Chapter 025:

Anton and his companions were within sight of Atros. He was liking the village appearing in the distance more and more. While nothing in comparison to a city of Earth, it still felt like home.

The journey had been a long trip, seven days of trying to keep many people together. Food and water quickly ran out but thanks to Anton's lightning and a few large animals that came too close, food issues were solved. Water was stretched as best as it could, supplemented by fruit identified by the bought bondsmen. Otherwise, the trip was rather pleasant, considering it was seventy people that had no idea where they were actually heading.

The bondsmen that he had bought seemed surprised at the sight. They must have been told for most of their lives that everything east of the forest was a monster infested wasteland, and now they saw a city holing on despite the threat.

With over a fortnight of uninterrupted work the village had been transformed. The walls were still rough and uneven but they towered over 2 meters tall in some places and looked quite thick. Gates, reinforced with the Earth Tower material, had been built seemingly on the Eastern side and presumably in the other directions. Behind those walls stood many more new wooden buildings. Anton felt glad that construction was continuing much faster than he had expected.

A small horn sounded when they approached, almost a kilometer away on the open grassland. Men and women, dressed in whatever pieces of armor they could find, pointed at them then disappeared.

With a tremendous groan the gate opened. A few villagers came out and waved them in. By the time they arrived Jeff and Bertram were there to greet them.

“Hello Anton,” Jeff bellowed at them, “We were starting to think that the both of you had decided to just run off.”

“I plan to keep my promises.” Anton said back, when he was close enough to not have to yell. “I take it that nothing bad has happened while we've been gone?”

Jeff looked to Bertram, both shrugging.

“Really, nothing,” Bertram replied, “We've been keeping a close eye on things and kept everyone close to the village. The furthest anyone has been is the quarry. Some guards think they've seen something in the distance the past few days but we haven't found anything yet. Still keeping precautions though.”

“That's great.” Anton turned towards the bondsmen. “These people...I bought from Maxill. They're bondsmen that were owned by the duchess. Now, they're free.”

Anton looked towards the bondsmen, both the peasants and the miners looked confused.

“You heard me right. Even though I 'bought' you, I did it with the intention of having you work and live in this city. And not as enslaved workers. We can promise you food and shelter, it's not much...but from what I saw, that would be miles above what you have lived like for many, many winters.”

They looked at each-other then back to him.

“So...free?” one asked, “Like not belonging to you or anyone?”

Anton nodded.

“Exactly, though this is not a charity. You will be working like everyone else, though without the hunger or condescension. You will be a full citizen of Atros.”

Anton turned to Bertram.

“Can you see about getting these people somewhere to sleep and something to eat, they'll start working tomorrow.”

Bertram turned to the bondsmen.

“If you would follow me we'll see about organizing your new homes. I hope you like it here.”

The bondsmen looked a little nervous but carried on inside, the Atros villagers ushering them in.

“Oh,” Anton said, “Those that are miners, I want you to gather at the main plaza with all your mining equipment and gear right now.”

There was a murmur of agreement from the miners as they walked in.

Anton turned to Jeff.

“I'm wondering to see how far Jonathan's come along with my little 'project'. I really did give him a mountain of a task.”

Verona tugged at his sleeve, pointing back at the cart. Specifically the crates full of supplies and weapons from Maxill.

“Ah, yes. Thank-you Verona.” Anton rubbing Verona's head in thanks as they moved to the cart. “We have ten new crossbows, two of which are older and can be drawn up by the hand by the looks of it, while the others seem to have some sort of metal lever that pulls the string back. I must leave it to you guys to figure out how to use these things properly.”

Jeff hopped onto the cart and looked at the newer crossbows, picking one up to inspect them.

“These look very new.” he said, holding it up to the light, “I'm sure Avery will put them to good use. Let's have a look at these older ones...why did you get these older ones instead...”

He pulled the captured crossbows out of the cart, stopping when he saw the dried blood on both. He looked towards Anton.

“Don't worry about that.” Anton started to explain but Verona continued.

“We ran into some bad people along the road. They tried to hurt us so we killed them.” Verona said without any emotion.

Jeff nodded.

“If they knew what they were going up against they wouldn't have tried it.” Jeff replied, stifling a laugh as he climbed down.

He grabbed the reins of the Ix and led it inside, Anton and Verona following. The gates groaned shut as two villagers either side pulled it closed.

“Following on from that,” Jeff started as they continued to the central plaza, “does anyone else know that either of you can use magic, beside those idiots that tried to get you?”

“A few know that I can use lightning magic, and one knows that I can heal and Verona can use blood magic.” Anton replied.

“He called me a blood berserker.” Verona added.

