He cowered beneath the table; he could hear the wood groaning from the body that lay upon it as well as saw the blood running down the hand of the thief. Around him was a scene of chaos, bodies of the thieves lay broken or in some cases torn apart as if mauled by some wild animal…only it was no animal. He watched as the giant assaulted the men and women, it made no difference, smiling and laughing as they tried their best to deal with him but ultimately failed. There off to the side he could see the large man holding the final thief by his neck, slowly apply pressure as the other man failed to break free. There was a sudden crack and the thief's body went limp; the giant laughed as he tossed the man through the large hole he had created in the side of the wall after his rampage. He could still hear the whimpers of the prostitutes who had run upstairs to avoid his wrath, but other than them, he was now alone with this giant.
"Well that was fun while it lasted." Dragon Executioner smirked as he examined his handy work, his hands and chest stained in the blood of those he had killed until he looked toward his left. "Don't think I've forgotten about you."
The minstrel tensed as he watched the Dragon Executioner walking toward him, every step sounded with the heavy footfalls as he drew closer. He watched as the giant took hold of the edge of the table and effortlessly flipped it over, not caring for the body upon it. Even if he wanted to run he couldn't, his leg still shackled to the wall; all he could do was wait and pray that his end would come quickly and as painlessly as possible.
"It was a wise choice to not run from me. I might have gotten angry with you."
"Pl, please. I know I'm in no po, position to ask but…ju, ju, just make it quick!" The minstrel clenched his eyes tight as he waited for his demise.
Dragon Executioner frowned as he looked down at the tiny man, he could just as easily kill him as the rest, but perhaps this one could be useful to him.
"Tell me. Where do you come from?"
"Huh? Me?" The minstrel looked up at the giant with wide eyes.
"Do you see anyone else I might be referring to?"
"Uh…I am, or rather was a traveling bard from the Capital. I figured I'd try my luck roaming around the lands when I was picked up and sold to this tavern as its entertainment."
"A bard eh? So not only are you musically inclined but I imagine that you are quite knowledgeable about the region, yes?"
"Y, yes sir. I know the area well. I had hoped to reach the next Kingdom of the Griffin and the city of Light and Shadow…but it seems that dream is dead."
"Oh I wouldn't say that just yet."
Dragon Executioner reached down toward the bard; he once again closed his eyes but the Executioner was not after his life but the chain that connected him to the wall. He effortlessly tore it loose from the wall, the bard in complete shock that he could finally move a bit more freely.
"I am a bit…unfamiliar with the lands and will need one to help guide me across the region. Listen well Slave Bard, you shall act as my personal guide, servant and entertainment as I search for my quarry. Do not cross me and you shall live quite the comfortable life."
"I…yes sir." Slave Bard bowed his head towards his new master. "Wonderful. I am now a portable slave rather than a fixed one. Still, so long as I do what he requires of me, I shall be allowed to travel…and live."
"Now. I have some other matters to attend to." Dragon Executioner sneered as he looked upward toward the ceiling, though he could not see them he could hear the sobbing of the women. "A man does have needs after all."
"Oh. Very good sir."
"Be sure that I don't have to chase you down once I've returned." Dragon Executioner turned and made his way towards the stair, each step groaning under his weight. "Help yourself to whatever food or drink was not ruined in my battle. Also…you might want to change your pants, it's quite a foul stench. I guess it was a bad day for you to wear green."
Dragon Executioner laughed as he moved up the stairs, leaving the stunned bard to stand there in his filth. The bard dropped to his knees as he sighed in relief, but he soon flinched as he heard the screams of the whores above him. He did think about running, but one look at the carnage around him quickly put an end to such a thought. He'd instead move to look for food, drink and a change of clothing while he waited for his master to finish indulging in his pleasure.
"I must not do anything to upset my master. Just wait patiently and I'll be able to live a bit longer."
xxxx
"LOOK AT GIANT VILLAGE!"
