Chapter 65

"You're pretty!" Wiene declared exactly two and one half seconds after Hephaestus opened the door to her office.

Her red hair was a little messy, and her clothes looked slept in, but Hephaestus did in fact look pretty. Not knowing how to take the compliment, the Goddess of the Forge simply blinked, stepped back, and said, "Come in, I suppose." Before yawning so wide I could have sworn the air pressure in the room had dropped. "Why... So early though?"

"I was asking myself that same thing, Ma'am." Welf said, "But, sister here insisted we get an early start to things."

"It's for a good cause, and I have other things to do today." I said with a chuckle, "Sorry about the mess?"

"It's paying work." Hephaestus shrugged, all but falling into the chair behind her desk. "I should really hire a secretary though."

Welf and I chuckled, while Wiene looked a little clueless. "Well, we do have a few things to talk about, maybe that will brighten your day a little." I said, reaching into my shirt and tugging the pouch I had resting in my bosom. "First, is playing a little joke on Lady Hestia."

"Oh?" Hephaestus raised her eyebrow, "Is she causing trouble again? Being lazy?"

"Nah," Welf started, keeping one eye on Wiene as the dragon girl looked, but didn't touch, all the smith tools hanging up around the room. "See, we wanted you to meet our newest member. Lady Hestia mentioned her right?"

"Yeah... Wait, that's her?" She was awake now, Her one eye locking onto Wiene, "You... She wasn't kidding was she?"

"Nope." Welf said while I laughed, walking over to Wiene and taking a gentle hold on her shoulders. "Lady Hephaestus, meet Wiene, Hestia Familia's newest member." I tugged the hood off her head, the dragon girl shaking her hair out from under the robe, the silver blue hair reaching to her hips. "What do you say?" I looked down at her, letting her shoulders go.

"Pleased to meet you, Lady Hephaestus." Wiene said, smiling and extending a hand enthusiastically.

"Wow... She really wasn't joking." The Goddess said, before extending her own hand and shaking. "Adorable and energetic, was how she described you. You even have Falna too."

"Yup! It kind of itches some times... but feels like a hug." Wiene replied, "But hugs aren't supposed to itch." She made a face.

"Haha. Okay, so... Why did you bring her here?" Hephaestus sat down again, kicking her feet up on the desk. "A joke?"

"Well." I opened the little pouch, and carefully pulled out the prosperity stone. "You've heard the news, I assume? A dragon up on the surface, Hestia Familia being greedy, and all that?"

"I knew there was more to it, but well, I don't get outside much..." She sighed, her one eye looking at the little stone held between my thumb and forefinger, "Wait, that's from her? But..."

"I got better!" Wiene said proudly, lifting her hair out of the way, "See?"

"See, the joke is." Welf started with a chuckle, sitting down in the chair across from Hephaestus, "Lady Hestia doesn't know we have it. Or, that her entire Familia is putting it against Her Debt to you."

"We don't want Her to just... Lay around the house again?" Wiene asked, unsure if she had the words right.

Offering the stone, Hephaestus leaned forward to take it, a broad smile on her face, "Ha... That's..." The three of us waited as the Goddess started to laugh, breaking down into giggles. "Oh she deserves you guys... Fine, I accept. But what now? I mean... This pays for it, no doubt."

"Well, keep her payments from now on, and I dunno... Save it for when she might need it? Though, if you want to take a commission now..." I started, putting my hands on Wiene's shoulders again, "We have something we'd like to do, and I figure, who better than the Goddess of the Forge?"

"You're doing it again, Fox." Hephaestus said flatly, "Every time you step into my office, you say something like that..."

"Well, I have other things to do, and just so we don't have another 'incident'..." I took a small bar of metal, one of two I was carrying, out of the courier bag I had with me, "See, we all want her to walk like a normal person in the streets, but the gem on her head is a little bit of a problem."

"Yeah, if she loses it... Bad things happen." Welf said, "Lady Hephaestus, would you help us?"

"Well... I suppose I could use a break from paperwork." She said with a smile, "What did you have in mind?"

