On her way to this place, this Manor near the edge of Leyndell, she'd been wondering.
Pondering just why Godwyn would ask her to come here. To a place, if her mother is correct, the lord so rarely visits when compared to his other properties.
Mother…
The growing spark of hate and defiance, coupled with the fact she is almost close enough to bury a dagger into the blond's broad, chiseled, and very exposed back before he detects her…
She thinks she knows why.
Curse you mother…
Alecto's poisonous words and acts must have finally 'broken through', so to speak.
Which…hurts.
Even when she knows it shouldn't. Alecto's training has made sure she is of sterner stuff after all.
Or at least it should.
So why…
Why does it hurt?
"Ah, Tiche," Godwyn says, and rises from his desk.
Physical pain she can endure. And if Mother's insinuation's are anything to go by, a certain part of her will be hurting quite a bit in short order. Despite her, admittedly somewhat, frantic last minute preparations.
But there was only so much she could with so short a notice.
About what she expected from Alecto really.
And yet, as the lord turns, the pain in her heart grips her with an unexpected potency. She thought herself ready. Thought herself better. And—
Tiche freezes.
For Godwyn is smiling as he turns to face her.
A smile which has little to do with the one her mother oft wears.
"Pray pardon me for the abrupt…summons."
That's one way to put it.
"But I could think of no better way," the man says with an apologetic smile on his stupid handsome face. Not that she'll fall for such a trick. It wasn't the first time kindness had been—
"And, despite how likely this is to be a trick. Yet another of Alecto's schemes about to see me humbled yet again…"
Despite knowing better.
Guarding her heart.
Tiche lets out a tiny gasp as the lord, in a rare moment of vulnerability, rubs the back of his neck and sends a blinding smile her way. "I choose to believe you are different. That the Tiche I've come to known in the brief moments of privacy we've had here and there, that that girl is the real deal. That is to say. The reason why I've summoned you is—"
Her body has been put through hell.
Trained to the limits of augmented flesh and beyond.
Bound and one with her will.
So why.
Why…
Why do her knees tremble and the words she tries to speak come out as choked gasps.
"Tiche?" the lord immediately closes the distance, his strong arms grasping her lithe form clad in but a white shift. Another of her mother's cruel games. Both a way to no doubt shatter what Tiche, might, might have dreamed and to further test and keep her skills sharp as she made her way to this Manor dressed like so and in broad daylight. "Are you alright?"
At his worried frown, as he checks her all over, and then alarmed scans the room…
She can't help but let out a wet chortle.
Maybe this is but another lesson, courtesy of her mother.
But as the worried blond demigod holding her, prepared to protect her against any unseen attackers...
As if you could see us coming…
Well, the rest of her sisters. He might be able to react in time against, and, perhaps, even Alecto.
For even if a display of skill between Mother and Daughter would likely be decided by a coin toss in truth.
Godwyn has often dealt with her mother, even if not on the field of battle, and so, Tiche suspects it to be quite likely for his body, on some deeper level to react to cues his waking mind would ignore or fail to notice alltogether.
Still, all that is irrelevant.
She lets out another weak, wet laugh. More of a sob really.
Such a failure. I am such a failure, perhaps mother was right…
"Tiche?"
Looking up at the man cradling her protectively in his warm embrace she can't help it, she smiles.
"I am…I am alright, my lord."
"But—"
At Godwyn's worried frown, she can't help it, and even if some doubt still remains in her heart. She is more or less convinced Alecto has, for once, made a blunder.
And so, she giggles.
He looks like a puppy. Or, perhaps, like the noble advisor of Lord Godfrey!
Tiche, of course, doesn't share such.
A man's pride is a precious thing after all. Even she, for all of her inexperience, knows that much.
"Pray forgive me, my lord. It's just…"
The warm calloused hands pulling back her shift's hood and playing with her hair, make her shiver. "Yes?" His kind voice not helping matters.
"I thought this…your summons to be for another reason entirely."
