Azura cultivated the rest of the day and several hours into the night. When she was done she was rewarded with a thick mana cloud. Not bad. She resisted the urge to keep going. This was going to be a long term project. Not just weeks or month, it would be years. She would cultivate until it didn’t work anymore. Then find a new way to improve. Nothing would stop her… except perhaps breakfast which from the smell in the air was already beckoning to her.
Patience my precious for I am coming.
“Sausage!” Azura screamed in a primal war cry as she dashed to the table and began inhaling the pork product. Usually it was porridge or something else equally bland. Perhaps her mother was trying to cheer her up after what happened with the mage. Azura felt no desire to correct that assumption if she could keep eating like this.
“By the gods of below Azura, chew your food!”
Azura tried to respond but found her tongue thoroughly pinned by an excessive amount of partial chewed food. Unable to fully close her mouth she approximated a chewing action as her mother watched hypnotized by the action. She was no doubt wondering if Azura was using some space magic to make extra room.
“I’ve raised a pig-kin,” Coralline declared shaking her head sadly.
Azura approximated an oink once her mouth was sufficiently clear. Only a bit of sausage sprayed out. Her mother playfully knocked Azura on the head.
“Don’t forgot your lessons today. I expect you to attend. No skipping again.”
Azura frowned. It couldn’t be that time of the week already.
“That’s impossible! I just went last week.”
“You have classes three days each week,” her mother replied flatly.
“Perhaps your memory is flawed. I heard that happens when you get older.”
The look Azura got sent a chill down her spine. “Hehe, fortunately that is certainly not the case as you are extremely youthful,” Azura said in a rush her hands out before her acting as an improvised shield. “No doubt I’m just a forgetful innocent child and shall be on my way post haste.”
The intensity of the glare continued. Azura quickly gathered her things and bolted for the door. She often forgot how scary her mother could be.
The prisoners lined up in three symmetrical rows each ten long before being directed to a small isolation cell. The cells were cruelly crafted by adults who were experienced at mental torture. Each cell had the illusion of freedom yet that was the farthest thing from the truth. In the cells the inmates were forced lay on the floor and construct runic diagrams. Then they were instructed to read mind altering text that warped reality itself. No doubt these activities were meant to break their spirits. Azura looked around in a panic surely there must some way to escape this hellish prison. She saw one of the tormentors walk down the rows sneering at their captive’s plight. She looked up and summoned her most wide eyed innocent expression she could. It was the kind of expression that could melt adamantium. No doubt this would sway the guard to free them from this nightmare.
Zanron looked down at Azura before gesturing to her text and moving on. He sighed, his dog-kin ears flapping as he did. The locals had arranged a community learning center for the children and he was one of volunteers. The goal was simple. Teach the child to read, write and do basic sums. The place they choose for the activity wasn’t very nice but it had a roof and plenty of space for each child, even if they rested on the floor. They had just finished doing mathematical sums and now it was basic or advanced reading depending on the student. There were bright children here and others whose attention span was challenged by sitting for more than a minute. Azura, he noticed, was a combination of both. He knew the children didn’t understand the benefit of a basic education. He was one of the few in the community that could read and write. Zanron and the others like him spent a few hours three days a week teaching the children the basics. At least his shift was almost over. Another volunteer would feed the children with contributions from their parents and continue the lessons in the afternoon.
A child raised her hand and he went over to help with a few words as the rest read on. Perhaps in a few generations they would have enough of an educated population to start demanding equal rights with the mages. He personally had his doubts even as others said that educating the population was the first step to achieve equality. The difference in power was far more important as far as he was concerned. But, lacking any better option, he gave it his all to teach them. Finished helping the child he stood up and looked around. The sea of brown and black hair or fur emphasized the difference between them and mages. For a moment his gaze lingered on Azura, her blue coloring standing out among her peers. He wasn’t sure what to think.
Gossip spread fast in their non-magical community. Even faster when it concerned mages. He had personally heard two such conflicting rumors regarding the blue cat-kin. He heard that she was examined thoroughly by no less than two mages that confirmed Azura did have an awakened mana pool. Unfortunately it was too small to accomplish anything. The latest rumor came just yesterday from the crow-kin librarian who had apparently saw Azura perform magic with no ill effect. Were the mages lying to prevent a kin from being accepted as a mage? That seemed likely. Or, was there something else going on? Perhaps she was some kind of genius that had tricked the mages… He dismissed that thought when he saw her pick her nose. Perhaps not…
Freedom! Azura roared in a mental cheer. She dared not scream that out loud again. Last time the instructor made her stay later and help clean up. Such cruel adults. Azura quickly packed up her belongings and joined Toren who was already with their other friends.
