor. ¡°What ails this patient then?¡± she asked the old woman.

    Maypor shrugged her shoulders, ¡°hypothermia.¡± Joanna blinked her eyes owlishly for a few second, staring at her old friend.

    ¡°May. I mend bones. If you wanted a cure for a cold or a rash, you¡¯d go to the Shaw¡¯ lot. Not me. I mend the skeletal structure only. I¡¯ve no heat potions, nor hot scotch. Take them somewhere else,¡± Joanna waved dismissively.

    Walking over Maypor leaned against Joanna¡¯s desk. ¡°He¡¯s different,¡± Maypor assured her. ¡°Trust me, Jo. I wouldn¡¯t be here, if I didn¡¯t believe so.¡±

    They stared at one another for a long while. Maypor could hear the muted coughs and groans of the other patient¡¯s Joanna needed to attend too. She hated to drop this on her oldest friend. But, the boy would likely die if he didn¡¯t receive help.

    Medication of a magical variety tended to help those of a magical nature.

    Having spent a good thirty years in Trager woods, and befriending Joanna. Maypor knew it when she felt magic at work. There was always a lightness to the air. An unburdening of gravity. The world seemingly holding its breath.

    She felt that with Jace.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Joanna acquiesced reluctantly. ¡°Where is he, then?¡±

    ¡°Outside,¡± Maypor said, and jutted her head towards the door of Joanna¡¯ shop/clinic.

    ¡°Outside? May, its freezing out there,¡± Joanna hissed and grabbing the scarf around her neck she pushed it over head to until covered the majority of her long-pointed ears. Her long silken blonde hair already pulled back in a high pony tail. So long that it still hung just above her bottom.

    Storming out of the shop, with Maypor in toe, Joanna shivered. She wasn¡¯t at all dressed for the weather, only in a plain spun grey dress.

    ¡°There,¡± Maypor pointed at her wagon. They walked over with Marit loping ahead of them to jump onto the wagons bed. Coming around the back, Maypor stayed behind Joanna letting the mender leading the way.

    ¡°H-h-hey, b-boy,¡± Maypor heard Jace mumble. And coming too, she saw that his skin was now a light bluish, mottled with a cold raw pink. His eyes were closed, yet his shaky hand rubbed small circles on top of Marit¡¯ bowed head. His breathing was now a drawn deep rasp, that rattled out of him.

    ¡°We need to get him somewhere warmer,¡± Joanna told her, and holding up the hem of her dress, the mender climbed onto the wagon going over to the boy.

    ¡°Your shop?¡± Maypor asked, her throat dry and crackling from the cold air.

    ¡°No,¡± Joanna shook her head. ¡°His immune system is waay too weak to be anywhere near some of my patients. No, we¡¯ll move him to my place.¡±

    Maypor nodded and walking around to the front of the wagon she hopped up and shuffled onto the bench. They rumbled around the back of Joanna¡¯ shop and towards a house not at all dissimilar to all the other houses in this nameless village. Some called it Trager village, what with its proximity to the forest. Yet most simply referred to it as the village.

    Pulling back on the reins of her docile Lurka, Maypor spun the reins around a knob and shuffled off the bench. ¡°Grab his leg, May,¡± Joanna told her and wedged herself behind Jace¡¯ back. Her hands folded under his arms. Jace¡¯s head lulled unconsciously, the fur blanket slipped off.

    Maypor cracked an eye brow as Joanna stumbled at seeing Jace¡¯ naked body. He was quite the specimen, Maypor had to agree. But the boy was all wiry and lean muscle. Her old age and achy bones, made her yearn for comfort and bulk instead of the young and lean.

    Tugging the boy¡¯s legs towards her, she jarred Joanna out of her obvious reverie. The elven mender going a deep shade of pink, as she pried her slanted blue eyes off the well-endowed manhood.

    Shuffling in through the front door of Joanna¡¯ home. They stumbled left into her bedroom. Laying Jace down gently as possibly¡ªthough Maypor simply let his legs flop to the floor¡ªJoanna set about fiddling with her fireplace. Tenting her allotment of cut logs and trying to kindle a flame with the small amount of tinder she had.

    ¡°May. Can you- uh¡­¡± Joann cleared her throat embarrassed and waved a hand behind her back at Jace¡¯ unconscious form.

    ¡°Cover him up?¡± Maypor supplied and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle dryly at her old friends¡¯ back. ¡°Sure.¡±

    A few minutes later, with Jace now concealed in a wrap of several fur blankets in front of kindling fire. Maypor sat down in the opposite room, at a table. The Mender brewing them a herbal spiced tea.

    ¡°So, why did you bring him to me?¡± Joanna asked her, as she set two cups down in front of them on the table.

    ¡°Because he need¡¯s help,¡± Maypor shrugged her shoulders, pointedly ignoring her friends glare.

    ¡°May, I still have people to see to back at my shop. If you¡¯re come here to simply take advantage of my kindness. I¡¯ll throw both you, and him, out. I have better things to do than play your games of avoidance.¡±

    Maypor sipped her tea, hissing at the heat of it. Then explained everything she had observed of the boy. ¡°Do you have some way of viewing how much magic runs through him?¡± she asked finally as she finished her story with arriving at the village today.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I have anything that¡¯ll get a direct measurement. Everyone who isn¡¯t a Magi has some small amount of Mana inside them,¡± Joann explained and sipped her tea. ¡°Most of the time, it is used unconsciously. During menial tasks, or through breathing. We exhale and inhale Mana at an almost unconscious rate. Everyone does. So to get an exact reading, would be ¡­ difficult.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Maypor paused considering. ¡°What if I had proof that he was someone special.¡±

    Joanna frowned at that. And Maypor fought hard to remain relaxed. She¡¯d found the magi brush case, wrapped inside of Jace¡¯ tunic when she had stripped him off after finding him.

    ¡°Then show me,¡± Joanna replied eventually. Unfastening her thick furred jacket, Maypor grabbed one of two wrapped items she kept concealed within. The second was the journal she had found on Jace. Taking the simple cloth wrapped case, she placed it on the table. It chink metallically as it hit the hard wood.

    ¡°Open it,¡± Maypor told the mender and finished off her tea. ¡°And if, after seeing what¡¯s inside you want to know more. I¡¯ll show you the second piece of proof. Just know,¡± she warned as Joanna reached out to unwind the cloth on the case. ¡°These belong to Jace.¡± Maypor tilted her head in the direction of the other room.

    ~*~*~*~

    Joanna nodded hesitantly; this was the first time she had seen her old friend act so¡­ so¡­ what? Conspiring? suspicious? mysterious? secretive? She didn¡¯t know the right word. Yet the seriousness in her friends¡¯ steelier than usual expression, set Joanna¡¯ mind curious.

    She had fled Barrendel duchy to escape conspiracy, and schemes, and politicking. All she ever wanted to do, was open a shop and help people. Oh she did it partially for money. She couldn¡¯t buy food with a kind smile and the promise of mending their broken bones, and that was if they ever broke them.

    Unwrapping the cloth, Joanna frowned at the sleek golden case. The second her finger touch its cool surface, a latticework of runes spiralled across its geography in a blaze of iridescent blue.

    Then a spike of numbness shot through her fingers, and down her hand, dulling the nerves of her hand.

    From fingers to wrist it all went limp.

    ¡°What in Shre¡¯s light, May?¡± Joanna gasped in a panic as she quickly snapped her hand back.

    ¡°Huh,¡± Maypor pondered, ¡°it never did that to me. Look,¡± Maypor reached out and set her finger against case¡¯s surface. Even with the webbing of protective runes, nothing attacked Maypor¡¯ hand.

    ¡°Well, shit,¡± Joanna cursed. The feeling in her hand quickly returning. ¡°Can you open it?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Maypor smiled and did just that.

    ¡°What? Nooo. No. No. No,¡± Joanna whispered rubbing at her face with her hands, the left only felt tingly now. What she saw inside the case. Or should she say. The High Magus brush case. Was a selection of different rune brushes, the smaller ones generally used for finer runic work.

    Then two rows of elemental essence paint. Some even rare. Joanna was writing her rune work on the last dusting of her own essence paint. That had lasted her a few years. Elemental essence paint wasn¡¯t cheap. And several times Joanna had to work through the black market in Oedrin, to simply get a table spoon of essence paint since moving out into the wilds.

    What this human had in his possession. Could only mean one of two things: Either he was a High Magus, himself. Or he¡¯d stolen it. Then there was the protective latticework of runes on the case, warding against anyone with a sufficient amount of Mana within them. Meaning, another Magi who didn¡¯t have ownership of it, couldn¡¯t touch it.

    But someone of considerably less Mana¡ªlike Maypor¡ªcould in fact steal it.

    Then Joanna recalled her friend asking her to take a measurement of the Mana within this Jace.

    She didn¡¯t dare touch anything inside the case. But she did notice a rather large brush. It looked as if it was a two twisted branches, entwining. Small cords of steels ran through them like silvery veins. This brush she had seen only once some twenty years ago. It was an Opus brush. She had seen High magus Yasgaes, paint runes in the air with it.

    Where a Magi usual brush required a surface. The Opus brushes¡ªthere were twelve that she knew of¡ªcould paint on anything. All the wielder needed¡ªas far as she knew¡ªwas an enormous surplus of Mana, and a great amount of control over magic.

    After staring at the contents of the case for what like ten minutes, her mind wandering. She finally looked at Maypor. Her old friend smiled knowingly. ¡°Do you want to see the second item?¡± Maypor asked her and Joanna winced internally. She really couldn¡¯t at all help her curiosity.

    ~*~*~*~

    It was several hours later, and approaching mid-morning before Jace woke once again. His head heavy and woozy, his vision swaying as he took deep ragged breaths.

    ¡°Slow down,¡± said a harmoniously husky voice from his left. Blinking twice Jace looked over and saw his third vision of otherworldly beauty since tumbling out of Parkers Hold. It was a sun-kissed elven woman. Her silken blonde in a thick braid spilled over her shoulder. Her slanted eyes couldn¡¯t hide the expressive blue of her irises. Her high cheek bones were a faint red tinge. Her jaw and chin were angular and sharp. Her nose welled proportion to her face, and her small thin mouth smiled at Jace.

    Surprisingly to Jace. It was her small sharp teeth that shook him back to reality.

    Slowly rising, Jace looked around himself. He was bare to world ass naked and sweating profusely, yet he wasn¡¯t shivering at least.

    ¡°Here, drink this,¡± the elven woman said and passed Jace a small mug. With a trembling hand he accepted the cup, smelled the steaming scent of spiced herbs and he could describe as mud.

    He gulped down the thick gritty slime inside the cup, almost gagging as he did so. He tried to pull it away, but the elven woman gripped his head and forced the mugs content down his throat. ¡°You have to drink this. Drink it and get better, Jace,¡± the woman murmured to him.

    Jace¡¯s mind pitched inside himself. Inverting and swallowing in a sucking, popping, whump.

    He stood on a black scarred plane. Thin wisps of smoke or cloud he couldn¡¯t tell, drifted high and low across the plane. ¡°Jace.¡± His name pitched across the scape, echoing oddly. ¡°Can- can you hear me?¡±

    The words came from afar, starting out as distant whisper¡¯s and growing with clarity the closer they reached him. ¡°Yes.¡± Jace replied, and tilted his head. Had he thought the word or said it allow. He didn¡¯t know.

    This place. This shadow scape was a world unto itself.

    ¡°Stay where you are, and do not wander,¡± the voice warned him. ¡°There¡¯re things in the unconscious minds eye that shouldn¡¯t be faced until you¡¯re ready. Shall we begin?¡± the voice asked him, like he knew exactly what was happening to him right now.

    ¡°Begin what?¡± Jace asked the voice. He looked down at the ground beneath and gulped as he saw unformed shapes floating beneath. The ground seemingly a window into the beyond.

    ¡°Why, your training of course,¡± the voice laughed melodiously. Yet, Jace detected a sort of sinister pleasure in its tone.

    ¡°Training for what? and how did I get here?¡± he felt like he was running around in circles. Something in his mind telling, no screaming at him to never look up. Looking down was bad enough, but the warning bell screamed every time he lifted his eyes anywhere above looking straight ahead.

    ¡°Your friend, Maypor. She brought you to me. You were quite ill,¡± the voice explained to him. ¡°We found the journal and brushes.¡±

    ¡°Brushes?¡± Jace murmured in a daze. What brushes?

    ¡°Maypor explained to me how you could sense the Dwellers before they sent their minions to attack her estate,¡± the voice continued, ignoring Jace¡¯ question.

    ¡°They came for me,¡± Jace sighed. He was reluctant to shared that. Yet, if this person was helping him. They had to know what they were getting themselves into. He wished he¡¯d been more open with Douglas, and Athena. The thought of her summoned an image of the stunning fox-kin, holding her daughter. Jace had grown fond of them both in the short hours they¡¯d spent.

    He just wished¡­ wish them the best. As bright a future as they can have. He just wouldn¡¯t be involved. If anything, Jace should¡¯ve never helped fend off the wretches that attacked them. Because now he suffered for it.

    ¡°The Dwellers,¡± Jace explained, ¡°they want me.¡± He shuffled his feet nervously, his eyes roaming back and forth across the shadowy plane.

    ¡°And what could they possibly want from you?¡± the voice asked him dubiously.

    Jace thought hard. Trying to find a way to explain the feeling he¡¯d constantly felt inside Parkers Hold. Always running. Always trying and fighting to stay ahead, to escape. He hadn¡¯t known what had been escaping, until he¡¯d watched the tentacles exploded out the head of the young petite woman with the head wound.

    If his suspicions were correct, and from what he had read in that journal and what Douglas had told him. Jace suspected that all of those who had waken up inside that small room, were indeed summoned people.

    That he was a summoned person. Though an anomaly, according to the Dwellers.

    How to explain that? How to explain something you didn¡¯t fully understand yourself. Like why was the colour red, called red? Or why did turtles wear bandana¡¯s to hide identity? They were damn turtles after all.

    Jace shook his mind free from delving further.

    ¡°They wanted me¡­¡± he started, ¡°because? because- I could¡­¡± then it clicked. ¡°Because they wanted me to join them.¡±

    ¡°J-join them?¡± the voice asked curiously, yet Jace detected a quaver. Like it didn¡¯t want to truly know, yet couldn¡¯t help but dive deeper.

    ¡°We¡­ we were summoned there. All of us. All Fifty-Two of us. Inside Parkers Hold. It was already overrun. I think I¡¯m only one that escaped, though others might¡¯ve. It¡¯s just that they wanted me especially. I was the odd one number, or maybe it¡¯s the even number ... maybe-¡±

    ¡°Ugh,¡± the voice sighed interrupting Jace, ¡°he¡¯s rambling.¡±

    ¡°Look,¡± Jace started, his patience growing thin. Staring up at the sky, despite the pulsing fear visibly rippling through his very soul.

    He froze.

    Up.

    Way up and above him, was a spherical object as big as a moon. It was black, though the sky was a murky grey and filled with thick banks of fog, its size made it obvious.

    The longer he stared up at it, the more it clarified in his mind. Became clearer. Something deep inside him lurched and made his head throb painfully. A surge of familiarity filled Jace.

    It was familiar to him, and yet terrible and horrific.

    Then the spherical object in the cloudy grey sky, unwound itself. A voice called to him. Screaming for Jace to look away from it. Yet he couldn¡¯t. That surge inside him, called to something else. It called to his defiance.

    Even as its presence singled him out and focused its godly mind down on him and crushed him.

    Jace screamed.

    You are back. How curious. It seemed to ponder. The grey sky roared with thunder and crackled purple lightning

    Jace¡¯ mind pitched him, even as he writhed in pain. Unpeeling his reality, and with a whooshing pop. Jace was cut free of that shadowy plane.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Six

    ¡°Careful, careful,¡± the voice of the elven woman cooed softly to Jace as he jolted upright. His lung¡¯s heaving, heavy panting breath¡¯s.

    ¡°Where ¡­ where was that place?¡± Jace gasped out. His hands clutching to the elven woman¡¯s slender arms.

    ¡°You¡¯re okay. You are back on Aederon. And everything is alright.¡± She rans her long finger¡¯s over his prickling scalp.

    ¡°You. You put me there,¡± Jace snarled and broke free of her grasp and springing to his feet, he trip over the fur blankets and stumbled into a book shelf. ¡°Stay the fuck away from me.¡±

    ¡°She did it with my blessing, boy,¡± a voice said and Jace shot a glance to his right to see Maypor entering the room.

    ¡°Your blessing? I¡¯m not your property,¡± Jace retorted.

    ¡°No your not,¡± the old woman agreed. ¡°But I did save your life. Now calm your tits down and explain yourself.¡±

    ¡°Me explain myself?¡± Jace shot back and flashed his snarl on the elven woman. ¡°Explain why the fuck you put me in that place. And whatever the fuck that- that- thing was, in the sky.¡±

    Both women blinked at his words. ¡°Jace. Please. Sit down,¡± the elven beauty gestured to a seat by the crackling hearth. Marit strode past Maypor and came over to rub his flank against Jace¡¯s leg.

    ¡°Who are you, first?¡± Jace asked, hesitantly taking a seat. He was still bare-ass-naked, but that nightmarish dream¡ªor was it real¡ªhad scared the decency out of him.

    He was wired with fear. Whatever the hell that means, he thought.

    The elf rearranged her dress and sat primly on the bed. Maypor moved further in to the room and leaned against the wall behind Jace. ¡°Firstly introductions. I am Joanna Vilgananis. I¡¯m a mender Magi. And I work in Trager village as the local mender,¡± Joanna introduced herself.

    ¡°Riiight,¡± Jace drawled, and noticed the faint blush creeping up the elf¡¯s long pointed ears as her blue eyes tried to avoid looking at his opening displayed junk. ¡°What the hell is a mender magi?¡± He asked. He knew he should be more cautious with what he asked and revealed. But that place she had sent him too, had really fucked with him.

    Joanna blinked her slanted eyes and they narrowed on him. ¡°A mender Magi, is someone who mends wounds,¡± she started off hesitantly, and blinked as Jace continued to stare at her.

    Does she mean a doctor? he thought, and thought about asking her but ultimately decided not to.

    ¡°Okay¡­? Now can you explain where the fuck you sent me,¡± Jace sighed tiredly. He was pretty sure he¡¯d been sleeping a good full day. Considering the last time he¡¯d woken up, was at Maypor¡¯ and it had been dark out.

    Joanna sighed heavily and nodded her head. ¡°I¡¯m actually very surprised that work. That place I sent you to is called the Wakeful Plane by the faeries. I believe that was the original interpretation on it, at least. Now its simply goes by the Mind¡¯s Eye.

    It¡¯s a plane us Magi go to when we either wish to commune deeply with our surroundings, in areas of great elemental essence. Or to train our advancement in runic script. What happens there, does not affect our world, so we are free to experiment. Some even hold meetings-¡±

    ¡°Explain what the fuck, that thing in the sky was,¡± he hissed, interrupting her. He didn¡¯t care about dream meetings or whatever it was they did there.

    ¡°Jace,¡± Maypor warned him.

    He shook his head, ¡°that thing, May. It ¡­ it noticed me. Talk to me, like it recognised me.¡± Jace shuddered involuntarily and hung his head. It had rattled him more fiercely than his mental battle with the Dweller.

    A sun-kissed hand with long slender fingers held to his knee, comfortingly. ¡°Jace?¡± he looked up into the brilliant blue pools of Joanna¡¯ eyes and blinked. ¡°Can you describe what you saw?¡±

    ¡°It- I,¡± he blinked again as he racked his memories. He ¡­ He couldn¡¯t remember it. There was nothing at all from his time in the Wakeful Plane. He remembered, remembering that he had experienced it. But other than that? There was simply nothing there. Just the fear and terror.

    Just another hollow space in his mind.

    ¡°I can¡¯t remember. Nothing at all. It¡¯s just like when¡­¡± Dread filled him then. ¡°Just like when I woke up here.¡±

    ¡°Here?¡± Maypor and he detected a note of concern in the rackety old woman¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Not here, here. No. I mean in Parkers Hold. What the hell is going on?¡± Jace asked more to himself than anyone, and rubbed both hands over his face.

    ¡°Jace,¡± Joanna tried to bring him back, ¡°do remember what this is?¡± she asked him, and held out the familiar gold cigar case. Still have no idea what a cigar even is.

    ¡°Sure, I remember it,¡± he replied dryly, and took the case from her outstretched hand. It felt warm to the touch. It¡¯s presence comforting somehow. ¡°What about it, doc?¡±

    ¡°Doc¡­? What does that- never mind. What I¡¯m trying to ask you, no tell you-¡±

    ¡°By Shre¡¯s light, Jo. What¡¯s she means, boy. Is do you know the significance of that case?¡±

    Jace shrugged his shoulder, and shivered slightly. He realised the elven beauty still hadn¡¯t taken her hand off his leg. In fact, it seemed as if she¡¯d forgotten it was still there. Moving his thoughts beyond ploughing the elf. He was still annoyed she¡¯d send him there. Yet his missing memory of it, had tempered down his anger.

    Jace turned his thoughts to the case.

    It had certainly drawn him in. The arcane symbols inside on the velvet cloth. The different sets of brushes. He hadn¡¯t touched nor removed any of them. Not wanting any of them breaking by accident. But other than that. He¡¯d forgotten about them. ¡°Not really,¡± he shrugged again. ¡°All I managed to escape Parkers Hold with, was this and the journal.¡±

    ¡°The journal,¡± Joanna agreed and leaning backward, she pried her fingers off his leg. To Jace, the removal of her touch was hesitant and forceful. She rummaged about on the bed for a second, then pulled out the journal. ¡°Do you know who wrote this. Or who the journal belonged to?¡±

    ¡°Tormund Yasgases?¡± He tried recollecting; it was something along those lines.

    ¡°Tormund Yasgaes,¡± Joanna corrected him lightly. ¡°Tormund Yasgaes was once one of the kingdoms greatest High Magi. That was until he went rogue. He and several other High Magi left their posts and appointments, even a trail of dead bodies behind them. Them, along with their apprentices, retainers and a few hundred trainees fled the kingdom and the four duchies.¡±

    ¡°Okay, so he went rogue,¡± Jace frowned. ¡°What does that have to do with me. Other than the fact that I have his journal. And that he¡¯s likely dead.¡±

    ¡°It means,¡± Joanna sighed briefly. ¡°That the place, he and the other High Magi fled too, was in fact Parkers Hold. He even claimed they went there to learn the devices of creation. That¡¯s an illegal subject matter. Borderline dark magic. Now. Now all of them are either dead. Or-¡±

    ¡°Shit,¡± Jace hissed, finally understanding what she¡¯d been getting at. He didn¡¯t really understand the whole hocus-pocus of magic. But the implications were there. ¡°The Dweller I saw,¡± his mind flashed back to his confrontation before his escape. He explained his confrontation to them. ¡°It wore a black robe, with a faded purple tear drop. Does that mean anything-¡±

    He didn¡¯t even need to finish, because Joanna sun-kissed face was now ashen pale. ¡°No.¡± She whispered. Not a denial of his question. But disbelief at the turn of events. ¡°The purple tear drop is Tormund Yasgaes insignia.¡±

    ¡°Then he¡¯s a Dweller,¡± Maypor supplied matter-of-factly. ¡°Why did he want you, boy?¡±

    Jace shot the older woman a look and answered, ¡°because I¡¯m one of the summoned.¡±

    ¡°You mentioned that,¡± Joanna nodded. ¡°But you also said there¡¯re fifty-two of you.¡±

    Jace nodded, ¡°yes. There was fifty-two of us,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Maybe some are still alive, and managed to escape somehow. But that place is a maze. And I only managed it by accident.¡±

    ¡°There has never in recorded history been more than Fifty-One summoned,¡± Joanna noted.

    ¡°I heard about that,¡± Jace agreed, ¡°the Dwellers- they called me an anomaly. They wanted me to join them.¡±

    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re the anomaly of the summoned, then I guess you hold no piece in their sin.¡±

    ¡°The whole betrayal thing?¡± Jace nodded. He partially agreed with Douglas on that front. But he also didn¡¯t have all the facts. Maybe they did in fact betray everyone. Maybe they just bit off more, than they could chew, he thought.

    ¡°So you¡¯re a summoned,¡± Joanna said and Jace nodded firmly. If she started running, despite her beauty, he would kill her. Kill Maypor. Kill- maybe knock Marit out somehow. ¡°You¡¯re also an anomaly amongst them?¡±

    ¡°Yes, the others couldn¡¯t remember anything of themselves. I remembered my name.¡±

    ¡°Just your name?¡± Maypor asked him.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Jace replied defensively, shooting the old woman a cocked eyebrow. You try losing everything that you were, he thought, but didn¡¯t say it. He thought about the strange couple he had encountered. Their supposed gifts to him. But decided it was for the best that he kept that encounter to himself. ¡°You know,¡± Jace started, ¡°you never did answer my question.¡±

    ¡°Question? Which one?¡± Joanna blinked in surprise.

    ¡°Why did you send me to that plane?¡±

    Oooh,¡± Joanna sighed and fiddled with her dress. It really did hug her slender figure nicely. The elf was the polar opposite of Athena. The fox-kin was all curves, bust and ass. Joanna was slender, lean, and willowy. ¡°Technically I didn¡¯t send you anywhere, only your consciousness. And I did it because, well¡­ I didn¡¯t have the necessary instruments to measure how much Mana you had.¡±

    ¡°You just send my mind to the shadow realm instead,¡± Jace retorted sarcastically.

    ¡°Well it worked. For one, only a Magi can travel there. Two, you were conscious almost immediately on arrival. That speaks volumes to your potential.¡±

    ¡°Okay- fine,¡± Jace rubbed at his forehead. When was the last time he¡¯d eaten. ¡°Do you have any food, I¡¯m really bloody hungry.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Joanna smiled prettily. And Jace ignored her small needle-like teeth. Let¡¯s just avoid putting anything in her mouth, he thought and stood dick swinging and all.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s go eat.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena cried out as she fended off the wretch trying to snap its jaws at her face and neck. Its hands fumbling, trying to trap her own against the floor. She kicked her legs trying to untangled her skirts and actually hit it. She vowed then to never wear dresses again if she could help it.

    If she didn¡¯t fight back, it would surely find her baby girl.

    Snarling and crying out, Athena managed to chopped down hard with both of her hands on the fold of the wretches elbow. It arms reflexively bent from the blow, and it lurched down, chopping its foul teeth, trying to bite her face off. She grabbed its neck then, and squeezed as she pushed and threw her body weight to the side and rolled atop the wretch.

    Her tail wavered through the air behind her, as she kept her hold on its neck squeezing all the while. She wasn¡¯t sure how she could kill it. The wretches hands scraped at her clothing, tearing and shredding her dress. It jagged nails cut and scratched against her face as it flailed. She squeezed tighter, uncertain of how long she could keep at it.

    More could be coming for all she knew. They¡¯d made quite a bit of sound after all. Suddenly it stopped thrashing and yawned up at her. Athena stared down into the wide-open pit that was the wretches mouth. Then the skin on either cheek tore in half, stretching and tearing. She gagged at the sight and vomited all over herself and the wretches gaping mouth.

    Something wriggled at the back of its mouth. A bulge throbbed up from beneath her hands where she was still squeezing its throat. Athena gasped, spittle flinging from her lips as she staggered off the wretch. Long sinuous appendages flicked out from within and took purchase with a wet slap on the bloody muscles and bone of the wretches jaws.

    Then more came, and more. Each slapping wetly against the wretches face, and popping as they dislodged and caught again. Then like a hideously blooming flower, the thing inside the wretches mouth spread wide, as its beak trilled a screeching cry. Then it slipped off the wretch and tumbled down its body to land with a wet squish on the bedroom floor.

    A long hissing wheeze evacuated the small squid. Athena simply stood there trembling, her body racking with silent horrified sobs.

    Save me. The voice broke through her mind and Athena jumped. Mother, save me. It was a girls voice. A baby girl. Her baby girl. Gabrielle lay on the floor before her, covered in a thin coat of slime and trembling. ¡°Oh, baby. What have they done to you,¡± Athena sobbed and going over she crouched before her daughter.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, mama¡¯s got you now.¡± And picking her baby girl up, she gently laid her head on her shoulder, cooing Athena patted her daughters back. Thank you.

    She screamed as tentacles latched onto her face, neck and hair, and pried her mouth open. What was going on? where was her baby girl. She thought frantically, trying to bite down on the tentacles but the force of which they kept her mouth open was too strong.

    Its beak bit savagely into the palm of her hand as she managed to slip it up underneath and wedge it between the thing and her mouth.

    Where was Gabrielle? Where was her baby? She screamed raggedly as the beak tore through the flesh of her palm. Its suckers scarring thin hooked slices into her face and neck. Those tentacles in her hair, coiled tightly and pulled tugging harshly. This was all a nightmare.

    Then she heard a feral roar, as feet pounded into the room. ¡°GET. OFF. OF. HER!¡± Marcia howled and rushing in, she grabbed the squid around it mantle and tore the thing free of Athena¡¯s face. Bloody gouges and clomps of hair tore free. Athena cried out, her hand trembling and roaming her bloody visage as she collapsed to her knees.

    Marcia twisted and slammed the squid, into the wall eliciting a squeal from the thing. Nine more times did Marcia swing the small squids body. Bashing and battering it. Digging her claws through its slippery, slimy, and rubbery flesh.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Gabrielle?¡± Marcia hissed with a growl at Athena. Athena blinked, swaying unsteadily onto her feet she looked about. Her mind was dull, fuzzy and drained.

    She shuffled over to the closet and slumped onto her knees. She was mentally spent. Whatever that thing had done to her, had not only scarred her face and neck, but scarred her mind also.

    She half expected to find another one of those squids inside, but her daughter¡¯s beautiful face peered out at her. Bright eyed and full of life.

    Picking up her baby, Athena felt her strength renew. She was a mother. She would do anything for her child. She would carry these scars on her face as a reminder of this day.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace sighed gratefully as his spoon plopped through the thick mush of porridge. Joanna had brought him a mix bowl of nuts and berries. He shied away from the blue berries, apparently those¡ªhe found¡ªwere disgusting to him. Strawberries and walnuts however were definitely delicious, and he added those greedily to his porridge.

    Glancing around, he found that he was alone inside the house and still without clothing. With the fur blanket draped around himself, Jace ate his porridge. Savouring each bite of warm, fruity and nutty goodness. The slop slid easily down his gullet and before he knew it his bowl was empty.

    Joanna had claimed something about tending to patients at her shop. While Maypor had claimed about finding somewhere to settle inside the village for the time being.

    Jace wanted to tell both women to simply pack their shit, and high-tail it to Oedrin. The wretches would soon come in a greater number to drive them off. As well as to claim him.

    Jace suspected that Maypor knew that anyway. That would¡¯ve been why she had been staying in that small shack and not her manor.

    Maybe there was something inside of Trager forest. Something that the Dwellers didn¡¯t want anyone finding out about. But what could they possibly want? I would¡¯ve expected their goal to be the complete decimation of humanity and the other races, Jace frowned thoughtfully. Driving all of those on the outer fringes of the duchy to seek shelter in already overpopulated towns, fences in any sort of outside confrontation. People will befoul other people.

    They¡¯ll cut deals and screw one another over. All for the possibility of coin and higher positioning.

    So what could be inside the forest, other than their stronghold? And why picked Trager forest? Was it because of the High Magi and their fortress of solitude? I didn¡¯t see any crystals, and I doubt anyone named Kal-El was there. Jace shook away his tumbling thoughts and decided to spend his time in front of the hearth. Warming his hands, feet and balls.

    It was another hour later, when the door banged open, and a blast of cold air breezed in and woke Jace up with a shiver. His cheek and chin were wet with drool. And he grumbled wrapping himself in the blanket even tighter. ¡°Oh, good. You¡¯re awake,¡± Joanna smiled at him as she removed her thick furred boots and tiptoed through the room lightly. The hem of her dress was wet and soggy, and stained with mud. She came over beside him and outstretched her hands to the smouldering flames.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Jace couldn¡¯t help but roam his eyes over her willowy body. Her chest was small but tightly packed. Her hips and ass round yet firm and pert.

    Her silken blonde hair, was trust-up in a high pony tail and hung down to sway like an entrancing pendulum above the curve of her ass. Her dress, yet plain, clung to her body like a second skin, and Jace found himself growing hard. His knuckles popped as he tried reined himself in and shift his gaze back to the fire.

    For a time all they heard was the occasional soft crack of wood splintering in the hearth. Or someone shouting outside.

    Eventually Jace started to get uncomfortable with the silence. He wouldn¡¯t consider himself that much of speaker, but the silence and tension between them was omnipresent. ¡°So you reckon I could be a Magi then?¡± he asked after scanning his head for any subject he could bring up.

    The question seemed to catch her off guard and Joanna fumbled for a few seconds. ¡°Could be a what. Eh-uh, yes? you could be a Magi,¡± she paused to collect herself. ¡°In fact, its highly possible you could be a very powerful Magi.¡±

    ¡°How do you know?¡± this intrigued him. Before, he hadn¡¯t really given a shit about the why or how of it. He¡¯d simply been pissed off at having his head fucked with.

    ¡°Well from your initial awakening in the Mind Eyes of course. Junior or apprentice Magi tend to have great difficulty simply travelling to the Wakeful Plane. You didn¡¯t just travel there as easily as breathing, but was fully aware of your surroundings. It¡¯s actually quite remarkable. If what you said was true, and you are indeed one the summoned-¡±

    ¡°Which I am,¡± Jace cut in.

    ¡°Then the text in Dimere¡¯s capitol could be proven true,¡± Joanna finished and sat down on the warm floor of her house by his chair.

