High class members of Houses and Guilds arrive at the party in style. Riding tamed beasts and magical devices alike, they land to a pretentious trumpet call on the extended balcony.

The structure juts from the Blacktree like a monster’s tongue though the prestigious guests aren’t intimidated in the slightest. Armoured in glistening silks and extravagant fashion pieces, they waltz to the event with pure arrogance.

I observe from my windy perch amongst the dark branches. I shiver in the nighttime air, pulling my bear poncho close to comfort me with so many monsters nearby. I climb for a better view, the tree feels abnormal to the touch, too smooth in places, too carved in others.

There is nothing natural about the structure, especially its centrepiece. The auction is being held within a massive dome. A glass structure rising from the epicentre flashes with lights and buzzes with debauchery. Drinks and vapour were flowing freely.

The early attendants took advantage of the Houses sudden wealth and hospitality. I watch as a couple in flashy attire smoke a pipe upon a velvet couch, commenting and laughing hysterically at the new decor. I tasted vinegar and scorn when I saw them.

Their laughter reminds me of these people’s cruelty, the difference between them and me was an expansive ocean - and I’d eaten people.

The man rose and offered his drink to the Satyr hanging by chains on the glass wall. She kicks out and smashes her hoof into his jaw. My girl still has some fight in her, Piia has always been a beast.

I’d had to hold myself back from rushing in as soon as I saw her. Blood trickles down her bare chest from a fresh brand. A rune that translated into the number twelve. They were all branded, twice in fact. A Blackroot sigil on their back, a stock number on their front.

“They’re only shackled by their wrists to the dome itself. We can stick to the plan, shattering the whole thing will free them all at the same time.” Russ comments.

It had been included in the original designs. But we hadn’t expected to find the Satyrs attached to it in the hundreds. I knew the Satyrs weren’t going to be held in the structure’s cells, those were located in the abandoned section.

Reports from Russ’s inside waiters said they were locked in a large hall in the centre of the building. This was clearly old news after we found it empty. In fact, most of the building was in a similar state. All the peons of the House were gone, while the top ‘Sons’ were attending the party.

“I can’t risk raining glass on the tribe. They’re too vulnerable.” I answered him.

He sneers with disgust, but I know what it's truly aimed at as he points inside.

“Clifftons in the green. They used to war with the Daemons like it was a game. Sending armies of naked peasants or driving crazed animals towards the hordes so they could bet on the outcome. They were famous for maintaining a fort in No-man's land.”

“Used to?”

“They got too comfortable on their cliff. Their arrogance made them fools and they lost it all. Some say the Yorks had a hand in it.”

“And Karma.”

“Exactly. Those lot in the purple, with the fat children. They’ve come from Falsgrave. Insidious and sadistic lot. They experiment with all sorts of magic and items. Their inventions have made them rich. They’ll be using tonight to arrange secret investments in the raid, securing places for their mercenaries. The cowards never go themselves.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“Thought it might help you change your mind about blowing the dome. Some of the worst people in this world are in there.”

“And so are some of the best,” I reply.

“Just wanted you to know.”

Ben scrambles up from the open window below. “Flocks finally up and ready for you Shepherd. Suzie says that you should stop exploiting child labourers and pull the heavy bags up that dumb waiter’s shaft next time.”

“You're all volunteers.” I point out.

The young boy looks back at me with a blank face. “I don’t know what that means.”

I need to educate these guys after this. “I’ll tell you some other time, let’s go.”

Just before we climb down, I see the couple laughing hysterically as they blow Bukke smoke into Piia’s face. I imagine their joy turning to horror as thick shards shred them apart.

“Fuck it. Russ, set the scuttle bombs and show Ben how to light them. We’ll give you a signal to blow them, but only if things go tits up.” I say.

His face lights up. “Tits up, you gonna flash me their boobies as a signal.”

Russ sighs heavily and waves me away. “You go do your weird blood magic, I’ll give the lad a quick 101 on sabotage.”

As I climb down towards our commandeered servants' room, I hear the beginning of his lessons. “Tits up is when a situation turns very bad.”

“This whole situation is already bad,” Ben replies.

“Well, you're not wrong.”

Bakaawwww!

I swing into the room to madness. Omnia’s balls this was a bad idea.

“Silence,” I command, once again.

Even with my steadily increasing strength, my command over this many waned quickly.

Suzie lit another ebony and blew out the window whilst shaking her head.

“Mother help this girl, will you stop smoking? It will stunt your growth, you’ll be four foot forever.” I snatch the smoke away and huff on it enthusiastically. Quieting my beating heart and the curse’s itch.

“Good, I want to be small forever. Means I can escape Satyr crap like this job.”

She lights another one and jumps out onto a branch before I can grab it.

“See.” She mocks me while casually dangling over 20 metres of open air.

“If you have something to say, spill it. I’ve got a lot to do and time’s short.”

“The parties just begun. We thought we’d only be halfway up the building by now. But no, we’re already at the top because there ain’t no Blackroots here.”

I know where she’s going with this but I wasn’t going to pull out now, not after seeing Piia.

She flicks her end into the wind and swings back in with a heavy thud. Bam! “Tadaaaaa!”

She startles her beady eyed audience, they go to squark but catch themselves with me looming so close.

Suzie sardonically cheers for herself and starts to bow for them.

My patience was waning. “Enough.”

“Thank you, thank you! More you say!” She goes to jump off a stool.

“Stop Suzie! I get it, no one’s here. No one’s listening.”

She bounds off and squares up to my hips. “Nothing locked! Doors open from here to the basement, ready for the rats to come crawling up.”

“I won’t leave them again, Suzie. But you’re right. Pull your Bastards out.”

Her hard face softens. “Don’t stay, come with us Seth. This tribe and their God can’t be worth your life.”

I look at her. And See Russ’s daughter, sad and alone. I see Piia’s smile, before she was taken. “This isn’t about my life anymore. We’ll come find you afterwards.”

She flees with angry steps, But before her walls of defiance can fully rise. She catches herself in the doorway “Don’t forget about us like everyone else has.”

My promise falls short as the door closes.

After all this is done, we’ll find the Bastards and take them with us to sanctuary. But that means I have to succeed in whatever happens next. I remove the beaded crown from my inventory and like an angel's halo, place it a few inches over my head. The enchanted item remains fixed in place, even as I got to work on the flock. With the sex toys' beads set into my new head piece, I only had to move slightly to trigger their stamina-enhancing state. They spin continuously as I imbue each spell upon the creatures;

Enraging mist, Blood mass.

Enraging mist, Blood mass.

On and on it goes. Russ swung in at one point to report that Ben was set. The auction had begun and the warm reception had dissolved into heated verbal combat as exotic artefacts and priceless artworks were sold. The Satyrs were the final items on the lot.

Enraging mist, Blood mass.

Enraging mist, Blood mass.

My heart pounds like it was ready to blow. I sway and stumble towards the open window. Beneath my bear poncho is a swampy, sweaty mess. I store away the halo and suck in a fresh breath. Russ goes to say something when his eyes dart towards my finger.

The sigil of York glows upon my skin. But not from Harper’s ring, which I’d tossed in the sewers, but from a translucent band that sat in its place.

“What the fuck?” I gasp.

A chill tickles my spine as she reaches out. “Seth, my little hound. I have need of your presence. Stop playing with yourself in that room and come join me.”