{Alex}

The convention was lively, and our outlandish entry seemed to be the talk of everyone. Battery had come with us to pose as The Toy Maker. He could take requests and I would be free to be Lord Savage. We settled in an inn on the edge of town and started enjoying the convention. Stalls were set up with paintings, dolls and much more. Mock battles were being held up on training tables and in giant rings. It felt like a carnival. Lily refused to leave my side, but also didn’t want to show affection. She was playing the role of the dutiful bunny. I would have to make it up to her tonight. My Dire Knight always seemed to have a group gathered around it. Some were holding strange wands as they walked around. I asked Lily and she told me those were viewing orbs. Best I could guess they were like cameras. I would have to get my hands on some to play with. Must be some crazy runes inside. I asked Lily to remind me. A strange man in a white mask approached us on a mostly empty street.

{Shadow}

His hands shook inside the cloak as he walked up to Prey. Prey was wearing some strange wolf mask and walking with a cute bunny. He bowed to Prey and spoke slowly and calmly.

“Contract Magic. I will be unable to lie, harm you or your friends for the time of this meeting. In exchange you must hear me out and not try to attack me. Do you agree?” Prey frowned at him.

“Why would I agree to that?”

“Well Alex, if you hear me out, I can give you information and even a wager that you may find agreeable.” Prey growled and swore at me.

“Fine, I agree.” Prey sounded weird in the new mask. May have some type of enchantment. Shadow felt the magic settle on his shoulders. Prey handed the bunny a knife and smiled. “Lily you are free to kill him.” Shadow started to sweat.

“Sorry, I misjudged you again. Forgive me please.” He said jumping to the nearest shadow. There were none close by and he would have failed in his gambit if he fled anyway. “Please Alex, hear me out.”

“Lily hold.” Prey said calmly. Shadow bowed at Prey and held his hands together. Thugs moved to clear the street and once came out with a Kings board. They set up chairs and pieces. Shadow moved to it and sat down. He made sure every movement was calm and in the open. “What is this about?”

“I know you are a wanderer.” Prey growled and looked at the bunny. His eyes almost looked hurt. The bunny just blinked at him and then grabbed her cheeks.

“Shock and awe. Master I never knew. How could you keep this from me?” She said, her voice full of sarcasm. Prey frowned at her. “Master it is very obvious.” Shadow just nodded and relaxed slightly. He had not blundered with Prey.

“Alex I’d like to play a game. Do you know how to play Kings?” Prey sat at the other chair and swapped the board to make his side the black pieces.

“In my world we call it chess.” Shadow just nodded at him.

“Good. Contract Magic. If I win you put this slave collar on, and she gets the control coin. If you win, I put the collar on and you get the control coin.” He gulped hoping Prey would take the offer.

“If I win, she gets the coin. I take if given how things are being handled you are an assassin of some skill.”

“I am one of the best and employed by Gerold Helttom to enslave you. I have tried two times and each time found you to be a Prey that I can not have. He has me under contract to enslave you and this is the only thing I have left. I am going to cheat his contract in a way.” Prey just nodded and smiled removing his mask. His voice changed back to normal.

“Good. Why cheat though?” He said coldly. His chilling smile in place.

“No way to win. I can’t kill you; you can kill me. If I go after any of your acquaintances, I’m dead. Mana nullifiers don’t work on you and you have some weird death touch ability. Safe to say I’m screwed. If you have a collar on my agreement would be finished no matter of who has the coin.” Prey just nodded not taking his eyes off Shadow.

“Also, he is clearly scared shit-less of you Master.” The bunny added.

“Yes, very much so.” Shadow agreed. His hands shaking slightly.

“Fine say it again, but this time She gets your control coin.” Prey said pointing at the bunny.

“Contract Magic. If I win you put this slave collar on, and she gets the control coin. If you win, I put the collar on, and she gets the control coin.” He held his breath willing this to go through.

