“So, what do we do now?”

John looked perplexed on how we should proceed and I couldn’t blame him.

“I don’t know, we need to go inside but …”

Even Matt who had told us to come here didn’t have an answer.

“Maybe we could go around?”

“I’m not sure how large this place is Elizabeth. Also, I doubt it will be different elsewhere. Are there even any towns inside Myrkvior Remus?”

“Not that I know of. I’ve never visited this place before though.”

I look back at the large forest in front of us not sure what to do. The trees stood a good 100 meters tall and the ground was filled with thick undergrowth that prevented our cart from proceeding.

So we were now trying to think of what to do next as we needed to enter the forest but there didn’t seem to be a way for our cart to do so.

“Maybe we should ditch the cart?”

“Are you a dolt John! There is no way we can leave our gold behind!”

I had to agree with Teage. I didn’t want to leave our money but when considering how we’d carry it. I couldn’t think of a way that didn’t involve breaking our backs carrying it.

I have an idea but I doubt it’ll work.

“Hey Matt, why don’t you try talking to the trees.”

“Talk to the trees? I can’t talk to trees you know this Briana.”

“Well, at least put your hand against one of them. Maybe it will trigger a memory or something.”

Matt shakes his head as he walks up to one of the trees and puts his hand against it. He holds up his hand to the tree for a while to no avail.

“I don’t feel anything, I told you this stupid.”

“Aren’t you elves supposed to be one with nature or something? Maybe they rejected you because they thought you were too much of a hardass.”

Elizabeth looks annoyed by Teage remark before giving her own advice.

“Maybe you could release some of your mana into the tree. It wouldn’t hurt to try would it?”

Matt turns back to the tree and after a minute I swear I see the trees sway with a sense of purpose that wasn’t there before.

“Did it work?”

“I can sense the forest. It keeps saying ‘welcome back’. I don’t understand what it means but … there is something else. I think it’s …”

He scrunches his face trying to do something before he turns to us in terror.

“Run! We need to get out of here!”

He runs to the wagon while we stand there confused. Teage stands firmly in place as he watches Matt run by.

“Why are you running. Are the trees calling you names?”

“THERE IS A HORDE OF MONSTERS COMING! WE NEED TO RUN!”

As the words escape his mouth the ground starts to shake and it takes us a minute to fully take in what is happening as we all bolt for the wagon. But before we can reach it I turn to see a wave of large monsters crash through the trees.

Looking at them they look like a mix between hammerhead and triceratops. Crashing through the smaller undergrowth with no effort. Looking at the horde of monsters though I see a man on top of one of the beasts wielding a large sword.

“Come on kid stop staring and get in!”

I feel something pull me up by cloak and I land in the cart as we pull away from the fight as fast as possible. We are to slow as one of them notices us and breaks off to target us.

“Guys we might have a problem.”

“What is it kid!”

Teage is driving the cart as Remus starts chanting something which I can only guess is some kind of defensive spell.

“We have one following us. Anyone got any ideas on how to kill this thing?”

“Can’t you just create an illusion for it to follow?”

I turn to John and it takes me a second to realize he actually was giving a good idea.

“I’ll do my best but I ain’t promising anything.”

I then do my best to try to create carts around us breaking off to lure the beast away. The monster doesn’t follow them with its eyes dead set on us. Elizabeth looks scared as it quickly is gaining on us.

“Why is it still following us!”

“I’m still not that good at this, and it is already focused on us so it’s making it harder.”

I pull my sword out as I try to steady my frayed nerves.

“You think this sword can cut that thing Lyn.”

“It should be able to penetrate its armor, but I doubt -”

Teage interrupts looking at me with concern.

“What are you planning on doing lass. It better not be something stupid!”

“We don’t have anything else up our sleeves, do we. Wish me luck!”

“Briana don’t!”

I jump off the back of the cart tossing my cloak off as I feel it being torn off by Elizabeth. I soar through the air as time feels like it begins to slow around me.

‘Flash step’

I grasp Mani Katti tightly as I move through the air to soar over its head and try to thrust my sword deep into it’s back.

The sword penetrates but only up to a third enters its body as I get dragged back by the force. My arms scream from the impact as I try to steady myself, but before I can I feel myself being tossed from side to the side.

I guess this guy really doesn’t want me on his back. I create an illusion of me falling off it’s back and it calms down for a second before crushing the clone with enough force to cause a small crater to appear.

