The Sedan chair was slightly more impressive than Anton first thought. It was more than just a small cabin suspended between two burly men. Instead, it was a cabin that could hold four people with room to spare. Sixteen men were required to properly lift and manoeuvre the Sultan’s Sedan chair, especially when three people were travelling inside.

“I’m surprised.” Anton reached forward and pulled the small wooden slat window back. “I thought it would be far, far more uncomfortable.”

“They’re going quite slow today.” Hazm rummaged through a small bowl of nuts. “Better that then them falling.”

“That sounds painful for everyone.” Anton mused.

“It is.” Hazm smiled at Wilford. “One time, you were already gallivanting around the world on your ship, one of my captains thought that he would try and impress me by travelling faster than anyone else had before. I think you can guess what happened. He didn’t last long.”

“The arena?”

Hazm scoffed. “No. He just runs the docks now. He’s actually rather good at his job. I think he just became a little too eager. We still talk…” Hazm smirked. “But he’s still very nervous around me.”

Anton looked backwards in the Sedan Chair. The interior was designed to allow those inside to see out but not the other way around. A ring of Frindal soldiers walked alongside the Sedan, protecting both them and Anton’s companions. They remained close to Cetina, who had been given back her sword, alongside Mezot and Axia’s staves and Charms. Anton would have preferred to stay with them and walk but Hazm did not allow any such thoughts. Wilford also quietly told him to go along with Hazm’s wishes as disagreeing with Frindal culture at every turn was not a good way to win the Sultan’s favour.

“Excellent selection as always.” Hazm cracked open a nut. “I must remember to thank her.”

“You were talking about our potential guide.” Anton leant back into the soft cushions. They took some weight off his back and more importantly his tail. The Charge had not increased or diminished, and he had yet to check if the mana dampening field held sway over it.

“Yes.” Hazm pointed to the woman in the blue shawl. She walked behind his companions without saying a word. Axia tried to engage her in conversation but she was not responding. “What an interesting story.”

“I believe we have time.”

“Alright then.” Hazm gathered himself another handful of nuts. “Zuhura. What a story. Where to begin?”

Hazm stared at the ceiling.

“Frindal is not as united as we would like to think. There are two different peoples that make up the Emirate. Those that live on the coast, like me, Frindal’s, and those that live in the deserts, the Nomads. Essentially we are two different people.”

Hazm nodded towards Zuhura, still walking calmly behind the Sedan Chair. “Their skin is darker and all their eyes are brown…” Hazm scratched his beard. “That’s about it, now that I think about it. Anyway, we don’t get along very well. Bad history, as I’m sure you can attest to.”

“Quite a bit, actually.”

“Yes. Well, Frindal and a Nomad Tribe called the Abharitka. There was a dispute over trade routes, access to the spice fields and how much water we can take from the springs and oases.”

“So basically everything,” Wilford said snidely.

Hazm glumly nodded. “Indeed. But things did not go well and a few people were killed in the ensuing arguments. Suffice to say we were about to go to war, something the Padishah would have found to be most disagreeable." Hazm mimicked his neck being slit by a blade. "So we came to a compromise. We would exchange our children as hostages. That way war would threaten our own blood and not the blood of others."

"Was it just your...Son?" Anton asked softly.

"No. Two of my sons." Hazm shrugged. "Well, they're not actually my sons. I don't even know their names."

"I'm sorry?"

Hazm smiled as he continued to eat his nuts. "Do you think that I would actually send my own flesh and blood to the Nomads to have who knows what happen to them? No. My children are safe in another city."

"I take it the Nomads don't know that," Anton said softly. "I think they would be more than insulted if they discovered that."

Hazm shrugged again. "They won't. Besides, I'm pretty sure they've worked it out. There was a short patch were they became really aggressive but they've calmed down. My sources say their elders realized that peace is far better than war, if for nothing else but the lives of their children."

"Sounds like a dangerous game of deception." Anton mused softly.

There's also the question of why he's telling me this in the first place.

"Is there a possibility that Zuhura is the same?"

"Of course not." Hazm scoffed at the notion. "I've had my servants check her and she matches her description."

A bit hard to say when really all you can see are her eyes. She didn't have any moles or obvious markings, perhaps on the rest of her body.

"Then...Then that brings me to the next question." Anton said. "Why would you be willing to let her be a guide, rather than keep her."

Hazm gently nodded. "I know what you are saying. But the Nomads and I have come to an arrangement that no longer requires blood relatives being held hostage. In fact, you'd probably be doing me a favour. Releasing Zuhura from my service would show that I trust the Nomads completely and that they would be the dishonorable ones by killing my sons."

We'll need to check with Zuhura, see if any of this is actually true.

"Not to mention the small fact that if I fuck her I'd have to leave here and travel with the Nomads as her husband." Hazm shook his head. "There have been many times when I have been tempted, truly tempted...But I don't like that much sand. Coarse shit gets everywhere."

"As a guest to your city and country." Anton smiled at Hazm. "I can assure you that I haven't seen a single grain of sand so far."

Hazm chuckled and continued to eat his nuts. "When you're done with whatever it is you want with the Ferals you are more than welcome to keep Zuhura. If she wants to stay with you." Hazm shifted his long loose pants, loose except for one specific area. "Probably for the best that I am not around such dangerous temptation."

Anton looked back again to Zuhura. Her shawl and long dress kept most of her curves hidden but it was all but impossible to hide mass. Zuhura wasn't fat but he briefly wondered if she would compare to Verona or even Rasha. Something at the back of his mind told him he would find out.

---[]---

The Sedan Chair finally stopped. Hazm had continued to regale Anton with tales of the Frindal Emirate and their leaders. While interesting they had little bearing on his current mission. Perhaps if Atros became involved with Frindal it would become useful. One thing Hazm had omitted was any talk of the Sana Vākara. The moment Anton brought up the subject Hazm forcefully switched to something else or loudly reminisced with Wilford about their past exploits. Anton stopped when it became clear he would not speak of the matter.

"Finally." Hazm picked up his long shirt, brushing the nutshells onto the floor to be cleaned by some unfortunate servant, and exited. Wilford waited for Anton to leave before exiting himself.

The carriers looked a little tired but nothing more than a decent run. There were sixteen, after all, so the weight wouldn't have been too bad. The soldiers less so but Anton could see thin lines of sweat running down their skin.

"Cetina?" Anton looked for Cetina's colors, a mixture of bright yellow, blue and red. "How are you handling the heat?"

Cetina put on a brave face but it was clear the heat was starting to get to her. The ends of her hair had clumped together from the sweat and so had her eyebrows. Her face was slightly flushed and her breathing harsher than normal.

Hazm stepped to the side of Anton. "Yeah. I thought that might happen. Any sort of magical enchantment you've got won't work so well in Frindal."

Anton refrained from explaining the eyepatch.

"But out there, in the desert?" Hazm shook his head. "You'll die. Cooked inside your own armour. But we have spares in the Arena, if you want."

"We'll definitely take a look."

If we do get any we should check them for magic. Magic is hard to use in Frindal but not impossible...