Saber Rider excitedly looked at the size of the massive town of Black Hollow, looking at the size of the buildings, the vast number of diverse people walking around the streets, and the liveliness of the merchants along the streets. Talon perched atop a nearby building, eagerly looking over the food stall. Fang crouched low to the ground as he looked at the nearby cattle in a stable, the same way a house cat would stalk a bird.
"What the hell did I say about running wild!" Harpy Scout angrily took hold of his arm and drug him back towards the group. "Also, tell your brother to stop eyeing the cows over there! They not on the menu!"
Half-Dragon Priestess and Wolf Brawler moved to direct Fang away from the livestock, the large saber cat offering a loud meow of annoyance before relenting and walking with them. Saber Rider was eager to explore, wanting to investigate all the new things he was experiencing but the others held him back.
"Let me go! Let me go! Want to go explore! Village so much bigger than one I live in!"
"Patience my friend. We shall all gladly go explore once our business is done at the Guild." Padfoot Monk smiled as their unusual party moved down the street.
"No want to register as adventurer! Can't eat tag on neck! What it good for anyway?"
"With that you'll be able to seek out quests, after each quest you'll earn money which you can use to buy things." Wolf Brawler smiled as she too was eager to make it to the guild in this town. "You gain experience with the quest you undertake, and as you increase your rank, the rewards from the quests will increase with it. With money you can buy all the meat you want to eat or new clothing."
"No need money! Can just go hunt in forest for food and find wild plants. Don't need any new clothes either, mother's pelt is fine."
"Oh come on. We want you to join us in our party officially and then you'll be rewarded for all the hard work you've done." Harpy Scout sighed as she continued to pull at his arm then smiled as she hoped this tactic would help. "Please. Will you do it for me?"
"…fine…only cause Pretty Bird say so."
Harpy Scout did smile, though the name he gave her still made her blush which her friends did not fail to notice but would be nice about their teasing. Since surviving the goblins and Dragon executioner in the caves, it had been several enjoyable days of peace for the party. The elves were gracious, offering them food and drink as well as gold and a letter to take to the guild so that they would get credit for their rescue of the captives. Now back in town, this meant they could go and see if enough credit had been earned for a potential promotion exam as well as register Saber Rider.
To the group's surprise the Guild was very much like that of Frontier Town, a near exact copy of the building and its layout. For Half-Dragon Priestess and her friends it was quite refreshing to see something so nostalgic. The guild staff was quite surprised by the group that entered the guild, such a diverse group but nothing compared to the size of their animal companions. Registering Saber Rider was quite a chore as his reading ability was very limited and he was quite stubborn with when it came to answering simple questions.
Once his registration was completed the party then turned in their quest form given to them by the elves, detailing their rescue of their people as well as undertaking, searching for fallen comrades, dealing with the goblins and seeking the rare beast. The guild manager looked over their various deeds and read about how each member contributed to their quests and decided that all four were eligible for promotion.
"Yes! We're going up a rank!" Harpy Scout jumped for joy, if allowed she fully un furl her wings and take to the skies.
"I need to make sure to write home about this once we get a chance to settle in for the night." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she gripped are tags then looked toward Saber Rider. "Rider, can you please stay with Specter and Fang while we go for our promotion exam. I don't know how long it will take but I'd really appreciate it if you watch over them."
"Hmm…not like to wait but alright. You and others go do what you need, I stay with Fang and Giant Wolf."
"One day, we'll get you to actually use are real names. Thank you." Half-Dragon Priestess bowed her head toward the wildman.
The group of four followed with the guild officers to go about answering questions for their promotion exam, Saber Rider plopped down on the comfy chair and watched the various people coming and going through the guild. The adventurers spared a quick glance to the strange man and large beasts on either side of him, to his right was the large dire wolf sitting patiently as he waited for his master's return while near him was the saber cat lying upon the ground scratching at the wooden floor to sharpen its claws.
"Lot of strange people. That one have pointy ears like elves we saw. That one weird, have horse legs but top part of woman. Those people short and have hairy feet…they children?" Saber Rider tapped his foot quietly loudly as he sat there waiting for the others when sudden remembered that Talon was not with them. "Talon? Talon were you go?"