The hand freezes.
As does her heart, and she dares to look up from the comfortable steel like chest, Godwyn's frown making her whimper.
Did…did she make a mistake after all?
"What do you mean, Tiche?"
The evident confusion in the lord's tone, makes the decision for her. She can't keep on living like this. She has to know, one way or another! Even her worst fears confirmed would still be a form of peace for her long battered heart after all.
She takes a deep breath and steel fills her gaze. "I thought my mother had…had…" heh, even with her mind made up she still can't speak the words it would seem. Perhaps the memories of Alecto's…care ran deeper than she thought. Still, there are ways around it. "I came prepared for you to ruin me," she hisses at last, meeting Godwyn's frown with a defiant glare of her own. Prepared for any outcome. "Was I wrong?"
The answer her heart craves is not the one she is likely to receive.
After all, Tiche had long accepted that the world didn't work that way, nor did it really care for her.
"Yes."
Her breath hitches again.
Her knees wobble again.
Perhaps she wasn't as prepared as she thought after all.
"M-my lord?"
Godwyn sighs, the golden eyes closing as he does, the man seeming to coming to a decisions of his own. Almost as if…as if he too is steeling himself.
Impossible! The Golden Lord never hesitates after all! It is known!
As quickly as the thought comes she pauses.
For amongst the subjects of the goddess many things were 'known'. Most of them being what Queen Marika herself had chosen to allow said subjects to know.
So.
Could it be perhaps that…
And to choose to share that, show such vulnerability to me?
Much as Tiche struggles to believe it, it very well might be the case that on this day, much like her mother. She too has been wrong. Only in this instance? Tiche is happy.
Godwyn's eyes snap open and he too seems to have made up his mind.
"Very well then. It seems we are laying all our Runes on the table. I thought to broach the subject in another manner and yet. Bah, if this is yet another of Alecto's schemes let her have the last laugh, that mother damned hag."
Tiche never quite understood why the Golden Lord used said moniker against her mother. The artificial signs of aging only ever seemed to inflame Godwyn's lusts after all.
"I want you, Tiche."
She doesn't squeak in surprise!
S-so forward!
And she'll stab anyone who says otherwise!
…present company excluded, of course.
"Perhaps, as I've said I'm wrong, but I believe you to be different to the rest of your…sisters." Godwyn's lip curling in distaste matches her own feelings in her most private moments. "So, come, be mine. Be my knife and my knife alone. Be free of your mother's grip. That is, assuming I judged you correctly, and, of course you want to."
The strong hands holding her are the only thing keeping her on her feet as her breath comes in quick short gasps. While her core, her traitorous core…
"My…mother," she gasps. "And the Lady Goddess…"
"Bah. The hag is irrelevant. As for my Mother…let me deal with her. Not that I expect her to deny me this. To deny me you. And besides, the rest of your Order needs not know the truth quite yet, so, what say you?"
Her answer comes in the form of a mewling noise escaping her lips as she presses her burning cheeks against the lord's…her Lord's chest.
"Stupid…"
"Tiche?"
"Yes, you big dumb puppy!"
"…puppy?"
"Eep!
Did…did she just say that last part outloud?
"Tiche, did you—"
With shame and excitement filling her heart in equal measure she does the one thing she can to hide her shame.
Namely raises her head as fast as she can, mashing her lips against those of her Lord.
And wicked glee fills her for her mother failed twice today.
The semi-translucent white shift Alecto forced her to wear? It's not all that dissimilar to a bride's dress, and even if she knows that to be impossible for one such as her. This…this won't be all that different.
Godwyn's surprise doesn't last all that long and, with a deep rumble that sees her juices utterly soak the tuft of her above her pussy alongside her thighs, her Lord returns the favor.
Ok, this was unexpected!
"Are you suuure~?"
Or, at least, I didn't think it to be so easy.
Growling and deepening the kiss, my arms start exploring every inch they can reach of Tiche's soft nubile body, even as I, remain prepared to react to any sudden…attempts.
