{Alex}

  I looked over at the far too skinny girl lying in Lily’s old bed. She had to be a fox or wolf, but her long ears and tail were patchy and cheeks sunken. It was clear they had starved and beaten her. If she had been just a few hours later, she might be dead right now. Once more I wished I had taken my time with the fireball fucker. Lily had taken it upon herself to move all her stuff into my room the day she started sleeping with me so at least this woman had her own room. This girl had to be near sixteen if not younger, but was pale, malnourished, and was covered in sores. Healer was looking after her now and the glowing green light he was giving off made her look all the worse, but her sores were fading at least. It cost me two silver but was worth it if she lived. I would make sure Healer looked at the boy too before he left. I was out in the hallway talking with Gorloth. He seemed a bit upset at me, and I wasn’t sure why. “How come you not tell me name Al-ex?” Gorloth asked and I blinked at him.

  “I’m okay with Runt.” I said putting my hands in my pockets.

  “All this time, I think name Runt.” I patted his shoulder and gave him a smile. My mind was going through his body. Now that I knew what a core looked like inside a person, I was checking everyone. He didn’t have one, Lily and Orthonai didn’t have one either. It seemed like they were fairly rare. He seemed to calm down and looked at the door worried. “What do with new ones?” He asked with a sigh.

  “I’m going to take care of them.” I said I was not sure myself. Once they were healed, I would have to figure things out.

  “That one not look good." Gorloth said, nodding at the barely alive girl laying on the bed.

  “I know. I hope she makes it.” Today was rough and my anger was on the edge now that things had calmed down. “Are you two going to stay the night for a while?” My friend just nodded at my question not taking his eyes off Healer and the slave.

  “I go get our bed soon. Orthonai working on dinner.” He said and I could hear a strange sadness in his voice. He was a slave too, had he seen things like this before? This world was fucked up and I was going to bend it over and spank it until it right.

  “I can hold down the fort. Go before it gets too late.” I ordered.

  “Friend Al-ex good person.” He stumbled over my name as I frowned at him.

  “Gorloth, please call me Runt.” I said with my own sad smile. He smiled, nodded, and left. I just stood there waiting for the bad news. Healer came out and looked at the ground. He looked drained and spoke quietly,

  “She is safe for tonight, but I’m almost tapped out. I could do more if I had some more mana. If only Gaven hadn’t broken his leg.” He said and I could see the sorrow in his eyes. It was clear the man didn’t believe his own words. Fuck that. I held out my hand.

  “If you need mana, take mine.” I said looking into his eyes. He gave me a questioning look but took my hand. No core in him either. He started pulling on me and I drew on my bracelet. Nine drained cores later and the man was looking much more energetic as he went back in, and the green light fell over her again. How bad was my mana if it only took three to five to fill me. I just kept waiting not sure what else to do. It didn’t take as long this time before he came out. I topped him off as we both went to look at the boy. He was in a much better state, but that isn’t saying much. He still had a few sores, and both needed lots of food and care. I wasn’t sure I had what it took, but I would kill anyone who tried to take them from me until they were ready.

  I jumped as there was a knock at the door. I flexed my fingers and felt the mana lightning move between them. The boy flinched and Lily held him close. “Close your eyes Gen,” she said sweetly. So, the boy was named Gen. Noted. Moving carefully to the door, I knew Gorloth couldn’t have returned that quickly. I slowly opened the door ready for a fight. Bullock stood on the other side. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding and let my mind and mana calm down.

  “May I come in Alex?” He asked and I wondered if I was about to be arrested. Taking a step back, I held the door open for him. He put his Spear Shot near the door and removed his hat. “I wanted to come tell you that the matter this evening is settled and if the Piggy who captains that shit show.” He stopped when he heard the growl in my voice. I glanced over to the living room.

  “Please watch your language in front of children.” I said with a warning tone. He looked around the room and saw the Gen playing with two Dolls on the floor. The boy was making crashing sounds as he pretended to make them fight. It was cute and warmed my heart in a new way. Bullock nodded and turned back to me.

  “The unkind men should be leaving tonight if they are smart. If not, we plan to,” He took a breath and scratched his hair. “Can we step outside? I’m not sure I can watch my mouth.” I smiled softly and nodded. At least this man was smart. I followed him out and looked into the night. “How fucking old are they?” Bullock asked.

  “He looks like he’s three and the other one is half dead and maybe sixteen.” I said coldly. Bullock rubbed the back of his neck and growled.

  “Fucking kids. I’m thinking we may have to tell that lot to stay away for a very long time.” He put a hand on my shoulder, and I looked inside him. No core. “Are you going to keep them?” I growled and brushed off his hand, my face twisting into a smile.

  “Try to take them if you want to die.” I said in a soft way that showed him I wasn’t joking. He backed off and looked actually scared. I was smiling at him as I growled lightly. He was a smart one.

  “Never. Now I know why the bunny passed out. You are a scary fucker.” He said with a nervous laugh.

  “While I have you here, is there another way to open someone’s mana channels?” my mind going to Gen. Maybe I could give him a head start in life.

