“Nothing beats a hot breakfast after a long sleep. Could you pass me the steak?” Anton asked as he stood over the simple stove in the backyard of their house. “I’m ready for the next piece…Someone keeps-”

Anton gently slapped Verona’s hand away from the pile of cooked food. She pouted and held him by the stomach.

“Come on!” Verona bounced back and forth, rocking her head from side to side. “I’m so hungry. I’ve got a baby to feed.”

“It doesn’t work like that.” Anton flicked her nose. “It’s going to be very small right now.” He gently rubbed her stomach. “It’s not the size of a baby yet. It’s still got to grow.”

Rasha stepped in front of the stove. She held an uncooked plate of potatoes, sliced and stuffed with cheese.

Verona stopped playing with Anton, her face fell flat. “Is this all you’re going to eat?”

“I like it.” Rasha looked a little embarrassed at her full plate. “Is…Is there something wrong with that?”

“Absolutely not.” Anton finally managed to get Verona to help and not eat the food immediately. “But as they say, variety is the spice of life.”

“Is that what you call it?” Verona sniggered. “Variety?”

Anton pinched her rear. Verona squealed dramatically and ran back to the table. Immediately she began to complain to Kal and Cetina, both of whom were in a deep discussion about something as Cetina gently stroked a sleeping Luna’s back. Kal listened for all of two seconds before she too pinched Verona’s rear. Verona ran to Cetina but Cetina did not want to play along. She offered a seat for Verona which she took.

“Anton?” Rasha’s hoof ground at the light smattering of snow on the ground. “What…What are you doing after this?”

“After this?” Anton tapped his tongs on the hot metal pan. “Honestly, I’m not quite sure. I’m going to check in with Mezot and Axia first…”

Anton noticed Rasha’s leg twitch when he mentioned Mezot, but not for Axia.

“But after that I don’t have much of an idea.” Anton shrugged. “Probably just talk with people. See what they need and what we could do to make their lives better. How about you?”

“Me?” Rasha’s hoof twisted back and forth.

“Yeah. You. You’ve still got relatively light clothes on. Even though it’s winter.” Anton smiled. “I don’t believe Irso when she says that you’re just a slab of meat.”

Rasha smiled back. “I do have a lot of muscle.” She raised one of her legs and rolled the edge of her pants up, revealing the thick dark blue coat underneath. “But this keeps me very warm. Really, I just need to keep my…Um. How to put it? My centre? Keep that warm and I’ll be fine.”

“If you want a thick jumper or something just say so.” Anton flipped the food. “It’s not a problem to ask the seamstresses. But they might need to take some measurements first.”

“Oh…” Rasha’s ears reddened slightly. “I am rather big. Aren’t I?”

Rasha gently waved her hand over her chest. Despite her age and their size they remained quite prominent. Anton pretended to be dumb and tilted his head.

“I mean you are tall. But what are you talking about?”

Rasha opened her mouth, not before clamping it shut a moment later. The redness spread further over her ears as she realised what he almost made her say aloud.

“I might actually want something like that.”

Anton removed the last pieces of meat. “Give those here. I’ll get them started.”

Rasha slid the cheesy potatoes onto the pan. The underside’s thin layer of butter began to sizzle and cook under the heat.

“It’s just a real shame though.”

“What is?” Rasha asked.

“That I can’t take you anywhere outside of Atros.” Anton sighed. “I’d love to show you the Bebbezzar coast, the Qaiviel grasslands and the mountains near Thessos. And…” Anton smiled bitterly. “And I can’t. You’re stuck here because Humans can be right assholes.”

“But they can also be incredibly kind.” Rasha smiled. “Far more kind than any Beast-kin.”

“Well thank you.” Anton raised his metal tongs. “I presume you were talking about me. There isn’t anyone else as kind as I am in Atros, is there?”

“I…” Rasha laughed. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Just me being silly.” Anton moved the potatoes around. “But I am free, if you wanted me for something.”

Rasha nodded. “When we’re walking. Oh…” She looked over him at Cetina. “Can…Can it just be me today? Cetina told me that she’s got something she wants to do.”

Oh? I haven’t heard anything like that. We’ll see what she has to say during breakfast.

“Sure. If Cetina’s busy then of course you’ll be coming with me.” Anton summoned a small Fire Bomb and held it over the cheese on the potatoes, melting and cooking it from the top and bottom. “You haven’t done something silly like you did last time.”

Rasha furiously shook her head. “No! I’ve learnt my lesson. What I did was…Probably the most stupid thing-”

Anton raised his hand. “Then it’s fine. I don’t want either of us to dwell on it.”

And I do not like remembering seeing her body so sick. Afterwards…

“And…” Rasha leant close. Anton moved the Fire Bomb away so Rasha’s front wasn’t burnt by the flames. “Thank you for not telling them.”

Anton nodded seriously. “I know when I should be discreet.” He glanced back at the expectant table. “Though, despite one of them being a little wild, none would speak ill of you. I’m not the only one that knows.”

“True…”

Rasha licked her lips at the sight before her. All of the potatoes were cooked perfectly, with a slight hint of browned cheese and the tiniest amount of black on the skin of the potatoes.

“Give me a hand and let’s give these things out-”

“I can’t eat meat.” Rasha said softly.

“…Yes. But there’s like ten of the things. You can stand not to have three. Besides, you do need to eat vegetables and fruit, not so much the fruit since they give you indigestion too. But you can spare a few.”

“Are you saying I’m fat?” Rasha scoffed but still looked down at her chest. “I can’t help it…”

“You’re not fat. You’re one of the strongest people I know, probably the strongest.” Rasha’s mood took a turn for the better. “Now. Let’s give these starving girls something to eat.”

---[]---

After yesterday’s incident, Mezot had agreed to take the next day off and relax, only after massive insistence from Axia. Axia, apparently, had seen Anton fall asleep after delivering the materials that Mezot had wanted. She had yet to say anything to her mother but managed to convince her not to try and teach for a few days at the least. Mezot did not seem phased, quite the opposite really, as it now gave her the opportunity to study the books they had taken from The Royal Academy in far greater detail. It wasn’t exactly what they had wanted but it was a victory and it would have to do.

Anton gave a final wave to Axia as she shut and locked the door. As he stepped away he caught the six guards, still protecting Mezot and Axia’s house. They probably weren’t necessary any more but they didn’t appear to mind the easy job.

“That was easy.” Anton smiled. He began to walk towards the outer wall. “For Mezot, at any rate.”

“She is a strange woman...But I don’t think she means it. If that makes any sense.”

“She has a mental condition.” Anton said. “One which made her an outcast and something to be scorned. The people of the Academy only took notice of her once she became better. They were more than willing to let an extraordinarily powerful Principle Mage leave their midst just because she was difficult to talk with. And it wasn’t that bad either. They just needed to put in some effort…” Anton shook his head. “Sorry. Some of my prejudices from Earth were coming through there. Did you say that you wanted me for something?”

Rasha looked forward and did not speak for some time. Anton waited for her, letting the clacking of her hard hooves on the stone ground fill the silence.

Rasha finally slowed and gripped her halberd tight. “Why do you have a Harem?”

“Why?...” Anton slowed himself. “That’s a good question.”

Right. Come on. Don’t be completely stupid. You know where this is going.

“I…” Anton scratched his head. “Do you mind if I try and explain it the long way?”

“No.” Rasha’s voice was very soft.