"Thanks." Cetina stepped closer, he could smell the sweat coming from her. "It doesn't get this hot back home."

"No it doesn't."

Anton quickly glanced at the others. Though Mezot and Axia were suffering slightly, they were both incredibly unfit, Calo and Sheso appeared completely unphased. He could only see a single tiny drop of sweat on their curious faces.

Must just be good with regulating heat. With those long ears, that's hardly surprising.

"You can unfasten some of those pieces for now." Anton looked at Hazm. "I suppose we're heading inside that now?"

Anton pointed to the circular Arena. It appeared to be ripped straight out of Ancient Rome in design, though with some Frindal flare thrown in. A small but steady stream of people entered and exited, all looked excited for one reason or another.

"Yes. But to the fighters quarters." Hazm waved them all forward. "That's where my champion will be."

Hazm's guards began to advance as one, telling Anton they were to follow, but his eyes fell on Zuhura. As before she walked just behind them. Anton tried his best to gauge her figure, a figure that had almost tempted the sultan into losing his position but could work out little. He also wondered what she wore underneath the outer layer. The blue cloth covering her arms and legs was not attached. An image of her in a skin-tight suit flashed through his mind.

"Is something the matter?" Zuhura asked. Her head had tilted ever so slightly, deep brown eyes looked at him with seemingly genuine concern.

"It's nothing, Zuhura." Anton saw the guards subtly try and push them all forward. "I...I was curious why you wear blue and everyone else in Hazm's service wears brown."

"I like this colour." Zuhura ran a slim finger along the edge of her headscarf. "That's really all there is to it." Her fingers stopped halfway up. "And Hazm lets me. I'm not entirely sure why."

Anton did not know if she was being coy or serious. He chose to pretend she was being serious.

"Can I ask you a few questions as we walk?"

"So long as Hazm allows it." Zuhura peered over his shoulder.

"Sure. Sure." Hazm dismissively waved his hand. "We'll be taking the short way around so there won't be much to look any."

Zuhura bounced her eyebrows up, behind the veil he saw her smile. She was far from obedient. Hazm and Wilford led them towards a door into the Arena that no one appeared to be entering. A line of Frindal guards blocked passage. When they saw Hazm approaching their backs straightened and their boots stomped on the ground. While Anton could not see Hazm’s face he guessed that he smiled and dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

“These are the Elite’s chambers,” Hazm shouted back. “After you help my Champion I’ll show you through here properly, show you the magnificent soldiers here.”

Hazm laughed and entered the entrance. He didn’t seem annoyed so Anton followed. Cetina walked by his right, Zuhura by his right as she occasionally glanced at him from beneath her headscarf. Calo and Sheso walked behind and either side of Mezot and Axia.

“Are you forced to wear that?” Anton asked Zuhura as they walked into the arena.

“What do you mean?” Zuhura raised her hand. “Are you concerned that I am hot in these? I hear that the lands of the north are considerably cooler than Frindal.”

“They are and it’s somewhat of a concern of mine.” Anton nodded to Cetina. “You’re wearing far more than Cetina and yet you’re not sweating.”

“I am used to the heat and sun.” Zuhura smiled. “Every day of my life I have lived in the Frindal sun. I barely feel it.”

“Lucky you.” Cetina wiped away another bead of sweat running down her face.

“I am wearing more than either of you.” Zuhura slowed slightly and allowed them to enter first. Anton felt quite relieved once the beaming sun was off their faces. “But I am not hot.”

“Air must be able to flow around…But is it forced upon you?”

Zuhura did not answer for a few seconds. Understanding flashed over her face. “Oh. Like the Sana Vākara. No…No more than you are not permitted to walk naked through the city streets.”

“But in your home you can.” Cetina frowned softly. “Right?”

“I do not wear all of this when I sleep.” Zuhura raised her arm, letting the loose cloth fall away. The tight blue sleeve travelled at least to her elbow. “Though it is comfortable. I believe it is the same as why women wear dresses and men do not. I am as forced as you.”

Well, some men choose to wear dresses…

“I see…That’s good then”

Anton looked forward. Hazm and Wilford walked several paces ahead, the loud boots of the guards blocked out most noise as they passed open rooms. Anton peered inside and found many well-armed and trained Frindal men preparing and maintaining their weapons and armour.

“These are the rooms of the Fighters of the Arena.” Zuhura began to speak like she was a tourist guide. “Specifically those of the First Iron level.”

“Recruits?” Anton offered. “A few successful battles under their belt?”

“Under their belt…?” Zuhura blinked once. “Everyone here has fought in at least ten battles, regardless of how many they’ve won.”

“It does look a little cramped.” Cetina murmured.

“If they continue to win they are afforded better accommodation,” Zuhura said, motioning along the corridor. “People come from all over the world to fight in the Arenas. Not just from the north, but from Xiam and the Kingsland.”

“All to here?” Cetina asked. A cheer echoed through the stone hallway. “This isn’t even the capital of the Frindal Emirate.”

“No.” Zuhura smiled. “But it is much safer to start here.”

“Must make a lot of money,” Axia muttered. “To risk your life to fight.”

“As a Principle Mage surely you must be prepared to risk your life to fight. Correct?”

“Yes…” Axia pondered her words. “I suppose you’re right. But mother and I will fight for something we believe in. Not just gold and silver.”

Zuhura’s shoulders dropped slightly. “At least it is something.”

Anton did not like the silence that followed, nor the worried looks Calo and Sheso shared. Though he could all but guess what she meant he decided to ask the one thing that Hazm had refused to answer.

“The Sana Vākara.” Zuhura’s body twitched at their mention. “See? Everyone gets so agitated just at their very mention…What can you tell me about them?”

Zuhura took a deep breath, though her headscarf was long Anton peered forward as saw the thin veil drawn up against her mouth. She brushed it lightly with her hand to remove it and resumed her normal posture.

Zuhura slowed, to create distance between herself and Hazm. "They, the Sana Vākara, are a fanatic religious group that controls a significant portion of Frindal's industry and commerce. They...They have killed Hazm's daughter and first wife for sinful behavior."

"And that would be?" Anton asked softly.

"Two women holding hands in public."

"But they're mother and daughter." Anton stopped as he had almost raised his voice. "It's not like they were in a public incestuous relationship."

Calo and Sheso stumbled at such a mention. When Anton turned his attention back to Zuhura her face had turned a bright shade of red, even underneath her deeply tanned skin.

"Please..." Zuhura flattened the cloth covering her stomach. Though the clothes she wore were lose her hand travelled far before reaching a flat stomach.

Her top didn't move far at all, did it? Still a cute reaction.

"All of those relationships are considered sinful." Zuhura's voice had switched from tour guide to a slightly annoyed lecturer. "Merely discussing it is enough to draw unwanted attention from their acolytes. So please, for your own safety and the safety of your companions, do not speak too loudly about it, Anton."

Zuhura made a tiny squeak as she stopped, Axia and Sheso almost ran into her, and bowed deeply and refused to raise her head.

"Forgive me. I do not mean to be presumptuous but I do not know if you have any titles. Please forgive me for speaking to you in such a disrespectful manner."