"Well. This, is what has been affectionately called 'ko-steel'. I waved the little ingot of black metal, "Using Welf's weapon steel, and mixing in a bunch of my fur, it's basically an blank slate for enchanting. We'd like to make Wiene a circlet, so no one can just... pull out the stone on her head... again..."

Wiene had taken hold of a couple of my tails and was hugging them close. "Yes please." She said. "I don't want to hurt anyone... But if it happens again, I might not be able to stop myself."

Hephaestus considered that a moment, kicking her feet down and standing. Walking around Her desk, She knelt down in front of Wiene and gently lifted her hair out of the way. "Hm, yes, I'm sure we can make something..." She let Wiene's hair fall back, then booped her nose. "Yes, certainly."

Welf and I shared a fist bump, and I handed him the metal ingot. "Play nice now. Remember how to enchant it, right?"

"Sure." Welf grinned, "Who do you think I am?"

"A lovestruck fool?" I asked innocently, making him and Hephaestus blush. "Thank you, Lady Hephaestus. Be good Wiene."

"I will!" She said as I waved at her from the door. "See you soon!"

I stood in front of the elevator for a good few minutes before actually pushing the button. Of all the people in the city I didn't want to deal with, even above Hermes, was Freya. The last time I'd met her, I could almost feel the urge to abandon my Goddess. It didn't help that Ishtar was probably trying to get into my head, and setting my still very unfamiliar hormones on fire. There was just something about her that almost made me want to try and find some one else for this.

But, unless I wanted to leave Orario in search of another Goddess of Fertility, Freya was the only one I could go to for this.

Freya herself, had made sure of that, when she sent Ishtar back up.

It didn't help that she had the most powerful Familia in the city. Loki was good, and more popular, and from what I'd seen, more active. But Freya had the top floor of the tower as her home for a reason.

I kinda wondered what the rent was.

As the elevator ascended, the odd disjunction of per-industrial era tech outside the tower, to the oddly modern convenience of the elevator made me wonder if maybe Daedalus was actually the same one from my world. Or, if someone else like me, had come here.

I blame the lack of elevator music for the heavy thinking.

When the elevator finally made its cheerful 'ding', and the doors opened, I stepped out, letting go of the tail I was holding. Just as plush and red as I remember, the quiet opulence of the place wasn't as loud as Ganesha, who had hundreds of years of oddities in his office. Or Loki, with the neat yet random collection of trophies. It was more like Royman's office. Freya had wealth, and She lined the walls with it.

"Fox." I heard a voice say as I stepped out of the elevator.

Nearly jumping out of my skin, I looked left to see Ottar, along with two others I didn't know. A human, male, built like Conan would be, if his father were a tank. And a... tiger person. Equally as impressive, though covered in white with black stripes. Both of them casually had hands on weapons, but Ottar just looked over his shoulder then back at me, and they walked away, heading into the hallway behind them.

"Quite the reception." I said, trying to recover my composure. I could feel the contained hostility from those two who had left, and I'd have bet one of my tails they were both level six. "Though, I suppose I'm here without an appointment."

"Not entirely." Ottar rumbled, "Lady Freya saw you enter the tower, though, you had two others?"

"It's a personal matter." I said, "If I could speak with Her?"

"Hm. I suppose I owe Lady Freya ten Valis." He said, "This way."

I followed him, this time in a slightly different direction than before. Even though it was the top of the tower, where things should be the smallest, it was still a rather large floor. But, logic didn't exactly apply to a magical structure. This time, he led me to an outer room that I think, faced south, in the direction of the Hearthstone manor, as well as a good deal of the excitement that happened.

"Lady Freya." Ottar said, stopping at the door. "I owe you ten valis."

"See Ottar? I knew she would figure it out. Please, enter." Freya's voice, now the third time I'd heard it, sounded amused and a little smug. "Ottar, be a dear, and make some tea."

"As you wish." He moved aside for me, then left, shutting the door behind him.