Something which seemed unlikely before and even more so now.
Still, it does pay to be cautious.
This is the way, or something like it, I likely went out in that other future after all.
But with every passing moment, as I squeeze Tiche's supple ass, her soft thighs and her perky breasts. Making the woman mewl and melt into our kiss, her mouth and tongue seemingly hungry for mine as she all but melds into me. Rubbing her tight body against my own. Even throwing a shapely long leg around me and grinding her dripping crotch over the thin fabric against my already diamond like cock…
I'm reasonably convinced this ain't no ploy and my gamble with Tiche, more than likely, has seemingly paid off.
"My Lord~ My lord My Lord~!"
Her gasped delirious mumbles between small breaks don't help matters either.
Growling, I jerk back, breaking the kiss.
"E-eh?" Leaving a startled and wide-eyed Tiche staring, as she attempts to recover her wits.
Only for my arms to fly down, grab her by her juicy ass and, with one of her legs still flush against my back, hoist her up.
"Eep!"
"Tiche," I growl as I take quick steps away from the desk and towards the nearby bed. "Last chance," I say as I stop right next to it. "If you—"
"Ruin me!"
I am not ashamed to admit no sound comes out of my mouth for a bit despite working the muscles.
"Pardon?"
"Claim me, my Lord! Ruin me! Make me yours! Not because my mother said so, but because you want me. Because I choose to!"
Well, not touching that. For quite a long while. So the only thing I can do…
Is nod.
"As my knife wishes," I say and as Tiche shudders in apparent joy, I lower her as if she were a princess upon the sheets and…then promptly tear the irritating shift off her body, earning a delighted gasp from the girl as her breasts jiggle and the scent of her delicious looking pussy hits me even harder. "Don't mind if I do."
With a grunt and before the girl can do more than blink I grasp her legs, spreading them and dive right in.
Drawing a long moan out of her, one that I do my best to keep going, as I feast upon her flushed lips and juices as if she were roast fresh of the fire. My penis all but shouting in my head. Demanding to claim Tiche.
To give her the ravishing she so generously asked for.
And soon enough, seemingly finding a weak spot, has her belly start to spasm, her legs jerk and, letting them go free, quickly wrap around my skull as she fills it with her nectar.
Soon after, her limbs fall nervelessly down and, flushed, sweating, breathing deeply, Tiche gives me a loving, goofy smile.
"My Lord…"
And my grin causes her to blink.
"Ready for round 2?" I ask as I rise and climp ontop, with one hand guiding my member towards her entrance and leering hungrily down at my murderous wide-eyed doe.
"Eep!"
Silly girl she should know better by now. As if this was enough to satisfy me.
Her renewed moans a few moments later as she writhes under me, legs clamped around my back, somehow manage to sound even sweeter than they have every time before. Especially when I coat her womb white, and then do so again, and again.
"Must you two really fight?"
Lucia lets out a tired sigh.
"Tis not my wish that we be at odds so, Shandra, no. You know that."
The old Matron of the Orphanage merely lets out a considering hum at that. Continuing to stir the delicious smelling pot while outside the laughter of the children can be heard.
"As you say, my lady."
"Shandra…"
"But, if it pleases you, would it not be possible to, if not end, at least put a halt to this feud for a little while? Imagine how happy the children will be where the both of you to visit."
Lucia catches the small and quickly hidden spasm on the old woman's hand and her breath hitches.
"I'll…I'll try." That's all she can promise really.
But it seems to lift Shandra's spirits regardless if the briliant smile the Matron offers her is any indication, a smile which despite the weathered face and sunken gums, looks to Lucia the same as that of a young girl back when Shandra's hair still had color in it.
And, despite it all, her own spirits seem lighter afterwards, Shandra's cooking, only improved by age, no doubt playing a helping hand.
And as she waves her goodbyes later, making her way through Leyndell and towards the barracks of the rest of her Lord's knights the pleasant mood remains.