I better not screw up or I’m definitely dead. I use the time I created to balance myself and get a good grip on my blade. As it snorts in triumph I pull the sword out before plunging it back in till it’s three-fourths of the way in.

It screams in pain as it tosses me from side to side. Blood gushes from the wound all over me as I keep hold of my blade for dear life. It would be a battle of stamina attrition and I had no idea which of us held the advantage.

I forced my body to endure the pain as my whole body felt it was on fire. It was also becoming hard to properly breath causing my already overworked body to scream for more oxygen I failed to gather.

As body feels like it’s about to falter I feel a fast projectile pierce the creature and suddenly it stops trying to shake me off before slumping down to the ground, presumably dead.

I pull the sword out freeing the blade before tumbling off the side of the monster in sheer exhaustion. I lie in the cool grass as I laboriously take in deep breaths.

I struggle to get to my feet having to use my blade as a crutch. Turning to where the projectile had been shot I see a man holding a bow pointed in my direction with a scowl on his face.

“What’s a kitsune like you doing around here!”

I can only raise one hand in surrender as I use the other to keep myself up.

“Thank you for the help, but look I don’t know what I did wrong here. Why are you aiming that thing at me?”

“Cause your kind always causes trouble wherever they go!”

Great my reputation already precedes me due to my ancestors, great.

“Drop the weapon long ears!”

I turn to see everyone armed facing the man. With Teage up front yelling at the man.

“What are you doing so far from the mountains dwarf. You lost?”

“Enough you two, put down your weapon. We don’t mean you any harm, but if you continue to target our companion we won’t hesitate to retaliate in kind.”

The man ignores Matt’s words but stares him down almost as if trying to place him.

“Words aren’t going to convince this guy Matt he-”

“MATT!”

He instantly disarms his bow and throws it to the ground and rushes towards Matt to all of our confusion. Embracing him in a large hug that surprises all of us.

“Brother! Where have you been all this time? We hadn’t heard anything from you for so long. We thought you were dead.”

Brother? No, it can’t be, can it?

“You know Matt?”

“Of course, how could I forget my older brother!”

Matt looks stunned, not sure how to respond to this person who he knows nothing about. It reminds me of when I met Velouria for the first time.

“Is there something wrong Matt?”

“I … I …”

“Why didn’t you tell us you had a younger brother earlier Matt? He could have helped us find a safe way inside Myrkvior.”

I facepalmed my head at her idiocy.

“He doesn’t remember everything remember Elizabeth.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Wait, you lost your memory Matt?”

“What’s going on over here prince Innes?”

“Ah, Blake, did you finish taking care of those monsters?”

“Sure did, the crew is dismantling them for parts now. Luckily there were no casualties so we will be able to move out soon.”

Blake stood tall above me carrying a large sword still cover in splotches of blood from his fight. But, it couldn’t be that Blake could it?

“Blake? The leader of the Savage Wolves!”

“Yeah, who’s asking? I’m sure I’ve never met you before.”

As I am about to open my mouth I slowly start to realize that maybe it’d be better if I don’t tell him my name. My companions can’t say my name that he remembers me by so I should be able to deceive him.

“His appearance is a bit different but you don’t recognize your best friend?”

Well, there goes that idea thanks to Elizabeth. Even if they can’t say my other name they can still insinuate that I’m that person.

“Is that really you Brenner? Is this why you didn’t want to hook up, or did those girls turn you into this or something.”

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“It’s a ‘curse’ that I got. Please, just, don’t ask me about it.”

“But why not? I bet it’s one heck of a story.”

“It is, but I think you’re still on the clock big guy.”

I gesture to Innes who went back to hugging Matt. They were both talking to each other but Matt just looked totally lost on how to react.

“I think he has other things on his mind right now. Didn’t know he had a brother though. How’d you even find that guy.”

”We just, sorta met.”

“You’ve really kept yourself busy, haven’t you. Is this what you’ve been doing at this new school of yours? I’ve tried calling you but you haven’t been picking up. I was worried when you suddenly hung up on me yesterday.”

Yesterday? It’s felt like months have passed.

“No, it’s just free time so I just got on earlier. I got to the place yesterday just fine. Turns out those hummers were just chasing the wrong person.”

He looked at me with doubt in his eyes and all I could do was look away in shame.