I realized, as I stepped in, that She was assuming something. But figure what out? I waited until Freya had motioned to a chair, opposite the sort of psychologist couch she was laying on. As usual, she was wearing that form hugging dress, open from the neck nearly to her groin, covering, and clinging just enough to not actually reveal anything. Oddly, but certainly not unwelcome, I didn't feel the same tug I had towards her.

"I was wondering..." I started, meeting her eyes, still not getting that undercurrent of want from her, "Why Loki hadn't pursued us farther than they did. Or why they weren't at the fountain." I said.

"Surprised?" She asked, smiling like a cat.

I thought about it, remembering the way She had looked at Bell at Apollo's gala. Would she really go so far for him? My logical side kicked at the thought. They were Gods. They did what they wanted. "Thinking about it. Not really." I said, "You are as inscrutable, as you are lovely." I complimented, "I can only guess your motive, but I certainly won't reprimand you for them."

"Bold as the rumour say." Freya laughed, a pleasant tinkling noise that sent a little tingle up my back. "Hermes is beside himself, for what you've done to him."

"You mean, tell everyone I respect, that He has been... Well, I won't say those words in your presence." I returned her smile, "But yes. He once told me, that I couldn't hurt Him."

"Oh, a challenge?"

"Not really. He thought that being a God demanded respect. That I'd back down because of it." I shrugged, "A God without support, is just a person who will never die of old age."

"Harsh words, though, I will admit, you are quite right." She stretched out on the couch, then slowly sat up, the motion drawing my eyes to Her body. "It is how I am up here, after all."

"I'd heard a little about that. After... Zeus and Hera Familia failed to kill the great black dragon?"

"Yes indeed." Freya said, "They lost the people's favour. Were weakened from the loss of some of their adventurers. So I took what I wanted from them."

"I will admit, the view is amazing." I glanced out the window, seeing a puffy cloud below the window frame.

Ottar took that moment to enter. His massive frame making the little tea cart look like a toy in front of him. He was however, perfectly adept at setting the table and pouring a wonderful smelling tea into the fine silver cups. Before he could leave though, one of my tails looped over his wrist.

"Hm?" He looked down at my tail, his other hand reaching for it, though the fuzzy appendage retreated before he could reach it.

"I'm here for something else." I started, taking a sip of tea. "A personal matter."

"Oh? Do tell?" Freya asked, looking to Ottar, who instead of leaving, stood by the door and waited.

"I'm sure you know already, that I am... involved with the other Renard in my Familia." It felt odd that I was suddenly feeling a little shy about the topic. But I soldiered on, "And, I plan to ask for her hand."

"I am very aware. It is who I am, after all." Freya smiled, sipping her tea and almost purring at it.

"She and I are certainly content with each other. But she is a more traditional sort than I. A proper lady, when she isn't teasing me about my choice in clothing." I continued, sipping my tea, and blinking in surprise. It tasted almost exactly like earl grey. "And I am very close to something that will make a marriage between us... more traditional. Ishtar's brother wrote it in a book, and I borrowed it from Lord Ganesha."

"You really do get creative..." Freya said, "And while I am the Goddess of Fertility, I can't help you with your... lack of anatomy."

"Actually." I opened up my satchel, taking out an empty glass bottle, "You can. I lack only one thing, and that is the aspect of fertility itself. I have everything else." Her eyes widened as I placed the bottle on the table between us. "What I am trying to make was devised by an Amazon, after all."

Behind me, I could hear Ottar growl, a deep noise that was felt just as much as heard. Freya raised a hand, and the noise stopped, though She looked at the bottle with a delicately raised eyebrow. "My my... Something like this, a literal divine gift... To someone not of my Familia no less... What could you possibly offer to me, for something so dear?"

"I am not sure you know, but I am a little bit of an enchanter. As well as all around craftswoman." She looked back at me with a curious expression, "I can make you something unique, only for you." I reached into my satchel again, taking out a small laurel wreath. Since Rakia reminded me so much of Rome, with its soldiers, equipment, and even its training, I figured it would be appropriate that his memory stone would be in the shape of 'Caesar's crown'. "This, is something my Familia has called a memory stone." I placed the small iron token on the table gently, "Simply hold it, and close your eyes. You'll see why."

