Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

53. Act II-Ch XXIX: Go Free

[ - Author's Note - ]

Oh look, twenty five thousand words! Must be a combat chapter!

Well, lighter then most... But we'll get to it.

So... Assassinations, Freebirds and plans going awry. That's what you have to look forwards to. Let's get to it.

[ - Act II - Chapter XXIX: Go Free - ]

Flashback - Seven Years Ago
Sanguinis City, Capital of the Duchy of Anvil
Bloodstone Coliseum

The crowd roared out loud. A mix of delight, fear, excitement, horror and more came from them as a man felt his ribs break from a kick to his side. He was no small man; six foot two clad in simple pants and a tunic; fit although not to the point one would expect for a warrior. The brutal blow sent him flying five feet back and into the ground, clutching his sides painfully. The ring of flame around them meant there was nowhere to run or hide from the titaness who cleared seven feet in height. She bore a face of struggle, as if straining with every effort she made despite the damage she was inflicting. A woman, dressed like the previous man, landed on her back, arms wrapping about her neck as the much smaller woman squeezed on the massive woman's neck to try and choke her out.

More strain came to the giantess' face as she grabbed the hair of the woman on her back and with one, mighty pull threw the five foot one woman face first into the ground, the crack of something sounding in the air from the impact although she was still alive as her body came to rest, rump raised in an embarrassing pose.

"Please..." The massive, dark skinned woman let off as she turned to the next man; the largest of the bunch; six foot three and a bit of a gut but also stronger limbs then the other, three downed men. He was a father of two little girls and happily married... Although she was unsure of how their marriage would survive the fact she had just planted his wife's face into the sand like she was a turnip. "Stop me..." She begged as she walked towards him. The man and his brothers had been found guilty of starting an uprising within Anvil and Duchess Alundra Van Bludhorn wanted to try out her newest acquisition; a barbarian woman from the Thunderblaze Mountains; caught in Nyaru for some unspecified crime, sold in a black market to a Balanar man and put onto auction. Four platinum was a small price for such a magnificent specimen... Even if she was being... troublesome.

But there were ways to deal with that...

The father, dressed like the rest, charged Madadh with all he had, jumping into the air and aiming a flying elbow to the slave's face... Only to meet her hand grabbing his face and slamming his head to the sands harshly.

"Break his leg!" Came the order from her new 'owner' as her body started to move to the man as he recovered. No matter what she did, no matter how she tried to tense and prevent movement, or even just slow herself down her body moved on it's own.

Few knew it but each slave collar operated a bit different to one another depending on the maker to achieve the same ends; pain to condition the wearer, a desire to do the actions commanded to them implanted but the ones Anvil preferred made the body move on it's own regardless of the user's will if they resisted. For Madadh it was do as told how she saw fit or do as told how the collar saw fit. And if the slave's owner was a magic user with the right spell knowledge that user could even fine tune the actions taken for the wearer.

And Alundra Van Bludhorn was quite the spellcaster.

A sickening crunch came from his knee as her hell crushed it with a hard stomp. He screamed out as she struggled to resist with every ounce of her considerable might; none of it enough as her heel ground into the broken limb.

"Good! Good! Now then... The children..." Madadh's face went pale as she turned. It wasn't just the man and his brothers in the ring; his wife was dragged into punish him further but so were two others; the man's daughters.

The pair huddled together closer to the flames to stay away from the fighting adults, shivering and clutching each other. The eldest seemed to be about eight, wearing a pink dress and cute shoes while her sister was, perhaps, five and in a white dress and small boots. "No... No! Don't! Don't do it!" Madadh begged out as she could see the duchess out of the corner of her eye. She leaned on the railing of her private booth, a glass of wine in hand that was being swirled about softly. She took a long drag of the tobacco pipe in her hand, blowing out a long, puff of smoke as she smirked down to them.

"Crush their skulls..." The duchess said as Madadh gave her a horrified look. It wasn't until the children started screaming that she noted her body was walking to them. Once more she did all she could to resist as the girls screamed out, unable to move from fear before the massive woman who walked to them.

"No! No! Not this!" Madadh begged as she came close. "Punish the adults if you must but I beg of you, spare the children! Have you no heart?"

"Oh you dear, deluded fool... I am punishing them..." Came the reply as the giant grabbed both girls by their heads and started to lift them up. They both screamed as their hands grabbed at her wrists to take the pressure off their necks.

"Put them down! Put them down you monster!" The father screamed, unable to walk yet crawling towards her.

"I can't... I can't stop! I can't control myself!" Madadh let off, spreading her arms wide. "Stop me! For the love of the gods, STOP ME!" She let off as the crowd started to chant; split between two, separate cries.

"Kill them!"

"Mercy!"

"Kill them!"

"Mercy!"

"Kill them!"

"Mercy!"

"There will be no mercy!" Alundra said, a wicked grin on her face as she looked down to the monster on the sands. "Finish them! Finish them both!"

"No! No! Noooo! DON'T!" She let off...

Just before her hands moved to slam together; the skulls of two children crashing into one another in her grip. Both girl's grasp on her arms slackened as they went limp. She wanted to let go; she could feel their breath still on her limbs; they were alive... If she could let go, fool the people watching they could be spared!

The collar knew. The collar refused this mercy.

Once more she spread her limbs and crushed the skulls together once more; a loud crack sounded. A third impact and the skulls shifted in her grip. And then she clapped the skulls together once more, her resistance to the collar's will futile as it demanded the impact of the heads of two, innocent children-

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

-as their skulls exploded in a shower of blood, bone and gore...

Absolute horror filled her eyes as the bodies hit the ground; the grip on their heads failing as their heads no longer existed... She was frozen, unable to move for a long moment as the crow screamed around her in mixture of blood-lust, outrage, excitement, horror and uncertainty. Finally she was able to move, turning her palms upwards and looking to them...

Blood... brain matter... wisps of blonde hair caught on her fingers... Small bits of broken skull... And a single, blue eye looking up in her palm; red things attached to it and a bit of bone pressed into it's side, as if accusing her of it's owner's death. "What.. what... what have I done..?" She let off as she collapsed to her knees. "What have I done!?"

"What you are meant to do... Your mistress' bidding!" Alundra Van Bludhorn cried out from her position. "This is the fate of those who oppose me! To be broken under heel and crushed... And to live and see all they cherish taken away! Take them away to the mines and as for our new Champion see she is well cleaned and fed... After all, there's a few more families to punish soon..."

"RAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[-]

Present
Outside of the Town of Causwell, Northwestern Alcanth
Camp of the Bludhorn Convoy

Madadh cried out as she sat up, looking about as she panted, wide eyed and covered in sweat. It took several moments to realize she wasn't in the arena, nor her usual cage but a travel cage built onto a wagon. It was, to be frank, comfortable; climate controlled with a light shield to keep out wind and rain; a comfortable bed built with her size in mind, a sink with an Aqua Create spell to help wash up and drink as she needed, a toilet with raised panels on three sides for some privacy when doing that 'business', weights to train with as well as a practice dummy. In addition her sword and shield were there on a rack for her, in easy reach. She was as comfortable as a slave could be.

It made it worse for her. Even being considered a pet, a sizable indignation that was, paled before what she had done.

Thirty one.

Thirty one children.

Thirty one children sent into the arena with their families.

Thirty one children forced to watch her dismantle fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and even grandparents with her bare hands.

Thirty one children killed by her two hands...

Thirty one reasons to kill that Damned Duchess...

If it wasn't for her collar, that restraint with it's magical leash she would tear Alundra limb from limb and ensure she lived so she could be left to bleed out... That woman did not deserve a peaceful death...

And that was just what Alundra had her do in the Arena... And didn't factor in her sons...

She watched as the camp was broken, swinging her legs over the side of the bed to sit down and lean over her own knees shivering.

For the last seven years, for all her size, for all her muscle... She felt weak...

Why couldn't she just die?

[-]

When Engold broke apart House Ambacht had something of an advantage; most of their territory wasn't bordered to any of their rivals save in the north giving them a safer place to operate out of. Once that civil war ended, however, they found themselves in an odd position; while not a small territory it was a long and thin one with little concentrated areas for farming, lumber work or other foraging industries. As such they focused more on trade and more advanced industries. Indeed, this is why it was a slave state for so long after the other Engold heirs ended it; as time went on fewer and fewer routes for the slave trade remained making Longroad more and more important. However Alexander Ambacht made the choice to end slavery in his realm and moved to become an abolitionist state.

This move was met with outrage by the Traditionalists states and they demanded a pact be signed that Longroad would remain a slave state lest they do everything in their power to end all trade through the barony. Knowing his realm could not take the economic blow he agreed to let the trade of slaves carry on through his realm but refused to remain a slave state; becoming a limited one instead. In the end an agreement would be reached that was to last for five centuries...

The end date of this pact draws nearer and nearer and House Ambacht has made no signs of altering it's course. If anything the past five hundred years was spent arranging other economic deals to no longer rely on slavery or the slave states to remain standing. Indeed, House Ambacht has been one of the more vocal opponents of the Traditionalists over the last century largely in part over being forced into this pact. The Traditionalists, Houses Bludhorn, Angelus and Blitzhaus in particular, have spent much effort and time to woo the rulers of Longroad back to their good graces to no avail.

~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia

[-]

We rode into Longroad and made good time; while there were some hills and rougher terrain in the Barony's northwest the bulk of Longroad was flat or semi-flat plains with scattered forests of varying thickness and a few, small creeks. Through the north to south the territory had one very wide and well kept, no pun intended, long road. We drove past the capital of Wagon's Rest City; a large, walled off city with a castle located in it's rear with whitewashed walls (As you do) and square towers, although turned to have their corners face outwards and inwards. Of course the banner of House Ambacht was hanging over the front gate and... It was different. Not in terms to shape (Mostly) nor content.

The bulk of it was a standard knight's shield in shape; flat top, straight down sides, curved in at the bottom to a rounded end. To start with, however, on the top of the shield was an extension starting a quarter in from the sides, curving up, curving back to a horizontal, up once more and connecting in the middle. The whole shield had a brown outline while the extension bore a dark, gold background with a thin, black line separating it from the rest of the banner. In it's center was the outline of a horse drawn carriage with a driver, a pair of tied off bags on either side of it and a bell over it; all with a soft, gold color and slightly darker outline. The rest of the shield bore three, long lines going down it's center, all gray with the center line being thinner and a lighter gray. On both sides of these lines, meanwhile, was a series of stripes separated with black lines going down in a pattern of dark green, lime green and pale green repeating over and over. The gray was meant to represent the long road of Longroad, with the green being the grass and trees alongside. So what made it unusual?

It was about three times as tall as any other shield.

I want to know what discussion led to that happening.

Beyond that I had my twenty five spars... and twenty five hundred XP because Maia wanted to be my partner. Ooof. Sadly I couldn't get a good place to work out in to grind stat XP yet, but down the line I was sure. Speaking of Maia she rode with myself, Miria and Esmerie in a carriage with the shield princess and my sister getting along very well. I spent most of my time working on my new spell with Esmerie looking over my shoulder and offering her own suggestions. In addition I asked her about Terra to try and sus out what her deal was; in short she wasn't quite sure.

Terra was always, in her words, a bit grouchy and preferred to mingle with humans and such but shied away from speaking with elves if she could; dark elves in particular. She was usually a bit more private a person and while interested in men she refused to start a relationship. Beyond that I didn't have enough to really pin anything down; if I wanted answers I'd need to ask aunt Terra... And hope she's willing to talk for a change. Yup.

Finally we arrived in a town. It wasn't very notable; it didn't look well off or impoverished. Buildings were spread out a fair bit but not so far that anything was a hike. Cozy is what I'd call it. It wasn't much but Maia was excited to see it; a little place call Rastplatz Town. I wasn't fully sure about why until she had us stop in front of a large building on the town's outskirts. Once we disembarked I read the banner over top of the doors. It was a nice place; a two story building built from logs with a large, doubly tall roof with red tiling; worn but well cared for. The wooden banner bore a smiling, anthropomorphic pig with a fork and knife sitting before a plate with a leg of ham on it. Under it was the words, in bold font 'The Hungry Ham'.

"Alright, let's go!" Maia let off cheerfully as she led us in, almost giddy.

[-]

"The banner of Mungale..." Anaya let off as she pulled the old but still serviceable telescope from her one eye. "Shit! They're already here!" She let off. She imagined, based on when the rest would leave they were half to a full hour behind her.

She had climbed up a tree on a tall hill overlooking Rastplatz Town. She had been camping out and getting a lay of the land and scouting the town to be able to report in. She had hoped they would arrive in force first but it seemed that wasn't going to happen. She sighed before her lone eye noticed something, making her draw her telescope once more.

Men. Armed men. One was the only one watching the lord and his group go in, but he acted like nothing was wrong and he was just loitering. Once the lord entered the building he would move to the rest. She didn't know what they said but a cloaked woman nodded and gave directions, or so it seemed, as the men started to move to flank the building; isolated from the rest of the town as it was.

She climbed down the tree, thinking as she went. She had two options; attempt to warn the lord on her own and risk death to the ne'er-do-wells before she could even reach him or she could ride out to meet Lolek and the rest part way and inform them of the situation. Indeed, there was a chance she could get them to hurry faster even at the expense of their few horses.

In the end the choice was simple; if the mercs were smart they'd intercept an odd stranger like her before she reached the building and do her in. She needed the others and as soon as she was out of the tree she mounted her steed and rode out down the rode to the north...

She just hoped it wouldn't be too late.