    ¡°What text?¡±

    ¡°Oh, an account of Aederon¡¯ history. The last eclipse cycle happened three hundred years ago. The consequence of that cycle, and its final major events are detailed. But nothing of what led to it. Yes the wretches came out of the haunted lands to the south. But they also do that¡ªeven in greater numbers¡ªevery other year or so. So why now. Why then. Is the summoning of the Fifty-One betrayers¡ªsorry¡ªthe prelude to the eclipse, or simply an effect of it. Then there is the description that all summoned beings had a great capacity for magic. We¡¯re speaking magnitudes greater than the highest High Magus¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Well, I have no idea,¡± Jace said and grinned at the elven woman. She starred at his lips, her own lips spreading into a matching grin. She seemed to do this unconsciously and then caught herself.

    ¡°I-uh, oh! I brought you some clothes,¡± she said as her neck, ears and face flushed a bright red on her sun-kissed skin. Standing, she swept her hands over her dress and hurriedly rushed out of the room. Jace sat there, as she came back in an instance later carrying a large bundle.

    ¡°I asked around the village for you, and everyone who could chipped in an item or two did.¡± She plopped the bundle down on her bed. ¡°There should be enough here for two sets of clothing.

    Jace stood up and walked the short distance over to stand beside her. He still had the blanket on, draped around his shoulders. But as he stood beside her the fur blanket parted revealing his toned abdomen and wiry frame. His massive erection jutted through the parting blanket.

    Joanna eyes roamed down from his face and settled on his saluting cock. She gulped audibly, her face going a bright red. Jace¡¯ mind tunnelled as he focused on her blue eyes. His raw desire for her quite powerful. He wasn¡¯t sure why he felt so attracted to her. But something inside of him, willed him on.

    Filled his flesh with a need to take her, to make her his. A compulsion Jace had no desire of fighting. He could see that same desire take flight, like a blazing trail in her eyes.

    Joanna ears burned hot and her high angular cheek bones flushed as she smiled shyly down at Jace¡¯ erection. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, there definitely is something about you,¡± she murmured. Her eyes partially lidding as her breathing heaved. Making her small chest rise, up and down, pronounced with every breath.

    ¡°Oh? Do you want to find out?¡± Jace asked, he felt emboldened by his words. He reached and ran the tips of his fingers up and down her delicate neck. Boom! I¡¯m in a fantasy world and my dick hasn¡¯t been sucked yet. And just where the hell is my harem? He internally shook those thoughts away, his attention focused solely on her throat. Her huge gulping breaths and the pronounced veins in her neck making his dick grow even harder.

    ¡°I think,¡± Joanna said softly, staring like she was in a trance at the purple head of his cock. Then she knelt on the floor before him like a supplicant. Her eyes riveted with his bobbing erection. Her breathing heavy and ragged with lust. ¡°I think¡­ I think it¡¯ll be an interesting study to explore.¡± And leaning over on her knees, she flicked out her long-wet tongue and licked the purple head. ¡°With my tongue.¡±

    Jace reflexively flexed his dick up, making it jerk out of reach of the elf. Joanna swallowed heavily and tried to reach out with her hands to encircled his penis, but Jace gently batted them aside, ¡°no hands. Mouth only,¡± he ordered and watched as Joanna slanted gaze widened and then lidded as she followed his commands.

    He moaned and her small mouth engulfed the head of cock, stretching it obscenely. His was so overwhelmed by his desire that he¡¯d even forgotten about her small sharp teeth. And gentled pushed his hips forwards as he thrust a short extra inch or so into the elven woman¡¯s warm inviting mouth.

    Reaching down, he gently laid both of his hands on either side of her face and as he continued thrusting into her mouth minutely. Her wet tongue hot against his head, licking and lapping at the sensitive skin.

    He fought against simply thrusting the entirety of his cock down her throat. He wanted to enjoy her, not injured or hurt her. He wasn¡¯t one for taking pleasure from inflicting pain on others.

    After about two solid minutes Jace, couldn¡¯t take it anymore and pried Joanna small mouth off the first few wide inches of his cock. He popped free and gently helped raise the elf to her feet. She breathlessly leaned against him as he hugged her to him.

    Her mouth was red from straining from trying to engulfed his shaft. His erection pressed upwards between them, and he felt Joanna¡¯ hands snaked down. One hand gripped lightly to his balls and massaged them tenderly in a roll. As the other slid down the length of his shaft. She stared up at him, her red raw mouth parted thinly as she breathed up against his lips.

    They kissed and Jace ran his tongue through her lips and along her needle-like teeth, uncaring if he accidentally cut himself doing so.

    He didn¡¯t.

    ¡°I- I want to fuck you,¡± he panted as they broke their frantic kissing and slobbering.

    ¡°Then you better get to it,¡± Joanna retorted, and began to jerk her hands up and down his shaft quicker and quicker. As she reached the fat head of his cock, she rolled her palm over it, making him jerk and grimace with pleasure.

    Growling, Jace gripped the back her neck and leaning down he bit into the exposed skin there. Marking her and eliciting a squeak and a shivering moan.

    Spinning her around, he pressed his hands against her back and bent her over her bed. She shivered and gasped as Jace reached up under her dress and ran his hands up her slender firm legs and over the curve of her small pert ass. Kneading her the firm globes of her ass, Jace hiked her dress up and rolled it over, to gathered on her lower back.

    She was bare and shaven, and surprisingly Jace found her red swollen lips already dripping wetly, stringing her juices between her parted thighs. ¡°You going to return the favour, handsome?¡± Joanna husked at him.

    For a few solid seconds Jace wander distantly in his mind, what changed between us? We barely even know each other. Yet, there¡¯s this raw desire compelling me to have my way with her. That was as far as his mind allowed him to wonder. And bending over Jace hand his fingers, flittering across her lips and down towards her clitoral hood. He pressed and rubbed his thumb in slow smooth circles as Joanna gasped and moaned loudly.

    He pressed his face in and bit into either cheek of her pert ass. Feeling the firm flesh flinch beneath him as he slid two fingers into her pulsing sex. She was so wet, warm and tight around his fingers, that he distantly worried about how she could possibly take him.

    He wasn¡¯t sure how he knew to pleasure a woman, nor that he had any experience. His body was simply moving through instinct. As his fingers worked his clit and thrust inside her, Jace ran his tongue along the length of each of her lips.

    Savouring her taste.

    Like a spark of electricity jumping between them both, they gasped as desire flooded the room like a palpable scent. Joanna pressed her rear into his face, and retreating his fingers, Jace drove his tongue in their place. For a several minutes he sucked and lapped and thrusted his tongue inside her. His finger rolled and teasing her bundle of nerves.

    ¡°Enough¡­ enough- handsome,¡± Joanna panted and reaching under herself she cupped her sex and pushed his head away slightly. ¡°Keep that up, and our study will be over.¡±

    ¡°Anything for science,¡± Jace chuckled and standing up he shucked his shoulder and rubbed his still rock-hard dick against the cheeks of her ass.

    Joanna shuddered with pleasure and need. ¡°Main- main course?¡± she asked him breathlessly, and looked back over her shoulder at him. Jace grinned and slapped his shaft against her firm butt.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± he replied and ran a hand up her back, and through the messy high pony tail of her silken blonde hair. ¡°Would you like it rough or gentle?¡± he asked her and wrapping his hand in her hair, he tugged lightly.

    ¡°Can ¡­ we do both? You¡¯re quite big,¡± she replied panting as Jace continued pulling on her hair.

    ¡°Of course. Anything for you,¡± and leaning down he sucked the tip of her long-pointed ear into his mouth and guided his swollen head between thighs and angled down to press to the opening of her slick sex.

    Joanna barked a gasp and shivered as Jace slowly began to slide inside her and moaned as he nipped and sucked on the point of her ear. ¡°FUCK! go ¡­ go slower,¡± she panted. And he did, slowly inching his way inside her wet vice of a tunnel.

    ¡°Tell me when you¡¯re ready,¡± he whispered in her ear and tugged her hair arching her back off the bed. He didn¡¯t move, and felt himself thrust deeper a few more inches as Joanna slowly glided down his length, taking more of him and swallowing his shift with her pussy an inch at a time.

    ¡°Oh, fuck. You¡¯re soo fucking tight,¡± Jace breathed huskily beside her head and bit the stem of her long ear. He felt her wall clamped almost painfully around him, and he pulled her hair hard. Joanna moaned and shook as she finally impaled herself on his massive dick. Her labia stretched obscenely wide, yet she wasn¡¯t in any pain.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± she husked back and rolled her rear against the base of his shaft.

    ¡°So it seems,¡± he grinned and biting his lip, Jace leaned back¡ªstill keeping one hand on her hair and slowly pulling¡ªhe slid the wide girth of his dick back out. The entire time Joanna¡¯ walled tried to strangle his shaft and roll along his length, as she bucked back into him trying to keep him inside her. He withdrew until only the head of his cock remained.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare pull out,¡± she hissed over her shoulder at him. Cocking one eyebrow Jace watched as she wiggled her rear and started to engulf his cock once again. Apparently she had gotten used to him rather quickly. Slapping his hand against her left cheek harshly, he felt Joanna flinch and bucked back quickly. At the same time, Jace thrust his hips forward and slammed into her.

    He pulled on her hair and arched her back until she bowed backward, reaching around he gripped her dress and tore the front of it off, exposing her small breasts and tiny pink nipples. She gasped and then moaned, her sex erupting and her juices flooded, and swarmed around his shaft as he pinched on of her nipples roughly.

    ¡°I make the fucking rule,¡± he whispered huskily in her ear and nipped it. Joanna surprisingly orgasmed again on him.

    ¡°You make the rules,¡± she moaned. And Jace began to wildly thrust back and forth into her. She bucked and cried out his name and Jace saw only her pleasure, her wants, desire, and words fell unbidden from his and hers lips. Words neither of them understood or knew.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna- cum. Oh- fuck!--¡± he growled out.

    ¡°Do it in me, handsome. Fucking cum inside me!¡± Joanna screamed out.

    Slamming inside of the willowy mender, Jace cried out as he erupted deep inside the elven woman. Joanna¡¯s own orgasm exploding through her in a gushing wave, and she bucked beneath him as he filled her, shooting deep inside her welcoming womb.

    Panting and swaying Jace collapsed onto the elven woman¡¯s back. His mind a fog, and filled with the hazy afterglow of incredible sex.

    Rolling to his left onto the bed, his spent cock still deep inside Joanna. He clutched her back to him, his arms wrapping around her and holding her as she shivered mindlessly through the aftershocks of her orgasm.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Jace breathed against her neck, causing her to cry out again. He felt her fluid gushing against his thigh. And slowly his dick started to harden inside her. Joanna rolled and rocked her ass back against him.

    ¡°Round two?¡± she asked him pleadingly, then cried out in pleasure as Jace thrust his hips and buried himself deep inside her once again.

    ~*~*~*~

    Shouting awoke Jace sometime later, and he sat up in Joanna¡¯s bed, his heart pounding. He was beginning to get used to his nightmares. But that one had made the cookie crumble. The elven beauty snored softly beside him. The naked slender curve of her lower back, enticing him for another round.

    They¡¯d fucked most of yesterday and well into the evening. Ate dinner. Then screwed their brains again, and again. Each time, Jace was left feeling woozy, his mind hazy. Yet each post sex break, he felt an easing of pressure and tension he hadn¡¯t known he¡¯d been carrying, slip away from him.

    Joanna had been fierce in what she wanted, and apparently his complete disregard for her teeth¡ªsomething that apparently all elves whether they were sun, moon, or woodland had¡ªwas something she had never known. And they spent one session simply biting each other as they fucked. Then sixty-nine(d) as she had swollen his cock completely.

    His dick now growing hard again, from recollecting the past few hours. He felt a swell of protectiveness for this woman. She was his now. And he was hers. And that wasn¡¯t just it, the bond between them went deeper. Jace felt an awareness of the sleeping elven woman. A portion of his mind filled with thoughts of only her.

    Looking down at the curve of her lower back and leading to her pert ass, Jace reached out to run hand over her sun-kissed skin. A shout from outside stopped him, and frowning he slid off the bed.

    It was dark out, and Jace guessed it was somewhere in the region of five o¡¯clock in the morning. The sun would be rising soon¡ªif he could see if that is.

    Standing he got dressed in the clothes Joanna had gathered for him yesterday and stepped over to the door, sliding his socked feet into a new pair of boots.

    The door jarred as someone pounded against it. ¡°Joanna!¡± a voice recognised called out. Opening the door he greeted Gerard, the half breed elven-dwarf.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it the wretches?¡± he asked and flung the door wide.

    Gerard¡¯ eyes bugged at seeing him, ¡°no. It¡¯s not them. People have arrived at the village gate. They need medical attention.¡±

    Jace nodded, about to turn around when a hand pressed against her lower back. Looking down, he saw the tired eyes of his elven lover. ¡°I¡¯m ready, Gerard,¡± Joanna said firmly. She looked up at Jace and smiled tired.

    ¡°I¡¯ll come along,¡± he told her, and turning back to Gerard he asked, ¡°is Maypor about?¡±

    ¡°Yes. She is already at the Menders shop,¡± the burly half-breed replied.

    ¡°Menders shop?¡± Jace asked curiously.

    ¡°My shop, handsome,¡± Joanna cooed and snatching up a satchel hanging from a peg by her door they marched out.

    It was so dark that Jace had trouble seeing where he stepped. Narrowing his gaze partially he focused, like he done several times now with his hearing. The ground and nearby building, cleared and became more than just vague shadowy outlines.

    Some residences had soft light glowing from within, and Jace imagined they had probably been woken up by all the shouting. ¡°How many people live in this village?¡± he asked as they moved through the empty street.

    ¡°Eighty-seven,¡± Joanna supplied, ¡°though most of them are families.¡±

    ¡°Huh,¡± Jace grunted, he was actually quite surprised that many people lived here. Yet, again all he had seen of the village was a few houses from the back of Maypors wagon.

    They arrived at Mender¡¯s shop shortly after. Maypor stood outside, her arms folded over her chest. Her face was a stricken mask of concern and anger.

    ¡°Ah, Jo, you¡¯re finally here,¡± Maypor grunted as a way of greeting.

    ¡°What¡¯ve we got, May?¡± Joanna asked and pushed passed her to the door of her shop.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Shaw¡¯s. Well the girls at least,¡± Maypor replied and entered in behind her.

    Jace frowned as walked inside, and his eyes immediately locked onto the two forms sat down leaning against one another on a patient¡¯s bed. ¡°Athena?¡± he asked. The grief-stricken young fox-woman¡¯s head snapped up at his voice.

    ¡°J-Jace?¡± she asked, her voice quivering. Hopping off the bed she lunged at him and wrapped her arms around his chest, burying her face and sobbing. Then another pair of arms encircled his right side, a second pair of fox ears twitching.

    Marcia was hugging him. Something¡¯s not right. Where¡­?

    ¡°Where¡¯s Gabrielle, Douglas and Cain?¡± he asked them.

    Athena sobs against his turned to heart wrenching whimpers. Jace¡¯s soul crumbled as his mind raced through the all the possibilities.

    ¡°Dad. He¡¯s¡­ dead,¡± Athena cried.

    Damn¡­

    ¡°But, where¡¯re the kids?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re sleeping,¡± Marcia murmured softly, her arms moving off of Jace¡¯ side to encircled her daughter from behind. Squeezing her between them both. Jace reached out and enveloped them and soon even Marcia buried her face in Athena¡¯s hair. Tears spilling silently down her cheeks.

    ¡°Dah-Dah?¡± came a curious chirp, and looking ahead Jace saw that Joanna was knelt beside a cot.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go see the kids, shall we?¡± Jace murmured to both fox-women. The instance Gabrielle saw Jace, her tiny face alighted with glee and she threw out her grasping hands. ¡°Bah-bah!¡±

    ¡°Hey stinker,¡± he laughed and crouched to give Gabrielle a hug. The chubby fox-kin-baby squealed as Jace spun in the tight space between beds. ¡°God I missed you,¡± he breathed and held tightly to her. And I¡¯m never letting you go.

    Sometime later after Joanna had given the all clear, she gave Jace a kiss and scurried across her shop to start preparing for the day ahead. Jace sat down, and between him, Athena, and Marcia they fed Gabrielle and Cain.

    ¡°So what happened?¡± he asked finally.

    He was surprised yet again, as Marcia answered him. She hadn¡¯t hissed, growled, snarled, nor accused him since this morning. Now she was down right softening towards him. Just took some karma, guilt, and the death of her husband to make her see sense. Being alone and isolated was a fine thing. But isolation can lead to dissociation and paranoia.

    She hadn¡¯t trusted him, either because he was human, or because he was a stranger. Now, she was depending on the kindness of strangers and at the same-time maybe trying to assuage some of her guilt.

    Jace wouldn¡¯t discount this blessing. Marcia was an attractive woman. She had a lean, feral maturity that Athena lacked. I suspect ¡®lacked¡¯ is the prime word there. Whatever happened, its sharpen her edges, he thought. And might¡¯ve even dulled some of Marcia¡¯.

    They were still ruffled, dirtied, and grey eyed. The long shallow scratches around Athena face and neck, looked sore and red, and in need of stitching. She kept unconsciously patting at the hair on the side of her head. He¡¯d already seen the small bald patch there, and guessed that there was a story behind it.

    Her clothing was now what passed for men¡¯s baggy breeches, suspenders, and a thick woollen shirt pushed to bursting by her huge breasts. The boots she wore were too big for her feet, and clunked dully as she rocked her feet back and forth.

    Her tail was wrapped around her leg down one of the pant sleeves.

    Marcia wore a cotton dyed blue dress, that display her cleavage tightly in a deep V. Only partially covered by the jacket she wore, three sizes too big on her lean frame.

    Her tail swayed idled out behind her, as her ears drooped. ¡°They attacked us a few hours after you left,¡± her face felled towards the floor, her eyes closing. ¡°We thought¡­ we thought they had all chased after you. After all Douglas and I heard them say it was you they wanted. And we had hoped¡­¡±

    She glanced briefly up at him, and Jace nodded for her carry on. He had been hurt by their hope at the time. But the last day or so¡ªor however long it had been¡ªhad been such a blur that he had mostly forgotten about it by now.

    He wasn¡¯t in the business of forgiving everyone. But then again, the Shaw¡¯s hadn¡¯t betrayed him, nor pushed him to make the choice he¡¯d made. Still, it had hurt. But he didn¡¯t blame them.

    Now Douglas is dead. I brought that on them. Maypor and I should see about visiting the Shaw¡¯s lot and seeing the damage for ourselves. Might even find something worth saving.

    ¡°There were too many of them,¡± Athena said, and cleared her throat as it clogged with emotion.

    ¡°There were,¡± Marcia agreed, ¡°Douglas told us to run and try and find safety. After hours of walking through the forest we found Maypors farm.¡± The older fox-woman shot a glanced at Maypor who was no listening intently.

    ¡°It was wrecked. The wretches were eating a Lurka carcass outside. So we managed to sneak inside the main house. We were both looking for supplies,¡± this she added and bowed her head apologetically to the old-woman.

    Maypor waved her hand dismissively, ¡°nothing to worry about. I had already decided to abandoned that place a month ago, when this whole shit started. Whatever you found was fair gain. The important stuff I still hold with me,¡± Maypor said and tapped her temple.

    ¡°Then we were attacked upstairs. Three came after Cain and I, while another entered the room Athena and Gabrielle were in.¡±

    The two fox women looked at each other, and Jace could see the bond between them. The love and care they held, and how thankful they were the other was still alive.

    ¡°I was so frightened,¡± Athena breathed and hugged herself. Jace put an arm around her shoulders and comforted her, pressing a soft kiss against her twitching fox ear. The fur on the ear as soft as silk.

    ¡°You fought well,¡± Marcia cooed to her. And once again Jace was struck by the transformation of the older fox woman. Maybe she¡¯s always been like this. Just guarded around strangers.

    ¡°Yeah, and then pissed myself doing so,¡± Athena retorted, and then sighed, ¡°sorry aunty.¡± Aunty? Wait- what?

    ¡°Its fine. But you did fight well. That thing whatever it was that attacked you, wasn¡¯t normal.¡±

    ¡°Thing?¡± Jace asked them, his mind drawing up the familiar image of the cephalopods. The small squid-like things he¡¯d either killed or crushed on a half-dozen occasions.

    They both described exactly that to him. What he did fine odd though, was the fact that the cephalopod tried to enter Athena¡¯ mouth.

    The thought made him shuddered to think of. He looked at Athena and Marcia for a long moment. Gabrielle dozing quietly against his chest. Could it be their ears? Or is it that they can¡¯t survive for long outside of a wretch¡¯s body? Or maybe¡­ Athena suffocating it actually drove the squid out of the body. But she said, she felt it move up the throat. Jace shook his heads. He had soo many questions and nobody around had any solid answers to give him.

    Looking Maypor, Jace titled his head. ¡°May?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± the old woman hummed questioningly.

    ¡°What say you and I, go check out the Shaw residence?¡±

    ¡°Wait- what? You can¡¯t go out there,¡± Athena gasped and pleaded with him. He saw Marcia nodding her agreement.

    ¡°You¡¯re an alchemist, correct?¡± Jace asked looking at Marcia. The fox-woman actually blushed at his questioned.

    ¡°Of some ¡­ renown,¡± she admitted in a mumble staring at him.

    ¡°And I guess your alchemy supplies are back at the house?¡± he inquired.

    ¡°Yes, they are,¡± she sighed. ¡°Neither of us had enough time to grab them.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± Jace clapped and jolted Gabrielle awake. The baby squirmed in his arms and quickly fell back asleep. ¡°Then May and I will go collect it.¡±

    ¡°But, Jace-¡±

    ¡°We need those supplies,¡± he told her softly and rubbed her back. He noticed Joanna then, watching them all intently. I really need to talk to her, he thought with a mental groan. His day had started brilliantly. Now it simply sucked eggs.

    Instead of a day spent pounding Joanna into the bed. Or comforting Athena and Marcy as they mourned. Or even playing with Gabrielle, or reading with Cain.

    He was once again, going into danger. And wasn¡¯t at all worried that a part of him was delighted at the notion.

 Chapter Seven

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you volunteered me for this, boy,¡± Maypor growled at him as the wagon staggered over a loose stone on the already worn road.

    ¡°You would go stir-crazy being cooped up inside those walls and you know it. I did you a favour, old croon,¡± Jace¡¯ retort ended in a whisper. He smirked at the grouchy old woman¡¯s back.

    He was in the bed of wagon checking over his gear. Maypor had thankfully kept his bow and quiver. Though he noticed that his axe was now missing.

    Might be at the pool by the waterfall?

    Now he had, a small dagger in a belt sheath behind his back. A gift from Joanna. His bow and arrows. His ¡®Magi¡¯ brush case¡ªthough he had no idea how to even begin using it. Something I¡¯ll have to get Joanna to teach me, I¡¯m sure.

    He had managed to escape Trager village before Joanna could bring up the Shaw women with him. He knew she was curious about his involvement with them.

    Honestly Jace was rather surprised by how attached to him they were.

    He¡¯d left the journal back in Joanna house. The mender wanting to study its contents more. He wasn¡¯t exactly sure how more blatantly obvious the journal could get. Tormund Yasgaes had gone mad, before his change. But had also documented the first events of the new Eclipse Cycle, since the last one three hundred years ago.

    Jace patted the brush case, now in the breast pocket of his shirt. Taking comfort from its oddly reassuring presence. All of the clothing the village had charitably given him today when they¡¯d learned where he was going. Were a few sizes too big.

    So Jace had done the smart thing, and simply wore all of it. He now had on two shirts, and a long sleeve nightshirt under them. Over the shirts he shucked a thick jacket with padding on the insides. Around his waist was a simple leather belt, and another he had wrapped another his chest.

    The two pairs of breeches he wore, were of different sizes. The outer layer baggier than the inner one, that clung to Jace like a second skin.

    His feet were so wrapped up so tight that he actually had trouble feeling them. The three pairs of socks and fur lined boots definitely made it seem so.

    His hands were bare due to the lack of gloves in the village.

    Last but not least¡ªand honestly something he had completely forgotten about¡ªwas his wooden and steel vambrace. Apparently it was attached to him now. He hadn¡¯t been able to remove it since putting it on. Not that he had remembered about it enough to even try.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you about that,¡± Maypor called over her shoulder at him. Putting the dagger back in its sheath, he realised how stupid he would¡¯ve been. Sliding the dagger beneath the vambrace. Knowing my luck, I¡¯ll accidentally slash my wrist open. Might as well stick a knife in a toaster. Huh? ugh, whatever.

    ¡°About what?¡± he breathed and swiped a drop sweat from his forehead. The air he exhaled misting as it left him.

    ¡°That armguard or yours.¡±

    ¡°Vambrace,¡± he immediately corrected her. ¡°Armguards are generally used for archery. Vambraces are plate armour used to protect the forearm.¡±

    ¡°Good to know,¡± Maypor retorted dryly. ¡°What I wanted to ask you was. Where the hell did you found something like that. Never seen it¡¯s like before.¡±

    ¡°It was a gift.¡±

    ¡°A gift from who, woodland elves? They generally use wooden armour. Though they¡¯re disgusted by metal work.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say who. Sorry,¡± Jace sighed and shook his head.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine, boy.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s meant to do something, I think,¡± he said finally after a long moment had passed between them. The wagon jarring and rocking as they trundled along the road. The Shaw¡¯s lot wasn¡¯t all that far from Trager village. It was a five hour walk there and back apparently. By wagon the journey was cut by an hour.

    They had left the village an hour ago. The early afternoon chilled by the first signs of wintery frost.

    ¡°Do what?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea. Worse salesmen¡¯s ever. Didn¡¯t even give me a manual,¡± he groused to the air.

    ¡°You have no idea?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Then you should find out, boy.¡±

    Time swept by quickly. The monotonous drone of the wagon¡¯s wheels creaking and the swaying motions, lulled Jace into a nap.

    ¡°We¡¯re here, boy.¡± A voice woke him, startling awake he looked around. They had stopped in front of the wide-open gap in the Shaw¡¯s fence. Jace saw that the wagon that had been wedged through the gap was gone. No longer there.

    He could already see the damage of the place from where he stood. Dropping off the wagon beds, Jace slung his bow over shoulder and silently crept up to the fence. Maypor pulling a long spear out from under the drivers¡¯ bench.

    She and Marit prowled over to him, glanced around the corner and then darted inside the grounds.

    Jace swept in after them, his hand already pinching and twisting an arrow loose from the quiver. Less than a heartbeat later he¡¯d placed his arrow on the string but didn¡¯t draw.

    The thatch houses were completely demolished. The well was layered thickly in copious amounts of blood and viscera. ¡°They¡¯ve contaminated the well,¡± he murmured to Maypor and saw the old woman nod slightly from the corner of his eye.

    Jace eyed the small barn. It was only building on the lot still standing. He jerked his head in its direction and all three of them crept over. Marit immediately let out a soft growl. Maypor patted and fluffing his raised hackles idly as they moved over.

    Maypor sidled over to the barn door, positioning herself on the right side. Jace nodded at the old-woman. An instance later she gripped the door and slid it open as Jace drew and sighted on the creaking, and widening gap.

    Nothing came out, or charged him. He was slightly disappointed. But Marits continuous low growl had him on edge.

    Releasing his breath, Jace relaxed his draw. Maypor pacing wide over to him. ¡°They¡¯ve got to be in there alright,¡± she informed him.

    ¡°You sure?¡± Jace whispered back.

    The older women nodded and jerked a thumb at Marit. The big hound was crouched low and that growl still rumbled out of him. ¡°Only one other time have I¡¯ve seen him do that.¡±

    ¡°At the house?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she shook her white-haired head, ¡°when we found you. Marit was exactly like this around that pool you had lured them to.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get the other door open, need some light to see in there.¡± Maypor ran to the other side and they repeated themselves. Jace drew and held. His bow strongly taut, his knuckle brushing against his cheek as he held steady.

    Again, nothing came out. But what Jace did see this time was the less than hundred bodies curled up on the barn floor in a fetal position, like looked to be hibernating, or sleeping.

    ¡°Shit,¡± he breathed and once again relaxed his arm. ¡°Maypor.¡± He waved the older woman away from the barn doors.

    ¡°What it is?¡± she asked as she came up beside him.

    ¡°They¡¯re sleeping,¡± he whispered back to her. Shouldering his bow, Jace slowly crept to the edge of the barn. Making sure his shadow didn¡¯t obscure any of the sleeping forms.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t good,¡± Jace mumbled quietly under his breath.

    ¡°Burn them?¡± Maypor suggested.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ Not sure we¡¯ll get all of them though.¡± Looking back over the lot, Jace didn¡¯t find what he was looking for. ¡°Where is the wagon?¡±

    ¡°Whose? the Shaw¡¯s? No idea.¡±

    That didn¡¯t at all make sense to him. ¡°Maybe someone else has been here since?¡± he thought aloud.

    ¡°Then let us hurry this up, boy. My wrinkles deepen with each passing moment.¡±

    ¡°Ugh. That wasn¡¯t gross at all. Thanks gran,¡± Jace muttered sarcastically.

    Walking over to the remains of the Shaw¡¯s house. Jace stepped over the debris of straw, wood, and stone. He didn¡¯t see Douglas¡¯ body at all. That worried him as well. Maybe his corpse is hibernating like the rest in the barn.

    Finding the floor hatch, he pulled and tugged on the ring. It creaked loudly followed by a high winding squeak of hinges.

    It hadn¡¯t sounded this bad when Douglas helped Athena out, he thought. And noted that the hinges were rusted and damp. Looking pointedly ancient.

    Gently laying the hatch door down, he peered inside. Douglas had mentioned it as more of a crawl space. What Jace saw instead was the dark pit of a basement. Possibly four or five feet deep.

    ¡°I¡¯m going in. Keep an eye out on the barn while I¡¯m down there,¡± he told Maypor. The old woman nodded, her expression souring as she glanced towards the barn.

    Throwing his bow down first Jace lowered himself and dropped the five feet. The only light inside was that coming through the open hatch above. He squinted and stared at his surroundings.

    ¡°Aaaaa-nooom-aaaa-lyyy,¡± a voice drifted through the underground basement.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he hissed and fumbling his bow off the ground, Jace drew his dagger from behind his back. A wretch lurched out of the shadows. It teeth clacking as its hands outstretched for Jace. He didn¡¯t have to guess whether it wanted a hug or not. All zombies are truly white bunnies at heart. Shame I don¡¯t have a holy hand grenade.

    Growling Jace dodged aside and swung his bow over-head, catching it around the wretches neck with the string. He pulled towards himself and as the wretch stumbled forward, Jace dropped his bow, gripped its head and slammed his dagger through its temple.

    It let out a death rattle and died. Then something impacted onto his back, and Jace jarred forward and rolled. Flipping himself and his piggyback rider onto the basement floor. He cursed and bit back a scream, as sharp pain shot through his right ear.

    The pain worsened a millisecond later, as a cold spike of heat flared, and the top portion of his ear was bitten off. Throwing an elbow over his shoulder, he smashed the wretches nose in. Bucking his feet he managed to loosen its grip on him.

    Rolling left and jumping to his feet, Jace scanned the floor for his dagger. Not finding it, he pulled and twisted an arrow out of his quiver.

    The wretch stumbled to its feet. Jace now seeing that it was a women with her left arm missing. Leaving only the exposed bloody flesh and jagged bone. Through the dim light shining down from the hatch opening, he noticed how the female wretch had light blue skin.

    Slightly azure dull scales lined its neck and face. The backs of its hand scaled and tipped with claws. The wretch wore little more than a loin cloth and wrap around its breasts.

    Its visage was decided human, though its features were more-sharper. It¡¯s nose almost non-existent with thin lines for nostrils.

    It charged Jace, and he rolled to his right and impacted the wall there. Pushing off he dove across the floor. The wretch was fast, able to quickly change its course and keep up with him. Lightly springing to his feet, Jace whipped around and jumped kicked the wretch. Smashing his foot into the side of its face, sending it sprawling onto the floor.

    Straddling its back, Jace eased his arrowhead through the back of its skull as it thrashed and bucked beneath him.

    He was immediately met with resistance. Apparently whatever species this wretch had been. Had thick skulls. Jamming the arrow further in, he began to twist and corkscrew the shaft. He felt nauseous, the sensation of grinding bone trembling along the wooden arrow shaft.

    Eventually he felt a crunch, and the pressure against the arrow head immediately lessened and thrusting the shaft forward he drove the arrow deep into its skull and scrambled its brain. The shaft snapping in his hand.

    The wretch stopped thrashing after that. And Jace leaned heavily against its back. He was sweating fiercely, small salty droplets stinging his eyes and coating his brow.

    Stumbling off the dead wretch Jace scanned the darkness around him. All he saw were shelves lines with small vials and potion bottles. Another filled with small baskets of different ingredients. Jace shuffled around and found his dagger against the far wall, beside a sack that clink as he nudged it.

    Sheathing his dagger, he pulled the clinking sack out. It was a rather heavy and bulky sack. Marcia had only mentioned to him about gathering her ingredients, alchemy apparatuses, potions, and recipe tome.

    Jace unwrapped the sack¡¯s ties and blinked as saw a full set of iron armour. A kite shield of black and white corner squares, and a sheathed long sword.

    Retying the sacks strings, he fastened them tight and dragged it across the floor. ¡°May!¡± Jace called out. A few seconds the older woman¡¯s face peered down at him.

    ¡°Trouble?¡± she asked him, seeing one of the wretch corpses.

