Chapter 115:

Beads of sweat ran down Anton's face, following the contours of his face before dripping off his eyebrows and chin. The training, as it could be hesitantly called, had drained nearly all of his strength. So much so that he could barely stand. And it still wasn't over. The wooden sword chaffed his hands under the strain and he was certain his skin was riddled with tiny splinters. His opponent, however, wasn't suffering such ailments.

"Come on Anton!" Verona cheered from the sidelines. "You can do it!"

Verona, Kal and Rasha stood at the front of the assembled crowd. Both of his wives cheered him on even as he received a one-sided battering, Kal more subdued than Verona, and Rasha clapped along with the rest of the villagers.

"I haven't even got one hit in yet," Anton said to himself, loud enough that they could hear over the cheers of the villagers. "Thank the gods that she can't use magic."

Cetina stood opposite Anton, a wooden sword in her hand. She was tired from physical exertion but nowhere near as bad. It helped that she hadn't been hit once yet. Her breathing and posture were far calmer than his. Thankfully she hadn't fallen into her trance otherwise the spar would have ended with a single strike.

"Are we still going?" Cetina asked, trying to suppress the snark that inadvertently came through. The crowd didn't care and laughed heartily. Cetina was a bit embarrassed but retained her stance.

"Not yet." Anton gripped the sword tight. "If I can get a single hit I'll consider it a win."

Cetina smiled and slowly began to advance with her sword raised.

I wish that I actually knew how to use a sword, and not just swing it about like a lunatic. I've heard of things like openings and counters, parries...But I have no idea how to do that. And there's no way I can use what little I know against her.

Anton sighed and readied his body for another pummelling. Despite his armour, the wooden sword hurt. He would definitely have bruises when they weren't finished.

"You can do it!" Kal shouted over the crowd.

"Just one hit!" Verona shouted. "I know you can do it!"

Rasha didn't know what to say so clapped alongside the Atros villagers.

"Here we go."

Anton raised his sword and advanced on Cetina. He had no idea if he was holding it right or if his footwork was good, only that it felt the most comfortable.

Better to go with what feels best when you've got absolutely no idea what you're doing.

Cetina lunged at him, her sword directed at his stomach. While the edges had been ground down just the sheer force of the weapon was enough to take his breath away. Anton jumped back but almost lost his footing and started to fall backwards. By the time he moved his foot back to steady himself Cetina was on him again. She slashed upwards in an attempt to knock his sword out of his hands. He stepped back further, this time focusing his mind on his feet, and managed to dodge the attack. Cetina didn't try again and resumed her stance.

She's hardly just going to chase me so I can take advantage of some mistake, which I wouldn't even know if I saw it unless she just fell over. I'm going to have to be on the offensive...I hope my sides can endure this.

Anton swung sideways at Cetina. Unfortunately, she was far better trained than he was. She angled her sword and deflected his towards the ground. Taking advantage of his forward momentum she dashed forward and planted her shoulder into his chest. It took the wind from his lungs and pushed him back, his legs skittering across the grass while his arms and sword waved about. Cetina, if this was a real fight, could have easily finished him off but didn't. This was a sparring match after all.

Anton rubbed where Cetina had struck. The armour that he wore wasn't strong enough to stop the impact force from a very strong woman’s shoulder charge. It didn't help that he didn't have much padding underneath.

Ulyaa said that her silk is supposed to be very strong. Perhaps having it as an underlay would be a good idea. Certainly would be now.

"Are you alright?" Kal asked. She looked ready to move in to stop the match but wasn't ready to make that call on her own.

"I'm fine." Anton laughed as he rubbed his chest. "Just going to be a bit sore after this. She's pretty strong. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I was going against Rasha."

The crowd looked at the tall blue Minotaur. It had been an idea at the beginning but it had been decided against since Rasha was simply too big and strong. Her arms alone were almost as thick as his legs. Rasha smiled awkwardly under the scrutiny of her body, several were directed at her substantial chest, before sighing in relief as everyone turned back to the sparring match.

"You can't stand still and talk in a real fight." Cetina flicked her sword towards the ground. "If you did-"

"My opponent wouldn't exactly wait patiently for me to finish my conversation. Would they?" Cetina smiled and shook her head. "They'd probably run me through the moment I looked away. Thankfully this is just a sparring match."

"You still haven't got a hit on me yet," Cetina said softly.

"You can do it, Anton!" A familiar voice shouted out from the crowd. A small deer-like creature sneezed and squeaked loudly.

"I certainly bloody hope so. Otherwise, these bruises will be for nothing."

"You are getting better." Cetina chuckled. "Slowly, but you aren't making the same mistakes you were at the beginning."

"I'd like to blame your armour but..."

They both chuckled as they readied their stance once again. Anton moved first, running straight at her. Cetina crouched low and moved a foot behind her for stability. She was going to take him head-on. Anton dug his feet into the ground, the grass flying loose in great clumps. Cetina looked surprised but didn't soften her body. Anton staggered before going to one knee and picking up a fistful of grass and sandy dirt.

Going to have to borrow from your playbook, Kal.

Cetina didn't appear to see what he did when he held the sword with both hands. A few leaves stuck out but hopefully, Cetina wouldn't think much of it. He advanced again and just before they were in range Anton threw the grass and sand at her face. Shock and surprise covered her face as the mass of rubbish hit her. She scrunched her good eye to avoid the debris. Anton charged and swung down, hitting her in the leg. The wood clanged and bounced off her armour but he didn't care. A hit was a hit.

Unfortunately for him one of Cetina's eyes still functioned. She dug her heels into the ground and swung her sword down onto Anton's back, a terrific crack resounded through the air.

"Ow!" Anton scurried away, dropping his sword and holding his back. "Ow. How much force did you put into that?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it that hard." Cetina appeared genuinely remorseful. She looked at Verona and Kal, who didn't seem too worried, then to the crowd, who were far more concerned. "When you threw that grass into my face I sort of panicked and went on instinct."

"Did you fall into that trancey thing of yours?" Anton pushed hard on his back.

"No...But it was getting close."

"Anton wins!" Verona cheered. "All he had to do was get a hit in. Which he did. So all you people betting, pay up."

"You didn't take a bet, did you?"

Verona smirked and turned to Rasha. The Minotaur looked away as she pursed her lips.

"Did you bet against me, Rasha?"

"It was only the meat for tonight," Rasha spoke very quickly. "I can't eat it anyway, so Verona was going to give me her vegetables if you lost."

"Which he didn't." Verona laughed. "So make sure to ask for a lot of meat tonight."

Rasha sighed and smiled exasperatedly at Anton.

"I had no part in this," Kal said adamantly. "I knew you were going to win."

A loud clap interrupted the general murmuring of the crowd. "Alright, everyone!" The trainer stepped forward. "The fun's over and so is training for the day."