[-]

The inside of the Hungry Ham is what you'd expect; well made and well worn tables with matching chairs, wooden mugs and a fireplace to heat the room as warm as the atmosphere of chatting patrons and a woman in one corner playing on a violin to give the room a jaunty tune. Not too bad all in all... Until I looked to the bar... Again usual; drinks behind the counter, mostly mead, ale and beer but wine, whiskey and rum as well. A large boar's head, stuffed over the center of it... All the usual.

The six foot seven pig orc (Yes, orc not pig man) behind the counter was not usual however. He wore a nice, slightly worn red tunic under a purple vest and I could see he wore black pants. He was cleaning a glass like any other bartender and humming a tune as Maia walked over.

"Yo, Horton! Good to see ya!" She let off as she walked to the counter as I blinked before moving to flank her.

"Well, well if it isn't my favorite pair of tits!" The orc let off with a grin; not a lecherous one (Well, maybe a bit... Okay, more then a bit...) but a warm and friendly one as he set the glass and cloth down. "And they brought you too! Bonus! Came to ride some real pork sausage for a change?"

"Pffft, the only pork I want in me is roasted and covered in sauce." She replied.

"I can arrange for a spit roast and some sauce... Inside, of course." He said with a grin, wriggling his eyebrows at her before both broke into laughter.

"Anyway, James this is Horton the Ham, owner of this place and a fairly good singer." She said pointing to him then to me. "Horton, this is James, heir of Mungale and over all smart guy."

(-)

Name: Horton the Ham
Title: The Hungry Ham's Holder
Class: Warrior
Level: 34
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 34
Status: Healthy, Calm, Joyful

Known Traits
[?]
[Iron Chef] You are an excellent cook! And can use any kitchen utensil in self defense too! All meals you make are more filling. Can use any kitchen took as a Secondary Weapon
[Orcish Armor of Fat] You have layers of fat that act as an armor. +3 Resistance to Blunt Weapons
[?]

Orphaned as a child he was, unexpectedly, taken in by a pair of humans and raised with good, honest values. He plied his trade as an Adventurer for sometime before taking over a local pub in his hometown and renaming it 'The Hungry Ham'. While visitors consider him an oddity he's popular with the locals and regular Adventurers in the region.

(-)

"Ha! A real, honest lord, here in my pub? Well, damn honored to have you." Horton let off with a grin.

"Pleasure to meet you as well." I said politely; as taken back as I was at a friendly orc I wasn't going to let that stop me from being polite.

"I'm sorry, did she say he sings?" Cress let off, pointing to him with a confused look. Horton grinned and gave a sharp whistle.

"Mary, if you will!" He called out as she nodded and... Started a tune that I swear was familiar...

And then he started to sing in a surprisingly nice baritone...

I am the very model of a modern adventurer!
I've jobbed as fighter, guarder and harvester!
I know the guildsfolk here, both ma'am and sir!
From Peerus to Coxworth in each little corner!

I'm very well aware, too, with matters magical!
A warrior who knows mana of arcane to elemental!
Even if I can't cast anything even a Magic Missile!
It still helps when spells through the air whistle!

And then, to my surprise the bar patrons jumped in and started to sing as well, swinging mugs in the air as they did so!

It still helps when spells through the air whistle!
It still helps when spells through the air whistle!
It still helps when spells through the air whistle!

They let off as Horton took over once more.

I'm rather good at making a heavy weapon blur!
And I'll always swing with a great blazing fervor!
Even if the odds are stacked bad I'm a survivor!
I am the very model of a modern adventurer!

The bar would pitch in next...

In short, he's jobbed as fighter, guarder and harvester!
He's the very model of a modern adventurer!

Once more Horton picked back up.

I know history from the Maidens up to Celestine!
Of Eostia, Rycall, Nyaru and even ole Fheristine!
Read Fervell, Buchanan,Auraviel and Anya Serline!
From books a plenty I read practical and obscene!

I've slain many bandits of both brazen and brash!
Against goblins, orges and trolls I have had to clash!
Alongside Black Dogs and Highlanders, all for cash!
I'm rather good so rest assured there's no balderdash!

Once more the bar patrons chipped in and sung.

He's rather good so rest assured there's no balderdash!
He's rather good so rest assured there's no balderdash!
He's rather good so rest assured there's no balderdash!

With a grin Horton would start up again.

As a chef and cook I like to earn each single copper!
And even if retired from the guild I'm still a warrior!
While now retired as fighter, guarder and harvester!
I'm still the very model of a modern adventurer!

And then the bar pipped up once more.

While now retired as fighter, guarder and harvester!
He's still the very model of a modern adventurer!

Horton would quickly pick back up the song.

I've earned stories to tell over meat and vegetable!
Over warm fire and hearth from bell to bell!
Sauces layered on roasts to a wondrous smell!
It's what I do when there's no foes I need fell!

I've had a good life thanks to kindness on offer!
Pass it on to another so all may yet prosper!
See what an orc can be and know wonder!
I was once the very model of a modern adventurer!

The patrons once more picked up, with more feeling then before.

He was once the very model of a modern adventurer!
He was once the very model of a modern adventurer!
He was once the very model of a modern adventurer!

Back to Horton as he sung once more.

I can hang my axe up now and enjoy a rest!
When in battle I have shown ever my best!
So don't feel bad if you wish to steal my thunder!
For I was once the very model of a modern adventurer!

Finally the bar patrons sang once more to finish the song.

So don't feel bad if you wish to steal his thunder!
For he was once the very model of a modern adventurer!

The crowd cried out with a long hoot and holler and I could see Cress, a bard in his own right, was quite impressed... As was I, to be honest. I reached into my pouch, pulled a silver out and flipped the coin to him. "Well sung, sir." I let out as he caught the coin in a hand before bowing.

"The pleasure is mine, all mine I assure you." Horton said with a grin. "Seat yourself down, M'lord, and I'll have something good and tasty for you and yours."

If he cooks half as well as he sings I'm going to have a real good meal.

[-]

Barony of Longroad
The Road North of Rastplatz Town

"I think we're making good time!" Lolek let off as he rode behind Celous on his steed. The Freebirds had very few horses mostly due to the fact they had limited room to home and feed them. They usually sold horses taken in their raids to others and only kept what they needed. Anaya had taken one ahead of her while he, Celous, Cameo and Zajac each rode on their own. Sadly this meant the four of them plus Anaya was all they could send in aid; for better or worse.

His best bet, then, was to link with James Noxdecus and warn him. They could work things out from there.

"What the... Up ahead!" Zajac let off as Lolek peered around Celous to see Anaya on her own steed rushing towards them. "Whoa!" He let off, bringing his steed to a halt with Celous and Cameo doing the same as Lolek stood up on the saddle to call out.

"Anaya, what's the situ-"

"No time!" Anaya cried out as she stopped her steed and turned it about right away. "Mercenaries have gathered around the building he entered! We have to hurry!"

"Dammit!" Lolek let off. "Onwards!"

The four horses were stirred to speed down the road at a breakneck pace as Cameo looked to her. "You didn't attempt to alert him?"

"I couldn't get past the lot of them if I tried!" Anaya replied. "Thankfully he's under heavy guard but if something underhanded were to be tried if might not be enough! We might need to fight past them all!"

"If it comes to it that's what we'll do!" Lolek let off as he held onto Celous' shoulders, riding while standing on the saddle. "Let's hope we're not too late!"

[-]

Despite the mixed company we brought that included two nobles and a high elf we were warmly welcomed to the pub; likely because of the tip we gave it's owner. Well, they also accepted Maia's crew openly and they included a dark elf and a girl that looked like a living statue. Whatever; we settled in with myself in a back table and our escort moving to surrounding tables that were open. You could smell the food being cooked and it made your mouth water; nothing fancy and nothing complicated it was just good old fashioned barbeque! I was looking forwards to it. While the food cooked in the back there was a few songs that were sung by the usual patrons as Mary played on the violin only pausing to let Cress play the harp for everyone's enjoyment as well.

Overall it was a happy feeling all around with Terra looking like the only grumpy one to note. As appetizers everyone was given garlic bread with a bowl of sauce with a spoon in it so you could pour it on the bread; some sort of spiced, cheese sauce. It was rather tasty, all in all. Drinks were flowing as much as the songs were; although I kept to a berry juice as I didn't want to get drunk during midday.

Maia didn't seem to care much for that and ordered mead, a specific one too. Must be her favorite kind.

(I'd later learn that, no, it wasn't her favorite; the in question mead was a weak one that she could drink a lot of before getting even a buzz so she could remain semi-professional while on the job and maintain her carefree appearance.)

I'd only started to notice the woman's approach as she came into view from the corner of my eye; she seemed to move deliberately into my view as a means to telegraph her approach and not sneak up on me. As she got closer I turned my head as I looked over her. She wore a nice, purple colored dress with a hint of lighter purple ruffles going down from the front and wore a light, purple cloak around her shoulders with a fur coating of the same color around the shoulders hanging to the mid back with the hood down, it's inner lining more of a lighter gray color. She bore a pretty face with an easy smile reaching purple eyes that matched her shoulder length, purple hair that was mostly straight and hung behind her ears save a pair of longer bangs, the bangs over her forehead parting over the right eye.

In one arm, the handle resting on her left forearm was a plain, woven basket that was fairly small; ten inches long by four inches wide by six inches deep. The clack of heels on the floor followed her in as my eyes moved to her right hand; held by the rim was a mug of something; ale, juice or such, I couldn't tell. I looked back to her as I used Observe.

(-)

Name: Kasumi Ixwell
Title: Alchemist of the Scar
Class: Wizard/Alchemist
Level: 16
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 23
Status: Healthy, Nervous, Forced Calm

Romance Rating: 88
Corruption Rating: 51

Known Traits
[?]
[Well Mixed] Your concoctions are far more potent then usual. All drugs, medicine and poisons you make are 10% more effective.
[?]

Born to an Eastern potion maker and a Blackcut spellcaster, she found herself learning both of their trades and combining them into one. Once of age she would start to travel about Eostia, seeking coin and new knowledge to absorb and practice, often hiring herself out to various clients.

(-)

O...kay... On the surface nothing too out there... Aside from an oddly high Corruption rating, 'Forced Calm' in her status and that I had no idea what the 'Scar' was referring to. I decided to be alert but not show it, putting on a friendly smile. She had no visible weapons on her and I couldn't make out anything under her sleeves to suggest something was there but that didn't mean she had nothing on her and her basket was large enough to conceal a dagger or wand.

"Beg your pardon, M'lord, but are you the Noxdecus heir putting up that delightful little system to talk across the land?" She said in a sweet tone; not a falsely sweet one... Or at least it didn't sound that way.

"I would be he." I replied with a nod as I half turned in my seat to face her to show she had my attention... And allow myself to react faster, if needed. "And you would be?"

"Kasumi Ixwell; I'm a bit of an admirer of magical pioneers such as yourself..." She said as she set the mug down; a nice, thick, tasty looking berry juice within. "I thought I'd take the time to buy such a man a drink before I left; brag to the peers and all." She said with a smile as I looked to the drink and set a hand to the mug, sliding it a bit as I cast my Detect Toxin spell.

PANG!-PANG!-PANG!-PANG!

I had assumed something was added in, but I didn't know if this was a seduction attempt or not. No, as it turned out it's an assassination attempt. I wasn't overly surprised given what I saw with Observe.

"Ah, I see. Tell me, how much of that bragging involved the poison you added?" I asked her as her smile faltered. Maia; sitting to my side, paused her mug near her lips as I spoke, eyes locking to the woman.

"Now, M'lord that is rather rude to assu-"

"I know the spell Detect Toxin." I said, cutting her off as she started a cold sweat. "You're not the first to try and poison me, and I'll bet your not the last." Her eyes narrowed as her lips twitched as she tried to keep up her smile. She was beaten already but refused to admit it as I could see members of the Ruby Roses start to shuffle about the room at Maia's direction but trying to be quiet about it with Shana moving towards the door and Esmerie between the gray skinned woman and the would-be-assassin.

"I-I am sure there is some mistake M'lord, really! I am mer-"

"Problem over here between you and Sweetcheeks?" Horton let off, giving a huffing oink as he moved to stand by the table.

"Oh, he's just being difficult is all-"

"I know Detect Toxin; the drink she handed me likely has enough poison to kill a bull." I said cutting her off as she huffed.

"He's also being very, very rud-"

And she was cut off once more... As Horton took the mug, lifted it to his lips and downed it in two, large gulps!

"H-H-Horton!?" Maia let off, shooting to her feet. "What the fuck!?" Worry laced her voice; the first time I've seen her put on an attitude that wasn't a relaxed casual.

"Oh yeeeeaaaaaah, that is real toxic, ain't it? Whew, could kill a couple'a bulls." I was also giving a look mixed between horror and worry as he noticed what he was getting and snorted, waving a hand before tossing the mug behind him, letting it clatter to the ground. "Oh, stop worrying. Orcs are immune to nearly every poison under the sun. I can eat rotting meat without feeling ill; if I can get past the taste... That said..." He said, turning to the woman in question and his demeanor shifted.

"You just tried to poison my customer." He let off as she backed up, clutching her basket to her chest as she gulped. There was nothing jovial about him now, no lustful looks, he was all business. The very model of a modern adventurer. "And I take that kind of thing personally. Tell me who hired you and I might go easy on you." He said, smacking a fist to a palm before cracking his knuckles.

"He he he... Time to go!" She let off, ripping the bottom off her basket (It was designed to do so, it seemed) and withdrew a spell book that glowed...

Before she seemed to vanish into thin air... "Fucking Shadow Step!" Horton let off, glancing about as Esmerie shut her eyes and drew mana. Shadow Step made Kasumi invisible and phased, letting her walk through anything that wasn't alive... Assuming it had no mana in it. And after a moment the Catalan mage snapped her hand out in a direction and unleashed a weak wind spell from her pal, Gale Burst by the looks of it...

