{Guldisa Deveros}

Lady Guldisa Deveros was in her study. Her desk was covered in papers, books and diagrams. She didn’t care all that mattered was the stack of papers in front of her now. It was a beautiful early spring day. She would much rather be outside having a tea in the garden, but she was going over the diagram of the Knight her daughter had brought in. It was a thing of beauty, so many small changes were made that improved the Knight on almost every level. The speed was increased but not at the cost of power output. She wanted the creator, needed him in their shop. She had ordered five of their Knights to be altered in the same way, the other twelve would follow soon. She couldn’t leave herself defenseless, but this needed to be done fast. With power like this she could easily roll over the lords around her. By the end of summer alone she would have those five up and ready. One of her mages was dumbfounded by the strange spear ax wand thing. It was on a whole other level. Someone was stopping out in the hall, and it was very disturbing. The door slammed open, and she looked up to see her daughter holding a seeing orb. She looked very upset. What did her fool want now?

“Mother. They are not only forcing him to make abominations, they are taking credit for his work.” Her eyes were watering.

“Who is doing what now?” Guldisa asked with a huff.

“Those pigs who have my love have taken that wolf Knight to the gathering and someone calling himself Lord Savage is taking credit for Alex’s work. They must be stopped.”

“And how do you think we can do that?” Her daughter was an idiot, but she was right and had a good heart. According to her even the goddess of justice was on her side with the matter of this Alex person.

“I can take True Love’s Gift out and rip them apart.”

“One Knight against three is a fool's game. Take a breath daughter. He will be there in the fall.”

“The fall, but mother?” She whined. “I need to be with my love. I need to have him safely here with me so I can work on kids.” she blushed and corrected herself. “I mean get him here to work on things for our family.” Guldisa just looked at her daughter. Grand kids did sound nice, but she was being a fool.

“Wait. No point in getting yourself killed. Now as far as that goes. In fall we should be able to fend off any attack and you will be free to get him.” Her daughter stopped her feet and crossed her arms. She was acting like a child again. Clearly the time spent on a caravan didn’t help her. She had claimed that she left the caravan to help that man and couldn’t save him losing her Knight, but escaped with the help of him, somehow. The story seemed a bit thin, but she did bring home this new Knight that would set them far above other lords and ladies. What would their family look like a year after they started challenging the others for land? Maybe one day they could challenge the Prince or even the Queen. She needed this man to be a part of her family. She needed him to be her daughter’s slave. He could break this world and bring them to true glory.

{Alex}

I made sure Gen got lots of affection and praise. It had to hurt becoming a slave again after being free. What was Uta thinking? There was some logic in what she was saying, but still. Orga had been staying away and I wanted to see how she was doing. Did she hate me for owning her? I took a deep breath as I knocked on the door. Gorloth opened it and beamed down at me.

“Welcome my war chief.”

“No, none of that, call me Runt.” I said with a frown.

“Come in friend Runt.” He replied.

“I had not seen Orga since you freed her, and I wanted to know how she was doing.”

“She is healthy. Come and see.” I walked into my old house to see her standing in the kitchen stirring a large pot. It smelled wonderful she was clearly working on a summer stew.

“How are the two of you doing?” I asked, she turned to me and smiled.

“Gorloth and I are fine.” she said sweetly.

“I know the big lug is fine. I was meaning the two of you.” She looked down and beamed at her growing belly.

“Oh, the little one is fine. They should be ready by winter. Orcs take longer than humans.” Noted.

“Is there anything you need?” I asked, slightly worried. She reached up to touch her bare neck.

“You have already done so much for us.”

“If you need anything from me or my family, ask us. I’d like to hope you are part of our family too even though I no longer own you.”

“Fos de goul” Weird one in orc, “You are my war chief. We are more than family. My blood is yours and that goes for Gorloth and our child.”

“So long as that blood stays inside.” I added with a frown. “I know the girls miss you though. Would it be easier on you if they came to you?”

“I was worried I would be in everyone’s way.”

“Orga you couldn’t be in their way. Uta misses and I could use your help with that one.” She smiled and bowed to me.

“I will see if I can help. What happened?”

“She forced a collar on Gen the moment I set both of them free.” I expected her to get mad, become outraged or do anything except smile and nod. “What? Are you telling me it is a good thing?”

