{Tasser Es Lothos}

He sat at the workshop that Alex had used during his trip, with a map of the city laid out before him. He was a nicely dressed young man in an old robe. His dad, Jase also know as Woodcutter had insisted that he dress nice if he was representing their War Chief, but this was as nice as Tasser could get on such short notice. He had been the smartest man in the town until Alex showed up. It should have upset him, but now everyone was bothering Alex or Boss. It gave Tasser time to relax and focus on other things. Alex seemed to make changes to the town every day. One that Tasser loved was an acceptance of Beast people. He had fallen in love with a fox years ago and had to hide her ears and tail pretending she was a human woman. Now the lovely fox woman was cooking and cleaning for the expedition. He loved those red ears; long tail and the mind of his beautiful lover had won him over from the first day. He had found her on a slave caravan and blew his life savings just to buy her. He smiled looking back on that day and the romance that bloomed between them. There was a knock at the door, and she opened it walking in with a cup of tea. His lover Vixey, was wearing a common brown dress that covered up her lovely body.

“Hunter's blend?” She asked with a smile before wrapping those soft arms around his neck. He kissed the back of her hand making her giggle. He loved that she didn’t have to hide who she was, and that Alex had set her free when she won the lottery.

“Thank you, my love.” He said resting his head on her arm. She took a deep breath in ruffling his hair as she kissed the top of his head.

“You smell stressed.” he nodded and looked down at the map.

“Not sure what we are walking into. I doubt it will be anything we can’t handle, but planning ahead should make things easier.” He pulled her into his lap to look into those beautiful blue eyes. Why was she so beautiful and kind?

“I was meaning to talk to you about something,” she said, looking at the floor. “How do you feel about children?” she asked, her voice wavering.

“I love them and was waiting for you to get a potion from Healer.” he said with a shrug and smile. She slapped his chest, a blush and outraged look on her face.

“Why did you let me stew like that?” she demanded.

“So, I could do this.” He said tickling her, making her wiggle on his lap. It was just too cute, and their tickle session ended in a passionate kiss, like it always did. “I figured with the way you looked at the other mothers and the ones with swollen bellies, you wanted one too. There is a potion in the main bedroom.” she looked into his eyes, her own slightly watering. “Just say the word.”

“You are a good man Tasser.” she said getting up and pulling him to his feet. He reached down and lifted that wonderful tail and let his fingers run through that amazing fur. She turned and let it move up to hide her blushing face.

“When we get back, I am marrying you. You don’t have a choice if you want my kids.” The house like wagon shifted, and she nearly fell but he caught her holding her close. The box connecting him to his dad buzzed.

“Hey kiddo, I see a good place to stop for the night. What is your little fox making for dinner?” Vixey laughed and took it.

“I had planned for a lovely salad with yesterday's bunny and by that, I mean the deer with a butter sauce and mixed veggies for a side.” A jumbled mess of yelling and cheering came back. It seemed like all the hunters and Commanders were listening.

“My kid did something good when he found you.” Woodcutter said. She blushed and Tasser just held her close kissing the back of her neck making those long ears slap his face. She handed the box back and pulled free of Tasser. He swatted at her ass, and she jumped and bounced out of the way with a giggle. He smiled after his woman as he went back to the map.

A week later they approached the Hintergolt city and mansion. He frowned as he saw the smoke rising from it. “Hey dad stop here.” Tasser ordered. The caravan came to a halt, and he moved to the roof looking out over the town. They should be far enough away to avoid being seen. Parts of the city were burning. Strike one, looks like someone had moved in. He groaned and pulled out the box. “We aren't alone guys. I am going to see what is going on. Dad and Gustovs I need an imposing escort. He made his way down, kissed Vixey and made his way outside. Woodcutter and Gustovs took up a position on either side in their Dire Knights. The Knights had to move slowly as Tesser could only move at a normal walking pace. “Dad. say hello, would you.” Tesser said, covering his ears. They were at the tree line and not fully visible if anyone was watching the gate. Woodcutter leaned back and howled. It shook Tesser’s chest and made him clench his jaw. May have been a better idea to do that from inside the wagon, but out here it would make more of an impression. With a sigh, he made his way down the road and into the open. “Dad, if any Knights come out, take them out quickly. These people are trespassing. Don’t hold back.” The wolf his dad was commanding nodded. The city had fallen quiet and Tasser stood there waiting.