“He did. Next time we head there I want to get anything on what they know about magic and these glyphs.” Anton continued.

They nodded in agreement as they continued towards the center.

---[]---

Several extra villagers helped them carry the large crates full of the blacksmith items that Jonathan wanted, Anton and Verona following them. Jeff had the soldiers take the crossbows and bolts away, hopefully to try and train with them. He mentioned that Avery would handle that.

Jonathan's blacksmith looked considerably larger, more complete. Smoke rose from the central stacks and the sound of metal striking metal resounded from within.

“Jonathan!” Jeff yelled in as he poked his head around the edge, “Guess who's back with gifts.”

The striking stopped, a heavy thud of a hammer being dropped, and Jonathan emerged. He was covered in soot and dust though he looked quite happy with himself. Both his children emerged, looking the exact same.

Without warning he moved forward and hugged Anton, his strength being far more than he had expected.

“It's good to see you too, Jonathan.” Anton lightly chocked out.

Jonathan patted him on the back before relinquishing his hold.

“I honestly thought that I would never see you both again.”

“You're not the first person.” Anton said as he looked back to Jeff.

Jonathan's attention moved to the large boxes.

“Are these the things I asked for?” he asked as the villagers moved the crates inside.

“Yep. Everything on the list.” Anton opened the crates, Jonathan could barely hold back the look of delight. “I don't know what half of any these things are but I guess that they will help.”

Jonathan nodded.

“They will, it is just a matter of more coal for the forges now. I had to use quite a bit of wood that could have been better used for building houses or stocking up for winter.”

“It's good that we have some miners with us. I'll get them to work with Zac so we can get a regular supply for you.”

“So you did get some people?”

“Seventy. Twenty of whom were miners, so hopefully one or two should know what we are looking for.”

“I am sure that Zac will be pleased to hear that he has more people to order around.” Jonathan chuckled, “I suppose you will want to see how I'm coming along with your little 'idea'?”

Anton nodded. Jonathan waved him, Verona and Jeff inside.

He led them inside the blacksmith and into a newly built secluded area.

Inside, on the ground, was a large slab made out of something that looked like clay. It was a little over a meter long. Along the edge of the slab was a cut, it was two slabs on top of one another. He checked the slab and found at the front a large hole.

Jonathan smiled as he saw Anton take such keen interest.

“It took us a while to get the clay right,” Jonathan started to explain, “We had to travel near to the lake to get enough, but we were quiet and kept out of sight. Anyway, it was a serious effort to get this even remotely right, we have already broken four by trying to bake it too quickly or make it too thin. We had to build a kiln big enough to house this thing. You did not give me much to work with.”

Anton nodded in appreciation. He had no idea how much work went into things, until now.

“I...had a discussion with the others about this thing. They've kept quiet about it thankfully.” Jonathan rested his foot on the clay slab. “To be quite honest, I do not have the skills to build most of these things, so we came to a compromise between the two things you showed me.”

I hadn't expected you to do that. What did you think up?

“So what did you manage to make up?” Anton asked.

Jonathan moved several pieces of tools off of a table and pulled out a dusty piece of paper. On it was the picture of a small cannon, but it looked as if it could be held in the hands. Most of it was just a large stock but the end had a short barrel, like a cannon's. Underneath the barrel and stock were some hooks, that would probably stop the cannon from flying backwards and killing whomever was standing behind it.

“We have decided to call this thing a 'hand cannon'.” Jonathan started, “Because it's smaller than the cannon you wanted me to build. We use the same ideas as you had and made it more...feasible for us.”

Jonathan waved Jeff over and pulled apart the clay slab. Inside was a hollowed out section that matched the picture on the piece of paper.

“It will take some to get it ready and make sure it works. I don't even know if this will work, everything here is still new. Thankfully the things you got for me will mean that I will not have to use much coal to melt the iron, or even the green Bosciycium weapons.”

“I'm very impressed by your industrious nature.” Anton said to an impressed Jonathan, “But we still need the normal weapons and armor to be built.”

Jonathan agreed.

“I've still been making swords and pieces for armor as best I can.”

“We managed to get a few crossbows. If you pull it apart, could you make more pieces for it?”

“Sure. Should not be too difficult. I would like some more people to help out with my normal work.”

“When we return to Maxill, I'll see about getting some more blacksmiths and metalworkers to help you.”

“Thanks.”

“Thank-you Jonathan,” Anton shook his hand, “Keep up the good work.”

“What's your plan for now anyway Anton?” Jeff asked.

“We'll need to head back to Maxill soon. I've got a few things on order that will prove useful for this thing and many more of them. And we can get many more people for the village, once these have settled in and gotten used to things. Duchess Belinda was hesitant to sell more, but with good stories to tell her, hopefully we can get quite a few more. Buy some carts there and maybe even tens more of those crossbows, fill the gap before we get people that can work the wood properly.”