"You have an impressive vocabulary." Anton smiled, not that she could see. "But please just call me Anton. Though I may have some official titles I really don't like being called by them. Makes my back feel all funny."

"As you say, Anton." Zuhura rose back up and smiled.

Cetina jabbed her side and rolled her eye.

"What?"

Cetina leant close. "You go soft whenever a pretty girl flutters her eyes at you."

"Don't tell me you're jealous." Anton kissed her ear. Cetina jumped back in surprise, she quickly calmed herself but Anton felt a pair of angry eyes drilling into the back of his skull.

Does Mezot know I'm sleeping with Rasha yet? Probably not, but then again she just might...

"I didn't think you were into that." Axia sniggered as she stood by her mother. She disapprovingly shook her head. "After all you have..."

Anton followed her line of sight. Begin Cetina was another Fighters quarters. Inside sat four very burly men, all from Bebbezzar and topless, proudly showing off their impressive muscles.

"So why are you looking then?" Anton teasingly asked. "You aren't that old and already you're using me as an excuse to look at some very well-muscled men-"

Mezot grabbed Axia's arm and pulled her forward. "She's still too young for that."

Axia said nothing but Anton saw her ears turning a scarlet red he didn't think the devilish girl could be capable of.

"See?" Cetina smiled, patted his back and pushed him forward.

The twins spared a look into the room, nodded appreciatively and quickly rejoined them.

"Sorry, Zuhura. But when you're around us you'll quickly learn that we can sometimes find it difficult to stay on one topic."

"I understand. Do you wish to know more about the Sana Vākara?"

"The Nomad Tribes. Do they follow this religion?"

"No." Zuhura hesitated. "I'm sure some do. But very few would. The Nomad Tribes do not like what they have done to try and convert our people to their faith. I am in Hazm's service because of their actions."

"Not because of a relative exchange?"

Zuhura's brown eyes studied his for a moment. "Yes. My father was wounded by Sana Vākara fanatics, which Hazm protected." Zuhura ground her teeth. "For some reason..."

So Hazm didn't lie, exactly, but he didn't tell the full truth either. I wonder what he would have said if I used a truth prayer on him.

"Fanatics are disgusting." Cetina shuddered. "Anton and I have seen what that's like. In Qaiviel."

"What happened there?" Zuhura leant forward. "I have heard only rumours of rumours from drunk sailors. Were you there?"

"We were." Anton nodded glumly. "But that...That is a story for another time. It brings back some rather...Interesting memories."

"Forgive me." Zuhura bowed her head once more. "I do not mean to pry."

Anton smiled and tried to wave down her concern. He pointed to the next set of rooms. While the doors were smaller names had etched into small clay cards which were slotted into a series of metal hooks.

"For those of a much higher rank, they are afforded personal rooms..." Zuhura bit her lip. "And other services."

"Are all the Fighters men?" Cetina asked.

"They are all male." Zuhura softly replied.

"What-"

"Here we are." Hazm loudly announced. "My champion!"

Hazm pointed to a door several meters away. Two Frindal's stood guard, lighter equipment than those outside but still very good. However, Aston's eyes were drawn to the three women resting on the far side of the alleyway. All three were from Frindal, their skin and hair colour matched Hazm's other servants but their clothes were anything but. If anything they looked like they belonged in a high-class brothel. Each wore a thin white shirt that barely covered their modest chests and a very short white skirt that barely covered anything. So little in fact that Anton could make out handprints on their exposed rears, from where they were slapped hard from behind. Their long black hair lay matted against their skin, Anton could see more than just sweat, and their eyes were vacant and unfocused as their chests heaved with every breath.

"Are they..." Calo looked at Anton. She and her sister already knew but just needed to confirm.

"Comfort women?" Anton asked. "They certainly look like they've earned their money."

Mezot covered her daughters' eyes while Zuhura's face slowly grew red once more. Cetina smirked at her obvious discomfort.

"No." Hazm smiled. "Just whores."

He stopped before the woman in the centre. She blinked her eyes and came out of her daze.

"Is he hurting you?" Hazm asked. "No fists or drugs?"

"Nothing-" The woman coughed, ran a hand through her hair and tried to make herself look a little more presentable. "Nothing like that. Nothing but a little play."

"I don't want it to get anything more than that." Hazm sounded far more stern than anything Anton had heard so far. "Understood?"

"Yes, father. I understand."

Cetina desperately suppressed a word while everyone else was stunned into silence. Anton caught Wilford's eye who merely shrugged it off.

What...What an interesting day this has been.

“It’s just…” The woman coughed again. She covered her mouth with her enclosed fist and was annoyed by what she found. “With his arm hurt, he can’t fight. So he’s taking-”

“His frustration out on you?” Hazm raised a brow.

The woman smiled as the other two began to take notice of their surroundings. “He has a lot of energy.”

“Hopefully we’re about to fix that.” Hazm nodded to Wilford and Anton. “One of my old friends has returned and has brought a very interesting man with him.”

The three women looked at Anton. Anton could only muster up a gentle wave, he simply didn’t know what else to do or what he could possibly say.

“Open the door,” Hazm said to the guards.

“He said not to be disturbed for anything...” One guard looked to the other. “But I’m sure this is an exception.”

Hazm nodded. The guards shrugged and pulled the door open. The moment the door opened screams flowed out, screams of ecstasy and uncontrollable pleasure. Mezot pulled her daughter back as even Anton could hear the slapping of flesh.

“Mahdi!” Hazm yelled into the room. “Either hurry up or knock that crap off. I need to talk to you about your injury.”

“Fuck’s sake!” A short squeal followed, then the sound of something heavy being thrown onto a bed. “Didn’t the guards tell you that I was busy? You...How could you have not known?”

“I don’t care.” Hazm stood back. “Send her out and get yourself presentable. We have a solution for your torn muscles.”

“Fine...” Mahdi grunted. “Fine. Go on.” A hand slapped a rear very hard. “You heard the Sultan.”

Another Frindal woman sprawled her way out of the room, completely naked and just as dazed as the others wore. Two pieces of cloth followed her, smacking her on the head followed by a muffled insult from Mahdi. The other three whores rose to their feet and helped the fourth to walk properly.

Cetina bumped his side. “Either he’s really good or there are some drugs involved.”

“You’ve been like that on more than one night.” Anton teased back, though he wasn’t exaggerating. Cetina stood perfectly still as she bit her lip and her ears turned red. Thankfully he was the only one to notice.

“Let me just get dressed,” Mahdi said. “So who is this person you’ve got?”

“A man from Graterious.” Hazm glanced at Axia. “And definitely put a shirt and pants on. Done up this time. We have a young one with us.”

“And you let them see those four?” Mahdi laughed. “Oh, I wonder what their mother would say.”

Mezot’s eyes narrowed at Anton.

“If I’d known you both would have waited outside,” Anton whispered to Mezot. He words calmed her, but only somewhat. She would need something more to truly forgive him.

“What is the injury?” Anton asked. “Exactly.”

"My right arm," Mahdi grumbled. "A few days ago I decided, like an idiot, to block this huge man's axe with my scimitar. Obviously, I should have tried to parry it into the ground but I was just being stupid that day." Mahdi scoffed. "First match in a long time that I've had to forfeit."

