Azura hadn’t cultivated since her ki had formed. She hadn’t need to as she passively absorbed the mana around her. Now with so much mana it would be worth trying. Maybe she could speed up the process. She sat cross legged right by the fissure and focused on her ki trying to draw in all the power around her.
The mana consumption sped up slightly but not much more. What did happen was the dragon’s blood reached out to her. Azura was so startled that her mediation was immediately broken as she opened her eyes. She half expected some bloody monster to be standing right before her. Nothing.
Hesitantly, she reached out again. There it was, power. It was different than mana. It was something, more. Something pure. It was the combination of the physical, the magical, and the… spiritual? Yes, that felt right. It was all those mixed into a single source. It was the, essence, of the blood. It called to her. She hadn’t felt it until she started trying to gather power. How had she missed this before? Was this how she could cultivated ki faster? The passive mana absorption was nice, but so very slow. Who knew how long it would take to fill up with liquid ki. But this. This felt strong. Azura opened herself to the essence and let it flow into her ki. The clear colorless ki she had been using all this time became tinged with crimson streaks, like a paint poured into a whirlpool where it filtered down to her core. Her core was a collection blazing crimson stars. Had the blood essence done that? No. It was still working its way down. Wait. She recognized this color. It had changed when she awakened the kin’s pool. Had her ki taken the aspect of the blood? The solid ki did change to this color after being immersed in the bodies of other kin multiple times. Can ki be… specialized? She recalled the feeling when she accepted the change. Perhaps she could compare when others reached this stage.
Well it didn’t matter at this moment. What did matter was the power! Oh, the power! So much more than she could have ever have dreamed of. Azura greedily pulled more in. She kept pulling until all the blood essence was gone. This wasn’t a passive effect. She had to work at it. It resisted her. But she would not be denied this treat. More! She wanted more! Then, it was over.
Azura’s disappoint turned to shock. The results were amazing! Her ki had increased substantially and turned the dark crimson of blood. It would have taken several months to achieve this by passively absorbing mana. She smiled. At last she had a way forward. She had to tell the others… no. Not yet. She would wait till they reached the liquid stage. They weren’t ready yet. It had nothing to do with her wanting them to think she knew everything. Yup, nothing to do with that at all.
Funny thing. Dragging the corpse of a dragon the size of a house through the woods was not a pleasant endeavor. Azura had to knock down several smaller trees and take many, many detours. It was getting late by the time she got back. Thanks to the creatures hardened scales it was undamaged by the journey.
“Honey! I’m home,” Azura called out and jumped atop the dragon hands on hips. There would be no flatulence this time. The dragon had already spilled its contents.
Azura’s Fun Facts: Dragon poo comes out like sausage links… and it’s green.
“Gods below! Is that a dragon?” Gerald exclaimed.
“That’s right. Please add dragon slayer to my official list of titles,” Azura said puffing out her chest.
“I can’t believe this…” Hamal said shaking his head.
“That’s right I killed a dragon.”
“No, your chest isn’t any bigger than when you were twelve.”
Azura moved in a flash hitting him on the head.
“You deserve that one,” Fatania said nodding in approval.
“Mom!” Azura called out. “Can we have dragon steaks for dinner?”
Coralline made her way up front and gawked at the corpse. “If I can figure out how to cut it. I think it might break all our knives.”
“No problem,” Azura said and with her ki sliced a leg off. She left the already cut one behind.
“What are you doing?!” Gerald cried.
“Making dinner…” Azura said slowly.
“You’re ruining the scales!” Gerald protested.
“Oh… Whoops,” Azura said cheerily. “We can descale while we cook the first part, right?”
“We will have to drain the blood also,” Coralline said.
“Already taken care of,” Azura said. Her blood cultivation had burned away all the blood. She suspected that it was only possible in dead beings as the living would have unconscious control of their mana. She would have to test that.
With all the necessities done the kin got back to work. Coralline and a few others began cooking, Gerald was gleefully descaling the dragon. Hamal was rubbing the rather large bump on his head. Azura helped with the digging the mole-kin had started. With her ki the tunneling tripled in speed. An hour later the food was ready.
Dragon was easily the most delicious thing she’d ever eaten. Azura hoped more would come. Completely stuffed Azura took a group of kin the center of the mana forest for three hours of cultivation then rotated in another group. She was sure stay far enough away as to not hamper their progress.
All the jobs done for the day Azura crashed into a bed roll and looked up into the night sky. It was beautiful. Tomorrow would be a busy day.
Her prediction came true. Breakfast was more dragon. Luckily mana beast flesh spoiled far slower than normal flesh thanks to the mana contained therein. Regardless they had to act. Fatania had made a list and was ready to send Hamal shopping when Azura interrupted.
“I should go too.”
“No!” Her mother protested.