“How long are we going to wait?” Woodcutter asked. Tasser had to admit that giving his dad the name Woodcutter sounded cool as hell.

“In a few more minutes, howl again. After that we will break down the gate.” Tasser responded. Much to his relief a door by the gate opened and a rough looking man came out. “Bandits. This should be fun.” He said with a smile.

“What you want?” The bandit asked. He was mostly unwashed, dressed in furs and covered in scars.

“We are here to take ownership. Get your boss.” Tesser called back. Luckily, the thug kept his distance and was far enough away that the smell wouldn’t reach them. Thug looked up at the wolves and back down at Tesser before ducking back inside. “Dad, if they don’t come back in one hour, take down the gate.” Tasser said, sitting down and laying on the wolf paws. The metal was rough, hard and unpleasant, but he knew it would take a while. The weather was nice and clear with only a few clouds in the sky. It would be getting cold soon as fall was just setting in. Thirty minutes later the door opened again. That was a good sign as it showed that they were worried. The same thug came out holding a man who was wearing a slave collar and a badly stained bedsheet as a robe.

“This is Lord Hintergolt. You see he is our slave, so this land is ours,” he said, holding up the small far too thin man. Tasser laughed openly before whispering to his dad. Lord Hintergolt seemed to have regained his hand that Alex had so spitefully cut off. Tasser had been told that Lord Hintergolt had done something horrible to Lady Lily's sister. Alex had publicly humiliated Lord Hintergolt and after that his land was taken over by House Deveros. Alex then took the land in a duel that cost Mcdonalds Deveros her life. He wasn't sure if that was her name or not, but it didn't matter. It looked like the slave and vagabond life was not a good look on the middle-aged lord.

“Dad, find large rocks and block every entrance around the city.” The wolf nodded and ran off. Tasser turned to the thug and slave. “We are going to camp out here. Feel free to argue with us.” The thug looked slightly worried as he stuck his head back inside.

“Fuck you. Get lost, this is our town.” He called back.” Tasser just laughed. “We will run you off with our Knights.”

“You don’t have any. If you did, you would have sent them out.” The thug was sweating and looking around nervously. His eyes focused on something to the far right of the door. Tesser looked over to see a monster rat making its way to the door slowly. Tesser turned his back to the thug and moved to a clear area where he sat down smiling.

“You better run.” The thug said weakly.

“Oh, we aren’t running. Just setting up for a long siege. You do know what that word means.” The thug leaned his head back and seemed to have an argument. “It means you can’t get out and no one can get in.” The thug looked back at Tasser.

“That’s fine so long as you don’t come in. This is our town. Stay for a month if you want. Just don't come in.” Interesting, Tesser thought. He pulled out the strange box and spoke into it making sure the thug couldn’t hear.

“Everyone come here. I need Glace Hessta, Rosewood, and Hetfa to be in the wagon.”

“Heading to you as soon as Woodcutter gets back,” Gustovs said, making his wolf nod. Tesser just sat on a stump and waited. The thug went back inside looking very uncomfortable with the former Lord Hintergolt under his arm. It didn't take too long for everyone to set up in the open. Tesser went inside the wagon and saw the requested people sitting at the dinner table.

“Okay, we have slavers coming in two weeks, this town doesn’t have an artifact and I have a plan.”

“How in all the hells do you know that?” Rosewood asked just like Tasser had planned. Tasser took a deep breath and held up one finger. Inwardly he was smiling. This was his chance to show off.

