They ended up in a town called Mistyli. Well… town was stretching it. It was a trading post for the Arctic tribes and the rest of Hoseki. It had a pretty nice Inn and Hunting Lodge, and a handful of houses for the very few permanent residents.
And it was fucking cold.
Wonder had never been a fan of the cold, and it probably showed. Luckily Sakura shared his hatred of the cold, so he wasn’t alone. Anytime they left the Lodge it was super bundled in furs and coats. The only time they had willingly gone out was when Wonder got to teach his kids how to make a snowman… which, since he never made one himself, turned more into a let’s try to make something semi-recognizable contest.
Oh, and the reason they were stuck there?
Apparently, the magic carriage was beyond repair.
Rose had worked out where it could possibly be turned into a transportable mini-cabin (trailer!) since all the internal living magics were just fine. But apparently the “engine” was totally destroyed, and the local Mages needed some rare-ass materials to rebuild it.
Wonder had emailed Lil their location, and their situation. She said she’d tried to find a decent deal and bring the new carriage with her, but it would take time.
So here they were!
Luckily, there was an abundance of Arctic bunnies and wolves, so Wonder could hunt and still get money. Rose also could count on an audience each night at the Inn or Lodge’s bar.
Today, Wonder was exchanging the furs like usual. Izuku walked up and pulled twice on his sleeve… the signal he needed to talk. Wonder looked at him. “What’s up, Champ?”
Izuku said, “Um…” He indicated with his head.
Wonder looked. A small woman had walked in with a giant undead wolf. Wonder smirked. “You wanna go say hi?”
Izuku nodded. Wonder looked at the cashier, who waved him off. He said, “I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
Wonder took Izuku over. “Excuse me, Miss?”
The woman looked at him with a face of stone. Wonder indicated his son. “My kiddo is becoming a Tamer himself, with a specialization with the Undead. Mind if he asks you a few questions?”
Izuku smiled, holding multiple of his undead bunnies.
The woman finally relaxed and smiled. She waved to someone, indicating they come over. An elf came over. “What is… oh! OH!”
Wonder said, “Oh dear… did I mis…”
The elf said, “No no! Hiso is mute, so I translate for her.”
Wonder said, “Oooooo! OK, me a dum-dum. Anyway, this is Izuku. To catch you up, he’s a budding Tamer with a specialization in the Undead.”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
The elf chuckled. “A very rare talent! I’m guessing you want to learn more about Undead Taming from Miss Hiso?”
Izuku nodded. “Yes ma’am!”
Wonder smiled… then felt a familiar hand on his wrist. He turned. “Yes, sweetie?”
Sakura was already bundled up, smiling. “Snow-blob?”
Wonder chuckled. The cashier just waved him off. Wonder looked for Rose. He gave Wonder a thumbs-up. He had Izuku.
Wonder bundled up and joined his daughter outside. After creating a snow castle which turned into a snow den, Wonder spotted something weird. There was something wandering into town, moaning loudly.
Sakura said, “Daddy… what that?”
Wonder summoned his bow. “I don’t know.”
He looked around. There weren’t many people out. And most were just shuffling from place to place.
Wonder walked into the street, and looked at the moaning thing. He then realized what it was… a zombie. A humanoid one. But it was almost a skeleton, with only skin draped over it and that was covered in an icy layer.
Wonder used Appraisal on it:
Rejected Antibody
Antibody that has been rejected by both Master and a secondary Tamer. Looks for a new Master to take care of it. Once found, will be loyal for unlife.
STR: MAX
DEF: ERROR
AGI: Average, Now Penalized to Low due to Frozen
Mana: None
REP: None
STLTH: Average
STATUS PENALTY: FROZEN
Wonder winced. Rejected? By a Master and a Tamer?!? Why?!?
Hiso suddenly appeared by Wonder. The elf translator said, “Um… excuse me…”
Wonder held up his hand. “Something’s not right.”
Hiso shook her head. She then did a rapid series of signs. Th elf said, “Rejection usually means rebellious.”
Wonder said, “Then it wouldn’t be looking for a new master.”
Izuku popped next to him, and nodded. “Daddy… Daddy do it.”
Wonder said, “Izuku?”
Izuku said, “It’s too strong. And… Daddy should probably do this one anyway.”
“Pleeeeeeasseeeeeee.”
They all jumped. The antibody had gotten close enough that Wonder realized the moaning was words.
“Pllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase. Cooooooooold.”
Wonder said, “Zom… Undead talk?”
Hiso shook her head. But there was understanding in her eyes. She signed, and elf translated: “No, their brains are too decayed. I’m betting that is why there is rejection. Because the previous masters probably wanted a non-sentient servant.”
Wonder nodded. He held up a hand. Luckily the antibody understood because it stopped. Wonder said, “Who are you?”
“Criiiiiiissssssssiiiiiiiiiissssssss. Ageeeeeeeeent Criiiiiiiiissssssiiiiiiiiisssssss.”
“Crisis. I have a family. If I take you on, our protection is your priority.” Suddenly thinking on the Agent angle, Wonder added, “Do you accept this mission?”
Crisis wobbled, then saluted. An American military salute. “Yessssssss siiiiiiiiir!”
ANTIBODY “AGENT CRISIS” IS READY TO RECRUIT… WHY AM I EVEN BOTHERING TO ASK? HE’S YOURS NOW!
There was a brief flash of light, and Wonder saw Crisis appear in the sub-menu for Tamed Beasts. Wonder said, “Good… now, Crisis, let’s get you out of the cold.”
Hiso yanked on his sleeve. Izuku said first, “Daddy, give him your scarf. If people think he’s wild…”
Wonder got it, and slipped off one of his scarves. “Fair enough. Crisis, put this on.”
He tossed the scarf. Like a trained pro, Crisis caught it and put it on. Wonder said, “There we go. Everyone has seen that ugly thing enough to know it’s mine. Now let’s get him in, warmed up… and probably new clothes. I’m betting those rags won’t survive dethaw.”