“That’s a bad idea,” Fatania agreed. “You stand out among the kin. There’s no way the mages aren’t aware of you. We can handle this.”
“I, um okay so here’d the deal. There is the mage Brianna Runedane that owes me a favor sworn on her mana pool. I think it’s time we collect.”
“How’d you manage that?” Hamal asked.
Briefly Azura told them about the encounter and then about her plans for the mage. Reluctantly both women agreed. The idea was sound. Fatania revealed her own plans. Azura was impressed. When had she come up with all that?
“Are you all going to be okay?” Azura asked. “I’m a bit worried you’re stuck here without me.”
“We’ll be fine,” Coralline said giving her daughter a hug. “You taught us well. Just do your part safely okay? And stay out of sight as much as possible.”
“Yes mom,” Azura said returning the hug.
With Hamal at her side she waved goodbye to everyone and returned to Deepmere.
The smuggling tunnel was just as Hamal remembered it and appeared undiscovered. How long that lasted depended on what was going on in the city. Not much longer if he had to guess. This was probably the last time they could safely use it. Perhaps he should collapse it after they leave this final time.
Hamal shifted his pack as he led the way, Azura behind him. As walked he trailed his fingers across the rough surface.
“What do you think we’ll see?” Azura asked.
“Nothing good.”
The warehouse was trashed but the cleverly hidden entrance hadn’t been discovered. Hamal stopped briefly to grab a stash of hidden gold before they left the building climbing up to the roof. The sight that met them stopped both of them in their tracks.
The city was gone. At least the kin part was. A swath of broken building litter the landscape like a grand wind tore most of them down. The destruction hadn’t reached this far away part but it wouldn’t be much longer. Lines of kin where tearing down their own homes as mages watched over them. It was sickening. Hamal felt Azura tense besides him. Gently he grabbed her shoulder and shook his head. She nodded as they went back inside. Hamal rummaged in what supplies that remained in the warehouse finding several of his families old cloaks. They smelled, but would conceal Azura’s distinct coloring. Now it was time for the part of the plan that Azura hated.
“I don’t like it,” Azura said.
“So you’ve been saying. Repeatedly. All morning in fact,” Hamal sighed.
“I should go with you,” Azura whined.
“You stick out too much. I don’t. Now go write your letter.”
Azura harrumph but did as she was told. It was the best plan they had after all. A few minutes later she returned.
“I couldn’t find an envelope or a seal,” Azura said handing him the parchment.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“It’ll be fine,” Hamal assured her. He did a quick scan and nodded. “It’ll do.”
“If you don’t come back in three hours I’m going looking for you,” Azura promised.
“Wait at least five. It might take me a while to find them.”
“… fine."
“If I’ll be longer I’ll come back and let you know alright?” Hamal asked.
“Okay…” Azura said and suddenly seized him in a hug. Hamal was surprised for a second then returned the embrace.
“Be careful,” Azura said not letting go. “I can’t lose you too.”
“Don’t worry I’m a sneaky rat,” Hamal assured her. “Just don’t go causing a scene here. Even you would have trouble getting out unharmed.”
Azura wiped at her eyes. “Sure. You better get going before I change my mind.”
“I’ll be back,” Hamal said before scampering off. He traveled far faster than he ever had his mana pool inverted flushing his body with power.
Zultar stared at his meager finances. One gold coin. He leaned back in his cart behind the inn and despaired. The mages had come before he’d left the city. They’d taken his family. He’d been having dinner with them when the mages barged in. They took them. His Aunt and Uncle and all four of their children. He could do nothing. Worthless. That what mages had always called him. Now he felt it. Worse is that they were already claimed by the Dageth mages to help build their new school. Beaver-kin where high in demand for their inherent building skills. He’d inquired about purchasing them but the fucking mages wanted ten gold each! The last few days he’d been desperately trying to find a way to raise the coin but there was nothing. The only chance he had left was to go home and sell most of his possessions. Gods below, was his father and mother okay? Were they enslaved too? Zultar wished he’d enough coin to get drunk.
“Rough times huh?” A voice said behind him.
Zultar turned an angry retort on his lips when he saw the hooded figure. He could immediately tell it was a kin. What type he wasn’t sure but from the posture probably rat. That was both good and bad. He had dealing with the local rat-kin. They worked the shadier side of the law which meant coin. However he didn’t see any mages around. Was this kin a slave or not? If anyone could evade the mages it would be the rat-kin. If they were seen together well… he wasn’t sure what would happen.
“I’ve seen better,” Zultar said non-committedly.
“Perhaps a business transactions would assist you in your needs.”
Zultar regarded the kin. “Perhaps it would. What exactly do you propose?”
“A shopping trip and delivery,” the cloaked figure said. “A man who could walk about unquestioned would be a valuable resource.”