Intrigued, She leaned forward and picked up the little decoration. "A simple trinket of iron?"

"Please, both hands, and close your eyes."

With an indulgent smile, as if humouring a child, She held it in both hands, then closed Her eyes. The effect was nearly instant. Her brow creased slightly, Her head turned as if to hear something just out of earshot, and She sniffed the air, before opening Her eyes and looking to Her left, where the Rakian prince liked to walk behind me, his 'superior' officer.

"This... It's for the prince you took in, isn't it..." She sounded puzzled, closing her eyes again, "A faint creak of armour, the scent of well maintained equipment, and... The feeling of someone trusted at your back." She opened her eyes again, placing the wreath down on the table, "An interesting trinket indeed. A good name, this 'memory stone'."

Putting the trinket back in my satchel carefully, I replied, "It is something only Welf and I know how to make. And it has a certain... condition, before I can make one. But, I'd happily make one of Ottar, if you'd like."

She considered this, sipping her tea again, "It does get a little lonely sometimes, when he goes into the dungeon." She looked at me over her teacup, "A condition?"

"I would have to get to know him a little better."

"I thought you were working on that for little Haruhime."

"Not that well." I said, shaking my head, "You see, all I really know about him, is... superficial. He's strong. Respected. Quiet. Makes good tea. But other than that? I simply don't know him well enough, to create a memory stone of him."

"Hm. Ottar?"

"My Lady?"

"Return by tomorrow, please." Freya said simply, then to me, "If I deem your craft worthy, I will give you what you ask."

"Lady Freya is kind." I replied. "If I may take my leave then?"

"Yes, please, enjoy your day with my treasure." She purred.

Standing, and taking the still empty bottle with me, I bowed, turned, then walked to Ottar. "I'm in your care, Mr. Ottar."

Before we left, he had dressed in that same, almost Hawaiian getup. Colourful shirt that was probably only there for the three pockets it had. Functional cargo shorts, and simple belt. Very casual. He brought only a small pouch that I could see, though I could hear the small sum of coins in it shift about as he walked.

As we departed the tower, he stopped, looked at me, then asked, "Now what?"

I'd been thinking of that as we were in the elevator, and replied with, "Well, here is what I know about you. Your name, is Ottar. You are just over two meters tall. Level seven. Your race is... Boaz?" He nodded, "A little known race of half boar." I paused, "You are very loyal to Lady Freya, and have the nickname of 'King'." I paused, trying to think up anything else, then, "Oh, and, you don't treat anyone poorly, just because you are stronger. Very respectable, though because of your strength, a little unapproachable."

He looked at me, face passive. He'd be good at poker. "So. I know you are a great warrior. But, do you have any other hobbies? Things you do in your spare time? Favourite foods?"

His face changed slightly, and one of his not quite pointy ears twitched before he replied, "Lady Freya has given me until nightfall tomorrow. I think we have time."

"Time for what?" I asked.

"Do you know how to fish?"

I blinked at him a moment, even my tails stopped in shock, but I recovered quickly, "I haven't since I was... much younger. But the dungeon is closed?"

"Monsters are unworthy of my Goddess's plate. Or anyone else, save the most desperate." He replied firmly. "Come."

He turned and started walking south. Shrugging, I quick stepped to catch up with him, then matched his pace, though I had to take three steps for every two of his. It wasn't long before I felt the eyes of the people on us, wondering what the 'King' was doing, walking next to 'The Demon Fox'. For the most part, I paid it no mind. It wasn't long before I figured we were heading to the south gate of the city.

"Going out of town then?" I asked.

"Yes." He replied simply, then, "Problem?"

"I should leave a message." I said, shrugging, "My Goddess is prone to worry."

"You could ask the Hermes Familia member who is following us." He said, still not looking anywhere but forward. "Behind, to the left. Red."