“Look I’ll tell you everything later. I just, can’t right now.”

“Fine, but you will tell me, and don’t skimp on the details.”

A little fibbing between the lines will probably work to satisfy him.

“But what I want to know is who is this beautiful young lady behind you?”

“Who Elizabeth?”

I gestured towards her as she turned away from Blake slightly blushing.

“Is she a demi-lizard or something? I haven’t seen anyone like her before!”

“She’s supposed to be a dragon, but I have my doubts. She doesn’t really act like one.”

Elizabeth looks offended by my comment as she turns to me.

“Hey, that’s not a nice thing to say!”

“Well, you aren’t really the spitting image of what I’d call a dragon.”

“Just because I can’t spew fire doesn’t mean I can’t spew a beautiful healing ballad for all to enjoy!”

“Yeah, not really the first thing you think of when you hear the word dragon is she. Well if she really can heal with her voice would it be to much to ask if she could help my men. There were a few minor injuries and like I said we are a little short on healers who can properly treat them.”

“It’d be my pleasure sir Blake! Come on John we have an audience to meet.”

“Why do you need me to come with you?”

“Who’s going to escort a fair maiden such as myself when everyone is so busy.”

“But you’re anything but a ‘fair maiden’ lass.”

Elizabeth stomps on Teage’s foot and he stumbled back cursing as John offers her his arm.

“Well, I would be honored to escort such a pretty lady such as yourself.”

They then went off to help the wounded while Teage nursed his swelling foot. Blake gave a short chuckle before turning back to me.

“She sure has a temper of a dragon though I’ll give her that. Almost like someone else I know.”

“Haha, very funny. But what are you even doing here though.”

“The Royal Family,” He gestures towards Innes. “They’re asking for people to help them clear out ‘Bandit, mutants, and anarchists’ from the Myrkvior Exclusion Zone.”

“Exclusion Zone? What is that?”

“Something about some kind of temporal anomaly or some crap. It’s been messing with the area causing everything to become more hostile or something. We’re getting paid to help clear the surrounding areas. We just didn’t expect to run into those things.”

He gestures to the weird hybrid behind us.

“Didn’t think we’d been herded this far out of the forest though.”

“Blake we are going to have to cut our excursion short. I must deliver the news that our brother has returned to my sister ASAP.”

Innes is back to looking serious again as he addresses Blake.

“Sure thing boss we’ll be ready to leave within the hour.”

He saluted Innes as he walked off before turning back to me.

“We could use your help if you would care to join us.”

Innes hears this and quickly turns back around.

“We are not bringing this trickster back with us. You can’t trust these conniving foxes. They’ll take you for everything you’ve got!”

Matt quickly moves between the two of us and faces Innes down.

“Prince Innes, I’m afraid we are a package. If she can’t come I won’t come.”

Teage stands by his side with a stupid grin on his face. I have a feeling he doesn’t like this guy as much as I do.

“You heard the lad prince. It’s all of us or none of us.”

He grimaces in disgust before turning away and going back to his duties.

“Fine, but don’t expect our sister to show the same kind of compassion as I’m willing to give.”

As he walks away Blake looks confused at why Innes was acting the way he was.

“What did you do to piss him off. I haven’t seen him get that angry for no apparent reason.”

“My race just has a bad reputation for being tricksters and pranksters. I don’t think he has anything against me specifically.”

“Well anyways, glad to be working with you as a provisional member of the Savage Wolves.”

“I guess that makes us provisional members as well lad. We are a package after all.”

“It’s an honor to work with you then. Name’s Blake, thank you for looking after this little rascal for me.”

He offered his hand to Teage and they shook with a crazy grin of on their faces.

“Aye she is one vibrant rascal alright, but she’s a good lass.”

I wasn’t that much of a pain to deal with guys come on.

“Just because I’m smaller now doesn’t mean I can’t beat you down to size.”

“As much as I’d like to take you up on your offer of a duel. We’ve got work to do provisional members. Get ready to move out, once we get back to the base camp we can share a round of drinks and you,” He points at me. “Are going to tell me this story you keep trying to hide from me.”

“Alright, I get the point. You better be paying at the very least.”

“I’ll keep the drinks coming until you tell me everything don’t you worry. Now, come on enough chatter for now.”