Jeff smiled.

“This would be easier with the Dwarf's help.” Jonathan said as he looked out the window.

“Are these dwarves short, stocky, bearded engineers that live for centuries and are very good at building things?” Anton asked.

“Oh, did they exist in your world too?” Jonathan asked.

“No,” Anton shook his head, “That's what they were the meant to be in my world. Have you seen one before.”

Jonathan and Jeff shook their head.

“They only live in their mountain islands.” Jeff explained. “My dad said that he's only seen one once, and that was when the Kar Kingdom was still alive. We won't be seeing any of them for quite a while, we would have to go through the Qaiviel Kingdom at least.”

“Hmm, pity. We'll have to make do for now. First, we should get the miners to see if they can find anything. Then, I want to take a bath. I've started to like being clean. Is the bath-house still working?”

Jeff and Jonathan nodded.

“Yes it is. Everyone seems to like it,” Jeff explained, “We'll get it prepared for the both of you.”

“Thank-you.” Anton replied. “Let's go get Zac and get those miners working. A few armed villagers with them should be enough for protection.”

Jeff nodded, leading them out.

They left, leaving Jonathan to assemble the strange devices.

---[]---

The miners had gathered in the central plaza like they had been told. They seemed to be quite nervous, many of them looking at the villagers going about their lives whilst heavily armed.

One of the soldiers must have found Zac, as he was waiting at the front of the main hall with some of the other builders.

His bearded face turned into a smile when he saw Anton.

“Good to see you back here lad.” he said in his booming voice.

“Good to be back.” Anton said as he shook his rough hand. “You've continued to do a good job, quite a few more new buildings than when I left.

“We've been working all day, not having to worry about the Yellow Goblins has helped a great deal.”

Zac turned to the miners.

“These are for me, right?”

“They have mining experience.” Anton explained, “That will come in handy for getting coal and ores for Jonathan, plus they might be able to locate more sources of stone, I can't imagine that there's too much left at the quarry.”

“There's still a bit left,” Zac said with a shrug, “Once that's done we'll just need to start digging down...I'm going to be leading them, aren't I?”

“That was the plan.” Anton replied. “At the moment, I think we'll just make it a temporary position until we can get someone dedicated, so you can focus on building.”

Zac grunted, but tried to suppress a smile.

“I'll get them organized. Jeff, we'll need a few soldiers to go with each of them, so nothing bad happens.”

“The mountain might have some ores nearby,” Anton added, “It was mined by someone other than the Yellow Goblins.”

“I'll get on it, see what they have to find.” Zac said as he patted Anton on the shoulder and walked over the to miners.

“Will he be alright?” Anton asked.

“He'll be fine.” Jeff replied. “I'll make sure that he gets the soldiers and help he needs for this. I wonder what they will find.”

Jeff clapped his hands.

“Anyway, you two don't need to be here for that. You mentioned something about having a wash, I think it's a good idea to get it done now.”

“Thanks Jeff.” Verona said, grabbing Anton's hand and dragging him away to the bath-house.

---[]---

Water splashed over his face, Anton enjoyed the feeling of the warm water in the bath-house. To him the whole building felt very plain but he knew that he should not judge. The villagers had not warmed the water themselves, he had decided to use it a chance to train his control of mana, using a small flame underneath his hand to warm the buckets of water. Verona seemed enthralled by the warm water on her skin.

There was just the two of them in the bath-house now. Verona seemed more interested in cleaning him than herself, though Anton did not mind the reverse either, leading to some intimate moments. It was also the first time they had been alone in seven days, something that they were both eager to take advantage of.

It had almost been and hour from when they entered. Anton was ready to leave but Verona convinced him to stay for a bit longer, soaking up the sun on their naked bodies. They picked an open spot with cloth underneath them to protect them from the wood.

Verona rested her chest on his, but Anton could tell that she wanted to ask something but hesitated. It was something it the way her hands twitched so ever slightly.

Eventually, Anton decided to press the issue.

“You want to ask something?” Anton turned his head to Verona.

She raised an eyebrow as she slid off him and onto his arm.

“You look like you want to.”

Verona squirmed a little, taking a deep breath.

“I was thinking about those...things, you are getting Jonathan to build.”

“What about them?”

“If you get them made...will you no longer need me?”

“What?” Anton was shocked, Verona looked quite worried.

“We won't need to get into close with any enemy. And my power is only really good in close, so...”

Anton wrapped his arms around her and started stroking her hair.

“Even if that was the case, which it won't, I would never cast aside someone I love.”

