They continued down the road for several more hours. Nyota’s ears never stopped twitching and soon Liam could hear them for himself, howls echoing through the night-blanketed forest. To torment their prey, or herd them. Soon the wolves would arrive.

Arlet caught hold of a spear, holding the reins in one hand as he prepared to fight.

“My lord, please return to the carriage.” He said apologetically. As if his necessary violence was some great offense.

Man, Baron Green was a real jerk to this guy.

“Don’t apologize for doing your duty! I should be apologizing to you for putting you in danger. Although, Arlet… Do you really think one spear will be enough to fight off hellhounds?” Asked Liam.

“Hellhounds m’lord?! That is an apt term for them. Uhm, well. I seem to have left my platoon of knights at Greenhaven sir.”

Liam burst into laughter, startling Nyota and Arlet, the joke catching him off guard. He had not expected a sense of humor from the grim captain.

With his laughter dying, he smiled to Arlet, taking the other spear for himself. Hopefully hellhounds were like wolves and they would find getting stabbed a poor trade for a meal.

“M’lord? It will be far safer if you were to remain within the carriage.” Arlet asserted.

“Be honest with me, Arlet. How many horses can the hellhounds kill before we have to walk?”

“Ah, uhm. I had not thought of that m’lord.” Lied Arlet, knowing full well that they could lose two horses and no more.

If they lost a third then they would have to walk home. Turning one day’s ride into two or three on foot. Which only guaranteed their capture.

“Your intentions are too honest to sell that lie, captain. Even if your intentions are pure. I will hear no more. Let us be off.” Said Liam, finally imitating Baron Green’s speech patterns.

“Very well, m’lord.” Answered Arlet, sounding almost relieved.

For a moment Liam was confused by his tone, then it occured to him that Arlet might have noticed his unusual behavior. After all, Arlet knew him better than any other human being, every philandery, deception, and flaw had been witnessed by the champion.

Around them the trees began to shift hues, from the darker ebon wood that gave Blackwood its name to the eerily alabaster aspens of Avignon. They were getting closer to home. Unfortunately Blackwood’s outriders lay behind and hellhounds stood in front, with all avenues of escape cut off by the woods of Avignon hemming them in. Complaining about their situation would do nothing to solve it.

“Here, hold a second spear, Lord Green. When I throw mine you’ll hand me another. Mayhaps, if Therun Taloc smiles on us, we may scare them off.” Counseled Arlet. Invoking the god king’s name.

Liam wasn’t a religious man, nor was Baron Green, but they were both, tangentially, aware of the dominant religion’s philosophies. Therun Taloc, interesting. This world’s equivalent of Jesus Christ, except magical, or well, more magical, and violent. Kinda like if Jesus had Zeus for a kid. Baron Green’s memories corrected Liam’s understanding, educating him on Taloc’s war against the old gods, where he would slay entire continents, then repopulate them. Okay, wayyy more violent, Judgement day seems to be every day for Taloc.

“May Therun Taloc sing our praise.” Said Liam, an overly formal way of answering Arlet’s invocation.

A smile carved itself into the stone of Arlet’s cheeks, his teeth flashing as he whipped the reins. Thoroughly in his element. Four burning bushes resolved into glowing wolves, instead of fur, fire covered their bodies. These creatures of legend were rumored to be half-wolf and half-demon, with the fury of a spurned woman and the strength of a bull. They held their ground, facing down the approaching carriage, undisturbed by Arlet’s grin, or his spear. These creatures moved with a spark of intelligence, assessing the humans in a glance and finding them lacking.

Liam spared a glance to the rear, noticing with curiosity that Nyota now knelt on the roof of the carriage. A spear in one hand and a shield in the other. Her tail cut the air, moving counter to the carriage’s bucking.

Who makes catgirl maids fight flaming wolves? Who knows, maybe this is all a dream. Although, I can’t treat things that lightly. My whole body still hurts so pain exists. I can’t let Nyota and Arlet suffer for my sake.

“Aaaawwwwwwwwooooooooo.”

One hellhound ran into the woods leaving three on the road ahead. To his shock the departing hellhound’s flames did not set the aspens ablaze, tickling the surgeon inside him. Their leader howled his challenge, cutting through Liam’s curiosity and reminding him what had killed the cat.

Eyes forward Liam, don’t die.

The hellhounds grew brighter, their flames expanding from burning bushes to blazing trees. Arlet leapt to his feet, raising his spear in preparation to throw. Whipping the reigns he spurred the horses onward, picking up speed.

Liam turned his thoughts inward. Magic would be nice, I used lightning once before…

That notification earlier said lightning bolt eleven, and something about mana manipulation. A bolt of lightning would be the perfect weapon! Like Zeus —or Taloc fighting Cerberus at the gates of the underworld, ha, that’s just a story, I can’t shoot a lightning bolt.

Or, can’t I? The guard was electrocuted. Killed by my hand. Okay Liam, figure out how to shoot lightning! Hrrrmmmm… Maybe if I focus on that feeling you had just before you shocked the guard, it felt like when I got hit by lightning. Kinda a fizzing inside me… No not like pop rocks, more like licking a nine volt battery.