Or, more like, the home of the Crucible Knights, once employed by Lord Godfrey, as the sound of blades clashing, spears singing, and barked orders reaches her before she even makes it to the door.
Nodding at some of the captains in approval she makes her way towards her second.
"My lady?"
"Gaive, what news?"
The man whose well kept beard and hair resembled the color of a wolf, brightens at her arrival. The sight, again, not too dissimilar from a wolf with the face of a human.
"Ah, my lady! So good of you to come, all is well, you needn't worry."
"That is good—"
"Except, perhaps…"
That, she likes not the sound of.
"Well, there's been rumors, you see. Ghastly stuff, which, I thought Lord Godwyn might well best kept appraised off."
"Out with it."
"While we can't be certain, the guards, and some of the folk report that some ghastly murders have taken place around Leyndell. Not as of yet within the capital thankfully, and more likely than not the imaginings of the small folk, but…"
She sighs, and nods. Unlikely to be more than mere rumors tis true and yet… "I'll let Lord Godwyn know."
Gaive smiles. "Thank you, my Lady, that is all I ask."
Doing her rounds around the barracks and armed with any and all knowledge her Lord might need to know Lucia promptly leaves and makes for Godwyn's Manor near the walls.
One he's rarely chosen to use.
And as she makes her way inside, the muffled voices reaching her, she suspects the cause.
"Ah~ah~ah~"
Opening the door to the bedroom, she sighs upon finding her lord, as she'd heard some of the small folk put it, 'balls deep' in that Knife girl. Her Lord on top and Tiche's legs wrapped tightly around Godwyn's chiseled back.
Arousal and irritation war within her despite this not being the first time she happened upon such, but, at least, her Lord. In recent years had the decency to…make himself decent by the time she arrived.
Nor does she mind, per say. Godwyn is after all, larger than life. He deserves this and more. But…she pray needs not see it!
Still, at least, he hopes this one proves about as fertile as her, as her Lord put it, 'hag' of a mother.
It's not like Godwyn ever pulls out…
"I see my Lord is busy," she growls, voice clipped. And not because she long dreamt of writhing as the girl does under—
"Ah! L-Lucia. Hello—"
"Pray forgive my interruption," she says instead and spins around, leaving with stomping steps. The news forgotten. But, its not like they were truly important. Leyndell, the recent dragon…'visit' aside had long been at peace after all.
With Lucia's interruption serving as a moment of clarity for us both, we continue to lay there.
Tiche pinned under me, flushed, her perky breasts jiggling with each panting breath as the girl's eyes all but smolder with lust.
Lust which, it seems, Lucia's visit has helped douse some for, heeding the angry cries of my twitching penis, still enveloped within Tiche's warm, and most welcoming, moist prison.
She blinks.
"My Lord?"
"What is it?" I growl some, despite trying not to. But controlling myself while sheathed inside a woman had never been my strongest suite lets just say.
"Mine apologies but, could you, pull out?"
Frowning I open my mouth, even as I prepare to do as asked but before I can give voice, Tiche seems to realize something and she blushes. The contrast with her pale-hair is most alluring and my dick protests my decision to heed her demand even more so.
"Ah, I do not mean that I wish for us to…to stop."
And now I am even more confused.
"But?"
"Well, my…my mother did say my Lord would wish to…experience my rear."
"And we can do that another time—"
But Tiche shakes her head. "Forgive me my Lord, but no. She will check. And thus, it is best if she finds what she is looking for. Wouldn't want her to suspect something, no?"
And the smile she gives me, so similar to that of Alecto's own, makes me growl even as I pull out with an angry growl, my penis twitching in mad protest as, despite the best efforts of Tiche's clinging walls I pull out.
"Fine." I say and, grabbing my diamond hard member, guide it towards Tiche's rosebud who seems to quiver in both anticipation and fear as my tip gives it a kiss while I somehow manage to muster enough focus to barely fumble through one of the incantations I developed for just such occasions. Tiche shuddering at she sensation of manifested faith serving as lube. "But we do this slow, no need for you to get hurt," I say, and it seems I've chosen my words correctly for the girl shudders again. This time not from the lube. A small grin on her lips.