I added 'to the point', to the list of what I knew about Ottar, looking behind and to the left, and spotting a half familiar mop of black hair, and a red scarf. My memory kicked the face of the chienthrope girl around a moment, before I remembered. "Ah, I know her... Hold on a moment please?"

He grunted, and stopped. Not following, but likely not going to move either, even if a waggon tried to get past. I walked towards the girl, watching a range of emotions move across her face before the triangle ears on the sides of her head drooped in resignation, and she met me part way. She stopped just out of arm's reach, and looked like she would back up if I got any closer than that, so I stopped, and asked flatly, "Yes?"

"I don't want any trouble." She started, "And no, before you ask, I've been told not to bother you. But..." She paused, "Look... Not everyone in Hermes's Familia likes how he runs things. Most of us work for Him because we don't really care for the rules. Because we act as messengers, the Guild lets us move about with less... Okay, hold on..." She sighed, frustrated, "Never mind the details. Most of us want nothing to do with you, or your Familia. We don't know what His obsession is with you guys, but aside from maybe Asfi? You yourself could walk roughshod over our entire Familia."

"What about Aisha?"

"Aisha is pretty much in your Familia already. She's made that perfectly clear after what went down a little while ago." She said, "So, just so you don't... I dunno, get it in your head to take out your frustrations on us, my team and I put together a little something." She used one hand to open her vest, and took out a bit of paper from an inner pocket. This, she handed to me. "I have no idea if you can do anything with this, but call it an apology for being too good a soldier."

Accepting the paper, I unfolded it. On it, was a map, a couple of names, and a line at the bottom that had my full attention. "Last shipment of Xenos?" I looked up from the paper at her.

"Yeah. Hermes was told to look into it. But, after they came up here... Well, he didn't tell us to deal with it."

"Hm. Okay." I put the paper in my satchel. "I'll call it clear, if you can do me a little favour." She raised an eyebrow, but stayed silent, "Go to my home, tell them I'll be out until tomorrow. Oh, call in from the gate. My new friend might take offence. Here." I handed her Marius's memory stone. "For Lord Takemikazuchi."

"Out until tomorrow, call from the street, and give this to the scary, yet handsome God. What do I say if they ask why?"

"Gone fishing." I replied, "Thanks."

"Yeah, don't mention it."

Turning back to Ottar, who was watching passively, like some weird street decoration, I caught up with him and followed as he started walking again. "Say... Are we going to Melen, by any chance?"

"Closest port town to Orario." He said, "Closest place to catch fish."

"Perfect."

Thinking back over the last year and a bit, I realized that I'd never actually stood on the south wall. The port town of Melen, also called 'Orario's gate to the sea', was maybe three kilometres from Orario itself. Hardly much effort to walk, I spent the time trying to start a conversation with Ottar.

He wasn't a much of a people person, I could tell. Most of the answers I got were simple, one word replies. It kind of made me want to kick him. But that might either hurt my foot, or cut my little outing short. I just had to find something he was interested in...

"So, why fishing?" I asked, seeing the port town, and smelling the faint sea breeze when the wind brushed over us from the south. "I would never have guessed it."

This got the biggest reaction out of him yet. A single raised eyebrow. "Why?"

"Being so strong, and well, not dead yet, so capable too. I half imagined you to go and wrestle dragons or something in your free time."

He sighed, a deep rumbling sound filled with... resignation? "That's part of the problem." He said, "I am strong. The strongest. It... sets me apart." He paused, looking at his hand where one of my tails had decided to perch, "You understand?"

"In a different fashion. When I was younger, I was weak. Short. But smart. It set me apart too. I could never keep up with other kids physically, and they couldn't understand my way of thinking." I took my tail back, and it fell into line with the other five, "But fishing?"

"You'll understand when we get there." His face started to look like it might smile, but then his ears twitched, "Can you swim?"

"Honestly? I don't know." I looked behind me, "Last time I did, in a serious way, I didn't have all these." The committee drooped a bit, except my golden tail. That one swatted the back of my head. "Wait... You mean..."