“I agree.” The weight settled over his shoulders and shadow made his move. Three moves later, Shadow leaned back and laughed as he grabbed the collar putting it around his own neck and leaning to the bunny. She took the coin beaming. The collar closed and glowed. Shadow was free.

“I have never seen a move like that.”

“I played chess a lot when I was in school. It was one way I could show the other kids up without getting punished. That move is called the queen bishop cross. I have only pulled it off a few times.” Shadow just beamed up at his new master. She took Prey’s arm and kissed his cheek.

“Masked man. Disregard any orders anyone has given you in the past.” She said proudly. Shadow’s collar glowed and she slumped. Her hand and reached up and pulled off her mask. She had made her entire persona around being a big bad, deadly male. Now she was free to be who she really was.

{Alex}

What the fuck? The big bad assassin dude turned out to be a hot as hell panther woman. She had sounded, looked and acted like a guy and now she just looked at Lily in wonder. A sweet voice came out to us.

“Thank you, Mistress.” She bowed to Lily who was just dumbfounded. “I was ordered a long time ago to forge this persona and unable to show my true self. It is kind of funny that becoming your slave set me free.” Lily just nodded and I put my own mask on.

“Well Lily, she is your slave. What would you like to do with her?” Lily shook and looked at me.

“Let’s do the same thing we do any time we get a new slave. Let’s go shopping.” We just left the board there and made our way to a clothing store. Lily delighted in having the assassin try on several outfits. I just sat back and watched. The assassin had a long black tail and pointed triangular ears on the top of her head. Her dark skin seemed to shine in the sunlight, and she had a sexy pixie cut that she pulled off. Lily ended up joining her and soon the two were showing off to me. It was not how I saw any of this going. “So, what is your name?” Lily asked the assassin as both changed into the newest outfit.

“My name was Shadow, but I will go by whatever my Mistress wants.” The hot panther woman said.

“I don’t like shadow. It is a little racist. Like calling me bun.” Lily said.

“You don’t seem to mind when I call you, my Honey Bunny.” I said smiling. She stuck her head out blushing madly.

“That is different Master.” She ducked back in and kept dressing. “How about Midna. It sounds like midnight but feels a little less racist.” Shadow the assassin hummed in the other stall.

“I like Midna, Mistress.”

“Good. I almost forgot. You are not allowed to hurt me, Master or any of Master’s friends.” I knew that Midna’s collar was glowing. “Also, you have to follow any order Master gives you.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Midna replied. They kept changing outfits until they had nearly tried on the whole store. I swear they were going to spend every coin I had. Lily settled on a cute dark maid outfit that made me want to jump in the changing stall with her right here and now. Midna came out in a dark green dress that made her look like some sexy panther woman in a dark forest. It seemed to make her green eyes pop.

“That looks beautiful on you.” Lily said. Midna blushed and looked away.

“Thank you, Mistress. It feels good to be treated like a woman.” We walked back to the inn drawing looks from almost everyone. Midna got more than a few looks from most of the beast people. I didn’t blame them. She was hot as hell. I wondered if she would join us tonight. Lily seemed to be blushing whenever she looked back at the dark beauty.

“Midna what would you like to do with your life?” Lily asked as we walked.

“Mistress? I have no clue. I have not been anything other than an assassin.” Midna said frowning and looking at the ground. Lily put her hands on her hips and frowned at her.

“Is there something you’d like to do?”

“Fish. I always wanted to try fishing. It looks like fun and fish are tasty.” Why did she look sad when she said that? Did she think we would scold her or laugh. Lily just jumped at her hugging her closely. My mind went to a very dirty place on seeing their dresses fly up slightly. If only we weren’t still in public.

“If you want to fish, why not try fishing in our town? I’m sure someone can help you.” Midna started purring as she held my bunny. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she had the hots for Lily. “That is, it. I order you to Happy Valley where you are going to fish until you are tired of it.” Her coller glowed and she beamed at Lily.