"My Lord~"
"Are you ready?" I ask, and I fear even if her answer is negative I won't be able to stop.
"Yes!"
Thankfully I never have to find out.
Breathing a relieved sigh I slowly, gently push myself into her rear.
Drawing a whimper out of Tiche's lips as my tip pushes past her madly squeezing ring and, marshaling every last drop of my will manage to stop and hold myself there, waiting for the moisture to vanish from Tiche's rapidly blinking eyes and her lips to relax.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I continue, until at last, I'm once again hilted and laying atop her.
My balls churning madly with need as I wait for Tiche's quiet hisses to cease, and her ring to yield to my dick.
"Tiche?" I ask, more so that I can distract us both, for her tightness…
Her pulsating ring and even the rest of her bowels trying to desperately milk my penis akin to a second pussy despite not being accustomed to such an invasion is making it mighty hard to resist the urge to abandon all reason and start pumping with gusto.
But no. I've come to far to let things fall apart now.
"M-my Lord?"
"I was wondering something," I say, my voice light, tone musing as I lean forward and steal another kiss before breaking for breath shortly after.
"Y-yes?"
"Do you think your mother ever did something like this with someone else?"
Offended rage fills Tiche's features and I resist the urge to grin even in her anger she seems determined to make it difficult for me to avoid doing so and fuck her silly both. For her arse is even tighter!
"Am I not enough for my lord?"
"Ah, apologies, did not mean to imply anything of the short, and pray forgive me for bringing up another woman while we…ahem. But…I was just wondering. And to be more exact, wondering if she perhaps used an opportunity such as this to…well…deal with someone."
Huffing, Tiche rolls her eyes.
"We both know what she is like, my Lord. So the answer, is probably…yes."
Ah crud, is that worry in her eyes, is she perhaps wondering if I am wondering if she…
Well ok, sure, I'm not entirely certain if this isn't some sort of ploy but I have an idea as to how to find out for sure. But for now…
I steal another kiss.
"Fret not, I wasn't doubting you, my dear," I say and this time, her cheeks darken not of rage.
"I wasn't wondering…"
Leaning in close and nibbling gently in her ear I whisper. "You see, I was merely wondering if she did do something like this and offed some poor sod, did she perhaps, right at the very end, happen to whisper… 'knife knowing you'?"
Tiche freezes.
And then starts to tremble.
Before groaning and then giggling and then groaning until she starts letting out soft pearl like laughs interposed between more groans.
"My Lord is stupid! This…this was horrible!"
Raising my head and meeting her eyes I grin. "Made you forget about my dick up your arse though did it not?"
"Eh?" Tiche's eyes widen. "That's even worse!"
"Oh, I'll show you worse."
"Eep! P-please be gentle!"
Despite my words and the desire burning within, I somehow manage to. And in the end, Tiche's ass proves to be indeed as hungry as her pussy. Milking me for every last drop.
"My Lord?"
At the sound of her voice, her lord stirs, and, with a wince turns toward her.
"Ah, Nago…"
The sigh and his tone making her frown, the rumors of murders taking place leaving her mind as does the book she'd, in truth, only managed to get her hands on thanks to her association with her new friend, Lansseax's name, amusingly enough, helping some of the librarians turn less stingy with a few of the more well guarded tomes.
"My Lord, Ilirei," she says, closing the distance and placing 'On seals and containment' on the table, her lord's eyes only glancing at it for a moment.
Things must be serious then.
"What's wrong?"
"Dearest Nago, nothing is wrong, it's just—"
"Ilirei."
"Oh very well," he says with a sigh, and a tiny smile. Which suits him better in her opinion.
"Lord Haight has answered."
"Truly? Why that is great news—"
"His answer was…less than agreeable."
