A large convoy of heavy, four wheel waggons surrounded by mounted knights decorated in silver armour march towards the military city of Alzor drawing the attention of merchants and travellers as it passes.

Curious about what it was that was so important that an entire division of knights would be protecting, many of the passing travellers try to take a peek only to be disappointed that everything is completely covered.

Those that got too close are forced back by the huge war horses and their riders as they levelled their lances ready to eliminate any potential threat.

Alzor is located at the centre of the Nortia dessert at the northernmost edge of the Vonian kingdom, containing a population a little over 2 million and close to the Fastback mountains where the summoning took place.

The city is strategically located to shield the kingdom from the Tellvinai basins northern pass that lead to the nomadic plains. It was also where the borders of the Tekath kingdom and the Kaelith empire met.

Also referred to as the Citadel of Man, Alzor was humanity's largest military city. Since its founding, it had repelled hundreds of invasions without being lost once as well as the staging ground for the crusades into the northern wastelands.

With the new king's marriage to the second princess of Tekath eliminating one of the threats, its proud history and the years of peace, the city had flourished in Vonia’s jewel.

If it wasn't for the fact that it sat so close to powerful enemies the capital would have been moved here a long time ago.

Initially, the majority of the population were soldiers and their families but with the discovery of a level 2 dungeon close by, adventurers had flocked to the city. This had resulted in the need for an adventurous guild and their supporting establishments like the alchemists association and the Iron conglomerate.  

Holding true to its war heritage, the city had four rings of magically enhanced yellow walls, each stronger and more impressive than the last surrounding a huge fortress. Each ring of the city had its own obsidian barrier, capable of easily stopping a grand mage's attacks as well as its own army to enforce law and order.

It was often joked living after kicking a sleeping dragon's arse was easier to do, than stepping a foot inside Alzor as an invading force.

The outer ring was the home of the poor and lower classes. It was cramped, smelly and disease ridden.

The second ring was known as the retail district, containing grand markets, guilds, merchant stores, restaurants and inns.

The third ring was for the military. Huge coliseums could be seen towering over barracks, stables and training grounds. The clash of metal and the explosions of magic were constant here as training schedules ran over 24 hours a day.

The centre of the city was reserved for the elite, mainly nobles or those with royal blood. The centre had everything they would need and so rarely ventured out into the rest of the city unless it was to visit the coliseum and spectate its competitions.

It was midday by the time the convoy had reached the city, passing the queue that had been stood in the baking sun, earning irritated glares and more than a few mutterings of discontent before it finally stopped at the main gate.

==== Demoness Pov ====

The waggon stops abruptly and I am thrown into the bars at the front, letting out a pained yelp and dropping the the rough, itchy blanket I had wrapped around me.

I had been standing inside the cage for the last half an hour or so trying to give my back and butt a break from the incessant bumps. The floor was as hard as iron and after discovering that I couldn't lay on my back due to something stabbing into my back, it was the best option.

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The yelp I let out was not because of the impact but whatever it is around my neck. I haven't been able to see it but it feels like a collar, I feel slightly irritated. I shouldn't be the one collared, I should be the one collaring others, making them bend to my will.

When I originally woke up I was on the floor with only the blanket covering me with the scent of dried blood hanging in the air. Trying to gather my senses I remembered waking briefly before as I was carried by strange men. I had tried to break free but ended up blacking out.

This is when I discovered the collar. I called out for help only to be met with waves of pain emanating from the collar ending in my throat causing me to gasp.

Panicked I jumped up and grabbed the bars to before a new, more intense pain shot from the collar and into to my hands. It felt like they were being ground to dust from the inside out causing me to fall back and struggle against the urge to pass out.

-”Who would do something like this? And what the hell is on my neck”.

It wasn't long until I realised I had no memories of who I was. Every time I felt like I was getting too upset, a warm calming feeling, completely opposite to the pain would flow out of the collar and I would start to relax.

At some point during the trip, as well as noticing I was a girl, I realised I had a small, black almost whip-like tail that I thought was incredibly cute. With a little practice, I could move it around almost like an extra hand, well without the fingers. Playing with my tail had distracted me to some degree until we stopped.

-”Let alone who I am, I wonder what I am?”

As I bend down to pick up the blanket a young boy pulls back the sheet covering the left side of my cage up causing me to jump in fright at the sudden movement. He draws my attention with a wave and motions me to be quiet with a finger on his lips before backing away slightly.

An old man, dressed in dull grey armour engraved with white snakes, steps into sight and stares at me uncomfortably before writing down something on what looks like a stone tablet.

“!”£$” 4%^$£% ££$%%£$£” [Old Man]

“%$%$” [Boy]

“$%%$^%&^$ $£%£$% $$$” chuckles the old man.

Following his gaze I notice I am naked I quickly cover myself with the blanket, glaring as he smirks, looking me up and down once more before walking off.

-”Dirty old pervert, someone needs to wash his eyes with soap”

The boy shakes his head at the man before giving me a smile. Having a quick look around to make sure no one's looking he passes a canteen through the bars and starts lowering the sheet.

“Wait!, please don’t close it… I… I feel like I am trapped”

Looking at me in confusion the boy hesitates before starting to lower the sheet once again. I start to sob as the panic builds causing a slight pain from the collar. I had thought I had got used to the enclosed space but now I can see outside, loosing it again it almost too much.

“Pleeease, leave it open., I beg as I point to my eyes and then outside a couple of times in what feels like a last ditch attempt.

The boy looks puzzled for a moment before smiling and pulls a knife.

-”What the hell is he doing?! Why is he take his knife out?”

I try and back into the opposite corner as he jumps onto the waggon but he soon disappears behind the sheet at the front and cuts a small horizontal rectangle.

-”Ahh… he was making a hole”

Feeling slightly embarrassed at my overreaction I take a proper look at the boy. He has jumped down and now has a massive grin on his face. His slightly long, blonde hair is fluttering in the wind and his dark blue eyes shine kindness.

-”I wouldn't mind putting a collar on him in a few years”

Shocked at my own thoughts I see the bright light fade away as he quickly pulls down the sheet.

-”The hole he cut is tiny but it's not the size that matters, it's what you do with it…… and I called the old man a pervert… what's wrong with me”

Lifting myself off the ground, I stand and step towards the hole.

It looks like we are in a dessert. There is sand everywhere. We appear to be in front of a huge metal gate and I can also see a wagon with a sheet the same colour as mine covering a box.

“I guess I am not the only one stuck in a cage” I chuckle almost merry that someone else must be in the same boat.

After a long time it's apparent we are waiting for something.

-”I don't even know what we are waiting for but I am getting impatient! They better let me out or get a move on!”

A terrifying roar that is followed by a shriek of pain causes my hairs to stand on end.

-”Seems like someone is having fun with their new collar”

A bellowing manly voice sounds off in the distance men in armour get back on their horses.

With a jerking motion we start to move again..