“They asked us to stay a month. That means they are expecting company to come in the next few days to weeks. They have to be strong so, slavers. I saw a monster rat at the walls, no artifact. As for a plan, we can’t attack the city, they will use the slaves as meat shields. The only way around that is you.” He pointed at Rosewood. The wolf woman looked around the room blinking.

“How so?” She said, crossing her arms. He laughed slightly as her tail was wagging. That was one thing he loved about beast people, they were easy to read and honest. Tasser tilted his head at the spy Glace. Rosewood looked over at her and back to Tesser. She shook her head and growled at him. “NO!” she shouted. He raised an eyebrow. “Fuck you, you smart ass bastard.” He laughed and sat down looking over at the wolf woman. “You already know she is in. How the hell do you even know?” He just laughed and smiled looking at the confused slave spy. Alex had gotten the spy as a gift and message slave from the prince who was working with Alex.

“What is going on?” Glace asked, looking around the table.

“I will not make that a condition.” Rosewood said openly growling, but her tail didn’t stop wagging and a slight blush had bloomed on her cheeks. She sighed and looked at Glace. “He wants you to break in and steal all the command coins for the slaves.” Glace laughed at Rosewood.

“Easily done, but what am I being offered in exchange?” Glace asked.

“A place in our pack.” Rosewood said with a low growl. The spy jumped up and leapt across the table to hug the wolf woman.

“You mean it? I can join.” Rosewood looked uncomfortable, but not unhappy as she held the much smaller woman.

“That and Alex will remove your collar.” Tasser said in a small whisper. The spy stopped and looked over at him in awe. “I may have made it clear that one of these talking things would be easier than using a message slave. It went in the last shipment.” She started tearing up and held Rosewood. “Is that good enough?” Tasser asked.

“No. I want a good dinner.” She demanded, crying and laughing as she jumped in glee.

“I think I can make that happen. Now next item, Hetfa,” he said, turning to the leader of the hunters. The large man looked over at him smiling. He had long black hair that was just starting to go gray on the sides. He wore leather armor dyed black and was a nightmare when hunting or in a bar fight. “I want you guys to look like you are setting up for a long stay but make it easy to break down and make sure everyone keeps an eye out for monsters. Treat it like we are in the bush.” Hetfa nodded. “When the slaves start showing up, make sure anyone with healing skills are ready and well rested. I know they will be hungry, hurt and more than likely in poor health. Send the spare ones out to hunt for game.” He nodded and stood. “Glace please head out around midnight. How long will it take you to find them?”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“About two hours and an hour to get back.” She said beaming, still holding Rosewood who was petting Glace’s hair.

“Good. I’d like to break camp shortly after dawn once we have everyone.” Tasser went to Vixey and pulled her into the bedroom. “My beautiful fox. Please get some rest and after sunset cook your wonderful heart out. I have a feeling we are going to have a lot of starving people who will be crying over your food.” She nodded and pulled him into bed. Tasser closed his eyes and let the skill wear off. His body started shaking, when it was on, he could see everything, every angle, every movement, every speck of dust and how best to use them. His head started pounding as the headache took over. She held him as he cried into her arms. It hurt so bad, and he just wished he could pass out. It wouldn’t help anyone if he was seen like this or if anyone knew the downside of his skill. She started singing softly and he grabbed at that thread and let his mind focus on it. She started petting his hair and kissed his throbbing head. It helped and he faded into blackness.

{Glace Hessta}

She woke in the arms of her future lover, Rosewood. She took a deep breath through her nose taking in the wolf woman’s scent. Laying in her arms was a delight she never knew she needed until now. Her life had changed so much since she had come to the small sleepy town. She never thought of being with a woman, but her heart had always belonged to the wolves and in this town, she was not only allowed to be herself, but she also knew no one would judge her for it. Her heart was always wild, but something about this town and this pack of wolves had tamed her. Redwood was just her type of man in every way. She was very tempted to drift back to sleep, but her future was hanging in the balance. She shook and stretched getting up. Rosewood sat up pulling her into a hug. Now that it was official, the wolf had become very affectionate, and Glace was in heaven. She kissed Rosewood’s cheek as she scratched those long wolf ears. She could feel Rose’s tail wagging. “When I get back, we can rest more.” Glace said with a sly smile. Rosewood was nice enough to help her suit up. Black armor, black cloak, belts with pouches that held everything she would need. Rosewood slapped Glace’s ass as she left the room, making her giggle.

