{Alex}

  I bought a larger bed the day after Lily, and I had our cuddle session on the couch. She agreed to be a little more open with me. That being said, my bunny sleeping next to me each night was wonderful and I didn’t need to use my magic just to pass out. My mind would drift between her and Yen with Yen taking up less of my mind as time went on. I doubted I could ever forget my tiger lover, but somehow Lily made it hard to focus on anything else. Although today my focus was on the main doors to the shop. Today was the metal shipment and my mind was solely locked on that.

  I kept looking at the main door like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. The booming knock I had been waiting for finally came and I jumped up. Two large Knights walked in pulling three carts loaded with wonderful iron, copper, zinc, tin, and is that a tiny, cute bar of Silversteel? I tried not to scream like a teenage girl at a boy band as I looked over the haul. After I fixed these junk piles, I could start work on my nightmare. Such a beautiful nightmare it will be. It took the rest of the day for Gorloth and I to fix one of the two Knights. Once I was done, I packed up managing to score a small iron bar that Gorloth was nice enough to haul home for me.

  {Shadow}

  Shadow sat against a chimney looking out over the small town. It was a piss poor place that he would be happy to leave behind as soon as he could. His target would be walking through the alley soon. Far too thin, far too small, but somehow worth his weight in gold. Shadow had just gotten the message that his prey had left his job. “Oh there they are,” He said with a slight chuckle as he saw the man in question. The small man with the big orc walked calmly down the street talking. Rather the man was talking and the orc was nodding, but given his movements, the orc was only half listening and watching the shadows around them. They turned the corner and an extra with a crossbow stepped out, pressing it into the orc’s back. The orc stopped and his prey kept walking, talking about something that didn’t matter. Shadow crawled across the roofs slinking his way to get a closer view of his prey. The thin man stopped when he saw a tall man step out blocking his path.

  He could almost hear the outrage so clear on his prey’s face. Hegoy had asked for Bealcica in exchange for hunting for this pray. It would hurt Shadow’s master but would be worth it if they could get the prey. The other was just a loose end that Shadow could mop up later if he wanted. It was a plan he had used before and would use again. Easy as taking a baking pie from a windowsill. The orc could be turned loose or mopped up if he wanted. He was still debating as to how much effort he wanted to put in. Shadow watched Hegoy toss a mana nullifier at the feet of his Prey. In the other hand, he started letting a fireball spin to life. Hegoy knew he couldn’t kill Prey, but hurting was okay so long as they got a collar on him. Prey looked back at the orc and growled. He turned to Hegoy and the man took a step back. It was like looking into a living mirror to the mask Shadow wore. It was disturbing to say the least. Shadow had a chill run up his spine as his blatter felt weak. Fear was an echo he had thought had been lost when he killed his last master.

  This was a new thrill. He had faced lords and monsters, thugs and things, but this man standing before a man twice his size who was holding a fireball. This man scared him. Who was he? Prey leaned down and picked up the bracelet and turned it to fit more comfortably around his wrist. Hegoy smiled, letting his fireball go as he walked confidently up to Prey. Prey just stood there waiting for him, but no fear could be seen on Prey’s face. If anything it felt like he was about to watch Hegoy die in a horrible way. Hegoy pulled out a collar and went to place it on Prey’s neck. That wouldn’t work you fool, the target has to be fully awake and willing for it to work. He heard Hegoy speak and leaned in hoping to take everything in.

  “Little man, you are going to put this on or my man over there is going to put one in the back of that ugly fucker.” Shadow got chills when he heard Prey reply.

  “No. You are going to die and then my friend is going to rip your friend’s head off.” Hegoy laughed as he reached out grabbing Prey’s arm. Shadow felt a new thrill run up his spine as he watched wide eyed. Prey was calm as though he was being challenged by an ant not a huge Knight Commander and Mage. Suddenly Hegoy froze as Prey reached up pressing his palm against Hegoy’s chest. The smile sent chills up Shadow's spine as sweat poured off him that made the mask far too hot.

  In the center of Hegoy’s chest a bloom of blood formed. It was like a flower blooming on the big man’s chest. Prey pulled out something small and red and looked deeply into it. A stream of blood came with it and Prey let him go, just looking at a small slightly glowing gem. It was just as easy as stepping on an ant to get an apple hanging from a tree. Prey turned when he heard a sound. Shadow had to admit he had forgotten about the other two as his eyes were locked on the small strange man. The orc had torn the head off of the extra saving Shadow the effort. It was almost poetic the way Prey had pointed out how things would pan out. Shadow gave a slight nervous chuckle as he tried to hide begging not to be seen by that strange Prey. His life hung by a thread as he hid on top of the roof. He could easily die if a hair was free of his costume. This was so bad.