“Well. It started with Verona, of course. It started off normal between us. For a little while at least. Then came along Kal.” Anton took a deep breath. “And...We liked each other. Quite a lot . But Kal wasn’t about to take the first step, the person that you know now is far more confident than the half-starved and cloth wearing vagabond that appeared at Atros’s walls, and I was already with Verona. You see, in my old world, generally people, Humans, are monogamous. Only one partner.”

“It seems to be the same here.”

“True. But if I were to have Verona and Kal on Earth, and it was public knowledge, there would be a lot of weird looks and things said about us.” Anton shrugged. “Not that they aren’t here, but that’s not the point. Verona said, and I kind of agree with her, that you shouldn’t just lock your feelings away. So one thing led to another and then I’m with both of them.”

Rasha frowned. “So Verona forced it upon you?”

“Well…” Anton glumly nodded. “I suppose you could say it like that. But without Verona’s actions I wouldn’t have Kal or Cetina. And I’m not going to change that nor do I regret it. Sometimes...Sometimes we all need a little push. And that’s what Verona does. A lot.” Anton smiled. “Sometimes too much.”

“Despite being so small she…” Rasha scratched the base of her horn. “And Cetina?”

“Cetina is a little bit different.” Anton offered to lead them towards the outer wall, which Rasha accepted. “We formed a bond, I suppose you could call it, as we fought across Qaiviel. Especially when we almost died at the hands of assassins. Cetina...She didn’t like to see me when I’m at my most...Wild.”

He looked at Rasha. “And I don’t mean in a good way. When...It’s actually rather embarrassing to think about. In the moment it feels right and good but afterwards...Not so much.”

“Did Verona have anything to do with it?” Rasha looked straight ahead. Anton presumed she was watching him through her peripheries but he couldn’t be certain.

“No. Nothing more than a little push. Cetina and I sparred, she then asked outright and I said yes.” Anton coughed. “I also told myself to take command of my Harem, and not just let Verona run things.”

“I see…I see...” Rasha gripped her free hand tight. “But it’s always after something big. Right?”

“Something?”

Rasha actually started to look angry. “Verona, defending Atros. Kal, defeating the Orcs and Clansmen. Cetina, defending Qaiviel and you.” Rasha’s ears dropped low. “And then there are those that can’t go anywhere but here…Stuck in mundane...Just to talk to you alone I had to…” Rasha shook her head and kept it cast down. “I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.”

Again the silence fell upon them. Those passing by had no idea what they were discussing, merely thinking Anton was taking a walk with one of his bodyguards.

“Rasha? Come with me for a moment.”

Anton took Rasha’s hand and led her into a narrow alleyway. It was wide enough for them to enter but it took a sharp turn just a few paces in, obscuring them from view. Anton let her hand go and looked her in the eye. Rasha’s breathing had increased. She even held onto the wall behind her for support.

I may be an idiot but I’m not that stupid. I like her...Why shouldn’t we both be able to enjoy ourselves because of my ‘prejudices’?

“Rasha. I admit, it is much easier to forge bonds with someone in the heat of battle or in the midst of an adventure through foreign lands, where your lives are on the line and the only thing you have is each other. But I do notice other things. Things like offering to go into a land where she might be killed for who she is just to help me without hesitation. Doing everything she can to help me and my city, even if she thinks it’s nothing and it’s not noticed. But I notice.”

Rasha’s hand tightened on the wall.

“And…Maybe it’s me that’s the coward and fool. Waiting for others to make the first move even though I have promised that I would be the one to act. It seems that Earth’s customs still affect me.”

Anton took a deep breath.

“But I do notice what’s happening around me. And I know what sort of person you are. A gentle giant. Who helped humans of the same ethnicity as her enslavers without batting an eye. Someone who was willing to hide something unbelievably painful,” Anton jabbed Rasha’s hand. “And dangerous just so I wouldn’t worry. Even though it could have put her life at risk.”

“I…”

“Rasha?” Anton reached out and held Rasha’s other hand. The halberd clinked against the wooden wall.

"I like you, very much. I love having you by my side and, although you probably don't think I do, I take everything you say very seriously..." Anton coughed and tapped his foot once. "Rasha? Will you join my harem? Will you become mine and mine alone for all eternity?”

"Yes." Rasha's voice was little more than a whisper.

That was a little...I actually thought I was going to mess it up. How does one ask someone to join...Best not to think about it too much.

Anton tugged on Rasha's hand and pulled her down. The giant Blue Minotaur's legs shook as she knelt so their faces were almost level.

"We still have much to do before tonight." Anton cupped Rasha's cheeks. Her body lost its strength and melted into his. "And I need to tell the others what's happening. But..."

"But what?"

"But there is something that I can do right now."

"What-"

Anton did not let her speak further and kissed her. Rasha's lips and tongue were just like the rest of her, warm and unbelievably strong. Despite her strength and size it was surprisingly easy to subdue her. After but a few seconds Rasha began to whimper and allow Anton to do whatever he wanted, trying her best to mimic and follow his lead.

When Anton pulled away Rasha's hands gripped his tight. Her flushed lips and heavy breaths told him she had enjoyed every moment.

"Is that what they have every night?" Rasha wiped her lips with the back of her hand, still holding onto Anton's with the other.

"A lot more than that." Anton kissed her hand. "But I wanted to go easy on you. I-"

"That was easy?" Rasha's thin tail swung back and forth.

Anton scratched one of Rasha's long cow-like ears between his fingers. Her shoulders dropped and her head tilted towards his hand.

"I don't want to overdo it before tonight. We'll have all the time we could possibly want, and this is not something to rush but to be enjoyed. I want to savour the moment, and you."

"You aren't worried?" Rasha straightened her head. "I am...A lot larger than you."

"Not at all. We'll work through any kind of issues we might have with compatibility. I promise you that."

Rasha smiled sweetly. "I...Will do my best, Anton. I am not knowledgeable about these things but I-"

Anton leant forward to kiss her forehead. Her large orange horn got in the way so he kissed the base. Rasha let out a pleasing moan, followed by a groan of embarrassment.

"I think I've just found my first weak point." Anton chuckled. "But before we go anything further we still have a whole day ahead of us."

"Right." Rasha stood up but continued to hold his hand. Anton began to smile, to which she smiled back but did not understand why.

"This just reminds me of something." Anton said. "Something I saw in Graterious. We're...We're about the same difference in size too."

"I really don't know what you're talking about..." Rasha could only smile.

Anton stopped just before exiting the alleyway. "Can you scoot down for a second?"

Rasha leant down, Anton kissed then nipped her ear. Rasha shot up, held her ear while her face continued to stay flushed.

"Wha-"

"I’m loving just how easy you are to tease." Anton winked and ushered her forward. "I'm not the sort of person that just let's someone I love go."

Rasha hid her face behind her helmet and refused to enter the street. It was probably for the best, a large group of Beastkin were walking towards a day's labour in the fields. Had they seen them exit, with Rasha in the state she was, they would have become an interesting conversation piece.

That reminds me, no word about the purist Beastkin. Hopefully they've calmed down. Something tells me they haven't.

"Are you calm yet?" Anton asked when the group had passed.

"That..." Rasha removed her hand, the flush had faded to leave her normal blue complexion. "That was really mean of you."

Anton shrugged, pretending to not understand. "You didn't seem to mind."

Rasha did not deny it as she stepped into the street. "Where to?"

Anton pointed north. "Dark Elves. Then the Dwarves, then anyone else. Then back home to inform people what just happened. Actually, we need to send a message to Cassius first. Everything that we know, about what happened and if he can figure anything out."