And Kasumi reappeared before slamming into a chair, the furniture falling back and dumping her to the floor. She groaned and started to rise to her feet...

Only to come face to face with Shana. The golem-looking girl grabbed her by the front of her dress and pulled her in close. "Sorry, but I have to insist on that talk." She said with a smile... A false smile that said 'I'm upset and you're the cause'.

"He he he..." Kasumi let off nervously in her grip her hands holding onto the chimera's forearms. "All I can say is in my defense is... BOOOOOOOOOOOYS!"

What?

And then the windows exploded inwards as a thug jumped inside, axe bared, followed by more coming in, the front door being kicked off it's hinges as men and women stormed through, swords, clubs, axes and more drawn and starting to fill up the front and back of the room. The group of people varied in armor, outfit and equipment and some were a bit chunky but all bore strong, combat able limbs. One man, the one with the heaviest armor with a steel breastplate, pauldrons, bracers and greaves walked in after them with a spartan style helm on, her thick, brown bread showing under it. "All right then! We do this the hard way! That lord dies!"

On one hand these guys weren't a joke or amateurs... On the other hand... Their levels ranged from ten to fourteen with their apparent boss being level sixteen. A threat but rather... outclassed by almost everyone in my own party. I sighed and shook my head.

"You know this is only the third assassination attempt on my life so far, but it's by far the worst..." I said as I started to stand up... Only for Maia to set her hand on my shoulder and give me a grin as she gently pushed me back into the chair.

"No, no, no... We'll take care of this." She said, striding to the men by the door as she drew one of her short swords. "Okay girls! Let's give the client a good show, eh? Make sure to look sexy as you real with the trash!"

"How about we just deal with the trash..." Terra huffed out facing the one by the widow as Horton huffed out, moving to lean into the bar counter.

"Leave some alive... They have windows and a door to pay for." He said with a glare to the glass on his floor as the bar patrons shuffled to one side of the room; most bringing with their drinks with them. … Wait, they did that pretty calmly? How often did this happen here?

What the fuck is my life now?

"Bah... Kill'em all if you have to!" The man let off as his men charged... And...

It didn't end well...

For them.

On one side of the room was Terra, a couple of the Roses and most of the Noxdecus detachment who met them head on... And they all performed well. One guard didn't even draw his weapon; just shifting his shield from his left arm to the right and using it to bash the ruffians in the head. Aunt Terra didn't even draw a weapon; instead she met a woman as she was charged, kneed her hard in the groin, took her club and just bashed her over the head with it, before doing the same to the next person over.

On the other side Maia was more willing to spill blood but avoided the vitals... Although maybe she forgot people could bleed out given how deep some of those cuts were... Shana kept a hold of Kasumi in one hand and was smacking charging foes around with her other hand and, time to time, pulled Kasumi about as a human shield that made the grunts pause before being socked in the face. Esmerie, by contrast, used a mix of close range wind spells, grabbing them while channeling lightning mana or just kicks to the groin while the rest of the Ruby Roses drew weapons or made due without and more or less whopped ass.

It was an amusing show, if nothing else.

[-]

Barony of Longroad
North of Rastplatz Town

"It's just up ahead!" Anaya called out, glancing back to her comrades. Indeed, they were at the top of a slight slope with the town just beyond it's end and she herself could see the pub... And could see the state of it's door. "Shit, the door's been bashed in!"

"We're too late to prevent this then..." Lolek let off as he let off a soft snarl to himself, his grip on Celous tightening. "We must hurry! His life is in danger and we must save him from these aggressors! Who knows what he's facing!?"

[-]

As the last grunt, a woman with a bit of a gut, landed on her back with a groan after Terra gave her a sidekick that was so stiff Shawn Michaels would have given an impressed whistle, Shara dragged Kasumi over to Horton and shoved her over to him. "A nice, light workout. Nothing the Ruby Roses can't handle." The Chimera let off with cheer.

"Now then..." Horton let off as he grabbed the assassin by her shoulders as Shana let go of her, looking to her eyes as the purple dressed woman shuddered in fear. "You and I need to have a long, long talk young lady..." He let off with a sneer before picking her up and slinging her over her shoulder. She started to channel mana but Horton's hand glowed a dark red and smacked her ass and disrupted her attempt; and given the uncomfortable look she gave he also knew how to inject a bit as tainted mana into someone's system, knocking out her channeling ability for a moment.

I sighed and grabbed my juice's mug by the handle (The one without poison, of course) and sighed. "Well, that was a thing..." I said casually. Even so I was considering things; this wasn't Manderville; after all he proved to not hire on a budget... I was about to sip as I thought and...

"Graaaaaah!" I heard looking to the doorway as the leader (Or supposed leader, anyway) standing there, shaking both fists at us, having recovered somewhat from his beating. "You haven't seen the last of us!"

He then let off a girlish squeal as Esmerie casually flicked her wrists at him casting a Flare Spread that sailed past his body... but close enough to burn his belt, the straps of his breast plate and the sides of his shirt and pants. His pants fell down to show... ummm, how shall I put this well worn underwear as his armor fell off his body, along with his shirt. He blushed and squatted down, pulling his pants back up before looking back to us. "... Y-y-you've seen the last of us!" He meekly let out before half running/half waddling away as he held his pants up.

"Should we really be letting him go like that?" Riri huffed a table over from me, crossing her arms in annoyance.

"Pffft, it's fine." Maia said, moving to take her seat once more. "Guys like that are smart enough to not try a second time. Besides..." She said, pointing to the corner of the room... "Who is he going to bring with him?"

The survivors of the assault were tied up and pulled to a corner and just dumped there, one of the casters of the Ruby Roses tending their wounds... Although rubbing salt into wounds before healing was not standard practice. As for the bodies of the ones who died (Maybe a quarter of the total force) they were just dumped out the back window to be dealt with later with some of the patrons helping. Again, how often did this happen? How often did someone in this place get attacked? Should I be worried about the lack of fucks given? That said, the bar patrons also helped themselves to their stuff. Sadly as Maia insisted I sit down and just let them fight around me I gained no XP. Derp.

I was about to sip my drink once more as Riri turned her head to the door once more; seeing it from the corner of my eye I saw five new figures walk in at a half jog; a collectively flustered looking and an odd bunch; a black knight, a priest, a wizard, a one eyed ranger and a halfling cosplaying as Conan (And they did just walk into a bar...). I blinked at the halfling in particular as they took stock of the situation before the black knight of the bunch spoke up first in a bit of a deadpan tone. "It seems our warning is slightly late." She said, looking down to the halfling.

"Aye... Aye..." He said chuckling in relief for some reason... He looked familiar...

"Wait... Lolek!?" Riri let off... And then dots connected as I blinked and looked to him. Well I'll be damned; it's the other halfling I rescued when I busted out Riri!

"Ah, Riri! How good to see you once more... And you as well, M'lord Noxdecus." He said grinning as he walked closer as I set the mug down and stood.

"As with you, Lolek was it? I apologize, I should have gotten your name last time." I said as he shook his head.

"No harm, no foul. I didn't offer it and that was my mistake." He said with a chuckle. "Ah, yes. We came with a warning of assassination... But it seems we came a hint late."

"They could be the assassins." Terra let off, glaring as her hands moved to her weapons slowly. I shook my head as I looked back to her.

"No; I do know this man. He owes me a bit so I see no reason for him to lead a force to kill me." I said before looking back to Lolek. "But I imagine there's more to the story with you rushing here with your friends."

"Indeed... Indeed... I think a more private place to speak would be best though..." The halfling man said.

[-]

(-)

Name: Lolek the Liberator
Title: Leader of the Freebirds
Class: Barbarian
Level: 28
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 71
Status: Healthy, Calming, Happy

Known Traits
[Halfling Hop] Leap twice as high and far then you would have otherwise
[Slave Avenger] Gain 5 End when fighting Slavers or Slave Hunters

[?]
[Sword & Board] You are a master of combat with a sword and shield. +2 Damage to all single handed swords and +2 to all Physical Resistances when using shields

Born an orphan in Bongal he was abducted by a slave trader when he was nine and sold to a miner then resold at a markup to a farmer. Barring scars from his various toils and handlers he was finally free once more at the age of twenty six when James Noxdecus rescued him and other slaves. Since then he helped found the Freebirds to let others like himself know freedom and happiness.

(-)

Name: Celous Voixdouce
Title: Healer of the Freebirds
Class: Scholar
Level: 23
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 34
Status: Healthy, Relaxed, Thoughtful

Known Traits
[Healing Hands] You heal wounds and cure poisons, diseases and other abnormalities at an accelerated rate. +5 Mag when casting any healing spell.

[?]
[Solid Summons] Your summons can take more punishment before vanishing. +25% Con to any summons you create.

An Una Vertias priest at a young age he narrowly avoided abduction by a slave trader when a concerned town guard came to see why a child was screaming. He does his best to hide and shelter escaped slaves and along side one of them, a halfling named Lolek, he'd help found the Freebirds.

(-)

Name: Anaya Ailelibre
Title: Scout of the Freebirds
Class: Ranger
Level: 25
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 29
Status: Healthy - Depressed, Watchful, Nervous

Romance Rating: 89
Corruption Rating: 12

Known Traits
[?]
[Hide & Seek] You are excellent in sneaking about as well as spotting those in stealth. +4 to Stealth and Perception.
[Best Seen and Not Heard] Your sneaking skill is boosted by your Agi Stat as well
[?]

An orphan taken in by her uncle she became an adventurer when she became of age and one of her first jobs was to track down a lost child... But once she caught up to her and her mother she learned they were escaped slaves and let them escape. Disgusted she made a point of hunting slave hunters in Elrus and after sometime joined the Freebirds.

(-)

Name: Zajac Manderville
Title: Logician of the Freebirds
Class: Wizard
Level: 27
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 37
Status: Healthy, Surprised, Relaxed

Known Traits
[Here Comes The Money] Investments you make seem to pay back more the usual; +5% money back on all profitable investments

[Mana Manager] You can manage your mana better then most. +10% to Mnc. -5% Mana Cost for all spells with a cost larger then 'Moderate'.
[?]

Born to Sir John Manderville he was always unsure about slavery as an institution and was finally convinced of it's horrors as he saw his fathers' training of several under aged slaves. Escaping with as many as he could most of those he took were recaptured, saving only four. Vowing to do better he was one of the founders of the Freebirds and as their merchant does his best fund the outlaws with legitimate coin earned in various ventures.

(-)

Name: Cameo Tacetnox
Title: Shadowed Templar of the Freebirds
Class: Templar
Level: 33
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 29
Status: Healthy, Calm, Curious

Romance Rating: 91
Corruption Rating: 11

Known Traits
[Clad in Shadow] You are an expert in Darkness type spells as well as being more resistant to them overall. +7 Mag when using Darkness Magic. +10 Resistance to Darkness type spells
[Silent Knight] In spite of your armor you can move silently, more so when in shadow. +2 to Stealth. Agi Penalties when wearing armor is halved. +2 more to Stealth when in shadow

[Monkey's Grip] You can wield a single, two handed weapon in one hand with no penalty. You may not wield a second two handed weapon along side it, but may wield a single handed weapon, shield or item in your off hand.
[?]

Born to an Angelus noble and his slave she was auctioned off at the age of seven, having only known life as a slave. Her buyer was someone unusual; an Una Vertias Cardinal who saw in her potential. He kept no collar on her, relying on her life's condition to keep her loyal to him as he made her his personal bodyguard with his son, a notable blacksmith and enchanter, forging a suit of armor for her. For unknown reasons, however, she left them and would begin to journey on her own as an adventurer, coming into conflict with slave hunters and traders before finally joining the Freebirds.

(-)

Once Horton was aware of Lolek and his group and what they needed he offered his cellar for our use to have a brief meeting; the food still needed time to cook and we'd be made aware when it was ready. So we went down, found various crates and barrels to sit on and spoke; my gang on one side, Lolek and his on the other and the Ruby Roses on either side of us. At the start I introduced myself, my friends and the Roses to them and Lolek introduced himself and his fellow Freebirds to us before giving us a brief version of their mission statement (In short, free slaves, fight slavery and bury slavers) before explaining to me their report. That John Manderville hadn't ordered this hit was no surprise but who did was one; Victor Van Bludhorn... And Anvil's Minister Sully Sombra.

"I don't know enough of this Sombra to tell if he knows what he's doing or not." I said as I thought it over. "My guess is he either underestimated my escort, overestimated his patsies or was misled into what he was paying for."

"Shit... Well let's call up Celestine and have her-"

"Whoa, Maia." I said, lifting a hand up as I shook my head. "As much as I'd love to gossip to our favorite High Queen... There's an issue..."

"Indeed." The man named Celous said as he nodded. "Keep in mind the Freebirds, well meaning as we are, are considered outlaws of a sort. Our evidence is, as far as most lords are considered, rumor and hearsay. It's nothing that can be acted upon."

"I would beg a more important question, then." Makoto said, sitting cross-legged on a crate. "Once they learn their attempt failed shall they try again?"

"If Sombra is in control of the situation I would suggest it is unlikely." Esmerie pipped up, her ears flattening down slightly. "But as a noble Victor could pull rank. If so the chances of a second attempt are of his discretion."

"Heard you met the bastard." Zajac let off, looking to me with a smile. Once he learned of who I was and what I did to his father and brother he chuckled long and loud. There was quite the family feud there. "And that he met your fist. Perhaps you'd be kind enough to give your thoughts as you know him better then we."