    ¡°Almost¡­¡± he sighed and shook his head. Touching a hand to his ear, winced as another cold spike of heated pain shot through him and made his teeth clenched. ¡°Can you lowered the tarp we brought.¡±

    ¡°Tarp?¡±

    ¡°Uh- the waterproof sheeting. The one Gerard gave us. Marcia said it¡¯ll probably be best if we store everything together and hull it out of here. If something breaks- oh well.¡± He shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

    The older woman stared at Jace for a long moment and then ducked away. I¡¯ve been fucking bit. That means¡­ the means my time is limited doesn¡¯t it. ¡°It might be best if I load up everything and send Maypor on her way,¡± he muttered.

    He¡¯d expected to feel something. Fear maybe. But his instincts seemed utterly unconcerned by the prospect of becoming one of them. The dull cold heat throbbed in his ear increased, and pain made his head twist to the side.

    Eyes and teeth clenching tightly shut. He grimaced as the pain worsened. Then all of a sudden. It halted and he was left feeling numb and drained of energy, his stomach felt empty. And his ear itched like crazy.

    Taking deep shallow breaths Jace felt at his ear, and found that it was completely whole again. ¡°That,¡­ isn¡¯t meant to happen,¡± he breathed out slowly. His mind shooting back to when he woke up in Maypors hut.

    How¡¯d you.. fix my f-forearm?

    Your arm? You fixed that yourself. Fastest healing I¡¯ve ever seen on a Magi. I guess you were too depleted from your run and your fight in the pool, to dispel all the ailments of your body.

    Holy fuck batman! he thought and shook his head in disbelief. ¡°Maybe I should see Joanna, about this whole Magi- thing after all.¡±

    Not long after that, Maypor returned and slung a thick corded bundle down to him. He caught it easily and spent the next minutes spreading it out across the basement floor.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Then he went back and forth, grabbing everything he could find and carry, Jace dropped them onto the center of the sheet.

    He found Marcia¡¯ recipe book. Flicking through it, he saw that almost every page in the large tome had an illustration, handwritten paragraphs and diagrams of what mixed well with what and their effects.

    When he had packed as much as he could. He grabbed and unwound the cord, going to each corner of the sheet. He threaded a line through a small metallic eye-hole and tied them off. Throwing the line up through the open hatch, Maypor caught it and began to pull the massive bundle into the air.

    Jace was surprised that the old-woman was strong enough to haul the heavy supplies up. A few minutes after that and that Jace jumped up, caught the ledge of the hatch and pulled himself up.

    Dusting his hands he looked up to see the Maypor standing with her long spear pointed at him. ¡°Bites?¡±

    ¡°None,¡± Jace replied and with his hands up he spun slowly.

    ¡°There is a lot of blood on the side of your head, boy.¡± The old woman informed him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not mine.¡± You¡¯ll just sound crazy telling her you healed the bite. On the matter of infected though¡­ he mentally gave a shrug. Deciding to monitor himself closely over the next few hours. ¡°There was a wretch down there. It was unlike any I¡¯d seen so far.¡±

    He described the reptilian female wretch. ¡°A Dracokin. They usually live to the far south in tribal groups. The Haunted Lands is mostly hot and dry desert. They prefer their solitude. It does not surprise me one of them is a wretch.¡±

    ¡°Whys that?¡± he asked her and grabbing one of the cords he helped Maypor move the large bundle towards her wagon.

    ¡°The wretches retreated to the Haunted lands three hundred years ago, after the last eclipse. The southern kin tribes are a barrier between the wretches and the duchy of Primmar. If anyone was to be hit first it would be them.¡±

    Jace nodded, it made a sort of sense. But if the Haunted lands are to south. And that¡¯s where the Wretches fled to last time. How in the hell did they wide up in the far eastern territories? That¡¯s got to be a wide scope of land to cover. All to attack a fort of rogue High Magi. He pondered this as they shuffled through the broken fence and to the wagon.

    This could only mean that either they knew of the rogue Magi somehow. Or something here in this forest is extremely important to them. He scanned his eyes across the dense span of trees outside the Shaw¡¯s lot. Clanging the supplies in the back he jumped on and sat down. Maypor taking her seat and reins.

    A few seconds they were off.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Smoke up ahead,¡± Maypor hissed back to him. Shuffling to his feet and swaying as the wagon halted, Jace looked to where the old woman pointed. He saw it. Even if she hadn¡¯t pointed he would¡¯ve seen it. Rising up over the far tree line before them.

    The road ahead curved right, Jace remembering the narrow road and tall arching trees that darkened the path in shadows.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± he asked her.

    ¡°Well, last I checked wretches don¡¯t light fires. So that¡¯s either someone¡¯s camp-¡± Maypor began. Jace focused on the smoke. It was a dark black smog, and was thicker than a simple camp fire. ¡°-fire, or someone¡¯s unfortunately set their house ablaze,¡± she finished.

    Jace nodded, ¡°do you know of anyone who lives along here. Because I don¡¯t remember seeing that smoke on our way to the Shaw home.¡±

    ¡°Neither do I¡­¡± Maypor mused and trailed off. ¡°It could be bandits.¡±

    ¡°Bandits? You have something like that here?¡± he asked her, looking as dumbfounded as he sounded.

    ¡°A few,¡± Maypor chuckled dryly. ¡°Most are simply called bandits because they live deeper in the forest than most. There were rumours of a woodland elf settlement around here a number of years ago. A few researchers and a team of mercenaries travelled deeper east, and were never seen again.¡±

    ¡°Could this be woodland elves?¡± Jace asked.

    ¡°Doubtful. None around here have ever seen any. They¡¯re a reclusive lot, the wood elf¡¯s. And we¡¯ve nothing they could possibly want.¡±

    ¡°So that leaves us with bandits being the likely option,¡± Jace sighed. ¡°Stay here for two minutes. I¡¯m going to flank out to our left and go around. I¡¯ll try to meet back up with you on the road ahead.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Be careful, boy. I would hate to break the news to your women of your death.¡±

    ¡°Women? gran! I¡¯ll have you know that my relationship with those three is purely platonic.¡±

    ¡°I may be old, boy. But my hearing is still sharp. The sounds Joanna made all of last night had most of that poor village up and rousing to kick down her door.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± he blushed, grinned stupidly and shrugged his shoulders. ¡°See you a bit,¡± he chirped and jumping off the wagon he darted into the forest, Maypor¡¯ dry laughter trailing behind him.

    Moving swiftly through the woods, Jace unslung his bow and held it tight. He eased down his mental wall. Allowing his mind to fully take in his surroundings.

    He breathed the earthy fresh scent. And tasted the acrid smoke on the air. He trained his hearing and listened out as he moved.

    Homing in on a distant scraping noise, he sprinted ahead.

    He found a small dried up gully, and sliding down its bank he looked right. Seeing the gullies ditch bent to the left and disappearing behind a hill. He saw the smoke more closely now. It wafted up, a thick column towering high into the air before him.

    The scent was far stronger, and his nose twitched with the onset of a sneeze. Likely a cave or cut out of rock where the camp is. Looking back up the hill, Jace decided his course.

    Crawling up the steep rise he came to the edge and peer down. Eight men in dirty leather armour sat around a large cook fire. On it, and slowly turning was a boar tied to a spit. The men chuckled and another carved slices off the boar with a knife. The boar wiggled uselessly, in its constrains. Its muffled squeals, dully travelled to his ears.  Jace realised it wasn¡¯t even dead yet. And they cutting slices and devouring the raw bloody flesh.

    He swallowed and gagged reflexively. Some didn¡¯t even take the time to shave off the fur, simply stuffing their mouths full. He heard a scream then and looking around he saw no one else down there. Then one of them barked something Jace didn¡¯t understand, and throwing down his goblet he stood up and marched beneath the hill.

    A small dark green-skinned man, walked out from the direction the other man had gone.

    This small green figure, had a nest of dark orange hair atop its head, long hairy pointed ears, and a crooked nose. It was about four feet in height, and twirled a wickedly jagged bone dagger.

    Another scream came and this time, Jace knew it was distinctly female. The former man returned dragging a young green-skinned girl in a light violet cotton dress. Her thick dark hair was almost purple and was clumped together as the man fist as he pulled her along the ground as she kicked and screamed. Her hands trying feebly to pried his own off of her.

    Then another man stood up beside the fire, this one was rotund and ginger. Hung on his belt was a steel hammer. Jace eyed him and noted how the others stopped whatever they were doing and watched him carefully.

    He walked over to the man who¡¯d dragged the girl out and patted him harshly on the face. Then he spoke to the girl, more words Jace didn¡¯t understand.

    ¡°Fuck you,¡± the girl replied, her words stunted by a thick accent. She spat on him, and cried out as his fist flashed and struck her hard in the face. She went limp in the other mans grasp. Her hands falling to flop at her sides.

    The ginger man stood and started to fumbling with his pants. ¡°This is fucked up,¡± Jace murmured. I¡¯m not gonna sit here and watch this fucker rape that girl, he thought fuming. But instead of doing as Jace thought he would. The man began pissing on the young girls face. Splattering her dress wetly and darkening the light violet.

    The girl woke up spluttering as the man finished. She gagged and tried not vomited over herself. The ginger waved the other man to drag her back under the hill.

    ¡°Now¡¯s my chance,¡± he muttered, and creeping backwards slowly. Jace pulled himself away from the ledge and slid ass first back down the hill. The high ground the hill offered was a fine position. But gave him no coverage of beneath the hill.

    If he started firing and they ran under, he¡¯d loose his targets and have to waste time repositioning for another shot.

    Following along the bed of the dried-up gully. Jace lowered onto his hands and knees as he came to the corner bend. Leaning out he saw the back of the man who was sat turning the spit with the live boar on it.

    Unslinging his bow, Jace nocked an arrow. The slightly bent one he realised. He¡¯d have to adjust his aim ever-so-slightly. But he should manage. Creeping across the gully to the opposite bank, he jumped up, caught the edge, pulled, and slid onto his belly.

    He laid there in the dirt, mud and damp leaves. Staying completely still.

    No shouts of alarm. Good.

    Rolling to his right several times until he had a clear view of the heads of the men at the camp, he looked passed them. Homing his eyesight, he squinted and saw that the hill did in fact have a large alcove cut out of it. Within the alcove were two large cages and a wagon with a black barred cage.

    Dirty and frightened people were huddled within.

    As if the fucking undead and walking-talking squids weren¡¯t enough. No, add slavers and kidnappers to the list. Growling loudly, Jace didn¡¯t even think twice and standing to a knee he drew the string taut, exhaled a breath, and loosed.

    The arrow sprouted through the spit turners back and slumped him over into the camp fire. The others froze and that gave Jace enough time to pinch, twist, nock, draw, and loose.

    He took ginger through the throat. Standing fully, Jace drew again. Without even looking he somehow was aware that this was the second slightly bent arrow. Adjusting his aim, he released, and the arrow flew true impaling another through his thigh. The man screamed, grasped at his leg and fell to the floor yelling pain-filled howls. Two down. One injured. Five left. Eight arrows remaining.

    He strung again, his bow twanging musically in his hands. Another arrow penetrated the mans leather and pierced his heart. He stopped grasping his leg and died. Three down. Jace twisted his aim, and drew. The sound a resonant sympathy as he sighted on the goblin running for the cages.

    Forgot to include you. Correction: Five left. And one goblin.

    He was aware of the other men rushing him.

    Jace exhaled and released. The arrow propelled across the distance and sliced through the goblins Achilles heel. It went down skidding across the ground and into the cages where he clanged noisily. The hands of the people inside grasped the goblin as he screamed, they began to choke the life out of him.

    Jace looked back the other men.

    All five charging him at once. One of the men, wielding a nasty stained axe swiped at his head. Jace ducked under the strike, pinched and twisted an arrow free from his quiver. Then slammed it through the axe man¡¯s left foot. The man gasped and stumbled past Jace, as he then tore the arrow out, spun it around his fingers, nocked, drew it taut, and loosed into the back of axe-man¡¯s head.

    Five arrows left.

    Four men remaining.

    Throwing his bow aside, Jace unsheathed his dagger but kept it concealed behind his thigh. ¡°P-please don¡¯t hurt me,¡± he cried out and began to slowly kneel on the floor. Shaking with false whimpering sobs.

    The men shouted at Jace angrily, one of them stomping forward. He wielded a one-handed broadsword with a dark-steel basket hilt. He snarled something in his language at Jace, and marched over to stand within inches of him.

    Jace smiled, and flickering his dagger around into a reverse grip, he swept out and buried the tip in the man¡¯s left upper thigh.

    He screamed bloody murder and collapsed towards Jace. His sword arm flailing wildly trying to slice him up. Rolling to his right Jace flicked his wrist and sent his dagger spinning into the next man¡¯s gut at his three o¡¯clock.

    The man gasped and immediately slid Jace¡¯s dagger free, and threw it to the ground. Idiot, Jace thought. Spinning around he ran away and kicked his bow up into the air. Catching it he ran further into the woods, away from the hill.

    Looking over his shoulder, he saw two men easily keeping pace with him. While the third, the one with the gut wound panted as he lagged behind.

    Jace weaved around trees and hopped over rocks. Twisting around he calmly withdrew an arrow from his quiver. Sighting the two men, he saw that they had parted. Each one moving to either side of him. Luckily that left his target.

    Gut wound came into sight, and Jace drew the bow string taut. In a flash of speed the feather fletching of his arrow sprouted out of gut wound¡¯s face. The arrow planted just beneath his right eye.

    He flopped to the forest floor dead.

    Spinning to his nine o¡¯clock Jace bashed the man¡¯s hand axe aside, followed by thrusting the end of his bow into the mans throat. The man heaved a gasp and stumbled backwards, his hand darting up instinctively to touch his throat.

    Jace ducked as the second man on his six o¡¯clock thrust a spear over his head. The tip burying through the gagging man¡¯s left eye. Weaving back around Jace kicked the spearman in his groin. He heard a distinct pop, and the man yelled frightfully, fumbling and clutching at his burst sack as he fell to the ground.

    Bending over the man with the spear through his eye, Jace wrenched it out and flicked the blood and juices off. Walking back over to nutless man, he shoved the spear point through the man¡¯s neck. Making sure to go penetrate slowly.

    The man squeaked and tried to pull away from the spear, but froze as it ease through his neck. His breathing became halted and haggard. Blood splayed from his lips as Jace twisted the spear and withdrew.

    ~*~*~*~

    Walking back into the kidnappers camp, he found a bloody trail leading up to the cages at the back. He had noticed that the man with the basket-hilted broadsword, was no longer where he¡¯d fallen. Jace walked over, dropped his load of weapons and leather armour onto the ground and waited before the cages.

    ¡°Vonu canarrish. Del- del¡¯da lecky,¡± the man spat. The young green-skinned girl in his arms whimpered as Jace¡¯ own dagger bit into her throat. She was the same one, he¡¯d seen them drag out and piss on previously.

    The man holding her grunted more gibberish at Jace. ¡°Look,¡± Jace said and held up both of his hands. ¡°I really don¡¯t understand a fucking word you¡¯re saying. Seriously. It¡¯s literally all Klingon to me pal,¡± Jace shook his head.

    At Jace¡¯ words the man pressed his dagger even tighter against the girls throat. ¡°Kapa dun hesh. Nal- nal,¡± the man swayed and practically clung to the girl more out of support now.

    Blood pissed down his leg and pool on the floor. Jace had been certain in his precision. The man¡¯s femoral artery was gushing overtime.

    His head lulled and his grip loosened on the green-skinned girl. She started, and immediately ran off to the side. Walking over and shaking his head, Jace watched as the man collapsed to the ground. Jace¡¯ dagger falling limp from his hand.

    ¡°Sorry, Worf. But thems the breaks,¡± and picking his dagger up Jace thrust it upwards from beneath the man¡¯s chin. He gurgled and feebly tried to swipe his hand at Jace. A second he was finally dead. ¡°Eh. Probably couldn¡¯t let him bleed out. Now my arm is fucking soaked in his blood,¡± he groused and standing up he realised a few people were standing there. All of them staring at him.

    For a second his mind did a double take and harkened back to few days ago. Waking up with no idea of who he really was¡ªwhich hasn¡¯t changed¡ªand everyone staring at him like a choir of lost and frighten sheep.

    These people¡ªthough all of them were decidedly not human¡ªlooked at him the same way.

    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Jace,¡± said Jace and turning around he went in search of more loot.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°What in Shre¡¯s light did you do, boy?¡± Maypor¡¯ eyes almost jumped out of her head at the sight of him. Or it might¡¯ve been the fourteen other people following along behind him.

    They were a sullen lot. He guessed them to be orcs or maybe even half-orcs. He had thought they were dryad¡¯s at first, but each of the women¡ªand all fourteen were women¡ªhad tiny little tusks that were only exposed when they open their mouths widely.

    None of them had spoken to him either. Not even the small girlish one, and he knew she knew some of their language.

    So he¡¯d looted the camp, loaded them all up like pack mule, and left.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked her with false innocence.

    ¡°Why are a bunch of she-orcs trailing you?¡± Maypor reiterated and rubbed at her wrinkled brow.

    ¡°Calm down, granny. You¡¯ll give yourself an aneurism if you don¡¯t relax.¡±

    ¡°Annur-your-what?¡±

    ¡°Eh, never mind. I don¡¯t even know myself anymore,¡± Jace sighed. ¡°As for the she-orcs¡ªI had no idea they were actually orcs¡ªwell, they were held captive by a group of slavers? Kidnapper? I¡¯m not sure what they were.¡±

    ¡°Where are they now?¡± she asked him as Jace went around the back and set his load on the wagon. It was mainly weapons he had found and liked.

    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re dead. Like no sequels nor undead comebacks for them. God damn what is wrong with me,¡± he muttered and rubbed at his head. After killing the slaver/kidnapper/bandits his head had started to ache. It pulsed and pounded, to the point that he was having trouble understanding what nonsense was spouting out of his mouth.

    Not that that was anything new to him. The young girl walked over to stand beside the bench and thrust a hand up towards Maypor. The older woman frowned down at the green-skinned girl.

    ¡°It¡¯ll take us hours at this point, boy.¡± Maypor sighed at him, ignoring the short she-orc.

    ¡°I know, May. What else could I do? Trust me I tried to shoo them away. But they just kept staring at me like I was bad owner, and was beating them. I felt like I was the Henderson¡¯s telling Harry, ¡°you got to back where you belong now.¡±¡± He winced as his head throbbed painfully.

    ¡°Master. The wrinkly-one will not help me up,¡± the short green-skinned girl pouted.

    ¡°Master?¡± Maypor and he said at the exact same time. Jace felt his eyebrows raise up in surprised.

    ¡°Of course. It is the way of our law. Our father was killed, and we were captured to be sold into slavery. Master saved us, from being sent to a Lord Dakic.¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡± Maypor hissed as soon as the girl finished.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jace asked the old woman.

    ¡°Lord Dakic, is the appointed official of Oedrin. Apparently he angered some nobleman who is close friends with Duke Barrendale. So the duke sent him here.¡±

    ¡°And for some unknown reason, he¡¯s buying orc slaves.¡±

    ¡°We aren¡¯t simple orcs, Master. We¡¯re-¡± the girl interrupted.

    ¡°The goblin-races are already viewed distastefully by most in the kingdom. They generally are slaves. Viewed no better than elves and dwarves,¡± Maypor supplied.

    ¡°We¡¯re the Saracae. Or as your people would say master, we are clan huntresses.¡± the short girl noted.

    ¡°Riiight¡­¡± Jace replied and shot a look at Maypor. The old woman smirked and turned to the young orc girl.

    ¡°Sorry dear. But your new master has little knowledge of this world.¡±

    ¡°May-¡± Jace started but the old woman waved him off.

    ¡°They will not betray you, boy. The Saracae are elite warriors in orcish tribe warfare. They¡¯re usually the elite guard for a clan chief.¡±

    ¡°You know a fair bit of our ways wrinkly-one,¡± the young orc girl mused.

    Jace shook his head and sighed. Why does shit keep getting more and more complicated. It was so much easier in Parkers Hold. Just ran around killing things. Looking to the orc women, Jace frowned. ¡°All of you are Saracae?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master,¡± the girl bowed her hair, and the other thirteen followed.

    ¡°And how am I your master?¡±

    ¡°Honour, Master. Our father was killed. We failed him. Then the Bidish captured us as we mourned. They revealed their plans. Boasted that this Lord Dakic, sent men and assassinated our father.¡± The more she spoke, the thicker her accent got.

    ¡°Then you killed them singlehandedly. You succeeded where fourteen failed. Our years ahead, would¡¯ve been dreadful. Now we will devote our lives to you. To repay the debt of what could¡¯ve been.¡±

    Rubbing at his face and sighing, Jace whispered, ¡°could¡¯ve at least given me a pack of nymph girls instead.¡± No now he had fourteen warrior orc women, that needed clothing, food, weapons. Not even to mentioned where the hell they were going to stay in the village.

    ¡°I broke it. Might as well own up to it,¡± Jace mumbled as he waved the orc women onto the back of the wagon. ¡°Let¡¯s at least get moving. I do not want to be stuck here come nightfall¡±

    Maypor helped the short orc girl up onto the bench beside her. Marit hopping into the back to nestle beside Jace on the already packed wagon bed. The orc women were strikingly beautiful, yet they had an expressionless stoic demeanour about them, and everything they did.

    ¡°Joanna, is going to love this,¡± he said and Maypor barked a chuckle.

    ¡°Joanna?¡± the girl orc asked curiously.

    ¡°She¡¯s my¡­¡± he trailed off. what exactly? Girlfriend? Mate? Oh shit, could we be engaged or something. He didn¡¯t know the customs of this world. In fact Jace didn¡¯t know any customs or traditions. ¡°¡­woman,¡± he finished blandly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the other two,¡± Maypor noted helpfully.

    ¡°Master has three mates?¡±

    ¡°No, I really don¡¯t-¡±

    ¡°Yes, the boy does. The other two are mourning the loss of someone dear to them,¡± Maypor cut him off.

    Jace¡¯ eyes twitched. And once again he sighed. His headache pounding a roaring tempo. Badoom- badoom- badoom- he closed his eyes and wished for sleep to claim him.

    Eventually it did. But sleep¡ªas Jace was coming to realise¡ªwouldn¡¯t be wholly peaceful.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Eight

    He gasped as the world dissolved around him. Then a familiar plane¡ªone he¡¯d only visited once before¡ªcoalesced around him. The dark scape and never-ending ground fog, rolled on for what seemed like forever.

    Jace looked down at his feet, beneath the glassy ground, the inky dark waters of the void stared back at him. Every now and then, he spotted the outline of moment. Formless shapes mingling and merging, then parting and drifting away.

    He felt eyes on him from above, and fought the urge to look up. But the attention from it was all consuming. Not the crushing pressure he¡¯d felt previously.

    Well, now I can remember being here more clearly. He remembered how the entity had spoken to him. It had been surprised to find him here.

    You¡¯re a strange creature. The voice drifted to him. Seeming far off, then hitting him in a ghastly whisper.

    ¡°How am I strange?¡± the words left him unbidden. And he remembered that it thought based speech here.

    You still retain something of your former self. I can sense it. I never did chew my food properly. It seemed to sighed then, and the glass beneath Jace rattled with vibration. Oh well.

    ¡°What are you?¡± Jace asked and his voice echoed across the Wakeful Plane.

    A boring question, it noted. I had hoped for more intelligent company.

    Pressure began to build around Jace¡¯ mind. He winced and tried to build his mental wall. Instead of visualising it internally, the wall he imagined began to form before his very eyes. It was a ridiculous brick wall and only face one side, in front of him.

    It was about four feet wide, and seven feet in height. It formed out of the fog that layered the ground. Looking smoky and frail. The pressure in his mind doubled and the wall hissed and fizzled out. The fog dissipating.

    Curious. The pressure eased up, but didn¡¯t abate. Thinking quickly, Jace swept his arms and visualised internally on what he wanted. The fog around him bloomed into the air and began to swirl around his figure.

    A shrill cry went up, and something thumped into the glass beneath. An oval barrier of grey fog stabilized around Jace. Its structure constantly changing and moving. The pressure in his mind ceased completely.

    Well done. You are indeed a surprise. But you are not the first. They as well made the mistake of travelling so deeply here. As if to punctuate the entity¡¯ point a loud crack split the air and roared across the plane. Looking ahead of himself Jace saw the glassy surface splinter in a spider web of cracks.

    He had taken the fog from his surroundings to make his mental shield, but in doing so had exposed whatever dwelled beneath the glass.

    Another thump reverberated through the glass and wobbled his legs. Jace wanted to run, but remembered Joanna¡¯s warning. Maybe whatever is trying to break through, constitutes as something I¡¯m not ready to face. Backpedalling Jace stumbled over his feet.

    Careful. The entity mused and Jace looked over his shoulder. A sheer dropped three feet behind him fell away into a thick sea of grey clouds hundreds of feet down.

    Crunch!

    Crack!

    ¡°Sccccrrrrreeeeeee!¡±

    Horrid little things. The entity commented as a terrifying screech filled the plane, and Jace clutched at his ears as it seemed to penetrate his mind. He screamed a short cry that was interrupted as the glass broke over in a geyser of black glass and dark fluid.

    For a timeless moment the shards of glass floated upwards, seeming caught in some kind of fixed, frozen state. The dark fluid bubbling up towards the sky as if gravity had been reversed.

    Then a bubbly black ooze arm, shot up through the crack stretching ten feet in height. Then the tips of its four fingers burst open and long wicked obsidian claws¡ªthat look similar to the glassy floor of the plane¡ªshink out.

    Then the arm slammed down into the glass and crunch it as its long claws pierce through.

    ¡°What is that thing?¡± Jace yelled loudly.

    Disappointment, the godly being replied matter-of-factly.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    My predecessors interpretation of evil. Such a convoluted illusion.

    ¡°So this evil god, or whatever it was. It made this?¡± Jace cried out, as a leg pounded through the glass floor smashing another hole and sending black shards spinning into the ether. The droplets of dark fluid raining into the thick cloud of sky above.

    No. This is the consequences of a world  left abandoned.

    Jace looked around frantically, searching for anything he could use. He needed some kind of weapon. The steel panel in the centre of the wooden vambrace, was alight with silvery blue symbols, and on the panel itself was the image of a bow and arrow.

    Now that. Is interesting, the entities voice boomed in surprise. The glass floor the black-ooze thing was trying to break through, completely shattered then. Jace¡¯ entire mental barrier evaporated in a puff of mist and smoke.

    The sky above him roared and Jace involuntarily looked up. An enormous kraken-like monster filled the dark cloudy sky.

    Jagged purple bolts of lightning blasted the clouds illuminating the entities enormity. It was colossal. You¡¯ve something of the reclaimer in your possession. How curious.

    Before anything could happen, the black ooze creature burst out through the glass floor in a spray of fluid. it hit the ground and screamed at the sky with a terrible roar.

    Jace watched as its mercurial form oozed and split in two. Each half coalescing a full body. Now two black ooze creatures screeched there feral animalistic defiance.

    ¡°Shit!¡± Jace barked painfully in surprise and flinched his arm up. A searing white heat blazed through his forearm. Glancing down he saw that the symbol of the bow and arrow was now shining brightly on the panel in his vambrace.

    Squinting at the symbol, Jace followed his instincts¡ªwhich were telling him to touch it¡ªand pressed his thumb against the image.

    The white heated light burned even brighter and the vambrace oozed and liquefied. Its form sliding and remoulding into a new shape. On his right arm now, instead of a vambrace was crossbow. It was mounted primarily on his wrist, the wire tight string, seemed to be made of corded steel. He felt a trigger mechanism glide into place between his slightly bent fingers.

    Rising the crossbow Jace took aim at the ooze creatures, and realised there wasn¡¯t even a bolt loaded on the damn thing. Allow me, said a voice spinning across his mind. Then his aim rose higher and higher, until he was now aiming at the kraken-like entity, floating monstrously in the sky.

    Be alarmed, the new voice warned, this may hurt quite a bit.

    Before Jace could even parcel out what was going on, the ooze creatures shrieked and began to lumber towards him. At the same time, the entity summoned several hundred crackling bolts of purple lightning around itself. All of them aimed at Jace. Who sat there on his ass, scarred witless as his arm wavered in the air, aiming at the godly monster above.

    White hot heat fried up his arm, and Jace cried out as what felt like thousands of bee stings struck somewhere deep inside his gut. Then he was lesser than he was previously. An emptiness space inside him, and Jace swayed nauseated. Then that congregation of¡­ something pulsed and the burning pain in his arm was replaced by a blinding blue light.

    The ooze creatures shied away and screamed angrily at the light now emanating from his arm. More specifically, from his wrist mounted crossbow. A bolt of iridescent blue manifested on the bow, and clicked into place.

    The sky thundered with a cacophony of what sounded like the repetitive booms of shock waves. The hundreds of purple lightning bolts lanced down from the sky towards him.

    You may wish to fire the bolt soon. I imagine those things the Fragment is shooting at you, could hurt. Hurt quite badly, in fact, this new voice in his mind mused seeming unconcerned.

    Without further hesitation, Jace pulled the trigger and flinched. Nothing happened. ¡°Hey- what the hell? this thing isn¡¯t even-¡± he was interrupted when his arm snapped back and dislocated. The blazing blue bolt of whatever it was, launched into the air.

    Blasting towards the Fragment.

    ¡°Shiiiiiit!¡± Jace yelled out, as his arm practically windmill out of its socket. The glassy floor beneath him cracked and Jace looked, fanning a bit of creeping fog away. A webbing network of cracks split all around him. Iridescent blue light shone through the cracks. Jace glanced upwards.

    His bolt shot towards the entity like a brilliant shooting star, passing the several hundred purple lightning bolts forking down like thousands of arrows blocking out the sun. He lurched as the glass splintered and crunched under his weight. A cry pierced through the crackling air and Jace whipped his head to the right. One of the ooze creatures was sprinting on all fours directly for Jace.

    Without any thought to what he was doing, Jace got to his knees and began to pound the fist of his left hand into the glassy surface.

    Each successive strike deepening the cracks.

    ¡°Glass?¡± crunch.

    ¡°Who.¡± crunch.

    ¡°Gives.¡± crunch.

    ¡°A shit.¡± crunch again.

    ¡°ABOUT GLASS!¡± His fist smashed through the glassy surface and Jace cried out as brilliant blue light beamed into his face. Then the side of his chest burned hotly as the ooze creature connected with him. It¡¯s claw scraping across his ribs, slicing into him as it then burst into a thick cloud of ash.

    Everything jolted, and the ground rippled like a wave.

    The first of the purple lightning bolt smashed all around him and Jace¡¯ yell was muted as a booming shockwave blasted through the air. His bolt impacting the entity square on.

    Jace fell into a sea of clear blue fluid, his mouth bubbling air in surprise. Below him he saw the dark plane and the brilliant display of lightning. Each bolt that impacted the blue sea, detonated on the surface. Yet the water¡¯s were calm for Jace. It was as if he was on the opposite side of the glass now.

    He began to float downwards. His feet pulled by an unknown force. He touched down on his feet at the precipice of the waters¡¯ surface. Looking down, he saw the dark cloudy sky on the other side roiled as something thrashed angrily through it.

    It looked like a churn battlefield. Then he flinch away as words were burned into the light blue glassy floor he now stood on.

    I know all that you were and could ever be. You will never escape what you have wrought here. This pocket will only sustain you for so long. Until next we meet. Anomaly.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Jace gurgled and bubble¡¯s escape his mouth.

    ¡°Well and truly,¡± that newer voice shouted in Jace¡¯s mind. He clutched at his head and howled a fit of curses.

    ¡°Sorry. Been a long while since I¡¯ve done this,¡± the voice said dubiously.

    ¡°Done what?¡± Jace asked it in a spray of bubbles.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t have to hold your breath you know. The whole abyssal plane is subjective to the individual. The deep-one¡ªthe bastard he was¡ªdid a rather bang up job of this plane. Anyway for now, your in desperate need of rest. You¡¯re already back at Trager village. So I suggest you actually get some sleep.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t come back here, will I?¡± Jace asked the voice worriedly.

    ¡°Nope. Not unless I pull you through. We¡¯ll need to prepare yourselves to eventually face the Fragment once again. This is only a temporary pocket plane after all. It was right in saying this will not sustain you.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­ uh- what do I call you?¡± Jace asked.

    Oh yes. I am Dexica. You may call me Dexi,¡± the voice informed him. ¡°Now shoo. Go to sleep. I expended a lot of your mana protecting you.¡±

    With that said, Jace immediately felt himself grow heavy and his consciousness sunk into a dreamless¡ªtravel(less)¡ªsleep.

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena grunted as Maypor clipped her legs with her spear and pulled her feet out from under her. She hit the cold pack ground hard. Air exploding out of her lungs. She instinctively rolled over and began checking her on tail. It was numb but nothing seemed broken.

    Ever since the old woman and the pack of Saracae orc women had arrived back at the village with an unconscious Jace. Athena had asked Maypor to train her in combat.

    She never wanted to feel useless ever again. This was to protect her baby. Speaking of her little girl. Apparently the Saracae women had taken a liking to Gabrielle instantly. Constantly petting and stuffing her daughter with treats and toys of carved figures made from wood.

    The trove of loot they returned with, had contained the majority of orc women¡¯s, fathers wealth. All of which now apparently belong to Jace. And, so did the Saracae orc-women.

    Athena wanted to be like them and was admittedly jealous. The Saracae practically avoided Joanna like the plague. Though Athena felt it was more a weary suspicious of magic than her being an elf.

    Marcia, Cain and Amadis, the oldest yet shortest of the orc women amongst the Saracae. Were currently setting up a temporary lab, where her aunt and hopefully Athena herself would begin fixing potions and helpful tinctures.

    They were currently staying in Joanna¡¯ home. Both Marcia, Joanna and her feeling it was better to stay besides Jace.

    Joanna had suggested rather annoyed to the fourteen Saracae women now camped in her garden, that they should move some of their number over to Maypor temporary house.