Rasha nodded and joined him as they walked towards the centre of Atros, where all of their communication pens lay. She walked closer than normal, a small smile permanently etched onto her face as her short, thin tail happily swung back and forth.

---[]---

“I’m a little saddened.” Anton mumbled as they walked towards where the Dark Elves were living. “But not entirely surprised.”

“I still can’t read…” Rasha said softly.

“Cassius is saddened to hear what happened, offers his sympathies and promises to deal with the seven character, but that’s all he can do.”

“Graterious is some distance away.”

“True.” Anton nodded as a group of Beast-kin and Human children ran past, laughing and playing with reckless abandon for the snow raining down upon them. With rosy cheeks from the cold they streamed past, barely paying them any attention. “But there is little else he can do. Apart from capturing that seven man and interrogating him. I don’t think it’s going to be a pleasant experience for him. He said he didn’t know anything about the royal lineage records…I don’t know if he’s lying or not.”

Anton rubbed his chin. “What do you think about a communication pen that tells us if the other person is lying? But once they figure it out they can just dictate the words and they wouldn’t know if they’re lying or not. Another conundrum, isn’t it?”

Rasha glumly nodded as they passed through another gate. The Dark Elf Quarters, as they were unofficially known, had grown considerably since they had last seen them. Houses now stood instead of tents, all built with Dark Elven flair, while the roads were beginning to be paved. There were no markets or stalls along the roads, though Anton noticed there were many areas reserved for them, so it was rather quiet.

"Lord Anton!" A young male Dark Elf cried out through the crowd, waving his hand over his head. "Excuse me!"

Anton stopped. Rasha, though still riding a not inconsiderable high, quickly assumed a fighting stance and began to search the crowd for any potential hostiles.

Cetina has taught you well.

"Yes?" Anton silently readied his own magic, keeping it bubbling just beneath the surface. "Who are you?"

The young Dark Elf stopped a few meters before Rasha. He looked to be barely in his twenties but Dark Elves physiology was deceptive. He could easily have lived thirty or forty years, possibly even more if he took care of himself. Around his neck he wore the bright green tassel of the Green Moon Clan. Despite living in Atros they, and all of the other Island Clans, continued their traditions and maintained their clan lines, not that Anton had an issue with it so long as it did not cause stability issues.

"My Lord, Chief Leran wishes to speak with you." He took a deep breath. "He wishes to know the state of our vessels in our hidden fortress. They could not be retrieved as we escaped."

"Ah yes." Anton nodded. "I remember those sleek things...I wonder if they've cleaned the blood off them yet."

"Blood?" The Dark Elf stepped forward. "Was there another battle inside the fortress?"

"There was. Hopefully Gerin remembers that those are our ships, even if the fortress no longer holds value." Anton looked to the houses. "Where are the Green Moon housed? Normally I meet Calo and Sheso near the Main Hall." He smiled at Rasha. "Soon we'll be living in that Sovereign Palace monstrosity. Though I won't deny that it will serve its purpose well."

"So long as the doors are ceiling are high enough for me." Rasha tapped the top of her orange horn. "I don't want to chip this."

"We'll check when we get to the Dwarves." Anton looked back to the patiently waiting Dark Elf. "So where are they?"

"Closest to the inner wall, Lord Anton. Our clan and the others..." He winced slightly. "We don't get along well."

"Here's hoping that we can put the past behind us." Anton grimaced. "Perhaps this time we will."

The young Dark Elf fell beside Anton. He tried his best to engage in small talk, about how the Dark Elves were settling into Atros, how and what they were contributing and what Anton's general plans for the future were. It was somewhat refreshing, even though he might have been probing for information, except he looked worryingly at Rasha, specifically her forearms, which were thicker than his waist.

“Here we are.” The young Dark Elf said triumphantly.

He pointed to a slightly larger building amongst the houses. The signifier of the Green Moon Clan hung proudly above the door. Outside, in a large enclosure, several Green Moon Dark Elves loitered, idly chatting while others checked their weapons and clothes. A few were even teaching children, children for Dark Elves, how to use and maintain weapons. Anton couldn’t see Calo or Sheso.

“Hope they’ve recovered from yesterday.” Anton mused as they passed through the small gate.

“They?” Rasha asked.

“Calo and Sheso. They stayed with us the entire time we were fleeing through Graterious. It took a fair bit out of them.”

“But you stayed up all night.” Rasha mumbled.

“True...It doesn’t seem as hard when I’m the one doing it though. Strange, isn’t it?”

Rasha didn’t answer as they walked through the enclosure. Many of the Dark Elves stopped to look, it was impossible to miss Rasha’s imposing figure and most knew Anton’s face, even if they’d only seen him in passing when they were evacuating their island. A few threw cautious waves, which Anton returned, as they reached the door.

A Dark Elf opened the door and ushered them inside. Rasha grumbled as she stooped low through the door. Anton was more than a little surprised when he entered a type of lodge. The main room was very large and open, a small fire crackled in the centre, surrounded by thick stones and a large metal chimney to draw away the smoke. Simple lounges and chairs lay in small clusters around tables. In them sat the Dark Elves. They did not wear their thick garb, like those outside, but the type of clothes that the Dark Elves had worn when they were celebrating the end of the Goblin attacks. The men wore loose shirts, leaving a good portion of their hairless and well-toned chests visible, the women tight shirts with a very high skirt with a slit down both sides. Anton kept his eyes up but it was hard not to be drawn to some very beautiful and well-toned legs.

Guess I have a thing for toned legs. Not that that’s a bad thing.

“He’s back here,” The young Dark Elf led them through the he was trying his best not to glance at the bodies on display, but it was already a lost cause.

He is a young healthy...How young actually is he?

Rasha could almost stand upright. She grumbled and bit her lips as she continued to stoop low. Those relaxing quickly took notice and began to whisper amongst themselves. Rasha wasn't sure if she liked the attention or not. To them she probably looked like she had a hunched-back and wasn't a tall and proud Minotaur.

Though once they see you fight that will definitely disappear.

"Hello." The young Dark Elf knocked on a large door at the end of the room. "I've found Lord Anton and brought him here."

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

The door clicked open. An unfamiliar woman poked her head through. She smiled faintly at Anton, didn't know what to make of Rasha, and opened the door. A smaller recreation of the lodge lay inside, containing faces that Anton did recognise. Most were those Dark Elves that served under Leran, those that had remained close to him when Anton arrived at their hidden fortress, along with a number of faces he didn't. At the far side, just before the crackling fire, Anton saw Leran and Cagec playing with children. Calo and Sheso sat nearby, warming their backs on the flame as they feathered a pile of fresh arrows. They too did not wear the garb Anton was used to seeing them in, they wore clothes remarkably similar to what the adult women wore.

Remember, they're a lot older than they look. They might look like they've just turned eighteen but they're probably older than Kal...chronologically, not necessarily mentally.

While they wore the shirt with the long slit down the middle they at least wore pants, short pants that barely reached their upper thighs but considerably more than what most wore.

Leran stopped and looked at their guests, the Dark Elf children cried and protested loudly they were no longer receiving undivided attention, and smiled at Anton.

"Come in." Leran beckoned them closer. "Come in. Please. I haven't seen you for quite some time."

"No...Is your choice of clothing appropriate for the cold?" Anton asked as he stepped forward. "Seems a little thin. Don't you think?"

Cagec wore as little as the other men. Leran, being one of the oldest Green Moon Dark Elves did wear more. As long as a moderately thick undershirt counted.