"Based on our brief meeting, yeah he would." I replied with a nod.

"Really, he was an absolutely childish boar!" Aeris let off with a huff. "I swear; he'd put his own pants on backwards if no one put them on for him."

"I would posit that it depends on one factor; if he can get away with it without causing his mother trouble." I added as Calous spoke up next.

"We know there's unrest in Anvil and Duchess Alundra is forced to return early to deal with it. Victor and the Bludhorn's prized monster carry on to Maros through Longroad for a contest in their arena."

"Prized monster?" Riri let off, with a confused nod of her head indicating they should explain.

"Madadh the Mountain." Calous filled in as I noticed Anaya shiver. "A giant woman from the barbarian lands of the Thunderblaze. Due to circumstances Anaya was pressed to fight her in the arena... And lost an eye and nearly her spine to her." I winced as I noticed Anaya rub her eye patch with a frown. "Her spine, thankfully, was mend-able. Her missing eye... less so."

"Indeed." Lolek said with a sigh. "The convoy, as I'm sure you've guessed, will pass through Longroad and we intend to attack. That said while we wish to free this woman... We're unsure if the risk is worth the result..."

"I can understand that... We had a situation where I was able to free a prized slave of Zajac's old man... He was so piss scared of the fart he fought us even harder..."

"Tsk... I hadn't accounted for that possibility..." Lolek said, cupping his chin. "Regardless, mayhaps you'd care to help us? Between our combined might we can do more then-"

"I cannot..." I said, cutting him off with a raised palm and a shake of my head. "I wish I could, but I can't... " I said looking directly to Lolek. "When I freed you and Riri the excuse of how young I was at the time could be made but now I lack that protection. If I helped and it got out I attacked a legitimate and legal convoy from another state on land where it's legal to transport it's not just my head on the line; it's my family's and my whole state's."

"I feared you'd say that..." Lolek said with a sigh. "I should have known; I apologize for even asking."

"No offense was taken. And while I can't help you directly I can help a bit." I said with a smile. "After all, sooner or later voxluxs will end up with some 'outlaws' I'm sure." I said with a suggestive tone and a wink as his eyes widened and he nodded.

"I... thank you! We will take any tool you can offer." Lolek said with a wide grin. "Ha... I came to repay a debt and I end up in further debt..."

"Hey, that gives me an idea..." Maia let off as she smirked and held up a finger. "We can't do shit about Victor because of how little we have, right?"

"That's the issue, yeah." Miria let off as Maia smirked wider; like the cat that ate the canary.

"Have you a plan?" Cameo asked as she looked to the Red Wolf.

"Well... More an idea really..." The merc said as she looked to me. "But if we could get evidence of Victor leading an attack on you and openly admitting to trying it we could nail him with that."

"Yes... That's true..." I admitted with a nod. "The word of some outlaws will mean nothing to the other lords, but coming from a Shield Princess it will carry far more weight."

"We can do even better then that." She said with a wink and a playful grin. "After all, the voxlux can record things, right?" She said and as soon as she did I got the plan. "We use the voxlux to record him and his ordering and performing an attack, take him in alive and let Celestine sort out the rest."

"That's... Exceptionally simple and brilliant at the same time!" I let off as I thought of it. "I mean, given Victor's reputation and Alundra's skills in diplomacy I don't think we'd cost her the Throne of Anvil but the amount of face she'd lose would be immense... Hells, if we could get enough of a suggestion Alundra agreed with it and she's using Victor's reputation as a shield then we could knock her off her throne; even if the chance is small."

"You realize the downside of this situation, right?" Esmerie said, lifting her own finger up as she spoke. "We'd need to use you as bait and you'd need to present a weak enough guard to allow Victor and his aides to think you're vulnerable enough to make the attempt."

"There's also another matter; Madadh." Cameo injected as she looked to me. "Anaya faced her and Calous has watched her in the arena. She is frightening to face; she is said to have fought an enraged and imported Sunkissed elephant in the arena and killed it with nothing by a sword."

That was... quite the image... "Well we don't need to beat her, just get the collar off of her. I know how to do that."

"Errrr, Master... Remember the last time you-"

"One, this isn't the best company for that address." I said smoothly as Riri blushed at my cut off, Lolek giving her a raised eyebrow. "Two; yes, we just mentioned it. But if the chance comes I'll take it. Legally speaking I can't free her in Longroad under standard circumstances. If she's ordered to attack me, however, all bets are off." In case your wondering ordering a slave to attack you was considered assault with a weapon, the weapon being the slave. As such confiscating or neutralizing the weapon was very legal. "The question is what information Horton can give us once his interrogation is over.."

"Indeed..." Lolek said, giving me a look. "I'll ask about her... address later, but are you willing to risk such a thing?"

"I've faced quite a bit so far; so yes. And with knowledge of what's coming I can make some plans; to a point anyway." I said with a grin. "One of which I can do today... Hang on..." I said, moving to reach into my pouch and fishing about. Finally I found it, the large, yellow, marble sized spell stone; large enough to be the size of an eye. "Let's see about giving Anaya a new eye, first and foremost."

"Wh-what!?" The woman in question let off, as she looked to me. "You'd part with such a stone? Even so finding an enchanter able to work with it-"

"I am an enchanter, able to work with it." I said cutting her off with a grin. "Once lunch is done I can break out my book for reference and we can get started; assuming your will-"

"Yes!" She let off, standing up, face full of excitement. "I... I don't want to look so... So..." I gave her a bit of a sad look but before more could be said the door opened and Horton made his way down the stairs.

"Well, took some effort but I got her talking." The orc let off as Lolek smiled.

"Really? How'd you crack her so quick?"

[-]

Several Minutes Ago
Rastplatz Town, Barony of Longroad
The Hungry Ham's Upstairs Bathroom

"Y-you brute!" Kasumi let off, squirming. Why an orc had mage restraints she didn't know, nor why he set her into a bathtub onto her back but that he was standing over her as she squirmed. "I won't succumb to rape! Beast! Monster!"

"Oh, tell me your real feelings..." Horton snorted. "Now; you talk... Or you'll wish I had raped your scum filled cunt." He let off, sneering to her.

"I am a professional! Do you think you can manage that?" Horton grinned in response and then... Turned around her her confusion before squatting down, nearly pressing his ass to her face, close to squashing her face between his piggish cheeks. "What disgusting thing do you have in min-"

Phrrrrrrrffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffrrrrrrrrttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!

Kasumi started to gasp and gag on the air as a greenish-brown cloud escape through the orc's pants, filling the tub and proving to be heavier then air as she started to kick out and flail, bound as she was in the tub. "Yeah... We orcs can survive poisons... but it reaaaaally doesn't help with the ole digestive system... If anything it makes me in need of... relief... Now, talk."

"You disgu-hack-coff-disgusting brute! Monster! Be-gahak-huuurk-coff-beast! Gods, that's... My eyes are burning!"

"Talk!"

"Never!" She let off as she watched him stand up... And then his pants came down with his underwear before he squatted once more. "W-wait... What are you doing? What are you doing!? What are you doing!? No no no!"

And then...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! GODS! NO! HOW COULD YO-GAHHHHACK-BLARRRRRR!
IT'S IN MY MOUT-HURHUR-BLAAARGGGGGHHHH!
MERCCCCC-BLAAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKK!"

[-]

"You don't want to know." Horton said simply with a dismissive snort. "But in short their middle man was a cloaked guy in a mask. She didn't recall his eye color but she thinks they're green."

"Plausible deniability." I said with a sigh.

"That said payment once the job was done is meant to be given in Kreuzung Town." He said looking to me. "That's just southeast of here, close to the Ansur border and not too far away."

"If we can spread the right rumor and have it reach over there then it'll be easy to plant the seeds of our trap." Lolek suggested as he took a moment to think.

"I know a couple folk going that way; I can ask nice to spread a tale, if you need." Horton said with a smile. "For now; foods on. Let's eat!" He said as we all stood up, starting to move back upstairs. Riri was looking to Lolek while biting her lip and when she looked to me I just gave a gesture with my head; indicating to go talk to him. She nodded and trotted to the other halfling. For now we had some work to do...

[-]

One thing I will say is there was a lot of good food here; I could see why Maia liked the place. That said after the revelations Lolek shared the previous good cheer was subdued a fair bit. Still it was well enjoyed and once done I started to enchant the spell stone for Anya at the table; Riri was kind enough to fetch the book I needed and I took my time to work the spell into it. Next was to put the stone in. I had Anaya lay down on an emptied table to make it a bit easier with the bar patrons watching on; I guess they never saw something like this before.

You could shift a spell stone's size and shape a bit with the right magic spell; basically you could pull material from the direct center and leave a void there to spread the stone out and once pushed into her socket I was able to adjust the size a bit; it needed to be adjusted to the socket's size and be snug enough to be moved about like a normal eye but not so snug in the socket that it put undue pressure onto the socket it was in.

Also you needed a stone of the right size because if it was too big getting it into the socket was a pain in the ass (Or even just painful) and anything too small would stretch the material too thin once it was adjusted to the right size; spell stone is a strong substance but if thinned too much it could crack or worse and no one wanted to clean something akin to glass from an eye socket. Once she assured me the stone felt right I could make the finishing touches; first was connecting the stone magically with the nerve with a slight enchantment. As soon as she gasped I knew it worked. I had her shut her other eye and made sure her vision was straight and oriented correctly. Finally I had her open her other eye and made sure her vision was correct and she wasn't suffering double vision or the like.

"Okay... One last thing to do then." I said with a grin as I cracked my knuckles softly.

"Huh? I mean isn't it done?" Anaya let off as she looked up to me as I grinned.

"Just wait one more moment..." I said, ready to adjust the enchantment one last time. "Now this is going to be a bit blinding on your end but keep the left eye open and bear with me for a few seconds..." I gave her a moment to brace before casting and she grit her teeth as I worked as quick as I could; thankfully I only needed five seconds as I had laid most of the ground work. She was blinking when I was done but I could see the last part took.

"Gahhh! That is bright!" She let off as she sat up blinking her eyes out before shaking her head out as a gasp sounded from Lolek.

"Y-your eye!?" He let off as she blinked once more then looked at him.

"Huh? I-is something wrong? I... I can see out of it just fine..." She said before Makoto drew her sword and set the back end of the blade to her palm before walking forth to show her the flat of the blade... And Anaya's reflection in it. "W-what!? M-my eye!?"

"It's a little extra illusion spell added to the stone." I said with a grin. "To anyone looking at you they'll see a normal, blue eye." Indeed to anyone who didn't know better it was like she never lost her eye to start with. I'm sure if you looked close enough someone would notice it was fake but from a normal distance you'd likely never notice. "You said you didn't want to look so something so I figured this would be just what you need-oooof!"

What I was saying was cut off as she lunged at me, arms around my neck and trembling softly as she hugged me. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She let off as I chuckled softly and hugged her back.

"It's okay. Happy to help." I said as I patted her back with a smile as Lolek grinned.

"This is more then I could have hoped for..." The halfling said as he looked over to me. "Now then... About that trap..."

[-]

Outside of Kreuzung Town, Barony of Longroad
Early Evening

Snap.

Madadh wondered if she would ever truly feel nothing for the people she was made to kill. Seven years of murder and even after all of that she could still feel empathy as many innocent and brave souls were put before her and over and over again she would maim, cripple or kill them over and over again. The mercenary who's neck she snapped, barring faint burns marks on the sides of his body was just the newest corpse she made. Who was he?

A man who made poor choices over his life's course who would gleefully kill a man for coin?

A man made desperate by his upbringing and circumstances, making the best choices he could see, even if his vision was limited?

A once good man dirtied by deeds that started murky and became darker and darker over time?

Did he deserve death or would another form of punishment have been better?

In the end she was no judge of his, just a reluctant executioner.

"Ugggggggghhh, stupid, stupid, stupid!" Victor let off, stamping a foot to the ground as he huffed out at the corpse as the titanic woman dropped him; his broken neck making his head tilt in an unnatural way and his pants pooled about his knees. "How did they fail!?"

"Mistakes were made, it seems." Sombra said with a sigh. "And she was such a good patsy too..." He added with a shake of his head. "We have to assume they've left and are riding hard to the north, possibly even on an odd trail to avoid a second attempt. We've more the likely lost them."

"Grrrrrrr! I don't believe it!" The pudgy lord let off as he started to pace in a circle, stomping his feet as he went. "We can't let him get away with this!"

"Settle down, M'lord..." Sombra said calmly. "We'll have another shot someday, I'm sure." The camp was being set up, much to Victor's annoyance; there wasn't stores and good food in this part of Eostia! What was barbed-bea-cue anyway? Stupid messy food, as far as Victor was concerned. "But becoming too angry to think will do you no good." He said as calmly as he could.

Victor's response was to snarl and start circling around like an angry bull; if said bull were short, fat and ugly, as far as Madadh was concerned. Perhaps an angry pig would have been a better comparison. "I can't let this go... Gahhh, lowly baron's bastard... He's not allowed to humiliate me like that! I want him dead! Dead, dead, dead!" Sombra sighed and give her a suffering look while she met it with a passive look of indifference. As far as she was concerned the Minister was no better then the Bludhorns he served; just more competent then Victor and less cruel then Alundra.

"Ah, M'lord, Minister Sombra! There you are." Approaching them was one of their men; a solider but one who focused on up-keeping and replenishing their supplies. Seven hundred years of warfare had taught Eostia the value of a good logistics train and that supplies needed to be ensured. 'A well equipped but starving army will fall to well fed villagers with clubs' is an old, famous phrase used by the famed General Victor Vanguardia and so an officer was always assigned to watch the level of supplies that was carried with any force.