"I bet." Hazm chuckled softly.

"Do you think it's wise to engage in such strenuous activity when you're badly injured?" Anton asked. Cetina, his trainer, nodded seriously.

"Did you just get another surgeon?" Mahdi grumbled. "Sounds like the one from yesterday."

"I am not a doctor."

"Hazm." Mahdi began to walk barefoot towards the door. "Don't tell me you brought one of those faith healers? That I'll be cured if I convert and wash away my sins in the desert and the sun?"

"No...But it will be interesting all the same."

Mahdi finally stood into the light and was almost exactly like what Anton expected. Mahdi stood quite tall, just shorter than Cetina, had a handsome and well-groomed face along with a surprisingly lean physique. He wasn't overly muscular like most of the fighters they had passed. Skill and speed were clearly Mahdi's strong points. As for clothes he wore a light set of linen shirt and pants, ideal for the hot weather, whether it be outside or inside a bedroom.

Mahdi frowned and quickly checked over everyone in turn. His lips curled up into a smile.

"What an interesting group you bring before me." Mahdi chuckled softly. "So which is this healer? The pretty blonde over there?"

Mezot gripped her staff tight and stepped towards Anton.

"I am the person Hazm was speaking of," Anton said. "I can heal your wounds and restore you to perfect health."

"Really? I find that hard to believe."

"I've seen it before," Wilford said. "Trust me, they know what they are doing."

Mahdi smiled. "Alright then. It's my right arm, you see?" Mahdi turned to show his arm. "It hurts like a bit...Really bad. I can barely move it."

"I think I can fix that." Anton walked to Mahdi. "If you could just raise your arm for me."

"It's not a good idea to do anything strenuous when you're injured," Cetina said. "You could hurt yourself so bad that you can't use that limb again."

"Oh, but it gets a lot of work now." Mahdi winked at Cetina. "You look like you're pretty experienced. Maybe you can help still get me some exercise-"

Mahdi shrieked and recoiled from Anton. His entire upper arm blistered and burned in the shape of a hand. Mahdi gripped the burn tight and looked at Anton, unsure of what happened. White-hot flame wrapped itself around Aston's hand.

"What the fuck?!" Mahdi shouted through gritted teeth. "What was that?"

"Don't ever think my companions, my friends, are people that you can just leer at or say something stupid like that. Cetina is not some..." Anton took a deep breath. "If you apologies to her I'll heal you, both your burn and your injured arm."

"Why is a mage in Frindal?" Mahdi looked to Hazm for answers.

"I told you to behave." Hazm turned to Anton. "But you can actually heal him. Right?"

"So long as he apologizes."

Mahdi exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry for what I said."

Anton looked at Cetina. She appeared happy with his apology. Anton beckoned Mahdi closer. Mahdi was far warier now, especially now the pain of the fresh burn was sinking in. Anton held his hand on Mahdi's shoulder, the man clearly wanted to say something but was fearful of more magic, and healed him. It took considerable mana but not when Frindal's mana dampening field was taken into account. Mahdi stepped back and looked surprised that everything had returned to normal.

"I..." Mahdi lifted his shirt. "I had some great scars on my chest. Always a great source of conversation over drinks after a tough battle."

Well, you have confidence in yourself at least.

"But now you will be able to collect new ones." Anton smiled as he returned to Cetina's side. "If you are Hazm's champion then I'm sure that it may take a while."

Mahdi mulled over his words. "Hazm. Who are these people, really?"

Hazm quickly introduced them, as best he could, before leaving Wilford to pick up the slack.

"They're researchers and academics, travelling all over the world to study...To study. Right now they wish to see the Wild...Feral Beastkin up close."

"The Ferals?" Mahdi smiled. "You really are crazy. And you're going to take five beautiful women to your grave...They don't look like they're being paid." Mahdi smirked. "Not bad."

Now is when Verona would say something clever about my harem.

Mahdi coughed and tapped his barefoot on the stone floor. "How much do I owe you?"

"You? Nothing. Just...Just keep your thoughts to yourself when you're around me."

Mahdi leant close to Hazm. "I kind of like them already."

Hazm smiled and slowly nodded. "You've held up your end of the bargain..."

Hazm waited until Mahdi began to flex his muscles. When Mahdi gave him a nod of approval he continued.

"I shall as well. Zuhura?"

"Yes? Sultan Hazm?"

"I am releasing you into Anton's service."

Zuhura glanced at Anton, he could not discern what was happening behind those brown eyes.

"He requires guidance through the deserts and someone who knows how to deal with the Nomad Tribes without starting another war. When Anton is done with his mission he may free you of your service completely."

"As you wish, Sultan Hazm."

Hazm smirked. "And if nothing else I'm sure you'd love to get away from me."

Zuhura bowed but did not confirm nor deny his words. Hazm and Mahdi laughed.

"She'll guide you well," Hazm said. “She’s very smart, especially for a Nomad. Far smarter than most of the trained women-”

A mighty cheer echoed through the hallway. They had been turning slowly but they were surely underneath the centre of the arena.

“I’ll be honest.” Mahdi scratched the back of his head. “When you first interrupted me I thought that you were about to bring me to the arena to watch the Hamtaro get slaughtered. Well, their champion at least.”

“Are they seriously down to one?” Hazm shook his head. “I honestly thought they were doing better.”

Mahdi glumly nodded. “Kind of hard to survive when you’re pitted against enemies five or six times your size every day.”

“True…True.”

“What are these Hamtaro?” Anton asked.

“I…” Hazm smiled. “I think it would be best if you see them for yourself.”

Hazm began walking, Mahdi stood to one side in order to let Anton go first.

“You first,” Anton said softly.

Mahdi laughed. “Are you that nervous?”

“Nervous? No. But I don’t want you to be behind me.” Anton forced an exaggerated smile. “I don’t know why…”

Mahdi laughed and followed Hazm. Cetina smiled and gave a simple nod. Calo and Sheso, who had remained very quiet to avoid attention, turned to Anton and stuck out their tongues as they nodded at Mahdi. Mezot and Axia remained close to Anton, Mezot especially was not having a good time.

“It’ll be fine.” Anton lightly bumped Mezot’s arm and ushered them forward. “You saw his face when he realised I was a mage. So don’t be afraid to use your magic if you feel threatened.”

Mezot nodded seriously as they followed Hazm towards the shouting crowd.

---[]---

Anton squinted as the bright Frindal sunlight streamed from above. They emerged from the underground and near the base of the arena, only a small raised wall separated them from the fighting below. Five people, four from Frindal and one from Seocuria, fought in a brutal battle below. None wielded swords or spears, only bludgeoning weapons and shields. They were not fighting to the death but for a spectacle to the roaring crowds above. Thousands of Frindal’s sat in the arena, all cheering as the Seocurian gladiator fell. He was not dead, far from it as he slowly crawled and shimmied away from the fighting, but clearly out of the battle and was completely ignored.