“May I give my master a kiss before I go?” She asked blushing madly. Lily looked at me playfully and nodded. Suddenly Lily’s face was pulled into a deep kiss that lasted for a long wonderful while. When they parted, both were panting hard. Midna gave a happy chirp and jumped to the roof. “I will see you at home my Mistress.” Like that she faded into the shadow of a chimney. Lily just stood there panting and drooling slightly. I touched her shoulder, and she looked up at me blushing.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“You inside me now.” I just laughed as we hurried back to our room. I made sure she kept the outfit on as we had a very fun night together. She passed out on top of me, and I felt her core pulsing softly. My own was beating in time with hers. What type of magic would she have? What other types of magic were out there?

Someone tried to steal Lobo that night, but it was useless as I made sure the rune that let the engine fire up was erased. It would only take me touching any part of the Dire Knight to remake it and after McDonalds I wasn’t taking any chances. Meathead did get in several fights and never seemed to lose. It was like a huge wolf playing with a farmer’s son. The other Knights were just normal ones after all. Boss was able to set up some targets to show what Lobo could really do. I smiled watching the hidden blades lift from his back and slide down to the side. He started running at the target and then the blades started glowing red. Enchantments don’t work on weapons that size, but that wasn’t an enchantment. That was using Battery’s heating rune set. Those runes ran up the length of the blade making them heat up and glow a bright red. They slid through the targets smoothly leaving behind a burning heap. It made me swell with pride with how quiet everyone was. This was the nightmare I wanted to unleash on the world. He turned and bit through the next target and ripped it from the ground tossing it aside. I could almost smell the mithril. He swung his tail and knocked the last one back ripping it from the ground. It was a beautiful moment. Someone walked up beside me and coughed.

“Are you the one who made that?” It was a small bunny man who meekly stood next to me. I just nodded. He had a nice, pressed suit that looked uncomfortable as hell. A silver collar gleamed in the day light. He had a red ponytail pulled back and I noticed that he had larger buck teeth that stuck out. “Good, are you willing to meet with my master?”

“I can.” We have our first buyer. “I would need my employer for any meeting though.”

“Master Hervot will be joining us.” he said with a bow. I turned and followed him, Lily walking behind me. We were taken to a large tent that seemed to be covered in lavish furniture. A huge bed sat on one side and a heavy wood table sat in the middle with ornate chairs. A white haired human sat on the other side and looked up at me with slanted eyes. He was dressed in a white robe with blue trim. Everything about this man screamed snake and that he was not to be trusted.

“Welcome Mr. Savage. Your Partner should be joining us soon. Am I to understand that you made the thing people are calling a Dire Knight?” I just nodded and stood at the entry way. “Please come in and have a seat.” I walked calmly in and pulled out the chair. Lily stood behind me, her hands protectively on the back of my chair. “That is some amazing work. I wonder if you can make others?” Careful Alex this could be a pay day or a noose. Boss walked in and joined us. “Welcome Mr. Hervot. I was just talking with our dear Savage.” Boss just nodded. I could see the sweat forming on his brow. “I was wondering if this was the only thing you can make.” He put his fingers together and propped his chin on them.

“This is only the start.” I said cryptically. Boss just sat there shaking lightly. Calm down man, you are making me nervous. The stranger just nodded and smiled. That must be what a rat sees before a snake eats it.

“Good, good. If I was to offer you a sum, would you be able to make something better, stronger?” I just nodded. He snapped his fingers and a bag was placed on the table. He dumped it and five large green coins slid over the desk. Boss’s eyes bugged out at the show of wealth. “If you had this, could you make me your best?” I put my hand on my chin and thought.

“I could make you my best for now.” He raised an eyebrow.

“For now?” He asked and gave me a nightmare smile.

“Yes. For now. I plan to keep making better things. Why settle with one weapon when you can have an arsenal?” I said waving my hand around. He leaned back and laughed coldly at my words.