Saber Rider got to his feet and moved toward the exit; Fang saw this and gave a quick stretch and yawn, which practically terrified the other adventurers, before moving behind his brother. Specter saw this and started to whine, he was worried about being left behind as he anxiously looked around for the female dragon.
"Come on Giant Wolf. Lizard Girl say I watch you but I need find Talon. You stay with us."
Specter looked once again toward the direction Half-Dragon Priestess and the others had gone in but with no sign of them coming back at the moment, Specter turned and followed with Saber Rider and Fang.
"Don't worry Giant Wolf." Saber Rider reached over to pat the dire wolf's side. "They be back. I watch you and find Talon."
The promotion exam took a bit longer than they had expected, but soon enough all four of the adventurers were making their way out of the back office, admiring their new obsidian tags with Padfoot Monk's having gone from Obsidian to Steel.
"You'll have to tell me what this new tag looks like. The information is always the same, so I'll have to assume that I was given the correct tag level." Padfoot Monk smiled as he ran his fingers over the indentions upon his tag.
"It certainly is of Steel level, we're only Obsidian at the moment." Harpy Scout looked at her tag then his and frowned a bit.
"Don't worry about it. It's been a couple months since we started with everything so we can't expect to jump up to Gold or Platinum in such a short amount of time." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she looked at her tag, proud of all the hard work she had put into her questing. "I can only hope that Mother and Father will also be proud of my accomplishments."
"This is proof enough of how far we've come since we started." Wolf Brawler beamed with pride, almost feeling a sense of power that came with the rise in rank. "Hey if nothing else, you can go show off to Rider that you're a higher rank than him."
"That is true. I technically would be his…hey where is he?"
The party looked around the guild, but there was no sign of Saber Rider, Fang or Specter. There was an immediate sense of worry, not that something had happened to him, but he was now out and about in the town.
"Rider! Rider!"
"Oh, were you looking for your other party member? The man in the animal pelt with the large beasts?" The guild attendant as once he saw the group frantically looking for someone in the guild.
"Ah yes; you haven't seen him have you?" Harpy Scout secretly hoped that he was merely in the tavern eating a meal.
"He and those animals left some time ago. I believe they said something about looking for Talon, not sure who that is though." The guild attendant smiled as he returned to his paperwork.
Half-Dragon Priestess and her friends stood there, mouths agape upon hearing that Rider had left the guild, accompanied by the dire wolf and saber cat. Before they could up with a plan to find their friend there came a scream from outside followed by several angry shouts.
"Ancestors give me patience." Half-Dragon Priestess rushed out of the guild followed by her friends.
xxxx
The fish merchant screamed and backed away as the massive saber cat placed its paws on her stall and leaned in looking over the fresh fish available. He pawed at the largest fish and moved to bite it, dragging it away for consumption. Nearby was Saber Rider was happily eating a large drumstick as was Specter, lying in the ground eating a drumstick as he crunched on the bones. Upon one of the rooftops, Talon too helped himself to one of the legs of chicken he had picked up from another one of the food carts.
"Mmmm. Meat good. Talon find such good food. Very nice that they have food out here for us."
"You thief! You need to pay for all of that! Help Knights!"
"Monster! Giant monster cat stole my fish!"
"SHUT UP! You people too loud! Ruin my meal!"
Saber Rider and the others continued their meal when they saw the others rushing over towards them, he eagerly waved at them still with drumstick in hand.
"There you are. We find such good food around here. Food just out here for…"
"YOU DAMN FOOL! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Harpy Scout slapped the food out his hand and before placing her hands on shoulders and shaking him.
"H, hey! Stop shaking me Pretty Bird. Why you so mad? And why you knock food out of my hand?"
"You're causing everyone trouble!" Harpy Scout sighed as she watched the other three on damage control, trying to avoid the knights coming to arrest them and paying back the food that was stolen. "That food you're all helping yourselves too isn't free, you have to pay for it."