There was Gerald a rather large brown bear-kin. He was nearly as big as some of the adults yet they were the same age. Then there was Hamal. A gray furred half rat-kin. Azura rather liked Hamal. He was sneaky. One had to respect that.
“Azura are you still in trouble?” Hamal asked his whiskers twitching.
Azura shrugged. “A bit, but I have time before I have to be home.”
“Let’s go fishing then,” Gerald suggested. Both he and Azura starting drooling at the thought of fresh fish. If she could catch a few and bring them home perhaps mother would reduce her prison sentence.
“LAST ONE THERE IS A SLOTH-KIN!” Toren shouted as he dashed away. Immediately the entire group rushed off behind him knowing full well they couldn’t catch him. No one ever did.
Well not till today anyways, Azura thought as she inverted her mana pool. The sensation was odd. Like tiny shocks radiating outwards along her entire body. It wasn’t painful, just slightly jolting as her muscles, skin and bones accepted the extra energy. Azura missed a step as her body adjusted and all her friends rushed passed. Finding her flow, Azura was surprised that she felt no different… that was until she pushed herself and felt the mana activate. Power surged in her eliciting a gasp as the world slowed slightly as her mind sped up. Her movements became fluid and easier with each step. She grinned and moved. It felt like she was taking two steps for every normal one. She quickly passed by Gerald. Hamal was farther ahead but she soon over took him. Then Toren came into sight.
Toren ducked and weaved through the crowded plaza with the darting speed only his kind could achieve. None of his friends have ever bested him. Azura and Hamal came close a few times but he could always outpace them. He took a quick glance back. He expected to see Hamal and perhaps Azura panting to catch up. What he did not expect was Azura within touching distance, her tongue stretched out toward him as if he was a sweet cold treat. Then impossibly she went even faster pulling head.
How!? Toren pulled deep within himself as went even faster. His body was low, darting forward like an arrow, his hands occasionally touching the ground to help pull him along. His vision narrowed. The only thing that existed was the path before him. That was right until a fluffy tail smacked him in the face. His concentration broken he tumbled as Azura pulled beyond his range. Several painful rolls later he lay gasping as Hamal jumped over him a surprised look on his face.
What in the shit spawn was that?
She did it! Azura gave a mental cheer as she did one final leap onto the path toward the river. She lowered her speed halting the drawn on her mana. A quick internal check showed that the physical activity had only used a tiny portion of her cultivated mana. She looked deeper searching for the exhausted mana. There it was. Strange it felt… sticky, like cold honey. While her normal mana was moldable and easy to use. The exhausted mana was slow and unresponsive… like most boys. Azura wasn’t concerned. The text did say that mana used in this fashion would recover naturally within her body. Soon the river came into view.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The river was a public resource that many poorer families used to supplement their diets. The fish from that river had saved many during tough times. It also acted like a natural barrier as it was significantly wide with a swift current. Fortunately several large boulders broke the surface near the shore, reducing the flow. The river was also very busy with kin of all types filling buckets. A few casted fishing lines safely from shore.
Newbies, Azura scoffed. Without hesitation she leaped from boulder to boulder. Out as far as she could Azura crouched her eyes darting searching for prey. There. A large trout was searching the rocks. As it neared by Azura prepared herself. Grabbing fish was difficult and she failed more often than succeeded. But that was before. Now a trickle of mana empowered her as her hands swept downward, a geyser of water erupting from their entry. Her hands, while human shaped, did have longer finger nails that were slightly pointed and significantly stronger than a humans. The fish never knew what happened as small hands seized it tearing it from the water.
Azura held the mighty water behemoth above her head shouting a wordless battle cry. The powerful fish, which was no doubt a small shark, struggled in her grip. Perhaps it was some type of magical fish whose powers are to taste great with butter and salt. Azura got many strange looks as she hopped back toward shore where her friends stood watching her.
“Hey Sloth-kins,” Azura shouted cheerily as she landed on the shore. She dropped the fish in a woven basket that Gerald had brought.
“How did you do that?” Toren asked his face red.