"Ah, we've restocked on foods?" The minister said, assuming that was what his report was on.

"Ahhh, aye, that is done with but not why I came to find you." He was a man with red hair that was kept short and with a face baring masses of freckles that highlighted green eyes. He was fairly normal and wore good quality, if unremarkable, chain mail with a breastplate with a brown cloth covering. "That lordling, the one M'lord Victor was going on and on about, was mentioned in town." Sombra and Victor both looked to him wide eyed. "Rumor is that woman who tried to poison him is caught by him and his and they think she knows something of who hired the lot of them and are camping north of Rastplatz now. They want to interrogate her and get a name of someone who fed her coin for a job, see."

"You don't say..." Victor said a smirk coming to his lips.

"Hmm... They think someone wouldn't use a middleman? The son of Merlin is said to be more clever then this..." Sombra mused to himself.

"If he wants to be dumb now let him be dumb." Victor said with a grin. "Let's go and kill him!"

"No." Sombra said firmly as he shook his head as the officer flinched in shock. "We wouldn't be there until well past nightfall when our troops are too tired to fight. Besides, something is suspicious of the situation. Why is he not fleeing? This is odd..."

"It doesn't matter, we'll just kill him in the morning then!" Victor huffed out as he rubbed his hands together. "Let's get everyone ready to-"

"No." Sombra said firmly. "Using mercenaries is one thing." He began giving the young, pudgy lord a firm look. "But if we were to try and kill him ourselves and it is found out regardless of success or failure we would cause no end of trouble for your House in general and your mother in particular. Not to mention this would require us to kill a Shield Princess which will cause a major stir, and I don't mean with Michel; Celestine would spare no effort to learn of what happened much like what happened when Princess Prim's predecessor was assassinated..." He said as Victor went quiet and let his hands hang by his sides. "The reality is, my young lord, there are times when one must accept they have failed and cut their losses and move on until a better chance comes up."

Victor simply stood there as the Minister spoke, head down with his bangs and forehead shadowing his eyes for a moment. Sombra believe the words reached him as he turned to their logistics officer before Victor spoke. "Madadh... Grab his neck."

"Wha-what!?" Sombra let off as Madadh briskly crossed the distance to him before he could get away, both hands gripping his neck as Sombra started squirming in the grip, his eyes going wide as the giant woman squeezed down; not enough to cause his airflow to become limited but enough to cause great discomfort as she looked at him with no passion or hint of emotion. The officer backed up, looking on in shock and staying quiet lest the giant woman be turned on him.

"No, no, no!" The Bludhorn lord snarled out, turning his hands into fists and gripping down hard as his body quivered as his teeth grit. "I am the son of a Duchess! I am by rights one of the highest ranked people in the realm! I deserved to have Jamiaca as my bride! I deserved to have my own state! I deserve whatever I want!" He shouted out while starting to raise his voice louder and louder. "And what I want is him dead! Dead!-Dead!-Dead! He must die because it's what I want and that's all!"

"Victor... This isn't... You must calm yours-"

"Squeeze..." Victor said as the barbarian's hands squeezed onto his neck tighter making him squawk out and silence. "First Guard!" He called out loudly as he waited... And not long as twelve men stomped over; each in well made splint mail, baring helms with full face visors coated in brass and enchanted to be transparent on the inside. These men were from the First Guard of Anvil; bodyguards to House Bludhorn and among their most elite and loyal men; even so each bore an earring with a spell set to it not unlike the slave collars, if modified to allow more independence and initiative. Indeed; aside from assuring loyalty it let the First Guard accomplish any order as they saw fit. "We'll move out and attack them! I want him dead!"

"Yes M'lord, but if I may..." The one in front began, taking a step forwards. "The men do need rest; otherwise they will not fight at their peak. If you want the best chance to defeat and vanquish your target then it would be better to strike in the morning and take the time to scout the enemy camp. Our chances of victory will increase drastically then."

"Uggghhhhhh..." Victor let off, pouting as he stomped his foot. "Fiiiiiiiine. We attack first thing in the morning then..." He said with a huff. "Madadh, let him go but make sure he doesn't run off or anything." He said as the giant finally let the Minister go, the man collapsing to his knees as the young lord walked off towards his tent.

"This... This is a mistake." Sombra let off as he coughed out.

"You and the House you serve made that monster." He heard the giant woman rumble down to him as he knelt at her feet. "Are you honestly surprised now it behaves as it was raised?"

He could have barked back at the collared gladiatrix but the reality was she wasn't wrong.

The morning would either be a good day for House Bludhorn or it's worst to date...

[-]

We would camp north of Rastplatz Town in order to set up our ambush; this was done to keep the town itself out of the line of fire but also to be easy to find if Victor decided to come a'calling. In addition we deployed Anaya and Ur'Akara in one scouting team with Miria and Riri in another towards Kreuzung Town with two objectives; the first was to locate the Bludhorn forces to ascertain their numbers and strength and the second was to determine their course of action; would they take the bait or would they pass on it. This was why there was one Catalan on each scouting team; they could eavesdrop without getting too close.

As the moon started to rise up into the sky Miria called in to report; Sombra wanted to ignore the bait but Victor overruled him very violently and swallowed it in full. Given what I know of what happened with that titanic woman and Anaya it might have been for the best that it was Miria and Riri who listened in. Both scouting teams was rushing back before nightfall. The one issue was they'd need to avoid the opposing scouting party while we had to avoid showing our hand to them. To that end most of the Freebirds were hiding in the town proper; although not all of them.

Maia, as an example, was with us as her being absent would be a tip off that something was off and we kept four other of her girls with us. Shana was under an illusion spell to make her look like Miria as was Esmerie to make her look like Riri just in case they were missed as well. Esmerie was also important when the opposing scouting party arrived; her ears would be a big help in spotting them. Further helping in that regard was that Terra was up in the trees, out of sight and hiding with Cameo hiding closer to the road over.

As for the opposing force it was respectable; the bodyguards I had seen with Victor in Ferra were back and now a dozen strong. I recalled they were twenty-ish in level and wore split mail armor. Splint mail could refer to a few styles but in this case stripes of metal layered over one another, usually with a full plate over the chest; it allowed for an excellent defense while being less restrictive as full plate; although not as great a defense as full plate and not as nonrestrictive as scale or chain. That's how life is; often a series of trade-offs.

In addition was another dozen guards and a half with chain mail, kettle helms and brown coated breastplates coupled with bracers, pauldrons on the left shoulder and greaves over the shins. Well equipped still and nothing to scoff at. On top of that was another eighteen men with mixed equipment with mixed cloth and leather gambeson save four in mage robe and were clearly not colored in the same manner as Anvil's other forces suggesting they were mercs. Then there were the last of the forces they could deploy; the slaves.

Madadh stood out to them given her sheer size and was likely their strongest fighter but there was another half dozen collared slaves who wore some armor; pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves, bracers and helms but nothing over the torso save leather straps at most and loincloths or briefs to cover themselves with. If the Minister and Victor joined in the fray that was over fifty foes.

We were outnumbered but not as harshly as we were used to so I was confident. Additionally we had both Maia and Cameo as serious, heavy hitters with the latter being a natural tank. Additionally I had a possible way to take the slaves to our sides; I took time to enchant spells stones with the same collar blocking spell that I had used on Wesland so long ago; modified slightly to boast an unlock spell. You couldn't just use the unlock spell on something and have a collar pop off; it was like picking a lock in Skyrim where you have to adjust things to find the sweet spot. These stones would find that sweet spot on their own; given enough time. In theory. I passed them out to everyone and supplied Lolek with a small amount extra; just because.

The enemy scouts arrived first and we were alerted by Cameo then Terra as we acted normal for awhile before two of our men 'returned' from patrol and swapped shifts with the next two who moved towards the enemy scouts. The response was what I had hoped for; they retreated early to avoid being spotted. Once they were gone it was about forty minutes until Miria and the gang were back. Once they were we started making an overall battle plan as we need to do three things.

One; catching Victor directing his forces to attack us on the voxlux. With that we had all the ammunition Celestine needed to deal with House Bludhorn to at least some degree.

Two; free the slaves and get them the help they needed. After all if Victor ordered them to attack we were well within our rights to do as needed to defend ourselves. Even if they weren't ordered to attack I could get away with claiming them as spoils and once in ownership officially I could free them as I pleased.

Three; defeat and capture Victor Van Bludhorn. With proof of his attack gained we would be able to have him stand trial. Additionally if he died, well... that would be an issue.

Killing a lord, even within reason for most, was a no-no especially for other lords. For better or worse (I'd argue worse) killing a lord was illegal, even under circumstances that would get you a shrug from anyone else. Kill someone stealing all your stuff? He got what he had coming to him, the bastard. Kill a lord who's trying to take your stuff? You get brought up on regicide charges and would be killed, likely, while being called a villain by every lord and individual with lips attached to their asses. The exceptions to this is a Trial by War, judgment by the Council of Lords or the lord in question or their house being declared outlaws by the Council or High Queen (In the latter case Celestine would need to be able to justify it as well) so we had to avoid that at all cost.

(That's not to say those who killed lords in the rare cases it has happened have always faced justice; slaves who managed to escape and killed their noble owner, with or without help, often found Abolitionist states smuggling them to the Rycall Republic or the Kingdom of Camafran. Likewise people guilty of killing some Abolitionist lords would find Traditionalists smuggling them to Balanar or Nyrau, sometimes even Wereagell. Because politics.)

That said once dragged before the good High Queen Celestine I imagine Victor wouldn't be long for the world as long as we had the right evidence to show her; the Council of Lords would make an example of him and I doubt many of the Traditionalists would be willing to back Alundra on sparing Victor if she even tried. Really she'd be too busy doing damage control. I of course stressed to everyone, my people the Ruby Roses and the Freebirds why Victor had to be left alive and what we could do once he was in custody. Lolek felt that Victor being alive while his House was being dragged through the mud was better then him dying right away.

Before calling it a night I spent some time preparing. Not just for the trap and coming fight but a general check on my equipment. I sat on a log by a fire, humming a bit as I took time to sharpen my new parrying dagger. The thing was more or less a weapon with a wand in the butt end; +3 spell damage if I casted with it. That could be useful. My thoughts ended as someone dropped next to me on the log and I saw Lolek sitting down. "Always most tense the night before the action." He said as I nodded.

"Tell me about it..." I let off sigh. Satisfied I sheathed my weapon before looking to him fully. "I have to say you've done well for yourself."

"Heh... I owe much of my thanks to Celous and Zajac. I was nearly recaptured when we parted ways; if it wasn't for some good luck your rescue would have been undone." He said with a smile on his face. "And I was glad to speak with Riri again; we only spent a limited time with one another but it was like finding a kindred soul who understood the suffering I had gone through. That she is happy and doing well is a relief; I always wondered."

"In fairness I'm sure she was worried for you as well." I told him with a nod. "There's not much I can do for slaves and I was well chewed out for that stunt but I still think it was worth it." He chuckled and smiled for a moment before nodding once before his face sobered.

"What about the dark elves?" He asked as I sighed.

"No idea. Not like I can hop up to Garan to ask about it."

"I imagine such a thing would get you wide spread criticism if people knew." He said as I nodded. It was possible all or none of those I freed were from Garan but I pointed them back in that direction. There was little doubt that they might have been fighting against Eostia since. Not a happy thought.

"Maybe... But I'd call it allowing for a lesser evil..." I said with a sigh and a shake of my head.

"Agreed there. I wonder how they are too, even if we may never know." He said.

Considering the event was caused by a choice I made in a character creator and one of them stood out like a sore thumb the safe bet was yes, yes I'd see at least one of them again.

"For now I think we need to focus on what's ahead of us." I said, sighing as I set my elbows on my knees and leaned softly. "Something can always go wrong but there's one big variable I'm not sure we can fully account for no matter how we plan; the slaves." He blinked and tilted my head at me so I elaborated. "When Mandeville tried to take Riri back he used a very powerful combat slave named Wesland I tried to save. I got his collar blocked but he kept fighting us because of how terrified of the old bastard he was." Lolek frowned deeper as he crossed his arms. "We were forced to stop him and... We couldn't afford to be gentle about it."

"I understand... And I know..." He said, sighing deeply. "Some slaves are just so... broken that they can't be reached or saved. Some have fought us so hard we had no choice but to put them down. It's painful but this can be a painful world." I nodded in reply.

"We need to free the slaves and as quickly as possible get control over them; I imagine all of them have an axe to grind with Victor and if one of them grinds it into his skull..."

"Tsk." Lolek let off, stroking his chin. "That would be the worst thing. If that happens what will the Council's response be?"

"...No idea... House Bludhorn and the traditionalists could make a case for 'recklessness' and might be able to pull enough support with those with issues with my House to survive and put out a call for a Trial of War. I doubt it'd go through, but there is a risk."

"Hmmm..." He let off in thought for a long moment. "We'll deal with it if it must be done... But if Victor dies we'll need to go full scorched earth with the opposition; leaving only the slaves alive." I nodded; harsh as it was if Victor died and the circumstances got out the fact he was aggressor would only go so far; to the Council of Lords a lord killing another lord was serious business (At least when there's no plausible deniability) regardless of who started it or why.

"Agreed... Agreed..."

[-]

Early Morning
North of Rastplatz Town, Barony of Longroad
Dirt Trail Approaching the Noxdecus/Ruby Rose Camp

"There's something wrong..." Sombra hissed out, shadowed by the giant slave as he looked about. They snuck forwards; the mercenaries going first to scout as their lighter armor would help maintain stealth as the sun started to rise. Behind them was the slaves, armed and ready to fight. Right behind them was the Anvil Regulars. Behind them was Victor, Sombra and Madadh. Bringing up the rear was Anvil's First Guard. The area around the enemy camp was a forest thick with trees; excellent for an ambush... from either side.