"Oh."
"Indeed. Why, it was even delivered personally by a member of his retinue. 'My Lord greets you and hopes you are well. He also accepts your offer of renewed friendship but…'"
"But?"
Ilirei's smile turns a tad pained.
"Well, let's just say the rest of the words are not fit for the ears of a maiden."
Making her huff, even if a smile and a small blush adorns her cheeks.
"You know darn well, I am not—"
"You are to me."
Not trusting herself to speak she merely nods until she can be certain she is once again in control.
"Well, nothing to it, then."
"Nago?"
"Lord Haig's refusal. The Lord of western Limgrave's refusal, is a bitter blow, yes. But, when have things ever been easy for us, my Lord?"
And the return of a smile to her lord's face is a gratifying sight.
"Ah. You are correct, of course."
"Tis usually the case," she says with a cheeky grin, earning a chuckle as Ilirei stands.
"Very well then, we merely have to…adapt our strategy some. As you said, this is not worse than what we've had to overcome before. For our cause."
"For our freedom."
The migraine, courtesy of the Beast, once again reminding her of what it is to be mortal as she sits in her marble bed, so close to the empty Elden Throne, will soon pass.
But she hates the feeling all the same.
Or rather, how she is being forced to experience it despite her own wishes on the matter.
God she may proclaim herself, and her strength is nigh unrivaled but still, in her heart of hearts, Marika the Goddess is not that different from Marika the young mortal Miko.
Family, that's what's important.
Her family that is.
And she'll do anything, anything to protect it.
Including, much to her shame and despair in the long hours of the night, let go of her weaker children. For a goddess she might be, but, as the Beast so often helps remind her. Marika's power is not unrivaled. Or without limit.
Thus, she can but keep close those whom she might be able to protect. Those whose strength will see them survive until she can rush to their aid. And who'll still be alive by the time she gets there. Unlike…
Unlike the times she'd grown attached before.
Luckily for her, and as further proof of what a horrible woman she is, her favorites—
What mother should have favorites?
The Grandmother didn't, after all.
Nonetheless, both Messmer and her darling Godwyn are strong.
Very strong.
So she can afford to once again risk her heart.
And it is a vile heart, for she knows the desire that gnaws at her Golden Boy from within. And, does little to help him get rid of it, instead, only helping to embolden said flame…
Truly she is vile.
But such is who she is.
Still for a moment, a desperate thought once again fills her.
Should I ask my boys for help?
Messmer, after all, would rush to her side heedless of all risk and danger to himself if she but called.
And Godwyn…
Godwyn, she suspects would sooner move the realm and the star itself if she but asked. Or at least try.
And that's why she dares not risk it.
Neither of them are strong enough to help her against the Beast, or what she fears lurks in the dark corners of the world.
Not even if both of them deigned to surrender to the curses lurking under their skin.
Although, much to her private relief and shame, Godwyn's own seems…tamer, is the word for it she supposes.
It's there no doubt, like in most of her children of note.
The ones with a worthy fate.
Such a vile mother, having favorites…
But it doesn't seem to be actively hurting him, limiting him, or trying to take him over.
So, she'll take it.
For once, it would seem, those vile jar-masons. Their curse has failed. If not entirely, at least in the ways that matter.
No…No. I can't risk it.
She will have to make it through this trial on her own.
And speaking of trials.
Despite the receding dull throb in her head, or the brightness in the corners of her eyes, she smiles as a certain dragon in the guise of a human enters her bedchambers.
"G-greetings, Lady Goddess!" the obvious nervousness in this, 'Lansseax's' voice makes her smile widen. And it is obvious enough for even her knives to giggle darkly, as they are wont to.
She inclined her head, "Come here, child," she says and pats the marble of her bed.
With her nervousness growing with each step, Lansseax does just that, coming to trembling stop but a step or two from her.
"Kneel."
The girl immediately does so and Marika doesn't even have to exert her will for it to be so.