“Hurry back and stay safe.” She didn’t need to be told but loved that the other woman cared about her. She pulled down her mask making her a moving black shadow in the night. She moved to the wall, careful not to draw the attention of anyone. It was a new moon, and she doubted an owl could see her. She put her hand to the wall and activated her skill and her hand stuck letting her climb the wall like a lizard. Once on the wall, she looked over the slightly burning city. No one was manning the wall or patrolling the town. It was almost too easy, but people die when you let your guard down, so she had to stay focused. She ran over the roofs not really seeing anyone. The sound of fighting came to her, and she made her way to the noise. What she found made her blood boil. A bandit was drinking and forcing two wolf women to fight each other in mud.

“Now rip off her top.” He slurred and started rubbing himself. One wolf’s collar glowed, and she pulled off the other woman’s shirt exposing large breasts. Both women were covered in cuts and bruises. It was clear he had been forcing them to fight each other for hours. They were nearly nude, and she wasn’t sure what was going to happen when he got bored with them. Glace moved behind the bandit and frowned as he pulled his dick out and started stroking it. “Now get over here and lick me.” He growled. Glace pulled out her knife and held it to his throat as the two women walked to him, a scared look in their eyes.

“Tell them to stop.” She whispered. He swallowed hard and croaked out.

“Stop.” She smiled.

“Good boy, now order them to go to the camp just outside of town.”

“Do whatever this one says.” He said pointing a thumb at Glace. She waited until the woman were out of view of him before slitting his throat. Two saved, but she would have to find the coins to make sure they stayed safe. She made her way over the roofs to find the mansion lit up like a winter tree. It looked like nearly everyone was in there. She slid in through the roof and into the manor. Sliding through the halls she found a bandit pitching books into a fireplace. He was barely able to stand a bottle of rum in his other hand. Once more she put a knife to a thug’s neck.

“What you want?” He said peeing his pants.

“How many of you are there?”

“A shit ton.” He said shaking. She pressed her knife in drawing a line of blood. “Sixteen.”

“Good, where does your boss keep the control coins?” She added a slight bit of pressure to the blade to make her point clear.

“He wears it around his neck.”

“Last question and I’ll leave you alone. Where is he now?” She asked with a playful purr.

“Lord’s room.” He blurted out quickly.”

“Thank you.” She said knocking him out. This mansion was like most of the ones she knew about. So even finding her goal was going to be easy. Opening the door, she found a man who was clearly the boss. He was a huge bald man, sleeping nude in the dark room. Two human slave women lay on either side. The way they were curled up, showed that he had done horrible things to them. The one facing her just looked blankly at the wall, not moving. Glace moved to him and removed the necklace and plunged her knife into his forehead. “All slaves disregard any order anyone has given you. Make your way to the camp outside of town as safely as you can. If you know of any slave being held captive, help them get free. If you can’t, come tell me and make your way to the camp.” She said, watching the two women’s collars glow and they stood. “You two put some clothes on first.” They put on clothes robotically and walked out of the room like zombies. Maybe someone back home could help them. She touched her own collar and longed for the day she would be free. If Tasser was telling the truth, she would be free soon. She moved to the vault to see if there was anything left. Along the way, a bunny came up to her and looked worried.

“I know a slave being held in the dungeon under the mansion.” Glace nodded at the small woman who ran away as soon as she could. After checking the empty vault, she made her way down to the dungeon to see the former lord Hintergult. The poor man was crying, his eyes focused on a bunny ear pinned to the wall. He was whispering. His arms were bound to chains set in the wall. She cut them letting him down.