“How many people are there?” Sheso asked. The shouts grew even louder as a Frindal man fell, his arm had been broken and twisted backwards. The twins covered their sensitive ears and winced in pain.

“Thousands!” Anton laughed. “This is incredible.”

They were still surrounded by Frindal guards who pointed them up the arena. Hazm and Mahdi walked towards a large box, a type of stadium suite, adorned with large bright red curtains and surrounded by another ring of guards. The attendees surrounding the box looked to be wealthier, at the least they were better behaved than the rabble that surrounded them.

Anton shrugged lightly and followed. While watching gladiators fight in, albeit controlled conditions, was exciting it wasn’t what Anton wanted. He wanted to find the Wild Beast-kin and see if they could help Atros, to see if they held any love for their long lost cousins. Anton resigned himself to enjoy the brief moment of respite.

Hazm and Mahdi had already entered the suite and were speaking with several people lazily sitting on the far side. These men, and a few women, were dressed even better than those outside the suite; the women wore considerable amounts of gold, silver and bright gems on their headscarves and shawls, the men wore cloth of purple and a deep brilliant blue, colours which Anton had never seen before.

“He’s up already?” An elderly Frindal man poked Mahdi with a bony finger. “How did you manage that? What did you give him?”

“A bit of magic.” Hazm smiled. “But I’m more interested in-”

“Is that them?” The man pushed himself up and pointed at Mezot and Axia. “By the gods, where did you manage to find Mages in Frindal?”

“Guests.” Hazm smiled. “But, as I was trying to say.” Hazm playfully jabbed the man, who only smiled back. “What am I hearing about sending all of the Hamtaro to their deaths?”

“Only if Midas keep winning.” A younger Frindal man, perhaps a few years older than Anton. “But I think this is going to be it for the Hamtaro. Such a shame.”

“I still don’t know what these things are,” Anton said.

No one was still willing to answer him so he looked to Zuhura. She smiled behind her veil.

“They are...Like Beast-kin.” Zuhura winced. “But, unlike the Ferals and the Beast-kin of Seocuria, they are...new.”

“What do you mean, new?”

A mighty cheer rang throughout the arena. Calo and Sheso were already watching from the edge of the suite and waved frantically to catch his attention. Anton hurried to their side, Cetina stayed with Mezot and Axia, Zuhura stood in between and slowly moved to the wall. The older people gained some life and moved to the edge of the wall, even if they had to be assisted by some servants.

A Frindal man stood triumphant in the centre of the arena, thrusting his arms up in time with the cheers from the crowd. The other four lay broken and bloodied but alive. Several young Frindal men rushed into the arena with stretchers. They tried their best to load the wounded men and scurry them away to be treated.

As the cheers began to dim a Frindal man moved to the centre, followed by three men, two carrying a large metal disk and another with a large stick with a large bundle of cloth tied to the end. The man stopped in the centre and waited for the crowds to quieten. He took a deep breath and leant his head back.

“With our new Champion of the Bronze Band-”

“Low-level champions,” Zuhura said softly. “But still very skilled compared to most militia forces.”

Zuhura would be an excellent source of information regarding Frindal military tactics and forces. Just a shame that we don’t have the chance right now.

“We now come to the highlight of today’s bouts.”

The crowd began to cheer. Only when they stopped did the man continue. “An intelligent creature now comes before you, fighting for the survival of his entire species. A valiant, courageous being that has fought ceaselessly for many seasons-”

Anton glanced at Mahdi. He wasn’t joking about the treatment of this creature, Midas.

“But, perhaps, today is the day he finds salvation. One way, or another.”

Those in the crowd laughed and jeered.

“Without wasting any more of your time, may I have the honour of presenting the scourge of ankles and cheese! The Rat Warrior of Frindal! Midas!”

Despite the labels thrown at this Midas, the crowds were in an uproar. Nearly everyone was cheering, even the elderly Frindal’s in the private suite. Anton caught Zuhura’s eye. She did not look happy.

The men in the centre of the arena quickly vacated. Anton shuffled to the side as the Frindal’s pushed their way to the front to get a better view. Anton made sure that no one was left alone or had their backs exposed, Cetina stood side on with a hand on one of her many daggers.

At the far side, a large door groaned open, kicking up the fine dust of the arena in a mighty gust. Anton had no idea if magic was involved, or merely a large gust of wind but it was certainly impressive. Six Frindal guards exited and pointed their spears towards the ground. Out of the dust Anton saw something move, something barely two feet tall.

Are they sending in children? No, not unless they’ve got powerful Glyph magic. And there’s no way that Midas, whoever he is, would let all of his people die, even if he is a Beast-kin. Especially if he’s a Beast-kin.

The dust cleared and the crowds roared once more.

“What am I seeing?” Anton asked Calo and Sheso, both of whom had better eyesight than everyone present, barring Cetina’s eyepatch when it wasn’t affected by the mana dampening field.

“It’s…” Sheso looked at her sister. “A rat?”

“Yeah.” Calo shook her head. “It’s a giant rat.”

The twins spoke the truth, in a sense. Midas’s face was not that of a rat but a mouse. He stood upright, like a small Rock Rat, wearing a mixture of light and medium armour. A specially formed helmet encased his head, small holes for his large circular ears which were armoured and full protected. A small nose twitched at the air as whiskers flicked back and forth. In his small armoured hand he wielded a small metal shield and a long spear, long for a two-foot tall mouse. He raised his spear high and the crowd cheered.

“I wonder what they’re going to pit him against today?” The younger Frindal man asked.

“Are you honestly suggesting that child is to fight?” Anton asked.

“He’s so small…” Mezot said softly.

The Frindal man laughed, Hazm approached the wall along with Mahdi. “He’ll be fine. I’m sure of it. I’m betting fifty gold plates on him to win. I don’t want him to die today.”

“You said that he was the last of his race,” Calo said softly.

“The last warrior.” Mahdi smiled. “When he dies so does the rest of the Hamtaro.” He rested his arms on the wall. “Meaning he’s the best of the best.”

“Not for long.” The elderly Frindal man smirked. “Not for long…”

The Frindal guards inside the arena grounds slowly retreated through their door, leaving Midas standing alone. The announcer appeared on a raised platform that jutted out over the arena grounds.

“Midas! Hero of the Arena, today you fight your greatest challenge.”

Midas looked to the announcer. Though his face was obscured by his helmet Anton could feel the anger within.

“Today you fight two of the most vicious and vile creatures in all of Frindal. Not men, though they can be particularly dangerous, but two creatures from the wildlands beyond our borders, lands held by the Feral Beast-kin.”

The crowd cheered as another gate began to open. Midas readied his spear and advanced to the centre of the arena.

“Behold! The terror of the deserts and the mountains! The Ogre Lords, Grok and Lok.”

The iron gates flew open, ripping their hinges free and smashing against the stone wall. The crowd cheered, though some of it was from a mixture of terror and excitement. Two large creatures emerged, like tall, fat Orcs but with light brown skin. Their large underbite jaws ground at several large rotten teeth sticking out of large, fat lips. The Ogres looked at one another and pulled up their large clubs, almost as long as they were and tipped with a boulder crudely fastened to the clubs with metal straps. Though crude Anton had no doubt how effective those weapons would be.

