Hello my lovelies, you will be happy to know I have gotten a PR, Roguemist, this chapter is not Proof-read at this time however, because I am at work and have no means to send it to him. HOWEVER, he will PR it at his own pace, and any and all releases after this will not be done until he has PR'd them. I will be sticking to a 2-4 release time frame for the foreseeable future with his aid, and I hope you enjoy the smoother flow he will enable. 

Much love and cookies to all. This chapter, you guessed it, SPARTA! Haha, will be making it as long as I can. Tried placing in details that would be needed. Big turn point in the game for the MC occurs here, and a fun little tid bit at the end. ^.^

As always, please rate, follow, comment. ^.^

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The aftermath of the short, I use that word loosely, battle was staggering. We had no casualties, and through the efforts of Scillica, and Gallica we were able to cauterize the wound of ex slave who lost his arm, stopping the blood flow.

Most of the others suffered minor wounds, a few missing fingers, or broken bones. Hardly a major issue, but they were hurt. Three minutes of intense fighting felt like an eternity, even in this game.

A few good things that came out of this affair, no one was afraid of Ma'at any longer. At least not openly so, not after her diving attack ended up breaking the bandits fully. Of the numbers that had attacked us, her strike had killed three. It further impressed upon me the strength of an adult pet. I could hardly wait to see my cubs full grown after witnessing it.

I also received the experience, and shared it with Ma'at in full. A benefit of my class perhaps? 100% exp sharing between pets regardless of who finishes the kill.

It was a pleasant discovery. The other upside, I was currently reading in front of my eyes.

Skill Learned Beginner MedicineYou have learned the basics of healing, and medicine use. This will allow you to bind your wounds, and those of others to decrease damage, and increase the healing process.

Level: 1

Experience: 35%

It wasn't much, and even though I used it a great deal on the less wounded people it had barely gone up in experience. But it would aid me greatly in the future when the experience debuff was finally removed from everyone in the Beta phase. 

I closed the window, and went to find Tricia, she had my cubs after all. I also needed to wash the blood off my body. I found Tricia after a short period of hunting for her, she was in the death trap on whe...I mean wagon. 

She and the cubs were alright, though she seemed somewhat spooked. The cubs were looking at her and trying to get her to smile, my sweet puff balls indeed. I should ignore where Fang was mostly 'playing' I had a perverted child.

I coughed a bit to get her attention, she seemed off in her own world. The noise caused her to jump, and squeak, it was adorable. This in turn made my cubs turn toward me, and rush to the edge of the wagon making mewing sounds. I got the distinct feeling they were blaming me for something. 

I regarded them and grinned before moving close and sitting at the edge of the wagon, facing outward, and ignoring the small sniffle I heard as I took a seat. My cubs also went up beside me, and taking one arm each, began licking the blood off of my hands and arms. That..felt odd, but it was full of protein, right?

Ignoring it, to the best of my ability for now, I started speaking. Mostly to myself as I didn;t wish to force Triscia to feel she needed to talk. So I looked at my cubs, Winter's face had a distinct red color from the blood she was licking off, and talked to them.

"You know, the first time someone sees violence directed at them, or with the knowledge they won't make it out alive if either they, or those fighting for them fail, is frightening." I heard another sniffle, and felt the wagon shift a bit along with the sound of fabric moving as she moved either closer or further away, followed by Fang mewing at me, before continuing to lick my arm. For all the world responding to me.

"I remember the first time I ever had to fight, my life wasn't on the line but it was violent. Screaming, yelling, the smell of blood along with the sound of bones breaking. It was a free for all back alley fight. I was young, and stupid. Feeling invincible.

I also remember a fist coming out of no where, and everything going black. It was one of the single most terrifying events of my life. But I took away an experience from it, that no matter what. The fighting may be horrible, and violent, but you cannot let it freeze you, like it did me. Had it been a true fight, I'd have likely died. 

But I also learned that you must only ever fight for the right reasons, as a last resort." Yeah, it was the longest I think I ever spoke, and honestly some shitty advice, but I felt her move up behind me on her knees, and hug me from behind while sniffling.

She was just a kid, honestly. sixteen years, and forced into this dangerous stuff. Yeah, in this time frame she is an adult, and by all account had she not been a slave would be married with a child or two already. She was beautiful, but I had finally managed to steer my mind to think of her as a child in full, similar to a little sister.

Though feeling her breasts pressed against my back made that falter, slightly. I heard a muffled thank you as her arms circled my neck, and she buried her face against my back.

I reached up, with a slightly wet though clean hand, and gently patted her arm. "It's ok to be afraid, Triscia, but I won't ever allow someone bad to harm you. I promise." 

I heard quiet meows from my cubs and looked down to see them staring at her now too. Oh dear..I think I may have caused them to become protective. No sooner had I thought that, than a box appeared in front of me again. One for each of them, so I read the trait itself, rather than the boxes detailing it to them by name.