"Can you use a spear at all?" He asked.

I laughed quietly, "I take it back. You mean spear fishing, don't you."

"The lake is the other way. So yes."

"Well, no, I can't use a spear. Or any weapon at all." I replied.

"It will be an interesting day then." He said, the smile finally appearing on his face.

We walked a few minutes in silence, then I asked, "I'm curious... What's your opinion on the Xenos?"

"Is that what they are called?" He asked, "The monsters, who talk?"

"Yeah." I confirmed.

He thought this over, his footsteps making a steady 'thump thump' on the ground, "I am... Indifferent. If they hinder me, I will treat them like a monster. If they avoid me, I won't waste time with them. If my Goddess wants them gone, then I will hunt them down."

I nodded, "Then, would you mind helping me with this? Or at least, not getting in the way?" I offered him the paper the Hermes girl had given me.

He looked at it, then handed it back. "I am curious now as well." He started, "Why do you care?"

Resisting the urge to jump for joy at getting him to actually engage in conversation, I replied with a question of my own, "Lady Freya trusts you, right?" I held up my hands in surrender at his slightly angry raised eyebrow, "Lady Hestia trusts me. She has given me her gift of Falna, so that I will do good things. So that my actions do Her proud." He nodded in approval, I think, so I continued, "I care, because if I didn't, Lady Hestia would think less of me. I care because if I didn't, the people," I made a vague 'over there' motion at Orario behind us, "would think less of Her, because of me." I chuckled, "And I would think less of myself. I have the ability to help, so why shouldn't I?"

He nodded, then asked, "And if you find someone there, one of these Xenos. What would you get in return?"

"Well, having met a few of them, I think at least a 'thank you'." I chuckled, "When I get home, and tell my Familia about it, I might get a few smiles. And I know, Lady Hestia will say 'good work'."

He didn't reply, but his face looked thoughtful. Finally, he said, "Very well."

"Thank you." The smell of the sea had been steadily getting stronger, as well as the familiar smell of 'people'. As we topped a small hill, I looked down a gentle slope at a respectably sized town, filled with red brick buildings and grey slate rooftops. A few buildings stood out, but for the most part, it looked pretty standard for what I knew of the 'era' this world was in. We were actually about to walk next to a neatly tiered rice farm too. "Anything I should know about this place? Before we get there?"

"Njord Familia is the only Familia based here. Good people." He said, "They fish, and keep Orario supplied with what they catch." He paused, thoughtful again, "Not much else, I think."

Ottar was apparently fairly well known in town. More than once, just before the two of us got to the city proper, he had farmers wave at him. Ottar himself nodded to them, not saying hello, but not ignoring the greetings either. As we transitioned from hard packed dirt road to cobblestone, the outlaying wooden farmhouses and shacks shifting to red brick and mortar houses, the people either payed us no mind, or waved to us.

"People are friendly enough." I commented.

"Food and trade are plentiful." He replied, "Njord Familia keeps the streets clean, and the people working."

"Is there a Guild presence here?"

"Yes. They do not work... No, Njord does not work well with them." Ottar said, scratching his chin, "Njord would rather the city simply be His. Though, He is much like Hermes, when it comes to the rules of the Guild."

"So, Njord lets His Familia do what ever they want, and doesn't bother to keep up with paperwork?" I asked, chuckling.

"Basically."

We made a turn onto what might have been a main street. The smell of fresh, and not so fresh, fish, as well as the salty scent of the ocean made my nose itch a little. I could also hear the increasing noise of merchants, trying to advertise. "I should get some sand while I'm here." I said, "Do you know if they do deliveries?"

"Silly question." Ottar replied, making me smile, "Sand?"

"Gros asked for some sand." I replied, "The gargoyle I fought."

"A good fight." He commented, "The Rakia Man knows his shield work."

"They seriously called him that?" I asked.

"Yes." He nodded, "A moment." He stopped as we entered what must have been the market square. "Good. This way." He started towards one of the vendors, a dark skinned man, wearing a small white turban and colourful, if a little stained, silk shirt.