We were walking over when we noticed everyone was congregating near Elizabeth who singing seemed to have mesmerized the whole group. Innes looked scared though for some reason.

“What are you louts doing over here. I thought I told you to get to work. We’re on the clock people.”

Everyone seemed to snap out of it except for the injured and Blake went over to Innes who still stood there scared.

“What’s wrong boss, it looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I have she’s the second one today. Now we’ve really got to get back to Base Camp. Tell everyone we’re moving out as soon as the injured are ready. Don’t worry about the materials. I’ll compensate you for it all when we get back.

Just make sure this woman makes it back no matter what. She has higher priority than even me, is that clear Blake?”

“Yes sir? But, what’s the matter, why is she so important boss?”

“I can’t tell you, just make sure she makes it back to my sister, is that clear!”

“Yeah, crystal clear boss.”

Blake looked unsure what to make of the orders but went about establishing a bodyguard unit for Elizabeth. We were tasked with defending her and were slowly making our way back.

After collecting our supplies from our wagon.

Blake lent us a bag of holding to borrow until we got back to base camp. He said it wasn’t a problem to use it rather than leaving it empty on the trip back.

Thus we made our way into the forest with one of Blake’s men carrying a flashing lantern ahead of us. It would change color whenever we encountered an anomaly. Blake said they were agitated spirits that had gone mad. He didn’t know how much of it was true though as this was only what he’d been hearing from others.

There was also the occasional mutant attacks but they were just these mangy looking dogs that offered little resistance to Blake’s men.

“How much farther is it?”

“Stop asking every ten minutes Elizabeth. We might get there faster if you do. Why do you even keep asking so much? You weren’t this annoying on the cart.”

“But we weren’t in some dangerous forest where danger is around every corner.”

“FREEZE BUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR FOX!”

I looked up to find that we were surrounded by elven arches and I annoyingly raised my hands in surrender.

“Great timing Elizabeth, where was your foresight earlier.”

“QUIET FOX!”

I was worried one of them might have an itching trigger hand but Innes stepped out to address the guards.

“Let the fox through, I’m making a special exception for this one. Runner, let the camp know that Prince Matt has returned and that I need an audience with my sister immediately.”

They all looked confused before realization finally hit them and smiles spread across their faces. They then all saluted us after sending a runner ahead.

“Welcome back prince Matt! We’re glad you made it back safe. We were beginning to fear for the worst.”

“Well, I made it back. Keep up the good work men.”

Matt still looked unsure about how e was supposed to act, but the guards didn’t seem to notice.

“Yes sir!”

A few minutes later we found ourselves on the outskirts of a large military encampment. With large groups of people shuffling supplies and materials around. Blake excused most of his men as we made our way towards the center of the camp.

“Things look quite busy here. What's going on?”

“They just advanced their FOB (Forward Operations Base) a few days ago. It’s why we came out here in the first place. Right now things are going smoothly but that could change at a moment's notice with all the things that live within this place.”

As we made it to the center of the camp I was a small guard surrounding a large tent. When they noticed Innes they parted for us allowing us inside. Right outside the entrance Innes turned to us.

“All I need are Matt and Elizabeth. The rest of you are free to go, and I better not hear anything about you causing us any trouble fox or I’ll be the first one to put you down.”

“Brother, I ask that you allow Briana to join us. It will make certain things easier to explain.”

Innes looked conflicted but waved me inside as well after a few seconds.

“Fine but I don’t think she’ll be happy about this.”

Blake waved us off as we entered the tent.

“Meet me at the 100 Rads Bar when you three finish. You aren’t getting out of our story time. Got it Brenner?”

“Yeah I get it, we’ll meet you there.”

We then walked past the guards into the tent. But I had to keep myself calm as I felt the guards’ eyes bore deeply into me in suspicion.

What the heck had my species done to these people?

Inside the tent, a woman was yelling at some men while standing around a table which I guessed had a map of the area on top of it. I couldn’t see what was on it as I was to short. The men around her looked scared and exhausted as they talked with who I had to guess was Innes older sister.

“Have Yurik investigate this area for anomalies. We’ll need this sector secured if we want to push further in.”

“But that area is crawling with bandits. They have that area trapped from top to bottom.”

“Fine then have Seriy’s ranger group join them as forward recon.”

“They won’t be ready for another op for at least four hours. They’re exhausted and only just got back a couple hours ago.”