“No, Lord Savage, forgive me. Don’t hurt me.” He muttered over and over to himself.

“Lord Hintergolt,” The man looked up at her. She felt bad for the sad man. “What do you want?”

"To make Lord Savage happy. Do you know what will make Lord Savage happy?” She thought for a minute. This man was clearly broken in his mind.

“He would be happy if this manor burned down.” He moved on his knees to her.

“Can I stay inside as it burns?” He begged. She nodded slightly worried. Lord Hintergolt stood, a huge smile on his face.

“Lord Savage will be happy,” he sang as he left the room. "Lord Savage will be happy with me. " She wasn’t sure what that was about or what happened to the lord, but she was right to be scared of Lord Savage.

{Tasser Es Lothos}

He had made the right call on all fronts. At dawn they had packed up and made their way back home. They had rescued fifty-seven slaves of nearly all types. Three of them were locked into one of the crew rooms. That was crap for Alex to deal with. Somehow the mansion had caught fire and Lord Hintergolt was nowhere to be found. Glace would just shrug when asked. It was clear she knew, but he wasn’t going to push the issue. He was just happy his plan went off without a hitch. One month on the road, one day at the town and another month to get home. Vixey was sleeping after a night of heavy cooking. She had put her heart and soul into feeding those slaves and he would have to reward her. They had a lot of work ahead to make everything work and bring the slaves back to full health. His head was still slightly hurting from using his skill that much. Maybe two hours was overdoing it. An idea formed in his mind, and he smiled.

Almost a month later, the caravan was nearly back to the city. About three more hours and they should be able to see it. He was in his normal spot watching the road move past as he let his mind wander over the coming meeting. A shadow moved over the path, and he looked up. The trees shouldn’t be blocking his view.

“Kiddo. We have an issue.” His dad said through the box.

“What’s going on?” Tasser asked.

“Dragons. A green and black one. They look to be landing on the road ahead.” His dad sounded worried and Tasser activated his skill.

“If they don’t attack, leave them alone.” He ran to the other side of the wagon to look out at the dragons. He saw a huge green lizard blocking the road. It moved behind a much larger black one that had just dropped a bundle of cloth. The green one started to shrink. “Let’s stop and see what they do.” He called out. He watched the Dire Knights stop taking up a defensive stance. His eyes nearly bugged out when he saw Priest Bohoth De Hiss step out from behind the dragon. She was a beautiful redhead with shimmering green eyes who had been working as a priest in the town for as long as Tasser could remember. What shocked him was she had long horns, and a slender lizard-like tail. She was tucking in a long green robe, and he swore he saw one of her breasts and it was something he wouldn’t mind seeing more of. That and her long leg was teasing him as she held up a blanket and the other dragon moved behind her and started shrinking. It was strange watching a dragon shrink and become fleshy. He had to remember Vixey who was now standing behind him as they watched the two-dragon people. Soon a well-dressed man stepped around her and bowed to them. With an annoyed sigh Tasser spoke into the box. “Hold everyone. It looks like they want to talk.” Once outside, both dragons stopped and bowed to him once more. Hiss looked shocked as she looked at Tasser. She tried to talk but was cut off by the dark-haired man. What was all this about? He asked Vixey to stay inside. Once he was in shouting range, he called out to them. “How can I help you?” It was annoying that he was being stopped here and now. They were so close to the town, and this seemed like an Alex issue.

“I was hoping to have words with you.” The dark-haired dragon man said. His horns were only slight nubs poking from his head and he wore a black robe.

“May I know your name, great dragon?” at least they were being polite and formal.

“My name is Onyx of the midnight scale, king of the dragons. You already know my daughter.” Lady Hess bowed and hid behind her dad. “Can we come inside? I am eager to see some of what you’ve made.” He led them into the dining area inside the wagon. Onyx looked around in amazement at everything. “I need to get something like this for myself.” He said with a smirk.