  “Other than eating the fruit?” he asked not sure where I was going. I just blinked at him. What the fuck?

  “What?” I asked coldly, my anger boiling over slightly.

  “Yeah, just eat some Pearas fruit. They grow like wildfire around here; we even export them to the city. How do you not know about them?” He asked as though I had grown a second head.

  “So you just have to eat this fruit?” I asked my mind going to some dark places.

  “How did you open yours?” he asked and now I felt like I was under interrogation.

  “A mage flooded my channels with his mana.” I said with a growl of annoyance. He winced and looked like he had just seen someone getting kicked in the balls.

  “Ouch, that has to hurt like a bitch. No, just eat the fruit. About three a day for a week should do it.” He said with a smile. I just sighed in anger.

  “Fucking hell. I may kill that mage when I see him again.” I muttered as I looked around hoping to see him in the dark.

  “Since you asked something, I'd like to ask something back. Do you think I can get a smaller Spear Shot for indoors?” He asked sheepishly. I thought for a moment. I could easily work up something.

  “Sure. That should be simple.” I pulled out my notebook and started making sketches. He beamed at me.

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  “Good man. You keep those two safe and good night Alex.” He said reaching for the Shot Spear. I handed it to him. He faded into the dark as I went back inside.

  Healer left as Gorloth came in. I was just watching the boy play on the ground with Lily. It made me feel like his dad and she made a cute mom. I may have to pay Woodcutter for some building blocks for him. I wonder if the man could make Linkon Logs or maybe something like Legos. Maybe I could make something like Minecraft for him using the table as soon as he had mana. “What is the name of your big sister?” I asked the small boy. He pointed at Lily and smiled.

  “Lily.” He said with a big childish grin. She blushed and pulled him into a tight hug. I just laughed as I sat back a little.

  “The other big sister.” I said with an honest smile on my dark face.

  “Big sis Uta.” So Uta was the sleeping one. Lily looked up at me and I could see a worried look on her face.

  “Master, can Gen sleep with us tonight?’ She asked sweetly and I knew I couldn’t say no to her. “I just think Uta needs sleep, and he might feel safer between us.” She said looking away.

  “Sure.” I said looking at the boy.

  “He might sleep better if we hold him.” She continued.

  “Lily.” I laughed.

  “I know, but he needs us.” She begged, not looking up at me.

  “I said yes.” Covering my mouth, I laughed. She was acting like his mother and wanted to keep him safe. My own feelings seemed to match hers.

  “But Master he needs…” She blinked and looked up into my eyes as I nodded. Before I could react, she leapt from the ground to tackle me and started peppering my lips and face with quick kisses. Gen giggled and I laughed with him. Once Gorloth and Orthonai were settled, I locked up and checked on Uta before going to bed. Lily was wearing her nightgown and Gen was in one of my shirts. It was way too big on him, and we would have to get him clothes in the morning. I moved to the other side of him, and Lily lay her head on my arm. Gen looked between us and yawned.

  “Good night, Gen. Good night, Lily.” I said kissing each on the forehead. It felt a little weird kissing Gen’s forehead, but it warmed my heart in a new way that I liked. Gen needed me to protect him and keep him safe. I was his father. Nope, I was his big brother. That felt right. I was Gen’s big brother.

  “Good night, Master.” Lily said as she kissed my cheek and Gen’s forehead. He nodded and tucked in between us. His small warm body was soon sleeping deeply. Lily joined him as she held him close. I wrapped my free arm around her and closed my eyes. The house was full, and we were safe.

  It was morning and I woke to a strange cold wet feeling on my side. I blinked my eyes as the smell hit me. Gen had pissed the bed. That was not a fun way to waking up. I got up and woke the other two with my movements. Gen on realizing what he had done, had started crying. “Lily please go get him cleaned up, I’ll clear the bed.” I said with a wince. It didn’t feel right for me to bathe the boy. She blushed as she picked up Gen and moved to the bathroom.

  She froze when she heard a thump in the hallway and my protective nature kicked in. I pushed them behind me and walked slowly to the door my hands flexed and mana flew from them. On pulling it open, I sighed with relief. It was Uta. She had tried to come to her brother’s rescue and had passed out on her way. I grabbed a blanket so my piss-stained clothes wouldn’t get on the woman and carried her back to her room. In the light, I could see she had long matted, rust-colored hair with two long ears. A thin matted tail hung down just past her bare back. She was nude as her clothes were far too stained and torn to be saved. I hope this world didn’t have a Chris Henson.

  Something about a man in his twenties holding an underage girl who was nude and passed out, didn't feel right. She didn’t wake up on our trip back and for that I was grateful to whatever god or goddess made that happen, but she needed to wake up soon so we could get some food in her. It wasn’t right to see someone's skin and bones like this. She had to weigh no more than sixty pounds. I tucked her back in and went to the bathroom. Lily came out in only a towel, and I tried not to get excited because she had Gen in her arms. The last thing that one needed to see was me pitching a tent. I kissed her cheek as she went by, making her blush, and went in to get myself cleaned up. Maybe Gorloth or Othornai could go get the boy something temporary to wear.