"That stupid. Why have food out if you can't eat it?"
"Rider, that's what we were talking about earlier." Half-Dragon Priestess let out a sigh as she and the others finally finished dealing with the merchants. "As we continue to quest we can earn money, coins to pay for food. AND you! Bad Specter! I was hopeful you'd be the more responsible out of this group."
The dire wolf wagged his tail, oblivious to the scolding, just happy to be back with his master. Padfoot Monk and Wolf Brawler finished talking with the townspeople before rejoining the others, thankfully the cost of food taken was not as bad, mostly trying to assure the people that the dire wolf and saber cat were not a threat. The sudden sounds of the people drew the attention of various adventurers who readied themselves to intervene, if need be, but other adventurers helped in deescalating the situation. For one group, the female member saw the flash of pink fur and smiled as she recognized the smaller adventurer.
"Friend, we need to discuss the proper way to act within towns and settlements. As a newly registered adventurer, your actions on and off the battlefield will affect future promotions." Padfoot Monk sighed as he placed a firm hand on Rider's shoulder.
"…I not understand. What Dog Face say?"
"He said you need to stop acting like an idiot." Harpy Scout sighed as she covered her eyes with her left hand shaking her head.
"HEY! IT YOU!"
The group turned, expecting to find another angry merchant blaming them for something, but to their surprise found a group of four adventurers rushing toward them, the lead female adventurer rushing towards them.
"Warrior!" Half-Dragon Priestess smiled brilliantly waving as Rabbitfolk Warrior rush to meet them.
Rabbitfolk Warrior happily embraced Half-Dragon Priestess, Wolf Brawler and Harpy Scout, the rest of their respective party members looked on a bit surprised.
"What good fortune to run into you all again." Tortle Master bowed his head toward Half-Dragon Priestess and her comrades then looked toward the two males and large animals and smiled. "It would seem that we are not the only ones to have new individuals join our party."
"Oh I do apologize. After we departed, we encountered these two and asked them to join our party." Half-Dragon motioned with her hand to introduce her comrades. "This is Padfoot Monk and the other is Saber Rider. The saber cat and hawk are companions to Saber Rider, they are Fang and Talon. Rider and Monk, this is Rabbitfolk Warrior and Tortle Master, we met and worked with her on a quest in Long Field."
Padfoot Monk smiled and bowed his head toward Tortle Master and Rabbitfolk Warrior, while Saber Rider crossed his arms and carefully examined the "walking turtle" in front of him.
"It has been quite the adventure working with this spirited girl. We too have added in our numbers, I feel like this is now a good group to travel around with. This is Grippli Scout and Armor-Piercer." Tortle Master now motioned with his hand toward their two new comrades.
Grippli was a humanoid frog with a light frame and build, his large, red eyes focusing on the party of five and their animal companions. His skin was a mixture of bright colors, a light green color present on most of his skin, on the inside of his legs and arms with blue steaks and his hands were orange. Like a frog, he had webbed toes and hands with four digits present on each. Dressed in dark green shirt and shorts, he prioritized mobility over armor; on his back was a long bow and quiver of arrows and by his side was a small hatchet.
Armor-Piercer was an imposing figure, not just do to his build but his body structure, because he was a scorpikis. The top half of his body was a large muscular man, wearing bronze-colored armor covering his chest. Where his legs should have been was the body of a giant scorpion with a black colored exoskeleton, with two massive pincers curled close to the body, eight legs beneath him and a long tailed curled behind him. In his human hands was a bronze-colored lance just like the armor he wore.
"A pleasure to meet you both." Half-Dragon Priestess bowed her head toward the new duo.
"Thank you for accompanying our friend." Wolf Brawler too smiled, though a bit intimidated by the appearance of the skorpikis but trusted her friend's judgement.
"I'm sure you're all fine comrades for…RIDER! What the hell are you doing?"
Harpy Scout and her party watched in horror as Saber Rider maneuvered behind Tortle Master and began to tap his fist upon Tortle Master's back.