  “I didn’t mean, literally rip his head off.” Prey said to the orc with a disgusted sigh.

  “Seem like good idea. We loot?” The orc asked with a chuckle.

  “I guess. Maybe they have something good on them to make this worth it.” Prey said with a shrug. The orc picked over the extra and Prey looted the lifeless hunk of Hegoy. Shadow had killed men with stabs to the heart in the past and the blood was the right amount, but the way that Hegoy didn’t struggle was wrong. It was like that little gem was doing something. Shadow’s eyes nearly bugged out when he made the connection. The way the light had gone out the moment it had been removed was completely wrong. That was a human core. Humans have cores too. This was a thing he would have to take to his grave. Shadow waited until the two had fully gone before moving from his hiding place. Nothing on the bodies would lead back to him or his master. He had made sure that they were safe before leaping down, he slid into a shadow, the face behind the mask doing anything, but smiling. Today he had tasted fear, and he wasn’t sure who would live if he faced the small man in combat.

  {Alex}

  We made a report and returned home. My hands were still covered in blood, but it wasn’t a total loss. I had a new collar to take apart, a few trinkets that were on his body, and a half-dismantled mana nullifier. The fool hadn’t noticed me erase the runes as I put it on. It was almost too easy. I washed up and took my trinkets to the table. One puzzled me and I wanted Lily to look at it. It was two control coins linked with a strange Silversteel, Manawire braid. It looked like two control coins linked together, but was weird with runes that somehow matched both coins.

  “Lily, what is this?” I asked, holding the trinket out to her. She looked at it and frowned.

  “A linked collar. It is used to link two slaves together. Normally it’s done with outlaws. Where did you get it?” She asked and I looked at it a little closer, my mind flying through ideas. If coins could be linked, could cores be linked? Maybe I could make something like a walkie talkie using the new runes.

  “I killed a man who was trying to enslave me.” I said pulling out my notebook and writing down these new runes. I said it with the air of someone who had just taken out the trash. She put her hands on her hips and beamed at me.

  “Thankfully I won't have to clean this one up.” She said as I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and covered her eyes with her ears in that cute, wonderful way that warmed my heart. With the moon waning, she was back to being shy, but at least now she wasn’t afraid of me for now.

  “Strange questions. Does this mean I own these two and do I have to give the order to the person or can I give it to the coin? She peeked out at me, still blushing badly.

  “I think.” she cleared her throat and turned away. “I think you own them and yes you can command the coins, the slaves will get those commands. They won’t hear your voice but will follow the order. That is how some lords can be killed or messages sent over long distances.” She said moving behind me. I smiled as she wrapped her arms around me.

  “Good to know.” I started thinking for a moment, thinking over my order carefully. Holding up the strange twin coins I said clearly into them. “When you know it is safe and you can get away unnoticed, come to me.” Both coins started glowing but didn’t feel hot. I took them to my room and inside a box hidden in a beam of my bed. Inside the frame, inside a box encased in metal, I put the twin coins with the two others. Only a metal mage would be able to remove them and only if they could see into the metal the way I could. They would be safe with the others. I would keep what belongs to me safe. I thought as I pondered as to who would show up. Maybe a set of twin cat women with huge breasts wearing skimpy outfits.

  {Gen}

  Across town in the caravan camp, Gen sat looking blankly out. He would sit there no matter how much it hurt, no matter how hungry he was. He would sit there waiting for his mean master to come get him. Suddenly he felt something as the collar around his neck started glowing. He didn’t notice the glow. He just stood and started walking. He walked through the town, not noticing anyone or being noticed by anyone. He just walked until he got to where he was ordered to be. His mind was tired as he wasn’t allowed to sleep, wasn’t allowed to eat and wasn’t allowed to rest. Something large and warm picked him up and pulled him somewhere. People were talking around him, but he couldn’t understand what was going on. Suddenly someone said something, his collar glowed, and the world came into focus. He looked around and saw two large orc people. One was a woman who looked like she hurt. A big smiling orc man looked at him, making him feel safe. He turned to see a weird thin man looking at him worried. Arms moved, holding him close and he looked up into the face of a pretty bunny woman. She had long white hair and bright red eyes. It looked like winter. Gen hated winter because it was cold. The thin man looked at him and smiled but it didn't look like a good smile.

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  “Can you understand us now?” He asked. The mean man looked scary but seemed nice. Gen just nodded. “Good. Orthonai please fix this lad some supper.” Gen would get to eat today? This made him very happy. He didn’t know when the last time he had eaten was but knew it had been a long time. “Why couldn’t you understand us before?” The scary man asked.