"Shut up." Victor let off, keeping his voice low as he sneered. He let off as his lips stayed in a wicked grin; the many dreams of this moment he had last night coming to fruition. Before he could say anything the mercenaries ducked down and moved behind trees and bushes around the upcoming clearing, using gestures to tell everyone to get low. While wearing the colors of a House's banner was often a detriment to stealth the fact that House Bludhorn's main color was brown was a benefit as the regulars moved to take cover as well. Victor, Sombra and First Guard followed although Madadh needed to be ordered to hide.

She had hoped they'd spot her but instead the Noxdecus camp was still mostly asleep; bodies in sleeping rolls could be seen along with a few, yawning and sleepy guards. The young lord, or who she assumed was the Noxdecus heir, read some book by the fire quietly. They weren't spotted.

Who were these Noxdecus people to be so lax with their guard? "On my command..." Victor said as he drew his rapier. "And..."

"Victor, that's not how-"

"CHARGE!" He cried out, rushing towards the lord as the rest of his force charged in behind him as the Lord Noxdecus turned to them. "James Noxdecus! For humiliating me I am going to kill yoooooooooooooou!"

Sombra's horror at how Victor simply charged in like an idiot was enough to give him a heart attack but then he was able to read the cover of the Noxdecus heir's book...

'The Folly of Fools' a well known book from Rycall about a politician who managed to get ahead by finding ways to make his opponents deceive themselves. As realization hit Victor Van Bludhorn leapt upwards at one James Noxdecus with his blade pulled back, grin on his face and a wordless war cry coming from his mouth before thrusting the point of his rapier forth aimed at the heart of his foe...

And failed to hit anything that wasn't air as blade and user both went through an image that wavered before vanishing fully; Victor planting his own face to the ground as the entire camp vanished from sight; Victor's ass and legs lifting upwards for a long moment before they came back down with his rump up in an embarrassing pose.

"Wow!" They heard from above, Victor spitting dirt and a worm from his lips before looking up to see the target of his ire looking down at him in surprise.

[-]

"Just... wow! Just wow! I mean I knew you were stupid but I didn't think you were this stupid." I let off as Victor got to his feet as he spat whatever got in his mouth our; his full force of men behind him as he glared at me. "I mean I was sure I didn't need to do much to trick you but I thought you'd at least stop to think about it for two seconds. One at worst."

"Shut up!" He let off stomping his feet repeatedly as he glared up at me with all the fury his chubby frame could manage. "I'm smart, my mommy says so!"

"Uh huh." I let off with a snort looking at the forces. Victor was still where he was last time; a lowly, level two pushover. The mercs were levels fourteen to seventeen; nothing too much. The Anvil Regulars were levels nineteen to twenty four; nothing to sneeze at. The First Guard went from level twenty two to twenty six; the real work force. The slaves varied; sixteen to twenty one. And then there was the big girl who looked like she was the love child of Andre the Giant. She had a simple wooden shield in her left hand with a steel boss in the center and steel rim with rivets holding it in place and a simple, straight short sword with a point.

Also, why did the caps over her nipples have tiny weights on them? Why? I just don't get it. Either way I was willing to bet she was the biggest threat at a glance alone.

(-)

Name: Madadh the Mountain
Title: Unstoppable Slave Gladiatrix
Class: Brawler
Level: 40
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 31
Status: Healthy, Depressed, Worried

Romance Rating: 80
Corruption Rating: 23

Known Traits
[Eostian Gladiator] You know how to use weapons common to the sands of the arena. +One Handed Swords & Short Spears to Primary Weapons. +Shields to Secondary Weapons.

[The Wrestler in All of Us] You are highly effective with grappling attacks. +5 damage to all throws, locks and slams. +10% to Str when you have an opponent trapped under you and you are striking them unarmed.

[?]
[Intimidate] To anyone weaker then you you are frightening. -5% to all foes stats under level 20 and at least one level lower then you.

Hailing from the Thunderblaze Mountains she was once from the barbarian tribes until she made an attempt to sell furs and meats in a Nyaru city. A corrupted official would have her captured under false pretenses and sold in an underground slave market. She would find herself under the command of Alundra Van Bludhorn who made her a prized gladiatrix... And an instrument of punishment.

(-)

Level forty!?

Well isn't that just my luck. This is gonna be harder then I thought... Still our plan hadn't changed; just the difficulty. I tried to remain calm as I looked down to him. "Surrender, Victor. I'm sure Celestine will want a long talk with you for this."

"Grrrrr... Did you really think I'd surrender!? To you!?" He screamed out at me before pointing at me. "To you and what army!?"

The whistle of three arrows and a crossbow bolt sounded through the air; the arrows nailing the mercenaries and driving in enough to get through their gambeson as the bolt slammed into a regular's armor and punched past the back of the breastplate; the four men collapsing as our collective forces stepped out of their own hiding places and started to surround them. "Some advice; never ask that question." I let off as I gave a shrug.

Victor growled at me once more, clenching and unclenching his hand around his rapier. Of course we had one of the Ruby Roses using a voxlux to record all of this; as it was we had enough to nail the little shit to the wall. And what he pulled next would let us grab larger nails. "Madadh! Kill him!"

Her legs bunching was my only warning before she rocketed up towards me as I flew away as she swung her blade at me... And cut the top of the tree I was standing on off, sending it down to the ground and crashing hard; thankfully away from everyone else as I moved to land on the ground as the two sides charged at each other in a mass melee; the area was a rather large clearing with a thick outline of trees and a few scattered within the clearing itself. As the huge woman landed she turned to me with an rather apologetic look on her face as my view flashed and focused on her.

"I am sorry... I have no choice... I must do as I am ordered to do..." She said as the usual boss music started to spin up as she stood to her full, imposing height; her feet spread shoulder width apart and one foot forwards, her body taking a relaxed stance as the view pulled back for me to see her fully. "I will do what I can to make your death as painless as it can be..."

_Unstoppable Slave Galdiatix_
Madadh the Mountain

My view returned to normal with another flash as she brought her shield up to bare as I drew the Unicorn's Horn as I started to circle to my left, her motions mimicking mine. I had a plan, of course, and I was confident it would work but the level difference between us was worrying. Still, I was never thinking about taking her head-on at all as I waited for her to attack first. I didn't need to wait long for her to charge at me, shield up and sword pulled back and I quickly casted the spell I readied; the classic Arctic Orb from the foot that caused her to instantly yelp and slip as she stepped onto the ice patch formed by the spell, her feet shooting upwards before landing hard on her back. I didn't even wait to see the effect; hearing the impact as I ran around the clearing for a fair distance and then turned in time for her to bash the ice with her sword's pommel and rise to her feet before chasing after me as I good clip; she ran fast if nothing else.

"A good trick!" She called out as she pulled her blade back in her next, head long charge. "But the collar compels me to bring all I have to bear! You will not have enough!"

"I have many tricks..." I said, stepping back to the right place. I waited until she had closed in and started her attack before making my next move; a blinding, flashing Illusion (I shut my eyes because I was ready for it, of course) which made her cry out as I dove out of the way to the side away from her weapon...

And Madadh swung and hit nothing, kept running and slammed head first into a tree, bouncing off it but staying on her feet from the impact. "Gahhhh!" She let off, shaking her head out. "I see... Clever..." Once her vision returned she saw me standing a distance away, blade at the ready. "But sadly futile..." I shrugged... before looking to the rest of the fight as I felt an odd spike of mana... And then... I could see spikes of red mana rise up before several armored figures, the First Guard by the looks of it, started to glow brightly.

"What the...?"

"The First Guard's armor is enchanted." Madadh told me as she stepped closer as the mana from their armor started to dim down. "When in need it will boost the user's strength by half. Your friends will have their hands full; no help can come to save you from me. My apologies."

"Yeah, you are a lot of woman for one man, huh?" I quipped as I backed up, quickly working things out. Maia and Cameo would be on par or higher then the First Guard's new strength but others would struggle a bit. Even so, I had my fight before me.

"You have good humor. Once more..." She let off as she charged at me once more "I apolog-gaahhhh!" She let off... before tripping over the large rock I hid with illusion and planting her face to the ground as I quickly re-positioned. "Under most circumstances I would be upset. Really I can only admire you for what you have planned." She said as she rose up once more.

Just a little more...

[-]

"Finally... It was too easy before now..." Maia let off with a grin as she deflected her First Guard opponent's halberd with one of her blades as she ducked a follow up swipe.

"Well I'm glad you're having fun." Lolek quipped out, blocking an axe with his heavy blade before shoving the attack aside to swing hard and slamming into an Anvil Regular's ribs, making him cry out and back up; injured but still in the fight. The opposing mercs crumbled almost instantly and three of the slaves were pinned down long enough for James' stones to be slipped in and do their work but the First Guard boosting themselves, through a manner they didn't know about, turned the tide against them as they fought hard to push back. Aeris had been knocked from the air from some spell and laid out cold on the ground; pulled away and tended to by Riri for the time being as Makoto gave them cover.

This brought Maia back... Her and Vult along with the New Hounds, fighting what fights were being paid for, side to side and back to back... Of course the good times ended quite a while ago; Vult would split off with Hicks and Keane to make the Black Dogs and she'd leave to form the Ruby Roses... But they had some real scraps back then...

She back flipped over the next attack and charged. Her foe feinted a stab of his weapon but shifted to swing the butt end of his weapon upwards; something she'd seen before and slid down under, rising up smoothly and slashing at her foe's armor. She slit the cloth covering but didn't get past the segmented plates they wore... But it gave her an idea of how strong the armor was as she jumped over a swing of the polearm, foot set to her foe's head before leaping up and back-flipping away some distance. A second First Guard moved to join as she saw Celous attend a wounded member of the Noxdecus guard as she grinned wider. "I hope you're ready for this! Because the Red Wolf has fangs!" She called out, both weapons coming alight with Blazing Weapon as she grinned in a feral manner as the halberd and claymore was aimed at her as the two First Guard charged her.

She sprang forwards into a dash, her grin widening as the flames over her blades grew hotter and bright before she crossed them before her... With the flames reforming to look like snarling wolves over the steel as the flames seemed to lick and crawl down her arms to the shoulders. "Blazing Howl!" She cried out, leaping side to side, zig zagging across the distance with a frighting speed to her foes before swinging both at them from one side; the reaction time of the two guards unable to track her boosted speed. The ignited blades cutting through the steel and into the intestines of both men as the flames seemed to expand inside of them; scorching and burning them from the inside.

Both men fell, dead before they hit the ground. As she came to a stop she flicked both weapons out, the flames licking over her arms cast off with no harm to her.

By contrast Zajac was having more trouble; casting a Fireball followed by an Arcane Lance followed by a second Arcane Lance from his oak wand only to have his First Guard foe swat each from the air with the sword in his left hand, the axe in his right ready to strike as he closed in. His eyes widened; unsure of what to do as the man dashed at him...

Only for the man to be shoulder tackled by Cameo who swung her weapon into he armor; biting the steel but not through it. "Focus on softer targets." She let off; not barking loudly at him from under her helm but more then audible as the man swung his axe at her faster then she expected; the blade hitting the side of her helm and staggering her for a moment. Aside from a soft ringing that halted a moment later she was unharmed. As he stepped in to swing his sword she stepped in; smashing his helm with her weapon's pommel before kicking him with a front kick before swinging her blade hard once he was at the proper range for her weapon. He staggered back in turn; liking suffering the same ringing she had before he shook it off. He grunted and started knocking his weapons together three times as lightning started to coat them.

She huffed and held her blade before her, tip pointed straight up as wispy shadows started to wrap about it, end to end. Shadowed Weapon, it was called and she rather enjoyed it. Her foe huffed and charged as she waited, blocking his first strike before pushing it aside and stepping away from the next. On his next axe swing she'd counter, slashing at his forearm and connecting. Her strike damaged the fabric over the steel but his grunt told the real story; while no damage was done Shadowed Weapon still made a person feel phantom wounds delivered when stuck; even through armor. Her follow up strike to his chest was blocked by his blade but she transitioned to thrust her shoulder at him; knocking him back as she spun, inverting her weapon and stabbing his armor by the ribs; it slid over his armor but his pained cry told him the effect took hold as she took her blade back in a regular grip and swinging as she used the Combat Art called Brutal Cleave, her blade cutting deep into his shoulder, through the armor. He screamed out and convulsed as he fell back to the ground; his whole body shaking as the pain from such a harsh wound was amplified perhaps ten fold.

She moved to the next foe; he was alive still but would not rise for the rest of the fight.

[-]

Madadh was swinging wild and wide, moving to and fro as I took a moment to rest and breathe. I was hiding behind a tree's trunk to rest as she swung at phantoms; I had taken the time the other night to load up a bunch of pebbles with a basic illusion spell and finally used them after blinding her vision with Aqua Stream; throwing them about and letting them cast illusions of myself. Of course each one vanished as she swung at them but let me prepare my endgame. Finally as she took out the last one I stepped out and used the spell I had readied; a somewhat overcharged Arcane Lance and threw it at her weapon; striking it on the blade. Unready as she was for it I knocked the blade from her hand and sent it flying as she looked to me as she huffed and charged as I moved to hold my ground. "Beware! I cannot be stopped!" I noted she didn't pick her blade back up; I could only assume why.