Verona blinked rapidly and started to go red in the face.

“I've never said that to you, have I?”

Verona shook her head.

“Okay. I love you.”

She squirmed in his arms, trying to hide her face. Hearing it aloud was too much for her. He started whispering it in her ears, her face becoming increasingly red and trying to escape his grasp.

He stopped and picked her up so they were both sitting upright.

“Even if we have those weapons of that type, I love being with you. You have tons of energy that never seems to go away, you're always trying to better yourself and you're fun to be with. I hope you enjoy being with me too.”

Verona did not answer, grabbing his head and kissing him deeply, holding it for some time.

“More than anything in this world.” she said as she started nibbling on his hear.

He pushed her back down and started to plant kisses on her neck.

A loud knock on the door broke their passionate embrace.

“Anton? Verona?”

It sounded like Jeff.

“What's wrong?!” Verona replied, somewhat angry that their time had been interrupted.

“We've got a...problem on the Eastern side of Atros.”

Anton and Verona looked at each-other.

“Goblins or Orcs?” he asked, picking Verona up along with himself and heading to where they had stored their clothes.

“Neither. We don't really know what's happening. 'though, they don't seem to be wanting to try anything funny.”

“We'll be out in a little bit.” Anton shouted back.

They were quickly dressed.

Verona played with her hair. After spending some time cleaning, she realized it was starting to get quite long, almost reaching her shoulders. She started to assemble her armor, getting Anton to help with the chest piece.

“After we figure out what's going on, we'll get you hair into something better. I'm thinking some sort of braids or plaits. Something other than loose and scruffy.”

“Like yours? And your beard?” she quipped back at him.

“Exactly. I don't want you looking scruffy.”

“Aww.” Verona replied somewhat sarcastically, pulling him down for a kiss. “We'll need to do something about you as well. I liked your beard back when it was short, it tickled against my skin.”

“It'll be something for us both them.” Anton was about to open the door when the clink of Verona's clay pots reminded him. “Better get some blood, a couple of vials this time. Just in case.”

Verona grabbed her spear, leaning against the wall, and collected four vials worth of blood. More than enough to deal with whatever threat was approaching from the east.

---[]---

As the three traveled through the village, the first thing Anton noticed was that it was not in a state of panic. When the Yellow Goblins attacked in force people were running around in a wild frenzy, now it looked like any other day. This threat was evidently not that great.

“So, I take it's not an army.” Anton said as he looked around at the calm villagers, “How many are there?”

“Just one,” Jeff replied, “But they aren't in the talking mood. The only thing they've said is that want to see the mage....and that's you. Won't say anything else.”

“Are they inside or outside the city wall?”

“Outside, refused to come inside yet. Someone, that's going to get a serious bout of training this afternoon, fired an arrow at their feet. Didn't even flinch. I think it's a woman but they don't say much.”

“Just keeps asking for me?”

Jeff nodded.

“Let's see who this person is then.”

They climbed a small set of stair next to the gate and on-top of the wall. This section had raised parapets of a sort, up to Anton's chest, to protect them from arrows. The industrious nature of the villagers never failed to amaze him. Thankfully, Verona could look over without having to stand on a box like the last time.

Several villagers were either side of the gate, one with a bow looking quite solemn. When Jeff and Anton looked at him he hung his head in shame. Hopefully they could explain their way out.

Outside, with an arrow at their feet, was a single person, covered in head to toe with a mismatched pieces of cloth, all looking incredibly old and worn. Not a single part of their body was exposed, even their eyes are covered by a thin cloth, presumably enough to see through. Over that was a hood. Giant sleeves covered their hands and feet. The person was quite tall and barely moved as it breathed, only the light breeze moving its clothes. Not a single part of their body was exposed.

The moment that Anton stopped, the person's head twitched and looked straight at him. Verona murmured something as she nudged him.

The person coughed and began to speak.

“Are you the mage?” the person asked. The voice was female, though quite light unlike Verona's.

She, whomever she was, was looking straight at Anton.

“And who are you?” Jeff asked.

The woman refused to answer, continuing to look straight at Anton.

“What do you want here?” Anton asked.

“I was called here, by the old gods.” the woman pointed at him, “The chained woman in white. I think you humans call her Tethra, if you still know of them.”

She reached around her neck with a cloth wrapped hand and pulled out a necklace. Even from this distance he could tell that it was silver or at least something that looked like it. Hanging at the bottom was a pair of hands clasped in prayer, just like the one on his hand.

“And what did this god want?” Anton asked.

The woman shuffled uncomfortably.

“To be honest, she did not say. Not that she can speak, much. A few hoarse whispers. She showed me that if I came here I would find something I have been looking for almost my entire life. She did whisper something. Something about you needing all the help you can get.”