"Tothror. Thank you for finding him so quickly." Cagec's knees clicked as he stood up. "You can go back to whatever you were doing before. Oh, and tell your mother I said hello."

Tothror gave a rough salute and scurried from the room.

"Good kid." Cagec said with a smile. "He'll grow up to be a good man, just like his father."

Anton did not understand his smile. Was there a hidden meaning to his words, that he was actually the father? Anton decided not to inquire further.

"I'm sure." Anton smiled at the twins. They had long since stopped working but were waiting for a chance to speak. "How are you two doing?"

"Great." Calo stretched out her back, pushing her front out and allowing her shirt to ride up slightly. "Really good."

Normally their clothes were quite baggy and soft, designed to muffle sound and obscure their body from attackers. It was the first time he'd seen them without. They were as lithe and as slim as he suspected, they would beat Mezot in the chest department but only barely, but they had a decent amount of muscle for their body type. Given that Cetina had easily beaten both and they had been training vigorously since, it was fair to assume they were recent changes.

"Sitting all day isn't so great." Calo scratched her stomach. "Hurts your back after a while."

"You get used to it." Sheso smiled. "It's not so noticeable when you're working on something."

She nodded to the piles of fletched arrows to her side. All were made from the black and red marbled wood from The Shadow Isles.

"Is our wood no good?" Anton asked. The twins tilted their heads together. "Isn't this wood kind of valuable since you aren't in The Shadow Isles anymore?"

"I suppose you could think of it that way." Cagec nodded to the walls of the lodge, made from the same material. "Those trees can't grow here, but they are much stronger and retain heat a lot better." Cagec pulled on his shirt. "Otherwise there'd be no way we could dress like this."

"I'll talk to the Dwarves, see if an idea I'm having will work." Anton nodded to the door. "Tothror said you wanted to speak with me."

"We do." Leran rose and stood by his father.

The children now became truly incensed they were being ignored, hopped onto their unsteady feet and waddled towards their legs. Calo and Sheso tried to corral them back to themselves but it was only somewhat successful. Leran leant down and pointed the children at the twins. They happily waddled over to Calo and Sheso and began to play with the other children.

"Their parents need some time to themselves." Leran smile slowly faded. "But we would like to discuss our ships."

"We still have yet to reclaim Jaka. It's not really been a high priority, given the sheer distance and our lack of need for ships. Eventually we will reclaim it but not for now."

"Well," Leran looked at Cagec. "We have overheard, from those still coming and going to The Shadow Isles, that our fortress is repaired and everything is functioning once more. That means the gates that were broken are now fixed."

"And those sleek vessels could now be in the hands of the other Island Clans?"

Leran scoffed. "Better them than those from the Mainland. But yes. We would like our ships back."

"We agreed that the fortress and land was now there's to do with what they will." Anton nodded. "But not the ships. I'll head through the portal and see what Gerin has to say. He should be a little more compliant..."

At least it didn't devolve into something like Qaiviel.

"Thank you-"

"We'll come." Sheso leapt to her feet. "Just give us a moment to get changed."

Neither Cagec nor Leran offered any objections as the two scampered from the room. Anton doubted they were about to run outside, into the cold snowy ground, in their current attire.

"How are they doing?" Cagec asked.

The children clamped onto his legs. They smiled at Anton but looked in awe at Rasha. In height, and bust, she was like a goddess to them.

"They're doing very well." Anton replied. "Both on and off the battlefield. We've done our best to avoid fights where possible but the few we have they have done well."

"That's excellent to hear." Cagec clapped his hands. "I’ve been hearing stories of what they’ve done with you but I always want to hear it from another source.”

And here I thought you might have been asking if they’ve offered themselves to me yet...Would I take it? The idea of twins is very interesting-

Anton glanced at Rasha. She frowned slightly but said nothing. He was glad he could not hear his thoughts, especially after what had just transpired between them just a few minutes ago.

“And this is Rasha?” Cagec raised a brow. “She is just as impressive as they said. Very impressive. How strong are you, my dear?”

“Um…” Rasha lifted a chair with one arm, barely taking any effort. “Like this?”

Leran and Cagec whistled, sharing a look and nodding slowly.

That reminds me. If I’m not careful I might have my back broken. Though...For some reason that riskiness is a little exciting.

“Speaking of, Rasha. It’s probably a good idea to bring Cetina with us. Even though we are friendly lands, probably, it’s not a good idea for me to travel with just one bodyguard. You never know when someone’s going to attack you.”

“Sounds like you speak from experience.” Leran began to smirk. “Though I do find it odd that the leader of Atros is surrounding himself with beautiful women. Is that why you made this place?” Leran could no longer hold back his smile, even Cagec began to smile. “So you could cultivate them?”

“No. But I won’t deny that I’m surrounded by beauti-”

The door opened before Anton could finish his words, much to Rasha’s immediately relief, and Calo and Sheso stepped through. Though it had been less than a minute the two were perfectly dressed and ready. He noticed a slight flush to their dark skin, a redness to their cheeks and lips.

“You two are very quick. If that’s everything then we’ll get going.” Anton turned to Leran. “If we can get your ships under our control we’ll send a message back. Make sure you have some sailors ready...Do the other Island Clans have anything to do with this?”

“No.” Leran shook his head. Slowly his face softened. “But here, in these foreign lands, we are starting to get along better. We’re talking to one another now. It’s not much...But I’m liking to be able to talk to the other clans, and not have them think that we’re about to rob them.”

“Take everything one step at a time.” Anton smiled. “Just like us Humans and the Beast-kin.” Anton smiled at Rasha. “You never know what might happen.”

---[]---

The moment Anton took a breath of the air of The Shadow Isles he felt surprisingly calm. Despite the winter cold in Atros, The Shadow Isles were still quite warm and covered in a thin mist.

“Feel’s strange to be back here.” Anton stepped forward. “Especially when we’re not needed.”

“What are you saying?” Calo asked.

She and her sister stood before him in the small room. It was not furnished in any sense. It was merely a room to hold the portal. Both rested their hands on the hilts of their sword, something they had learnt from Cetina, and pulled their hoods back. They looked over Anton’s shoulder, waiting for a further two flashes but they were not coming.

“Something wrong over there?” Sheso asked. “Has the portal stopped?”

“I don’t think so.” Anton shrugged lightly. “I think they’re just having a quick chat-”

“About what?” Calo frowned at her sister. “I know that…” Calo covered her mouth for a moment. “I know that The Shadow Isles aren’t in any danger but that doesn’t mean that they should just leave you here.”

“I have you two.” Anton tapped his head, removing the last of the lingering headache. “So that should be enough.”

“Maybe against one warrior.” Calo said softly.

“We still don’t know how to use a bow well.” Sheso added. “We are supposed to be learning tomorrow.” Sheso cracked a smile. “At least we’ve got the strength now to properly use a bow. If it weren’t for you and Cetina we’d have really struggled.”

The portal finally flashed. Cetina and Rasha stepped through, both wearing a full suit of armour. They shared a final word, Cetina patted her back, and they slowly walked towards him.

“Sorry about that.” Cetina said softly

Rasha’s ears flicked back but she did not answer. Anton was not surprised they had spoken, in a sense they would be sharing beds, or at the very least him.

“Let’s go.” Anton waved them forward. “This will be your first time to The Shadow Isles.”

“I’ve heard a lot about this place.” Rasha readied her halberd. “It sounds like an interesting place.”

“It is.” Calo winked at Rasha. “At the very least it’s a lot darker than Atros.”