"Hmm. Shell study. You not look very fast, but have good body for defense." Saber Rider then moved toward the grippli and skorpikis to examine them. "Frog Man look too thin, need eat more meat. Giant Bug Man weird, have human top and bug bottom. Others seem odd but capable. Good friends to have."
Half-Dragon Priestess and the others were completely shocked by his actions, embarrassed beyond belief but they didn't get the chance to respond as someone behind them spoke up.
"Hawk trained to follow orders, that smart. Look at cat, he so big. Maybe ride him, big claws and teeth, they look good and sharp." Rabbitfolk Warrior excitedly looked over those she had not had a chance to see the last time, carefully examining the padfoot as she moved her hand back and forth. "That gold thing block eyes. How you see?"
"Um…I am actually blind, that is why I wear this visor. Some are afraid of seeing my white eyes."
"You no see but can still fight good? That amazing!"
Saber Rider watched Rabbitfolk Warrior curiously, she in turned her attention away from the others to study him. The two walked up toward one another; Saber Rider a bit taller looking down at the Rabbitfolk Warrior who looked up at him, a small frown present on both their faces. Both parties looked toward their respective members frowning at one another, perhaps there was some form of bad blood between the two and they might start fighting. Both Saber Rider and Rabbitfolk Warrior then smirked as they moved their arms quickly and grasped each other's hands and started to grapple.
"I right. You look strong." Saber Rider smiled as he continued to use force in order to make her submit.
"I very strong. We Rabbitfolk all good fighters. You strong too." Rabbitfolk Warrior smiled as she grappled with Saber Rider and easily held her own, pushing back when she could.
The two continued for a few more moments but then stopped and began to laugh as they slapped one another on the shoulder. With the tension now gone, the others in both parties breathed a sigh of relief as their more unpredictable members were happily mingling. Wolf Brawler and Half-Dragon Priestess didn't notice it at first, but a quick glance toward Harpy Scout made their eyes widen in surprise. Harpy Scout had a neutral expression on her face, but she was tightly clenching her fists and even the feathers on her wings began to puff up as she continued to watch the two get along.
"I'm glad to see these two getting along so well. Fine friends indeed. Why don't we all stop by the tavern for a meal together." Tortle Master laughed as he watched the two continue to chat, even comparing weapons.
"Uh…actually that sounds like an excellent idea. Scout what do you think?"
"…yes…that would be fine…"
Both girls were completely surprised by Harpy Scout's behavior, but it would make sense since she was usually watching over him and smiling as he called her Pretty Bird. That afternoon, the two parties happily enjoyed their meal in the tavern; though some adventurers were a bit shocked by the sight of the variety of individuals, they soon settled I to enjoying their meal as well as they saw how happy the groups were.
"I tell you, I thought that she was the only one who would be so bold and say things without any tact." Grippli Ranger laughed as he enjoyed his meal of roasted swamp insect.
"Yeah. We thought Rider was the same, there's times I feel more like a parent than a comrade but he is very reliable." Wolf Brawler smiled then looked at the large insect the Grippli was eating with a bit of a frown but something caught her eye. "That insect. At first glance it doesn't look quite appetizing, but…sniff, sniff…it actually smells quite good."
"Ha, ha ha! I get that a lot. I did try normal meat, but it doesn't agree with me very much, so I stick with insects. Depending on how you prepare them and spices you use, it can taste just as good as any other meal."
"I meant to ask, if it isn't too much of a bother; as a scopikis, does the stinger at the end of your tail also deliver venom?" Padfoot Monk smiled as he enjoyed his stew and happily conversed with this fellow adventurer. "My village to the south, our closest neighboring village was one of scorpikis, they were mostly nocturnal, going into the cave to avoid the scorching sun."
"Oh you're from the southern part of the continent too huh? Yeah, still getting used to this temperature, I personally find it a bit too cool at times." Armor-Piercer laughed as within his human hands he eagerly bit into his sandwich but in each pincer was an extra drumstick. "But yeah, my stinger can deliver quite a bit of venom, it's more than enough to kill smaller things like a human, and capable of incapacitating something larger like a umber hulk or bulette."