His stand, covered by an equally colourful, if a little sun-bleached, tarp, was laden with all manner of fabrics. I was no expert, but as I followed Ottar, I could tell that who ever wove these, used a very high quality loom.

"Greetings Mr. Ottar!" The man said loudly, his accent making me think Arab, but not quite. "Come for some fishing today?"

"Yes." Ottar replied.

"Well, I hope you catch something worth while. Word is that the ships have been bringing in a little less than usual." He replied, turning to me and 'jumping' as if I had sort of just appeared there. "Do my eyes deceive me? A Renard woman? I haven't seen a Renard in... Oh my..." He gave Ottar a sly look, but he shook his head exactly once, "Just joining him for some fishing then?"

"I asked him what he did for fun." I replied, "And here I am." I offered my hand, "Kodori, Hestia Familia."

"Ma'Hat'zar. Just a simple seller of cloth." He took my hand and shook it firmly, the skin of his palm soft. "Can I interest you in something? I bring fine silks, and other such from over seas. As well as from the East, when the trade wind permits."

I looked to Ottar, eyebrow raised, and he replied with an almost imagined smile and a nod. "Something black, and something white." I said, "With foxes, or flowers, if you have it."

Ottar waited patiently while we bartered back and forth. Arms folded over his massive chest, he nodded again with approval when business was concluded. I told the merchant to simply hold it here, and I'd pick it up before leaving town.

"How did you know?" I asked Ottar as we left the merchant to explore the rest of the bazaar styled street.

"Among other things, you are famous for ruining clothes." He said flatly, "And, often, you and your partner are compared to night and day." He paused, his shadow falling over a bored looking merchant who perked up as Ottar loomed over him. "I am looking for a place on this map."

Taking my cue, I offered the man the scrap of paper, not actually giving it to him. My thumb was over the message mentioning the Xenos.

"Three streets over, follow it towards the water." The man said after a moment.

Ottar placed a coin in front of him, and picked up a bit of fruit from his stand, then simply turned and walked off. After I caught up to him, he continued, "Another thing you are known for, is not failing. I have no idea what your... gift to Lady Freya is, but I am sure you will have your prize tomorrow." He looked down at me, "And that will mean a wedding."

I filed his insightful nature with all the other things I'd learned so far, and grinned back at him, "Very true... Do you... smell that?" Something was tickling my nose, and not in a nice way. It was faint, but I knew that smell.

Ottar paused, "No... Yes." He turned his head, "We are on the right street." He lengthened his stride, heading down the street towards the ocean.

The smell got stronger, the little voice in the back of my head telling me I didn't want to get closer. That it smelled all too much like I did, while the Amazons worked on me. Even as I took hold of one of my tails to hold that thought down, the smell got stronger.

Looking at the map, I counted doors, then stopped in front of a somewhat run down, weather and salt stained wooden framed warehouse. Reminding me of the place I'd met Welf's family, I could tell the smell was coming from inside. With the smell of fish in the air already, I'd have bet no one had come to investigate. It could have easily been mistaken for rotten fish guts.

The double door was locked, but I hardly had to apply my shoulder to it to crack the wood of the door apart in the middle.

"Are you okay?" I heard Ottar ask as I took a step back outside, holding my mouth to keep my breakfast down.

"A moment." I mumbled through my hand, tugging my shirt up a little so I could breath through the fabric. "Okay."

"I will wait here." He said, "This is your mission."

"If I need help, I'll call."

"Fine."

Entering the gloom of the warehouse, the smell only got stronger. Over the packed dirt floor was a scattering of straw and the occasional heavy footprint. Boxes and barrels lined the walls, probably empty, and kept there out of the way, but checking those could wait. It wasn't a large place, but it could easily fit say, a pair of waggons, horses included. One of those waggons, without the horse, was in the back corner, also looking 'out of the way', but on top of that, was a large crate. The light filtering in from cracks in the wall had shadowed it, and confused my eyes at first, but as my eyes adjusted, I could make out the dark metal of a large 'kennel' box, like the ones Dix had used. About one meter wide, two meters long and two meters tall, it had solid walls, with only a couple of small barred openings around shoulder level. The only way to open it easily, was with a key.