“Yes, Fos de goul. Look at it from her view. If he is yours, he is under your protection. No one would lay a finger on the boy or try to take advantage of him. If he is free, he could be used against you or used to hurt you.” FUCK THIS! Why was everyone using logic against me? It wasn’t fair. She was right. Fat Man could easily try to get his fat fingers around Gen just to spite me or try to put a collar on me and I didn’t even want to think of what McDonalds could force me to do if she came after him. I would need to have a talk with Midna and Lily to see if the assassin could watch the boy. Even if he was my slave, I still needed to make sure he was safe at all times. Maybe when he was seventeen, a Knight pilot, mage in the best Knight that would make dragons bow, would I let him out of my sight. I had a lot of work to do and would need my girls by my side. He would need to become the Lord Savage Jr. I left their house after having a long talk with the both of them. Gorloth would need a weapon to keep his family safe. If I was a war chief and had his blood, I would need to make sure he had all the tools needed to keep that blood inside him. Instead of going home, I went to my office. A few of the new slaves were just sitting around. I would have to find them jobs. I made a note for Bealcia to take care of that. If they were productive things would be easier on me. Where was she anyway? Boss had taken the three new ones and I had seen the new Knight pilot, a small man who had been training on the tables almost every day. He and Woodcutter had become close friends. The healer turned out to be an older long eared bunny woman. She wasn’t like normal rabbet women as her ears were longer and hung down to the side. I would have to ask Lily about it. This world always had questions for me. I went to my office and started working on Gorloth’s new weapon. I had seen orcs using long cleavers in movies, but would he use them? FUCK, I stepped out and asked the closest to run and get him. It was the huge boar man that was sleeping with the human woman. I hoped both were still playing nice. He seemed happy and healthy, but she was hiding in one of the empty houses with the other women. The men had elected to stay in my warehouse and let the women live in the empty homes until more could be made. Equality may take some time to reach this world. Gorloth came into my office and saw me playing with a Warden doll.

“Friend Runt, I was told you needed me.”

“Yes, what type of weapon do you use?” I asked him. He just scratched his head.

“I’m not sure how to tell you.” I handed him my notebook and pen.

Two days later, I was finished and a long cleaver with a guard sat on my desk. I had split the wand around the cleaver so it would fire two small bolts of ice. Gorloth pulled me into a big hug.

“Friend Runt, this is work of art.”

“Shall we try it out?” I asked, pointing at the door. We walked out into the mostly empty warehouse. I was still waiting on my metal but did have the frame of the chest up. I was slowly working on the console and seat. The engine would take time as I needed to get the cores first. No point in installing it until I had the fuel. Gorloth took several steps out and started swinging. He had a strange formal form. It was like watching a martial artist going through some old training. He looked over at me and smiled before flipping backward and swinging sending two ice spikes flying across the room to shatter on a large metal plate. I just smiled and clapped. He was a master swordsman. Should have given him one a long time ago.

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“Can I get one of those?” Meathead said clapping.

“You just seem to want every weapon I make.” I replied.

“Yeah, you make some cool shit.”

“Your Dire Knight can’t even use weapons now.”

“I know, but I still want one.” He pouted. Meathead was such a child.

“When you have a new Knight, I will make you a new weapon.” He huffed and walked off. I made a note of it and found the note about seeing a priest.

“Gorloth. Please gather your family and mine at my house tonight and please tell Orga and Uta to make a big dinner.” He nodded and walked out the blade in his hand. “And see if Hunter can make you a sling for that thing. People may get the wrong idea if you run around with it in hand.” He nodded and kept moving. “You there,” I said, to the boar man who didn’t seem to want to leave my side. “What is your name?”

“Parnil, Master.”

“Parnil please go ask the priest to come to my home tonight.” Parnil bowed to me and took off running. Why do they keep calling me master? At the end of the day, I walked home and saw my huge new house. It had ten bedrooms, four bathrooms, three studies and large grounds. I would need one of the girls to manage it. It was taking Lily, Uta and Yen all they had just to keep everything clean and they would need help. It wasn’t fair to force them to do all the work, but the women wouldn’t let me lift a finger at home. At least they didn’t argue when I made the stove, fridge and a nice size tub. I would have to try that out soon. In an oversized dining room, I saw a large spread of food. The girls really outdid themselves.