"Let's see about that!" I let off as I grit my teeth. I hope Prim didn't mind me stealing from her playbook a second time as I casted a shield spell around myself. She pulled her fist back and was ready to punch as I leapt out of the shield and inverted it. After what happened with Blood Caller I knew it wouldn't last long but I had a plan for this; the moment a confused Madadh entered and stumbled into the barrier I hit her with a Frost Thrower, the spell entering the shield and making her cry out as I circled about her, her body icing up as I took something from my pouch. I knew it would last for only a moment; she curled up and shivered but I imagined she'd break through not long after. Indeed; she was already rising and cracking the ice forming on her body as I jumped onto her back, my left hand grabbing the back of her hair and pushing it aside as I moved my right hand to her collar. Her right hand reached back in a flash and gripped the back of my gambeson but I shunted the stone into her collar between it and her neck before she could yank me off and I felt her whole body stiffen as she gasped. "W-what!?" She let off as my stone blocked the collar's influence on her.

"There! You have him!" Victor let off; somehow he slipped away from the slowly dying melee to watch his family's prized slave attack me. Given how focused I was on her I don't think I could be blamed for not noticing him. "Now, break him in two!"

Madadh's body stayed stiff, save a shiver from the cold I subjected to her as I spoke. I used some fire mana, channeled through my body in a gentle manner to help melt the ice and frost from her as I spoke. "It's okay... Relax. That collar will be off in just a mome-"

Pop. Snap. Clack.

"Ah, there we go." I let off as the stone finished it's work. "You're free. So, take a moment and breathe. I need to deal with him." I said as I hopped off her back, her hands moving to search her neck. Indeed, the collar was now on the ground at her feet as I started walking to Victor who was staring dumbfounded at the collar no longer around the giant's neck before looking to me. "Now then, Lord Bludhorn, we must have words about your conduct..." I said, slowly channeling Blazing Weapon into my weapon as he started to back up as I wanted to make a show of force to make him surrender quicker. He was getting the idea that things were about to go sideways.

And then a roar and spike of mana from behind me said that yes, it was going to go sideways.

For both of us...

[-]

Freedom... After so long, freedom... How long has it been since that collar had been set to her neck? How long since she was forced to do unspeakable thing after unspeakable thing after unspeakable thing, over and over and over again... How long since she had been unable to stop herself from from causing harm and horror like an attack dog? Since she could do what she felt was right? And then she looked up...

She didn't see the man who freed her. She didn't see her savior. She saw him.

The small tub of lard that would play with her like a pet and then have her crush the skulls of slaves for his own enjoyment. Adults, children... babies... All of it delighted him as her hands became redder and redder and redder with the bloods of the innocent and brave.

She saw his mother and brothers as well; their cruelty more limited but intensified and focused to an ends. The sneers of Alundra were always in her nightmares, her laughs, her sneers, her demands and orders...

She had always buried the anger... At them, at herself... She buried it all... She had no place to unleash it save the innocent and brave set before her who didn't deserve it and would already suffer at her hand, so she buried it. Nor did her fellow slaves earn such ire, so she buried it. Many of the jeering and cheering fans in the arena didn't truly earn it either as many felt forced to watch Alundra's means of showcasing consequences and cheer in fear so they didn't end up in the arena. So she buried it... Buried it all for seven long years because there was nothing she could do about it...

And now someone saw fit to slip her collar off. And seven years of distilled and concentrated rage bubbled forth as she roared out; an aura of a dark red skull forming around her before sinking back into her skin as her eyes went pure white and a red mist spilled from her lips; the power of the Thunderblaze coursing through her as she called upon an ancient and hard earned Combat Art and charged. She would recklessly knock the good lord aside in her angered rush as she howled in rage grabbing a terrified Victor by the face and lifting him up before he could react, her momentum and stride carrying him forwards into the middle of a mass battle, squeezing down with her one hand as his skull gave way under her fingers; cricking and cracking as the little tyrant wriggled in her grasp before it buckled and imploded...

It was the first time that a skull crunching in her hand felt good.

"Monster!" A First Guard let off as he swung his axe at her. She batted it aside with her shield before swinging her fist down to the top of his skull; crushing his neck from the impact to the point the bottom of his helm met the top of his breastplate. A Regular charged her next as she grabbed his spear by the end of the shaft and yanked him over, smashing the helm with her shield's edge with enough force his neck snapped at it rocked back.

Those fighting Anvil's forces paused and backed away as the Regulars and First Guard surrounded her, looking to each other as Sombra screamed and turned to flee, pushing past a dark elf woman and a green haired Catalan too shocked to stop him as another First Guard stepped in to swing his two handed blade at her. She grabbed him by his forearm then waist and lifted him over her head before throwing him like a javelin at the fleeing Minister.

His back was crushed as the armored man crashed head first into him; the guard's own neck snapping under the impact and crash landing.

The rest hesitated for a long moment looking about; a ring of foes around them and an angry titaness between them. They had one choice of what to do.

"Slay her! As one!" A First Guard let off as the men charged her like their lives depended on it.

Because it did.

[-]

When I had recovered, gotten up and used a healing spell the first thing I did next was to rush to Victor's side to ensure he wouldn't die from whatever wounds he was given by a pissed off, seven foot, muscled woman.

When I saw he was kind of missing his face I knew it was pointless. Well shit.

This had gone sideways...

A roar took me back to Madadh who looked like she was under the effects of Berserker's Soul of all things as she swung the body of a First Guard by the shin like a club and knocked several regulars away before turning to a First Guard trying to crawl away before howling out and slamming her living (Or possibly not, and even then not for long) weapon into him and then doing it again, and again several times over before five men; one First Guard and four Regulars, all unarmed, tackled her legs with enough force and weight to knock her to all fours. They all crawled to her back, one locking her neck with a sleeper hold as the others grabbed a limb each, trying to pin her down.

She rose to a knee and grabbed the two men at her arms by their heads and slammed them down to the ground, leaving them unmoving before getting to her feet fully and grabbing the one at her neck as she pushed one off her leg, turning and slamming former's head into the latter's abs with enough force both stopped moving upon impact. The last tried to run but was grabbed and in spite of his struggling lifted over her head as she roared out in a feral manner and brought him down as she lifted her knee up; the sound of his back cracking over her leg quite audible as his armor bent over her knee and locking his body in that position.

In the end she was left standing in a pool of broken bodies as my collected allies was forming a ring around her. "Keep your distance!" Lolek called out loudly. "Defend yourself if need be, but she is more victim then monster! Keep calm, everyone!" He called out as I moved to the circle as I looked to her. She looked about, panting in rage from one to another before pausing and gasping as she saw Anaya... And then you could just see her lift her hands up; blood on them from Victor no doubt as she shivered there. And then...

She fell to her knees as she released Berserker's Soul fully as she started to sob, hands gripping the soil under her. Finally I moved around the ring to be before her before and sheathed my weapon before starting a slow approach. "James! Stay back!" Lolek barked as I ignored him. I could see Miria and Cress notching arrows and pulling them to a half draw as I held my hand to them and gestured for them to settle down. Both eased their pulls but neither un-notched their arrows.

I stopped just out of her arms reach before kneeling down and looking to her. Her face was low but she had moved from sobbing to dry-heaving; as if she was about to vomit. "Madadh." I called out softly as I looked to her. "Madadh, look to me. It's okay. It's okay, you're not alone. It's okay to be scared but you're not alone." I told her as her body shivered, coughing out before looking up at me.

There was something... Uniquely pathetic to such a strong woman having a tear stricken face as she looked to me. Seven feet tall or not she was a woman in the end. A human. Finally she spoke to me. "...kill me..."

"What?" I let off, blinking at her as she pushed up to her knees.

"Kill me! Kill me damn you!" She screamed out, surprising me at the sound. "You don't know... You don't know what I've done with that collar on... My hands... My hands are so bloody..."

"Easy... Calm down..." I said holding both palms out to help her try and calm down. "Breathe."

"I've killed children! Children!" She screamed out, shaking harder. "I couldn't stop! I tried! I tried so hard but she had me crush their skulls before their parents! Their families! Crowds! I've been forced to feast upon their flesh! Alundra spoon fed me them herself!" She let off as you could feel the shock of everyone around me. Hell I sucked in a breath and I wasn't the loudest by far. "And Victor... Victor once took a baby from his mother because he wanted to know how far I could throw it!" She trembled harder as she looked to me. "I don't... I can't live... not after all that... Not after all that... not... not after... not after..."

I sighed and moved closer as I stood. Really, what else could I do..?

Which is why I combined Focus Punch, Adrenaline Rush and Steel Skin together and delivered a punch to the top of her skull.

"Gahhh-oowwwwwwwwww!" She let off... as I tried to ignore my own throbbing hand; it was like hitting a brick wall! "Why did you do that!?" She let off, rubbing where I struck with both hands.

"Because you're being a fucking idiot that's why!" I shouted back to her surprise (And likely everyone else's surprise; she just finished pretending to be a wrecking ball after all) as I glared at her. "You think you're the only person who suffered because a collar got slapped to their neck!? I know a former slave who suffered enough sexual indignities and was forced to cause more indignities to others that if I were to list them all down the scroll would roll all the way from here to Rad. You want to die? Fine, I can understand why but while you go onto your final rest where you have no more worries Alundra Van Bludhorn will shrug, find a new favorite slave and start at square one with them."

Her eyes widened for a long moment as I grabbed her harness between her breasts and pulled, bringing my face closer to hers (She was too large for the opposite effect which might have ruined the impact a tad) as I looked her in the eye. "You want the truth? Can you handle the truth? Here's the truth: I got that collar off you and now you have something called a decision to make; are you going to die, be buried and tell your gods, ancestors or whatever you believe you see in the great beyond you did nothing to stop those who abused you? Do you go home to your family and tell them you did all of that bull-crap without doing anything to stop the next one in line from suffering the same? Or do you stop crying, stand up, find something that resembles pride and courage in you and actually do something about the people who did this to you!?" I let off, snarling to her with enough intensity to make her flinch back...

But as I felt her body tremble under me I could see that little spark in her eye that started to stoke a flame as she snarled. "I..." She began as she pushed me back, moving a foot under her "I am Madadh of the Blackstone!" She shouted back as she rose to her feet. "And I will not have my honor questioned!" She let off as I gave a smile and chuckled.

"Oh good... I was worried I'd need to smack you around a bit before you got a little fight back in you." I said giving a shrug as she flinched for a moment before giving a rueful smile.

"...Aye... Aye..." She said softly as she huffed and shook her head. "I am... I do not feel as if I deserve life... But until House Bludhorn falls... I cannot accept death..."

"You're not to blame for what happened under the collar." Lolek said, setting his weapon to the back. Everyone started to settle down and put their weapons away as he walked closer. "Trust me; I know as well as you and while I was put to the mines as opposed to an arena but I've done regrettable things too. Once I was forced to drive a pick to my friend's foot; I still feel guilty about even if I wasn't in control. You are no more guilty then a blade; it's the wielder that's to blame."

"Aye.. Aye..." She said as she looked to Anaya. "Are you... The woman from the arena? I cannot be sure because of... Um..." Anaya stepped forth now, shivering a bit and gulping once but looking up to her.

"Our good lord here fitted me with a spell stone eye with an illusion on it... Y-yeah, it's me." She said as she bit her lip.

"I am... glad... I tried to be as gentle as I could with your back but the collar..." She said, shivering as she shuffled her weight from foot to foot. "If I act with the collar then I can at least apply just enough force to break a spine. If I refuse... I would have broken it with all the force I could muster... I am glad you walk once more and I am sorry for what I've done..."

Anaya sighed and move a hand to her stone eye, shutting it as she shivered as well. "I'd... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset about it still... I can be a bit of a vain woman and that kind of thing happening... You're not to blame..." She said with a sigh. "I have nightmares of it still, and at the time I wanted to kill you myself but... You were a weapon... That's all... Alundra is the one to blame for both our wounds..." Madadh nodded as she sighed and was about to speak before someone else pipped up; Terra.

"I'm glad we have a heartfelt moment like those epic tales... But we have an issue over here..." She said, kicking Victor's corpse. "We're kinda in shit."

"Yeah... This... is an issue that needs addressing." I said sighing.

[Defeated List]

No Opponents Defeated
Gain No XP

...

Are you shitting me!?

I'd ask if anything else can go sideways but I'm worried I'd get an answer.

[-]

"I am sorry... I just saw... Rage when the collar came off..." Madadh was seated on a log as the Anvil troops were stripped of all they had. Esmerie was using earth magic to help bury the bodies; moving dirt from under the trees as they were dumped under and between the roots. At my suggestion they were buried twenty feet down; it took more time to do but at the same time would ensure they wouldn't be uncovered anytime soon. Their slave wagons and carriages were likewise broken to bits, tossed into a ten foot deep pit and burned with spells; the bars and other metal parts were buried with the ashes. As for the horses they were stripped to the saddles, anything marking their origin burned in the pit and given to the Roses to ride while the left over steeds were given to the freed slaves to ride.

"You weren't in on the plan and frankly I should have said something about leaving him alive." I replied as I stood before her only to have her shake her head. We had others patrolling to ensure no other Anvil forces were about just in case.

"I would not have listened... I was... I'm sorry. This is my fault..." Madadh said as a man huffed next to her; a slave gladiator who was bald and had a shaggy beard. He had a bit of a gut but in the means of a power lifter with thick limbs to match. He answered to the name of David Solwalk.

"Honestly if it was me I'd have gutted the bastard first thing. Don't think much would stop me either." He said as stroked his beard. "But yeah... What now?"

"Once Victor's appearance in Maros is missed someone will come looking." Lolek said as he stood next to me. "And those people will demand answers."