“True but if you need such a person the risk is probably great. I would need to know what I’m purchasing and how much… compensation I would receive.”
“Nothing that would bring undesired attention,” the kin assured him. He handed him a list and a hefty bag.
“Get everything on that list and in the quantities listed. Once you have it bring the goods outside the city near the mana forest. We will meet you there. The leftovers are yours.”
Zultar regard the list in surprise. Basic supplies. Cooking instruments and tools. However after looking in the pouch he figured there would be two to three gold coins left. Maybe more if he haggled well.
“I suppose I could do it,” Zultar said placing the list and gold into his cloak. He turned away considering just taking the money.
“Great. Oh, if you see any paints my boss would be interested. Even if her mother gets mad at you again.”
Zultar whirled but the cloaked figure was gone.
“Azura…” Zultar whispered. He left to go get his things from the inn. He need to get shopping right away. The inn was the cheapest one he could find. All the kin ones were now in limbo as the mages decided to keep them or not. This place’s clientele were low rank mages who sat drinking ale that was watered down with piss. Poor quality piss at that! As he headed for the stairs a flyer caught his attention. It had caught his eye every time he entered the inn.
‘Wanted: Azure Magebane – Dead or alive. Reward 2000 gold. This kin is wanted for the death of over twenty mages and should be considered extremely dangerous.’ Below that was a realistic picture of a blue hair half cat-kin. The picture was a mage creation. The image was likely taken from someone’s memory.
Little Azura… he remembered her. A scrawny little stick of a girl who had an infectious laugh just like her mother. Could she really have killed that many mages? He’d heard fantastical stories about her at the bar. Several mages claimed having seen her fight. He’d doubted if even half the stories were true. Still, hoped flared in his chest. This could be the chance he was hoping for. Gathering up his things Zultar got to work.
Brianna gratefully drank the cup of water. The line of kin seemed endless. She had just sat down nibbling on some bread and cheese when a hooded figure approached.
“Brianna Runedane?” The figure said.
Grandor, who was next to her, stiffen. The mage had been quite persistent. She really just wished he’d leave her alone, but that wasn’t going to happen. He was her security during this duty.
“Yes,” Brianna said wearily.
“I have a letter from my master,” The figure said kneeling before her holding out a letter. Brianna frowned. This was a kin. This one must have been branded already.
“At least one of your kind knows your place,” Grandor stated.
“Who’s it from?” Brianna asked grabbing the letter. Probably a noble wanting her to take a special trip to them for the branding.
“My master is an acquaintance of yours. They said it was personal in nature and wished for you to read it in private. I will not take up any more of your valuable time,” the kin said and left.
Brianna hesitated as Grandor was still next to her.
“Grandor could you give me some privacy?”
“Oh. Um, sure,” Grandor said taking several steps away. As alone as she was going to be Brianna read the letter. Her blood turned to ice. Bile rose in her throat as an overwhelming fear took hold of her. It was her…
Abruptly she stood and walked to the brazier igniting the parchment. She had to get rid of the evidence.
“You okay?” Grandor said coming over.
“Fine,” Brianna said shakily. “There is a private emergency that I need to take care of. I’ll be back shortly.”
“I can accompany you,” Grandor said.
“NO!” Brianna shouted. Then coughed. “I mean, no thank you. This is personnel. I won’t be long.” Turning she left at a fast walk. Grandor shook his head and got back to work.
Brianna did a fast walk her heart thudding. When she was out of sight of her fellow mages she ran. She had to be fast.
“Not that way,” A voice said.
Brianna stumbled and nearly plowed into a building. The hooded figure was standing in an alley nearby. He’d must have been waiting for her.
“Follow me,” the kin said before dashing away. Quick! He was so damn fast.
“LESSER HASTE,” Brianna said as she drew even with the kin. The kin glanced back at her and she thought he seemed annoyed that she could keep up. A few minutes later and they were deep in the former kin part of the city racing down now empty alleyways.
The kin stopped in front of a warehouse and entered without saying a word. She swallowed and entered. The building was nothing special. In fact it looks like it has already been mostly looted. The only things left were old stores no mage would want. The structure itself was aged but functional, barely. However none of that matter. What did was the blue hair kin standing there. The Azure Magebane.
“I’ve come to collect my favor,” Azure Magebane said.
Brianna fought not to tremble or show her fear. The girl was even more intense than she remembered.
“I thought as much,” Brianna said her voice weak. “What do you want?”
“For my favor you will become my agent for a period of five years. After that time you will be released from all bonds.”
Brianna went wide eyed. She been expecting some information or other risky activity. Nothing like this.
“That’s too much…”
“Too much,” the kin said her voice growing harsh. “I saved your life. It belongs to me mage. Be grateful I only ask for five years.”