"Do you know why I've summoned you here, child?"
Lansseax's pupils dilate.
"Ah."
"I see you realize," she says with a nod and the smile vanishes off of Marika's face as she leans forward. Watching a dragon, if in the shape of a human, grow pale is not an unpleasant feeling she will admit. "Know that were my dear Godwyn not fond of you so. For what you tried, I would have your limbs torn, your flesh as my dress, your blood as my wine, and I would have your undying form hanging by your entrails and damn the 'peace'," she hisses and then, as the dragon whimpers, she leans back and smiles.
"Unfortunately. For me that is. My dear boy seems to like you so I won't."
Lansseax, color seeming to return to her features dares meet her eyes once more.
And Marika, grinning, spreads her legs and parts her dress.
"Come."
"E-eh?"
Making her huff and roll her eyes.
"Are you truly as dull as you appear? You my dear girl, must be punished, but, given that my child has yet to claim you in truth, beyond your filthy mouth that is. For I've been watching… And I've yet to warm his bed… This, I'm afraid, will have to do."
"L-lady goddess, I…"
Raising a finger causes Lansseax to pause as she reaches to a nearby bowl and, placing a nectarine between her thighs…
Pulps it.
"You either service me or…"
"I-I'll do it!"
"Good girl," she cooes as the terrified girl inches closer, and in a parody of the affection she longs to once again shower Godwyn with, runs her fingers through the girl's silver hair. "And fear not you won't…get pregnant from this. Neither will I." Such a stupid little girl really. "But, know this, everytime Godwyn kisses you from now on, he'll be sharing an indirect kiss with me!"
The thrill that courses through her as she gives voice to that…
She is vile.
"And know the fervor with which my darling boy would kiss you were he to learn of w-what, ah~, your lips are now doing, would have little to do with you~"
But such is her nature.
…and did her words cause the stupid girl to try harder?
Surely not.
Entering the room with to a chorus of his sister's muffled, pain filled moans, has Fortissax pause.
"Sister, are you well? Did someone—"
From her spot on her bed, Lansseax, cradling her face in her palms, turns toward him and with a sniffle.
"'y thaw huuuurts!"
And indeed, the area around her lips appears somewhat swollen and bruised.
Causing Fortissax to breath a sigh of relief, Lansseax had been gone for the better part of a day after all…
But it would seem he needn't have worried.
Lansseax had merely been Lansseax after all and no doubt done something foolish.
He promptly turns around, leaving the room.
"'other!"
Seems he has little to worry about, his sister merely went and did something stupid again.
"You summoned me, ol' man?" I ask as I step into the room and the sound of a hammer falling upon an anvil stops for a moment.
"That I did, whelp," Hewg says with a grunt and nods to something set next to him. "I've finally figured out a solution for that problem of yours. A temporary one, at least."
"Problem?"
"Marika's grace! You know damn well what I'm talking about you damn giant in the shape of a man," the old man spits making me grin. "So, until I can finally find something which won't break under those brutish hands of yours, this will have to do."
For half of me, the black barrel next to Hewg, similar in color to my war-plate and rising to almost half my height is new. And yet, this is known to the rest of me.
Or something similar at least.
Even if the resemblance is uncanny.
"This is…"
Hewg grunts and, crosses his arms even as I pull one of the three blades from the rotating barrel sheath.
"A way to avoid having you to scavenge for the weapons of the fallen in a battlefield, like an animal. And thus, perhaps, manage to preserve some of the Goddess' dignity for having someone like you as a son."
Despite the ol' man's acerbic tone, I smile and give him a short bow.
He wouldn't bother making something like this for just anyone after all.
Or filling it with two of his, no doubt, best blades. Even if they are unlikely to last any longer than my already repaired favorite.
"Thank you Master Hewg."
"Bah," the man waves his arm in dismissal. "Merely serving the goddess, whelp. Now, away with you. And prey keep the dragon whelps alive, although what the lot of you plan to do, visiting Caelid of all places…"