Anton looked towards the sun already quite low in the east. The day had gone by very quickly.

"Put your weapons away and get some rest." The trainer continued. "Pretty sure we'll be having dinner once the sun has set. Don't forget to have some water, you'll have lost a lot during training."

Slowly the crowd dispersed, leaving Anton to try and catch his breath.

"You did wonderful, Anton." Verona ran up and hugged his sore chest hard. Anton groaned at the pain. "Sorry. I thought you would have healed yourself."

"Not yet. But soon I think." Anton rotated his shoulder. "One of Cetina's strikes hit me in the shoulder and it's really numb now."

"That wasn't my intention." Cetina moved closer. "Why did you decide to throw that grass at me at the end?"

"I knew I couldn't beat...land a hit by fighting normally. So I had to copy someone that I know fights like that."

Anton turned to Kal who smiled under their gaze.

"Tricks I learned to survive." Kal chuckled. "A lot of the time they aren't ready for it. Though it only works a few times."

"Once is enough." Anton reached out and gently rubbed her ear. "Normally you fight your opponent to the death, not a friendly spar."

"Nothing friendly about how she smacked that sword over your back."

Kal narrowed her eyes at Cetina. Cetina began to panic under the brilliant green eyes. Kal couldn't maintain her expression and it quickly softened. Cetina breathed easy knowing she hadn't done something terrible.

"But aren't you going to heal yourself?" Kal asked. "You do look like you're breathing is a little difficult."

"Just to take the edge off," Anton said. "I still don't have that much and I don't want to pass out."

Anton chanted a prayer aloud to heal his wounds so they were more bearable. It took only a bit of his mana but he found breathing easier and his upcoming bruises less painful.

Rasha ground a hoof onto the dry grass. "I'm surprised they don't have anyone that can do that in Seocuria. It would keep a lot of Beastkin slaves alive. And it's not like they don't have the money."

"If Tethra said the truth than we might be the only two in the world that can use her power right now." Anton rubbed Kal’s head. "Which makes us kind of special, I think. The only other place that might have them are the Deweth Clans."

Both Kal and Rasha turned grim at the mere mention of that place. Verona and Cetina raised a brow to him.

"What could the Clansmen possibly do to the Beastkin that the Seocurians already don't do?"

Kal was hesitant to answer.

Rasha sighed as she played with her red hair. "The Seocurians, despite all the crap they put us through, still need us to work. The Clansmen...Don't."

"Oh..."

"I don't understand." Verona glanced between the two Beastkin.

"Some are used for work." Rasha continued. "In the freezing cold and ice. Usually, they send the Canine or Wolf Beastkin but sometimes the Seocurians will give them someone like me, who doesn't have any fur, or like Eider, who's cold-blooded."

"And she'd just stop and freeze." Anton frowned. "It's meant to snow here too..."

"I've never seen it myself but that's what happens." Rasha shrugged. "Apparently."

"Even if it doesn't the stories are enough to keep you in line." Anton looked at the snow-capped mountain range on the distance. "Freezing to death is not a good way to go. Doubly so when there's probably a whip on your back."

"Is there a good way?" Rasha asked softly.

Anton shrugged. "A bullet to the head would probably be the best. If it had to happen." Cetina and Rasha looked a little confused. Earth terms had no meaning in this world. At least for now. "Sounds like we're going to have to deal with the Clansmen after we're done with Seocuria."

"Do you regret letting those Clansmen go?" Verona asked.

"No. They were hardly a threat anymore. And that one...What was his name? Iva...Ivano, that's it. He seemed like a good person. Or at least that's how he came off to me. I wonder how they're doing. If we could speak to them we might be able to get books or something on how to use our powers. Even yours." Anton squeezed Verona's shoulder. "There are supposed to be some Blood Berserkers up there."

"Same with my hair." Verona twirled the long strands. "Apparently my clan, the Silver Eagles, or whatever they are called, are somewhere up there. Not that I want to know." Verona hugged his sore body tight. "I really don't want you to find a tall, busty, silver-haired woman. How would I compete against something like that?"

Anton laughed and kissed her head. Verona chuckled but only slightly relinquished her hold. Kal, however, still looked unhappy.

"Do you know what else they do, Rasha?" Kal asked. Rasha frowned lightly, a quick glance at Anton, before shaking her head.

Kal took a deep breath and flexed her hands. "A few winters after I escaped from Danafra I arrived at the base of the mountains between Seocuria and the Deweth Clans. It wasn't too bad, except in winter. Lots of food and water, everything I needed to survive. Just got too cold for me. One day I decided to risk a raid on a slave convoy heading up into the mountains."

"That sounds...Incredibly risky."

"Those convoys are incredibly well guarded," Cetina added, earning a look from Rasha. "I...We were involved in it. Moving Beastkin from plantation to plantation, nothing more."

Rasha frowned at Anton.

"Not us. Or really Cetina for that matter. We'll explain later but please continue Kal. Why?"

"Most of my clothes were worse than rags and winter was coming. I needed to stay warm and I hadn't thought of skinning animals yet. So I find it, not that hard, and sneak up and manage to steal some spare clothes. They were pretty good too. But, as I was leaving, I overheard one of the guards talking about the Beastkin like they weren't going to work."

Kal took another deep breath and violently shook her hands. "They said that a Clansmen only becomes a man once he's killed someone. But they can't spend all their time fighting each other so..."

It makes some sense, not that any of them want to hear that coming from my mouth.

Anton groaned dramatically. "Just another reason we need to hurry and free the Beastkin from Seocuria. If they can't be bought then the Clansmen will have to look elsewhere. Or realise that the ability to sink an axe into another man's skull doesn't make you a man."

"True. True." Verona looked over the Training Fields. "Looks like everyone is heading home. Are we going to do that..."

"I think a bath is first on the list." Anton sniffed his sweaty clothes. "These definitely need to be washed too. I guess that we get a bucket and rinse them."

"Never really had the chance to have a bath." Rasha smiled as she imagined submerging herself in water. "How big is it anyway?"

"Well, I say bath but it's simpler than that," Anton explained. "A bucket of water and a rag to scrub yourself with. Oh, and a wall to keep out any unwanted intruders."

"That's not too bad." Rasha chuckled. "We're used to a Seocurian water mage using us as practice."

"Wow," Anton said flatly.

"Yeah. They create a big ball of water and throw it at us. Or something more powerful and then they think we’re clean."

"Everyone gets what they want," Anton added snidely.

"I don't remember that," Kal said. "Was that after I escaped?"

"Umm. Yes. It would have to be. Only after they moved everyone to the big slave houses did it really start. Before that we were scattered all over the city, so it was a lot more difficult."

"Well, we don't have any water mages here." Anton continued. "Now, there is only one bath house and it's not that big. We're going to go in together but do either of you have a problem with having a shower alongside other women? I won't send you to wash naked alongside the boys, obviously."