    Amadis and Deanna, Amadis¡¯ younger¡ªyet taller¡ªsister, had firmly refused and replied that they would only move when their ¡®Master¡¯ ordered them so.

    Athena had found that rather amusing. She¡¯d never seen Joanna so quickly and firmly shut down before. Yet another thing she was beginning to be jealous of. Not only had Joanna claimed Jace before her. But now there were fourteen other women to contend with, not including her aunt Marcia.

    It was strange watching Marcia faun over Jace as he lay unconscious. A part of her felt like she should¡¯ve been annoyed that Marcia had moved on so quickly. But at night, she still heard Marcia crying for her father.

    Love, sex, and relationships came quickly and rather forcibly on Aederon. Women without husbands or ties to a family were generally seen as inconsequential. Wealthy women, or those of considerable standing were viewed with distrust. Even by other women. Even when the gender ratio leaned heavily in the female corner. A woman without a partner was something to scoff at.

    Men fought in duels to claim another¡¯s wife. Yet the woman, even if she had power and money, had no say in the matter.

    She felt like Jace would see this world differently if he knew the ins and outs of everything. For her own sake, for her life, and her daughter¡¯s life. Athena would attached herself to him. Even if it meant sharing him. It was the way of things after all.

    ¡°Where is your head at, girl?¡± Maypor barked at her and Athena flinched away from her thoughts.

    ¡°S-sorry, May.¡±

    ¡°He will be fine,¡± Maypor told her softly, yet firmly. ¡°You on the other hand, must be challenged.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Challenged?¡± Athena asked, feeling daunted by Maypors¡¯ words.

    ¡°You have to fight for what you want. That young man in there killed eight Bidish slavers Yesterday. A feat even I am incapable of.¡±

    ¡°Because your old?¡± Athena blurted out and then winced.

    ¡°Because I¡¯m old,¡± Maypor agreed and smiled. ¡°You must learn your own limits. Now again!¡±

    Athena firmly gripped both of the doubled sided axes in hand, and circled the older woman.

    Then she darted forward and twirled, her body fluid as she followed each of her swings through with another. Battering away at the old woman¡¯s precise and deft attempts at blocking and countering her attacks. Athena thought back to her father.

    Douglas had been in with the Oedrin town guard for several years before the riots that had claimed her mother. In that time, he had also helped to train the new recruits that joined the barracks. Now Athena wished that she had asked her father to train her as well.

    She knew a few of his movements and steps, simply from memory. But that fact that she was a woman, made them harder. For one a few of the steps she¡¯d seen him practice, didn¡¯t take into account that Athena¡¯ breasts were huge.

    Which was made even more obvious, when the sheathed tip of Maypors spear smacked across her chest.

    ¡°Owww,¡± Athena grimaced and stopped fighting to rubbed her left boob.

    ¡°You need tighter clothing, girl. And something to wrap your chest properly.¡±

    Athena blushed a bright red at the old woman¡¯s words. ¡°Not my fault, nobody here is of a similar size,¡± Athena shot the woman a dirty look.

    ¡°The Saracae are close enough in size to your ridiculous chest,¡± Maypor retorted back and smirked as Athena blushed even deeper. ¡°Come, let¡¯s take a break. We¡¯ve been going for a while.¡±

    Athena followed Maypor over to a pair of stools behind Joanna¡¯ home. Inside they could hear to muted discussion coming from the kitchen area, where the alchemy equipment was being set up.

    They sat in silence for a time. Simply listening to the daily bustle of village life. It was louder than what she had been used to the last couple of months.

    Yet something kept tripping her senses. It was the lack of natural sounds. Those that came from animals¡ªoh, there were a few in the village itself. But the forest, where was the chirping of birds calling in the early hours of morn?

    The scurrying of insects and other animals?

    Even the wind seemed silent.

    Everything other than the noise in the village seemed ¡­ muted. And that prickled Athena.

    ¡°Well need to leave soon,¡± she murmured quietly. Her gaze shifted over to where Gabrielle rode on the shoulders of an orc-woman.

    ~*~*~*~

    Jace groaned as he woke by slow degrees. He gazed blearily up at the now familiar ceiling of Joanna¡¯ bedroom. The soft sinking feel of the elven woman¡¯ bed making his whole entire body feel heavy.

    He heard what sounded like wooden sticks clacking from the back of the house. The hush of conversation coming from the kitchen. Sitting up partially he wiped at his groggy eyes. Trying and failing to stop them from closing.

    He was drained beyond belief. He remembered Dexica¡¯ words about him needing rest. That thought alone hauled Jace back from the brink of sleepiness.

    He¡¯d remembered the whole damn thing.

    The fucking godly entity-monster that had tried to kill him.

    The fucking ooze-men creatures that started as one being, then split into two.

    He looked at his right arm, and saw that the vambrace, was still just a vambrace. Did I dream all of that? he rubbed at his temples as they began to throb painfully.

    Taking slow measured breaths Jace recounted the whole thing in his head. Internally filing it away scene by scene, and processing what had happened.

    ¡°Dexi¡­?¡± Jace asked aloud and tentatively. No reply.

    Dexica? Again nothing came back to him.

    Rotating his right arm, he felt no pain nor burns. But as his arm flopped back to the bed, it brush the side of his chest, and he howled in stark pain.

    There on the right side of his torso, running vertically over his rib cage, were three long cuts. A black mucus substance oozed across the surface of the claws wounds.

    The inch-deep slices, pulsed with waking pain. As all three suddenly flared dreadfully and Jace cried out collapsing off the bed and rolling onto the floor.

    The foul tainted ooze, burst out and began to dripple down Jace¡¯s side. ¡°Jace. What¡¯s wrong?¡± came a concerned voice.

    ¡°Stay back!¡± Jace ordered and threw his hand out stopping them. Sitting up on his knees, he grimaced and clenched his teeth. The long slashes bubbled and popped a continuous stream of black inky ooze. ¡°J-Joanna?¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± the mender replied, staring in horror at the dripping wound.

    ¡°I need some- Argh, FUCK! -Something to clean this out with.¡±

    ¡°On it,¡± Joanna gasped and dashed out of the room. Marcia and the short orc girl entered more fully then.

    ¡°Jace?¡± He heard Athena as the entrance to the house banged open. A ruffled and sweaty Athena barging in, Maypor close behind her.

    ¡°Stay back,¡± he ordered again. Clenching his teeth, Jace scanned around for his dagger. His insides were screaming at him to carve whatever this was away, and off his flesh. Like it was disease, or more aptly put, a corruption. And this corruption was trying to taint him. ¡°Dagger!¡± He barked and the three women jumped, but Maypor pushed them aside and thrust out a sheathed dagger.

    ¡°Here.¡±

    Taking it, Jace ripped the sheath off and frowned down at his chest. Breathing slowly he grimaced. ¡°Can someone get the fire going, please.¡±

    The orc girl jumped into action, rushing around him and stepping warily over to the hearth. After a second of finding the tinder box and stacking the chopped wood. The orc-girl had a tiny blaze building.

    ¡°I have bandages!¡± Joanna rushed in, skidding to her knees and fumbling with the clean white cloth as it rolled across her bedroom floor. Snatching up a strip, Jace pressed it just beneath the drooling slices, wiping up the corruption already running down his side.

    ¡°Fire is done, Master,¡± the orc girl chirped to Jace. Twisting around and wincing as the slices seemed to grind together, he passed his dagger over to the orc girl. Without even asking what he meant, she immediately spun about and thrusted the dagger over the fire. It began to heat, the metal burning hot, its surface colouring yellow, red, orange and blue.

    Turning back Jace saw that Joanna had divided the bandages into three separate stacks, like she had just retrieved her washing from where it hung on the line to dry.

    ¡°Two stacks for cleaning. One for bandaging afterwards,¡± Joanna informed him. Jace nodded, and grabbing the bandage he already had in hand. He began to run it lightly over his wounds. Getting a hold of another strip of cloth, Jace made sure not to get any of the ooze on his hands. Placing the second cloth above his wounds, Jace began to pressed downwards as the cloth in his hand underneath the wounds, started to press up.

    Biting off his howling scream and curses, he drummed his bare feet on the floor. Ooze started to spill thickly out of his three long claw wounds. The amount was horrendous, and utterly surprised Jace. Gazing at the women around him, he saw similar looks of revulsion.

    The unnatural primal substance slowly dribbled out as thick globs started to fall onto the bandage beneath. ¡°Master?¡± A voice said, and looking to his right he saw that the orc girl had his dagger, the blade nicely heated.

    Nodding his head dumbly Jace panted for a breath of air. The scent of rot and shit hit him strongly and making his nose twitch. He threw the bandage he¡¯d placed above his wounds into the fire.

    Ignoring the eerie screech that emanated from the hearth, he retrieved the heated blade. Taking in deep sucking breaths and trying not to gag, from the stench. Jace dug the tip of his dagger through the skin at the top of the first slice.

    This time he couldn¡¯t hold back his pain filled shriek.

    ~*~*~*~

    Two or so hours later, Jace had finished slicing off the wounded areas. Leaving him with a large deformed map of bloody tissue and exposed flesh on the side of his chest. Each bandage coated in the substance was burned. The screams haunting as they filled the small house.

    Yet almost none of them took notice pass the first few.

    The area beneath the sliced off skin, was a tumorous mass of the black slimy ooze. They had dealt methodically with it by cutting the pustules out and swiping the heated blade of the dagger across his gory side, cauterising the area.

    Several times Jace had passed out. Only to awaken and find Joanna or Marcia working across his wound. They had gotten the hint rather quickly. The foul black shit was bad stuff. Not to mention that it screamed when they burnt it.

    Athena and the orc girl took turns swiping Jace¡¯s face of sweat and keeping him hydrated. Maypor stood at the back, her expression the entire time was one of horror and disbelief.

    Then, they were done. All of them panting and sweaty. Their clothes soaked down to the skin, their eyes all shining with an exhausted intensity.

    They cleaned the wound and the area around it as best as they could, and then bandaged Jace.

    Ten or so minutes later, and he was once again back in bed. As Athena slowly fed him spoonful¡¯s of porridge. He took the time he had to explain what had happened to him.

    The shock was raw and plain across their faces.

    ¡°You, where at the Fragments plane,¡± Joanna gasped and looked to be on the verge of passing out.

    ¡°No idea. It was the same place you sent me to originally,¡± Jace shrugged.

    ¡°No, Jace I never sent you that deep. I¡¯d simply opened the possibly of travel, and helped you along. That- what you¡¯ve described, of that thing in the sky. It has only been recorded once.¡±

    ¡°Three hundred years ago,¡± Jace guessed and Joanna confirmed by nodding. ¡°Yeah¡­I figured that Cthulhu-fucker had something to do with that, and my summoning. Just don¡¯t understand why,¡± he shook his head. Ignoring the sharp intake from everyone, except Joanna and Maypor who already knew.

    ¡°Nobody does, handsome. All we know is that its happened before, and only speculation of what happened before that. As you know the last time didn¡¯t work out so well,¡± Joanna informed him.

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± he shrugged, deciding to remain doubtful that a group of people protecting the world from evil, would simply get up and decided to betray everyone one day. Is it even a betrayal? Maybe they just couldn¡¯t win, and compromised. Found a temporary alternative. One that didn¡¯t result in a gross loss of life.

    ¡°So yeah. The Fragment- the uh¡­evil god thingy, lives in the Wakeful Plane. For now I¡¯m safe, but soon¡­ I imagine something to what happened this time. I¡¯ll fall asleep and end up there all over again.¡±

    ¡°Then it is time you train, Master,¡± the orc-girl¡ªwhose name Jace still hadn¡¯t gotten¡ªsaid.

    ¡°Yes. Starting later tonight. We will begin your Magi training,¡± Joanna clapped eagerly.

    ¡°Yeah- good. I was going to ask you about that anyway,¡± Jace smiled weakly. His wound throbbed sorely, but Jace tried his best to ignore it. ¡°How is the village?¡±

    ¡°Not great,¡± Maypor sighed. ¡°We have sturdy wall, but they don¡¯t encompass the whole village. Nor are they manned.¡±

    ¡°The food stock is dwindling as well,¡± Athena commented from where she sat beside him on the bed. ¡°We¡¯re running out of fresh produce. And any hunter that goes out returns empty handed. It¡¯s like the forest was been abandoned.¡±

    ¡°Weapons?¡± Jace inquired.

    This time it was the orc girl, who chipped in. ¡°The Saracae have gone through your full stock of weapons and armour, Master. I wanted to wait, until I asked you whether we can carry our weapons once again.¡±

    ¡°Sure. If you all know what you¡¯re doing, then that¡¯s fine with me. How has the village been treating the Saracae?¡±

    ¡°They act as if we do not exist,¡± she shrugged, ¡°It is better that way. I must soon introduce my younger-sisters to you as well, Master,¡± the orc-girl said.

    ¡°Okay. I uh, never actually did get your name?¡±

    Soon all of them left, leaving only Jace, Joanna, Athena and Marcia in the bedroom. Jace was surprised that one of the orc-women had marched into the house and requested to Athena, if she could play with Gabrielle.

    He shook his head. Women were strange. Orc women were even stranger. Speaking of women. He glanced nervously between the three faces. They were all silent starring at him.

    ¡°Is there¡­um, something on my face?¡± he joked as the corners of his mouth ticked up. All three women blinked, and seemed to come out of some trance they were in. They looked at each other and then back to him.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been speaking,¡± Athena said started softly.

    ¡°Uh-oh,¡± Jace whispered under his breath. His instincts were hollering at him to get the hell out of there, and fast. ¡°About what?¡± he asked instead.

    ¡°You obviously don¡¯t understand the customs and rules of this world fully yet,¡± Joanna noted, and he nodded. No sense in denying what is true. Of course there¡¯s the obvious stuff, like don¡¯t go around slaughtering rabbit-women, because it was wabbit season. Are there rabbit-women? something to explore.

    ¡°-for us Magi. We live a really, really long time.¡± Joanna had carried on, not realising Jace had been fantasizing about rabbit-girls. With ridiculously long lean legs, and tall floppy ears. He shook his head and refocused.

    ¡°Not because you¡¯re an elf?¡± he asked, his mind wondering back to what they were talking about.

    ¡°No. Elves don¡¯t live long,¡± she blinked at him dumbly. ¡°We rarely touch on eighty. Look, what I¡¯m trying to say is¡­¡±

    ¡°We want you,¡± Athena blurted out. Then blushed deeply from her neck to her cheekbones.

    ¡°All¡­three of you¡­?¡± he asked sceptically, and eyed Marcia who had been quiet the entire time.

    ¡°Yes. I- I wasn¡¯t nice, nor was I welcoming to you at first. And after Douglas¡­¡± Marcia took a heaving, shuddering breath and shot a glance at her niece. ¡°Well, it took Athena to talk some sense into me.¡±

    ¡°Women of status aren¡¯t view favourably by others,¡± Joanna picked up, ¡°it¡¯s why I moved out here. The gender ratio is vastly unbalanced on Aederon. Women are more numerous than men, so marriages and relationships tend to be more polyamorous. With a man and multiply women partners.¡±

    ¡°Oooookaaaayy,¡± Jace breathed, his head felt like it was swimming, and the pain in his side was all but forgotten. ¡°Firstly, why me? I¡¯m not saying no. That just- isn¡¯t even an¡­option¡­¡±

    ¡°Gabrielle loves you,¡± Athena started timidly, ¡°you¡¯ve noticed how she calls you Dah-Dah?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied cautiously. Fuck. I¡¯m getting an actually fucking harem. Where the hell did my talking sword get to?

    ¡°Well, she only uses that for you. It¡¯s sound similar to Dada to me.¡± All three women smiled at that and nodded slightly.

    ¡°You are going to be an extremely powerful Magi,¡± Joanna noted. ¡°That will have benefits for all us.¡±

    ¡°How-so?¡±

    ¡°Well, Maypor showed me the runes diagrams in your brush-case. One of those runes is a binding rune. It¡¯ll share a portion of your power with those you bind. But it is permanent,¡± she warned.

    ¡°How does work exactly?¡± Jace rubbed at his face.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to learn how to even tap into your Mana first. Knowing now is pointless to the discussion. Suffice it to say, there¡¯re benefits to both side from our joining. Just note that flesh runes are illegal.¡±

    ¡°Well, thanks¡­¡± Jace sighed. Good to know. He looked to Marcia last, and the older fox-woman smiled thinly at him.

    ¡°We- I will need someone of status beside me, if we are to return to Oedrin,¡± she relented.

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Amaya and I, were renown for our apothecary when we lived there.¡±

    ¡°Amaya?¡± he asked.

    ¡°My mother,¡± Athena smiled.

    ¡°Right. Please continue.¡± Douglas, you dog you.

    ¡°If I am to return, the nobles and lord will take notice. They weren¡¯t pleased by our escaping Oedrin. A lot of nobles and even Lord Dakic, had several prescriptions with us. And the detail of their afflictions, and ailments are all noted in the recipe book.¡±

    ¡°So they¡¯ll either perceive you as a threat, through potential blackmail. Or they¡¯ll welcome you open with arms,¡± Jace finished for her, understanding where she was heading. ¡°And, if I become a Magi of some power, they¡¯ll be likely to think twice.¡±

    All heads nodded.

    ¡°Okay, quick question. Must I absolutely hide who and what I am? If so, is there anyone in Oedrin we can trust?¡± he asked looking to Joanna.

    ¡°Yes to the former question. At least until we understand more on the implications of you being who you are, and the other summoned. As to the latter ¡­ I¡¯m unsure, something I¡¯ll have to think about.¡±

    ¡°I agree,¡± Marcia nodded. ¡°If the other summoned are likely to start appearing, well a town riot will be the least of our problems.¡±

    ¡°Okay then. I agree, to be your husband- boyfriends or whatever it is that you name it here,¡± Jace said and moved to sit himself up a little straighter. Athena helped him, and squeezed his hand.

    ¡°Good. This¡¯ll make our relationship a lot easier,¡± Joanna sighed happily.

    ¡°It will, will it?¡± he asked the elf coyly.

    She grinned at him, showing her small-white needle-like teeth. ¡°Of course. Now we are equals. We¡¯ll talk through the marriage rights tonight.¡±

    ¡°Do I need a ring?¡±

    ¡°A ring, handsome?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you know. To propose?¡± All three looked at him and titled their heads in an almost condescending way.

    ¡°No. Jewellery is always acceptable as a mandatory marriage gift. But the binding rune should cover that between us. Now, Athena will lay with you after the ceremony is done. As I¡¯ve had my fill of your seed already, I¡¯ll go last.¡±

    Jace blinked as the world spun for a micro second. Marriage? What have I¡­agreed to? His mouth was suddenly dry, and it felt as if all the water and oceans in the world, would not quench his thirst.

    Seriously. Talking sword¡­ hello?

    ~*~*~*~

    As his women left, Jace began shaking. He wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to be sick, or jump for joy. Just as his thoughts turned to getting some rest, the front door banged open, emitting a cold draft.

    Amadis walked in, with another orc woman behind her. Now that he knew that Amadis was actually in twenties, he could see why she was the speaker for the Saracae. She¡¯d swapped out of her piss stained dress into a form fitting leather and suede outfit that fit her short and petite frame perfectly.

    The orc-woman behind her had dark almost purple hair like Amadis. Except she wore hers in a comb of cornrows that trailed down to tickle the back of her muscular neck. Their eyes were similar as well, a striking yellow that to Jace looked more like twin suns burning angrily.

    The orc women, weren¡¯t bulky or obesely muscular. They were tone and lean, like that of an athlete. Yet they roamed in differing builds of muscle.  This woman¡¯s body was on full display for Jace. The only clothing she wore, was an iron breastplate that barely covered her breasts that rivalled Athena¡¯.

    This left her tone abdomen on display. Over her lean muscular legs she wore a fur skirt that hung over a pair of skin tight dark brown leather breeches. She stood taller than Jace by almost half a foot, reaching over six and a half feet. compared to Jace¡¯ 6,2¡± frame.

    The two of them standing there was almost comical to him. One is Arnie, the other is Danny.

    ¡°Master, this is my sister, Deanna.¡± Amadis waved towards her sister. The orc woman said nothing, but gave Jace a grave nod. ¡°She doesn¡¯t speak kingdom yet. Maypor and I have begun to teach both her and the rest of my sisters.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ its-uh, a pleasure to meet you, Deanna,¡± Jace said and returned the nod back. Returning his attention back to his, what were they to him again. His Saracae warriors?

    ¡°What¡¯s up then?¡± he asked Amadis.

    ¡°We need to iron out a few rules, Master.¡±

    ¡°Alright, shoot. Not like I¡¯m exactly going anywhere.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Amadis smiled, and strutted over to sit on his bed by his legs. Deanna moved to stand stoically at the foot of the bed. ¡°First of all. We would like to bring several matters to your attention.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°Right. Firstly, this village isn¡¯t a viable base of operation. If this is the eclipse cycle, we need somewhere more defensive. With high walls, and escape tunnels.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I know. Has anyone told you about my theory.¡±

    ¡°The one concerning the possibility that the wretches are purposefully driving the occupants of Trager forest towards Oedrin, Master.¡± She said it so quickly and utterly without her usual accent that Jace had to blink several times to process what she had said.

    ¡°Yeah- yes. Though now I¡¯m starting to worry that there is something of importance in this forest that the Dwellers need.¡±

    ¡°The Nigh Dwellers were said to be masterful tactician and manipulators,¡± Amadis partially agreed. Her accent seemingly forgotten. It was throwing him off completely. That¡¯s what she wants. She and her sisters may owe me a life-long debt. But they¡¯ll try to milk it for everything they can get their hands on.

    Which wasn¡¯t really that bad of thing, when he considered what they are. The Saracae were some form of highly trained elitist royal guards- or something.

    ¡°My next point, Master, is one of contract. We know- my sisters and I, that you¡¯re not of this world. Correct?¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Jace replied warily.

    ¡°We do, as we¡¯ve all agreed, owe you life-long service. But that service does not extend to slavery, or a possession of that of a dog, or servant. We¡¯re sand-hardened warriors, Master. The Nunucana desert, between the kingdom of Dimere and Biddan, is a hard and desolate landscape. We ask that you allow us the full-freedom to be what we are.¡±

    ¡°Within the terms of service?¡± Jace asked her. Deanne grunted from where she silently stood. Her yellow predatory gaze constantly ticking back and forth between him and her sister.

    ¡°Precisely, Master.¡±

    ¡°And what exactly are the terms of your life-long service to me?¡±

    Amadis smiled coyly then. ¡°The terms of our debt are rather simple. My sisters and I are free to the extent that we serve you as guardian and protector. We will not fetch your meals, unless we wish to. Though one of my sisters will taste and check for poison. We will not unwillingly share your bed, unless we wish too. You have no say in that,¡± she added hurriedly. Jace cocked a curious eyebrow at her.

    ¡°It is our way. You are our Master. Children born from your seed, will bare a great many traits that my sisters and I find acceptable. One of us will come to you weekly when she wishes it. Your wives will have no say in the matter.¡±

    ¡°Oh, how do you figure that?¡± Jace asked her, though the thought of fourteen orc-women wanting his ¡®seed,¡¯ stirred his loins. Jace wasn¡¯t about to be a victim of death by snu-snu.

    ¡°Why I¡¯ve already talked to them of course,¡± Amadis¡¯ eyes twinkled merrily as Jace muttered, ¡°figures.¡±

    ¡°A man who has his own Saracae will gain quite the reputation. A man who willingly lays with his Saracae will deserve that reputation.¡±

    ¡°Okay. So I¡¯m unable to deny any who come to me. But I am able to allow it? he mumbled; the confusion properly evident in his voice. Doesn¡¯t sound like I have much of a choice now does it? Not that it¡¯s a hard choice.

    ¡°Something along those lines,¡± Amadis coyly agreed.

    ¡°You must provide us a ceiling to sleep beneath. Equipment to arm ourselves and better protect you.¡±

    ¡°So the necessities,¡± Jace agreed.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s all necessary, Master,¡± she purred.

    ¡°Alright- anything else?¡± he grumbled.

    ¡°Yes. From now on you are to train with us, be taught by us, and in turn teach us as well. You must learn to fight alongside us, and if so, against a band of Saracae should we encounter one.¡±

    ¡°Is that likely?¡± he asked her.

    ¡°No. Not unless we were to travel through the Nunucana desert, and into another tribes territory,¡± she informed him and stood up off the bed. She was short to the point that standing by the bed brought her eye level with Jace.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now, Master,¡± Amadis said, her accent seemingly returning. ¡°Deanna is here to relieve you of your ills and consummate our new service to you. Good luck.¡± With that the short orc-woman waved coyly to him and left the room. A second later he heard the door bang open and shut.

    His attention though was riveted on the orc warrior woman, as she began to unfasten the straps that held her breast plate.

    Damn. Death by snu-snu it is, he thought warily. Though in actuality, Jace was completely turned on by the idea of what was about to happen.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Nine

    Jace gulped audibly as the orc-woman¡¯s breastplate unfastened and fell to the ground with a hollow metallic clang. Her heavy heaving breasts, stood firm on her chest, her dark pink nipples erect and perky. Deanna¡¯s green skin was a shade lighter than Amadis.¡¯

    Making her skin seem like a dusty brownish green.

    She grunted as his obvious excitement tented the bed sheets, as his cock hardened painfully beneath. Her yellow gaze ticked between his eyes and his erection, jutting at the sheets. Deanna mumbled something in another language quietly, and without breaking eye contact with his concealed dick. The orc-woman strode around the bed coming over to his side.

    Jace looked up at her. From this close he see that she was indeed stacked and build like an amazon goddess. The only difference would be her dark purplish hair, green skin and the tiny tusks.

    Without even looking at him, Deanna reached out and roughly rubbed her palm over the head of his cock. The roughness of her attention made him twitch and flex. He felt decidedly guilty in the fact that he was enjoying this, and that aroused him even more.

    This woman wanted to have her way with him, then so be it. Jace would sit back and enjoy the ride. Suddenly the orc warrior, threw the sheets aside exposing his nakedness and throbbing erection.

    He could almost see the drool in her stare, as she gaze at his wiry body. He had to admit that compared to most people he¡¯d seen since escaping Parkers Hold; his body was pretty well put together.

    The only other people he¡¯d seen with a body type anywhere close to his, was the rest of the Fifty-Two. The majority of them had been in good condition.

    His thoughts were interrupted by Deanna murmuring something as one hand began loosening the fur skirt around her waist. Once that fell, her other hand returned to his penis. She began to undo the ties on her skin tight breeches, as she stroked him minutely.

    Her hand slid up and down his length, her rough thumb occasionally rubbing over the head of his cock.

    Jace moaned and reaching out, he ignored the painful flare from his wound, and started to help Deanna untie her breeches. Then he gasped a loud moan, as Deanna bent over and suckered the thick head of his cock into her warm enveloping mouth.

    The orc moaned in delight as well, like his dick was her favourite snack and she couldn¡¯t wait to devour him. He did feel the slightly brush of her tusks against his shaft¡ªas she bobbed her head fractionally¡ªbut the knowledge that they were there, made him harden even more.

    The tight warm wetness of her inviting mouth. Her tongue rolling across and around his head, had Jace panting with effort, as he tried stave off his orgasm. Finishing quickly with the ties of her breeches, he fumbled to pull them down. They were so skin tight on the orc that he actually had to put some effort into tugging them.

    Deanna slid her mouth further down the thick width of cock with minimal effort, taking more and more of him into her. Jace groaned and pulling the breeches down violent, he thrust his hip and felt his cock touch the back of Deanna¡¯s mouth.

    Then without hesitating, Jace fingers roamed over Deanna¡¯ smooth slit and he pushed two of his fingers inside her. The lips of her pussy contracted around his fingers and she moaned loudly around his cock, the vibrations reverberating along his shaft. Then she took him into her throat, and began jerking her hand roughly up and down the base of his shaft.

    Patting her thigh and pulling her legs towards the bed Deanna got the idea, and Jace shuffled further down the bed until he lay on his back. The orc-woman keeping him at the back of her mouth as she jerked him off. Then Deanna¡¯ plump muscular thighs were over his head. Her wet and aroused sex above his face.

    Gripping her huge ass roughly, he could feel the muscles beneath flex under his hands. Jace pulled her pussy down onto his mouth. He worked his slobbering tongue across and inside her, one hand coming over to tease her clit with his thumb, the other smacking her ass lightly.

    He heard the orc warrior woman, gasp and begin muttering quietly, her voice husky with impending need as she pulled his cock from her mouth. Her hands working his saliva coated shaft. She then stuffed his entire length back into her mouth, and with a startled gasp Jace felt himself enter her throat and slide further through, as the orc warrior began swallowing his cock.

    ¡°Fucking- Christ!¡± he exclaimed and began to roll his thumb out the hood of her clit quickly and violently, his tongue delving into her warm inviting sex, as he lapped away at her. His other hand came down and smacked the orc woman¡¯ ass hard and rough. She hips and rear bucked back against his face and hands.

    He felt her lips and warm tunnel pulse around tongue and then a gush of her sweet nectar, hit his tongue and mouth, drenching his chin. Her legs shook and clamped around his head and neck, then she collapsed on top of him. He slowed his motion, still strumming her clit. Slowed, but didn¡¯t stop. Her body racking moans muffled by his cock stuffed down her throat as she worked him and swallowed him down.

    Her efforts becoming hasty.

    Each contraction of her throat sending a wave of pleasure rocking through him and he began to minutely thrust his hips in time with her bobbing head, and stroking hands.

    Then he felt the wave of tingling pleasure coil up through his abdomen and Jace thrusted his entire length into Deanna¡¯ mouth and a gasp followed but was cut off suddenly as he began to cum down her throat.

    Shooting what seemed like a gallon of his seed as the orc woman started frantically swallowing, moaning all the while.

    Finally spent, Jace panted and began to kiss and lick at her inner thigh tentatively. The orc woman, panted heavily atop him. Jace could feel her huge breasts engulf his cock. Smearing whatever cum and salvia was left onto her chest.

    Then the orc warrior woman stood up and got off the bed. She turned around gazed at Jace intently. ¡°Very goood,¡± she slurred, almost sounding drunk in the after glow of her orgasm and meal of his seed. Her accent was heavy, her voice husky and appreciative.

    ¡°Ye-ah¡­¡± Jace breathed, his whole body felt mellow. Not tired or heavy, just ridiculously relaxed. ¡°You were¡­ very good yourself, Deanna.¡±

    The orc woman smiled at him, nodded and began to dress herself. He saw that she didn¡¯t move to wipe off the cum smeared on her chest. Instead she simply strapped her breastplate on over it. Like it was a little memento of their fun.

    ¡°Amadis. Decide, when¡­ next,¡± she told him, and Jace nodded. Once she was fully dress the orc warrior woman bowed deeply to Jace and left the bedroom. His cock gave a feeble twitch as he stared at her wide and thick muscular ass and legs.

    ¡°This¡­ is going to take¡­ some getting used to,¡± he breathed and contented himself in the after-glow.

    ~*~*~*~

    The Nigh Dweller closed its eyes and weaved a complex spell structure with its tentacles. Weaving and wavering diagrams of runes into the walls around it. The spell it composed allowing it to instantaneously travel to the Fragments plane.

    The stone walls of the eastern kingdom¡¯s  palace they had taken, shattered like shards of glass, as the world beyond became as black as the void.

    Then the Nigh Dweller stepped through and out onto the Fragments plane. The area around looked as if a battle had recently taken place. A blue shimmering light radiated off a section of broken ground. Curious, it thought, eyeing the broken surface.

    Its tentacles recoiling in on themselves at the prospect of going anywhere near that blue light. Then the Dweller felt the hazy pull as another of its kind travelled onto the plane. They both bowed their heads in acknowledgement of one another.

    The Nigh Dweller¡¯s pride at being called before its god slightly diminished with the appearance of another. Over the next span of time. Thirty-eight other Nigh Dwellers stepped out onto the Fragments plane.

    As all settled around, the cloudy sky of the plane blackened as an enormous shape breached through it. The Fragment, their maker, had arrived.

    My children. Its voice throbbed painfully, and all of the Nigh Dweller cried out at the sign of scarring on their god¡¯s flesh. The wound looked superficial, but the presence of one on the Fragment, was heinous.

    The reclaimer has finally after three hundred years sent a response. The Fragment godly chant, was angry and decisive. There is one amongst those that were summoned here. He is different and bares something of the reclaimer on him.

    I know a few of you have confronted this anomaly. Two heads bowed and press themselves against the glassy floor. Their tentacle splayed out in submission. Rise my children. I do not blame your failure. This one is indeed crafty.

    The deal we struck three hundred years ago. To not interfere, is over. This is your time once again. Those of you who¡¯re still preparing the western kingdom, sweep the eastern forest completely. The anchor there is vital to your winning.

    The clouds around the Fragment began to encroach once again and envelop their gods body. Now go my children. You have but a year after all. It laughed darkly and faded into the thick dense cloud coverage.

    The Nigh Dweller and it¡¯s kin, looked to one another and bowed their departure. The Dweller looked across it¡¯s ¡®siblings¡¯¡ªfor a lack of a better word¡ªand spotted those two who¡¯re responsible for the Fragment being wounded. They bowed their heads in sorrow and supplication, begged their pardon and forgiveness. And retreated to their tasks.

    Failure always has a price, it thought and smirked internally. Weaving its tentacles the Dweller travelled back to the world.

    It had already taken the capital of the kingdom of Biddan. Where to next? it pondered.

    ~*~*~*~

    The rest of the day flew by for Jace. He sat comfortably in bed for a few hours and slowly felt himself rebuilding his strength. His wounds burned and itched painfully, throbbing every now and then when he would twist his torso slightly. But other than that, he had gotten dress into some warm thick clothing and strolled outside.