"Then with your skills with the spear, those pincers, hard armor and stinger, you might as well be like a walking fortress." Padfoot Monk laughed as he imagined a group of attackers being easily thwarted by this adventurer. "I'm quite envious."
"That's part of the reason for me joining. Our little rabbit over there saw me in one of the villages looking over the quest board and started asking me a ton of questions. She then said, "You strong. Want to join our group!". She had such a big smile, and was so open to speaking with me when others were terrified to approach me, it was quite refreshing."
"Fascinating. So even though you're a dragon, you've been taught the miracles of the lizardmen who worship and aspire to be dragons?" Tortle Master had finished his soup and was eager to speak with Priestess, in his mind a fellow reptile individual.
"I am not a full dragon, but a DragonBorn, or Half-Dragon. It wasn't my birthfather, but someone in our line had fallen for a human. Since I bear scales, I am often mistaken for a lizardman like my father." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she too enjoyed her conversation. "I honestly wasn't sure what I would be doing if my mother and I had continued our former life. Seeing and hearing my father fight to defend us made me want to do the same. Though I can breathe fire like a dragon, he taught me the skills to truly defend myself. I haven't seen as many tortles in my travels, even in Crossroads, I maybe saw less than a dozen."
"We tortles don't usually establish large settlements, even then we don't reproduce until we're close to the end of our lives. Being only 20, I still have another 20 years before I even think about kids." Tortle Master chuckled to himse3lf as he looked over all the items attached to his belt. "We carry items of importance with us, so even when away from our homes or families, they travel with us."
"I can understand that." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she looked toward her sword, carved into the same shape of her father's weapon.
Harpy Scout frowned as she drank her ale and looked over toward Saber Rider and Rabbitfolk Warrior happily chatting away. The two had taken out weapons to exchange, both remarking on how effective they would be in battle. She found herself still a bit angry that he was so friendly with her, but then again he was friendly with just about everyone.
"Is it…because those two seem so close, they're practically the same. He wouldn't think of…going off with her right?"
"I like you Strong Rabbit! You good friend!"
Harpy Scout nearly spit up her drink, as she started to cough while struggling to catch her breath.
"Pretty Bird alright?"
"You maybe drink too much?" Rabbitfolk Warrior looked toward the harpy with a concerned expression on her face.
"Uh…no, I'm fine. Just had the ale go down the wrong way." Harpy Scout had a slight smile on her face as he waved off everyone's concerns. "I'll be fine, no worries."
Half-Dragon Priestess and Wolf Brawler both knew this was a lie, but would not push Harpy Scout on the matter. The two groups happily continued their meal until night fell and they readied to return to their rooms.
"Oh it will feel good to be able to sleep on a nice, comfy bed for a change." Wolf Brawler had already thrown herself onto one of the beds with a smile.
"With the reward we got from the guild and the elves we can definitely afford to rest and restock for a fee days." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she too enjoyed sitting upon the soft bed then looked toward her other friend. "What about you? You feeling alright?"
"Fine. Just fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because Saber Rider was being pretty friendly with Warrior at dinner. Because your wings are still puffed up due to being agitated." Half-Dragon Priestess commented as she watched her friend pace back and forth.
"Shut up! My wings have nothing to do with this. So what if he's friendly with her? It's not like I care about it!"
"Scout. You need to be honest, the rest of us can see it, maybe not Rider since he's more used to being isolated in the woods, but even you have to be able to see what's happening here." Wolf Brawler groaned as she sat up in bed and looked toward her friend with a serious frown.
"I…I'm going out to clear my head!"
Harpy Scout quickly stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her as she leaned her back against the wall. She knew she was acting childish and that the others were right, she needed to say something to Rider before it was too late and there would then be a sense of regret. She musted up her courage and walked toward the room where Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk would be resting; the larger beasts kept out in the stables…far away from the livestock.