  “Master say no know. So I no know.” The bunny rocked slightly, and this made Gen happier. She was nice, soft and warm. Gen liked the way she smelled. She reminded him of how big sis Uta was before he wore the collar.

  “I think his old master took away his ability to understand the world.” The bunny woman said with a sweet smile. Gen smelled sadness from her, but she was the only one who smelled that way. When she said that the scary man got even scarier his hands started to throw off blue sparks as he smelled like anger. Gen’s master would do that right before he would beat him or big sis Uta. He tucked into a tight ball and started crying. The bunny woman started petting his hair as she held him close. “There, there. It’s okay. Master isn’t going to hurt you. He is mad at your old master.” Gen tucked his tail in and started holding it close, shaking with fear. Would the mean man hurt him? Would he not get to eat today for being bad? “See, you are safe.” She was rocking in the seat holding Gen and petting his head. Gen risked a look around and despite the tears he could see that everyone was staying away from him. The bunny woman was right and good. A smell hit Gen and he turned to the stove; his belly hurt from being empty for so long and he was very hungry. A small cup of stew was placed in front of him. He clawed for it, wanting it more than anything he had wanted before. “You will get some but look at me.” Bunny said sweetly. If she was good, Gen should listen to her. He looked up into those clear red eyes. She smiled at him, and it made him feel loved, like when Mama and Papa would look at him. “You have to eat slowly, or you will get sick. Do you understand?” Gen nodded and she handed him the cup. He sipped it and cried out; it was too hot. He wanted it and cried when the bunny woman took it away. Maybe she was mean after all. Taking away the food he badly wanted. “Orthonai, can I have a spoon please?” The bunny asked. She was given a small metal spoon, and the nice bunny dipped it in. At first, Gen thought she was going to eat it herself in front of him. It wasn’t fair. He was so hungry.

  She just blew on it and handed it to him. It tasted so good that it made him cry. He shouldn’t cry as big boys don’t cry. A small chunk of meat slid down his throat and he coughed trying to keep everything inside. She pushed a glass of water into his hands, and he took a big drink like a big boy. He looked up smiling at the bunny woman. This was a nice bunny woman and he liked her. She sat there feeding him while the others talked. He should have been listening, but he was just too happy to be eating and being held by this good bunny woman. He was happy to sit in her lap and be fed by her. He wondered where big sis Uta was. She should be hungry too. Maybe she was being hurt by his old master. He looked around the room and didn’t see her.

  “Bunny lady, where big sis Uta?” Gen asked holding the cup of water. She beamed at Gen.

  “She will be here later. Would you like me to bathe you so you can be nice and clean when she gets here?” Gen nodded and smiled. He liked baths. It had been a long time since his last one. She hugged him close and took him to a huge tub of warm water. She helped him bathe and he liked the way the water smelled and felt on his skin. She soaped him and scrubbed him clean before putting a towel around him. It was soft and smelled nice.

  Once he was nice and clean, he was given more stew and got to eat until his belly was full and he was very happy. The scary man came to him with something behind his back. Gen just clung to his new big sis bunny and tried to not shake.

  “And here I was going to give you a toy and you are acting like that.” Scary man said. Toy, Gen had not had a toy in a very long time and badly wanted one. Gen looked at big sis bunny making sure it was okay.

  “It’s okay. Master won’t hurt you.” So scary man was new master. Gen nodded and turned back to look at Master who pulled something from behind his back. It was a Knight toy. He used to like Knights as his mama and papa would tell him Knights keep people safe and keep the monsters away. This one was small, and he reached for it. “Master, dull the edges. What if he hurts himself?” Big sis bunny scolded Master. He expected his new master to hurt her, but in place of that he looked scared. Master gave a shy smile and pressed his fingers to the sharp spots. Gen saw the edges dull. Master had magic. He handed it to Gen who held it looking at the Knight. It was mostly green with gold in places. He gave a shout of joy when he saw that he could move the arms and legs. He had a toy. Master laughed and Gen looked up at him smiling. Master looked scary but was nice. His last master looked nice but was scary. Gen didn’t care though. He had a toy, he had food, and he had big sis bunny. Where was big sis Uta though? There was a knock at the door and the big orc man opened it. Big sis Uta was on the other side, but she looked bad. She looked sick and very worried. She was very thin and even fell down when she came in. Master told big orc man to go get a healer. Master picked up big sis Uta and took her somewhere. Gen was scared, but big sis bunny just held him and rocked.

  “Orthonai, do you think he can handle that thing you made last week?” Big sis bunny spelled out some letters, but Gen didn’t know what she was talking about. The orc woman nodded and went to a strange box. She reached in and pulled out something strange. It smelled so sweet. She pulled off a small chunk and handed it to big sis bunny who tore off a small piece and gave it to him. It was something sweet that Gen had never had before.