  {Uta}

  Uta had heard her brother crying. She was in a strange house, a strange bed, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was he was crying. It was a struggle to make it out of bed, a nightmare to make it to the door, and far too much for her to make it down the hall. Her body gave out and everything went black. She smelled something nice just under the knockout odor of her brother’s urine. She couldn’t open her eyes, but she felt someone lift her gently and place her back in the bed. She smelled the piss but couldn’t smell fear. Her brother would pee the bed sometimes and it would smell just like this. Is that what he had been crying about? She hoped so. Her head rolled to the side, and she failed to open her eyes.

  She was just so tired, so weak. She had pushed herself so hard for so long and now she was paying the price. Now all she wanted was food and to sleep. Someone came in and touched her arm. She struggled to open her eyes and saw a strange man sitting by her bed. “I’m going to feed you. You need to eat. Do you understand?” his cold voice said. She saw her collar glow and her mouth opened. “Not what I wanted, but it will work,” he said with a shrug. He pushed a spoon to her lips and tilted it. Warm beef broth slid down her throat and she started crying. He was being nice to her. Who was he? Why was he being nice to her? He just fed her slowly making sure to wipe her chin when the broth dripped down. When she was done, he stood and smiled. “Good. Rest if you can. Oh, and forget any orders that anyone has given you in the past.” Her collar glowed as he left her alone.

  He smelled like a bunny and orcs. Her brother’s scent also clung to him, but not in a bad way. She just lay her head back feeling some of her strength return, but it was only enough to keep her from passing out again. He was right, she needed sleep. Did she die in that caravan? If so, why was her brother here? Oh yeah, they were joined if she had died, he would too. She lay her head back and was soon asleep again.

  She woke when she heard someone coming and tried to struggle. The door opened slowly, and a white-haired bunny woman peeked in. “Hi there. Can I come in?” She asked sweetly. Uta nodded and the door pushed open. The bunny entered holding Gen. Uta stared crying as she reached out to him. He jumped into her arms, slamming into her weak body. She expected the pain to make her pass out again, but nothing hurt. Yeah, she was sore, tired, and very drained, but it didn’t hurt. She looked at her arms expecting to see sores, but only long-healed scars remained. “Now Gen, be nice to big sis Uta. She is sick,” The bunny scolded. Gen looked at her and his lip quivered.

  “I’m sorry big sis Uta.” He hugged her and it warmed Uta’s heart. He was safe and looked healthy.

  “Pleasure to meet you finally. You can call me Lily.” The bunny said, holding out her hand. Uta took it and felt the warmth and kindness coming off the bunny. Where was she?

  “Gen are you okay?” She asked, looking at her brother. He still had his collar, but his eyes were clear, and he seemed able to talk and move freely. Did that bastard sell them? Her brother nodded and pulled back looking into her eyes.

  “You like it here. They have toys and food and Master looks mean, but he really nice.” He was talking so fast and Uta just smiled at the flood of words. He was back to being his hyper annoying self. She started crying as she held him.

  "Would you like some food? I know Master fed you," Bunny asked. Why did the bunny seem upset when she said that? "I could go get you more if you want it?" Lily asked. Uta just nodded as she held her brother close. The bunny left and Uta looked her brother over. He didn't have a mark on him. It was strange. She swore he had a bleeding sore on his back from when that fucker hit him, but it was gone.

  "Gen, what happened?" she asked, not sure what he would say.

  "I was sitting and then I was walking and then I was here." he said waving his arms around. She rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

  "After that Fuzzball." she said weakly tickling him.

  "Big sis Lily gave me food and a bath and Master gave me toys." He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Master can do magic. He got mad and his hands sparked, but he didn't hit me." The boy was going a mile a minute and it made her laugh. Gods, it felt good to laugh.

  "Slow down, fuzzball." she tickled him lightly making him laugh. It took almost everything she had but hearing him giggle was worth it. The bunny returned with a bowl of broth. It smelled so good and Uta’s body protested it being in a bowl and not her.

  "This is big sis Lily, she is very nice and smells nice. She didn't even yell at me when I peed the bed." Lily blushed and looked away.

  "Yeah, this morning was a little crazy." She said puling her hair back out of her face. Uta bowed her head at Lily. It looks like she and her brother were in a good place. "How did you end up in those linked collars?" Lily asked. Uta's mood fell, and Gen started crying. Lily put up her hands and started waving them. “Oh no you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” She said before adding. “Lily, bad bunny.” She whispered to herself.

  "It was me, my fault." He said as she hugged her brother.

  "No, it was those bastards. they tricked him into eating an apple and then convinced him that he had stolen it." She said and she didn’t care if the other woman could see the anger in her eyes. Gen was crying fully now as he held his tail.

  "My fault." Gen cried. She started rocking, holding her little brother until he felt better.

  "Not your fault. Once they had the collar on, they called me over. He would have died if I didn't put the other one on." Gen had tucked into a ball again. He was so small.

  "Now that is just rude." The bunny said with a huff. She puffed out her cheeks making Uta smile. The bunny hugged them both, making her brother the middle of a happy sandwich. “You are both safe now and that is all you need to worry about."