"I..." Cetina scratched her head. "I'm not really comfortable with that."

"Me neither." Rasha faintly nodded. "I'd prefer to go alone."

"Is it an issue with seeing humans or Beastkin naked? Or something else?"

"Not the first one," Cetina said. "But I don't want to talk about it."

"Same," Rasha added. "But I don't think mine are the same reasons as Cetina."

I wonder what it is. Something on their bodies or are they just not comfortable being naked around other people? I shouldn't take that as an inherently wrong attitude.

"That's fine. But I can't guarantee you'll have long to yourself. There's a lot of people in Atros for such a small building. We need to think about making a much bigger, dedicated building for cleaning. And showers too. They'll save on time and water too."

"Any chance for one today?" Cetina asked.

"I could put a word in but I can't make any promises."

"Despite all this talk," Verona began, "If you really do feel dirty you can just get some water and a piece of cloth and to it in your own home. It doesn't really matter where you do it, it's just nice to have a whole building for it."

Both Cetina and Rasha nodded.

"Thanks for the match, Cetina. I'm sure you went easy on me but I enjoyed it. I think I learned a few things too."

"Thank you, Anton." Cetina bowed her head. "While I'm not a trainer I think you will do well given enough practice. And I'm sure the same could be said for Verona and Kal."

"I've only sparred against Sam before." Kal smiled and chuckled. "It'll be interesting to see if I can win two out of three this time. I'm a lot stronger than I was before."

"And to you too Rasha, just you being here means a lot to us. To my future plans."

"I didn't do anything really." Rasha was a little embarrassed by the praise. "I just let some of the Beastkin know what I was doing and they could come if they wanted too...Do you mean that Beastkin are allowed to train with humans?"

"Yes. It might seem small to you but it'll make a huge difference in the long run."

"If you say so, Anton. A lot of this stuff is beyond me. But if it helps this city then I'll do it."

"We need to go have that bath now." Verona pulled gently on Anton's arm. "And shave your beard. You need to look respectable for tonight."

Does she mean for dinner or what happens later?

Regardless of her intention, Kal agreed, nodding furiously as her eyes fell to his beard. Truth be told it was very scruffy and getting quite long. There were times it had become very itchy and irritable. It would be nice to feel his skin again.

"Okay. But Kal gets to use the blade."

"Yes."

"Why?" Verona asked. "I'm very good at controlling my blood shards. And if I do make a cut I can just keep the blood from leaking out until one of you can heal it."

"That's...An interesting application of your power, but not what I meant."

Verona huffed dramatically. "Fine then. But I want something from you then."

"Alright then.” Anton smiled. “I’ll make sure you get an extra serving tonight.”

“That’s not…You’re just messing with me now, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Anton kissed her head. “I don’t know what you two want to do…”

“Actually.” Rasha turned to Cetina. “I’d like some more practice.” She slapped her large muscular arms. “I’m not that tired yet and, if I’m going to come along for the thing tomorrow, I’d like to know a bit more about how to fight.”

Rasha frowned at the wooden sword. “I might need something a bit bigger though.”

“Sure.” Cetina smiled. “It’ll give me practice against a larger opponent. Though against the Goblins that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Whatever you do don’t go too far. I can heal wounds but if one of you goes and cracks a skull and bleeds out before one of us can get there…”

“We’ll be safe.” Cetina nodded. “It’s just practice, after all.”

“Okay. Well, we’ll see you later.”

---[]---

Anton’s clothes, sticky from sweat, clung lightly to his skin as he peeled them free. It felt horrible. Repulsive to peel himself free. With his clothes free he placed them into a small basket made from reeds next to Verona’s and Kal’s. Verona wasn’t having as much trouble, as her clothes were enchanted to be cool, otherwise, she’d overheat with the wolf fur underlay, while Kal grimaced at the sticky sensation.

“Do you think we could put some enchantments on these so they stay cool?” Kal asked as she whipped her shirt off. Her ears were caught and popped free, a cute squeak emanating as she shook her head. “It would be so much easier.”

“I don’t see why not.” Anton touched the underlay of Verona’s black hide armour as she removed her pants and added them to the pile. “After we’ve dealt with the Goblins we’ll do that.”

Luna darted around their feet constantly looking for attention. Anton picked her up and placed her into a basket with Verona’s clothes. Almost immediately she settled into the soft wolf fur underlay and began to doze, more than content to enjoy sniffing up their scent.

“Oh, you silly little thing.” Anton teased.

“You mean putting on enchantments after fixing the portal?” Verona raised a brow. She removed her silver barrette and ruffled her hair, her body shaking alluringly as she did so.

“That too. It’s been a long time since we’ve washed these.” Anton sniffed at his clothes. “Can’t imagine what you’re going through Kal.”

“It’s not too bad.” Kal threw her pants into the pile and neatly placed her boots on the floor. “The Beast-kin smelled pretty awful to me…I think we all stink.”

Anton took a moment to admire their bodies, after everything they’d done together there was no hint of shyness around each other. Perhaps if someone else saw but that was for other reasons. Neither cared how their bodies bounced and swayed as they moved, Anton was all but certain they were exaggerating their movements for that very reason. It wasn’t like they weren’t well proportioned, especially in Verona’s case. The girls knew he was ogling them and slinked their arms around his, pushing it into their very warm and soft bodies, and led him into the Bathhouse.

The Bathhouse, such as it was, was empty except for them. Since they had last visited it had been expanded greatly. Once just a small burnt building refurbished into an open-roofed enclosed space, all the wood had been replaced and the walls shored up. Before there had been a few holes and gaps, necessitating female guards during the time's women were bathing. The open roof remained, something Anton enjoyed despite the noise of the hustle and bustle of city life seeping through, which gave it a very open and spacious feeling. Despite everything, he thought it was just a room with a few buckets of water and some simple wooden stools. Compared to the baths in Porswea it was decidedly rural, very much like the Inn in Soulthor.

Anton took a seat and the girls on either side. He dipped his hands into the water and recoiled. “It’s bloody freezing.”

“How bad?” Verona tapped a finger into the icy water. “Oh. Wow…Yeah, that’s not going to be fun.” She squeezed at her breasts. “They’d turn to stone if I washed myself with that.” She sniggered as she looked at Anton’s crotch. “And the opposite with that.”

“Verona…” Kal sighed as she readied her cloth. “I’ve had to take washes with cold water like this. It’s best to get it over with and dry off as quickly as possible.”

Anton snapped his fingers and smiled. “Or…We could try something else.”

Anton stood up and moved back to the front of the bathhouse where they stored their clothes. Verona and Kal glanced at one another, shrugged, and waited silently for Anton to return. He looked around and found what he was looking for in the heel of his boot.

“What are you doing?” Verona asked as she returned. “I know Cetina and Rasha would like to have a wash as well. Why do you think they don’t want to have a wash with everyone else?”