  “What this?” Gen asked holding up the sweet thing. Big sis bunny put a bite into her own mouth and smiled in a funny way. He could smell her making a happy smell.

  “This is carrot cake.” She said as she nodded at him. Gen reached up and was given another chunk. He chewed on both pieces at once and hummed happily as he bounced on her lap. This place was nice. He hoped he could stay here with the people for a very long time. He thought he could be happy here with Big sis bunny. Big orcs and scarry nice master.

  {Es Von Declos Bullock}

  Chief Constable Declos, or as some of the townsfolk had started calling him Bullock, sat in his office. He had another headache on his hands from that monster Alex. He and that big orc had killed two more people. It was clear self-defense again and once more he had to fill out the paperwork. He wanted to be mad at the young man, but he couldn’t. If he were in his shoes and someone threatened to take his friends and family, he’d rip them apart too, but at least he would make sure not to leave the bodies behind. His door flew open with a bang and Es grabbed for his Shot Spear. He loved the weapon and would have to ask for a smaller one for indoor use. He still had enough time to point it at the man storming into his office. The tall fat man built like a shit house froze as he barged in. It might be he didn’t know the layout or the glowing spear pointed at his face. His anger faded to fear quickly when he saw the spear an inch away from his forehead. If Es had to guess, the only reason the man was not shitting himself would be how tight his asshole had become. Es smiled at the fat bastard who had nearly knocked his door off its hinges. “Can I help you?” He asked coldly, his eyes promising violence as he smiled at the porker. What had to be the captain of the newly arrived caravan started blustering.

  “I was hoping to have a word with you.” Piggy said his hands up in the air. Es let his spear charge up showing that he wasn’t happy with how things were going.

  “Words can be nice. You kicking in my door, less so.” Es said with a slow drawl to his tone.

  “Let’s talk about this.” Piggy begged.

  “Two of yours tried to kill and kidnap two of mine. I don’t feel talking is a courtesy I can offer at this time.” Es said with a cold smile.

  “That is what I’m here about.” Es sighed but kept the spear pointed at the man’s fat face.

  “Contract magic. For the duration of the time you are in here, you will be unable to lie. If I determine you are not guilty, you will be free to go. Agreed?” The fat man just nodded. Why were most of the caravan captains fat like this porker? “I need to hear you say it.” Es said with an evil smile.

  “Agreed.” Porker said his chins wagging. Es lowered his spear and sat back down. The fat man sat down in the chair across from him and started ringing his hands.

  “Tell me your side,” Es said with a wave of his hand.

  “I was looking for my missing men and two missing slaves.” Piggy begged as though he didn’t know what all this crap was about. If Es played his cards right, he could rip up some of this paperwork and toss the rest.

  “Your men are dead. Killed as they tried to take two of ours. Your slaves I know jack shit about. You got their control coins. Bring them to you.” The fat man squirmed in his seat as Es tried not to laugh.

  “One of the men had the coins on him.” Es nodded and smiled. It was not a kind smile, but one Alex would be proud of and one he had seen on that bad day at Alex's house.

  “No control coin, no slave. You know the law on that point. As far as your men go. One was a Commander. You going to take the blame for what he tried to do?” Piggy tried to lie and failed badly.

  “He was not one of my men, but just someone who signed on for the trip.” Es just kept smiling at Piggy’s words.

  “You can’t lie, remember. Fighting it will only force it out. So, if he wasn’t one of your men, that means you have no claim to his Knight. As for the other, I can give you his crossbow, unless you want his body.” Piggy looked pissed. Es now knew why Alex did this. Giving them names made things a little easier. Also, it was kind of fun.

  “You can do that.” He blinked. Probably meant to say can’t, but he can’t lie right now. This was the most fun he had in a long time. Es thought to himself.

  “You know I can. Now that being said, your man attacked a very.” He touched his spear to make sure the point made its way home. “VERY prominent member of this town. A lot of folks will be upset when they hear it was your boys that attacked our hero.” Piggy started to wiggle in his seat. Es could almost smell the bacon. “If I were in your shoes, I’d pack up tonight and run before they find out. Without the extra Knight of course.” Es said, rolling his eyes almost bored about everything. If he had to act, he could legally kill the whole caravan if he wanted to.

  “You can do that. It is fair.” Piggy tried and failed to protest. “We can just leave tonight.” He started raging at his inability to lie. Es would have to play poker with this one someday.

  “We are in agreement then. Pack up before me and my boys show you what we do to those who hurt ours.” Es stood and Piggy nearly fell out of his chair. Piggy stood, shaking in rage and fear as he ran out of Es’ office. Time to go see Alex again. He was sure the missing slaves were there.