Liam had no idea magic worked, or how he had done it before, but what he did know was that there was always a hand gesture and he figured that finger guns were as good a place as any to start experimenting. Raising his finger towards the largest of the three hellhounds, Liam sharpened his memory, concentrating on the pain of lightning. His body began to tingle, to build something.

I want to kill the hellhounds, destroy them so they can never hurt anyone again.

For this purpose a bolt of lightning was born from the tip of his finger, Heaven’s Wrath hurled at the enemies of Taloc’s chosen lord. It’s flash mimicked the genuine article, blinding the party with light so bright that Liam thought he might have died once more. As if the sun had a ‘rave phase’ and learned to strobe, the world went dark. Screaming horses assured him that he had not yet left this world, shrieking in panic as their eyes ceased to function.

[Mana manipulation] increased to level 3

“My eyes!” Shouted Arlet.

“By Taloc!” Cried Nyota.

“I think I overdid it.” Said Liam, ignoring the notification.

Thunder rolled through the woods, echoing over the lands of Green. In Avignon, hellhounds raised their heads in fear, in Mont St Michel an old priest shivered awake; sensing the rise of a new Lightning Lord. Far away in Blackwood Castle the Grandmaster of Fire smiled, knowing his life of subservience had finally borne fruit, the felinids finally had a Lightning Lord, change wasn’t coming, it was already here.

None of these events were known to Liam. Not expecting his first try to be successful, Liam had been looking at the hellhounds with both eyes, blinding him as totally as a flensing rod. He fluttered his eyelids, finding that he was unable to tell the difference between open and closed. A familiar voice chanted words he had never heard before, Nyota’s voice was rhythmic. Unmistakable as she uttered some kind of poem. It’s tune familiar, but the words escaped him.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Keep going Arlet. Let’s pray the hounds are as blind as we are!”

“Hyyyaaahhh!” Shouted Arlet. No doubt whipping the reins with vigor.

Soft hands wrapped around Liam’s face, sharp nails tearing at his burned flesh.

“What are you doing?”

“Hold still!” Ordered Nyota. Her mouth inches from his ear.

Liam froze, he had no alternative really, so he chose to trust his strange feline companion. Since he had killed the guard she had been faithful. Rhythmic chanting began again, echoing the same words she had uttered an instant before.

“Heaven’s grace, a lightning god’s decree,

With fervent faith, I call on thee.

Wounds mend, pain’s grasp shall cease,

In sacred light, we find our peace.”

Cool relief flowed through Liam’s eyes, red starbursts appeared in his vision clearing as quickly as they had come. Nyota’s hands fell away revealing the carnage of his spell.

The two horses pulling the wagon were on fire, their short coats and once luxurious manes has been singed away, leaving a patchwork of smoldering —or outright flaming— hair behind. A line of smoldering trees lay behind them, evidence of the path his bolt had taken. Three hellhounds lay dead in the road, the largest one, Liam’s actual target, was little more than a pile of ash.

Thump Thump

The wagon ran over their bodies, jostling the trio. If Liam didn’t know better, he would have thought the carriage was cheering for them.

Did I do this? ME?

Liam dug into the baron’s memories and tried to find an explanation, finding only bits of tangential information. Like all nobles, Baron Green possessed mana and the ability to manipulate power. Magic is what the nobility derived their authority from, unlike earth where kings derived their authority from the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ this world used a more tangible power. Because of this, Green had received private tutoring from the preeminent sages; but he was what the nobles called a dud. A noble who inherited mana, and could pass it on, but was never able to manifest their latent talents.

Probably because he was a spoiled brat. Not a single memory shows him struggling or suffering any kind of hardship. The worst experience Green ever had was getting the wrong bottle of wine. So, how can I cast lightning when he couldn’t. I am in his body, magic comes from this world not mine…

Maybe that lightning bolt forcibly opened my body to mana? Wait, Green already has mana, did the lightning supercharge his body? With all the delicate grace of a semi truck plunging a toilet.

Nyota finished healing Arlet, allowing him to scan the road ahead and behind, eyes lingering on the smoldering trees. His mouth dropped open as he turned to Liam.

“You have magicks! Wha- Did you blast them to dust m’lord?”

“Haha! Arlet, you jest. You ran them over with the carriage.”

“Stop talking! The horses are burning!” Ejaculated Nyota.

“Aw shit!” Cried Arlet, yanking back on the reins with all his might.

The panicked beasts strained against him, fighting to escape the searing pain they had no ability to comprehend. Nyota leapt forward, using the relative momentum from the carriage to gracefully propel herself, alighting on the back of a horse with two easy steps. She sat, snuffing out the flames with her long black dress.

Half a second later she seemed to dance across the yoke that held the horses in place, rolling onto the second horse and extinguishing it’s burning hide. With the fire dealt with, the cat woman reverted to her old self, healing the worst of the horses’ burns.

“That healing magic is a god send.” Muttered Liam.