“Are you serious?” Axia looked in utter shock at the Frindal’s. “There’s no way he can win.”

“He will.” The younger Frindal man winked at Axia. “He’s been through worse. Honestly, he’ll be fine.”

“Zuhura?” Anton said. “A word if you could?”

“Yes, Anton.” Zuhura quickly walked to Anton’s side. “What is it that you wish to know?”

“Everything you can tell me about these Hamtaro.” Anton clicked his tongue as the two Ogres began to bicker amongst themselves. Their words were little more than guttural utterances but they could still understand each other. “How did these Hamtaro get created…”

I don’t really want to mention that I know of The Burning Light and everything that happened there. They might not know and it could cause too much confusion.

“I do not know how they were created.” Zuhura bowed. “But Fareed would know more.”

Zuhura motioned towards the young Frindal man. He was already listening intently and smiled at the mention of his name.

“I don’t know how the Ferals were created, or where they came from-”

Another loud cheer interrupted him. The Ogres were still chatting with one another but had finally been convinced to advance of Midas, only through repeated jabs from extremely long pikes into the fat backs. Unfortunately for Midas, the spear tips did indeed pierce their skin but not enough to even draw blood despite sinking several inches.

“Finally.” The elderly Frindal man smiled.

Midas did not move nor speak as the two Ogres advanced on him. Just as they were about to reach Midas he began to back away. He pointed his spear at the Ogre standing on the right.

“I will only fight the strongest of you two.” Despite being a two-foot tall mouse Midas’s voice carried far, soft and light as it was. “I will not waste my time with a weakling.”

“Me Grok!” The Ogre slammed his crude mace onto the ground. Midas jumped almost a foot into the air, the crowd cheered even louder. “Me strongest ogre!”

Lok punched Grok in the head. A large, flat tooth flew out along with a spurt of blood.

“No! You weaker than me!” Lok turned to Grok and pushed him. Both of their bodies rippled and shook, the rolls of fat shuddered as they stood against one another. “You always need my help. You too stupid and got caught-”

Grok shouted and charged at Lok. They dropped their clubs and began to fight each other in a furious rage, completely ignoring Midas who slowly backed away.

“See?” Fareed smirked at the elderly Frindal man. “He’s more than capable of beating them.”

“It’s not the same thing!” The elderly man shakily rose to his feet and leant against the wall. “Fight him! Not each other!”

The Ogres had no intention of listening to him and continued their fight. Despite their blows they weren’t actually hurting each other too badly. The layers of fat absorbed all off the blows, the only signs of injury was when they struck each other in the head, dislodging more large stubby teeth and blood. Midas continued to back away, content to let the two fools weaken each other before striking himself.

“The Hamtaro.” Fareed continued. “Were created about sixty winters ago, I believe. In the westernmost point of Frindal.”

“Someone here created a new type of Beast-kin?”

And it didn’t involve a massive, collapsing portal?

“How?” Anton asked. Mezot began to take interest and moved behind Anton. She frowned at Zuhura, who was roughly the same height and could not see around her. Zuhura noticed almost immediately and stepped to one side.

“Honestly? I’m not sure-”

“It was one of those idiotic children.” The elderly man grumbled. “He was experimenting with Star Metal, binding it with chemicals and minerals for experiments…”

Star Metal? Sounds like meteorites to me. But that’s not related to the portals that created the Beast-kin. Unless one of those two portals brought through something else. But a metal alone shouldn’t be enough to do this.

Fareed laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t just kill them all right away.”

The elderly man sneered at Midas but said nothing more, even at Fareed's prodding.

“Oh well. That’s all we’ll get out of him. But there are about six or seven hundred of them left, I think.” Fareed shrugged. “No one can just enter their area unless they’re under heavy guard...Just in case someone tries to do something to them.”

“If the guards were to let a killer in they would be dead,” Hazm said loudly. “And so would their family and their friends. Makes them very loyal.”

“I see.” Anton turned to the arena. “I’m wondering...Can they be bought?”

“Do you mean like the Seocurian slaves?” Fareed raised a brow. “I guess so...If you have enough money.”

“And who would I have to speak to about buying them?”

“They are not owned by anyone,” Fareed said. “They-”

“Bullshit.” Anton snapped back. Fareed’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Then who’s stopping them from leaving?”

“I…” Hazm frowned. “I suppose that it would be me then? I am the Sultan after all. And this is my Arena, even if Fareed manages most of the day to day operations…”

“Then I would be interested in purchasing them.” Anton nodded to Mezot. “We can study them in further detail when we’re back in Graterious. Better that than having them all slaughtered in their cells like they’re just some sort of...Mouse.”

“And you expect eight hundred small Beast-kin to follow you without objection?” Hazm asked. He frowned at Mahdi. “That would be difficult even for a few, let alone several hundred.”

“And they’re very crafty little creatures.” Mahdi smiled. “The locks have to be pretty strong otherwise they’ll just sneak out. I can’t imagine your little group keeping an eye on them in the desert. How are you going to stop them from just running off?”

“I have my ways,” Anton said. Zuhura frowned and leant forwards slightly. Anton knew there would definitely be some of Hamtaro’s that were sick or wounded. A bit of healing magic would be enough to placate them. If it worked for the Seocurian Beast-kin then it would work here. “Surely a Tanzanite stone would be sufficient to cover the loss of one of your main attractions Something to cover your short term losses?”

Hazm raised a brow. “Now that is very interesting. I presume that came from your Seocurian friends?” Hazm chuckled. “I wonder if your Seocurian followers know that you’re knocking off the Isora family? I heard that she’s a voluminous woman, at best. We’ve all tumbled with some larger women but that is a little bit much.”

“Once we return from our study of the Feral Beast-kin we could offer our help further,” Anton said, completely ignoring Hazm’s words, perhaps an attempt to determine if Anton was lying about his origins. “Healing, Ice and w-”

“You know Ice magic?” Fareed asked. “Ice magic?”

Anton nodded to Mezot. She didn’t know how to react in the situation and shuffled slightly behind Anton.

“Please don’t stare too hard. She’s not used to people staring at her like that.”

“But she can use Ice magic?” Fareed smiled, many of the others appeared interested as well. “Perhaps...Perhaps there is something that can be done.”

“I-”

The crowd cheered again. One of the Ogres finally fell down, completely dead. His head rolled on the ground, separated from his still twitching body. The other Ogre struggled to stand, his hands were bloodied and his own face was only in slightly better condition than the other.

“Gork strongest!” The Ogre beat its chest, eliciting another cheer from the crowd. “Gork strongest Ogre in all world!”

“Then why are you in chains?” Midas banged his shield. “If you are the strongest then why are you the prisoner of the Frindal’s?”

“Stupid Mouse talks too…” Gork shook his head, blood droplets flew out from his wounds and mouth. “Stupid Mouse talks too much. Humans give me meat if I kill you!”