    The looks of the people of the village as they passed by were grim, and they constantly kept starring at the sky, in fear of it snowing.

    He¡¯d yawned, rubbed his hands together and came around the back of Joanna¡¯ house. There, he found pretty much everyone. A small ring of stones with a fire at the centre blazed as the pack of women sat around chatting happily. Jace walked over to them and joined in. Joanna claiming his laps and kissing him.

    They ate a small meal, and afterwards Joanna sat him down on a stool opposite her. He noticed how the Athena, Marcia, and a orc-woman strode back into the menders house¡ªto work on alchemy presumably¡ªwhereas the rest of the Saracae orc-women started to trail off.

    Each of them going about different tasks, some playing with Gabrielle as another who was carving wood showed it off to Cain.

    ¡°Do you have your brush case?¡± Joanna asked, startling him out of his wandering focus.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied, patting his breast pocket. Weirdly he felt naked without it somewhere on his person.

    ¡°Good. For now, take it out and place it before you.¡± He did as instructed. ¡°For your first lesson, we¡¯re going to visualise how your Mana pool will look. Now, I want you to close your eyes and focus on your breathing.¡± Jace shut his eyes and breathed out slowly, purposefully. Feeling the air enter his nostrils, fill his lungs, expanding.

    Then he exhaled, and with it all outside thoughts and worries drifted into abyss of a focused mind.

    For a time, he lost himself in this simple pleasure. The world faded; sounds were muted except for the slow intake of his breath and its hissing relief as he exhaled.

    ¡°Now,¡± he heard Joanna say. But her was voice distant, soothing. Reminding of the Wakeful Plane. ¡°I want you, to visual a pool of water. It can look however you like it. And from that crystalline pool you will take a sip, no more than a droplet¡¯s worth though,¡± She warn him soothingly.

    ¡°What do you feel?¡± she asked him after a moment.

    ¡°I feel fine. Calm even,¡± he said, and his voice was quiet, as if speaking any louder would disturb the pool of water he was visualising.

    ¡°Now your pool, is it lesser than that it was after you took a sip from it?¡±

    ¡°N-no,¡± Jace shook his slightly.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a gulp then,¡± she nudged him.

    ¡°A gulp,¡± Jace murmured and stared at his internal pool. Joanna hadn¡¯t mention anything about the size of the pool, and what Jace¡¯s mind had provided was odd to say the least.

    It was a blue and white tiled dome ceiling chamber. The walls on one side were made entirely of decorated glass and sunlight shone through. Its multi-coloured rays playing across the surface of his ¡°swimming pool.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Somehow he felt like this was wrong, and that Joanna had wanted him to visualise something more picturesque. Like a small garden pond.

    This was all him though, and no matter how many he tried to picture something a little different, the pool was all that remained with him. Taking gulp of water, Jace saw no change at all.

    ¡°No change,¡± he murmured and didn¡¯t notice Joanna lean forward curiously. She obviously couldn¡¯t see what he was doing, this was simply a mental exercise.

    He wasn¡¯t actually connecting with his pool of Mana, or she would¡¯ve felt it.

    That came from partitioning the mind. Creating a third mind as they called it. There was the conscious mind, also known as the passive eye. Which everyone had.

    The mind¡¯s eye, or the subconscious mind. Which was often referred to for traveling to the Wakeful Plane.

    Then there was the mind vault. A place in which all Magi retreated to mentally when working with magic. This was sometimes referred to as the Magi¡¯s partition. Those that managed it usually graduated beyond an apprentice Magi.

    It¡¯s said that the High Magus¡¯s of the kingdom, actually had several mind vaults. Where the norm was usually one. Joanna¡¯ own was for mending. For her to take up another rune and study its implications, she would either require her to have a second mind vault. Which she didn¡¯t.

    Or she would have to unlearn her mending rune. Which was typically, illegal, and considered extremely painful. A part of her mind having to be wiped and erased.

    ¡°So you¡¯ve visualised your pool of water, correct?¡± she asked him. Jace nodded and tilted head, his eyes still remaining closed.

    ¡°Yes, I do. What now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to say a word, and I want you to visual¡ªlike you have done with the pool¡ªhow this word would be expressed to you. That if you were to condense it down into a single diagram. A rune of your own interpretation. How it would look. Understood?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes,¡± he said after a moment of hesitation.

    ¡°Fisa,¡± Joanna said, and the word bloomed in a fiery glow inside Jace¡¯ mind. He pushed the image down into his pool of water. Seeing the word Fisa and the fire scorching off the emblazoned word. His mind spun trying to condense it down into a single symbol.

    The sides of the word folded inwards, and began to transform. It surface condensing, and remodelling similarly to how his vambrace had in the Wakeful Plane. In fact his knowledge of that happening helped him to cajole the word along.

    The heat wafting and trailing off the condensing word began to double and triple in intensity. His pool of water start to steam and roil as the heat grew more intense.

    A sheen of sweat matted his skin and Jace threw his focus even deeper, fighting against the heat, as if he was trying to tame the slowly re-forging word.

    In a blinding burst of red and orange light, his pool exploded upwards in a geyser(ing) spray of warm water. At the centre, the folding rune hummed as if it had been struck the final blow from a forging hammer.

    There before him at the centre of his vastly depleted pool, was his own interpretation for the rune of fire. The Fisa rune burned with an inner molten glow, and looked to forged of obsidian.

    ¡°It¡¯s done¡­¡± he breathed and felt himself panting distantly. Each breath was thick and heavy.

    ¡°Done?¡± Joanna squeaked, and finally Jace opened his eyes and looked at her.

    ¡°Fisa. I formed the rune,¡± he informed her. The mender simply looked at him as if he was mad.

    ¡°Not yet you haven¡¯t,¡± she said more calmly this time, and rubbed her hands over her knees. ¡°You¡¯ve visualised an elemental rune. But you¡¯ve yet to actually compose outside of your mental image. Tomorrow we¡¯ll move onto partitioning your mind. A place in ourselves where we store our rune and all its knowledge.¡±

    Jace frowned at that. He was sure he had been actually forging a rune in his mind. But guessed there were probably a lot more nuances to learning magic. Over and over and in his head he kept repeated the word, Fisa, Fisa, Fisa, as if hoping that somehow his mental utterance was cast fire.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Jace sighed, and felt the cold air hit his sweat soaked body. He shivered, rubbed his hands together and stood. ¡°What now then?¡±

    ¡°Now,¡± Joanna replied, and her small mouth split into a grin that matched that of a sharks. ¡°Now we go form our marriage contract.¡± With that she stepped over to him and claimed his lips with her own. A few seconds later, they parted with disappointed yet pleased sighs.

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena was nervously pacing the room as they entered Joanna small home. Which to Jace, had become as much as his own since he¡¯d arrived here only a few days back. He wasn¡¯t actually sure of the date of anymore, or how long it had been since he¡¯d been ¡®summoned¡¯ along with the others.

    Marcia was sat beside her son. The quiet Cain happily using a small blunted knife as he tried to carve chunks out of a piece of wood in his lap. The mature fox-woman bounced and jiggled a bubbling Gabrielle on her knees.

    Athena stopped in her tracks as they entered, ¡°good you¡¯re here.¡± The fox-woman then sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping briefly.

    ¡°Calm down, Athena,¡± Marcia told her stoically. ¡°He is here, now we can begin.¡±

    Athena shot her a glare and turned nervously to both Jace and Joanna. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ still going through with it?¡± she asked them nervously.

    Jace shrugged his shoulders, ¡°I think so?¡± Apparently that was the wrong to say, and he grunted as the elven woman smacked him in the stomach. ¡°Y-yes,¡± he wheezed out in a cough, ¡°we are.¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be such a baby. Or I¡¯ll start calling boy like Maypor does.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I am making a mistake,¡± he muttered and rubbed his belly.

    ¡°What was that, boy?¡± Joanna smirked at him and cocked a fine blonde eyebrow.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± he quickly assured her. Shooting a look over to Marcia who was staring blankly out the window. Her face dejected and forlorn. Having doubts I bet, he thought to himself, up to her in the end. He wasn¡¯t about to stop her from doing this. It was her decision to make after all.

    ¡°Okay, how do we begin?¡± Jace said and clapped his hands together.

    ¡°Dah-dah!¡± Gabrielle squealed loudly and began to wriggle on Marcia¡¯ knee urgently.

    Walking across the room, Jace bent down and started to tickle her sides. Gabrielle trilled with laughter, ¡°stick with your aunt for a bit stinker, okay.¡± He kissed Gabrielle¡¯ forehead and dodged out of the way as the baby tried to swat at his cheek.

    Marcia smiled slightly; her fangs pronounced as he played with Gabrielle. Jace gave her a small smile, and turned back to Joanna. Athena was still stood looking nervous and she began to chew at her bottom worriedly.

    ¡°First, we start with the ritual and oaths.¡±

    For the next hour they muttered the obligatory phrases about how marriage is eternal and that the people binding themselves with their vows must be done so willingly. ¡°Now, we cut our palms. Wipe one others cheek and brow, and pressed our thumbs in others mouth.¡±

    ¡°Oookay, that¡¯s odd. Sort of went from marriage vows ¡­ to  face painting each other in blood,¡± Jace muttered.

    ¡°I could explain how the blood-tithe for our vow is a sacred signature. And with two Magi, our blood is more potent. It¡¯ll bind us, and when you¡¯ve learnt the binding rune. That¡¯ll bind our magic together.¡±

    ¡°Alright. I¡­ see. I understood about forty percent of you what just said.¡±

    Once they¡¯d decorated one another in bloody face paint, and suckled ton each other¡¯s bloody thumb. They stood in a circle, as Joanna began to draw a circle outline of chalk on the floor around them.

    Then the mender wrote four names into the centre between them all. Then inform each of them to pressed their still bloody thumbs onto their names.

    Joanna began to mutter something that sounded like a prayer, and Jace felt a shiver tingle up his spine. It was as if something had focused its awareness on them. It reminded him of the entity in the Wakeful Plane, the Fragment. Like he wanted to look over his shoulder and see if someone was there watching them.

    But this awareness was neither pressuring or malevolent, it simply just was aware and that was it.

    Then they stepped out of the circle and as they did so, their names in the centre emanated a gentle green light and started to peel away, and vanish.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± Jace exclaimed under his breath. Their names floating into the air and erasing as the green light traced across their surface.

    ¡°Shre has blessed our union!¡± Joanna called cheerily, and all three women bounced in joy. Though Jace just simply shook his head. Why do I even question anything anymore? he thought exasperatedly.

    ¡°Now the right of consummation falls to Athena.¡± With that, Joanna and Marcia gave the younger fox-woman a peck on the lips and left the room. Dragging both Gabrielle and Cain with them.

    ¡°That has to be the weirdest and quickest wedding I¡¯ve ever participated in,¡± Jace joked.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t it be the only wedding you¡¯ve participated in?¡± Athena retorted.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± he murmured and stared at the fox-woman.

    Athena had taken to wearing to tighter clothing over the last day or so, almost looking like a few of the Saracae he¡¯d seen. She wore dark brown leather breeches that hugged her long slender legs tightly. The almost dark grey cotton blouse she wore tucked in, and it barely contained her massive breasts. Over that she wore a suede light brown jacket that she often left open.

    ¡°Your staring,¡± Athena said with a coy smile.

    ¡°Well, yeah. Of course I am. You¡¯re simply stunning,¡± he breathed and slowly walked over to her. He was surprised how fast the cuts and slices to her face and neck had healed. Now all that remained were sharp white scares. They didn¡¯t mar her beauty, but more enhanced it. Making her delicate features and gentle personality more striking and sharper.

    He cupped the back of her neck and felt Athena all but purr as their lips just barely brushed against one another. Athena ears swivelled towards left. A second later the ground shook, and an ear-piercing cry split the evening sky. Then a howling roar of hundreds of rasping voice rose to fill the silence.

    ¡°Shit!¡± they both exclaimed. Before they could even make it to the threshold of the room, Joanna and Marcia barged into them.

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Joanna cried out. She was stuffing books and small instruments into a backpack. Her satchel strung over her shoulder.

    Athena rushed past him and began to help Marcia disassemble her alchemy equipment. ¡°How long do you need?¡± Jace called to them.

    ¡°Five minutes,¡± they all shouted in unison. He noticed a seemingly oblivious Cain, holding Gabrielle as they both watched their mothers frantically moving about.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got two-¡± he called and was interrupted by the door banging open.

    ¡°Master! It¡¯s an enormous wretch horde¡­ and something else is flanking through the forest towards our east.¡±

    ¡°Thank you captain obvious,¡± he snarked and rolled his eyes, ¡°why the east?¡±

    Amadis shrugged her small slender shoulders. ¡°No idea, Master. But whatever it is, its felling trees.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Amadis, I need Deanna and one other to come with me. You and the rest of the Saracae are to load up as much of our belongings as possible and see that my wives and children are safe. Got it?¡± He ordered and marching back into Joanna¡¯ bedroom, he grabbed his bow and quiver.

    He always kept his dagger about his person now.

    ¡°Master, Deanna and Sera are here,¡± Amadis called as two orc-women ran up to join him as he left the house. Looking beyond them, he saw down the street of the village directly to the gate and tall lumber walls. People were milling about, fearfully watching the village gate and frightfully anticipating.

    ¡°Deanna, what¡¯s to the east?¡± he asked. He knew her kingdom was rough, but hoped he would get his answer anyway.

    ¡°Nothing, Master.¡±

    ¡°Nothing? Like no walls or houses?¡± he questioned and cursed when Deanna nodded gravely. ¡°Well, shit.¡±

    Whatever coming through the forest is apparently big, and bad news. What¡¯s at our gates is more pressing. Wait! ¡°How many wretches are at the front gates?¡±

    ¡°Hundreds,¡± Amadis called from where she and another of her sister¡¯s were pooling stuff by the front door of Joanna¡¯ home.

    ¡°If there¡¯re hundreds¡­ then why are they focused on the front gate?¡± he asked in disbelief.

    ¡°Distraction,¡± Sera said, her voice was slightly a high pitch than Deanna¡¯s. Though they shared a similar height, their builds were different.

    Sera¡¯ purplish hair was in a pony tail and it fluttered in the cool breeze behind her head. Her figure was sleeker than her sister and she had swirling black tribal tattoos rolling up her legs, thighs and onto her bare midriff.

    Her ears held several piercings, and around her neck was a bird skull necklace. On her right upper arm was a band with several different large teeth, that Jace thought to actually be orcish tusks.

    A long-faded slim scar crossed the bridge of her nose, from the inner corner of her left eye to her right cheekbone. She had more scars about her body, one large one ran across her chest, and another sliced down her right side and onto her hip.

    Sera wore a tight wrap around her breasts, and covered her lower half in a furred skirt with a long red loin cloth. Her feet were covered by knee high thick furred boots. And one her right shoulder was a red shell pauldron, with two enormous tusk jutting out from it.

    ¡°Where¡¯re your weapons?¡± Jace asked them, just as an orc woman ran up to them, and deposited three weapons and a shield on the floor before them. The woman turned to Deanna, spat something in their language that Jace realised he might have to learn at some point. Then she bowed to him and ran back to whatever task she¡¯d been doing previously.

    Sera immediately bent and grabbed the shield and a thick long sword, with a serrated edge above the hilt on both sides of the menacing blade.

    Deanna grunted disapprovingly and grabbed the short hand axe, its handle curved towards the pommel. The actual axe blade itself looked to made of obsidian, and was chipped in a few places.

    What was left for Jace was a sheathed sword. Bending down and picking the sword up, he was surprised by how light it was. Unsheathing a good foot of the blade, gave him an idea of what he was working with.

    The pommel of the sword was a dark blue steel, and the rosewood handle was smooth and vanished. The grip was sizable enough that Jace could easily wield the sword with two-hands. The cross-guard and side ring were the same dark blue metal.

    Looking at the sword as he fully unsheathed the blade, Jace realised that he was looking a large knife, or at least at something that resembled a big knife. The metal of the blade gleamed silvery, and Jace wondered where the Saracae had found it. Or, who it had belong to before him.

    Sheathing the sword, Jace grunted at the two orc-warrior-women. A moment later they set off towards the east side of the village.

    ¡°Master?¡± Deanna called ahead to him. ¡°Why not we abandon this place?¡±

    ¡°We are,¡± he called back as they jogged. The houses suddenly disappearing and leaving only tall fields of grass. Looking to his left he saw the village wall simply stopped there, as it reached the field. ¡°Idiots,¡± he muttered.

    Though in truth he was angrier with himself. He hadn¡¯t at all felt the need to explore the Trager village¡¯s strength¡ªwhich there were none¡ªand its weaknesses¡ªwhich were a plenty apparently.

    No, instead he¡¯d simply been fucking his women, and falling unconscious because of ill-timed godly duals in a dream plane.

    Wherever we end up next. If we make it. I need to do a better job, he chided himself. Walking slowly through the grass, the three of them stayed close to one another. The orc-women whispered nervously as the sounds of crashing trees reverberated through the ground.

    Behind them they could still hear the roaring noise of the undead, at the gate of the village. Crack! A loud crash detonated a tall tree about twenty feet in front of them, looking up in muted amazement they stared as the tree leaned precariously their way. Its shadow swallowed Jace whole.

    ¡°Move!¡± he shouted and diving to his right, he felt Deanna smashed into his back and rolled on top of him. The tree plummeted into the ground and bounced once. Rolling Deanna off of him, Jace sprung to his feet and saw Sera standing up on the other side

    A small fresh cut marred her upper left arm.

    ¡°You oka-¡± he tried to asked her, but a deafening rolling scream tore through the air. Jace had to cut the sound off by pressing his hands to his ears.

    Then several more crashes emanated through the ground, each pounding and growing closer in quick succession. Drawing his bow off his shoulder, Jace plucked an arrow from his quiver with a twist, and waited.

    Then a writhing mass of horror breached through the tree line of the forest before them, and crashed onto the grassy field. It was a bulbous brown blob with long sinuous tentacles of different sizes thrashing about its fat ugly brown body.

    Two small arms tore feebly at the ground as it tried to right itself. Then it managed to get its hind legs and rear up beneath it. It¡¯s like a Tyrannosaurus-Rex had sex with a brown blubber, Jace thought disgustingly, though he no idea what any of that even meant, or if it was even accurate.

    Thick triangular spikes jutted from atop its bulbous body. The thing righted itself finally and let out a wail of anger, and Jace almost pissed himself in horror. It had several dozen gaping mouths all about the front half of its body, each lined in long sharp teeth about the length of his hand. Around each mouth was a collection of dull piss-yellow orbs, almost wrinkled shut by thick heavy bags of skin encroaching around them.

    It roared at the three of them and its tentacles whipped about it and dug deep-long furrows into the ground. Its small clawed arms grasping in eager anticipation, as long tongues flicked through and out of each grotesque maw.

    Just as Jace thought it couldn¡¯t get any worse. Its tail swung out wide behind it. Its long thick length protruded several spikes along it, and at the end, were three hook-like pincers.

    It towered over them at about fifteen feet.

    ¡°This. Isn¡¯t. Good.¡±

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Ten

    ¡°We can¡¯t fight this thing with just us,¡± Jace shouted out as another wail of anger howled out of it. Thankfully it hadn¡¯t charged them yet. And why is that? he thought frantically. Drawing the string of his bow taut, Jace was jarred almost to his knees, as the ground shook and pounded violently.

    An humongous boom! quaked through the forest and field. A Godzilla-like bellow thrummed through the air and the three of them stumbled backwards.

    As it ended Jace felt smaller aftershocks reverberate through the ground beneath his feet.

    Except these reverberations were getting closer, and closer. Two more ugly siblings of the monster in front of them exploded through the forest. One hit the ground and rolled for several yards, as the other landed on its hind legs.

    There were three of the fuckers now.

    ¡°Dexica, I could a use little help right now,¡± Jace mumbled, half wishing for something similar to what he¡¯d used in the Wakeful Plane. The other half of him, was busy trying not to shove his new sword through his chin and up into his brain.

    The three monsters roared at one another, as they circled Jace, Deanna, and Sera.

    ¡°We¡¯re surrounded,¡± he whispered to the others. ¡°Any ideas?¡± he asked after stating the obvious.

    ¡°Run like mad?¡± Sera asked half-jokingly.

    ¡°I kind of figured we¡¯d do that after being eaten,¡± Jace grumbled back.

    ¡°Draw through forest,¡± Deanna said her tone calm and stoic. Jace had to remember that she only had a small hand axe as her weapon. Drawing his sword, he nudged her elbow with it. Without a word, the orc-warrior-woman took it and grunted her thanks.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea, Deanna. Only problem is that I doubt we¡¯ll be fast enough,¡± Jace sighed, and shivered as the three monsters began to circle like raptors. Referring to something I don¡¯t understand again, brain, he thought and shook his head slightly.

    The three monsters bellowed and snapped their many tentacles with a whip-like crack, at the thrill of possible prey. Jace tensed and focused on his side. The monster stepped forward, its mouths peeling open as its tongues darted out, swiping at its teeth.

    They stank of decay and rot.

    ¡°As soon as they charge run for the village as fast as you can. If these fuckers want a meal, they can have it. As long as it isn¡¯t any of us.¡±

    ¡°Master. The people of village?¡± Deanna grunted questioningly.

    ¡°Fuck them. Yes they¡¯re innocent but I¡¯m not sacrificing my life for their stupidity,¡± he snapped. The monsters let out a low hissing growl and their tentacles began to move more quickly. Should¡¯ve completed the fucking walls you idiots, he thought.

    Just as their low growl cascaded to a halt, Jace released his taut bowstring and let his arrow fly. One of the monster¡¯s wavering tentacles immediately whipped about and split the arrow into two.

    ¡°Go!¡± Jace bellowed and drew another, spinning around he fired to his right, as the monster started to lumber towards Deanna¡¯ jogging form.

    This arrow penetrated inside one of the its many mouth¡¯s. It screeched horrifically, and the long-bladed teeth crunch down on the arrow¡¯s shaft. Jace could almost feel whoosh of air behind as they started running, the ground quaking their feet as the monsters chased them across the field.

    ¡°Keep moving!¡± he shouted pointlessly, because the two orc-women were beating feet waay quicker than he was. Drawing another arrow and not stopping, Jace fired behind himself blindly.

    The following screech of rage, drew a grim smile across his face. They quickly dashed out of the field, the three-monster churning up the ground as they ran. Jace heard a loud crunch emanate from deeper in the village as they tore onto the street.

    Then a louder shrieking scream could be heard and sprinting around the corner of a house, Jace came onto the main street. If they went left right now, he could make it to Joanna¡¯s. The only problem with that, was the three-hulking dinosaur-like mutants chasing after them.

    Which brought his focus back ahead of them. Deanna, Sera and he were running towards a crowd of people starting sprint their way. Behind them, the village gate had been breached open. A tall eight-foot hauntingly skeletal figure stood on the other side, it¡¯s massive double sided great-axe splintering the crushed wood of the gate as it withdrew.

    Jace could see the thin wavering tentacles of a cephalopod sticking through the hollow eye sockets. ¡°What the fuck is happening,¡± he growled. His day could only get worse.

    Then he was reminded of the monsters behind him, as people shrieked and screamed as they arrived, crashing through a house. One of the monster¡¯s tentacle snatched up an older woman, and flailed her like a ragdoll, then deposited its limp form¡¯s lower half into one of its many mouths.

    There was a loud tearing squelch, as the mouth chopped down on the body.

    The people who¡¯d been running away from the wretches now spilling into the village. Started to back away and cower from the three monster¡¯s.

    Jace, Deanna, and Sera all looked around. They were effectively caught between two flanking forces. Seeing the house to their left, Jace charged just as the wretch horde reached the crowding people now fleeing the monsters.

    Throwing himself through the homes door. Jace bashed through and landed roughly on the ground. A woman squeaked and began to throw pots and pans at him.

    Then Deanna and Sera were through, rolling onto his hands and knees Jace winced. He¡¯d forgotten about the wound on the side of his torso, and looking down he saw a thin strip of wood, no longer than his pinkie stuck out through his black woollen shirt.

    It hadn¡¯t penetrated into his still healing flesh luckily, but it did brush against his bandage making his wince.

    Standing to his feet, Jace¡¯ head snapped to the side, as a pan domed off his temple. Swaying on his feet, Jace growled. ¡°Fucking stopped that,¡± he snapped at the frighten old woman.

    The fucking cleaver in her hand fell to the floor with a dull thud. Sighing Jace saw that Deanna and Sera had wedged the door closed, and were now stacking furniture against it and the single window looking out onto the street outside.

    They could hear the terrifying screams as men, women, and children ran chaotically about. Trying to escape the mass slaughter.

    ¡°Deanna¡­ look for a back door,¡± Jace panted, sickened by what he was witnessing. ¡°You,¡± he turned and pointed at the old woman. She seemed to be hyperventilating. ¡°Are you coming with us?¡±

    ¡°Coming with you ¡­ where?¡± she asked, fright obvious in her gaze. Her eyes flicked from the carnage being wrought outside, to the Saracae orc-women, then to him. A deafening booming roar flushed the air, and the monsters tore through the mass of people and wretches.

    ¡°YES!¡± the woman shouted and nodded at him her eyes wide with fear.

    ¡° Master, I¡¯ve found exit,¡± Deanna called as the roar dulled down. Jace and Sera turned and ran towards the other orc-woman. The older woman rushed to join them, when a tail with pincers crashed through the ceiling of the house and mushed the older woman into a pulp on the ground.

    Then a low growl rattled the glass pane of the window, and Jace saw the menacing rictus of one of the monsters. The eyes around one of its mouths watching him through it.

    ¡°We need to move. Now,¡± he shouted and pushed at Sera¡¯s back. They caught up to Deanna. Rushing to the back of the house, he saw muscular orc-woman hopping through a back window. Then he heard the sounds of fighting, the squelching swish of steel parting flesh.

    Sera dived through after her sister. As Jace almost fell to his feet, as the ceiling above him started cave inwards. The roar of the monster, crashing through the house alarming him.

    Diving through head first Jace winced as he hit the scattered broken glass on the ground, and rolled onto his feet. ¡°Move!¡± he called out as the two orc-women finished dancing through the last of the wretches in this back alley. A woman and a small boy cowered on the ground behind them.

    Hearing Jace and the cascading crash resounding through the house they¡¯d just escaped they followed his orders. Running past the woman and child, Jace felt the compelling draw and urge to squish the head of one of the wretches.

    The compulsion so forceful that he couldn¡¯t ignored it and stopping, he jumped up and slammed both of his feet down through head of a wretch lying prone. The skull crumbled inwards and Jace felt the tendrils feebly scrape their suckers against his legs as he squished the brain, and the squid within it.

    Dashing past the other prone wretches, he noticed that none of them other the one who he¡¯d pulped. Had any head wounds.  The Saracae don¡¯t know how to killed them, he realised and mentally slap himself in the head.

    He hadn¡¯t thought to tell them that wretches only died by killing the brain.

    ¡°Only go for the head from now on,¡± Jace ordered them and both women bowed their heads.

    They ran down the path, the hedge on there right overgrown occasionally thrashing their heads and neck, with its long twigs.

    Boom!

    All three of them looked behind to see the monster rocket through the house in a spray of lumber and turn about as its tentacles beat hard against the ground and broken structure.

    Then it spotted them and let out a deafening cry, and lumbered after them. ¡°These fucking things never quit,¡± Jace growled and pushed at both orc-women, getting them moving.

    Exploding out of the back alley, Jace crashed into someone. ¡°Get the fuck away from me!¡± The man frantically slammed his fist into Jace side, impacting his wound and threw him off.

    Wheezing and grimacing in pain, Jace climbed to his stumbling feet. Deanna and Sera were a few yards ahead of him, the former swiping her axe through the neck of a wretch stumbling towards her right side.

    ¡°Come, Master,¡± Sera squeaked to him and Jace started after them, only to face-plant into the ground. Something smashed hard into his back. Then a sinuous appendage wrapped around his right leg and flung him off his feet.

    ¡°What the- SHIIIITTT!¡± he exclaimed and coughed as the world whipped upside down, as he was flailed about. Looking down dizzily he saw the grinning maws of the bulbous mutant dinosaur-thing.

    Shaking off his stun, Jace thought quickly. Reaching behind his back, he unsheathed his dagger. Bending at the waist he drove the dagger¡¯s tip repeatedly through the monster¡¯s sinuous limb wrapped around his leg.

    The small sharp blade dug through the muscly and rubbery flesh, and he winced as the tentacle started to tighten it grasp on his ankle.

    His arm was wrenched back by another tentacle, as the monster howled in pain and rage. Then his leg flopped from its strangling grasp, as an axe sailed through the limb, parting it.

    The monster thrashed loudly and stomped the ground. Its writhing mass of tentacles beating against whatever was in close proximity to it.

    Reversing his grip on the dagger, Jace sliced inwards towards his wrist. He bit back a yell of pain, as the blade dug through skin, then he cut outwards.

    He dropped a good twenty feet and crumpled onto the ground hard, his ankle twisting as he landed roughly.

    Then hands seized his armpits and began dragging him backwards away from the raging monster. He was then lifted roughly to his feet, then prompted up between Deanna and Sera.

    They marched on, ducking out of sight of a large wretch group feeding on dozen of corpses. Jace noticed that the almost constant screams of terror he¡¯d been hearing were almost non-existent now.

    He heard the loud monstrous roar, and the booming crash of another house exploding in a shower of wooden splinters, glass, straw and logs.

    ¡°The house¡­ get to the¡­¡± his words fell off, as they came to a bend and saw several wretches feasting on dead bodies right outside Joanna¡¯s home. Jace¡¯s heart sank in his chest.

    One of those bodies was small baby girl.

    ¡°JACE!¡± a voice cried out and whipping his to the right, he saw Joanna waving to him frantically from atop a wagon¡¯s bed. Behind her was Athena, Marcia, and more importantly Gabrielle. The small baby fox-kin waved her chubby fingers at him.

    Deanna and Sera grunted as they sprinted the short distance. Half way there they heard the rolling roar of the monster¡¯s thundering out behind them.

    ¡°Go, go, go,¡± he yelled and hobbled over to the wagon¡¯s bed. He wasn¡¯t even fully on before the wagon jarred and lurched forward.

    Deanna and Sera sprinting to keep up, the monster¡¯s skidding into view behind them. ¡°Get on!¡± he commanded them and sliding on his belly, Jace threw out his hands.

    He felt Joanna clutch his belt to hold onto him as he started to slid off the bed. Sera was first and Jace easily drew shorter and slender of the two orc-women onto the wagon.

    Deanna huffed and grunted, and ignoring his proffered hand, she pumped her thick muscly legs even harder and sprung onto the wagon beside him.

    Then he was dragged back from the wagon¡¯s edge. Looking out behind them, he saw the three monsters sprinting after them.

    Unslinging his bow and pushing Joanna roughly away from him Jace drew an arrow and frowned. His bow was snapped in half. And the arrow he¡¯d drawn from his quiver was missing the business end of the shaft. Take the fletching off and blow the feather their faces? He hadn¡¯t seen a nose anywhere on the monsters. Maybe they¡¯re allergic?

    He began to cackle madly as the monsters almost caught up to them. Then suddenly he heard the long drawn out horn blast. And the three monsters skidded to a halt in their tracks.

    Staring at them, he was surprised when they roared in annoyance. One of the monster¡¯s tentacle wrapped around a thin tree¡¯s trunk and crush it in half.

    Then they turned about and hurriedly stomped back in the direction of the village.

    Jace and the rest blinked after the monsters retreating forms. ¡°They retreated,¡± he heard Joanna mutter over the whipping crack of the wagon¡¯ reins, and the tumbling roll of the wheels.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ they let us go. They got what they wanted after all,¡± Jace replied and flopped onto his back, his eyes staring up at the passing canopy above. ¡°Damn that was a mess.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°So, who did we lose?¡± he asked finally after about twenty minutes of rocking on the wagon¡¯s bed. Joanna had stripped his shirt off and was now unwinding his bandage, making Jace grimace.

    Ahead on them on the road, were three other wagons. Amadis was on the reins of their wagon. While ahead of them was Maypor with the rest of the Saracae.

    ¡°None of ours,¡± Joanna muttered, and Marcia nodded. Cain sat beside her. Ever quiet and seemingly unaware of the danger all around him. ¡°There¡¯re maybe seven, or eight others from the village left.¡±

    ¡°Still,¡± Athena muttered and clung to her daughter, ¡°so many lost their lives.¡±

    ¡°Well it¡¯s their own stupid fault isn¡¯t it,¡± he retorted.

    ¡°How can you say that?¡± she asked him in disbelief. Her eyes brimming with tears and worry, and exhaustion.

    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Marcia nodded glumly.

    Jace¡¯ eyes twitch as the blood-soaked bandage unstuck from his wound. ¡°They never finished their wall, Athena. Oh I feel sorry for them and-¡± he grunted as Joanna tugged the bandage completely off. ¡°-and I¡¯m sickened by the gross loss of life. But they didn¡¯t do anything to protect themselves. They knew it was coming eventually.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    ¡°I¡­ I suppose you¡¯re right,¡± Athena admitted, and her ears wilted atop her head. ¡°It¡¯s just frightening how quickly it all happened. How quickly we lost everything ¡­ again.¡±

    ¡°Trust me. I think whatever happened before this time, was them playing nice. Now the kiddie gloves are off. They drove us out, and they did it hard, dirty, and fast.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joanna mumbled as she scanned her blue gaze over his bloody wound. ¡°We¡¯ve never seen those things that chased us before. Nor are their any records of such a creature from the last battle.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Agh, be gentle¡ªthey had this skeleton-knight¡ªor whatever the fuck it was¡ªas well. It¡¯s that that broke down the gate.¡±

    ¡°Well, you need rest. And I need to clean this out again and rebandage it. How come hasn¡¯t healed it yet?¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Jace blinked as Joanna gently pressed him down. It, it hasn¡¯t healed has it¡­ Frowning he looked to Joanna worriedly and shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ve- uh, no idea. Maybe whatever that black shit was, can¡¯t be healed?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, handsome,¡± Joanna whispered down to him, then turned away. ¡°Marcia? do you anything to clot the blood?¡±

    Closing his eyes, Jace breathed out a long sigh. His day had literally turned one-eighty upside-down, and left him dealing with the raw shit-show aftermath.