Anton looked at Jeff and Verona, who seemed to want to find out what she was on about.

“Alright, I think we can let you in for now,” Anton said loudly, “We haven't had many visitors in quite a while, and we've just had to fight off a Yellow Goblin horde, so everyone's a little bit jumpy. There shouldn't be anything like that arrow happening again.”

The woman looked down at the arrow jutting out of the ground a few feet away.

“It's not the worst thing that's happened to me.” she said dryly.

Jeff waved to the villagers and the gate creaked open. The woman started walking forward.

Anton and Verona started walking down to the ground, holding out his hand when she just passed the gate. She halted, not showing any signs of being upset or angry. The other villagers remained on the wall, except for the archers who came halfway down the stairs.

“I'm going to have to ask you to remove your...hood. And for a search for weapons.” Anton explained.

The woman's head darted either side, Verona and the other villagers moving infront.

“Is that...necessary?” their was a hint of fear in her voice.

“After we check you, your weapons will be returned to you. We just don't want anything like poisons or the like being brought in.”

“I still don't like this.”

“In that case, you can leave. We have women that can check you over if that is a concern.”

“That's not it.”

The woman started to raise a hand to her face but brought it back down.

“We're not asking you to strip naked. Just your face will do for now.” Anton explained. “I would at least be able to see who I am talking to about the god's.”

The woman looked either side, stopping on the archer. She paused before sighing lightly.

“Okay. Just make sure that man with the bow doesn't attack me.”

Anton and Jeff turned to the archer. He nodded and lowered the bow, keeping the arrow knocked.

The woman removed her hood and then started removing the cloth wraps covering her head. Her fingers trembled as she did so, Anton noticing that her breathing had become more quick and was starting to become erratic. The silence of the villagers made the whole thing far more awkward and intimidating than it should have been.

Why are you so afraid? Is it a scar or disfigurement? Or-

Anton's thoughts were answered as the first piece of her head was revealed. Her hair was a dark aqua, long and rough. That was peculiar to Anton, but since it was a different world he felt it was possible.

The next layer down came off and the archer drew his bow, Anton's face snapping towards the sound. The woman stopped and brought her hands to shield her face.

“Stop!” Anton yelled to the Archer, quickly followed by Jeff.

Verona turned on her power, drawing up a vial's worth of blood in readiness, though she did not seem to know who to target.

“What do you think you are doing?” Anton asked angrily.

The archer nodded back to the woman, who had remained motionless. He was higher than Anton was so he figured the archer could see something else.

Eventually the archer lowered the bow and remained fixed on the woman. Anton motioned for her to continue.

Seemingly feeling a bit more confident, she removed the remaining pieces of cloth in one quick swipe.

A light gasp came from the villagers while Anton was taken aback.

Initially he thought it was just a lightly tanned woman with oddly colored hair, but there was something else.

Her ears were long, three times of a normal ear, pointed and covered in a darker shade of aqua colored hair, quite possibly fur. It was like an animal's, twitching slightly as she looked between the villagers. The fur continued from the ears and a few millimeters onto her face. One was much shorter than the other and looked uneven. Like it had been torn off a long time ago.

Her eyes were bright green, an unnatural shade. Not to the same level of the wolves but still very bright. But it was the iris's that really caught his attention. They were like a cat's, slits, but they were horizontal rather than vertical.

The impression was quite striking, though apart from that everything about her looked human. At least what he could see so far.

The woman looked nervously at the others finally resting her eyes between Anton and the still glowing Verona.

“I knew this would happen.” she grumbled as she pulled her hood back over her head and covering her distinctive ears.

“Because you look different?” Anton asked.

Sheer bewilderment crossed her face. She looked to the others who either returned a cold look or shrugged dismissively.

“Yes...because I am different.” she angrily replied. She rubbed her head while looking quite confused.

“How...are you...” she trailed off into incomprehensible mumbling.

“He's...” Verona started, looking up at Anton, “Lost his memory, so he doesn't know much. He's different from the rest.”

The woman seemed to calm somewhat.

“Could you at least tell us your name?” Anton asked, still transfixed by her eyes and ears.

“She's a Beast-Kin!” the archer yelled before the woman could answer, followed by the nodding of some of the other armed villagers.

“And that is...?” Anton asked. They must have forgotten that he is still meant to have lost his memory.

Jeff moved in between the woman and the archer and explained.

“My dad would be better at explaining this, but what I understand is that they are...people...but they have...animal parts. That's all I really know.”

“They're freaks! Monsters!” the archer yelled, slowly raising his bow.

“And what have they done to you or anyone you know?” Anton asked, summoning a lightning and fire bomb and sending them near the archer. He watched the bombs floating near him but said nothing.