“Probably because you’d try and grope them,” Kal spoke flatly. “Cetina wasn’t happy when you tried to feel up her breasts.”

Verona laughed and swatted Kal with her cloth before Anton sat down between them, Kal made sure Anton’s body was a barrier between them. “I couldn’t imagine what you would do to Rasha.”

“They are gigantic.” Anton chuckled. He looked at Verona, who pushed her chest out in pride. “Seems smaller than the normal Minotaurs that we saw in Danafra.”

“I’ve never seen an Oni before.” Kal glanced down. “But I think they are…large, to say the least. But not that big.”

“I wonder…First I want to try something.”

“Which is?” Verona shuffled closer. “I’d like to stop feeling so dirty soon.”

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“This.” Anton held up a small stone. “I thought something had been lodged in my boot all day, but it wasn’t really a problem.”

“Okay…” Kal looked at Verona, raising a questioning aqua brow. Verona shrugged and stared intently at the stone. “Oh. I think I know what you’re doing.”

“A Hot Stone.” Anton smiled. “Since we know that we can easily make a Cold Stone, why not do it here?”

“Hot water would be so good.” Verona stretched her legs, her red tattooed toes scrunched tight as she squeaked and let her legs relax. “I felt so relaxed after that bath. And then…”

“Your mind just can’t help itself.” Kal’s tail swished through the air as she smiled smugly.

Verona laughed “I know. But I wasn’t always this way. You can thank Anton for that.”

The girls laughed as Anton held up the small stone.

"I know how to make it into a hot stone, just not how effective it's going to be."

"Because it's so small?" Kal asked as she pulled her wooden stool closer. "The Cold Stone...That's back at our house, right?"

"Yeah."

"That was actually a stone, not just a little pebble."

"Exactly my point. I wonder if it's just going to struggle...Only one way to find out."

Anton spoke the prayer aloud. Some mana left him, he didn't have much after the training even after eating the two remaining Karak fruit. The girls held his side as he swayed a little but he didn't fall over. The stone in his hand quickly burned with heat. A satisfying splash followed.

They crowded around the small bucket and waited. After a few seconds, Verona lost her patience and dipped a finger. She laughed as she plunged her hand deeper into the water.

"No. It's no good." A cheeky smile crept up her face. "You two are just going to have to use the cold water. I'll take care of this."

"Yeah. Of course it is."

Anton dipped his own finger, just in case. For the first time in over a month, he had hot water, hot water to wash away the filth and grime. Even though he had grown accustomed to cold water and being unwashed for weeks at a time he still longed for a good bath.

"As the man here it's my job to suffer instead of you two. So I'll take it."

"Really?" Kal shook her head. "Looks like we're just going to have to stay this close and share."

"But there's really only enough for one person." Verona feigned a pout, raising a finger to her lips. She snapped her fingers and the devilish smile returned. "At a time. Oh well, I guess we do get to have some fun now."

Anton and Kal said nothing as Verona soaked her cloth. She hummed her wordless tune before raising Anton's arms and beginning to scrub vigorously. It felt very similar to the time they had last spent in the Bathhouse, before Kal's arrival. Before Anton could say anything another cloth was washed and his other arm raised. Kal kept her face flat, though her ears and tail elucidated her true feelings, and began to wash his other side.

"I'm sure so many people would be jealous of me right now." Anton chuckled. He tried to move his arms but received a harsh hiss from both girls. They weren't about to be interrupted.

The sound of water dripping off his body, stained with sweat and grime, was all that he could hear. Verona's tune was barely audible now. Strangely it felt a little awkward. When they had baths before they had always been talking, or were otherwise busy.

"Kal?" Anton began. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Kal pulled her chair closer so her fur covered knees touched his side. She lowered his arm and began cleaning his shoulder. "What do you want to know?"

"Before we brought up Rasha." Anton felt the cloth stop and a pair of cold eyes looking at him. Kal leant sideways and looked at his groin. Satisfied with the response, Verona simply laughed as she began washing his side, she gave a nod to continue. "Not like that. But she's meant to be a Minotaur Oni...cross breed."

"Yes? That's what I've been told."

"I'm just curious...Do you know what a straight Oni looks like?"

"Mother would know better than me." Kal stopped and rinsed her cloth. Anton didn't like the colour seeping out. "But I know there are meant to be two types. One blue and-"

"And one red?"

"Yes..."

"How did you know that?" Verona asked.

"It was just something that I first thought, back in Danafra in the Auction House. It's not a name I was expecting to hear for a blue giant with a horn."

"Red hair?" Verona asked.

"I don't know enough about it to say either way."

"But from the way you're talking..." Verona stopped and looked at him. "That's from your world. Earth or whatever it is."

"Maybe." Anton shrugged. "I really don't have anything to go on. But what a canine means here and there is basically the same, a dog. Same with felines, reptiles and turtles. Even the minotaurs."

"And the other Beastkin?" Kal continued cleaning but her heart clearly wasn't in it.

"Yeah. But it's just the best way for us to describe you. If someone saw Marion and had to describe her the word Feline would come up. I don't know if it's something from my world that's bled into this one."

"Beastkin have been enslaved for hundreds if not thousands of...years." Kal's brows furrowed. "But I don't know if we've always been called felines or whatever."

"It's not something a slaver would teach you," Anton said.

Kal grunted as she moved to his back.

"I suppose so." Verona gently scrubbed his chest. "It would be kind of weird if someone from your world helped shape the Beastkin. Or at least naming them."

"I suppose it would. Though it would be difficult to figure that out."

"I would have said impossible." Verona shrugged. "No one would remember a stranger from that long ago."

"But there might be records of them. No matter how faint. And there's something that I can do that no one else I know can."

"Use stupid amounts of magic?" Kal chuckled. "Wipe out thousands of enemies with a single wave of his hand?"

Anton laughed but a serious thought bubbled through his mind. "You say that like a joke, I couldn't do this on the other side, but it might be true. We are in the Shattered Kingdoms after all. Something had to unite them. And what better way than to build a massive kingdom than with stupid amounts of magic?"

"Kind of like what you're doing," Verona said proudly, Kal silently agreed. "Except you're freeing the Beastkin as well."

Verona mumbled something but refused to share.

"The United Kingdom probably liked Beastkin." Anton received an odd look from Kal. "If they weren't prevalent than the kingdoms and empires couldn't have purged or enslaved them."

"Hm..." Kal didn't know what to make of that piece of information.

"Who knows, maybe someone from my world made the Beastkin in the first place."

Verona chuckled, her eyes raking Kal's body. "I can see why."

"There's not going to be much left of those days," Kal said. "Paper..."

"It's a shame that The Academy in Porswea burned down and lost all of their scrolls and ancient texts." Verona moved to his legs. "They might have had the answer."