    Swallowing thickly he summoned the visual image of the pool, and watching it¡¯s still tranquil waters he fell asleep.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Oh good your back,¡± Dexica¡¯ voice drifted through his mind, and his eyes flashed open in horror. Looking about himself he found he was back in that pocket space of the Wakeful Plane.

    ¡°Why the fuck am I here?¡± Jace groaned annoyedly. Looking down he saw the blue filmy glass, and on the other side, faces peered down at him. ¡°Shit!¡± he hissed realising what they were.

    ¡°We appear have to a problem,¡± Dexica started.

    ¡°Yeah- no shit- we have a problem, Dexi. Why the fuck are there Dwellers here?¡±

    ¡°Relax, Jace. They aren¡¯t here¡­ yet,¡± the voice in his head muttered quietly. ¡°But they are trying to reach you.¡±

    ¡°Why the fuck-¡± he began to ask, but shook his head and took a deep breath. ¡°The Fragment sent them.¡±

    ¡°Yes it did. Stupid bitch had her meeting right above us. We can them hear; they just can¡¯t hear us. It is our pocket after all. We set the rules.¡±

    ¡°Alright- okay. Uhmmm¡­ so why am I here?¡± he asked the voice.

    ¡°Preparations, dear one. Your mender is doing a bang-up job of teaching you magic. But it¡¯s all wrong. There¡¯re exception to the rules for you, after all.¡±

    ¡°For me? Really¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well for all summoned actually. You just got a few extra perks they didn¡¯t. You¡¯re playing on the same field as the Dwellers, Jace. Rules and laws of magic don¡¯t mean anything to those creatures. Nor should they really mean anything to you as well.¡±

    Okay then,¡± Jace replied. There really wasn¡¯t much he could say in response to that.

    ¡°Now, your mender might be a dear. But she¡¯s forgetting something vital.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡± Jace grunted.

    ¡°You¡¯re a practical man. Asking you to visual a Mana pool is like asking a toddler to say, eeny-meeny-macka-racka-Ooray-rai-dominacka-chicka-pol-rhala-racka-om-pom-push, stupidly fast.¡±

    Jace shrugged his shoulders and then casually threw out, ¡°Eeny-meeny-macka-racka-Ooray-rai-dominacka-chicka-pol-rhala-racka-rom-pom-push.¡±

    ¡°Fine, smarty pants. But still my point stands. You¡¯re a practical man, dear one. Visualising a pool of water is nonsensical, it¡¯s far too mercurial. Tell me, after you healed your ear from the bite, how did you feel?¡±

    ¡°Drained, and hollow¡­ like I was hungry in my stomach, except not for food.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you could find the origin of that sensation once again? Try something for me, please. We¡¯ll do our own visual exercise. I want you without closing your eyes to form the image of a cerulean blue crystal core in your mind.¡±

    Quirking an eyebrow at the voice, Jace easily summoned the image. It shone with an inner light sapphire glow, that cut through the crystal¡¯s prismatic interior, shining out rays of lights with no discernible origin.

    If he was to manifest the crystal before himself now, it would the size of both of his fists together.

    It was solid and physically present in his mind.

    ¡°Done,¡± Jace said after a moment.

    ¡°Good. Now I want you to picture that this core- this crystal is somewhere deep inside your stomach. That every time you have unconsciously healed yourself the crystal core depletes. Every exertion of Mana in your body draws from that core.¡±

    ¡°How do I use it then- connect to the Mana core?¡±

    ¡°You do it here of course,¡± the voice tittered in his head like he had said something funny. ¡°This plane is Aederon¡¯ connection to the broader astral plane. Every world is linked to astral like leaves on the branches of a tree. Your connection has already been established. You just hadn¡¯t used any Mana because you aren¡¯t using the brushes.¡±

    ¡°Brushes?¡± Jace asked. He knew Dexica meant the Magi brushes, he just didn¡¯t understand their actual purpose.

    ¡°Of course, dear one. The brushes are the tether between a runic diagram and  ones Mana. Mana is willed through the brush, and the wielder composes the rune.¡±

    ¡°I think- I think I get it now. What about the practice Joanna had me do? The one with the Fisa rune.¡±

    ¡°The fire rune? yes. Visualising your own interpretation of a rune, was a good idea on her part. That way no one can accuse you of stealing, or not paying for the rights of use.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The Magi of Aederon are petulant creatures, Jace. All is greed to them. Ask yourself why there are no enchanted items? A simple Fisa rune, could ignite a fire. Enchant a hearth and every household in Aederon that isn¡¯t a high nobleman¡¯s estate, would know warmth all year-round.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I get the imagery,¡± Jace sighed. Such a simple thing could have major implications on the entire world. Enchanted weapons for instance. ¡°So, anything else you need me for?¡± he asked and yawned.

    He was starting to feel tired even in this pocket plane.

    ¡°Nope. You simply being here  has reinforced the plane for now.  Our guests haven¡¯t tried anything drastic as of yet. They¡¯re for now sticking to probing the barrier.¡±

    ¡°Alright, anything I should do topside?¡±

    ¡°Not for me. For now, consider using the brushes, or at least try holding one of them. You¡¯ll know where to go from there, dear one. Oh, if your dear mender suggests a mind vault. Describe this pocket plane to her. She¡¯ll understand, she¡¯s smart girl after all.¡±

    ¡°See you later, Dexi.¡± Jace waved his hand through the watery air, swishing it. Then with a final glance down at the upside-down Dwellers staring back at him, Jace shivered and closed his eyes.

    ~*~*~*~

    Night had truly fallen when he woke a few hours later. The noticeable lack of rocking and bumping made him sit up. He was still in the wagon¡¯s bed on his back, except it was only him. Pushing the blanket back Jace winced as he spied the new bandage around his torso.

    ¡°Forgot to mention this wound to Dexica,¡± he grumbled, and throwing the blanket off completely he saw that he still had his breeches on but other than that, not much else.

    Scooting off the bed he stood with a wobble, and cringed as his stomach gurgled loudly. The clearing they were in, was painted in a cascading warm orange glow. He saw that everyone was sat around a fire, as a woman he didn¡¯t recognise stirred a massive cook pot.

    Jace noticed that the Saracae were patrolling the perimeter of the clearing. Each of them armed and scanning the dark tree line around them.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Jace called out as he stepped over to the cooking fire, and swung his blanket around his shoulders.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake handsome?¡± Joanna tilted her head and smiled toothily at him. Her long golden blonde silken hair was gathered over one shoulder, and Marcia was running a brush through it.

    ¡°Sure am. And I¡¯m starving,¡± Jace said and patted his stomach as he draped the blanket over his shoulders. Small chubby arms hugged at his neck, and twisting his head he found the green eyes of Gabrielle staring at him.

    The baby prompted up in her mothers arm. Athena smiled widely as Gabrielle began to cling to his neck, bubbling gibberish and complete nonsense.

    ¡°I thought you would¡¯ve been asleep by now, stinker,¡± Jace said and caught her in his arms.

    ¡°She missed you,¡± Athena whispered to him, and stepping close she wedge herself against his side.

    ¡°I was only fifteen feet away,¡± Jace laughed.

    ¡°Not now, idiot. I meant when the attack happened. She just kept saying Dah-Dah constantly after you left.¡±

    ¡°Oh? so you didn¡¯t miss me, huh,¡± Jace grinned at the fox-kin woman.

    ¡°Of course I did. We didn¡¯t even get to consummate our marriage because of what happened.¡± Jace nodded at that, then grunted as Gabrielle¡¯s foot smacked against his wound.

    ¡°Careful there, stinker. Daddy, is in quite a bit of pain there,¡± Jace grimaced and missed Athena¡¯s teary-eyed smile as he said Daddy.

    Carefully sitting down on a stool, he hugged Gabrielle to himself and leaned forward slightly as Athena hugged around the back of his neck. ¡°So where are we anyway?¡±

    It was Maypor who answered him this time. The old woman nodded her thanks to the cook as she was passed a bowl of steaming food. ¡°We¡¯re in a clearing not far from the next village. We should reach it tomorrow afternoon. It¡¯s just at the edge of Trager forest. We¡¯ll stop there, resupply, then on to Oedrin. That¡¯s another three days of travel.¡±

    ¡°So four days until we reach the town. That¡¯s not so bad,¡± Jace mused and juggled Gabrielle on his knees.

    ¡°That¡¯s if the first snow doesn¡¯t fall in the next few days,¡± Marcia interjected. ¡°then our journey will be much harder.¡±

    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s only snow. Can¡¯t be that bad.¡±

    ¡°Our winters last four months, my love,¡± Athena whisper quietly in his ear. Her voice sent shivers prickling down his spine. ¡°It should stop somewhere around mid Lundo.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°I know, love. We would be remised as wives if we didn¡¯t inform you.¡±

    ¡°Love, huh. That your pet name for me?¡±

    ¡°It is. Joanna has handsome, so I figured I would jump on the wagon, love.¡±

    ¡°As long as you¡¯re fine with my pet names for you, Mrs enormous tits.¡± He chuckled as his head rocked forward as Athena smacked the back of it.

    They sat for a while as bowls of vegetable stew were passed around. The eight villager, who¡¯d survived the attack, were actually two separate families. An older man and woman, whose grandchildren had survived. Both kids who¡¯re in their teens. And a younger couple with two small sons.

    Jace ate greedily once again. Finishing his stew in a matter of a few steaming hot breaths. He was still hungry when they finished, but decided it was probably for the best if he didn¡¯t chow through all of their supplies in one night.

    Then soon it was time for rest, and Amadis found him before he could go and join his wives in bed. ¡°What¡¯s up, Amadis?¡± he asked her, before the short orc-woman could even open her mouth.

    ¡°Deanna and I have set up rotating patrols for tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to do an inspection, Master.¡±

    Jace blinked and began to shake his head but stopped before doing so. ¡°Actually, yeah- sure, let¡¯s do that now then.¡±

    It was some fifteen minutes later that Jace arrived back at their wagon. He noticed that Marcia was the only one still awake. The older fox-kin of his wives, was reading through her alchemy tome. Athena and Joanna led on the wagon¡¯s bed facing each other, Cain and Gabrielle sleeping between them.

    ¡°Hey, figured you¡¯d be asleep,¡± he whispered and shuffled down with a wince to sit opposite the fox-woman.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m looking for something that we can coat your wound in, since it doesn¡¯t seem to be healing,¡± Marcia replied, and licked her thumb to press and turn the page. Then the fox-kin sighed heavily. ¡°I suppose you want to talk then?¡±

    Jace blinked and focused on her face more fully, and saw some of her original sharpness return. It was tempered, but beneath the surface he could see her distrust of him and everyone not her own still simmering.

    ¡°If you want,¡± he replied with a shrug, pulling his blanket up and around himself.

    ¡°I want to make one thing clear between us,¡± she raised a clawed finger into the air, above her tome. ¡°I will not sleep with you. Nor will I ever be close to you. This, what we have at the moment is a contract of convenience.¡±

    Jace thought on that and then slowly nodded. ¡°Fair enough. I wouldn¡¯t force myself on you anyway. Your pretty, there¡¯s no denying that. And I would be fool to deny I haven¡¯t thought of it,¡± he grinned at her. ¡°But, roses are pretty on the surface, beneath the petal it¡¯s all torn.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Well. I¡¯ll remain friendly to you, for the sake of Athena. But don¡¯t ever think I want you, or could love you, human.¡±

    ¡°Sure. You¡¯re missing a few vital point though.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s that?¡± she spat back and grimaced as Athena stirred in her sleep.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything for what is mine. Yes you can remain as a ¡®wife¡¯. Yeah, our relationship might not ever wander pass pleasant conversations, Marcia. But if I ever have to choose between, Athena, Joanna, Gabrielle. And you, and your son. Guess on you I¡¯ll pick.¡±

    Jace got onto his knees and then shuffled over to lay down behind Joanna. ¡°So, yeah. You can withhold your affection. We can never sex, and keep things between us can stay purely platonic and cordial. You can go on pretending to smile, and be nice. Just know where my true loyalty will lie, if trouble ever does find us. Goodnight Marcia.¡± With that Jace led down, and instantly passed out.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°I¡¯m so stupid,¡± Marcia muttered and rubbed at her face. Her gaze flickered up to the night sky. She couldn¡¯t see any the stars, or any moonlight. The skies almost constantly cloudy these days. ¡°A marriage of convenience. You were just frightened he was going ask for sex, you dumbass.¡±

    She missed her husband greatly. His warmth. His polite and welcoming nature. Where hers was brash and distrustful of others. Yet through all it, she¡¯d come to love Douglas.

    Now though, that familiarity was gone. Her warmth was gone. Her heart seemed to ache almost constantly every time she looked at her son. They had suspected something was wrong with Cain, even when he was a baby. He was desponded in a way, always quiet and listless.

    Like he was in a constant dream. She couldn¡¯t even remember the last time he¡¯d talked.

    And that was her problem.

    Her memory of what was, versus her current situation. She¡¯d betrayed Douglas by marrying Jace. Yet their marriage was void as long as Douglas was alive, and that she never consummated her new marriage.

    She¡¯d admitted to Athena that the human was attractive, and that there was a certain energy about him. Like his presence alone filled the room and demanded your attention.

    She regretted her words to him just now. Could admit that she was scarred and frighten of what he would ask of her. And if she could deny him. He didn¡¯t after all owe her or Cain any true loyalty anymore. Not after she¡¯d opened her big-fat-mouth, and told him how it was going to be.

    Marcia needed him, Jace didn¡¯t have any need of her past her alchemy knowledge.

    ¡°What have I gone and done, Douglas? What¡¯ve I¡­¡± tears fell unbidden from her eyes. And the quiet stirring of people sleeping soundlessly, answered her back.

    Her husband was dead. Even if he wasn¡¯t, she might have to start believing it so. Her only hope now, was that he was at Oedrin waiting for her.

    ~*~*~*~

    The next morning Jace woke to his nose twitching endlessly. Brushing whatever was tickling him aside, he heard a burbling giggle. Creaking one eye open a crack, he saw the forest green eyes of Gabrielle, on her stomach before his face. Her tiny ears twitching against his face.

    ¡°You little scamp,¡± Jace groaned and began coughing as his side seized painfully. His forehead was coated in a sheen of sweat, and his breathing was rough.

    His dreams the entire night had been a distorted blend of Marcia tying him up and feeding him poison as she cackled madly and blamed him for her husband¡¯s death.

    On her head, instead of fox ears she had a pair of antlers that forked a good foot above her head. Her naked body covered in orange tribal tattoo¡¯s. Her legs that of a goats.

    Sitting up he weakly tickled Gabrielle side, making the baby squeal with laughter. The sound moderately cheering him up a touch. Looking around the camp, he saw that everyone was packing up and getting ready for the day¡¯s travel ahead.

    Swiping at his forehead, Jace shuffled off the wagon and picked a still laughing Gabrielle up. ¡°Breakfast should be ready soon, Master,¡± Amadis bounced over to him. The short orc-woman¡¯s height coming up just past his abdomen.

    ¡°Thank you, Ami,¡± he said and sighed as he struggled to shuffle over to a stool.

    ¡°Ami¡­? H-here Master. Let me take the girl,¡± Amadis rushed forward as soon as Jace nodded and easily plucked his daughter from his grasp. His. Daughter.

    Fuck. I have a kid now, he thought with stunning realisation. How many children did I let die at Trager village?

    Too many.

    His skin felt as if thousands of ant were crawling all over him. ¡°Jace?¡±

    Blinking, Jace opened his eyes. When had he shut them? Looking up he saw Joanna leaning over him, her cool slender fingers cupping his chin and cheek as she examined him. ¡°You¡¯ve got a fever.¡±

    That made him chuckle weakly. ¡°First hypothermia. Now a fever.¡±

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯ve a bad run of luck lately haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get better. I think, I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m just run down is all. I¡¯m so hungry.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s get you fed and back on the wagon. I¡¯ll have Marcia come and have a look at you.¡± Joanna bent low and tugged his arm over slender shoulder.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t waste your breath on her. Just as likely to kill me than nurse me, that one.¡±

    ¡°There will always be a duality to your wives, handsome. One of us has to keep you on your toes.¡±

    ¡°Put Amadis with me instead,¡± he sighed and groaned as they came back to the wagon. ¡°Fucking fever came out of nowhere.¡±

    Joanna ignored his grumblings and turned her blue gaze on Amadis. ¡°Go and inform his other wives what has happened. Tell only Athena what Jace said about Marcia though, then come back and take over for me.¡±

    The short orc-woman whistled shrilly, and a Saracae orc woman passing by jogged over. Amadis handed a drooling Gabrielle off, then spun around and sprinted off.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get you up on the bed, handsome.¡±

    ¡°Joanna? no Marcia, okay?¡±

    ¡°I know husband. I¡¯ll not allow her anywhere near you,¡± he heard her sigh.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Pessel Village. What kind of name is Pessel?¡± Jace asked in disbelief. They had been delayed by a few good hours in getting there. The old couples wagon had broken the axel of one of their wheels. So their load and goods had been evenly distributed between the other three wagons.

    Jace had woken up no more than an hour ago, and felt surprisingly fine. Though his side was a constant ache. It was as noticeably bad as previously. Right now it simply itched like fucking crazy.

    ¡°Pessel was the surname of the man who built the first house here. Believe it or not. He was rumoured to be the first person to live near Trager forest,¡± Joanna answered him.

    She was sat beside him on the driver¡¯s bench. And every now and then, she¡¯d flick the reins lightly and the Lurka would groan and either speed up or slow down. The beast was almost none existent to Jace. He¡¯d so often seen them killed so easily that he wouldn¡¯t take any stock in even this one living past the week¡¯s end. Especially knowing their luck.

    ¡°It¡¯s only been in the last seventy years that people have left the kingdom and duchy¡¯s to live in the wilds,¡± the mender continued and Jace took the chance to examine his first wife.

    She was in a linen blue dress, that hugged her willowy figure tightly. The deep V at the front, exposed the sun-kissed skin of her chest and the barest hint of her cleavage. The dress was knotted at her waist on the left side. The gathered material, extenuated her long slim legs.

    The mender¡¯s hair was in a loose braid over her right shoulder, and her long pointed right ear peak out of her hair.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked him, and Jace saw her cheeks tint a light pink. Her slanted blue gaze slid to his smile.

    ¡°Nothing, just a man admiring his wife,¡± he said with a note of possessiveness in his tone. He felt like if he kept calling her and Athena his wives, it might knock some sense into his brain that they actually were.

    That whatever effected-him now, affected also. And vice versa.

    So their goals were simple. Stock up in the village, maybe stay a night¡ªit was apparently much bigger than Trager village and actually had a guard force¡ªthen it was onto Oedrin town. Somehow Jace didn¡¯t see things going as smoothly as the others suggested it would.

    For one Pessel village was no more than a day or two travel from Trager village. A place that was now horrifically over run by wretches, a single skeleton knight¡ªhe¡¯d have to ask Dexica about that, and three grotesque abomination¡¯s¡ªwhich would also have to be brought up with the voice in his head.

    So no, Jace wasn¡¯t counting his lucky stars on a chance of peace anytime soon.

    ¡°And here we are,¡± Joanna said dramatically, and a few seconds later the canopy of trees on all sides stopped as they rode out of the forest and into the middle of a wide grassy field.

    The road sloping and twisting, and about a half-a-mile away was a village centred at the bottom of the sloping terrain. It had shorter walls than Trager village from what Jace could make out. But they seemed thicker, sturdier even. He also saw the vague hint of people milling about on top of the wall.

    Nearer the village walls, people worked the fields and farms. Picking whatever crops they could before winter comes and freezes everything.

    There a loud distant clang and clatter from the direction of the village as they rode leisurely towards it¡¯s double gates. Said gates then opened and a force of about twenty men with pikes marched out and stood in front of the village gate. Behind them stood a single man, in a dirty brown gambeson.

    ¡°HALT!¡± A commanding shout roamed across the distance between them. Jace saw the younger couple who had the wagon in the lead, slow down. With Maypor in front of them doing the same.

    Joanna pulled back on the reins slowing their wagon to a crawl.

    ¡°STATE YOUR BUSINESS.¡±

    Without even considering what he was saying or why, Jace stood and shouted back, ¡°WE COME SEEKING THE HOLY GRAIL!¡±

    Their was a deafening pause, and all eyes fell on Jace, who simply shrugged. ¡°What! I couldn¡¯t help it.¡±

    ¡°The holy grail¡­?¡± Joanna asked him, confusion written plain across her beautiful face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask,¡± he grumbled at her.

    In front of them, Maypor jumped down and marched to the front of the lead wagon. ¡°BOSRIC. IS THAT ANYWAY TO WELCOME YOUR SISTER IN LAW?¡± Her scratchy shout drifted across the distance and Jace saw the men visibly relax from where they were.

    ¡°I SHOULD¡¯VE KNOWN YOU¡¯D STILL BE KICKING, YA OLD BAT!¡± the voice, Bosric presumably boomed back with a laugh. ¡°COME ON THEN MAY, YOU AND YOURS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED AT PESSEL.¡±

    With that the pike men stood straight and retreated to the sides of the gates, as the man in charge started walking towards them.

    ¡°We¡¯re free to enter,¡± Maypor called out and rubbed at her throat.

    Then they were pushing forward towards Pessel village. Maybe our luck isn¡¯t so bad after all, Jace thought. They were always famous last words.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Eleven

    The first thing Jace noticed as they entered the village was that it stank of shit, and everyone they past looked gloomy and filthy. The second thing he noticed was the looks of disgust aimed at Joanna and the Saracae. Athena, Marcia and the kids were spared a glance but other than that.

    The villages vile looks were reserved only for his wife and bodyguards. ¡°If they start throwing shit, I¡¯ll start painted their faces with the Fisa rune,¡± Jace murmured softly to Joanna. Everywhere he looked, all he saw were humans. With no other races or half-breed¡¯s in sight

    Joanna laughed loudly at that, her tinkling merrily as she held onto his arm. ¡°You would get plenty of practice in, handsome,¡± Joanna laughed. ¡°We¡¯ll have to do some practice later.¡± She assured him. They were joined Athena and Marcia quickly after stepping down. Jace noticed that the latter of the two seemed to be avoiding him.

    He guessed now that she had spoken her piece she¡¯d leave things at that. So Jace wouldn¡¯t push to have further conversation with her. But since their talk last night, he no longer considered her as part of his, Athena, and Joanna¡¯s marriage. His wives could if they wished too, but as far as Jace was concerned now. Marcia was the fourth unwelcomed wheel to their little love-trio.

    ¡°So how does May know this guy?¡± Jace asked the mender quietly.

    ¡°Its her brother in-law, handsome. We all heard her say it,¡± she gave him a ¡®duhh¡¯ look and turned away to speak to Athena. The Saracae grabbed their valuable and essentials and moved up stand behind them.

    ¡°May! it¡¯s so good to see your old bones,¡± a mountain of a man exclaimed and came over to hug the grouchy old woman. Jace was surprised a spear was jutting out of the man¡¯s chest as they embraced.

    He was massively built, considerably hairy, and had arms the width of Jace¡¯ legs put together. His thick curly black-hair frame around his face like a helmet. His thick bushy beard hiding half of his face from sight.

    ¡°Bosric, you big fool. It¡¯s been years since last I saw ya. How is everyone?¡± Maypor asked him with a small happy smile on her face.

    ¡°You should probably come inside, if you wish to hear the news. Please, bring your friends as well,¡± his tone was clear, and the wounded look in his eyes said it all.

    Following behind Maypor and Bosric, Jace got a better look at the village. Most of the houses were made of lumber with stone foundations. Some even reaching two-stories tall. The streets were frosted mud and hard packed from the foot traffic clomping through.

    The people that weren¡¯t shooting his wife and bodyguards hateful and distrustful looks, were going about their usual day. Some vendors and small goods stalls lined one street to their left as they passed by. There were even a few shops from what Jace could see. A leather worker¡¯s and carpenter. A cloth store, for drapes and clothing.

    And some other¡¯s that he couldn¡¯t see, but saw people walking out of, their arms laden with different items.

    The house they came to was in the shape of an L. It was two stories tall. And off to the side attached to the house was a blacksmith¡¯s forge, anvil, kiln, and bellows. Beside that were bulky and sturdy wooden tables, lined with various tools, half-finished weapons garner implements.

    Bosric lead them to the front door of his home, and waved them inside.

    Jace and others almost gasped at the warmth radiating about the interior. There were doors on either side of them as they entered. A staircase before them, that led up to the second floor, and to the right of the stair¡¯s was another door, this one open.

    Through the open door he could see a kitchen area and hear the sound of someone humming, the faint scent of herbs and meat being prepared. Candles and lanterns filled those spaces where it was darkest.

    ¡°Bos?¡± a feminine voice called out, ¡°it that you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s me, Cala. I¡¯ve brought guests,¡± Bosric voice resounded as he walked towards the side door and into the kitchen. ¡°Abrin, will have his work cut out for him.¡± The burly man continued and following him deeper within his home, they walked into the kitchen.

    Two people were inside. One was a old elven man, his haired was a stark white and pulled behind his head. He wore an apron and was chopping a leek and a few carrots. Opposite him at the kitchen prep table, was a woman.

    Her smiles brightened as she saw Bosric and then doubled in size as Maypor entered. Jace and his wives not far behind them. ¡°Well if isn¡¯t the forest crow of the woods,¡± Cala said jokingly and held her arms out wide to Maypor. The older woman going around to hugged her obviously younger sister.

    ¡°How are you, Cal?¡± Maypor asked and Jace heard her voice crackle with emotion.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine May. Has- has Bos told you?¡± Cala asked her. Maypor shook her head.

    ¡°I thought it might be best to tell her privately,¡± Bosric explained, looking slightly guilty.

    ¡°June¡­ May. She¡¯s- gone. They took her, and they¡­¡± Cala¡¯s whole demeanour switch from welcoming and warm, to hurt, and guilty, and sorrowful.

    ¡°What- what do you mean sister¡­?¡± Maypor asked her, and hugged her sister tightly. Her eyes shot to Bosric.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been dealing with a large band of goblins, over the last six months. They come down through the north and raid our fields and climb our walls, to attack, or kidnapped whoever they can get their hands on.¡±

    The big man, sighed and rubbed a thick paw over his face.

    ¡°Then a month ago, they attacked the forge and my workshop. As I dealt with them, four of them got inside. They- they stabbed Cala in the back¡­ and they took June.¡± His voice croaked when saying his daughters name. And Jace couldn¡¯t help but feel incredibly uncomfortable standing there.

    The villagers looks of distrust and contempt for the Saracae was understandable then, though misdirected.

    ¡°Then we must go and bring her-¡± Maypor spat fiercely. The old woman¡¯s hands clenching into fists.

    ¡°There¡¯s no bringing her back, May,¡± Bosric interrupted her softly.

    ¡°We found June two weeks after they¡¯d taken her. She was left at the mouth of a cave that led to the Everdark. They had¡­ done things to her.¡± The burly man cleared his throat and Jace heard a sniffle from Athena. His fox-kin wife clutched Gabrielle to her breast as she cried quietly for this family.

    ~*~*~*~

    An hour or so late he was changing his clothes in a separate room with Joanna and Athena. The latter of the two had blushed furiously as she watched him changed. Yet when it was her turn to dress, she pleaded with Joanna to screen her. Much to both of their amusement.

    Marcia and Cain were in a separate room all together. Apparently his wives had found out about her deception in agreeing to their marriage. Jace wouldn¡¯t push them for details though. Honestly he was past caring for those who didn¡¯t matter directly to him. Gabrielle tried to crawl on the floor by his feet, and Jace squatted down to hoist the baby fox girl into his arms.

    She bubbled and drooled happily and soon Athena and Joanna were ready for diner. Cala, after she had pushed her grief away had welcomed them into her home. Even greeting the Saracae, she seemed more fascinated than disgusted by them. Jace had then found out that she actually couldn¡¯t feel anything passed her waist.

    Making her chair bound, though Bosric swore he would finish a, ¡°chair with wheels¡± for her soon enough.

    Abrin the elven cook and indentured servant for Bosric and his wife, had then shown them to their rooms for the evening shortly after.

    Walking outside with the women in toe, Jace juggled Gabrielle about and saw Marcia and Cain walking in front of them. Just having left their room ahead. Marcia looked back over her shoulder, locked eyes with him and gave him a slight nod. Jace ignored her and concentrated on the top of Gabrielle¡¯s head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry her handsome. She¡¯ll come around,¡± Joanna inform him.

    Athena snorted at that, ¡°just wished that she hadn¡¯t lied to us.¡±

    ¡°Eh. I wouldn¡¯t worry yourselves about it. Marcia will do as she wants,¡± Jace shrugged indifferently.

    ¡°She took part in the marriage ritual,¡± Joanna shook her head. ¡°The pact had been witnessed by Shre herself. I doubt the goddess would¡¯ve accepted the marriage, had her husband still been alive.¡±

    Silence answered her and Joanna¡¯ features contorted into a look of horror. ¡°I am so sorry, Athena. I didn¡¯t mean-¡± Joanna started to apologies as she spun to hug the fox-kin.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Jo. Really it is. I made peace with father¡¯s sacrifice the moment it happened.¡± Athena shot Jace a guilty look at that.

    ¡°Marcia is just- well¡­. she¡¯s complicated. Always has been as far as I¡¯ve known her. Mom never did beat around the bush when it came to setting Marcia straight.¡±

    ¡°You hear that, handsome. Sound¡¯s like all she need¡¯s is a firm guiding hand,¡± Joanna joked coyly at him, and Jace yelped as the elven mender slapped his bottom.

    Shooting the mender a death glare, Jace marched down the stairs and towards the right door by the front entrance. Within was a long rectangular oaken table, that gleamed as if it had been moulded in amber. Jace noticed that two of his Saracae were by the door on the inside. Neither had any weapons, except for small rusted iron daggers on their outer thighs.

    I really need to sit down with Amadis and learn all of the Saracae names. Feels ¡­ wrong, not knowing, he thought.

    Sitting at the table was Bosric, Cala, Maypor, Amadis, Marcia and Cain.

    ¡°Please, sit where you like,¡± Cala smiled at them and waved to any of the vacant chairs. Walking around the table, Jace plopped down with Gabrielle in his lap opposite Marcia. To his left was Maypor and opposite her was Amadis.

    ¡°Master,¡± Amadis said and caught his attention, ¡°I¡¯ve posted my sisters about the house near any exit.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ami. But I¡¯d hate to encroach on-¡±

    ¡°Its fine, boy,¡± Maypor said interrupting him. ¡°Bosric and Cala are thankful for the extra protection. Even if it is for just one night.¡±

    ¡°Just one night? You¡¯re not staying?¡± Cala blinked and leaned forward to looked at May and then the rest of them.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t told them,¡± Jace whispered to the old woman.

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t,¡± Maypor replied with a tired sigh.

    ¡°We can¡¯t. In fact, I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll come with us.¡±

    ¡°Where are you going, May?¡± Bosric inquired.

    ¡°To Oedrin. Trager village is gone, Bosric. A horde of a hundred wretches and monstrous creatures killed everyone except those who you saw today with us.¡±

    Their hosts sat in stunned silence as they digested the news. ¡°It¡¯s likely,¡± Jace started speaking up, ¡°that Pessel village is next.¡±

    ¡°How do you mean?¡±

    For the next ten minutes, Jace along with the everyone else¡¯s input described what had happened to Trager, no more than a day ago. Once he had finished, the door to the room was filled by Abrin, carrying a large platter in both hands. Behind the indentured elf was a few of his Saracae, helping to deliver his and his wives dishes.

    Before Jace could even start in on his roast lamb, roasted sweet potatoes and veg. The Saracae that had carried it to him, bent and whispered in his ear, ¡°there no poison in food, Master. All is well.¡±

    Nodding his head, Jace ignored the inquisitive looks he got and dug in.

    It was after their delicious diner, as they sat in the other room, that Bosric and Cala answered Maypor¡¯s suggestion.

    ¡°We can¡¯t come with you, May,¡± Bosric said at last. He and his wife, who sat beside him on the double sofa sipped their wine glasses. Maypor reclined next to them on a small comfy padded chair.

    As Jace and his wives cuddled up on another sofa opposite the couple.

    ¡°Why not?¡± May said, her voice sounded rough and harsh. Yet he knew there was no bite in her tone.

    ¡°This is our home, May,¡± Cala said softly. ¡°We can hardly abandon it. Especially after - everything - that¡¯s happened.¡±

    Maypor rubbed at the side of her face as she sighed in exasperation. ¡°Home¡¯s can be rebuilt, Cala. Your lives can not.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I know that!¡± Cala snapped back her eyes flaring dangerously.

    ¡°Easy, love. Your sister is just worried.¡±

    ¡°Sorry Cala,¡± Maypor ducked her white-haired head in an apology.

    ¡°You know,¡± Jace said, his voice filling the silence that followed. His drink was just plain cool-water, nothing fancy. A part of him seemed adverse to anything alcoholic. Though Joanna and Athena sipped their wine happily and snuggled against him.

    Marcia had gone to bed early, taking Cain and Gabrielle with her.