“Doesn’t matter, if we don’t clear out this area quickly they’ll reinforce their positions and cause us more trouble. Tell them they have an hour to get ready for the op.”

Innes then spoke up with a nervous look on his face. Even he was scared of his own sister. I’m not looking forward to this at all now.

“Queen Tana, there is something that requires our immediate attention.”

“Innes? Oh, your back, if it’s about Matt I heard about that from the runner. I will meet you in my quarters in a minute.”

She waved us off with her left arm while keeping her face directed at the map clearly enveloped on whatever was in front of her.

“This is urgent, and is not just about our brother.”

“Fine what is it? Make it quick I’m busy here.”

She turned to face us and I was shocked at what I saw. Her right arm was missing with a cloak covering up the missing appendage. While the right side of her face looked to have been boiled off. Covered only by an eyepatch that did little to hide the extent of the damage.

Not exactly the first thing I expected to see when he called her a Queen.

“A FOX! WHY DID YOU BRING THIS THING HERE!”

“I will explain sister but I must recommend we talk about this in your quarters.”

She looked pissed but waved off the people behind her.

“That’ll be all for now. Come back here at the end of the evening meal is that understood.”

“Yes your highness.”

They then all left and she led the way deeper into the tent to what I had to guess where her quarters. It was a simple accommodation with a bed in the corner while a smaller table with more maps and reports laid on top took up the center of the room.

“So what is this matter that requires my ‘IMMEDIATE’ attention!”

“I believe we found the dragon’s missing princess Tana.”

At this, she looked Elizabeth in greater scrutiny.

“Bullshit! She died years ago. How the hell is she that bastard’s daughter!”

“I don’t know myself but her powers are the real thing I can assure you of that.”

“Fine, then how about we test these powers of hers then. You, sing.”

She pointed at Elizabeth who stood there shocked for a moment.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your scaly tongue dragon?”

“No, I was just unprepared is all.”

“Well hurry up then. I don’t got all day.”

Elizabeth then took a deep breath and began to sing filling the small room with her beautiful voice. Tana though snarled in pain as she grabbed at her face. Innes looks panicked and Elizabeth stops singing as he rushed towards Tana. But, she barks out at him as she speaks through the pain.

“I’m fine! Her powers, they are definitely the real deal.”

She removed her hand and I could see parts that looked better than before.

“We’ll need to contact the dragon’s representative. Make sure they know we weren’t hiding anything. We’ll let her go with them as soon as they send a delegation.”

That’s not good we might be in big trouble.

“That might be a problem.”

She stares me down with her one good eye and I instantly regret saying that.

“What did you do kitsune? If you’ve done something to this woman we’re all dead!”

She lunges towards me and lifts me up by my neck.

“Tana stop! ‘cough cough’ She can explain!”

She drops me to the floor and I take deep breaths as I feel a kick to my side.

“Speak up then! OUT WITH IT!”

Elizabeth rushs to my side clutching her side pleading with Tana.

“Stop it! She’s keeping us alive! If you hurt her, you hurt us all!”

“WHAT!”

“She’s telling the truth Tana.”

Matt speaks up and comes to my side as well.

“We’re only here because of her!”

“How can you trust this fox! Especially after what happened to our parents! I thought that you of all people would be the most opposed to working with her.”

“That, is also something I need to tell you. I lost my memory as well.”

“YOU WHAT! Then does that mean your whole mission was for naught!”

“What mission?”

“Nevermind, I should’ve realized that you had forgotten it just now. But,”

She hugs Matt with her one good arm as he slowly returns the gesture.

“I’m just glad you’re safe. It was hard enough losing our parents. I’m just glad at the very least we didn’t lose you.”

She embraced him for quite some time. It looked like she was getting younger with each passing second as the stress seemed to roll off of her.

“I’m sorry Matt, I should have come looking for you.”

She brushed her hands through his hair as she leaned against him.

“Now, how about you start from the beginning. Innes, you are in charge of planning our ops for now. You keep saying I need to take a break so I’m taking it.”

“I did, but -“

“No buts Innes, now get to work! And tell someone to fetch us some refreshments. I won’t have those dragons know I didn’t treat their princess with the greatest hospitality at our disposal you hear?”

“Right away, but next time. Give me more of a warning next time!”

Innes then left as she turned towards me with her eye trained directly on me.

“So, how did it all begin fox?”