I gave the side a tap, frowning as the sound of the metal told me it was adamant. If I called Ottar, even if he could punch through the metal, if there was something alive in there, he'd probably kill it. At my light tapping, I heard something move inside of the box. No more than a fitful twitch, but it was something. Hopping up on the waggon bed, I tried to look into the box, but aside from a lumpy shape or two, I couldn't make anything out with the lack of light.

"Hello?" I called in, earning myself another little twitch from inside. "Can you hear me? Can you understand what I'm saying?"

There was a little more movement, and suddenly the smell got even worse, as what ever was moving was simply stirring up the smell. But there was no reply.

"Just relax." I said, "I'm going to have to open this without the key, so try not to panic."

"Problem?" Ottar asked from the doorway, his back to me as he called over his shoulder.

"Adamant box. No key." I called back. "Hinges are hidden too. Bastards..." If the hinges were exposed, I could have maybe broken them, or knocked the pins out, but they were seated inside the door, making that impossible without tools. "Come here a moment, I have an idea."

Ottar grunted, his heavy footsteps noisy in the near silence. "This box... Worth a small fortune." He commented.

"No kidding." I replied, "Help me get this to the floor. Carefully. Someone is in there. Can't tell how bad."

Together, we lowered the kennel to the floor, and I positioned myself at the lock. "No pry bar to get started. Almost no gap either." He said after a moment of examination.

"I'm going to try and bend frame here by the lock. If I can, try and get a hand in there to pop the latch off." I replied, flexing my fingers.

He looked puzzled for a second, but shrugged, then got behind me. I positioned myself at the lock, placing one palm flat against the door, and the other on the frame by the lock. Thankfully, the door was on the end, the frame next to the lock. If the door were in the middle, this wouldn't work at all. As it was, it was adamant. One of the strongest base metals in the world. Even stronger when worked, it was a favourite for things like armour, or massive swords meant to cut the heads off dragons and the like.

Flexing my fingers slightly, my unbreakable grip stuck to the door and frame, and I started to try and pull my arms apart.

Deep breath, the fire smoulders anew.

Deep breath, the fire kindles and sparks.

Deep breath, the fire leaps upwards.

Deep breath, the fire spreads.

Shoulders aching, wrists and elbows starting to feel like they might come apart, I took another breath, pushing my magic not out, to toughen me, but in, to sink into my bones and muscles. My sport bra started to feel like it was shrinking, and I could hear myself growling as I let out my next breath. It wasn't enough.

So I dug deeper. Imagining being in the box, instead of out of it. Caged and trapped. I hated it. The idea itself offended me. I'd been caged before, not by physical barriers, but by invisible ones, like 'rules' and 'taxes'. Living to work, instead of working to live. I couldn't do anything about that then, but now? I could. It was just a box! Not a rule. Not a law.

I wouldn't let a cage hold me.

Or anyone else.

There was a quiet groan of metal, the frame of the door starting to flex. My eyes, almost squinted shut with exertion, almost unable to see through the black and purple fog I was giving off, made out a hand, big as a dinner plate, fingers like sausages, as it jammed itself into the slowly widening gap. A second hand followed, and together, we pulled the frame further apart.

"Back." Ottar said with a grunt, the hand on the door pulling backwards sharply.

Relaxing my hands at the last instant, I fell back against him, his other arm wrapping around me and tugging me back further as the door shot open, just missing my leg, the air of its passing telling me it might have been a lot worse than a stubbed toe. Speaking of air, the smell...

Goddess, the smell...

Lungs needing air, but nose almost refusing to let me breath, the smell of rot was so strong...

Eyes watering, I looked into the cage.

"help... please..."

Notes

So there! You will have to wait to find out what is in Box #1.

No, it won't be pleasant. But well... :)