“Have you even met one before?”

The archer hesitated. “No, but I was always told they were evil creatures.”

“Oh, come on.” Anton said, looking back to the woman.

Her eyes were wide open, staring straight at Anton. Tethra must have left out that he could use different types of magic and at the same time.

“She hardly looks evil. In fact, you were the one that was going to kill her based on her race. Or ever having met one before. That makes us look like the evil ones. That's something I don't want to see.”

The archer lowered his weapon and returned the arrow to his quiver. Anton withdrew the magic bombs.

“We should not be hostile to everyone we meet, especially to some that makes you feel uncomfortable.” Anton explained, the archer nodding but refusing to look her in the eyes.

“Kal. My name is Kal.” the woman answered. She seemed to be a little more calm but still kept the archer and the armed villagers in her sight.

“Well, Kal, there's no point in you just standing there all day while we ask questions. We're about to have lunch?” Anton turned to Jeff, who nodded. He seemed less disturbed than anyone there and was keeping a calm face.

“I think you have not eaten much in some time.” Anton pointed out to Kal.

Her face looked a little sunken, like she had not eaten well in some time. It hid, what Anton suspected, to be a smart and quick witted face.

“No.” Kal replied, matter-of-factly.

“In that case, once you temporarily surrender your weapons, we can talk and you can join us for lunch.”

Kal reached into a roll of cloth around her waist and produced two knives. They both were covered with dried blood and looked quite old and worn. She handed them to a villager, then they were handed to Anton.

“Those are the only weapons I have.” Kal said as she watched Anton inspect them more closely. “They've kept me safe, I would like them back soon.”

“You shall. But first I would like to talk to you more.”

Kal nodded, waiting for the other villagers to lead her forward. Verona kept her power activated but put the blood back into the vials. Kal kept her attention divided between Anton and the armed villagers.

Two female villagers came forward and patted Kal down. After nothing else was found they left her alone.

They led her to the central plaza, everyone remaining silent.

---[]---

Even though it was a little bit before lunch they decided to have theirs inside the council chambers. It would be easier to keep away people while they tried to figure out what Kal was actually doing here.

Jeff brought his mother and father along, since everyone else on the council was busy in their own way. If Kal was not a threat she would be introduced later. Verona sat next to Anton, occasionally fiddling with her vials of blood, with Bertram and Sybil on one side and Jeff on the other.

Kal kept her hood up for the whole time. Anton kept an eye on her, watching her look at everyone that came in.

She's very quick. She only looked over them once, and looks like she came to a conclusion. She didn't seem very worried about Bertram and Sybil but she's keeping an eye on myself and especially Verona.

Anton tapped Bertram on the shoulder, motioning for him to follow him out into the corridor, Verona as well.

“What is happening here?” Bertram asked after closing the door.

“That's what I'm trying to figure out,” Anton replied, “But what I want to know, is what is a Beast-kin? Jeff knows something about them and I'm sure that both you and Sybil know what that means, but I don't and I don't know if Verona does either.”

Verona nodded.

“I don't know everything. But, they're are mixture of humans and different animals. Most are somewhat human with mainly animal parts. Some are faster, slower, weaker or stronger than humans. Maybe it was some magical experiment that went wrong or they were always like that. Now, there's nothing wrong with them. But, she...”

Bertram looked back to the room.

“She's definitely a half-breed. Poor thing. It happens when a man and beast-kin have children. Most of the time they look just like their Beast-kin parent. But, sometimes they come out mostly human. Like her.”

“And I imagine that they are treated very badly, not being part of either group?”

Bertram nodded.

“I've never seen one before, but I've heard stories. Most of the ones I saw were full Beast-kin. The Kar kingdom nobles liked to buy and make them fight, for their amusement. Anyway, most half breeds don't live long, barely beyond a baby.”

“But she did,” Anton continued, “She could almost be in her early thirties. Tough person. And for her to just turn up here...says a lot for her belief in the old gods.”

Anton looked to his hand with glyphs.

“She kept an amulet of the prayer goddess, and knew that she cannot speak normally, and then only in great pains and very few words. I'm willing to trust her, for now at least.”

“Me too.” Verona added, “She seems like should could be quite strong if she snuck up on you...but she seems fine.”

Verona rubbed her own back, specifically the small of her back where the center of her glyph lay.

“At least she can talk to a god with it scaring the hell out of her. I think her eyes are pretty too.”

“We'll at least figure out what she has to say, then figure out what to do next.” Anton said, the others agreeing.

They re-entered the room, everyone looked as if they had not spoken a word.

As they took their seats, Kal looked at each of them. He could see a little apprehension on her face.