Gork took his stone club back up and charged at Midas. The Mouse readied a defensive stance and waited for the Ogre to reach him. Though it was only a few meters the charge tired Gork considerably, he was not a fast creature and the wounds were taking their toll. Midas dropped his spear and threw the shield at Gork’s head. The metal rim smashed into his mouth, breaking the few teeth he had left and sent the Ogre stumbling backwards. Midas picked up his spear and ran at the stumbling Ogre. He stopped to throw the spear but started to run again, the spear was too heavy for him to throw properly so he resorted to charging again. He rammed it hard into the Ogres crotch, eliciting many winces from the crowd and everyone in the suite, and ran up his back. Gork staggered back and forth to rid himself of the spear and Midas but lacked the strength. Midas drew a small sword and rammed it into the back of Gork’s neck. The Ogre let out a terrible gurgle and fell forward. The spear drove its way through Gork’s crotch and carried something with it, Mezot covered Axia’s eyes once again, as the Ogre smashed onto the ground completely and utterly dead.

Everything went silent for some time. Finally someone began to clap, quickly spreading until it was a mighty roar. Midas stood on Gork’s back and raised his bloodied sword. He was panting hard but he tried his best to hold his arm high.

“Looks like I win again.” Fareed laughed. He jabbed the elderly man in the neck. “See? You grumpy old man. The Hamtaro won. Again. Looks like you’re just going to have to go home. Unless you want to do something more drastic?”

The elderly man glared at Fareed.

“I don’t even understand why you care so much.” Fareed shook his head. “It’s not like your son died…”

“No…He didn’t.” The elderly man summoned his servants and quietly left.

Sounds like he’s upset he didn’t die. Family honour...I hope I never get to that point.

The metal disk clanged behind the announcer. “What a magnificent display! Using wit and guile Midas has defeated both Ogres with only a few well-spoken words and even fewer actions. We could all learn to defeat our foes with such little effort. Give praise to our last Hamtaro champion, Midas!”

Again the crowds cheered as Midas was led away and large groups of servants brought flat, open carts to carry the dead Ogres. It took nearly ten people to lift one, it would have been easier if the Ogre’s fat didn’t try and envelop every attempt to manhandle them.

“That was interesting.” Mahdi scratched his beard. “A bit more interesting than just witnessing poor Midas being thrown about like, well, like a mouse. There’s always next time...Unless our new friend wants them?”

“At the very least I would like to speak with him,” Anton said. “I am very, very interested in what he has to say.”

---[]---

Anton was led into a different area of the arena’s underground. His companions followed him, Cetina kept a keen eye on the guards, along with Hazm, Mahdi and Zuhura, though Zuhura would soon be travelling with them. If she proved herself to be a valuable companion she might just travel with them abroad. Anton was fully aware that everyone he was travelling with were women. And so where the people currently surrounding him.

Midas waited for them in a rather decent cell. He was locked behind bars but had many furnishings that even Madhi’s room lacked. The two-foot tall Mouse looked up as he sat on a child’s chair, eating a large meal of cheese, nuts and a morsel of meat. Anton found it adorable that he used cutlery, however he used it with a level of finesse that very few people outside of nobility would have.

“Humans normally don’t visit me.” Midas gently placed down the silver cutlery. “Normally only to tell me what I’ll be fighting tomorrow.”

“I…” Anton glanced at Hazm. “I don’t really know what to say.”

Midas hopped down from the chair and walked towards the iron bars. He wore a thin set of simple clothes, again child-sized, but nothing over his head so Anton could see his face for the fest time. It looked suspiciously like the Rock Rats but smaller.

Maybe that’s how these Hamtaro’s were created. I wonder what the Rock Rats are? Perhaps they aren’t related to any of the ‘craziness’ of this world? They seem pretty happy to stay out of our way.

“Is there something wrong with me?” Midas said to Anton. “You’re staring, but not like the others.”

“Forgive me.” Anton smiled, Midas continued to stare at him with his small brown eyes. “But I saw your fight. It was incredible.”

Midas blinked. His head tilted towards Hazm. Hazm said nothing.

“Let’s start again. My name is Anton. I am a researcher from Graterious, a country from across the sea, and I have come to these lands to study the Wild Beast-kin. When I was talking to Sultan Hazm about getting a guide I learned about your existence-”

“Existence is a good word,” Midas mumbled.

Anton held one of the metal bars. “It really is, isn’t it?”

“So what do you want with me?”

“I want to know more about you-”

“No.” Midas turned away.

“No?” Sheso asked softly.

“No.” Midas returned to his meal. “There’s nothing for us to discuss, pale human.”

“First time I’ve been called that.” Anton mused. He smiled at Hazm. “Is there a chance that I can speak to him in private? Without you or your men present?”

“Why? What could you possibly ask that we cannot be present for?”

“Please, Hazm.” Anton said softly. “I have my ways and I do not wish others to know of it. I’m sure you can understand that I want to keep certain things a secret.”

Hazm looked to be on the fence but needed a little bit more of a push.

“I can heal you too, after we’re done.” Anton said. “Any aches and pains you might have will simply vanish. Not to mention you will feel far more youthful, the strength of your past will return as well.”

Hazm shrugged lightly. “I suppose that is acceptable. We shall be waiting outside to discuss this matter further. Whether or not you can control them, and not have them slit your throats when you sleep is another matter entirely.”

Hazm, Mahdi and his guards left. Zuhura remained, Anton realised that, technically, she was in his service now. He politely asked her to join Hazm until they were done. There was no way to tell if she was trustworthy yet. She did not object, bowed her head and silently left.

“That’s interesting.” Midas shovelled a particularly large piece of cheese into his mouth. “Most...Most of the time the Sultan wouldn’t listen to any outsider.”

“Turns out we rescued a very good friend of his,” Anton said. “Not on purpose, but it all worked out in the end.”

“So what now?” Midas threw them a sideways glance. “Are you going to threaten one of my people so I continue to fight? I’ve already agreed to fight so long as they live. I haven’t seen them today but I will once you lot are gone.”

“That’s horrible,” Calo whispered. Sheso and Axia agreed.

Midas scoffed. “Sure, sure. But what do you want with me? A researcher? That can only mean one thing.”

Anton tapped the twins on their shoulder. “Can you head down the corridor a bit? Just to make sure they don’t sneak up on us? Your hearing is a lot better than mine.”

The twins gave a quick nod and scurried down the hallway. Midas continued to eat in silence but his ears and twitching nose gave away his curiosity.

Anton knelt by the door. “I do not wish to speak loudly of this, but I find it repulsive what humans are doing to the Beast-kin. Especially in Seocuria-”

“I’m not a Beast-kin.” Midas hopped off his chair, brought his plate with him and sat before the door. “But this might be an interesting conversation, at the very least.”

“If you’re not a Beast-kin then what are you?” Cetina asked.

Midas squinted his small eyes at Cetina. “A woman in armour...I am not a Beast-kin. My kind does not come from the wildlands to the east, nor the slaves of Seocuria to the north.”

“And I thought Zuhura was learned.” Anton leant closer. “How is a mouse-Hamtaro, so knowledgeable and articulate?”

Midas shrugged as he idly prodded his food with. “Compared to humans we do not need much sleep. So I’ve spent most of the night reading and learning. There wasn’t much else to do, locked in that tower.”