“Good god, everything smells wonderful.” Uta sheepishly bowed. She had been hiding from me after she had put a collar on Gen. Though the boy to his credit was back to being his happy hyper self. I would have to take care of her tonight to show her I was over it. “I have asked Priest to join us and have all of our skills read out.” Lily looked worried.

“Is that wise Master?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your core?” I looked down at my wrist and frowned.

“Fuck that. If they know, they know. I need to know what my own skills are and knowing what all of your skills are should help us all moving forward.” She nodded but looked worried. I had not told her, Gorloth, Gen or Uta about their cores. Would those show up? Too late now. “Lily please make notes on everyone for me when the reading is going on.” She nodded and pulled out her notebook.

“Sorry I haven’t been able to go with you or even teach Gen.”

“About that. Can we hire some of the slaves as maids?”

“Do you plan on sleeping with those too?” She puffed up her cheeks upset.

“No. I have enough for now.” I said slapping her ass playfully. She squeaked and covered her eyes with her ears. As soon as she was blind, I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She pushed me off blushing madly. It was just too cute.

“I will work on it Master. How much money would you like to offer and how many do we need?”

“Do Uta or Yen have any skill with budgeting?”

“It is something I can ask. I forgot you struggle with prices and budget.”

“I would be angry if you weren’t right.” A strange tall thin human woman came in and smiled at all of us. She wore a long black robe that had red lining. Her hair was a dark red with striking green eyes. She kept her hood up and looked around the room slowly.

“Greetings Alex.” she said with a bow. Her voice was slightly smoky and looked at me with a slight blush. Was she human? I was mildly attracted to her and wondered.

“Welcome Priest. Did Parnil tell you what I needed?” Did I tell him what I needed? I couldn’t remember.

“No, but as no one seems to be sick and this doesn’t seem like a wedding, so I think you want your skills and stats read?” At the word wedding all three girls blushed madly and looked at me closely. Fuck, now I would have that to deal with. Would it be such a bad thing? The only one who didn’t seem to care was Mai. She was just happy to watch from the roof. Her eyes were focused on Priest. “Who would like to go first?”

“You are welcome to join us for dinner too. How much does this cost?”

“Three silver per reading.” Good, it was cheap. This should make for a fun party. She walked over to the food and made a plate, and I noted something strange behind her. Her ass was moving oddly, and I found myself focusing on it. That was until Lily elbowed me. Gen walked up to her beaming. “How about we start with you young man?” She said picking him up. Lily lifted her notebook and started writing down everything Priest said.

RACE: DEMI-HUMAN

AGE: 4

STRENGTH: 2

INTELLIGENCE: 4

MAGIC: 19

AGILITY: 3

CONSTITUTION: 5

CHARISMA: 7

SKILLS: ENHANCING MAGIC, BLADE DANCE, GIFT OF THE WILD.

“Oh, my you are a very gifted young man,” she said, tickling him. Good so the core wouldn’t show up in the reading. Lily still looked worried. She didn’t know about his core. Next Uta stepped up and refused to look at me.

RACE: DEMI-HUMAN

AGE: 19

STRENGTH: 7

INTELLIGENCE: 15

MAGIC: 27

AGILITY: 9

CONSTITUTION: 6

CHARISMA: 9

SKILLS: COOKING, BOOKKEEPING, CLEANING, BEAST TALKER

“Beast Talker, that should be fun.”

“I never knew I had those skills. How do I use Beast Talker?” Uta asked, shock on her cute face.

“It would be best if you could find a Beast Talker to teach you. A hunter sometimes has that skill.”

“Next.” Priest said popping a cherry tomato in her mouth and humming in a very fun way. Gorloth stepped up.

RACE: ORC

AGE: 45

STRENGTH: 21

INTELLIGENCE: 13

MAGIC: 24

AGILITY: 16

CONSTITUTION: 18

CHARISMA: 8

SKILLS: BLADE DANCE, SPIRIT TALKER, SON OF THE WILD KING.

“Please don’t tell others about the last one please.” He said with a bow. WHAT THE FUCK! He was a prince. We would have to have words about that after the party. Next up was Orga. Priest just frowned at her.