Brianna gulped. She was trapped. “What do I have to do?”
“You will be my eyes and ears in Deepmere. I don’t care about mage politics or any of that crap, unless affect the kin. You will let me know when they are moving kin and where too,” Azura said.
Brianna looked at her hard face and knew she was consigning mages to death.
“Are you going to kill them? They said you killed a lot of mages a few days ago.”
Azura looked her in the eye and Brianna had trouble meeting her gaze.
“I’ve killed many mages. If they resist I will kill more. If they free the kin and haven’t abused them, then no.”
“Oh,” Brianna said. She really didn’t know why she bothered asking. It wasn’t like she could do anything about it.
“Don’t betray me,” Azura continued. “You'll do your best to get me the information when I ask for it. You will, to the best of your abilities, be secret in your activities. If you intentionally let anyone know we’ve been in contact with me I’ll consider your oath broken. Don’t mess with me.” The Magebane slammed her fist into a beam to emphasize her point shattering it.
At one time the building had been structurally sound and such a blow would have merely rattled the place. That time had passed. Now an unseen storage loft collapsed spilling its contents. No one was under it, but a large poof of powder, perhaps expired flour, expelled forward covering the Magebane leaving only her eyes clear. Brianna trembled. Perhaps the killer of mages would stomp her out for witnessing such an embarrassing moment. The rat-kin had no such compunctions. He doubled over laughing as he pointed at the Magebane.
“Damn it Hamal it’s not funny! My badass moment is ruined!” The Magebane shrieked.
That only seemed to increase the kin’s mirth who appeared in danger of running out of air as he continued to guffaw. Somehow a compressed ball of flour struck the rat-kin square in the face covering his dark fur. This time it was the Magebane’s turn to laugh. What followed was a brief exchange as both kin hurled flour at each other. Brianna was completely forgotten. This was the terror of mages… Brianna was very confused.
Overall the trip was successful ignoring that last part. That didn’t count. Several whacks to Hamal’s head and he was in complete agreement. Ha! And her mother said she couldn’t get along with people. Azura nodded in satisfaction as they exited the smuggling tunnel, Hamal unsteady on his feet.
At least Brianna had been a font of information. She knew all about the slave runes and had an idea on how to break them. She had already proved useful.
Together they made their way back to the mana forest where they met Coralline and several rat-kin. As soon as Coralline saw her she rushed forward embracing her daughter.
“Mom! It’s fine. There wasn’t any fighting.”
“I can still worry. Why are you covered in flour?” Her mother asked nuzzling her daughter.
“No reason. None at all right Hamal?”
Hamal covered his head shrinking back. “Yup. No reason at all.”
“Beside I’m the one who should be worried,” Azura protested. “Did you have any trouble getting here?”
“No,” Coralline said. “I think the smell of dragon scared everything off.” She gestured to the pair of butchered dragon legs.
“Great,” Azura said. “Everyone go ahead and cultivate. I’ll keep watch.”
Two hours later and Zultar arrived with a wagon loaded with goods. He looked around like he expected mages to jump out at any second. Azura just waved him over.
“Is that really your little troublemaker? She gotten so big.” Zultar asked Coralline.
“Yup,” Coralline said proudly pulling Azura into a hug.
Zultar regard her for a minute as the rat-kin began unloading the wagon. “Is it true what they say?”
“What do they say? How awesome I am?” Azura asked.
“I see you’re as modest as ever,” Zultar said. “That you killed mages.”
“Oh, that. Yup got a whole bunch of the bastards,” Azura said. She didn’t say it with anger or excitement. Her tone was that of duty. Of a responsibility that no one would want. Something that needed to be done.
Zultar grinned then embraced her. “Thank you. Can you help my family? They’ve already been bought by those Dageth mages.”
“Sure can. That’s part of the plan,” Azura said as they broke away.
“How can I help?”
“You can sell those,” Coralline said gesturing at the dragon legs. “Then buy another batch of supplies for us. With the left overs buy up to a hundred kin. Prioritize families. Including yours naturally. After that we’ll need your help to supply us regularly and get news.”
Zultar gaped as the rat-kin hoisted the several severed limbs next to the cart. They were nearly of equal size.
“What are those?!”
“Dragon-legs,” Coralline said simply.
“Dragon…” Zultar replied numbly.
“I think that should cover our expenses,” Coralline added as she gave him another list.
Zultar gulped. “I should be okay in the city but if I leave it with wagons worth of supplies and no mages for protection I’ll never make it back here.”
“Well you’re not coming back here,” Azura clarified.
“What Azura meant was that we will meet you at the north side of the river so that we can boat the goods and kin into the mana forest,” Coralline explained.
“But, but...” Zultar stuttered.
Coralline grinned. “There is a lot of changes going on. Sit down and let us chat while we unload the goods.”