    ¡°They¡¯ll come for you eventually; you should know that. They drove everyone out of Trager forest for a reason. Now I can only speculate on that reason but, once they¡¯re finished doing whatever it is. Pessel is between the forest and Oedrin. Remember that.¡±

    ¡°We know,¡± Bosric said and Cala nodded sullenly. ¡°If - if it happens. We¡¯ll decide then on what we do.¡±

    ¡°Just prayer you aren¡¯t too late in your decision then,¡± Jace smiled though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Because the things we saw,¡± he supressed a shudder. ¡°Are truly horrific.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Bosric stood from the sofa and held his lady¡¯s hand in his massive paw. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse us. I¡¯m going to take Cala upstairs to her room, and do a round on the walls.¡±

    As they left Jace turned to Maypor who was staring at the wall. Her empty glass resting idly in her hands. ¡°May, you still with us?¡± he asked her tentatively.Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°Of course, boy,¡± the old woman scowled at him. ¡°They¡¯re too stubborn- and stupid to see sense. Yet I cannot fault them. If my Albert still lived, I don¡¯t imagine we would¡¯ve left our home as well.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re sticking with us, May,¡± Joanna said and smiled at her old friend. ¡°At least I won¡¯t be the only old woman then.¡±

    Maypor smirked slightly at that and cocked her eyebrow as she looked between Joanna and Jace. ¡°Sure.¡±

    After that they retired up to their room, and stripped down for bed. ¡°May¡¯s right you know. Some people are too stupid and stubborn to see sense,¡± Joanna said as she and Athena got dressed behind a screen in their room. Jace got the impression that she was thinking of Marcia.

    The elven beauty stepped out from behind the screen in a sheer sleeveless baby blue lace nightie that hung about her upper thighs. The material barely covering, her exposed sex and small pert ass, as she sauntered over to stand before Jace.

    He was sat on the bed, staring at her delicate slit and small perky breasts.

    Her nipples erect and peaking the lace enticingly. Then he heard footsteps behind her, and Joanna swivelled aside as Athena stepped out nervously

    The fox-kin-woman, wore a red sleeveless sheer lace nighties, except hers didn¡¯t even try to conceal her sex from him. Her massive breasts rose the material up high, showing off her lower half. Exposing her pink lips and trimmed curls to him. Jace¡¯s felt his mouth salivate at the sight of a goddess. Goddesses, he thought seeing Joanna smirking at his reaction.

    His dick was harshly bent trying to spring out of his tight breeches. His eyes landed on Athena fluffy tail swishing out behind her backside. Her red furred ears twitch in nervousness.

    ¡°Come, sister. Our husband has yet to consummate our marriage with you,¡± Joanna said huskily and crook a finger at the blushing fox-kin.

    ¡°We were interrupted last time,¡± Jace said, his voice going distant.

    Athena and Joanna were polar opposites when it came to their figure. The elven woman was willowy and slender. Her long legs, small breasts and tight ass reminded him of a Victoria secret runway model. Whatever the fuck that is. But the impression was there. Her body was gorgeous. And it all Jace could do not to take her and see if he could snap her in half on his cock.

    Athena on the other hand was creamy, curvy, and luscious. Her massive breasts peak with pink nipple swollen and sensitive from breast-feeding her daughter almost every other couple of hours a day.

    Her body was hourglass shape, with a small waist and wide round hips. Her full ass was pronounced, and her swishing tail made it even more glorious.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I was last with someone,¡± Athena warned him. She took a deep breath and walked over to stand opposite Joanna in front of him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sister,¡± Joanna purred to her. ¡°There¡¯s no comparison to his ¡­ monster.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve told me, Jo. Yet I¡¯ve¡­¡± Athena trailed off her eyes lingering on the massive bulge in Jace¡¯s pants, ¡°yet to see it.¡±

    ¡°Then get on knees,¡± Joanna murmured and stepping over she trailed her finger across Athena¡¯ exposed hip and moved behind her. Athena shiver and her shaky aroused breathing had Jace trying with all his might to not burst through the seams of his breeches.

    He did kind of like them after all.

    His elven wife, circled her slender hands around Athena waist and hugged their bodies together. Joanna murmuring softly into the fox-kin¡¯s ear as she stared at Jace. Then Joanna began to press small delicate kisses down Athena¡¯s neck.

    One of the elf¡¯s hands creeping down her flat stomach to rest at the trimmed curls of Athena mound. ¡°She¡¯s so soft, husband,¡± Joanna said pressing another kiss behind the fox-kin¡¯s jaw.

    Jace watched all of this, his wives weren¡¯t exactly making love to each other, but the closeness of their pressed bodies were making them moan softly. Joanna is certainly more dominant that Athena.

    ¡°Enough,¡± Jace said, and his quiet voice drew a startle gasp from the women. ¡°Both of you. On. Your. Knee¡¯s.¡± he pointed between his legs and both of his wives sprang into action. Dropping before him Joanna immediately began to run her hands over his legs and thigh, her small needle-like teeth on full display as she grinned mischievously at him.

    Athena knelt beside her, watching her sister-wife in amazement. Her own hands almost unconsciously running over her body, as she let out small gasps and moans.

    Reaching down Jace unfastened himself and with Joanna help tugged off his pants. His thick erection sprung out between his legs, his thick purple head dripping precum already.

    Joanna tongue darted and lapped the precum up as she puckered her lips around the head of his dick. Jace moaned approvingly as he watched Joanna¡¯s tiny mouth work his head in and out of her.

    Then the slender elf open her mouth wide and bobbed her head forward suddenly, taking a good couple inches of his shaft into her wet warm mouth.

    One of her hands rubbed and cupped at his balls as she stroke his shaft and gobbled the first couple of inches of his shaft. Her lips peeled back as she grinned toothily around his cock.

    The danger of the situation was never lost on Jace. Any one of her small sharp teeth could easily punctured through his dick. But that very thought added to the height of trust, love, and lust he felt for her. She¡¯s no Mileena at least.

    Jace began to thrust his hips minutely forward in time with each of her suckling bobs. His cock stuffing more and more insider her tiny mouth. Stretching her lips and bulging her cheeks obscenely. She moaned and that cut off.

    Joanna gagged as the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat and she swallowed at him reflexively, taking more of him inside her. Jace flexed his cock entered inside her throat and felt her constrict around him.

    He¡¯d completely forgotten about Athena by this point. Lost in the stunning blues of Joanna slanted gaze, as she knelt like a supplicant and eagerly craved his warm seed in her stomach.

    As if reading his thought Joanna moaned around him and the vibration thrummed through his shaft. Then she abruptly slid his shaft out of her mouth and coughed.

    ¡°What the?¡±

    ¡°Sorry handsome. I just wanted to do the prep work. This here,¡± she stroke his slathered cock roughly and spat on the head. ¡°Is for my sister-wife, tonight.¡±

    Jace blinked and looked to the right to see a heavily blushing Athena. One of her hands rubbing between her closed legs, as the other pinched at a swollen erect nipple.

    She moaned sharply and gasped as Jace caught her pleasuring herself. Then she shyly opened her legs, revealing her wet pink entrance as her finger slipped in and out.

    ¡°I- ah, want you,¡± she murmured and bit back a loud moan. Joanna let go of his throbbing manhood and scooted over on her hands and knees to Athena. Once there the willowy elf wasted no time in removing the fox-kin¡¯s nightie. Athena¡¯ breast barely moved as the lacy material slid smoothly over her luscious curves.

    Her chest was a deep scarlet red, her blush spreading over her wondrous body. Then Joanna gave the curvy fox-kin a light push. And Athena crawled over on all fours to Jace. Her tail swaying with each gentle bounce of her ass. Her massive breast hung perkily down, her clawed fingertips clacking against the wooden floor.

    Jace groaned as Athena reached and in wasting time, the shy fox stuck her tongue out and ran it from between his balls all the way to the head of his cock.

    Her face grew a bright red as she did so, yet she didn¡¯t stop. If anything her quickly flicking tail showed how excited she was.

    Then without pause the foxy woman, open her mouth wide revealing her two jutting fangs and took him into her mouth. Jace almost exploded then and there, and at that his mind thought on everything that happened to him since waking up in Parkers Hold. The constant wonder at who he had been. Now though, he knew without doubt that whoever he was, had never had this much love and devotion from anyone.

    Athena struggled to bob her head on his wide girth, her fangs making it difficult. But to Jace that didn¡¯t matter, her mouth was silken flesh around his dick, and her tongue had a roughness to it that reminded him of a cat.

    It swirled around the sensitive skin of his erection and it was all he could do to not say ¡®to hell with this and shove his length down her throat and explode.¡¯

    After a minute of this Jace was on the edge and decided it was enough. ¡°Stop. If we¡­ if we keep going, I¡¯m going to cum in your mouth,¡± he informed her and saw Athena¡¯ yellow gaze narrow in determination. Her tongue lapped at him even harder as her hands stroked his shaft rigorously.

    A moan from his right caught his attention and looking over he saw Joanna was spread eagle on the floor, with her knees bent as her long slender fingers plunged into her pink pussy. She moaned and shivered at his attention.

    Jace gasped and winced as his cock slid further into Athena¡¯ mouth and her fangs scrape his shaft. It wasn¡¯t anything painful, but it did pinched at the skin.

    Athena growled in frustration. ¡°Dammit,¡± she spat taking him out her wonderful mouth. ¡°I wanted to do this.¡±

    ¡°Its fine. Honestly I was enjoying it. But it¡¯s not your mouth I want tonight,¡± Jace told her and reaching down, he cupped her chin in his hand. ¡°Now. Get on the bed,¡± with each word Jace brushed his thumb over her plump lips.

    The fox-kin shivered as his quiet tone, and with wide eyes Athena clambered onto the king-sized bed. She position her rear towards his and swished her hips and tail invitingly.

    ¡°On your back,¡± he told her and lightly tapped her thick rump. Athena hesitated and Jace wondered why. Probably something to do with being beastkin. That whole, mount the female shtick.

    Jace wanted to see Athena¡¯s yellow eyes roll into the back of her head as she orgasmed on his dick. Once the fox-kin was position on her back Jace slowly moved up her body. He took her arched feet and avoiding the claws he kissed skin of her foot and then moved up her leg. He felt the muscles in her lean claves and thighs twitch as his progress moved further.

    He avoided her pink slit, and moved onto her flat stomach up her chest and onto her full heavy breasts. They sagged slightly and that made them all the more glorious. Yes, he¡¯d seen Deanna breasts, and the orc¡¯s were larger. But they fitted her ridiculous frame well.

    Athena¡¯ were like buying a plain freddo, biting into it, and finding a caramel filled center. It was unexpected and delightfully wonderful. And for some reason you¡¯d savour each bite, like you never had it before and never would again.

    Jace blinked away the nonsense drumming through his skull. Sometimes he just had to let it roll, or shit would just get more bizarre.

    Cupping Athena chest, Jace gently palmed and ran his hands tentatively over their curve and around her areola. He stared at her erect pink nipples, and thought about how her ripe her full breasts were. Swollen with vitality that would feed their babies when she had them.

    Leaning down he lapped his tongue over her diamond hard nipple, as he traced the other lightly with his fingers. He wouldn¡¯t pinch or suckle on them. Just his light ministrations alone, informed how sensitive they were.  He wasn¡¯t in the business of drinking her breast milk. I swear. Anime guys have all the fun.

    Their little girl was a greedy stinker after all.

    So much had happened in the last week or so.

    Moving on from her swollen nipples and trailing kisses up her neck, Jace eventually claimed her mouth. Athena hands ran over his prickly scalp, along his prickly beard and held his face as her lips parted and their tongue enticed one another.

    Then Jace¡¯s thick cock rubbed length ways over Athena¡¯ wet labia. Her lips were gripping and gliding along his shaft, as he ran himself over her soaking wet entrance.

    Her legs wrapped around his waist and without him even moving Athena began her to grind her clit against the shaft of his dick. The lips of her pussy slathering his dick in her honeyed juices. Her legs climbed higher and up his back and then he felt the tip of his cock enter her heated sex.

    She wasn¡¯t tight nor loose. In fact she was perfect for him. And Jace smoothly glided inside her engulfing pussy easily and bottomed out inside her.

    Athena moaned, her eyes rolling back in her head and she bit her plump red lip, as they broke their kiss.

    He distantly heard Joanna whisper, ¡°holy fuck!¡± as she watched them.

    For a singular moment, Jace found himself to be utterly thoughtless. Like life was in stark clarity. Its rules and division set before more in stark openness.

    People and things were simple. They were of two minds. Love, and sorrow. With love we find laughter, comfort, and happiness. In sorrow we find pain, loss, and grief.

    We avoid pain, because well it hurts. You don¡¯t stick your hand over flame because you know it¡¯ll hurt, yet you seek its warmth anyway.

    And we seek love, because we avoid pain.

    Two simple truth¡¯s about life.

    A man would walk thousands of miles with a stone in his shoe, than stop and knock it out because it would be an inconvenience.

    People were in a rush searching for joy, because we all really hurt inside.

    Each of us in some small way¡¯s.

    Then Jace rocked his pelvis, sliding out and then thrusting forward. His mind lost in a haze of bliss. Athena crying out in pleasure, calling his name, as he picked up the pace. Slamming in and out.

    Her legs clung to him, and her claws pierced into the flesh of his shoulder blade. But Jace barely noticed it, and leaning down he stuck his tongue roughly into her mouth, stifling her gasps and mewls of pleasure.

    The warm coil within him unwound, his balls tightening up as his orgasm neared.

    Neither of them were aware of the words that spilled from all three of their lips. Nor the tether of energy that bloom between the two lovers and their third, blissfully strumming her clit and fingering her pussy on the floor as she watched them.

    Jace slammed in and out, thrusting deeply and pushing Athena into the bed. The fox-kin¡¯s mouth open in a silence scream, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as her back arched beneath him.

    Then Jace was there, as the walls of her pussy tightened around his shaft and sent tumbling waves rolling over his dick, and pounding into her as her juices erupted over him, he bottomed out and felt his dick press against her cervix.

    Then he gasped and roared as waves of cum shot from the head of his cock into her accepting womb. Then leaning his head against her shoulder Jace bit down hard.

    ¡°Oooooh FUCK!¡± Athena screamed and cried out as she climaxed again. Her labia tightening her hold on the base of his shaft as his endless bounty of sperm filled her to the brim.

    As their climax subsided, they kissed sloppily. Their sweat soaked bodies mashed together, his cock still twitching as his seed seemed to spill endlessly from him.

    As they broke their mouths apart, Athena looked deep into his eyes. ¡°I love you,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°I love you as well,¡± he shot a look over the side of the bed to see Joanna listlessly crawling over to them. ¡°Both of you.¡±

    Life is fucking great, he thought and was about to pull out of Athena when she caught his hip.

    ¡°Stay inside me, please. Let¡¯s fall asleep like this. Tonight at least,¡± she told him, Jace hesitated then nodded.

    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s just change position first. Without sliding out of her he brought her legs together in the air making her pussy tighten on him as she gasped. Then he moved her legs to the side and laid down behind her. He felt Joanna¡¯s arms wrap around his waist from behind.

    ¡°That was so fucking hot, you two,¡± the elven woman moaned. ¡°Next time, I¡¯m getting involved.¡±

    ¡°Promise?¡± Jace shot back, his eyes lazily sliding shut.

    ¡°Promise, handsome,¡± she told him. ¡°Worth it, Athena?¡±

    ¡°Yes my dear sister-wife it was indeed,¡± Athena said softly her hand went to her belly, then to her sex where they were still connected. ¡°We¡¯re just missing one piece of our happy little family,¡± she whispered quietly to herself. Then a plan formed in her mind. And with a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

    Athena wriggled back into her husband and closed her eyes. Her excitement and arousal would not let her sleep for some time. It was time to straighten out her Marcia.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Hey, Dexica. What is it this time?¡± Jace asked as he realised he was in the pocket plane.

    ¡°Oh nothing to worry about dear one. Can¡¯t a lady enjoy some company of her own for a while,¡± the voice in his informed him.

    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re a woman?¡± Jace asked and winced as a shrill whistle blurred in his ear drums. ¡°Sorry!¡±

    ¡°Hmm. You don¡¯t sound apologetic. Well never mind, your display earlier was rather impressive. I added that one to my Rub-Club almost immediately,¡± Dexica laughed.

    ¡°Rub- uh-what? You know what, never mind. So what¡¯s up?¡± Jace asked again, as he shook his head in amusement.

    ¡°Time for more Magic lesson¡¯s I¡¯m afraid. Our time in this pocket is growing shorter by the day. You need to learn fast and begin helping me to reinforce it. Otherwise we¡¯re fucked my friend, and seriously. For all that is astral and good in this world, will you at least learn to use my vambrace. I mean I¡¯ve showed you how and you¡¯re still forgetting about my conduit outside of this plane.¡± The voice in his head grumbled at him.

    ¡°What? uh- no you didn¡¯t. You never showed anything about it?¡± Jace shot back.

    There was a moment of pause.

    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t?¡± Dexica asked him, sounding flustered and confused.

    Jace thought back on their experience against the Fragment. He remembered the vambrace liquifying and moulding into a new shape on his arm. All he remembered doing was pressing the symbol of the bow and arrow.

    ¡°Huh. Guess I never did. Well it¡¯s simple really. Find any weapon you¡¯re proficient with and hold it in your right hand. Give me a mental shout¡ªI can hear you by the way, just can¡¯t reply¡ªand I¡¯ll copy it.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he said, it did sound cool as fuck, ¡°then how do I change it. Like from the vambrace into a weapon.¡±

    ¡°Just ask me, and I¡¯ll display the symbol of the weapon I¡¯ve copied. Note that I can only do one at a time. And the time between each weapon will depend on the weapon¡¯s make-up and intricacies. You should also note that I can¡¯t make arrows, or bolt. Only the bow I¡¯m afraid. An arrow would mean that a part of my conduit would be spent. If that arrow was lost, I¡¯d be lesser than I was before.¡±

    ¡°Okay. That makes perfect sense. Is there uh, anything I can do to improve the vambrace. Like add different metals maybe.¡±

    ¡°N- I- uh, Mhmm, maybe? Actually that sounds rather interesting. I¡¯m not sure how we¡¯ll do it. Maybe using different metals from the weapons I¡¯ll copy? I¡¯m not sure. It¡¯s something we can experiment on safely though.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good to me. Now what¡¯re we learning?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re going to rough our way through drawing Mana within you. You won¡¯t be able to do shit with it, muffins, without a brush. But the knowledge will help with rune composing anyway. Now sat on the glass and cross you legs please. Good. Now remember the mana core we visualised last time-¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    Athena¡¯ eyes blinked opened. She felt Jace stirring behind her as he mumbled in his sleep. She hadn¡¯t seen him have a nightmare at all in the last few days. Though she had heard the name, Dexi, mumbled like curse in his sleep.

    She stifled a moan, as she moved and felt his flaccid penis still inside of her. Gently sliding him out of her, Athena sat up and crossed her legs as she slid off the bed and retrieved her lace nightie.

    Looking over her shoulder, she saw Jace shift in his sleep and turn over to cuddle up behind Joanna. She was thankful to her sister-wife in nudging her to be courageous and brave.

    What troubled Athena right now, was Marcia. And what Athena was about to do to her. She had always looked up to her like an older sister. She only called her aunt sometimes because Marcia was her mother¡¯ sister-wife. Though they generally went around saying they were actual sisters.

    Walking softly across the room, her clawed toes clacking with each step. Athena opened the door and moved into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

    Looking both ways she walked down the until she came to Marcia¡¯ room. The orange light spreading out from beneath the door, informed her that Marcia was still awake.

    Athena looked to the door next to this one. Her daughter was in there sleeping soundlessly, and most likely Cain as well. Taking a deep breath she squared her shoulders and gently wrapped on the door twice. A muffled, ¡°who is it?¡± came a moment later.

    ¡°It¡¯s me Marcia,¡± Athena replied, her voice soft and sweet. And fumbling with the handle she opened the door a second later and stepped inside.

    ¡°Athena- good goddess, girl, what¡¯re wearing?¡± Marcia exclaimed as she focused on Athena coming into her room. Then the older fox-kin took in a deep breath and smelled the musky scent of sex on her.

    ¡°You need to clean yourself up, before you go visiting anyone else,¡± Marcia said sternly.

    ¡°Oh? but I¡¯m only visiting you. I¡¯ve come to share is all.¡±

    ¡°Share what?¡±

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter Twelve

    ¡°So how far out from Oedrin are we?¡± Jace asked and heard Joanna and Athena groan at his question. He may¡¯ve asked it once or twice.

    ¡°Seriously handsome,¡± Joanna sighed, ¡°for the hundredth time. We are two days out.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I was just checking,¡± he waved the hand that wasn¡¯t holding the reins and wiggled it apologetically. Small snow shower¡¯s had started last-night as they camped. It had been just about two days since they¡¯d left Pessel and were apparently making good time. Since then he noticed a few changes in the demeanour of his wives. What with the sudden inclusion of Marcia into pretty much every conversation they had now.

    Jace had decided it was probably best he stayed well out of their way on that one. Especially since the older fox-kin always blushed heavily and avoided his eyes when they were near each other.

    He spend a few hours a day visualising his mana core, and ¡®sparking it¡¯¡ªwas the only way he could describe it¡ªto life. Unfortunately the days were so filled with the monotonous clutter of driving, or walking, or setting up camp, or making love to his wives. That he simply hadn¡¯t had the free time to even take his brush case out.

    He craved some actual practice.

    For now he had to satiate his craving with the expanse of country side splayed before him. Vast rolling plains and fields of corn or grass roamed for miles on end.

    Here and there were droves of sheep, or cows grazing. Darkened forest¡¯s beset the vast plains on almost every side.

    He was beginning to get antsy with the lack of combat. Jace had underestimated how highly strung his body and mentality were. The loudest or sharpest of noises setting him off.

    The day doddle-on. The grey clouds overhead seeming heavier than usual. Their general dark tones were lighter. ¡°It¡¯ll snow most likely tonight,¡± he heard Marcia muttered in the back of their wagon. Looking over his shoulder, he caught the alchemist peering at a small vial in her hand. She would gently shake it, and the white contents inside would slush a dark blue.

    ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡± he asked her.

    Without looking at him, her ears twitched in his direction. ¡°I don¡¯t, not really. There¡¯s just this general feeling in the air. Like you look at the cloud and they seem ready to burst down on you.¡±

    Jace nodded, that was the same feeling he was getting. ¡°Don¡¯t you get any sun here?¡±

    ¡°Oh, we get plenty,¡± Joanna sighed from where she lounge reading a book called, Sinsiata theory on spiritual magic.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any,¡± Jace replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s because of the cycle. Since the eclipse began handsome, all we¡¯ve seen is clouds.¡±

    ¡°Why is called the Eclipse cycle anyway? Eclipse¡¯s usually only last a few minutes at best.¡± Jace looked ahead once again. His direction drawn towards the wagon ahead of them.

    Maypor¡¯ wagon held the majority of their combined supplies and gear. The Saracae were with her for the moment, giving Jace and his wives some alone time. Now he saw Maypor, leaning over to whisper something to Amadis. The short orc-woman nodded sharply then gestured at another and spat something.

    Immediately that orc hopped off of the wagon, and darted into the field on their right. The tall grass easily hiding her from sight,

    ¡°Nobody knows why. It was recorded that way in the kingdom¡¯s calendar, and everyone was taught to called the end times as such.¡±

    ¡°So much of an end times,¡± Jace mused still watching the wagon as everyone in it began to subtly arm themselves. ¡°End times don¡¯t occur thrice, Joanna. They come once and that¡¯s it. No sequel- It think we¡¯ve got trouble,¡± he added quickly.

    There was a moment of silence then, ¡°shit!¡± Joanna and Marcia hissed quietly.

    ¡°Master?¡± a voice hissed from his right. Jace slowly drifted his head that way. But saw no one.

    ¡°What?¡± he answered anyway.

    ¡°Amadis said, road block. Pull wagon to us,¡± the Saracae said in broken kingdom.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Jace mumbled and glance over his shoulder. He saw that Athena had placed a sleeping Gabrielle in a bundle of blankets, as Marcia ushered Cain to sit beside her. Joanna hugged her satchel to her hip, her narrow gaze fearful yet determine.

    Marcia had three tiny potions in one hand between the knuckles of her fingers. And in the other she held a triangular vial. The contents a piss-yellow.

    Athena surprised him most of all. She pulled out two axes from beneath a sack of clinking items. She twisted both weapons in her hands nervously as her eyes darted about.

    He hid his sigh though. He was thankful that they were ready just in case. But anyone was watching them, would note their postures and severe expressions. And know the game was up.

    Not that Maypor¡¯s wagon was any different. Rolling towards them. Jace tied his reins through a knot in the bench and jumped off the wagon. ¡°Stay with the cart,¡± he told his wives and Marcia. They each nodded their acquiescence.

    Walking to stand beside Maypor he looked ahead.

    In the middle of the road, was a carriage. It was turned on its side with two Lurka corpse just off to the left of it.

    bags and various items of clothing were scattered about like an open invitation. ¡°Trap?¡± he mused to the old woman.

    She titled her head. Her white grey hair was in a short tight braid behind her head. ¡°Most likely. You¡¯d think?¡±

    ¡°I think half goes, and half stays. Amadis?¡± he called out gently. Like a shadow appearing at his side, the short orc stepped up beside him.

    ¡°Yes, Master?¡±

    ¡°Have any of the Saracae scouted our flanks?¡±

    ¡°They have,¡± Amadis said slyly, and folded her hand behind her back. ¡°They¡¯re nine on either side. All of them are human. Dirty, poorly armed. And look to be on the verge of starvation.¡±

    ¡°What about ahead?¡± Jace asked and nodded his in the direction.

    ¡°They¡¯re none,¡± she said flatly, and seemed mildly insulted.

    ¡°None?¡± Jace reel in surprise. ¡°fucking idiot¡¯s. Smart enough to kill, yes. Smart enough to lay an ambush. Not, apparently smart enough to cover all angles.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re a sorry sight, Master. Honestly not even worth it.¡±

    Jace pondered for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll let the Saracae have this, Amadis. Bring one back alive at least,¡± he told her. The short orc grimaced¡ªnot at the prospect of capturing one alive, but that their first display of combat for a new master would be so disappointing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Jace said softly seeing her look, ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have plenty of chances to impress me soon enough.¡±

    The Saracae head bowed deeply to him and retreated, muttering to her sisters in orcish¡ªor whatever their language was.

    ¡°You sure that¡¯s wise, boy?¡± Maypor cocked an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°Honestly, May. It just wouldn¡¯t be fun doing it myself.¡± With that he turned around just as all thirteen warriors¡ªexcluding Amadis¡ªexploded into the fields on either side of them.

    It wasn¡¯t even five seconds later, that he heard the hiss of steel, and the muted dead rattles of the dying. Climbing back onto his wagon, Jace faced his wives and Marcia.

    ¡°It was an ambush,¡± he told them.

    ¡°Ambush!¡± all three of them gasped.

    ¡°Wait- was an ambush, handsome?¡± Joanna asked him tentatively, her white-knuckle death grip on her satchel loosened slightly.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jace yawned. His adrenaline had skyrocketed at the prospect of fighting. Now he was on a steep decline. ¡°I set the Saracae on them. Apparently these lots weren¡¯t well prepared at all.¡± A shrilled scream knifed through the air, making the women jump.

    ¡°It seems we have our captive, Master.¡± Amadis called out to him. Looking around, he saw that some of the Saracae were just leaving the fields now.

    Then the babbling pain etched cry came again in bursts and moved closer to them. Deanna breached through the dense brush of grass, carrying a tied up skinny man.

    The clothing he wore was dirty and ill-repaired. With half sewn patches almost everywhere on him. What drew Jace¡¯ attention though, wasn¡¯t the howling man on Deanna¡¯ shoulder, nor his broken legs.

    It the dagger sticking out the side of her stomach. ¡°Marcia, Joanna, Deanna needs attention,¡± Jace snapped off quickly and jumped down.

    Deanna grunted and hefted the man off her shoulders, into the air, where he landed on his broken legs. He screamed shrilly, and suddenly fainted. The alchemist and mender, corralled the orc warrior-woman back towards their wagon.

    He saw the usually stoic orc grunt, as her cheek¡¯s heated a light dusty green blush. ¡°Your captive, Master,¡± Deanna gestured to the unconscious man. She went to bow but Jace waved her off.

    ¡°It¡¯s- uh- fine. Thank you, Deanna.¡± He smiled at the Amazonian-esque orc-woman. ¡°Did he get you?¡± Jace asked and pointed at the body.

    Deanna grunted and nodded. ¡°Broke his legs first. My mistake.¡±

    ¡°Oh, why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Should¡¯ve broken his arms first,¡± Deanna grunted at him, her eyes flicking down to the dagger protruding from her belly.

    Jace snorted laughter, as did a few of the other Saracae. ¡°Now then, lets see what we¡¯re about shall we.¡± Jace stepped over and gently nudged his boot against the man¡¯s broken legs. He elicited a muffled groan of pain.

    ¡°Wakey, wakey. Sunshine, broken legs and scrambled eggs,¡± he sang and pushed the tip of his boot against bone jutting out of man¡¯s shin.

    The man gasped aloud and cried out with a loud scream. His hands were tied, and he thrashed about, smacking his fists against the road.

    ¡°Help me please. Oh goddess, it fucking hurts,¡± he pleaded.

    ¡°Tell what you were doing here and then well consider helping you,¡± Jace told him and crouched down in front of the man.

    ¡°You!¡± the man gasped, and his eyes widen in recognition of Jace.

    ¡°Me?¡± Jace asked and narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Your him. The fucking summoned. Oohh, I¡¯m going to fucking die, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Jace reeled back in shock, even his Saracae were surprised that this man knew of Jace. ¡°Not if you don¡¯t answer my questions,¡± he said quickly, trying to mask his stunned expression.

    ¡°Anything. Just don¡¯t kill me,¡± the man gasped out.

    ¡°How do you know of me?¡±

    ¡°Oedrin. There¡¯re posters of you everywhere in the town. My brother and Papa moved there. But its¡­ too overcrowded now. Camps are set up on the outside for refugees now. No one goes in. No one leaves.¡±

    ¡°How does Oedrin know of me?¡± Jace asked, his voice calm and cool.

    ¡°Fucking Magi- fuck! L-lord Dakic has a new M-Magi searching for something you stole. F-found you t-that way.¡±

    ¡°Something I stole?¡± Jace asked in disbelief, then his eyes settled on the Saracae all around him. Something I stole. More like someone¡¯s, he thought derisively.

    ¡°Okay. but that doesn¡¯t explain how they know I¡¯m one of the summoned,¡± Jace pointed out.

    ¡°T-there¡¯s this¡ªohfuckingshitfuck¡ªrumour that ¡­ that the Lord Dakic has another one of you locked on in his estate. They¡¯re thought to of pointed you out.¡±

    ¡°Another of me? Of the Fifty-Two?¡± Jace blinked and shook his head slowly. How the fuck did they even escape?

    ¡°So, can you help,¡± the man pleaded, tears and snot sniffling down his face.

    ¡°Sure, friend,¡± Jace said replied and before the man even knew it had happened. Jace had buried his dagger through the man¡¯s eye socket and into his brain.

    It lodged there as he let it go. ¡°Well this shit complicates matters,¡± Jace mumbled and started paces as he rubbed at his face.

    ¡°His information was a little too good, handsome,¡± Joanna pointed out to him, and Jace had to agree.

    ¡°But still. A lot of what he did say, was rather on the nose. Unless this lord hired him and the others.¡±

    ¡°Doubtful,¡± Maypor muttered. ¡°They might¡¯ve been set up to handle all traffic coming through here. Maybe even ones carrying a certain green-skinned cargo.

    ¡°Maybe. I don¡¯t fucking know. Let¡¯s uhhh, get that carriage moved off to the side of the road. Take anything that¡¯s useful and carry on.¡± Jace clapped his hands and Saracae jumped to attention, marching to do as he order.

    ¡°How¡¯s the patient, doc?¡± Jace asked the mender.

    ¡°She has no broken bones thankfully.¡±

    ¡°Orc¡¯s have preternatural regeneration,¡± Marcia murmured. She rubbed a grassy poultice over the surface of the stab wound.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you need to suture it?¡± he asked curiously as Marcia finished her appliance and began unfurling a bandage.

    ¡°No. It¡¯ll likely heal come tomorrow. All she¡¯ll have left is a scar after that.¡± Deanna grunted in agreement.

    ¡°Speaking of healing and scars, handsome,¡± Joanna started leadingly.

    ¡°I get it. You can check as we wait,¡± he told her. His wound had begun to scab over, and the sight wasn¡¯t pretty at all. He would go for moments without even the slightest tickle of pain. Then the next it felt as if someone had poured boiling hot water over his side. ¡°Shit. I forgot to ask him why he was really here.¡±

    ¡°Maybe they have a camp nearby,¡± Joanna suggested as she patted the spot next to Deanna on the wagon. Jace looked to Amadis who was nearby.

    ¡°I¡¯ll sent someone,¡± she said without him having to say anything. He nodded to her gratefully.

    ¡°Its just too fucking weird. If they¡¯re posters of me in Oedrin, then there must be some sort of reward for either capture or death. Yet these idiots were what? robbing wagons.¡±

    ¡°Then Lord Dakic doesn¡¯t where you are exactly. Just your face, and what you are,¡± Marcia said as she wound a bandage around Deanna¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°Still, that mans knowledge of me was a little too on the spot for my liking,¡± Jace grumbled and slid his tunic up to reveal his bandaged side. ¡°Then there¡¯s that- ow-fuck,¡± he hissed as Joanna prodded the centre of his wound sharply. ¡°That little titbit about refugee camps and Oedrin being overcrowded already.¡±

    ¡°The Nigh Dweller¡¯s must¡¯ve scoured the whole wilds, pushing everyone they could find towards the town,¡± Amadis noted.