“My lord, it is truly a boon, but she uses it so often! And so freely! Not even trying to hide it from us. If the king catches wind of her, he’ll—”

“He won’t.” Interrupted Liam, not wanting to revisit Green’s memories of vivisections.

“Yes sir.” Snapped Arlet.

“Ahem, Praise Taloc for our good fortunes, we have been given lightning before we were ready, and now he has granted us a healer to mend our burns of ignorance.” Liam said, wondering why Green was also so… verbose, or wordy. If all nobles are like this, I’m gonna have to read a few dictionaries, but later, I’m so tired…

Liam slumped against the carriage, panting like a hellhound in winter snow.

“Lord Green, are you well?” Arlet asked.

“Ug, i’ll be fine, just a bit exhausted, magic… is uh, something special.”

They chuckled at the obvious.

“You worked a miracle to save our lives! We should be thanking you for showing us such a wonder my lord.” He added, kneeling as he finished.

Liam looked down at Arlet, his emotions matching Baron Green’s in a rare moment of distaste. Arlet meant his kneeling as a token of respect, but Liam could not ignore the feeling of unworth the gesture gave him.

“Rise, there is no time for kneeling, but thank you for your kind words, Arlet,” replied Liam.

I need to take care of these people, just like they took care of me.

“I cannot help but feel responsible for this unforeseen event. I swear on my life to do everything in my power so that no harm befalls you or anyone of my citizens. Now rise my knight. Let us be gone from here before more beasts arrive. Another bolt is beyond my current strength.” Said Liam.

Liam opened the carriage door, trying to be a gentleman for Nyota, instead he found the maid shaking in fear. Ears flat against her skull. Green’s memories howled in laughter at Liam’s social idiocy.

Oh fuuuuu... I screwed the pooch on this one. A lord opening the door for an enslaved maid? I could not have done something more confusing to her, crap! What should I do? C’mon man, salvage this mess.

“Miss Nyota, thank you for healing us. I find my legs are still a bit shaky and this door looks rather sturdy if I may say so… But the blasted thing opened on me! Would you be so kind as to assist me inside?” He asked, shifting his weight so he was leaning on the door.

“As you wish m’lord.”

Her ears flicked nervously as she approached, awkwardly stepping into the carriage first. Then she extended a hand back to him, lifting him up the stairs in an inexplicable demonstration of strength. Magic and physical power? What exactly are you miss Nyota?

“Ah, that’s much better, thank you Nyota. If I can have a moment of your time, your timing on healing us was most fortunate, I hate to trouble you, but is there any chance you can heal some of my burns? Walking seems to be difficult since the lightning.” Implored Liam.

Nyota’s ears twitched nervously, her jaw working slowly as she opened and shut her mouth.

“Please forgive me m’lord! I am sorry I kept it hidden from you. I have no talent with it and I wasted my magic on the horses.” She cried, bowing her head in shame, ears flat, and tail tucked, as if she expected to be beaten.

Liam took hold of her chin, raising her head to look at him, this culture disgusted him. Anything he could change, he would; starting with the maid in front of him.

“Wasted it? I don’t care much for putting animals above people, but those horses are acting as my legs, yours too. Healing them is effectively the same as healing me, not to mention I could never carry all these provisions after all.” Said Liam, patting the sacks of food next to him in the carriage.

“You are so very gracious my lord, I will heal you when I have recovered my magic. I swear it on my life.” Shouted Nyota.

Liam leaned back, more than slightly shocked at the energy coming from the catgirl. Her enthusiasm had a charming quality that disarmed him, much in the way Sarah had. Thoughts of his fiance crept into his mind, prodding at the goal he had forgotten, can I ever go home? He wondered.

“I appreciate your healing Nyota. Oh, by the way, that chant sounded familiar, have you been healing me while I was asleep?” Liam asked.

Nyota’s ears flicked backwards as her face grew red. She clasped her hands together, letting them fall into her lap.

“Uhm. ah- yes m’lord.” She said.

“You say that as if you have committed some sin! Thank you Nyota! I might very well owe you my life. When I next encounter the viscount I will make every effort to obtain your freedom.” Liam said.

“My freedom? Aahhh! M’lord! He means to kill you! Do not endanger yourself on my account. I am fine being a slave. Honest. I’ve been one since my birth, I don’t know what I would do without a lord to serve.”

“Oh, uhm… Well freedom would let you be with your family, or return to the home of your ancestors.” Stammered Liam.

“The home of my ancestors?” Nyota repeated the words, as if tasting them for the first time. “I don’t know where that might be…”

“Did your parents ever speak of home?”

“I have no parents…” Nyota said, voice fading to a whisper.

“Your healing is the only reason we are in this carriage and not stumbling our way through the woods as three blind beggars. I owe you a great debt, if you have no home, then we will find one for you in Greenwood.”

Nyota covered her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes.

“I’m not worthy, my lord.”

“Tis terribly rude to disagree with your savior, but in this case I must. You have saved my life, and earned my gratitude, without you I would not be returning home. You have returned me to my home, thus opening my doors to the one who enabled my return is the smallest reward imaginable.”

“I… Hadn’t thought of it like that… Thank you my lord.” Said Nyota.