"I don't think Cetina would want to go back there anytime soon." Kal shuddered. "Thinking about Duran...All that blood. And he wasn't my father but I still feel ill thinking about it."

"Yeah. That...That part of the journey wasn't much fun." Anton didn't fail to notice her wince when she said father.

Does that mean our kids are only going to call me dad? That's not so bad, but not saying a word because of one arsehole is utter rubbish. But...We will deal with Rafik before nature does.

"I was thinking we talk to Cassius and see if we can get into the Academy in the capital. Apparently, that's even bigger and older."

"Oh. I'd bet they'd have great baths and beds there." Verona laughed. "And some really good clothes too."

"And books on magic too," Anton said. "Of the Principle magic and ours."

"But the Beastkin come first. Right?"

"Absolutely.” Anton didn't hesitate in his response. “There's no doubt about that. But once we've got a stream of them coming in we need to get other things as well. Especially if Graterious is about to erupt into a civil war. Get things done before it falls apart."

"Have you noticed that everything seems to be doing that?" Verona stopped just as she was reaching low on his waist. "Graterious and Bebbezzar are about to go up in flames. Seems that Seocuria's doing alright."

"Probably because they're so used to putting down slave rebellions," Anton said dryly. "Those Minotaurs in the Auction House...I think compared to them a few angry commoners would be nothing."

But there was those three we saw in Danafra. Scurrying away the moment they were caught looking even remotely disgusted by the Beastkin treatment. Then there are our Seocurian refugees. So it can't all be gone. But how would find such people? Surely they would keep their heads down after the purge-

A sudden jolt of pain interrupted his thoughts. Verona, a wicked smile on her face, was squeezing down hard onto his crotch.

“Do you mind?”

“I just wanted you to stop wandering.” Verona released her grip. “And that was the best way.”

“Did that hurt?” Kal asked gently, resting her hands on his shoulder.

“A bit.” Anton chuckled. “But it’ll go away soon.”

“Right…”

“There is a real possibility that there are Seocurians that disagree with the enslavement of Beast-kin. But finding them, without bringing down the whole empire on us, will be tough.”

“For now let’s just focus on freeing the slaves,” Verona said.

“It does have a good ring to it, doesn’t it?”

Verona laughed. “That it does. Now, how long were we allowed to have in here?” Verona pushed her body onto his. “We’ve got a little bit of time before we need to go. Right?”

Anton had already known, deep in his heart, that it was going to be extremely difficult to just have a simple bath with these two. And he still had to shave his beard…

---[]---

Fully refreshed and dried, their hair still slightly damp but annoyingly lightly greasy, Anton, Verona and Kal walked briskly through the streets of Atros to the south, Luna tucked tight in his crossed arms. Several tables were already being brought out in readiness for that night’s communal dinner, something that had become so large and ponderous that it was likely tonight was going to be the first and last for many people in Atros.

“The logistics alone are a nightmare,” Anton mumbled.

“What’s that?”

Verona clung tight to his left side. She had refused to do up her armour all the way, leaving the collar open. While most people wouldn’t know the difference Anton could quite easily see straight down. Though many women would benefit from it he was kind of happy this world didn’t have bras yet.

“The dinners.” Anton waved to the gathering furniture. “It’s just too much to do any more. Though there’s still some light we need to divert so many villagers to moving and setting things up.”

“There are a few Beast-kin,” Kal noted. “Good to see they aren’t being hated.”

She too clung to Anton’s side but she didn’t look like a child hanging off his arm. Unlike Verona she kept her clothes done up properly though her damp ears and tail were definitely alluring.

“Yeah. Quite a few are those that we saw mulling about when we went to see Eider. Looks like they decided to help.”

“Well of course,” Verona said proudly. “When there’s food involved people are always going to help.”

They chuckled as a new sound filled the air. It wasn’t the sounds of talking or feet, sometimes hooves, striking the stone streets. These were much higher pitched, always followed by grunts and shouts of exertion. The Lumber and Stone yard opened before them upon crossing the first inner gate. It took both sides of the street for some way just to accommodate the enormity of the work being carried out. Like last time they visited stonemasons hammered and chipped large grey stones to size while workers stripped bark off tree trunks and cut them straight.

I wonder how much wood we lose doing that? Most trees aren’t perfectly straight, even those in the Accursed Forest. Once we get that portal working properly it’ll be easy to get them here.

“Beast-kin everywhere,” Anton said.

He counted fifty Beast-kin in the yard. They weren’t exactly working, perhaps passing a tool when requested, but they were watching intently. And on the surface, the workers didn’t have any problem with them. They were almost entirely focused on their craft, so they might just be pushing them out of their minds, but it appeared a good start. It was only day one after all.

“Oh.” Verona pulled on his arm. “I see Zac.”

Zac stood outside a large building, silently overlooking the work undertaken by his workers. He had most of his attention set on the woodworkers. Wood was still the most used material in Atros, stone was mainly used for foundations and the city walls.

“Let’s find out how he makes his alcohol.” Anton began walking towards him. “I think it’ll sell really well. It’s very strong and has a good taste. Porswea seems like a good place to sell it on the cheap.”

“So long as we can find someone willing to sell it for us.” Verona released her grip slightly.

“There are always extortions,” Kal said. “Gangs interfere with business in nearly all of the cities in the Graterious Empire. The only thing that changes is who they pay, bandits or nobles.”

“I think it would be better to pay your taxes to the person that actually owned the land rather than some hooligans. What about Seocuria?”

“No...Strange.” Kal frowned, holding her finger to her lip. “I never saw anything like that.”

“I bet the deterrent is enough.” Anton began. “Surely every business owes an allegiance to someone, I haven’t heard anything about an Emperor or King of Seocuria…And anyone who goes against them would end up a slave.”

“I wonder if we can use that.” Verona trailed off as they reached the large building.

Zac smiled widely. “You three just look like you’ve had a bath.”

“We have,” Anton replied, the girls released their hold but remained close. “And since we still had some time before dinner…”

“I thought you three would have scurried off by now. Newlyweds and all that.”

Anton laughed. They had refrained from going too far in the bath.

“But I remember you talking about wanting to see how I make Fire Blaster Rum.”

“You’ve never called it that before.” Anton frowned lightly.

Zac shrugged. “You’ve never asked before. Only Jeff has, but he was pretty drunk at the time. That was a few days before the big Goblin attack, where you arrived. I think he was trying to get drunk for a few days straight.” Zac laughed. “Nearly did too. I did the same as well.”

“Fire Blaster sounds like a good name,” Anton said. “Someone in Graterious or Qaiviel would be willing to give it a go, so long as it’s cheap.”

“Money really isn’t that important to me.” Zac shrugged as he waved them around the side of the building and away from the stone and lumber yard. “Never needed it. Everything’s always been pooled together and then handed out. I…I always pull my weight though.”

“For now that’s not a problem. But, when we get to larger populations we’re going to need an actual economy. We can’t always just be going like we are right now.”