Trait Gained! Protective (Trait)A trait gained through the extreme desire to protect something. Any pet with this trait will fight to the death for those they have grown protective of, or attached enough to want to protect. This trait provides a strong chance to learn powerful defensive skills upon reaching the required combat age for your pets. It also increases their natural defence, be it fur, scales, feathers.

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Of course my shock at this announcement, along with pleasure, was slightly inhibited by the fact my neck was being strangled by a suddenly stronger hug, and I was unable to breath. I started patting her arms gently, but urgently while gasping for air. "Need...Air.." 

She let go quickly enough, and was murmuring her apologies while I was getting air back into my lungs. After a moment, and some odd looks from my cubs who thought daddy was acting weird, I looked back to see Triscia looking down, blocking her face with her hair, and the visible skin was beat red again. 

My one thought, was adorable, promptly followed by a chill going down my spine as I realized the issue that this may have caused. 

She was sixteen, young and attractive, and I was beginning to get in shape through the training, and fighting, somewhat attractive. and I had just helped calm her down and become a stabilizing pillar for her fractured life. Add to that the fact that in the time frame this game was based in she was very much legal...Oh god, what did I do?

I just smiled at her, and gather my cubs before making my escape from the wagon. Her eyes, when she looked up, were questioning, and scared. Oh fuck me and call me yankey doodle. She had feelings for me. Must run, must flee from possible pedophile encounter.

When I did make my escape, my cubs fighting me somewhat because they thought we were playing, I ran smack dab into Gallica, and fell on my ass. Jesus, what was he made of? Stone?

I glared up at him, and shifting my cubs around somewhat, took his offered hand to stand again. "What has you running like you're being chased?" he asked questioningly.

Of course, right about then Triscia came out of the wagon, looking around; likely for me. Gallica looked to her, then to me, and smiled like the cat that had gotten the cream.Great...

"Ooooh! Well, well, well. Scillica won't take this well. But don't worry, I will keep it a secret for you."  Then he just walked toward the wagon, and smiled at Triscia who was looking at the ground and playing with the hem of her tattered slave dress. 

Shit....I sighed, and just went to the front of the column, in the time I had spoken to Triscia, the wounded had recovered enough, and they were bearing the man with a missing arm to the wagon now. We couldn't daly here, no telling if the bandits would be back.

I raised my voice slightly "Get the dropped weapons, and armor, then line up. We need to move out!" A few looked at me, a moment but started doing what I said. After a few minutes we were set, and finished our trek toward Sparta over the next three hours.

When we arrived at Sparta itself, we were tired, my cubs asleep in the wagon again, but when we saw the massive stone walls of the proud, warrior city, we gaped in awe. Even those who had called it home.

It was a bastion of safety for us, and truly marvelous to behold. 

The walls were at least twenty feet high, having archer parapets every ten feet along the walled city, and manned with soldiers all along it's length.

The entrance we were moving toward had at least ten guards stationed there, and they were screening the merchants, and others that were trying to gain entry.

I felt relieved, honestly. We had arrived at Sparta. From here, I could truly begin playing.  When we arrived in the queue to enter the city. I heard the gossip of Merchants, and Peasants about news from the border. 

"Did you hear? Leonidas is putting a call to arms" - random peasant

"Yeah, we can earn a fortune fighting for our country!" - Patriotic Peasant.

"More like die, let him put a call to arms, All I care for is the increase in business" - Merchant.

I rolled my eyes at the merchant talking, but was intrigued by the peasants words. Perhaps something was there for me? Who knew.

After about an hour of waiting, it was our small, battle worn, groups turn to be inspected. After suffering the grueling questions, and keeping them from trying to take payment through carnal favors from Scillica, or Triscia,  we finally entered Sparta.

Quest Updated! Meet with King Leonidas!You have arrived in Sparta within the specified time limit, find a way to meet with Leonidas and inform him of the events occurring along the border between Rome occupied Athens, and his minor nobles.

Succeed:

Meet with King Leonidas

Failure:

Gallica, Scillica, or you die.

Ok then...Kinda figured I'd need to do that already, but thanks for making it clear you dirty bastards. I sighed, at least Ma'at wouldn't be a worry. I'd told her to hunt in the woods, and enjoy herself while I was busy. I could call her to me if needed after all. 

I read the second message that popped up, and a smile graced my lips as I read it. 

Sparta! You have arrived at the capital city of your faction! Sparta, the seat of power for Greece is a war like Greek state, and from the bustle of the people making ready for war. For entering your faction's Capital city you have unlocked your hidden ability.

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Here you are my lovelies! This is not Proof-read at this time, please keep that in mind. It may very well change slightly when it is. 

But, I digress, enjoy this chapter, and the evil cliff hanger I left you all. Mwuahahahahah

You will enjoy his unique hidden skill, I think. However, I will bid you all goodnight, and good day for the time being. I will be working on the next chap of Blood Born next. As always, much love and cookies. Please, Rate, Comment, and Follow. ^.^