“Vixey, could you get our guests a drink?” Tasser pulled out his talking box and called out to his dad. “It looks like we will have guests for a little while so let's keep moving.”

“You going to be okay Kiddo?” Woodcutter asked.

"We should be okay." Tasser replied. Onyx looked impressed as he looked at the box in Tasser’s hand.

“Interesting. I should get to the point though.” He said sitting at the table.” Lady Hiss joined him. Now that he knew she wasn’t human, she became truly beautiful in a strange way. Her hands started shaking and she moved them to her lap quickly. Was she cold? No, she was trying to fix the issue, but her dad wouldn’t let her. He tried not to think about her only wearing a thin robe. She refused to look up at him and kept glancing at her father. Onyx coughed and Tasser's eyes shot to him. Had he offended the dragon by looking at his daughter like that? “I was hoping to talk to you about an important matter.” He took a deep breath. “Please don’t hunt us down with the weapons you are making.” Onyx said quickly and looked at Tasser, his brow furrowed.

“What? Why would I do that?” Tasser asked.

“Well, humans do tend to hunt us when they think they have the upper hand.” Onyx said sweat forming on his brow.

“I don’t see that happening.” Tasser wasn’t sure what was going on, but this was going to be a huge headache.

“Forgive me for that. I now see that you see yourself as above them.” Tasser shook his head. “What will it take?” Onyx asked, looking over at Tasser.

“For what?” What was going on?

“For you to promise not to end us.” Tasser looked into Onyx’s eyes. What was he on about? “What if I offer you, my daughter?” Lady Hiss looked over at her dad in shock and horror.

“DAD!” she yelled. WHAT? Tasser inwardly joined her.

“She is a lovely girl and I know you have a thing for non-human women. I bet she could join your horde and make you happy.” She was shaking with tears that started to fall. “What, he is a human. A couple hundred years at most. All I’m saying is she is a good girl and could use a man like you in her life.”

“DAD!” Hiss screamed.

“Good it’s all settled; I’ll get going and let you two get to know each other.” He stood quickly and ran out of the room. Tasser was just stuck there looking at her and the back of the fleeing black dragon. She turned from the door her father had just ran out of and returned to Tasser, her head shaking as she blushed madly.

“At least you don’t have to move far.” Tasser tried and failed to joke. Vixey stepped out holding three cups of tea and a plate of cookies.

“Kiddo, the black dragon just leapt from the carriage, changed into a full-size dragon, and flew away. Should we be worried?” His dad said through the talking box.

“No, I don’t think so.” Tasser replied. Vixey sat down and gave him an odd smile.

“Nice to see you again, Lady Hiss.” She said with a smile. “Looks like we are going to be sisters.” She said laughing.

“I tried to tell him.” Lady Hiss said, starting to cry.

“I take it if I don’t marry you, he will eat me?” Tasser asked. Lady Hiss nodded, put her hands over her eyes, laughed and cried at the same time. He turned off his skill and winced as the headache started.

“Well, welcome to the family.” He said with a pained smile. Vixey shot him an evil grin.

“I thought you said I was enough.” He laughed and smiled as he went to lay back down.

It was nearly sunset, and he went into Alex’s office to report everything. Just for giggles he turned on his skill and thought of how to beat Alex. Much to his surprise all the skill would tell him was to run as fast and as hard as he could.

"What do you want as a reward?" Alex asked.

"A class teaching critical thinking." Tasser demanded.

"Done. If anything, I was going to ask you to teach a class in that."

"I know and that is why I cut you off." Tasser said with a smirk. "Sometimes even you need to be reminded that there are other smart people in the area." He said laughing.

"For that I am going to start calling you Tactician." How the hell did Alex do that. That sounded amazing and would make it to where people would follow his orders without question.

Even then all he could do was hope and pray. He calmly gave his report and went to the mayor’s office to marry both Vixey and Lady Hiss. He still wasn’t sure how his life was going to go.