“Why not?” Zac frowned but kept walking. “Seems fine right now.”

“It does. And right now it’s keeping us together. But once we get larger it’ll be needed. While I know that you will always pull your weight we can’t always be sure everyone will. If people work for money, for a good wage, it’ll help weed that out.”

“And so just that fixes it?” Verona asked. “The people in Graterious didn’t look too happy. Especially those outside the walls.”

“I think they went too far the other way,” Anton replied. “But there is a balance point. However, someone will always be needing to watch over everything so they don’t just try and rip people off. And the other side of things too, businesses need to make money as well.”

“I went through a drought in Seocuria.” Kal began. “Water, at least in the east, became very expensive. All the water sources were seized by merchants, they had to pay whatever they asked. I managed to steal enough, and I found a small spring, but I saw lots of plantation and workshop owners having to sell their slaves just to get enough water to drink.”

“That would be profiteering. And something that we would need to watch out for.”

“This all sounds very complicated.” Zac rubbed his beard. “And dangerous. I don’t want to have to give away my stuff so I don’t die of thirst.”

“Despite what I’m saying I honestly have no idea how we would implement such a thing.” Anton sighed as he looked at the villagers behind in the lumber yard. “It would almost impossible to explain without revealing my lack of understanding of the systems. The people from Atros don’t really have an idea, those from Qaiviel would be glad to be rid of it since they were effectively slaves and out of the Qaiviel economy and the Beast-kin might know how the Seocurian’s operated but might revolt if we tried and implemented their system in any form. It’s not going to be easy any way we do it. The main problem I’m worried about is corruption and profiteering, which will ruin the whole thing…”

“I guess threats don’t work.” Verona sighed. “Because that’s the first thing you would have said.” Anton raised a brow. “You could just say that you’ll burn them and they’ll do the right thing. But a blade or a stick would do the same thing, and even we had sticks.”

“It sort of works, but they just get smarter about how to hide what they’re doing. How to eliminate it entirely…I have no idea.” Anton looked at his glyphed hand.

I don’t think Esperit or Stratos will be much help here. But…Maybe Tethra might be the key. After all, she can make just about anything happen. If I’ve got enough mana. Maybe she can compel someone to speak only the truth. That would stop any sort of corruption and profiteering in its tracks. But that sounds like it would cost a lot of mana.

Zac led them into the streets behind the lumber yard and stopped in front of two small houses. They looked completely unremarkable, except both had his name scratched into a wooden post outside.

“So…This is my place.” Zac laughed. “I know it’s not much compared to what everyone else has but its home. Though I don’t really do that much but sleep and keep my stuff inside.”

“We haven’t spent that much time in ours either,” Anton said. “So where to do you make your Fire Blaster Rum, or whatever you call it?”

“The one of the right.” Zac chuckled as he moved to the door. “I’m still surprised that no one’s asked me where I make it.”

“I did. When I first arrived here.”

“Did you?” Zac stopped as he opened the door, lost in deep thought. “Huh. I remember that you did. But so many people just ask how I make it. And that’s still going to be my secret.”

“Well, keeping a lid on supply will make it a valuable commodity.”

“Won’t that be just like what you said before?” Kal asked. “Profiteering?”

“Perhaps…If you look at it that way. But since it’s not vital, you don’t need to drink alcohol to survive, I don’t think it’s a problem. There are…nuances to it.”

Verona and Kal didn’t look entirely convinced but they went along with his words. Zac opened the door to reveal something that Anton didn’t think was possible in this world. Four small copper stills sat over a small but intense flame at the rear of the building. The wooden floor had been removed and replaced with stone, rather a hasty conversion than something more professional, and a latch above it to release the thin smoke. Coal burned at the heart of the flame but it produced far less smoke than the coal in the smithy, unnaturally so. At the heart lay a strange spider-like metal contraption. Anton had bought one just like it for Jonathan during their first visit to Maxill.

“Did you have one of those and didn’t give it to Jonathan?” Anton pointed at the device.

Zac raised a brow as he looked at the flame. “What? Oh, no. That’s the one that you bought. The smiths that you brought asked Raston to buy some more of…whatever those things are. And they forgot that they already had one so there was one left over. I asked if I could have it and Jonathan said yes. It’s really good, though I’ve got no idea how it works. Makes it burn hotter, or in this case needs less coal and has almost no smoke. It’s really good.”

The four stills had a small pipe coming out of the top. Each went into the next still until the last, that pipe led to a large wooden barrel. The only denoting feature on the barrel was a small wooden tap at the bottom.

“Is this all of it?” Verona asked.

“Yep.” Zac slapped the large barrel and leant against it. “Pretty much. I get the barrels from the north but everything else is made here.”

“How…How did you get this?” Kal stopped a meter from the stills. “Something like this is beyond what Atros was capable of even when I arrived. It looks like it’s made from copper too…I haven’t seen any of that in Atros.”

Zac scratched his head. “Well, they aren’t mine. They’re from my father, when he was young. And back then the Kar Kingdom was still a thing. Not sure where he said he got it from, he might have actually stolen it now that I think about it, he wasn’t exactly a wealthy man. And it’s been in my possession ever since.”

“It looks very good.” Anton inspected the still closely. “There are very few dents where the copper was hammered into shape. Every part of it is extremely well made. It’s quite a good piece of equipment.”

“I do my best to take care of it.”

“So what do you use as a base?”

“Mainly grains,” Zac replied. “That and some potatoes.”

“Sounds more like vodka than rum.”

“What’s vodka?” Verona asked.

“A strong spirit. But I’m sure rum was made from sugar.”

“We’ve got some sweet fruits.” Zac offered. “If that’s what you mean.”

“Yeah…But usually, it’s made from just the sugar and not the whole fruit. I don’t know what that would be called. Anyway, how much can you make each day?”

“Quite a bit.” Zac thumped the barrel. It sounded quite full.

“If it’s possible I’d like to increase production and start selling this. But I don’t think Jonathan’s going to be able to help with this. Not to mention that we don’t have any copper with us. Cassius’s map had mines on it, but not what they are. Perhaps we’ll just buy some.”

“So long as it doesn’t interfere with having stuff to drink then it doesn’t worry me. Besides, it’ll be good to give something that could help people. More of those Beast-kin that you’ve got running about.”

“I couldn’t help but see them wandering about the Lumber and Stone yards,” Anton said. Kal turned her attention to Zac while Verona peered at the stills, wary of the small but hot fire underneath.

“They turned up a little while ago. I didn’t have the heart to send them away but they didn’t want to leave either. Next thing I know they’re asking if they can help. And…They’ve been doing alright.”

“More like junior apprentices,” Verona mumbled as she poked at a still. Thankful it was well secured to the floor so it wouldn’t fall over by a simple touch, Anton wasn’t sure if Zac was a delicate man with his hands.