Anton cleared his throat and began.

“So, Kal, I want you to be honest. How are you even alive in this wilderness?”

Kal shuffled a little before answering.

“It's not that hard. Once you get used to it.” she brought her hands onto the table and started twiddling them. “I find somewhere safe and only go out when I need to. I do not attract much attention by myself.”

“Fair enough.” Anton said. “What did Tethra send you here for? Considering that you're a Beast-kin.”

Kal pursed her lips and stared at her clothed hands. She stayed silent for some time before finally speaking.

“About ten or so days ago, It was raining and storming. I...don't like the lightning.” she reached into the cloth around her neck and produced the silver medallion.

“I remembered the stories about the Old Gods. My...friends...talked about them often. It was all they had. I prayed to the medallion, like I had done a thousand times before, for the lightning to end, or for me to fall asleep. It never worked until now.”

Kal leant over and handed them the medallion. The hands in prayer looked as if someone had a coin of silver and carved away until they made the symbol. It was definitely old but well looked after, an important keepsake. Anton handed it back to a very thankful Kal.

“It only took a few heartbeats, but I know what I saw. I saw the mountain to the north, the lake with the pillars to the south, and this city in between. Then...another city, far to the north, on fire. Soldiers were running about, tearing it apart. One shouted something...he said 'Atros'. Then she appeared, the woman in white, covered in chains. I didn't think she could speak, but she told me to come here and I would find what I have always been praying for.”

“Is the city a part of the Grataeris Empire or the Deweth Clans?” Anton asked.

“No.”

“Somewhere further north?”

Kal nodded but did not give anything more.

We really need that map.

“Well, I think that for now, we can at least treat you to lunch.” Anton said, Sybil getting up to gather the lunch, “After that we can figure out whether or not you want to live here.”

Kal looked stunned at his words. The others, except for Verona, looked surprised as well.

“I don't see any problem with having a Beast-kin or a half-breed Beast-kin living and working here. We're going to need all the help we can get so we should not dismiss anyone based on their race.”

Anton looked either side.

“Does anyone have any objection to this?” Anton asked.

Jeff and Bertram looked to each-other and then back to Anton.

“We don't have a problem with that,” Bertram explained, “But some of the others might.”

“In that case they can deal with me.” Anton said as he lent back into his chair, “This village, soon to be a city, will not be a place that welcomes and respects all people and creatures that come in peace. I don't want to see the racial hatred of Earth repeated here.”

“You don't need to convince us.” Jeff replied.

“Well, let it be known that Beast-kin are welcome here, and anyone that has a problem with that can take it up with me.”

Bertram leant towards Anton.

“We can try our best but we may not be able to convince that many. Everyone was told from a very young age how dangerous they are. It will take some time to change that.”

“Given some time, and maybe a few acts of bravery and things could start to change. Hopefully...better than just chucking everyone out that's different.”

Bertram sat back up, giving Kal a little nod. She almost smiled at the sight, that she might not have to live in trees or caves, hiding away from the monsters that prowl the wilderness.

“Thank-you.” she said as she bowed her head, “I will help in whatever way I can.”

“Just out of curiosity, what skills do you have?” Verona asked.

Kal looked more nervous, like she had just been dropped into a high pressure interview, especially since she had just been asked by someone that could effortlessly control blood.

“I...I know how to survive; hunt and survive outside a city by myself, how to read the earth so I know when monsters are coming, I know quite a bit about the monsters and beasts of the land. I've also used just about all the types of weapons I could get my a hold of, swords, daggers, bows, even rocks work sometimes.”

“Did you steal many of those weapons?” Anton asked.

Kal squirmed a little.

“A few. From those that tried to hurt me.” she bluntly replied.

“Understandable.”

“I've got a question,” Anton asked, “If every human you've met hates Beast-kin, why bother coming here when you could be killed?”

Kal grimaced and threw a troubled smile.

“Every day I face death. It will come for me, one way or another. I will fight it, but accept it when it comes.”

“Hopefully you won't have to now.” Anton said.

Kal raised an eyebrow and was about to ask something when a noise stopped her. The door opened and Sybil emerged with small plates of food for all of them. It was the usual fare that they ate; dried meats, cheeses, bread and some vegetables.

When the meal was place infront of Kal, her eyes practically jumped out of her skull. She looked to the others and then back to the plate infront of her.

She must have been living on scraps for years. Hope she doesn't overdo it.

The others started to eat their food after saying thank you to Sybil. Kal looked around, to see if this was some sort of trick, but after Anton started eating as well she started to as well. She picked up and sniffed at the piece of dried meat with her cloth covered hands. She looked like she wanted to devour the meat. However, she resisted and ate it slowly.