“I presume that’s how it got its name.” Rasha said softly.

The twins opened the door. They stepped out into a large open area, a staging area for Dark Elf warriors. Anton saw the markings of the Dusk Reavers, Wind Walkers and another two Clans that he did not recognise. Nearby guards descended upon them but quickly relaxed when they realised who they were and where they came from.

“I shall inform Gerin of your arrival.” A guard saluted and ran towards a large building in the distance.

“This is our island.” Sheso murmured. “They...They said they were going to use it for…”

“Training.” Anton continued. “For training and military purposes. Including a navy. So it’s probably a good bet that those ships have been moved.”

Sheso clicked her tongue. “Leran will be pissed if they’re gone.”

“Or if they don’t have our markings.” Calo made a strange sound.

Anton caught the attention of a nearby guard. “Excuse me. But whose markings do those two belong to? I don’t recognise them.”

“Sir.” The Dark Elf snapped to attention. “They belong to the Shadow Foxes and the Striking Eagles. They are Clans created after the Goblin menace was driven off from the survivors of the destroyed clans and those that wished to start a new life away from the other Island and Mainland Clans.”

“No further issues with the Goblins?”

“None, Sir. We can’t find any, no matter how hard we look.”

I still have a few Strohierite stones lurking around here. A good way to see if they can be reused or survive the transportation through...Wait. Wouldn’t that put me over the limit for Earth Mana? We need to find out how to build that Node already. Just need to find the parts…

“Definitely do not become complacent.” Anton softly sighed. “But I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.”

The Dark Elf almost smiled as a large group hurriedly emerged from the large wooden building. Anton spied Gerin at the front. He had aged a few years during their parting. Trying to hold disparate Dark Elf Clans together through a string of half-truths and a loyal stooge to parrot his words as if they were the Mist Walker Elders was taxing to say the least. When he laid eyes on Anton the weight visibly lifted from his shoulders.

“I was surprised to hear that you were coming.” Gerin hurried across the open fields. “I would have met your personally...But I am having some very serious issues.”

“Issues?”

Gerin waited until he was close until he continued speaking. “Regarding the management of The Shadow Isles, from the Mist Walkers.”

“I see.” Anton slowly nodded. “You’re having troubles…”

“Yes.” Gerin finally noticed Rasha. His eyes widened as he fully took in just how tall she was. “A Minotaur? But blue...You had a Half-Breed Beast-kin with you last time. And I see that you have...Cetina still with you.”

“I’m surprised that you remembered my name.” Cetina said. “I wasn’t involved with much of the fighting on The Shadow Isles. I really only turned up to the celebration.”

“It pays to keep informed.” Gerin’s eyes fell on Calo and Sheso. “Green Moon too. That’s not as surprising. Now, all of you please, come inside. I need your help.”

Gerin began to walk away before they could answer.

Calo pulled on Anton’s sleeve. “Are we going to get the ships?”

“We will.” Anton gently patted her head. “But it looks like something’s eating him. We help him and then he’ll be predisposed to help us. But if we’re rude and pushy he might just become really obstinate.”

“I see…”

They quickly crossed the fields towards the large wooden building. Anton did not know how the twins knew this was the Green Moon Island, he could not see anything unique about it but he trusted their intuition. There were times that Anton just knew where he was as well.

As they passed Anton watched the Dark Elves practicing and training relentlessly. Unlike human armies they were focused on speed and the accuracy of their bows, practicing how to strike with a bow with deadly precision then follow up with a flurry of dagger and sword strikes. None wielded two swords like Calo and Sheso had originally, instead one sword with a small buckler strapped to the other arm.

They’re great at hit and run, just like that book from The United Empire said they were, but wouldn’t last long in an open battle against an armoured foe. Then again, what foe could attack them in these lands?

The Shadow Isles were full of thick forests and rolling hills covered in heavy mists and fog. Even if an enemy did land in numbers it would be impossible to bring their full might to bare, especially with the Dark Elves constantly harassing them. It was no wonder the United Empire had such trouble in these lands and had to resort to allying themselves with the Island Clans.

The soldiers opened the door for Gerin but did not enter themselves. Anton gave a nod as he entered, a soldier tried to block passage for the others but quickly backed off when Anton cleared his throat.

Gerin flopped himself onto a large couch before a low, long table with a detailed map of The Shadow Isles laid out. Anton was glad to see no markers for Goblins, or any military force for that matter. The Shadow Isles were, for not at least, still at peace.

"I trust that your Green Moon friends won't say anything of our conversation?" Gerin motioned for Anton to sit next to him.

"No." Anton looked Calo and Sheso dead in the eye. "You won't, will you?"

And Leran already knows the Mist Walker thing is all a sham anyway.

"No." Calo said firmly. "We know how to keep a secret."

Anton waited until her sister agreed.

"I'll hold you two to that." Anton did not sit but leant close by the table. Cetina nudged Rasha forward, who thankfully did not have to crouch lest her horn scrape the roof.

"How have things been since we left?"

"Overall, pretty good." Gerin leant back into the couch, Anton heard the click of a bone as Gerin sighed in relief loudly. "I won't say things are perfect but they are improving dramatically. Commerce is now flowing through the entire Shadow Isles, even the mainland. And now they aren't getting so uppity about us having trade routes to Bebbezzar." He glanced at Cetina. "It's still a mess down there."

"I hope it will recover." Cetina smiled. "But I believe that Anton will have a hand in that."

"Are you proposing that I interfere with another civil war?" Anton smiled. "The last time things didn't work out so well, remember?"

"We're a lot stronger now." Cetina said firmly. "And I'm not going to let it happen to you again."

"Qaiviel, wasn't it?" Gerin asked. "They don't have any ports on their north border but we've heard things have changed. For the better, at least for now."

"Indeed. Things are going well for us. But what about you? You look like you've aged a few winters since we parted."

Gerin clicked his tongue. "It's Emecru. You weren't introduced but he was there at the victory celebration."

"The Mist Walker stooge?" Anton asked dryly.

"Yes..." Gerin leant forward. "He's starting to think that he actually runs things." He shook his head and bit his lower lip. "I should have stopped him the moment that he started doing things on his own, but I was focusing on other things and I stupidly didn’t act right away. At first it was only little innocuous stuff, I was too busy to go back there and bring him to heel, but now he's giving orders and directives that actually affect The Shadow Isles."

"And you would like for me to sit on him? Remind him where he actually stands in the order of things?"

"That would be much appreciated." Gerin smiled. "I was about to return to the Tower and set things straight myself, but having you and your friends present could certainly help matters." Gerin frowned. "How is that relic doing? You seemed very excited to get it."

"Extremely well. Extremely well. But in return for my help I would like control of the Green Moon's ships. The ones in their fortress? They belong to the Green Moon, who are now citizens of Atros."

“Those ships do not interest me.” Gerin said. “They are designed for raiding, nor for defence or for trading, like what we’re doing now. If you can help me deal with Emecru, I’ll more than happily let them go.”

They’re really ours. But having a destabilised Shadow Isles isn’t good for us either. And if we do return I’m not exactly going to be focusing much of running Atros now am I?

“Alright. We’ll help. Shouldn’t be too difficult. Right?”

“No.” Gerin nodded to Rasha. “If she were to just stand next to him that should be enough.”

“It’s a long way to the Mist Walkers.” Cetina said. “Are we going to ride those Jaguars?”

“What?” Rasha’s eyes flicked between everyone.

“No.” Gerin smiled. “Not exactly.”