“Perhaps. But my men don’t seem to worry about them. A few of the Beast-kin talk like they know a bit about what we’re doing.”

“Many would have done something similar in Seocuria,” Kal added quietly. “Just don’t force them to work, otherwise it might not end well.”

Zac nodded once. “I won’t ask them to do something I wouldn’t. But I’m not going to coddle them. I don’t have the time or the energy, and I’m sure Anton would say that’s not the point of freeing them.”

“I want them to be able to stand on their own two…That’s not quite right. But codling the Beast-kin will do them no good in the long run. It’ll teach them dependence rather than independence. Something I don’t want to see. Not to mention the smarter amongst them will realise they are still slaves, just with less obvious shackles.”

“That sounds…” Zac scrunched his eyes. “Just like you said before, we’ll treat them just like everyone else.”

“Thanks. Do you have enough of this stuff to go around tonight?”

“Sure. It’s been working pretty much all the time.”

“You’ll definitely want to water it down.” Kal chuckled. “I don’t think any of them have drunk alcohol before. If they drink this like water…well.”

“I can do that.” Zac clapped his hands. “But you’ve seen everything that I have to make my alcohol. Nothing too fancy. But I need to get back to work. Otherwise, I’ll find they’re just slacking off when they’ve still got stuff to do. We’re a bit behind thanks to the Goblin assault.”

“Don’t go too hard on them.”

“Ha!” Zac slapped him on the back. “Don’t you worry about it. Now, unless you three want to help us with cutting stone or carving lumber there’s not a lot you can do.”

“Would one of those fire enchanted chisels and hammers be a good idea?” Verona asked Anton.

Zac threw up a brow.

“Yeah. I think it will be good. We’ll tell Shawn over dinner.” Anton said as Zac closed the door. “We’ll see you then.”

---[]---

Anton couldn’t help but feel nervous as he sat at the council table awaiting dinner. All things considered, things were moving quite well but the nervous tickle at the back of his head refused to go away. Perhaps it was a good sign, that he wasn’t being ridiculous and thinking everything would just go well because he hoped it would. The other members of the council, and their significant others sat with them while Cetina and the Beast-kin girls sat at a nearby table with Loretta and her children. Anton had yet to inquire how that was going, something best not done at the first dinner of the new Atros, but it didn’t appear bad. They shared the occasional knowing glance but that was all. In public at least.

Verona, with Luna resting on her lap, sniffed expectantly at the air as trails of smells wafted through the air. Atros didn’t have a dedicated kitchen or mess hall yet, something that Anton would need to address to keep these important events going. Instead, they had numerous open fire pits, dozens of roasting Razor Pigs and large metal pots filled with vegetables. Near those, large tables accommodated villagers preparing the fruits and bread to be served. A small buzzing swarm of villagers carrying plates and mugs filled with Zac’s Fire Blaster Rum. Thankfully he had been true to his words and had the alcohol watered down. Anton remembered the original taste, liquid fire running down his throat, and knew that those that were still new to drinking would keel over with a single mug.

Very quickly the servers brought large plates to their table. Cooked meat, piles of vegetables and fruits almost flowed off the plates, alongside a large mug of water. Verona questioned if it was alcohol but it was simply water. She, Kal and Sam looked very relieved. Marion had a significant portion of meat while Kristof’s was entirely filled with fruits and vegetables. Anton checked the nearby table. Rasha’s plate was the same, perhaps a little more full, while the other girls had a normal palette.

“Do you want to say something before we start?” Verona leant close to Anton. He saw that her plate had an extra serving of meat.

“Yeah.” Anton stepped upon his chair. “We need to tell everyone about the Goblin suppression tomorrow.”

Jeff signalled to a nearby guard who bashed a sword on his shield. Those trained amongst the crowd stopped at the sound, the rest saw their reaction and quickly quietened down. Their attention fell on Anton. Once again Anton felt more than a little nervous to have almost three thousand people watching him.

“Everyone! I hope that you are well. And the Beast-kin and Seocurian arrivals, I hope that you are doing well too. I know that it might have been difficult to simply rest after such a long journey and a monumental change in your lives. Tomorrow you will start work alongside us, I’ve seen some of you investigating what work will entail and I appreciate your enthusiasm. Now, tomorrow we will be also be dealing with the latest Goblin threat that continues to be a menace to Atros. Anyone, regardless of skill, that wishes to join us to help make Atros a safe and secure city are to gather here at dawn. We will give you weapons and armour to keep you safe.”

Anton stopped to survey the audience. It was somewhat difficult to make out but many appeared hesitant. Not that he blamed them. Most had never fought and it was very easy to convince oneself that they were safe behind a large stone wall. Still, some looked eager, people like Cetina, Irso and Rasha. Eider and Ulyaa were far more hesitant.

“Regardless if you decide to join us or not, I encourage all of you to undertake some weapon training. We need everyone to be, at least, capable of defending themselves should the worst happen. There will be times that some of us will not be here and we’ll need every ounce of muscle to fend off the threats that plague this city. Nevertheless, feast, eat until your stomachs are sore and enjoy yourselves!”

A cry rang throughout the crowds. The Atros villagers and the Seocurians began to eat with a ravenous hunger. Most of the Beast-kin looked nervously at the food before them. Never in their lives would they have seen so much. Did they think it was some trick or were the memories of their past lives still holding them back?

“Start eating,” Anton whispered to himself as he sat down.

“What’s happening?” Verona asked, a hunk of meat in her mouth.

“The Beast-kin are still too frightened to eat.” Anton looked at the neighbouring table and sighed. “At least, some of them are.”

Kal’s friends held no such reservations and were gladly stuffing their faces with food. Cetina, eating normally, could only look on in shock as the food slipped free from her fork.

I can’t say anything to get them to eat. Maybe I’ll have to do something like with revealing Kal to the people from Qaiviel? But I don’t know enough Beast-kin that the others would consider neutral. They know Marion’s…

Anton spied a few Atros villagers sitting at a long table with Beast-kin asking why they weren’t eating. The Beast-kin didn’t have a real response. The villagers laughed and encouraged them to eat. Slowly they began to eat, infinitely more subdued than the human villagers, but it soon spread. After a few tense minutes, everyone was eating and laughing together.

Anton turned his attention back to their table. A very pleasant evening followed. One filled with mundane stories, drinks, laughter and dreams of what the future might hold. Slowly the people began to tire and retreat back to their homes.

“What time is it?” Anton looked up at the star covered sky. “We don’t have a moon here, but a clock would be nice.”

“Being able to know the time would be nice.” Verona picked at the pieces of food left over from Anton’s and Kal’s plates. “Could Tethra’s power make something like that?”

“Sure…” Anton looked to the Main Hall. “I think that placing it up there would be good. Maybe build a big tower and have them on all four sides. That way everyone will know the exact time. It’ll help with organisation-”

“Anton.” Kal pulled on Anton’s sleeve. “We’ve got a bit of a problem back there.”