    ¡°Hold still,¡± Joanna told him firmly, as Jace nodded his agreement to Amadis.

    ¡°Lets just hope your sisters come back with something. I don¡¯t feel comfortable not knowing. And we can¡¯t exactly entered Oedrin until we¡¯re sure we won¡¯t just be arrested at the gate,¡± Jace rolled his eyes. ¡°Not that we can enter anyway.¡±

    Sighing heavily he leaned back as his elven wife slowly unwrapped his bandage. The stench of rot tinged the air harshly and everyone around Jace gagged at the smell.

    ¡°Ugh, that is bad, handsome,¡± Joanna muttered, her voice muffled by her sleeve.

    ¡°You¡¯re- ugh,¡± he gagged, ¡°telling me.¡±

    ¡°Damn we didn¡¯t get it all,¡± Joanna hissed and Jace looked downwards to see a small black lumpy bulb at the centre of his scabbing wound.

    ¡°Fuuck!¡± he groaned, ¡°we need to damn knife, and fire.¡±

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°You need to talk to Dexica about this, my love,¡± Athena pleaded with him. She¡¯d come over once she¡¯d heard about the black ooze returning on him. She¡¯d been positively distraught at seeing it back.

    Everyone around him knew his secrets by this point. And the voice in mind when he visit¡¯s the Wakeful plane was common knowledge amongst them. ¡°I know, I know. I meant to ask him¡ªher¡ªlast time. I just got caught up is all.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s ready, Master,¡± Amadis called out to them. Rushing over she handed a scalpel carefully to Joanna. Marcia was on hand beside the elf, with a small ceramic pot, the cork dangling from a chain near the rim in her hands.

    ¡°You know, I really, really fucking hate this.¡±

    ¡°Okay handsome, you ready?¡± Joanna asked him.

    ¡°As ready as I¡¯ll- OH! MOTHERFUCKA!¡± he gasped as he felt the heated scalpel plunge into the black ooze. His hands that clung to either side of the wagon bed, gripped the wood tightly.

    An audible groan creaking beneath his grip.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, my love,¡± Athena cooed down at him. His head was in her soft cushiony lap. Yet all he saw was pain.

    Then came the shrieking cry from the black substance, and Jace felt his like insides were on fire as something wriggled beneath his skin in agitation.

    ¡°I need¡­ need to go deeper,¡± Joanna winced as the cry pitched in volume. The Saracae around them had their weapons at the ready. As if some fucking monster was about to explode out of Jace¡¯s stomach.

    The heat of the scalpel seared as it drove deeper through the ooze. The distinct sound of vomit splattered the ground caught his ear and he saw Marcia wipe her mouth with the back of her hand shakily.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay,¡± Athena told him, as she wiped his brow.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°It fucking better be-¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡± Joanna cursed in a hiss.

    ¡°Oohh, that doesn¡¯t sound g-ood,¡± Jace groaned as he spasmed in pain.

    ¡°I have to reopen the whole wound, handsome.¡± The mender informed him.

    ¡°Of course you do,¡± Jace rolled his eyes. ¡°Someone fucking knock me out, please.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Deanna mumbled, the big Amazonian-esque orc wasted no time in slugging him across the face.

    ¡°Than-¡± Jace drawled as his head rolled on his neck. Then he blissfully passed out.

    ~*~*~*~

    Joanna began to carve the scalpel along her husband¡¯s flesh. The scabbing surface of his wound, had thin black veins webbing out from the black nexus at the centre of the wound.

    She sliced the scalpel through easily enough, and the slid it along the skin. Instantly she saw the veins wiggle like they were trying to burrow deeper inside of Jace, to escape her.

    She¡¯d only wrapped a new bandage around him last night. And hadn¡¯t seen any signs of this then. Joanna could only guess that they must¡¯ve missed some of the black substance the first time they¡¯d dealt with it.

    She was careful to not get any of it on her skin, or on the ground. Every time she cut a part away, Marcia would rush in with the ceramic pot and Joanna would dislodge the piece inside.

    A haunting shriek notified her that her scalpel had caught the sinuous vein. As soon as the tip of the surgical knife penetrated through, the wiggling black substance jittered and shook, then stopped and when limp. She did this thirteen more times, cutting the base of each dead vein then slowly pushing the black oozing substance out and into the pot.

    Her face and neck were beaded in sweat, but Joanna was used to straining and focusing for long periods of time. Mending bones tended to strain the mind.

    After the limbs were gone the mender stabbed her scalpel through the centre of the corrupted nexus. It shook and screech an ear drum piercing scream. It¡¯s vibration¡¯s moving and making it burrow deeper.

    ¡°No you fucking don¡¯t,¡± she growled and twisted her scalpel in even further. Then it stopped, and let out a long-deflated hiss, like a punctured black smith¡¯s bellow.

    It was finally dead, and Joanna went about carving a chunk of her husband side out of his flesh. She deposited it in the pot. Marcia wasting no in plugging the lid.

    ¡°Do we destroy it?¡± the alchemist asked them breathlessly.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Jace hissed and winced, his wounded side flared like thousands of fiery ants were crawling and biting across his body.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Athena asked, tears flooding her eyes.

    ¡°Give me a second,¡± Jace replied. He remembered this feeling. And taking the chance Jace pictured his Mana core, deep inside his stomach and sparked it. Within seconds, the wounds on his side began to reknit, the skin scaring over but healing. He felt a response through his core, like confusion. His Mana not able to regenerate the lost skin and flesh properly.

    Afterwards Jace was left with the gnawing ache of hunger. Not as bad as when he had lost a bit of his ear, but still noticeable.

    Jace exhaled a sigh of relief and felt his Mana hum lowly in his stomach as it settled down. Jace sat up and looked at the stunned faces around him. ¡°Yes, Marcia. We need to destroy it. If it was anything else, I would let you study it to you hearts content, I would. But that stuff, it¡¯s even more unnatural that the wretches and Dweller.¡±

    Jace looked down at the side of his torso, there was ugly patch of scarred skin, it was red raw and seemed inflamed to him. Yet as he probed it, he was gladdened to feel no pain. Just soreness.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jace mumbled and leaned over to kiss Joanna, then turned to do the same to Athena.

    He gave Marcia a nod, not noticing her slight pout and embarrassed flush. Then he looked to Amadis. She cut him off before he could even ask, ¡°the wrinkly one, Sera and Kana left before you¡¯re¡­uh¡­impromptu surgery.¡±

    Jace nodded, and blew air up into his face. His tunic was soaked his own blood. So he ripped it off and toss it onto the small blaze of fire they had going.

    A tiny scream crackled from the fire. ¡°Figures,¡± Jace shook his head. The motion for Marcia to tip the pot¡¯s contents into the fire also.

    Jace watched intently, as each tiny black ooze-like appendage plopped into the fire. No sounds came and everyone blew out a collective breath.

    ¡°Stripping again, boy,¡± called a crackled voice and Jace looked over his shoulder, missing the tiny black speck¡ªno bigger than a droplet of water¡ªthat fell out of the pot and hit ground just outside of the fire.

    ¡°something like that,¡± he retorted and patted near his side. The old woman nodded, seeing the fire and his wound. She put two and two together.

    ¡°It came back?¡± she asked curiously.

    ¡°I think it more along the lines, that we didn¡¯t get it all on the first try,¡± Joanna sighed and leaned against the wagon.

    ¡°What did you find?¡± Jace interjected. He was eager to get away from this place after that.

    ¡°They had a camp. Sera and Kana found it,¡± Maypor motioned to the two orc women. ¡°It was laughably bad, boy. They were robbing passers-by. Found quite a store of food, it was all rotten and right next to where they shit as well.¡± The old woman shook her head and grimaced in distaste.

    ¡°We did find something though, Master,¡± Sera stepped towards him and held out a rolled-up piece of parchment paper.

    ¡°Uh- let me guess¡­¡± Jace started and unrolled the wanted poster. Looking it over he erupted into laughter.

    ¡°Wanted: dead or alive. Reward: 50 King¡¯ silvers

    Shaven scalp and beard.

    Eye colour: believed to be green.

    Crooked nose. My nose isn¡¯t crooked, is it?

    Missing teeth. I have all of my teeth, thank you very much.

    Travelling in the company of an old woman. That¡¯s obviously you, May.

    Last discerned location: Eastern wild territory.

    Extremely dangerous.

    Believed to be summoned spawn.¡±

    There was then an horrendous doodle, that made him looked more like a goblin. ¡°This doesn¡¯t even look like me. How the hell did that guy even make a correlation between the two?¡± Jace asked and held the poster up by his face.

    There followed a few snickers at his expense. ¡°Laugh it up,¡± Jace grumbled and rolled the poster back up, and tossed it into the back of wagon. ¡°I guess fifty king¡¯ silvers is a lot of money?¡±

    ¡°Its how much the Bidish were going to make in their deal with Lord Dakic for us, Master,¡± Amadis informed him.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite a lot of money, handsome,¡± Joanna said tiredly. The mender was practically falling asleep on her feet. They climbed back onto their wagon and got comfortable. Jace grabbed a spare tunic as Athena and Joanna sat in the back, with a still sleeping Gabrielle and a totally disinterested Cain.

    Marcia surprised Jace by sitting next to him on the drivers bench, though she didn¡¯t talk or look his way. Simply opened her tome and flicked through the pages.

    Maypor, Amadis and the rest of her sisters climb into the old woman¡¯s wagon, as the last of them managed to push the dipped carriage off the road. They returned with a few colourful dresses and bags containing what he guessed was jewellery and gems.

    Then, they were off.

    ~*~*~*~

    Unbeknownst to them, the black tainted speck of evil and corruption slowly crept and slinked its way open to the dead body.

    The one Jace had stuck a dagger through the eye socket. The speck clung to the dead man¡¯s face and climbed up the seemingly petrified visage. Stuck in its final moments of shock.

    From there the speck found the ruined eye and oozed within. And its substance slowly began to devour the corpse. The more it ate, the more it consumed of the dead man. The more the substance grew. The speck eventually found the brain and set about consuming that as well.

    Then something strange happened, and the substance had a distorted flicker of memory. The concept was new and unnatural to it, yet tasteful.

    The memory was of eating a wild animal raw. The more the speck ate and grew, the more these memories came. And shockingly. with them so did their emotions.

    The last memory it consumed was one riddled with fear. Fear so strongly that it reverberated across leaving an imprint on the speck.

    That fear then turned to a boiling simmering anger, and betrayal. The speck didn¡¯t understand the context of any of the memories. The emotions roiled like waves of different colours. Yet the moment it felt that fear. Saw the person in that last memory. It knew only two thing.

    That was: familiarity, and anger.

    It would find this person and consume them. But in the meantime it had a whole body to eat and play with. And there were others in the fields as well to consume.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°So that¡¯s Oedrin?¡± Jace asked rhetorically. High stone walls towering at least sixty feet spanned for miles. Light blue banners draped down from atop the wall hung by poles jutting out diagonally. They depicted a white stag with golden antlers.

    The majesty of the high grey stone walls was lessened somewhat by the massive refugee camp set outside it¡¯s thirty-foot gates.

    ¡°Is it me, or is the wall just¡­ ridiculously high,¡± Jace muttered as they stopped their wagon behind Maypors. He leaned out and saw a train of other wagons waiting to make entry into the camp. A line of armed soldiers monitored the camps entrance, inspecting good and questioning people.

    Oh fuck, he thought seeing that.

    ¡°Jace, get back here,¡± Joanna called to him, he whipped around and saw that she was sat cross legged on the wagon¡¯s bed. She patted the spot in front of her. ¡°You need to learn to use your brushes before we arrive at the camp¡¯s entrance. You¡¯re going to have to introduce yourself in as a Magi.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± he asked then blinked and ducked aside as Marcia¡¯s alchemy tome tried to bop his head.

    ¡°They have wanted posters of you remember that,¡± Marcia growled. She¡¯d been more and more fidgety the closer to Oedrin they got. He guessed that she was likely worried about entering the town.

    He would be as well; except they weren¡¯t entering the town just yet. For now they would focus on the refugee camp and gaining entrance to that before even attempting the actual town itself.

    ¡°Not to mentioned that you¡¯re supposed to be a Magi,¡± Marcia reminded him. ¡°Otherwise what was the point in marrying you.¡±

    He was about to point that they weren¡¯t in fact married at all, but his eyes fell on Athena as his fox-kin discreetly shook her head at him.

    ¡°Uhhh, fine. Marcia, you have the reins. Time for my bloody wizardry lessons, I guess,¡± he groused and handed off the reins. Climbing into the back, Jace shuffled and sat down.

    As he did so, Athena crawled closer to him, and whispered into his ear, ¡°Marcia and I had a discussion about her behaviour. And some truths were told and came to light. I believe she¡¯s now accepted that my father is dead. Even I knew it- saw it happen after all.¡±

    ¡°So she wants back in?¡± Jace questioned, he didn¡¯t like people flip flopping. Once a decision was made it had to followed through. To hesitate or evade only bring disaster and failure. He shot a glance at Joanna. The mender was grinning madly.

    ¡°What¡¯s got you so chipper?¡± he asked her, and she tittered quietly.

    ¡°This little vixen, handsome,¡± the elf shot a coy look at Athena, and the fox-kin blushed deeply. ¡°Decided to feed a certain someone some of your cream. She was rather forceful with her apparently.¡±

    Jace flinched at the mental image and blinked as he stared at his wives. Athena refused to meet his gaze. Joanna on the other hand stuck her tongue out and ran it along her bottom lip as she stared at her sister-wife.

    He opened his mouth to berate them, to explain why it was wrong to force someone to do that. But then thought better of it.

    No point in opening my big-fat-stupid-mouth, he thought and nodded slightly. I¡¯ll table it for a later date.

    ¡°Al-right. Uhhh¡­let¡¯s start our lesson, Jo,¡± Jace said after clearing his throat loud and obnoxiously. Crossing his legs, Jace got comfortable and pulled out his brush case. The wagon barely moved as he set it down, and Jace couldn¡¯t help but groan quietly at the thought that they would still be here come tomorrow¡¯s sunrise.

    ¡°Good. You¡¯ve got your case ready, handsome,¡± Joanna said as she pulled out a linen-sock-like-wallet that contained her own Magi brush.

    ¡°Shall we begin, handsome?¡± Joanna asked him. The mender placed her socket-wallet down in front of her with her brush laid atop it.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Jace nodded, and opened his own brush case. He¡¯d never touched any of them yet, honestly he was pretty hesitant about doing so.

    ¡°Now, connect to your Mana and open your mind,¡± she told him and closed her own eyes. Jace followed suit, closing his own, he pictured his Mana core and sparked it. The core glowed a deep inner cerulean blue fire, as it came alive. Next he opened his mind. The first time he¡¯d done this, he had tried to blank his thoughts, which was wrong. To open his mind he had to allow his thoughts to flow freely.

    They came at him in waves and blooms of colour, faint scents and tasteful memories of the last few days.

    He felt it then, a swelling in his gut. A heaviness building inside of him. It had no where to go, no outlet or conduit to run through.

    It build and build, the draw becoming more and more intense. Until he wasn¡¯t sure whether he would spew his stomach contents or explode into a shower of sparks.

    Without any further prompting and with his eyes still closed Jace reached forward and withdrew a brush from his case.

    He felt the cold metal of it in his hand, as it seemed to fit his fingers perfectly like it had been designed just for him. Holding the brush, Jace rubbed his pointer finger along it idly. The sensation of holding it comforting somehow.

    ¡°Good,¡± Joanna said softly, just quietly enough to not break his concentration. ¡°Now you have to flow your Mana through your body and into the brush.¡±

    Heat rose from deep in his stomach. It bubbled and spurted, making him grimace at the uncomfortable feeling. It spread throughout his insides. And everywhere it went felt inflamed. Bile tasted at the back of his throat as he swallowed reflexively. The tormentous blaze within him bloomed and scaled the geography of not just through his body, but his soul, and mind as well.

    His very spirit felt as if it exhaled fire and screamed, even as it danced jubilantly, and beckoned the pain to continue.

    This, he realised was magic.

    This was magic and it fucking hurt.

    The bubbling fire in his core felt as if it was erupting through his pores in a palpable wave of pressure. His head, neck, pits, chest, and back were soaked in sweat.

    Then as Jace ran his pointer finger down his brush, a swelling build at his finger¡¯s tip. And he instinctively pushed outward. Extended that burning wave of molten lava that ran through his veins.

    A sharp crack split the silence, and Jace snapped his eyes open. The tips of his fingers gleamed a shimmering blue glow. It was faint, but as he watched, the glow spread from his hand and into his brush.

    Images filled his mind and he allowed them to run freely.

    His thoughts webbed out, running through the latticework and the magical, structural formation that was the essence of the brush in his hand.

    The truth of it almost made him laugh.

    It was just a brush. One made of steel and wood, much like his vambrace. Small runes flared in activation as the blue glow enveloped them, brightening inside his minds eye. The bristles were thin wiry strands of coppers wire and hair, they hummed a slight blue shimmer as the brushes tip darkened.

    Magic was indeed painful¡ªat least on his first try it was¡ªyet it was also wondrous. His grip on the brush tightened as he readied it like he would a pen.

    Then leaning forward, his Mana still coursing through him like cold fire and into the conduit brush. Jace wrote his first rune.

    Fisa.

    Leaning back away Jace pictured the rune in his mind, and sent a flowing tendril of will along the unseen thread that connected him to his creation.

    The Fisa rune looked inconspicuous there on the bed of the wagon. It was small and only a few inches in diameter. Yet the moment he activated the rune, it projected an image of the Fisa rune above its surface. The projection was slightly bigger, and made up of tiny ethereal blue motes of light.

    Then the projection sucked in on itself and imploded into a small candle flicker of fire.

    Jace gasped and panted. He¡¯d¡­ I just did that. I just did fucking magic. A foot stomped down on top of the rune, and extinguished the small fire. Like that, wonder of magic was snuff out.

    Jace blinked and followed the slender leg all the way up to the mender¡¯s face. Joanna looked at him with both pride and shock. ¡°Sorry, handsome. You did good, really, really good. Just didn¡¯t want you setting the wagon on fire is all.¡± She smiled sweetly at him, and batted her long blonde eyelashes.

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Jace said still staring in wonderment. Which turned into a grimace as his stomach churned. Rushing to his knees, he scurry over to the side of the wagon and threw up his guts onto road.

    His stomach wrenching with each heaving urge.

    ¡°Ssshhh,¡± Joanna cooed and rubbed the top of his back, just between his shoulder blades. ¡°This is how it usually is. You flooded the pathways of your body with Mana, handsome. It always hurts the first time, and leaves you exhausted. The vomiting though¡­I never had to deal with.¡±

    ¡°Lucky- you,¡± Jace groused and gagged. After he was done, he spat, accepted a skin of water to rinse his mouth out and then twisted to sit down.

    He stared at where his rune was still engraved in the wood. He knew in his mind, that only he could connect with the rune.

    His own configuration of a standard fire rune.

    Others may be able to break through and activate it. But Jace could tether to the rune as easily as breathing. This all flowed to him, like a vague sense, passing between him and rune. Jace wondered if this was how Magi¡¯ learned the depth of their runes utility. By connecting with it.

    What was interesting though, was the loss of connection tethering between him and it. Guess I can only activate it once then¡­

    Something to consider at least.

    ~*~*~*~

    Before long night fell, and those still waiting in their wagons to gain access to the refugee camp settled in for the long night.

    Some broke out caskets of wine and ale. Played music and sang. Others huddled in desperation for warmth and out of fear of what prowled in the dark.

    The camp itself was a painting of light and life, the din of noise that filled the air was jovial but was truthfully an avoidance of circumstance.

    Yet there was constant undertones of cruelty laced throughout. Men with clubs that hid in the shadowy alleys between shacks waited on innocent passers-by.

    Resorting to harming others, so they can make enough coin to bribe their way beyond the wall.

    Yet none of this was noticed by those that only guarded the entrance to the camp. Except when some poor desperate fools that had enough of huddling for warmth and cowering in desperation.

    Everyone outside the walls knew of what really chased them, some decided to block the horrific memories with jokes, drinks, songs, and dance.

    Yet all of them knew it was only a matter of time before they came again. So with a heart full of fear and a mind boggled down by misery.

    People grew restless, they became loud and angry. Drunk on annoyance and anguish. Then a few took up arms, small bottles and stones at first. And as the night wore on, they huddled not for warmth but out of a common goal.

    It was better to be inside, than on the outside.

    Together, they slinked through the night, and eventually attacked the gate to the refugee camp. Jace watched all of this happen, he followed them and saw their act. Then ran back to carouse the other¡¯s. This was their chance to get inside without being noticed.

    ~*~*~*~

    ¡°Go, go, go,¡± he hissed as Marcia lightly flicked the reins and got the Lurka and wagon rolling. Some drunk and addled minds watched them pass. They booed and cheer, yet not many seemed to notice the four other wagons charging the now unguarded gate.

    The Saracae hopped off of Maypor¡¯s wagon in front of them and began charging forward on foot. Their weapons were drawn, and the sound of their running was drowned out by the creaking rock of the wagons¡¯ wheels.

    Then a few of the downed guards on the ground outside of the gate began to stir.

    ¡°Deanna,¡± Jace hissed loudly as the orc-warrior-woman, slowed to keep pace with them. ¡°Take another of your sister¡¯s and incapacitate any who wake up.¡±

    ¡°I will, Master,¡± Deanna grunted at him and pumped her arms and legs, easily beginning to outpace their slowly rocking wagon.

    The first of the wagon¡¯s passed through the open gate. And Jace imagined that the people who had attacked the guards had likely left someone behind to open the passage.

    Just after it passed through, Jace saw a short figure scurrying over to climb onto the back of the passing wagon. A moment later the gate began to slowly close. Yet, the second wagons momentum and speed were too fast. The gate lowered just enough that the Lurka passed under, but the driver had to propel himself off of the bench before he was crushed.

    Wood and wares exploded like confetti and the wagon split in half as the gate impacted the middle of it. Beyond the gate Jace could see the Lurka still running, pulling half a cart behind it.

    ¡°Slow down,¡± he commanded Marcia. The third wagon skidded to a halt as three men jumped off and sprinted to the lowered gate.

    The other men on the third wagon, pulled clubs and snarled at the fourth wagon, which was Maypors pulled up. Their snarls quickly evaporated as eleven Saracae warrior¡¯s exploded out in front them. Each bearing their meaner looking weapons.

    Amadis called out in orcish from where she sat next to Maypor. Behind the men and the third wagon, the gate slowly rose a few feet up. The bottom portion of the gate seemed to be made of with a weighted metal bar. The anchor of which was propped on the shoulders of three men as they tried to lift  it.

    ¡°Pull us alongside, May,¡± Jace whispered to Marcia. The older fox-kin woman nodded and pulled to the left on the reins. The Lurka slowly changing its forward course.

    ¡°Put down your weapons,¡± Jace ordered the men, who still fearfully clung to their feeble-looking clubs.

    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± one the men spat, seeming emboldened.

    ¡°I¡¯m just like you. I know the real terror is behind us. And inside is the only way to escape it,¡± Jace said, thumbing back over his shoulder, then nodding towards the high grey walls.

    ¡°Oh? You don¡¯t seem like us. You and all these women,¡± the dumb man sneer at them.

    ¡°Seriously,¡± Jace whispered, and resisted the urge to facepalm. ¡°Look,¡± he held out his hands, ¡°we don¡¯t want to fight¡ªhonestly it would just be inconvenient and make a mess at this point¡ªso why don¡¯t we work together and then everyone can go through.¡± Jace smiled good naturedly as he suggested this.

    The man looked over his shoulder, saw that the gate was still being lifted and grunted in derision. ¡°Fine,¡± the man spat, ¡°but if you fucking try anything,¡± he lifted his club. He seemed to forget the eleven orc women between him and Jace. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill your women.¡±

    Jace tilted his head downwards, he did not like people threatening what was his. ¡°Fine,¡± his answered coolly. His eyes flicked to Amadis and she spat a command in orcish. I really need to learn their language. They¡¯re learning Kingdom after all. It¡¯ll only be fair and good sense.

    His attention came back to the man who¡¯d stupidly threatened him. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Jace called out.

    The man barely flicked his eyes to him, and didn¡¯t answer. Instead the man watched as two of Jace¡¯s Saracae guard ran passed  them for the gate.

    His men leering after them. Jace sighed disappointedly at this. Times of disaster tended to bring the worse out in people. He¡¯d seen the folks of Trager village, welcoming though secluded. The distrustful and racist people of Pessel, though it hadn¡¯t been everyone there. And considered what had happened to them recently he didn¡¯t blame them.

    Just their misguided suspicion¡¯s.

    Then there were these assholes. If the refugee camp was filled with people like this, Jace didn¡¯t want to be there for long.

    The three men holding the gate gawked in surprise as the two Saracae easily began to lift the gate up high. Then they stepped away and ran back.

    ¡°Athena, hon. Pass me my new bow and a single arrow please,¡± Jace said and held his hand behind his back. The three men came back and jumped on the third wagon. The man who¡¯d threatened Jace and his women, grinned and spat on the ground.

    His bow slapped into the center of his palm and Jace passed it onto his other hand, then came the arrow. Standing up, Jace nocked the arrow, drew the string taut against his cheek, and let out a breath.

    The man hands moved to flick the reins on his Lurka, and at that moment Jace loosed. The bow twanged in his grip and the arrow flew through the air. It penetrated through the back of the man¡¯s throat.

    The reins fell from his grip and Jace threw his bow into the back of their wagon. The man fumbled at his throat as he stumbled and pawed at the arrow protruding from his neck.

    His eyes were wide and crazed, ¡°let¡¯s go,¡± Jace prompted Marcia softly, tapping her elbow. He got them moving. Driving pass the third wagon, Jace waved to them joyfully. ¡°So kind of you to let us pass. Be sure to stop by for some lemonade and cupcakes tomorrow morning. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll mend that bothersome tickle you¡¯ve got in the back of your throat.¡±

    With that Jace and his wives, followed by Maypor and the Saracae passed through and into the refugee camp. His Saracae warriors holding the gate immediately dropped it after Deanna and Sera ducked underneath to join them.

    ¡°Are you sure that was wise, handsome?¡± Joanna asked him.

    ¡°No one threatens any of you without repercussion. Mark me on that, Jo. We¡¯ve lost too much to let some idiot think he can threaten us.¡±

    Jace then cleared his throat as their drive slowed down. ¡°Now, how about to finding somewhere to bed down for the night. And in the morning we¡¯ll see what the camp is like in the light of day.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay in this place for long, my love,¡± Athena said from the back. She had been wide eyed and quiet after he¡¯d woken them all up.

    ¡°And we won¡¯t be,¡± Jace assured her. ¡°But we need to scope out everything before we move on.¡±

    ¡°The wanted posters,¡± Joanna muttered.

    ¡°This supposed ¡®summoned¡¯ prisoner, Lord Dakic has,¡± Marcia continued.

    ¡°Finding someone we can trust to help us,¡± Athena said softly, light from the torch lamps dangling from hooks planted into the hastily build shacks, alighted the thin white scars on her face.

    ¡°All of that and more,¡± Jace agreed with a head nod. ¡°Along with learning more magic. Building our reputation. Finding out if the nobles in the town would be kind to Marcia returning. As well as evading Lord Dakic. Finding some way to conceal the Saracae ¡­ I can go on,¡± he sighed.

    Hand massaged at his shoulders, ¡°we also need to prepare for the wretches when they do come. Because they will, handsome. We should also looked into the history of Trager Forest. Maybe there is something within the forest that the Dweller¡¯s indeed want,¡± Joanna murmured as her slender fingers worked at his shoulders and the back of his neck.

    They had about ten more months of this cycle left. He doubted that it would all simply end after the year was up. He needed to know what the Fifty-One betrayers of scale and balance really were. Why they did what they did, and if there was any truth to it.

    His mind harkened back to the small room, the terrified and confused look¡¯s everyone held. There had been fighter¡¯s amongst them, and a lot of the Fifty-Two hadn¡¯t fallen easily. Even Jace had contributed to a few of them dying.

    A large majority of those that had been present in that room had simply been scared out of their minds.

    But in that mad place it was all or nothing. And he had been lucky to escape at all. If any were still alive, he sincerely wished that they¡¯d found some safety and security wherever they were.

    Because in the end more of them may just be needed.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>

 Of the Fifty-Two Part 1: Epilogue

    The blonde-haired woman Jace had thought of as Xena, blinked and stirred in her cell. Torturous screams echoed through the damp dimly lit corridor outside her door.

    She had heard nineteen other voices, when first she¡¯d woken in here. After being jumped by the horde of wretches she¡¯d fought desperately to escape them. Only to run head first into the enormous creature that slithered through the halls¡¯

    It had swallowed her whole, and inside it¡¯s body she¡¯d been encased in a thick glue-like slimy substance that held her against the inner lining of its undulating body. Others had shared the space with her. Even a few undead.

    The substance had harden almost immediately. Even now, days later she was still covered in it. She had thought that creature to be the end of her nightmares, but no, her nightmare had only just begun.

    ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t tried to betrayed him,¡± she muttered. Her mind had played back and forth over what had brought her to this point.

    Every night. Her dreams were plagued with life that was both familiar and yet estrange to her all at the same time. She shuddered as she thought on the other dreams shown to her. The ones were the other people she had woken up around. Were dragged out from their cells, taken deep down to a room filled with corpses and blood red arcane symbols everywhere.

    The weird fucking squid people, had the person chained on a viscera coated slab face down. Then they would chant and wave their tentacles through the air. Symbols would manifest with each final pass.

    The ritualistic symbol on the slab would glow a deep hungry red, and the person body would begin to contort. Change and take different shapes and form.

    Sometimes the person was used as a nexus, and thirty to forty zombies were corralled around the sacrifice. Then they would merge and take on a horrific monstrous shape.

    Xena had had that dream three times so far, and wasn¡¯t looking forward to the next one. The other dreams were of young squids, that reminded her cuttlefish, being planted into their brains.

    Slowly taking them over, without them even realising it.

    She wasn¡¯t sure of how much more of this madness she could take.

    Her night riddled with nightmares and whispered voices that she was certain were in her mind. Her days¡ªat the least the hours when she was awake¡ªwere filled with the horrendous screams of the others.

    Today, they were down a voice. Fourteen others left.

    Which of you want¡¯s your freedom?

    Xena cried out as the voice shrieked through his mind. She crumpled in on herself, her rough spun trouser soaked as she unintentionally pissed herself. She clawed at her face and her dug jagged nails into her cheeks. The pain help as a distraction from her mental prolapse.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    She couldn¡¯t keep doing this.

    Well? No takers. Curious.

    ¡°ME!¡± a voice screamed out from another cell. It was quickly joined by others.

    ¡°TAKE ME!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯LL BE GOOD--¡±

    ¡°PLEASE LET ME OUT--¡±

    ¡°I DON¡¯T WANT TO BE HE--¡±

    ¡°KILL ME--¡±

    ¡°KILL US--¡±

    ¡°LEAVE ME ALONE--¡±

    On and on it went. Everyone but her screaming pitifully. Couldn¡¯t they see there was no escape. This was but a new form of torture. Let them think they had their freedom, and just as they start to convince themselves they had a chance. It¡¯ll all be ripped away from them.

    She deserved this. If only she hadn¡¯t tried to split from that man. If they had stayed together then maybe- Her thoughts were cut off as a cell door opened. The squeaking hinges tearing through the din of yelling voices.

    Suddenly, all was quiet.

    Bethany. You will be our messenger. Our god choses you.

    Xena¡¯s whole being spasmed in pain. It flared up her spine crippling her, and making all of her bodily functions go ridged.

    Through her terrible screams, she saw the squid-man-thing reach out and place it¡¯s tentacle-hand over her eyes and everything when black.

    Then her awareness came to a screeching halt. And she found herself in a dark misty place. The only light illuminating her surroundings was a blue glow shining through some broken ground a couple of yards ahead of her.

    Four of those squid men were crowded around it.

    Without hesitating she turned tail and ran. Her legs were weak, but her fear and terror pushed her onwards. Yet every time she looked over her shoulder. She realised she was no further away from them than before.

    Patience, dear child. A voice boomed across the landscape and Xena eyes were rooted to the ground. In fact it wasn¡¯t just her eyes, but her whole body was suspended in motion.

    She wanted to scream inside her skull. To bash her head against the ground. To end this fucking nightmare once and for all.

    Face upon what I am, dear child. For I am a Fragment of the Prime. NOW. LOOK UPON ME.

    It roared not in anger, but in some form of sick and twisted triumph. Her head slowly wrenched upwards until her eyes fell on the dark clouds in the sky. Purpled lightning shot through them, and its passing illuminated the horror above her.

    Then the thing unfurled itself. And the clouds swelled as they birthed a thing of horror and madness before her. Then her mind began to faulter, to crumble. Then exhaustedly, dejectedly, she gave up her fight and surrendered to whatever came next.

    ~*~*~*~

    The once tiny speck of evil and corruption burped and spat out a whole pelvis. Its form now was fairly humanoid, if not lacking in any actual human features. For one it was made entirely of black moving ooze. The surface of its¡¯ body in constant motion.

    Its sense of it¡¯s environment had gotten greater over the passing of days. It had finished consuming the bodies in the fields. First relishing the new experiences it felt when consuming their brains, then moving on to devouring them slowly. Savouring its meal.

    And now as its stomach burbled, it was hungry once again. Crawling out onto the road, it caught a scent. Two of the scents were similar to the things it had eaten already.

    The others though were entirely new. From its stomach burbled up an sense of thrilling excitement. With its nose to the ground, the once speck of evil and corruption. Followed on the path towards Oedrin.

    A path that would lead it right towards Jace.

    End of part 1.

    This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]</a>