---[]---

Anton found their ride more than a little odd. They did not have a horse drawn carriage, rather one pulled by a team of Jaguars. It was an odd experience but the ride was surprisingly comfortable. Before the roads of The Shadow Isles were poor at best but Gerin clearly had been putting time and effort into upgrading the network. Not only would it aid in military response time but the economy would benefit.

Rasha let out a startled gasp when she finally saw through the mist and the tower came into view. Even the twins were awed a little by its sheer size.

"I've never seen it before." Calo said. "We've heard about it, but..."

"I doubt anyone from the Green Moon would want to come here unless they really wanted to."

"What's making the purple light?" Sheso asked. "I've never seen something burn like that before."

"We never found out." Anton looked out the carriage to the top of the tower. The upper disks were hidden by the mist, only the bright purple light shone through. "We were far more interested in some of the relics they had. Those were very interesting. But I never asked. I believe the United Empire built this...monstrosity."

Anton frowned softly. "But I don't know to what end."

They continued in silence until the carriage came to a halt. Mist Walker guards quickly inspected their vehicles and let them through. The fields of tents and wounded soldiers were gone, many of those would now live normal lives thanks to Kal, now replaced with training fields and sparring soldiers. The carriage stopped once again, a Dark Elf opened the door and ushered them out.

Gerin effortlessly dismounted and walked towards them. "This is what I'm talking about."

"Seems to be a lot of Dark Elves training." Cetina said softly.

"It is."

Gerin sighed. “But there aren’t supposed to be this many. Even when considering that the mainland clans are more populated that ours. No. This is Emecru thinking for himself.”

“What a terrible notion.” Anton said dryly.

They were not exactly welcomed into the tower but there was no open hostility, like there had been but a month ago. The Mist Walker guards patrolling the tower’s stairs gave them short and courteous nods, rather than being deliberately ignored.

Emecru had stationed himself on one of the lower levels, something that Gerin complained bitterly about. He was supposed to be acting on behalf of the Mist Walker Elders, currently dead and whose ashes were now spread throughout the old Kar Kingdom, and to convincingly to do so he had to be on a level where he would be close to where they were supposed to be.

“Ignorant little whelp.” Gerin muttered under his breath again. “If he ruins this, The Shadow Isles will be worse off than if the Goblins were still a threat.”

“I suspect it would.” Anton replied. “But we should discuss this with Emecru. In private. I don’t think it will be too difficult to remind him of his place in all this.”

Gerin looked a little relieved, but he was still incredibly nervous and angry.

Finally they reached the level. A simple door stood before them, well-armed Dark Elves stood guard and eyed their every move. They seemed surprised a few humans were with Gerin, even more-so the Blue Oni towering over them all. To their credit they did not move or gawk but Anton knew they were watching intently.

“This feels very familiar.” Gerin grumbled.

This time the guards did not try and bar their passage, nor have them surrender their weapons. With a simple look Gerin had them to open the door and to not try and disarm those accompanying him. The guards opened the door and allowed them in.

Unlike the room housing the Mist Walker Elders, little more than a large table with large and comfortable chairs, Emecru’s room overflowed with decadence. Gaudy golden ornaments lay everywhere, paintings of impossible battles lined the walls and all manner of expensive furniture formed a chaotic maze. At the far end, in a small clearing, sat Emecru behind a table clearly intended for a very large family. Two Dark Elven women stood either side, one massaging his shoulders and the other feeding him small pieces of fruit after seductively licking them with her tongue.

“A bit much.” Anton couldn't help but smile. “Then again it’s what he’s paying them for. At least I hope he’s paying them.”

Cetina looked to his right side, where Verona would normally stand. Undoubtedly, she would have said something but she was still in Atros. No one was willing to fill the vacancy with a suggestive remark.

“Gerin!” Emecru happily shouted. The two women recoiled from the sudden outburst, Anton saw the one giving the massage face turned sour. She was undoubtedly in it for the money. Nothing more. “How good of you to come by!”

“Who are these women?” Gerin asked. “I don’t remember them during the victory celebration.”

Gerin threw Anton a look. He was going to play nice, at least until he got closer.

“Oh? Them?” Emecru looked between them women and smiled, only when he smiled was it returned. “This is...Um…” He leant close to the woman feeding him. “What did you say your name was again?”

“It’s…” She looked at the massager. Both tried to keep their smiles but it was a little hard.

Gerin clapped his hands. “Leave us. Now.”

“You can’t do that.” Emecru grabbed one by the waist and pulled her close. “I still have time with them. Until sundown, to be precise.”

Gerin stared at the women as he continued to approach Emecru. They shared a glance and they wormed their way out of his hands and scampered away. They kept their hands clasped at their fronts, their heads cast down as they raced past. Emecru did not look very happy.

“So what do you want, Gerin?” Emecru seemed unnaturally smug and satisfied with himself. “You’ve come a long way-”

“Shut the door on your way out.” Gerin shouted after the women. They did as they were bid, though Anton guessed they probably knew something serious was about to happen.

“What-”

“You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve.” Gerin was but a few feet from Emecru’s table. “I gave you one job. A very simple job. To do what you were told and that’s it. It’s unbelievably simple, and yet you-”

“Hey!” Emecru tried to sound intimidating, a difficult act while he was sitting so slovenly. “I am doing a very difficult job! If I were to make a mistake then everyone would know the truth. We’d both be killed, so you shouldn’t be talking to me like that.”

Gerin clicked his tongue and stepped back. Though he kept his face flat Anton saw the anger surge through his neck.

“Allow me. Please.” Anton summoned a small Fire Bomb.

Emecru’s eyes widened. “So you are the mage! I didn’t think that you would look so…Normal. I thought you would have been as tall as the Beast-kin at your side. Tall and menacing…Not…This.”

“Did you actually check if he was any good?” Anton asked Gerin. “Or was he just hiding this? He seems a lot more intelligent that you first thought.”

Emecru laughed but did not deny his words.

Though if he was smart he wouldn't be so antagonistic to Gerin. He might just be stupid. And lucky.

“But I can and will use magic. Especially if Gerin asks me to.”

Emecru scoffed and produced a medallion. Anton groaned, it was one of the medallions the Mist Walker Elders wore, a medallion that could negate magic.

“I found these in the Mist Walker Elder’s possession. At least in their rooms.” He smiled at the medallions. “But they stop all magic. So it is terrifying to see magic, but it’s not to me.”

He let the power go to his head in just a few days. Definitely stupidly lucky.

Gerin shook his head. Emecru was not intimidated by Gerin nor by Anton, even when he demonstrated that he was a powerful mage. Either he was so stupid that he didn’t understand, or he had deceived Gerin by pretending to be stupid.

Anton softly sighed. “Looks like being nice isn’t going to work. But-”

Emecru scoffed. “I am-”

“Rasha?” Anton looked up at the Blue Minotaur. “Could you please grab him and take him with us?”

“What?” Emecru finally understood that he was completely at their mercy. “You can’t do that? I am the spokesperson for the Mist Walker Elders! I-”

Rasha reached over the table and grabbed him by his shoulder. Even though her fingers did not wrap around his limbs she was more than strong enough to lift him into the air. Emecru’s chair loudly smashed onto the ground, his legs thrashed about and repeatedly struck the table.

“How dare a mere Beast-kin do something like this to me!” Emecru punched Rasha’s armoured hand, bloodying his brown skin. “You Beasts are lesser than humans and yet you slaves try and do this to me?!”