“Well first you have to grab a fish. Then put it the basket without dropping it,” Azura said sagely.
“Not that!” Toren growled. Azura paused seeing genuine anger in her friend. Perhaps she shouldn’t win with magic. The more she thought about it the worst she felt. Mages always used their power to beat and rule them. How was she any different? Her ears dropped and her good mood vanished.
“How about we go fish and let those two talk?” Hamal asked giving Azura a nod as he and Gerald waded out into water.
Once they were out of hearing Azura turned back to Toren.
“Sorry,” Azura muttered looking at down at her paws. The white and blue fur around them was soaking wet. “I tried out the magic you helped me find. I shouldn’t have used it in our race. It wasn’t fair. I was just so excited and wanted to try it out.”
Toren didn’t say anything for a second then he sighed. “I’m sorry too. I guess I get a bit arrogant when it comes to racing. I shouldn’t have gotten angry.” He shoved his hand out toward her. “Friends?”
“Of course,” Azura said as she grasped his hand. That was when he gave her a slight push toppling her into the water…
The friends laughed splashed and much to the annoyance of everyone else in the area scared off most of the fish. However after several hours the children were rewarded with twelve good size fish, most caught by Gerald. They were just packing up as a group of three mages with vibrant red hair arrived blocking the path out. The mages began shouting at everyone in the area.
“What’s that all about?” Toren asked. His clothes were rather muddy from Azura’s earlier retaliation tackle.
“Whatever it is, it isn’t good,” Gerald said concern on his face. As Gerald put a lid on the basket with the fish as Toren whispered to Hamal. Azura couldn’t hear what was said but wasn’t surprise as Hamal scurried off. Rat-kin where often treated even worse than other kin as they had a bad reputation for stealing. Which she had to admit was well deserved.
“What should we do?” Azura asked joining the others.
“Nothing,” Gerald said. “Probably just looking for thieves or something.”
Azura supposed the bear-kin was right. What else could it be? Azura relaxed although Toren kept a serious expression as the mages headed down toward them.
The mages wore bright apparel that was well tailored. Azura’s group, and indeed most commoners, had plain brown trousers in various states of disrepair and simple tunics that were either white or some other non-descript color. The mages before them wore vibrant red with yellow sashes. It was an aggressive crimson shade like fresh blood. There was no official color scheme rules in the kingdom. Anyone could wear any color they like. However, mages tended to reserve the color of the rainbow for themselves as a status of their magical power. It was petty but so were most mages from Azura’s experience. As a result the non-magical folk were restricted to brown, gray, white, and black.
A large man with inky hair eyed the mages cautiously as he neared. A large fish hung from a chain behind his back. The mages pointed at the man and he stopped as they exchanged words. Azura couldn’t hear what was said over the river’s constant noise but she clearly saw the closest mage use a weak force blast knocking the man back, his prize flying from his grasp.
“Hurry! While they are distracted!” Toren said. Azura had no idea what was going on. Perhaps he insulted them. Nevertheless, Azura trusted Toren’s instincts. The group rushed on as more kin and magic-less humans started yelling. Azura and Toren rushed by. The closest mage a man with a neatly trimmed red beard gave them a dismissive look. A breath she didn’t know she was holding escaped her. She thought they were safe, that was until the mage saw Gerald.
“Stop!” The mage shouted blue white electricity dancing in his hand. Gerald paled, which was hard to tell under his brown fur, and looked around trying to see if the mage was referring to someone else, before pointing to himself.
“Yes you! What do you have there?”
“J, Just fish master mage,” Gerald said his normally brazen tone submissive.
“Leave it and go,” the mage said taking a step closer. Azura and Toren stopped behind the mages, watching.
“We caught them ourselves. We didn’t steal them.” Gerald protested clutching the basket protectively. His family didn’t have much money and relied on fish from the river to supplement their food. Actually they all did, except for Azura’s mother but even they had to be careful.
“You did,” growled the mage. Then in a loud voice for all to hear said. “Effective today all fish in the waterways of Tazaneria belong to the magic born. The removal of any animal from the water or the forest beyond is considered a theft against Tanzaneria and shall be punished accordingly.”
Shouts of outrage came from other fishermen and even those collecting water at this pronouncement. Azura was shocked. She and her friends counted on the river for a free source of food. It had always been so.
“No!” Gerald said protectively holding the basket as he made a run for it. He took ten steps before
“LIGHTING BOLT!”