“Good, good. I like the idea of that.” This was a trap. I had to be careful.

“Contract magic. In exchange for five large mithril, you must produce the best Knight you can make at this time. Your deadline is five years. You can not talk about this deal with anyone. You can not sell other Knights until our deal is complete. Do you accept?” I could do it in one, but the extra time could would be nice if anything happens.

“I accept.” Boss turned to me, his eyes wide. “Can you leave one of your slaves with us so we can get in touch with you?” He beamed at me as he pushed the coins to me.

“I like that idea. It would be nice to stay in touch.” I handed the coins to boss who just sat there.

“Mr. Hervot it seems like we have been dismissed.” Boss stood slipping the wealth into his bag and stumbled out. Outside he pulled me into the woods.

“FUCKING HELL? FIVE FUCKING MITHRIL LARGE!” he started screaming.

“Calm yourself boss unless you attract everyone with fast fingers.”

“Pull that fucking mask off now.” He said reaching for it. Once it was off he looked into my grinning face. “Five Large.”

“I know. I think I can do it in a year, maybe less.”

“I nearly shat myself when you talked about one large a year. I thought you were blowing smoke up my ass. You aren’t a golden hen. You are a whole flock of golden fucking hens.”

“I take it you are happy?”

“No I’m fucking over the moon. How are we going to hide this?”

“I can hide it in the sled, inside the metal.” He just looked at me blankly.

“You can do that?”

“How do you think I hid my slave coins?”

“Good point.” He said clapping me on the shoulder. “Let's get back, hide our spoils and enjoy the rest of the gathering.

On the last day, I took Gorloth and Lily to the slave master. They had a few small tents set up on the edge of the convention. My heart was heavy. I had dreaded this moment, but it had to be done. Lily looked worried and Gorloth looked a bit pissed. I didn’t tell them what I was doing because I wasn’t sure how they would take it. A slimy man came up to us rubbing his hands. Boss had given me Gorloth's control coin at my request. He knew what I had planned and approved of it.

“My lord Savage. I got your message, and we have everything set up. Please come this way.” He led us into a dark tent. Lily had started crying and Gorloth was openly growling. “Now what one do you want to start with first?” he asked me. I wanted to get the most painful one done with first and pointed at Lily. I handed him her coin. This is where everything goes south for me. She is going to show her true self and show me that every feeling she had for me was just a lie to get to this moment. He placed the coin on a tool and pressed it to the link of her collar. It glowed and her eyes went wide as the collar clicked falling away. It broke my heart to set her free, but I loved her and wanted her to be free even if she didn’t want to be with me. She started crying and stood as Gorloth just looked at me blankly, shock clear on his face. “Come on my big friend. You are next.” Gorloth sat stunned as his own collar was taken off. I just walked out of the tent not sure what would happen. I expected Lily to attack me, curse me for all the things I did to her. I expected Gorloth to run off happy to be rid of me. With my heart sinking, I sat on a log. I saw the two stood in front of me and I looked up. Lily was crying. Was I that bad to her? Gorloth had a strange smile. It reminded me and I reached into a pocket pulling out Orga’s coin.

“You may want this.” I put it in his hand and just sat there. Would they beat me to death, or would they just leave?

“Master, are you unhappy with me?” Lily said her lip trembling.

“Lily I can’t. I love you and want you to be free.” She hugged me and this is where she starts in with the insults.

“What if I don’t want to leave you, you idiot?” What? But she was free. Why would she want to stay with me? “What if I’m happy with you? What if I love you too?” She loved me? I found myself crying and holding her close.

“You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.” she pulled back, snot leaking from her nose. I wiped it away and kissed her softly. Gorloth reached down and helped us up.

“Friend Runt, you are my war chief. I cannot leave you.”

“I don’t want either of you to leave. You are my friends and Lily you are far more to me.” She kissed my cheek. Gorloth, that is Orga’s coin. I want the both of you to be happy. Boss said you still have a job if you want one, he just knows that you have earned your freedom.” He nodded and I went to celebrate with my now free friends.