Anton did not miss that, as she opened her mouth, all of her teeth were all like canines, sharp and used for tearing and slicing through meat. There did not appear to be any molars at the back. She bit in and tore the meat with a clean bite.

It appeared that she knew that as well, her eyes darting up to everyone else. She stopped when she looked to Anton and realized that he had seen. He realized he was staring, so he continued eating and smiled lightly. Kal seemed to appreciate that he wasn't going to make a point of it.

They ate in relative silence, Kal and Anton finishing first, Verona stole some of his though she would be punished for it later.

“Kal?” Anton began to ask, “I have some more questions for you.”

“Okay. You gave me so much food, so I guess I should.”

“I don't know much about Beast-kin, but I've been told that you're a half-breed. If you could, could you tell me what type of Beast-kin you are?”

“They called me a 'Feline Type'.” Kal raised and squeezed her fingers to accentuate the quotations.

“I suppose, because of the ears...a feline type.”

Underneath her hood he could see her ears and face twitch.

“F.T. Number four thr....”

Kal stopped, grimaced and scrunched her hands upon the table. Every part of her face screamed that she loathed what she had just said. Everyone looked quite embarrassed at what they had just heard.

That was some sort of number she just started to blurt out. Like some sort of serial number that she just read out on reflex. If she's not had many people to talk to over the years...could she be an escaped convict? Or slave?

The whole room was deathly quiet, nobody even picked at the remains of their food.

Anton wanted to get the conversation back to something better. His mind drifted to her hands. They had remained covered during eating and the cloth looked quite old. He did not know what lay underneath but felt it was better than just leaving the room silent.

“Your hands?”

Kal looked up at him then back down at her hands.

“Are they injured, or are they...?”

“They're not injured...I keep them covered so people don't know who I am when I do have to speak with them.”

Kal started to unwrap her right hand.

“That's not very often?” Anton asked.

“No. Not very.” Kal replied, Anton swearing that she almost smiled.

She continued to remove the cloth until it was completely revealed, right up to her upper arm.

From the shoulder down to the elbow was normal, lightly tanned skin. At the elbow it changed. From there to the fingertips it was covered in short fur, the same colour as her ears. Her fingers seemed a little longer than normal and the tips had claws, as wide as fingernails but with a slight hook and point at the end. They looked very sharp but were covered in dirt. He could not tell without touching them but they looked Kal might have wrapped her hands up just for today. None of it looked like it was hurting her or a mutation.

“The other's the same.” Kal said as she turned her hand over.

On the underside of her hand were large pads between the joints of her fingers and a larger one in the palm. They had the same lightly tanned color as the rest of her skin. They looked soft, perhaps she did keep her hands covered for most of the time.

“I heard that Beast-kin have tails.” Bertram asked.

Kal started wrapping her hand back up.

“I do. But I'm not going to strip naked to satisfy your curiosity.”

Bertram was taken aback by her blunt refusal. Kal did not seem to take much offense by the question though.

“Sorry Kal, we all seem to be a bit curious about you.” Anton said, trying to rescue Bertram.

Kal held up her hands and let them know it was fine.

“I would like to see your skills with weapons, Kal.” Anton began, “I'm sure that you could tell that we are very much a village still at war with the monsters. Everything would be of use. Also, Bertram, if you could find a spare house for Kal, I'm sure there are still a few left over?”

Bertram looked to Sybil and Jeff, all three nodding.

“There's a small one, near yours, that's abandoned and mostly intact. We could have it properly done by this afternoon.” Jeff explained.

“Good, I'll leave that to you then.” Anton said as he rose from his chair, the others doing the same.

Kal looked frantically between them.

“A whole house, just for myself?” she asked, her voice exasperated. “That seems a little much for a...Beast-kin. I can find-”

“If you want to live and work here you'll need somewhere to live. It wasn't doing anything anyway.” Anton said with a shrug, “Besides, it has to be better than sleeping in the elements. I don't know if it has a bed though.”

Kal stood up as well and looked him straight in the eye, they almost looked teary.

“Thank-you. I won't let you down, Anton.”

-------------------

Hello.

I know it's been quite a while since the last chapter, but I've had to re-plan out the arc but I think I've changed it for the better.

This chapter also showed by limited understanding of forging and smelting. As a result, also having bad and slow internet doesn't help, I've had to write it somewhat vague as to what they are actually doing and going with the result. I had not looked into the Hand Cannon before this, now i can see that the thing would be extremely terrifying and deadly.

In the other works I've read, beast people are sometimes just people with tails and ears that are different. I wanted to show that even a half-breed is defiantly not the same as a human, and still haven't revealed her completely.

Thanks for reading and please go easy on me in the comments.