Rasha sighed. “I thought Dark Elves were better than this.” Rasha’s gripped tightened, Emecru let out a short cry as his bones began to creak and groan. “But I’m in a good mood, so I won’t crush your arm.”

“I-”

“Let’s head outside.” Anton smiled. “I think that a bit of fresh air will do you some good. Maybe some of Gerin’s words will finally sink into the head of yours.”

“What are you going to do?”

Anton frowned. It was pretty obvious, to him at least, what was about to happen. “Let us show you.”

---[]---

“Please!” Emecru screamed. “Please pull me back in!”

Rasha glanced at Anton. She held Emecru over the edge of the balcony, several hundred meters above the ground. Beneath them the practicing Mist Walkers were little more than tiny dots partially obscured by the mist.

“Not yet.” Anton smiled. “I don’t think that he’s got the message yet.”

Rasha sighed. “If you say so, Anton.” Rasha began to grin. “At least he’s not hitting my hand anymore.”

“I don’t think he was actually hurting you.” Anton jabbed her side, his elbow hitting metal plates. “But I’ll make sure that every little scratch and bruise is taken care of.”

Rasha pulled a face. She coughed and refastened her grip. Emecru threw Anton an angry glance.

“Don’t do that to your pet.” Emecru bared his teeth. “She almost dropped me.”

“You’ll be fine.” Calo laughed as she leant against the railing, resting one elbow on the edge as she shook her head. “Looks like your flapping lips are that big that you could make wings from them.”

“What…” Sheso blinked in confusion at her sister. “What did you just say?”

“I don’t know.” Calo laughed. “But I still think it’s true.”

Sheso and Cetina shrugged at Anton. Gerin ignored them and stared at Emecru.

“Do you understand your position now?” Gerin stepped to the edge of the balcony. “How little your life is worth?”

“Pull me back in!” Emecru’s legs kicked towards the balcony. They scrapped the bottom of the railings but could not gain purchase. “Pull me back in, dammit!”

“Okay.” Gerin gently raised his hand towards Anton. “But do you understand why this is happening?”

“Fucking hell!” Emecru finally let his legs drop. “What do I have to say so I can come back in?”

“Tell me everything that you’ve done that I haven’t authorised.”

Emecru grit his teeth. “Fine...I ordered the Mist Walkers to start training every soldier they could, along with the other Mainland clans.”

“And?”

“And…For fuck’s sake. I also had the Mainland Clans pay me so they would get preferential treatment when trading with Bebbezzar and Seocuria. Whatever that means.”

“You…” Gerin’s mouth flapped about. “What do you mean that you don’t know what preferential means?”

“How do I know why I don’t know something?”

That’s almost deeply philosophical. But a broken clock is right twice a day.

“Alright then.” Gerin nodded to Anton.

Anton silently ordered Rasha to bring him back in. Emecru greedily grasped for the railing, Rasha ignored him and dropped him onto the balcony. He landed on all fours. When he tried to rise Gerin planted his foot into his wounded shoulder.

“I was stupid to give you as much freedom as I did.” Gerin pushed down hard enough to force him to crumple onto the floor. “If you had done exactly as you were told none of this would have happened. You would have had more money and wealth that most Dark Elves and even Humans. But now...Now I have to undo all the stupidity that you’ve unleashed upon The Shadow Isles.”

“I…” Emecru shook his head but had nothing more to say.

“You will spend the rest of your days under heavy guard.” Gerin’s eyes narrowed. “My guards. They will never let you out of your sight, nor will a single missive leave your lips without their express permission.”

Gerin nodded out into the endless mists. He waited until Emecru looked out as well. “You will become little more than the Mist Walker Elders. Someone only known by name, that your words speak for someone else. You yourself will never wield any power again. Real or imaginary.”

“Why don’t you just drop me from here?” Emecru spat at the ground. “You thought I was-”

“Because you have distinctive handwriting.” Gerin said softly. “It’s actually quite beautiful, shockingly so. Your parents must have been proud...Even though that was probably the only thing that you excelled at.”

Emecru said nothing.

The far door opened. Anton saw DuskReaver Dark Elves enter, removing the weapons of the Mist Walker guards and sending them away. The Mist Walkers did not protest, quite the opposite in fact.

“You shouldn’t have tried to over-reach.” Gerin turned away. “Perhaps you will remember this. When your soul is reborn.”

Emecru threw Gerin a hateful glare. Anton summoned a number of Large Fire Bombs and held them close to Emecru’s head. Now he was properly terrified of his magic, rather than his previous ignorant bluster.

“Don’t make me come back.” Anton spoke softly. “I think you’ll enjoy the view from the very top of the tower. If it only weren’t for the mist you could probably see the entire Shadow Isles. Not even I have seen anything like it. But I’m sure you’ll grow to like it. You’ll have time.”

Emecru snarled. “Go away, human.”

Anton leant close. “There’s always a fast way down if you ever feel inclined. Or...Even if you don’t.”

Emecru shook his head as the DuskReavers arrived and lifted him by his arms. He offered no resistance as he was dragged away.

“Not the best ending.” Gerin muttered. “I thought he might be able to be reasoned with.”

“A serious danger when trying to get a stooge to work with you.” Anton said softly.

“You know something of this?”

“No…” Anton frowned lightly as his eyes fell on Rasha. “But I feel that someday I will.”

Rasha frowned back, she didn’t inquire about what he was saying but she would undoubtedly ask later.

“As soon as we can work out a better system then he’ll be removed.” Gerin said softly. “I doubt he’ll see the summer. Thank you, Rasha. I do not believe he’ll forget being what it feels like to be dangling over the abyss.”

“He was trembling a lot.” Rasha smiled. “He really wasn’t enjoying it.”

“I wonder why.” Anton said dryly. Cetina slowly nodded.

“Take this.” Gerin produced a small sealed scroll. “Take and show this to those guarding the Green Moon Fortress. They will give you the ships. I presume you can deal with the crew?”

“Of course.” Anton said. “Not a problem in the slightest.”

“Thank you…” Gerin sighed. “Hopefully the next time we meet it will be a time of celebration. Where our two people can come together for something other than war.”

Anton smiled. “I would like that too. But remember that you are always welcome to visit Atros if you so desire.” He nodded to the still open balcony. “At least a place that isn’t permanently covered in mist and fog.”

“One day...One day…”

---[]---

“It looks the exact same as I remember it.” Sheso leant close to the edge of the Jaguar drawn carriage. “The walls are just as thick and tall-”

“Better than when we left it.” Calo softly interjected. “I...I honestly don’t feel that good when I look at this place.”

Cetina folded her arms. “How skinny were you two when we arrived?”

"We were very skinny." Calo said softly. "A lot of the food we snuck to the children..."

"And there wasn't that much of that either." Sheso added softly. "We probably weighed as much as Axia, between us both."

"It's a wonder that you didn't die once we got some decent food into you." Anton said. "I know we slowly ramped it up but it still could have killed you."

"How do you know that?" The twins asked simultaneously.

"A terrible war...A terrible war that I hope never to see for myself."

He had yet to tell even Cetina about the horrors of the World Wars of Earth, he knew it would be an interesting tale to tell but now was not the time.

The Green Moon fortress had not been fully repaired, yet. Many of the walls were still damaged but much work had already been performed to repair it. Dark Elf masons fashioned stones into blocks before being loaded onto a wooden crane and lifted high to the workers. These workers were hard to identify which clan they came from as most were bare chested, the men at least, and were missing their distinctive coloured tassel.