The blue lightning the mage held lashed out at Gerald. It was a credit to his bear-kin heritage that after the blast Gerald managed to take several more steps.
“LIGHTING BOLT!” The mage cried again. Gerald faltered as the second wave of lighting hit his body convulsing.
“AAAAAARGH!” Gerald cried the basket flung from his hands as he collapsed. The mage who attacked had a cruel smile on his face as the other two held the crowd back. He readied another bluish bolt. Azura eyes went wide as the bystanders watched. They were going to make an example out of him. They were going to kill him.
Azura didn’t think. She acted. The mana augmenting her body bolstering both her speed and strength. With her increased speed and the fact the mages were facing away from her, none of them reacted in time. Before the third bolt was launched Azura was directly behind the attacking mage her foot blurring upward toward the man’s crotch. As the blow landed Azura felt something deforming under her paw. Time seemed to stop as the mage was lifted slightly off his feet. It was hard to tell if it was the crushing of his family jewels or the spell backlash that caused him to scream like a ten year old girl faced with a dog sized spider. But scream he did. Right before he collapsed curling into a ball, cradling his genitals.
The other mages turned and seeing Azura standing over their fallen comrade unleashed the spells they had prepared against the crowd on her.
“FORCE BOLT!”
“ICE LANCE!”
Azura eyes widened. Instinctively she raised her arms protectively just as the force bolt stuck. The magical attack flung her backwards, her body tumbling uncontrollably. Ironically, it was this throw that saved her from the ice lance that would have pierced her. Instead the icicle shot barely missed her impaling itself in a nearby merchant stall. People screamed and fled in all directions. The mages in the resulting confusion didn’t notice the bear-kin boy get up and start running. They did noticed the blue cat-kin girl get up but was immediately distracted as several well aimed stones curtsey Hamal’s sling struck them. The mages dove for cover never seeing what had attacked them or where it came from. Every time they tried to get up a stone encouraged them to stay down. By the time they got to their feet the area was clear except for their comrade who apparently had no intention of leaving his fetal position.
“That could have gone better,” the elder of the two mages said.
The other mage shrugged. “Our job was to inform the citizens that fishing wasn’t allowed anymore and to make an example out of anyone that resisted. It was mostly a success.”
“Mostly,” the elder mage snorted. “Cliff had his balls crushed, that nasty bear-kin boy got away and you took it easy on some weird cat-kin girl.”
The other man hesitated. “I didn’t take it easier on her.”
“Bullshit. If you used a full power Forced Bolt her torso would be in pieces.”
“Didn’t you see her go flying? I didn’t hold back.”
The elder started to sneer, then stopped his face thoughtful. “But, she got up. I saw it.” The man gestured toward the spot Azura was flung.
“Yeah…” the mage agreed. The pair were silent for a second.
“Let’s not say anything,” the elder mage said. “We don’t want to look like we couldn’t handle a few nulls and we did get the job done.”
“Sure, Cliff wasn’t careful and some big guy kicked him hard enough that his children will feel it. Other than that mission success.” The other mage agreed. Cliff, who was oblivious to everything around him, whimpered as the pair dragged him off. They were sure to plant the sign before they left.
‘All fish in the water ways of Tazaneria are the property of the magi. Thefts are considered a punishable offense.’
Azura whimpered tears streaming from her eyes. Pain unlike anything she ever experienced burned in her. Her arms were bloody ruins, the skin was flayed from her with bits of stone and debris deeply impacted into the wounds. The world spun around her with each step. Azura barely noticed when a big set of arms picked her up.
“I’ll carry her Gerald,” a voice said. Azura knew the voice but couldn’t place it. Everything was fuzzy. The agony muffling her thoughts.
“I’m okay,” said a gruff voice.
“You were attacked too!” Came another protest.
“They were just trying to hurt me to scare everyone. They tried to kill her.”
“It doesn’t matter!” A commanding voice said. “We have to get out of here. Hamal you there?”
“I’m here!” A voice said followed by some panting. “I don’t think they are going to follow. I tried to brain the fuckers. I can’t believe they did that to Azura! What are we going to do?”
“We’re taking her home.” The commanding voice said.
“Why is this happening?” The gruff voice asked as Azura felt the world move beneath her.
“I don’t know, but whatever the reason it isn’t good…” The voice might have gone on but Azura blacked out shortly after.