"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. But I have to get these emotions under control otherwise I'm just going to continue to feel bothered." Harpy Scout let out a heavy sigh before knocking on the door and turning the doorknob. "Excuse me? I was hoping to speak with…"
Inside the room she found Padfoot Monk lying on the bed, but the other bed beside him was empty, Saber Rider was nowhere to be found.
"Oh, apologies. I was just relaxing after such a hearty meal. Did you need something?" Padfoot Monk quickly sat back up as not to be rude to Harpy Scout.
"I…was looking for Rider. Is he down with Fang and Talon?"
"No. The Rabbitfolk Warrior asked him with assistance with something in her room."
"…huh?..."
From another room further down the hall, both she and Padfoot Monk could hear a female voice gasp.
"Ah…that cold on my skin."
Harpy Scout once again found her fists clenched tightly and her feathers ruffled as she heard the sound of Rabbitfolk Warrior's voice.
"Excuse me."
Harpy Scout turned and quickly exited the room much to the surprise of Padfoot Monk who could sense the murderous intent coming off his comrade.
"Oh this bodes poorly for Rider." Padfoot Monk shook his head as he waited for what would come from this little excursion.
Harpy Scout was stomping until she reached Rabbitfolk Warrior's room, again she could hear two voices inside which only fueled her anger.
"What the hell is going on here!" Harpy Scout quickly flung the door open, not even bothering to knock.
Inside the room she found them. Rabbitfolk Warrior had removed her leather corset and way lying face down upon the bed with a surprised look as she saw Harpy Scout enter. Sitting on the bed above her was Saber Rider, in his left hand was a small brown bowl and in his right hand was a paintbrush with red pain on the bristles. Harpy Scout was more confused than angry as she could see that Saber Rider had been painting strange marks on Rabbitfolk Warrior's body.
"Why Pretty Bird coming in here yelling for?"
"Don't you Pretty Bird me you damn fool! Just what the hell are you doing?"
"I help Rabbitfolk Warrior with battle paint. She ask for help reaching parts you no can see well."
"What…battle paint?"
"Yeah. Party members have strange hands so not able to help me and feel uneasy when I ask, so I ask new friend to help me." Rabbitfolk Warrior was also confused by the harpy's sudden entrance.
"I…I…I'm still confused…" Harpy Scout could feel her earlier anger give way to bewilderment.
"Paint all done. Follow pattern in book you show me." Saber Rider nodded his head with a smile as he set the paint down on the nearby table.
"Oh good."
Rabbitfolk Warrior got off the bed and moved toward the mirror, completely oblivious that her exposed chest could be seen by Saber Rider and Harpy Scout. She looked over the red markings that adorned her tanned skin and smiled; for Harpy Scout seeing her figure and breast size did make her feel a bit jealous.
"Marking look good. Thank you friend. I now feel stronger and ready for battle." Rabbitfolk Warrior smiled as she could see the red character even upon her forehead and face.
"I feel same way when I have second Mother's pelt on my back. She give me strength to protect others."
Harpy Scout saw them happily comparing their choice of attire and could felt a bit uneasy; they had so much in common and it only seemed to widen the gap between her and Rider.
"I go back to room now to rest Strong Rabbit. We eat in the morning."
"Thank you again. Also no worry, paint not come off very easy. Can survive many battles."
Harpy Scout watched as Saber Rider turned and walked away, a smile on his face, but he did nod his head toward her before leaving.
"You alright? You seem mad?" Rabbitfolk Warrior waited for Saber Rider to leave and close the door before speaking with her friend.
"I…I don't like you being so friendly with him!" Harpy Scout took in a deep breath and sighed, knowing she had to get rid of these mixed feelings. "I don't know if you're trying to steal him away from us, but I won't let you…not without a fight."
"Steal? I not steal anything? What you talk about?"
"You and Rider…you talk so freely. I won't let you have him!"
"I not try take Rider. He with your party."
"But, you're so friendly together. You're practically naked in front of him, how can you not be trying to seduce him?"
"Seduce? Oh, you mean make him mate? I not trying to make him mate, he strong fighter like me. I thought he and you mates."