"A lot of these look like they're from the Wind Walkers." Calo said softly. "I didn't think they were hard workers."

"How can you tell?" Anton bounced forward slightly as the carriage came to a halt.

"It's..." Calo frowned lightly before shrugging. "Just something that we can see."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sheso spoke completely devoid of emotion.

Calo glared at her sister but her face softened when she realized Sheso was just teasing her. The two began to squabble as they exited the carriage. Cetina and Rasha exited before Anton, rather they prevented him from leaving until they were out and made sure it was safe.

As with the Mist Walker tower there were many Dark Elves training and honing their combat ability. Not as many as the Mist Walkers but still at least a hundred. These looked very young, probably no older than the twins. New warriors not mass conscription.

"I wonder if they're sleeping in our beds?" Calo asked.

"It really wasn't a priority when we were trying to rescue you." Anton said. "If it's still there do you want it?"

"Nah." Calo stretched her arms over her head. "They weren't that comfortable anyway. What we've got now is far, far better than before."

A Wind Walker warrior approached. He seemed to recognize Anton, and possibly Cetina, as his demeanour relaxed considerably.

"Hello." He bowed deeply. "How may we help you this day?"

Anton produced the sealed scroll. "We have a letter for your commander. The Green Moon's boats, those inside the fortress, are to be relinquished to us. We will be taking them back with us."

"I...I see." The warrior began to walk towards the main entrance to the fortress, still half ruined but repairs were well underway. "You will need to speak with Vonkal then, our leader. He will be able to tell you more."

The inner corridors had already been cleaned, cleaned of blood and corpses, both normal Goblins and those sickly mottled creatures. They had yet to see them again but Anton felt they would, especially from Surdon to the south of Atros.

Hopefully they've cleaned the boats too. It's going to be pretty hard to explain they were covered in bloated and stretched Goblin corpses.

Anton sniffed at the air.

The gates must be open by now. The stench alone from the bodies Verona pushed into the water should be unbearable.

A light quickly grew at the end of the tunnel. While the side passages were deserted, the twins eyed them nervously for another surprise Goblin attack, the central bristled with activity. Thankfully none of it cantered around the Green Moon's ships. They rested in the harbour, slowly rocking back and forth with a faint swell. To Anton's surprise half of the gate was opened, the other was still barred by a pile of stones that had fallen from the roof.

"I'd never think that I would see them again." Calo swooned at the sight of the ships. "Leran and Cagec will be so happy to know they're in one piece."

And no longer covered in blood.

"Will they just?" A voice called out from the side. "And why would former pirates be delighted to see ships they supposedly never had in the first place?"

The voice belonged to Vonkal, leader of the Wind Walkers. He looked surprisingly like Gerin, though all Dark Elves looked similar to a surprising degree, but inside he was quite different. Anton was glad to have had little dealings with him. Kal made special mention of him, none of it anything other than creepy.

“Regardless.” Anton held the small scroll towards Vonkal. “They are now ours.”

“Honestly they belonged to the Green Moon, regardless of what we say or do.” Vonkal smiled as he approached. “But whomever holds it has control. Correct?”

“Correct.”

Vonkal waited for Anton to speak further but he had nothing more to say. If anything he looked a little put off, like he was anticipating a verbal sparing, not a sudden end to a conversation.

“So what does Gerin have to say?”

Vonkal stopped a few meters away and ordered a nearby warrior to take the scroll. Behind him he saw the Dark Elf woman that Vonkal had sent with Verona and Kal, as some sort of punishment and potentially hoping that she would die, organising the other warriors. Anton did not know her name but it did not matter right now.

“That we are to take all of the Green Moon’s ships and take them back with us.”

“Okay.” Vonkal shrugged before he had even read the paper. “I don’t have any use for them.”

“But they’re really good ships!” Calo said adamantly.

“The best in The Shadow Isles.” Sheso quickly added. “Best in the world! And you...Um…”

The twins shared a glance as they realised what they were saying. Anton softly sighed and lightly slapped the backs of their heads. They remained completely still and tried to act like nothing had just happened.

“They are good ships.” Vonkal quickly read the paper. “Very good. But they aren’t what we need anymore. We aren’t raiders or pirates. No, we’re going to be traders and explorers.”

Are there still lands to discover? No one has found the polar caps...If this world has such things. Magic tends to make ‘normal’ laws irrelevant.

“And while those ships.” Vonkal dismissively nodded to the ships. “Are indeed fast their cargo space leaves much to be desired. Yes. Much to be desired.” He smiled as he placed the scroll in his pocket. “And we already know how your clan made these fine vessels. We will use that to improve our own vessels.”

Calo and Sheso shared a glance. Leran and Cagec would not be pleased to learn that.

“Regardless, we will be taking them. Right now.”

“So long as you can crew them.” Vonkal’s eyes were finally drawn to Rasha. “Unless you plan to have her do all of the work...I notice that you have had at least two Beast-kin by your side.”

Rasha lent down slightly. “Why is everyone mentioning that I’m a Beast-kin today?”

“It must be your face.” Anton shrugged innocently. “Must have never seen anyone with blue skin before.”

“True…”

Vonkal clicked his tongue. “But I’ve received word from my people, now living in your city, that there are many, many Beast-kin there. Is that true?”

“It is.” Anton folded his arms. “But they aren’t to be poked or prodded by anyone. Especially me or you.”

Vonkal did not look dismayed. “Perhaps one day I’ll visit. So far it sounds like an interesting place. But, please take the ships. We will be using the dock as a shipyard for our new trading vessels. They’ll be just as large as any Human or Dwarven ship! Just you wait.”

Sheso lightly nudged her sister's side. “They aren’t going to like this.”

“No…” Calo clicked her tongue. “But this isn’t our land anymore.”

“I’ll establish the portal.” Cetina removed the bag and began setting out the portal stones. “They’re waiting on the other side. At least they should be.”

The Wind Walkers gave them a wide berth as the portal flashed into being. A small piece of wood immediately emerged.

“Why…” Vonkal frowned. “Does it just make...No. No the people-”

A pair of Dark Elves stepped through, ones wearing the Green Moon’s tassel around their necks.

“Some sort of alarm?” Vonkal rubbed his beardless chin. “I see. That makes sense.”

He began muttering to himself and returned to the other Wind Walkers. The DuskReavers quickly asked the twins for instructions and were delighted to know the ships were theirs without any hassle.

“Where are we sailing to?” One of the DuskReavers asked.

“Jaka.” Anton said. “But make sure that you don’t try and dock in the harbour. The area is still swarming with Goblins and we cannot guarantee your safety...We might try and get the Dwarves to build something, an extension to the little outpost.” Anton shrugged. “Something that we will have to work out, but that’s not your problem.”

“No.” The Dark Elf smiled. “We’ll get the ships and depart as soon as possible. Will you be coming with us?”

“No. We’ll make our own way back to the portal.” Anton turned to the twins. “Are you sure that you don’t want anything from the fortress? This will probably be the last time you’ll see if for quite a while.”

Both smiled back.

“No.” Calo looked to the ceiling. “It was good to come back but there’s nothing for us here. There’s a lot of good, and a lot of bad memories floating around this place.”

“And we like it in Atros.” Sheso continued. “Much better food, beds and places to visit.” Sheso cracked a smile. “And the people can be really nice too. So it wasn’t all that bad, was it?”

Anton only returned the smile. He didn’t want to ruin the moment by reminding her just how many of their clan had died to the Goblins, nor that they themselves had almost died to their predations. Sometimes saying nothing was the right thing to say.