Kal pointed to the next table. The Beast-kin girls were still there, perhaps a little tired, but were trying to wrangle a very drunk Cetina. Her visible eye was quite red, her movements slowed and she had difficulty sitting upright. Rasha kept her upright but even she appeared to be having some trouble.

“I think it’s time they went to bed.”

Anton sighed as he looked back at their table. Only a few people remained. Thankfully Marion and Kristof were still there. They were busy flirting with each other, something Kal was taking great pains to avoid, and looked ready to go.

“Marion? Kristof?” Anton said as he stood up. “Would you be willing to take them back to their homes? They look pretty drunk and a drunk woman shouldn’t be left alone.”

A loud thump came from behind. Eider’s head slammed into the table, her hood loose and limp handing along her neck as she struggled to pull sit upright. Her mug was empty but it had been refilled many times during the night. Ulyaa and Irso looked very bad, Ulyaa’s spider legs were limp and splayed out while Irso looked on the verge of being sick. Rasha was fine. Not surprising considering how big she was.

“Sure. It’s about time we did as well.” Marion pulled Kristof up.

Anton patted Verona and Kal’s shoulders. Luna had been content to sit on Verona’s lap, receiving pats and milk from a small cup. Cetina and the Beast-kin girls saw them approach.

“Hey, Anton.” Cetina’s speech was slurred, just as bad as the way her body swayed about. “Do you have any more of this…this stuff?”

“Yes. But I don’t think you need any more. I don’t think you can even walk straight right now.”

Cetina pouted at his words. “I’m fine.” She tried to drink from her empty mug.

“You’re not fine.” Rasha pushed her back to the table.

“Shut up.” Cetina dropped the mug, pointing a finger at Rasha’s chest. “You and those damn monstrous bloody bouncy things. They’re stupid! That’s why you’re trying to-”

Cetina’s hand gave way she slumped to the table like Eider. Anton gently patted her shoulder as Rasha flushed and looked down at her chest.

“Don’t worry about it.” Anton patted Cetina’s back again. “She’s just drunk. A lot better than the last time too.”

“I’m fine!” Cetina didn’t raise her head.

“You’re a terrible drunk.” Anton didn’t want to attract the ire of the others, especially a Drakeling that looked like she could be sick at any moment. “Now, time for all of you to go to bed.”

“Are we done?” Ulyaa asked softly.

“Yeah.” Verona smiled. “Especially if you want to join us on the hunt tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll go.” Ulyaa suppressed a burp. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll see what Eider has to say.”

Eider grumbled as she tried to raise her head.

“All of you…” Kal shook her head. “Are all terrible drunks.”

“I don’t understand why people do it.” Irso scrunched her eyes tight, breathing slowly to steady herself.

Kal rested her hand on Irso’s shoulder. Her body relaxed as her breathing calmed.

“Thanks, Kal.” Irso patted Kal’s hand. “I was about to be sick.”

“Come on.” Anton gently shook Eider’s back. “Time for all of you to go to bed. If you want to come with us tomorrow you need your rest.”

Eider grumbled but rose. Her green snake eyes were hazy and the normal slit irises were almost circles, she had so little control over her body. Anton chanted a healing prayer, just enough to take the edge off. Eider’s eyes focused as she smiled.

“Thanks, Anton. I don’t think I would have made it back without you.”

“I think that Rasha would have just carried you.” Anton smiled at the blue Minotaur. “She could carry you underneath her arm easily.”

Rasha was still focused on where Cetina had pointed.

“Let’s go everyone.” Marion clapped lightly, Ulyaa and Eider groaned. “None of that. We need to get to bed.”

Slowly the Beast-kin girls rose up and followed Marion and Kristof. They gave Anton a wave as their drunk and slightly swaying forms retreated into the distance. Anton turned back to Cetina, still resting her head on the table.

“You too.” Anton patted her shoulder.

“…Fine.” Cetina jolted up, started to fall back before Anton held her back upright. “I’m fine.” Cetina chuckled. “At least I’m not riding more horse.”

“By what you just said I think right now you’re not even good enough to walk in a straight line.” Verona chuckled.

Cetina laughed, swatting at the air in front of Verona. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Anton, Verona and Kal gave a final wave to the few people remaining at the council table before making their way towards their homes. Anton cast a prayer on Cetina to remove the worst effects of the drink. The three found it very funny to watch Cetina walk-in staggered lines towards her home. They did make sure that she made it in one piece. She stumbled onto the front veranda of her new home.

“Don’t forget to make sure your door is properly secured,” Anton said as Cetina staggered inside.

Cetina rested her back against the door frame and smiled at them. “I make a shitty bodyguard, don’t I? A bodyguard shouldn’t get drunk and find that they can barely stand?”

“Tonight is a celebration.” Anton smiled. “Don’t worry about tonight. Have some rest and we’ll see you in the morning.”

“Right…Good night Verona, Kal, Anton. Thanks for...Well, everything. I’ll see you guys in the morning then.”

“Don’t forget to pull the furniture against the door,” Kal said as Cetina moved inside. “Just in case…”

“Right.” Cetina gave a final nod. “I’ll be up, bright and early for tomorrow.”

The wooden door closed, followed by the sound of scraping furniture.

Verona chuckled when the noise stopped. “Brings back memories about you, Kal.”

“I must say that I was very concerned the first few nights I slept here. That I would be attacked, and not the way that most women have to worry about.”

“No…” Anton kissed her head. “Hopefully no one does.”

“And if it does?” Verona asked softly.

Anton shrugged. “Then we’ll find the culprit and serve out the punishment. Whatever that is for something like that. I think it would be death…Sounds about right.” The girls went silent. “But enough about that. We’ve got something more important to deal with.”

Anton grabbed them around the waist and pulled them tight. Before he could slink his hands underneath their clothes Verona patted his chest.

“Hold up. We’ve got to get Luna to her bed first.”

Luna was sound asleep in Verona’s arms. Anton agreed but kept his hold on them tight. They opened the door to find their house dark and silent. Just like they left it. Verona left his side and trotted to the door leading to the garden. Lying on the floor was Luna’s bed, essentially a bundle of thick and comfortable cloth. Verona gently laid her down and gave her a quick pat.

“Now.” Verona brushed her pants. “Wha-”

Anton wasn’t going to wait any longer. He wrapped an arm around Verona and pulled her off the ground and into a deep kiss. Verona struggled for a moment before returning it, trying to remove her clothes. Kal grumbled angrily for being left out. Anton moved from Verona to Kal, now it was the Beast-kin’s turn to melt into him. Two sets of hands reached for her clothes and began to tear them loose while he pulled them both to their bedroom. It was a very long night, a very arduous one, but yet another one he would never forget.