"What…why would you think that?"
"He always call you Pretty Bird. I think he like you. Are you not mate? If not, he is strong…would like someone like him for mate."
"NO!" Harpy Scout was firm as she fully unfurled her wings within the room. "He is my mate! I won't surrender him!"
"Hmm. I see. Then you lucky to have good mate. He good mate and good friend…that good man."
"Yes. Yes he is." Harpy Scout looked down toward the ground feeling terrible about her suspicious feelings but knew what to do to make this right. "I'm sorry for coming in to yell. I was being stupid."
"That alright. He help with battle paint and I make new friend so I happy."
Harpy Scout smiled and bowed her head before exiting the room, she was determined to settle the matter with Saber Rider in the next room. As before she knocked on the door and entered to see Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk talking in the dim candle light.
"Excuse me. Um, Monk…could you leave us alone for a bit. I need to speak with Rider?"
"Of course. Take as long as you need." Padfoot Monk nodded his head and went for his staff to carefully make his way over toward the next room.
With the door closed, Harpy Scout was now alone with Saber Rider, she worried that her heartbeat would be so loud that it might echo in the room.
"Rider…I'm sorry for my earlier actions."
"Pretty Bird not need say sorry. You not do anything wrong."
"No. I've been acting foolish all day." Harpy Scout moved across the room until she was sitting on the bed beside Saber Rider. "When I saw you being so friendly with Warrior I…I was jealous."
"Jealous? Why jealous of new friend? You want wrestle with me too? Or have me use paint for you?"
"I'm not getting across my feelings that well am I? Then, there's only one thing to show you what I mean."
Harpy Scout moved quickly, she would not regret these actions, as she placed both hands on either side of his face and kissed him. Saber Rider was surprised by this action, he had seen others do this before when he was a kid but had never experienced it himself. Harpy Scout stopped the kiss but kept both hands on his face, a stern look on her face as her yellow eyes looked into his blue ones.
"Rider. I belong to you and you belong to me. You and I are mates." Harpy Scout moved her hand from his face to remove his pelt from atop his head. "I love you."
She once again moved in to kiss him, though inexperienced he moved to hug her and allow his hands to feel her body. While they kissed, she busy removing the buttons from her corset, practically tearing away her clothing as he went about removing his boots and pants. She knew this was moving fast, but she then remembered the story of how her father and mother had met.
xxxx
"Your father. That was quite the tale. Truth be told, we both met as enemies trying to kill one another."
"What you and dad were enemies?"
"Yes. I had taken refuge in a dungeon, just another monster hiding away from the light. He came in with a party of adventurers, in search of treasure; he got separated and found me. He and I were terrified of one another and attacked each other. I tried to knock him over the ledge but he stabbed me and we both fell. I was injured and could not fly right away, as I looked up I could see him with weapon in hand ready to finish me but he stopped."
"He didn't attack you?"
"No, he said he could see how sacred I was and felt bad about attacking. So instead he offered me a option to help with my injuries and slowly backed away. There was no way to escape right away so we waited there in the darkness. It was cold, I could have left him there but instead I moved closer and covered him with my feathers. Perhaps it was the sudden surge of emotions, or perhaps I was in heat, but we gave into our feelings and spent that night together."
"Then what happened to dad?"
"His comrades found him and us and tried to attack. He told them no, but they would not listen, saying it was their job to slay monsters. He fought them off and told me to flee. I…I never saw him again but know that in that one night he and I shared a love for a lifetime. I know because you are proof of that love."
xxxx
Harpy Scout now lay on the bed, her nude frame beneath Rider as he placed both hands on the bed, on either side of her head. She smiled as she reached up to embrace him with both her arms and wings and pulled him towards her body. She might not have been in heat, but she knew these feelings for him were not false, she would not regret any actions they did this night or any other.
"Pretty Bird. I love you. I keep you safe for as long as I live."
"I love you Rider. Right now, this very moment, I have never been happier. Please continue to protect me."