“Sorry, but as you have a kid, I can’t do a read on you. My magic can’t tell who is whom.” Orga looked a bit dejected.

“Don’t worry we can redo yours later.” Gorloth said in orc to her. She smiled and tucked under his arm, and he kissed her forehead. After that was Yen stepped forward.

RACE: DEMI-HUMAN

AGE: 28

STRENGTH: 15

INTELLIGENCE: 9

MAGIC: 7

AGILITY: 21

CONSTITUTION: 17

CHARISMA: 9

SKILLS: GIFT OF THE WILD, WIND RUNNING, FINAL BLOW.

“Not bad. You have some nice skills too.” Priest said turning to Lily. My bunny lover looked nervous as she stepped up.

RACE: DEMI-HUMAN

AGE: 21

STRENGTH: 4

INTELLIGENCE: 14

MAGIC: 20

AGILITY: 19

CONSTITUTION: 9

CHARISMA: 12

SKILLS: CONTRACT MAGIC, CLEANING, SWAY OF THE MOON.

WHAT THE FUCK! Lily had contract magic? I should have done this ages ago. What the fuck was wrong with me? “Oh my, my dear Alex, you seem to have a thing for gathering gifted people around you,” Priest said, a coy smile on her face. I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she was making bedroom eyes at me. “Miss bird, would you like to have your skills read?” she said up to the roof where Mai was cleaning her feathers. Mai just looked down and shook her head. “That only leaves you my dear.” I took a deep breath and stepped forward. She held my hand, and her eyes went wide. I had that uncomfortable naked feeling again.

RACE: HUMAN

AGE: 27

STRENGTH: 7

INTELLIGENCE: 32

MAGIC: 23

AGILITY: 2

CONSTITUTION: 5

CHARISMA: 16

SKILLS: METAL MAGIC, METAL SENSE, ENCHANTING, MANA FORGED VEINS LEVEL 17, WAR CHIEF, GODS FOLLY.

What the hell my constitution and agility had gone down. And what the hell is Gods folly? “You do have some nice skills. All except that last one. Gods' folly won’t let you gain any new skills and how do you have one that is level seventeen. I have never heard of that. Your intelligence score is the highest I have ever seen.”

“Thank you.” I said lifting her hand to kiss it softly. I swear this woman is not fully human and the way she blushed made things fairly fun for me. Lily elbowed me and whispered in my ear.

“Thought you said you had enough.” Before she could react, I turned and gave her a quick peck on the lips. She pulled her ears down again and blushed madly. The rest of the night went by smoothly and Priest left near sunset. She must have had a tail with the way the back of her robe moved. Maybe ears hidden under the hood?

“Now that she is gone, I have a surprise for a few of you.” Uta looked worried, but the rest were okay. “Gorloth, Lily, Uta and Gen you all have cores like me.” I said holding up my wrist.

{Lady Bohoth De Hiss, Priest}

Lady Hiss was leaving the party still shaking inside. It had taken nearly everything she had not to run away screaming after the boy and then Alex almost made her pass out. It was a party of monsters. Five of them had cores. She had known about Alex’s core, but the orc, bunny and both coyotes, she had to lean against a tree and try not to pass out again. She had tried to flirt with that monster leading him on and he seemed willing, but she wasn’t sure she had the nerve to join him on any level. He was like a great dragon or demon lord, but far worse. His mind had to hold the death of this world a thousand times over inside it. Who has stats like that? Once she was sure she was clear, she pulled back her hood and let her long horns free. They were curved like a bull's horns, long and black with ridges running up the side. She used the magic of the cloak to hide her true nature from everyone, but it was still uncomfortable after all these years. She undid the belt around her narrow waist and let her tail and wings free. With a sigh her tail uncoiled and lashed behind her and her long bat like wings reached out. She hissed and a puff of fire lit the night. She would have to tell her father about him. Would he try to capture him or kill him. Either way she wasn’t sure who would win. Her father the great black dragon Onyx the Midnight Scale would have to choose what happened to the human. With a stretch and a deep breath, she took off into the night sky. She would be far enough away that the bird would not see her. Her heart still fluttering and hands still shaking she took off into the blackness of the night.