{Lily}

She woke in his bed. She had worked very hard to show her master how happy she was to be free and free to love him. Something was bothering her though. Something she would have to check on. With a cloak hiding her face and ears, she went to find Gorloth. He was sitting by Lobo and turning over Orga’s coin. He smiled up at her. “Friend Bunny, what need?”

“There is something I want to check out and was hoping I could lean on you.” He nodded, put the coin in his pocket and stood taking up a stance behind her as they started walking.

{Yen}

She sat nude, her one arm chained to the tent post. She had picked up Alex’s scent earlier and tried to call out to him, but she was weak. Only useful slaves get fed. She had not eaten in a long time and would be dead soon. Even if she died, the only regret she would have would be not telling that man her true feelings. Luhea had taken her right arm at the shoulder as punishment for thinking she could stand in the same light as a human. Luhea was right, Yen was nothing more than an animal. Her arm still hurt as an infection had set in. She didn’t deserve Alex’s love, but if she could just tell him how she felt. If she could just say goodbye, she could die happy and with a light heart. A smell came to her. It was him. She called out weakly and much to her joy the scent came closer. It was him, but there was something else with it. It had been a year. Did she get the smell wrong? The flap opened and a small woman came in covered in a long cloak. Behind her stood a huge orc. He looked down at her with disgust. Her new master came in behind the two.

“This is Yen. Yen you are to answer any questions these two ask. Do you understand?” He said coldly down to her. Her collar glowed and she looked up at the two and nodded. She could see long white hair and glowing red eyes under the cloak. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Call me when you’ve made up your mind.” The woman knelt to look at Yen in the eye. Why did she smell like him?

“Alex?” she asked, and the white-haired woman looked shocked.

“No. how do you know that name?” The cloaked woman asked. Yen looked at the ground.

“Sorry you smell like a man I love.” The other woman just knelt there for a while.

“What would you do if you saw this Alex again?”

“I would tell him that I love him. He is the only man I ever loved. The only one who made me feel like I mattered.”

“And if he rejected you?” Yen looked into those red eyes.

“I wouldn’t care. All that matters is letting him know how I feel. Even if I am just an animal, even if I die soon after. I would just be happy he knew and happy he was safe.” The white-haired woman just nodded and smiled.

“Sir how much for her?” Her master came in rubbing his hands together.

“She is worth fifty gold.” He said beaming at everyone. The white-haired woman tilted her head.

“She has one arm and is half dead. I say she is barely worth five.” she said coldly.

“You want her, you pay. I can go as low as twenty.” He scoffed.

“Fifteen and I am willing to walk.” He held out his hand and she counted out the coins. He handed Yen’s control coin and a sheet to hide her. Yen followed her new master out and to a healer’s hut. The healer removed the infection and healed some of her sores. From there she was taken to an inn. Yen wasn’t sure what was going on. The large orc only looked at her sadly, but the white-haired woman refused to say anything. She was given broth and ordered to eat slowly and until she was full. It brought back some of her strength. After the meal, the orc left, and she was taken up to a room. The white-haired woman whispered to her.

“You are to go in, undress and lay behind the one sleeping in the bed.” Yen’s collar glowed and she walked in, the smell hit her, and she started crying. Only one person could smell like that. She shed the sheet and climbed behind Alex, laying on the stump that remained of her right arm. She cried softly into his neck. Her new master must love him just as much. The door closed and she heard the other woman undress and join them. She lay in front of Alex and sighed as he wrapped around her. The white-haired bunny smiled and kissed him softly. He smiled in his sleep. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Yen. Welcome to the family.

{Alex}

The dawn light hit my eyes waking me. Something large was wrapped around me. I hope that isn’t Gorloth. I looked down at the arm holding me and saw a thin stripped arm. Oh, it’s Yen. Why was she here? Why was she naked? Why does this keep happening to me?