"At the risk of sounding cowardly; I can't wear that blame." I said shaking my head. "If it was just my head on the line I could but it's both my House and Mungale on the line. If House Noxdecus was removed from power, regardless of what the chances for that are, there is a chance, small as it maybe, that a Traditionalist lord could be appointed; doubly so if Alundra demanded it as recompose. And Maia can't wear it either; that would cause the lords to question Celestine's choices for the Shield Princesses and cause her a loss of trust. The fact Victor was the aggressor will help only so much; our only saving grace really."

"That leaves us to wear it then..." Lolek said as he referred to the Freebirds as I sighed and crossed my arms.

"You can wear it better, yes, but... There'll be a crackdown like hell itself is coming for you." I said as I huffed. "There needs to be a better option..."

"There isn't and we both know it." Lolek said turning to me fully as he glared up to me. "I owe you. Let me wear the blame."

"Nothing good can come of it." I said as I shook my head. "I don't know if House Ambacht is bothering to deal with the Freebirds but this will force their hand; even letting other forces do the work for them if need be, and Alundra will send damn near everything she can afford; even if she has to flood the Barony with steel."

"Yes, but-"

"I killed him." Madadh said with a huff. "The blame is mine by right. As such-"

"Pipe down, girl." David said with a huff before pointing to himself with a thumb. "I'll wear the blame for it; loud and proud!" He let off as I blinked to him. "I got family in Rycall, see. And everyone called me 'Rex the Ripper' in the arena; none of those idiots know my real name. If you lot can smuggle me to the border I'll be more then happy to crow about it under the alias. We can call it my payment for passage, see?" I was surprised at the offer he made; it was a brave one to be sure.

"Assassins could still hunt for you, you know this right?" Lolek said as he looked to him.

"Pffft, a short and free life is better then a long and chained one." He said with a shrug. "Sides; you could tell the tale as you freed the slaves and tried to make off with'em, I had a chance at the fat little twat and killed him before any could stop me and the Freebirds and Madadh had to fight off the rest of the Anvil bastards. Fought to the man they did!"

"Hmm..." I let off as I thought it over. "That could work. If his alias hold up then they'll be searching in the wrong place. If he shaves his face and grows his hair that might help."

"And rumors that the Freebirds fought and defeated Anvil's convoy could boost our recruitment... And if the Freebirds aren't wearing the blame Alundra cannot force her military's way into Longroad." Lolek let off as he thought it over. Indeed, in this case politics works in our favor for a change. After a moment he looked back to Madadh. "Speaking of; while I'm sure revenge and justice roar in your veins in equal measure now you'll do little alone and Alundra is a powerful foe. This isn't a fight that can be won in a decisive moment; it is a war of attrition. The Freebirds can use your strength and you can use our help; not just in fighting slavery but in recovering. The mental wounds always run deep."

"You need not ask. I am more then happy to loan my might to you." She said, rising up in full and flexing one arm as she clenched her fist. "It will be good to fight people who deserve pain for a change."

"Well, good to see we're all getting along." I turned to see Terra walk closer to us, glancing over everyone before looking to Lolek. "Bodies are buried and you can't tell there was a damn thing there to start with and the Catalans are guiding everyone in hiding the smell. The armor's also stashed where you want it too; that cave."

"Good." Lolek said with a grin. "We can pick it up later and add it to our stores. More importantly once back at base we can smuggle our friend here-" He said, gesturing to David, aka the real hero of the day. I would later give him a handful of copper and silver to help him on his way as an additional thank you; I just wished I could give more without making things look suspicious for him. "-to Rycall and his freedom... And he'll be taking the blame for this with him."

"I'll let Horton know as well; he's a popular guy around town and can get rumors spread; just tell me what you want everyone to hear." She said as she nodded. "Surprised there's no dark elves with the slaves."

"Most slave owners don't put them in the arena or any labor jobs." I said as she looked to me. "To them dark elves are a cut above the rest; a jewel of sorts. You use them as pleasure slaves, maids, butlers or bodyguards. Arafe is the exception to the rule."

"Pity." She let off as I blinked. What did she mean by that? "Either way; we're done here. Guess the recording is useless, huh?"

"I'll keep hold of it; just in case." I said. "If something goes wrong it'll be a defense to the Council if worse comes to worse. Obviously everyone will need to understand that we cannot talk about this." Everyone present nodded once. "Kind of a shame; we were close to giving Bludhorn real trouble..."

"Not all goes according to plan." Lolek said as I looked back to him. "It's true; our plan to cast shade upon House Bludhorn is no more but have not lost the day. We saved some slaves, we've slain a monster and gained allies. We've gained a bit. Let's be happy for that." He said as I nodded.

"Speaking of which; I'll ask Sora to set some voxluxs aside for you guys to pick up." I said as he blinked to me. "I'm sure a merchant like Zajac would make an investment in such, right?"

"Indeed... And I thank you."

[-]

We got back to our carriages and prepared to head out as the Freebirds and the freed slaves started to mount their own steeds with Madadh getting one to herself; although she looked a bit comedic given her height compared to the brown stallion she was riding; it was like an adult on a miniature pony. Lolek took a moment to pause before moving to ride pillion with Anaya to stop and speak with me. "I do have to apologize; I came to settle a debt I owed and between a new ally, new tools and Anaya's replaced eye I seem to come out deeper in debt. And for all we've done we failed in the main objective of our mission. Yet I still intend to repay what I owe."

"And I think you've done much of it already." I replied with a chuckle. "If nothing else I may have need of your help someday. I can't say much right now as much is unknown to me still but a dark storm brews and it's headed for Eostia. I might need to call on you when it comes aground."

"Indeed?" He said with a sober look. "I shan't ask then. But know if your storm comes my blade will at your disposal. Until then do as you've done until now. Once more I thank you." I smiled and nodded with a chuckle.

"You're welcome. I'm proud of what you've done with your life; it was worth getting chewed out for." I said as I reached down to him. He grinned and took my hand, his other hand moving to take Anaya as we helped him up and settle in before her.

"Until we meet again. Go free!" He called out to me as he offered a salute.

"Go free!" I replied with my own salute as he nodded, Anaya turning her horse about and directing it to trot to a side road the other Freebirds, new and old joining him. Hell I used Observe on Madadh before the left and found she had a new title...

'Might of the Freebirds'.

I moved to climb into our own carriage as we took off. I took the time earlier to explain to everyone how important it was for us to not speak a word of this to anyone. The Ruby Roses were likely used to not fully clean jobs and knew well enough to keep their lips sealed and the House Noxdecus guard were loyal and would understand the reasons why and I told them if there were any issues to talk to me in private and we could address it; it wasn't even meant to be mentioned to my parents unless absolutely needed. There was one odd one out however; Micheal Verdant, the man Count Rigald loaned to us. I made sure to talk to him in private and address the matter. He agreed on the issue and that we did the best we could in the situation and as House Rigald was no friend of House Bludhorn he had no reason to raise the issue; swearing he would only speak the truth if his lord asked of it. Given Fredrick Rigald should have no reason to ask I was mostly reassured about it. Either way I wasn't the sort to silence him in permanent manner so I had to trust him on it.

For us it was back to the road after a road bump we'd never speak of again.

[-]

[(⸜∕ ) Place Booster in Longroad]

Once done in the Adventurer's Guild in Degon City with the Booster I opted to go to the inn and rest for a time. With how sideways everything went I focused mostly on my new spell; it would be a couple of weeks before we knew if Alundra and her cronies took to the rumors and believed them. Either way we didn't do much damage to her; Victor was more of her pet then her son so I doubted she cared over much for him and we robbed her of a few slaves, including her most prized one. We took out a chunk of her guard, even her most elite ones, but that was something she'd replace in short order.

Really, we inconvenienced Alundra and she'd know it in less then a week once word reaches her that Victor never made it to Maros. Once the rumors of how reached her... Well, I hope David would be safe. Of course the Freebirds would still take some heat for it but as long as the one responsible was an escaped slave all Bludhorn could do is pressure House Ambacht to crack down; and they weren't on good terms with one another. I would be unsurprised if their response was 'sure... we'll do something... maybe...' and proceed to punish Lolek with a firm slap on the wrist.

The horror.

I sort of wondered... Would they really be okay?

[-]

Four Days After the Battle North of Rastplatz Town
Southern Longroad
Evening

"Why the hell are we pushed into longer guard shifts?" One man let off, holding a torch in his shield hand as he looked about. He was a normal, black haired, brown eyed, stubble chinned mercenary who was barred from the Adventurer's Guild (It wasn't his fault that the Administrator's daughter was a slut! Or his wife!) so he needed some coin and slave caravans cared less about who blacklisted you. He wore worn but sturdy equipment; leather gambeson with a steel breastplate, a dented but good helm, bracers, greaves and a kite shield. With no coat of arms to put on it he just had it painted black and put a skull on the front. Skulls were scary, after all. In his other hand was a militia club; cracked then repaired with a second metal band around the head.

"Because these convoys have been raided; don't you know anything, Xeks?" His superior officer and supervisor, Quinton said with a huff. He was one of the convoy owner's personal men; he wore good, scale mail armor with plates over the forearms and shins, a full helm with a 'T' shaped opening to look and breathe through and a spell stone set to it's center over the forehead that projected a beam of light from it which made it hard to look back at him. "The boss wants his cargo in Albia and he wants it there safe and sound and that why we'll protect it with our lives!"

"Yeah, I'm just here for the coin." Xeks said as the light washed over him as Quinton glared at him. "I mean dying for a slave sounds a bit much don't you think?"

Indeed the cargo was of people; two slave cages packed with a dozen and a half people each; mostly women and children. Really if he didn't need the coin he'd have passed on the job; there was something unsettling of seeing people look at you with dead, glazed over stares from inside cages.

"Our boss is a legitimate and honorable businessman! Do you question that!?" Quinton said with too much zeal for Xeks' taste.

"I dunno; ask them." The man said, pointing to a slave cage before pausing and holding his torch out, looking about.

"Don't tell me you're some bleeding heart little abolitionist, you sells-"

"Shhhhhhh..."

"Don't you 'shush' me and avoid the-"

"I thought I saw something..." Xeks said looking around as Quinton huffed. He was about to bark bask as Xeks spoke up once more. "We're not alone."

"Oh, now you think you're a good little-"

"Band-accck!" Someone called out as Quniton's eyes went while, turning about to see another guard with an arrow in his eye, falling back.

"We're under att" The next voice just cut out with no idea of what caused it, five more guards rushing to join them.

"Damnit..." Quinton let off turning to them. "Guard the cargo! We need to-"

A Fireball struck and exploded on the man, staggering Xeks back who reacted swiftly... And dropped his weapon as he looked at the dented and scorched armor of Quinton; now a corpse...

As he did a man, a halfling really, dropped from above and cut down a man before he could react. One moved to strike him from behind only for an arrow to slam into his face in the opening of his helm, sending him down instantly. The halfling, odd sword with a fan like end in hand, swung at the next man's blade, knocking it aside and turning to slam it into his foe's thigh. The guard screamed and fell as Xeks backed away, the halfling pulling his weapon back, turning and swinging vertically into the next man's chest, cleaving into the armor and into flesh before swinging back to decapitate the man now clutching his thigh. The final man backed away and hesitated...

A magic missile slammed into his back from nowhere as a man in a cape hovered down; a mask over his lower face as they looked to him; his hands up, holding a torch and shield only as he just backed up...

And into a body.

A very, very large body. He gulped and looked up so see a dusky skinned face looking back down at him. "I surrender. I've no intention of fighting to keep a buncha slaves locked up; I just needed a job, that's all."

"Ah, you're the one they all call 'the smart one' I see." The halfling let off with a grin as he walked closer to him as Xeks gulped. He was at the mercy of these outlaws and they all knew it.

"Do we kill him?" The titan rumbled behind him with a feminine, impassive voice as the halfling stopped to think of it for a moment.

"If he isn't opposing us then I see no reason to." The halfling said, looking up to the giant behind him. "I refuse to be a villain; striking down a surrendered foe does not sit well with me. Take his shield and check him for other weapons. We'll return them as we leave; for now we're here to free the slaves."

"As you say." The woman said as he moved his torch to the other hand as she took his shield and quickly found the dagger at his side and the one in his boot.

They as well as maybe seven others would lead the slaves out of their cages and remove their collars, herding them into a series of cloth covered wagons, giving instructions as others took armor and weapons from his now dead comrades. Indeed, Xeks wasn't harmed from them at all and once loaded up their leader would toss his weapons to his feet and give a jaunty salute. "You might wish to seek new employment after tonight, my firend. Go free!" He said before walking away. Xeks sighed, collected his weapons and watched them ride away.

He salvaged what the bandits didn't; some coin and some food.

Well chances were his new boss would think he was dead... Who else was hiring now?

[ - Author's Note - ]

Well... There we go... Whew...

I had the idea for this chapter for awhile; with Victor's death and a need to cover it up. Justifying it was the difficult part. That said nobility always had a 'rules for thee and not for me' mindset so it felt like I could justify it coupled with nobility being... well nobility. Either way it is a bit of dirty business required and I hope it was believable enough. If not tell me your thoughts, please.

Or at least go easy on me for doing yet another song despite being unable to carry a tune in a bucket.

The Best Ken Banners Poll is still ongoing; up at strawpoll(dot com) /polls/w4nWDJQ5WgA and for those on the FFDotNet end of things the link is on my Twitter so you can check that at eostian.

So next up we'll be going back south towards the next booster location; Xenera. Of course before we get there we have to stop in at Alcanth; back to back slave states!

Yaaaaaaaaay...

Backslash sarcasm.

Until then please leave a comment and say what you liked, didn't like and felt could have been done better. There's a fair bit left for the Rad section; at least two chapters and another Interlude. Until them!

~~Eostian Scribe