“They said you were...created in a place far to the east of here. Right on the eastern tip of Frindal.”

Midas shrugged. “I think so. But I wasn’t born then so I wouldn’t know. That’s what my grandparents told me, so…”

“Well, I’ll stop babbling and get to the point.” Anton shuffled closer to the door. “I have a city, far from here, where Beast-kin can live in peace. Beast-kin, Humans, Dwarves and Dark Elves currently call my city home.”

“Oh?” Midas’s ears twitched.

“Those two girls that I sent away? They aren’t Seocurians. They’re Dark Elves.”

“Frindal’s don’t like the Dark Elves…”

“The only noticeable difference is our ears. And both of them have theirs covered.” Anton shrugged. “To most people, they look like they came from Seocuria, and that’s enough to keep them safe.”

“Until they take it off.” Midas nibbled on a small nut. “Or someone takes it off for them.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Anton smiled and raised his hand. A small Lightning Bomb emerged over his hand. “And I can still use magic in this land.”

“What?” Midas scuttled back. “Is that magic?”

“It is.” Anton nodded towards Mezot and Axia. “And they can use magic too. Mezot can utilise magic far more destructive than mine. And yes, even in Frindal.”

“No wonder Hazm wanted to speak with you.” Midas crawled back to his plate of food. “Has he asked your help in destroying the Sana Vākara?”

“No. What do you know about them?”

Midas shrugged. “Not much. Just what I overhear from the guards. None of it good, not that humans killing each other concerns me or my people.”

“Regardless, I can get you out of here and to my city, where your people will be looked after and able to live a life outside of a cell.”

“You…” Midas sighed. “I cannot afford to have my hopes crushed, again…” Midas’s small shoulders dropped. “The only thing stopping me from letting one of the fighters killing me is knowing that if I die so do my people. Nearly fifty Hamtaro’s were in these cells at the start. Now…”

“I can appreciate that trusting me will take considerable time,” Anton said. “But if I were to show a few of your people that the place exists and they tell you, will you convince them to follow me? At least until we leave the city perimeter.”

“Is this city of yours in Frindal?” Midas asked. “Are we supposed to walk through the desert?”

“I have a portal.” Anton glanced at Cetina. “Though Frindal makes it a little unstable and gives you a nasty headache. It’s nowhere near as hot in my city but it does snow. Right now it is, not that you’d know it.”

“What is snow?” Midas tilted his head. “I’ve heard of it.”

“Water, so cold that it has turned into stone.” Anton tapped the floor. “Much colder than this.”

“What a fanciful idea.” Midas almost sounded like he was mocking Anton. “So are you going to buy our freedom?”

“Simply? Yes. Money only has use once it’s spent.”

“That’s...An interesting way to think.”

“Very easy when you have essentially unlimited funds.” Anton stood up. “But it is what I am offering. If you wish to escape this place then I’m the only hope you’ve got.”

“I could easily escape.” Midas stood up. “But it would be impossible to get my people free. If you could actually do that…”

“I’ll take that as a yes. Now.” Anton looked at Cetina. “How to convince them to let a few out for me to send back home?”

“How about pretending to inspect some of the Hamtaro?” Mezot offered. “We are supposed to be researchers…”

Midas shrugged. “I suppose they might do that.”

“Mezot, that’s a great idea.” Anton’s words made Mezot swell with pride. He still found it utterly adorable how she would puff herself up after a simple compliment. “A very good idea. A way to get into a secluded area with enough privacy.”

“The portal should still work,” Cetina said softly.

“Great. Now, let’s see the Sultan. See if we can get a bit of private time with some of your people.”

---[]---

Anton locked the door behind them. The four Hamtaro, some of the oldest amongst their kind, with greyed fur and slightly stooped backs, shook with fear and trepidation. The guards had said they were going to be inspected but the way they said made it sound like it was to be a one-way trip. Anton didn’t want to irk the already annoyed guards by correcting them, they appeared quite happy with standing perfectly still and not doing any work.

“Calo, Sheso and Mezot will be enough to keep anyone from listening,” Anton mumbled as Cetina began to place the portal stones into a circle. “Since I’m sure they’d be more than interested in what we have to say.”

The four Hamtaro wore simple clothes, of a lesser quality than Midas but still far, far better than the Beast-kin of Seocuria. Anton sat in a chair beside a large, long table. It was once some sort of examination table, which made sense. It was what they were allegedly after.

“I do not mean to harm you,” Anton said. He knew his words would sound hollow at best but there was little else what he could do. “But I wish to help you. And your friend, Midas.”

The four Hamtaro’s looked worryingly at one another.

“I know that it is going to be almost impossible to trust me without some sort of demonstration. Are…”

Asking if any of them are wounded is like asking which one wants to die first. I fear they really think that.

Anton saw that one of the Hamtaro’s had a torn ear and their tail had been broken and healed in an odd manner. Anton walked to the Hamtaro, they pulled together as he laid his hand upon the wounded Hamtaro. One tried to bite Anton’s hand but their teeth were unable to puncture through his glove, not that he didn’t feel the pressure on his skin.

“I don’t mean to harm you.” Anton finally touched the head of the terrified Hamtaro even as the other continued to bite onto his hand and scratch with his tiny claws. “The opposite, really.”

The healing prayer took more mana than normal but it was more than acceptable. The Hamtaro’s ear regrew and his tail straightened. He, Anton was sure it was a he, looked at Anton in a state of shock, so too did the others. Only then did the attacking Hamtaro release his bite.

“I-”

“It’s fine.” Anton gently rubbed the bitten hand. “I didn’t think it would be easy to explain convincingly. Besides, last time I did this I could have been strangled by an angry Minotaur.

“Rasha?” Axia asked. “She tried to attack you?”

“Just after we freed them. She didn’t know where we were going, but it’s in the past now.”

And now I’m making her squeal every night. How things change.

“Very much in the past…” Cetina threw him an odd look. “But I wanted to show you that I can be trusted.”

“What do you want with us?”

Anton retook his seat. The four Hamtaro’s shared another glance and stopped just before him.

“I want to bring you to safety, to live and work in my city, but I cannot convince each of you. There are several hundred of you. Instead,” Anton held his hands together and pointed them at the Hamtaro’s head. “I will have you convince him. Makes sense, right?”

“I…” The Hamtaro that bit Anton’s hand scratched underneath his chin. “Why is a human helping us?”

“Because I want you to help me.” Anton leant back. “I do find it horrible what they are doing to you, but I am looking for your help in return. Nothing terrible. Merely that you live and work in my city. Does that sound fair?”

The Hamtaro’s quickly formed a huddle and muttered amongst themselves. Their words were nothing more than little chirps and whistles, they obviously had their own language, a type of Mouse language. Finally they parted and nodded.

“How can you prove it to us?”

Cetina placed the last of the portal stones. The portal flashed into existence, the Hamtaro’s jumped back and scuttled to the far side of the room. Despite their age, they could move very fast.

“I’ll test it first.” Cetina looked at the shimmering portal. “It seems a little better than it was on the ship.”

Cetina gave a tiny shrug and stepped through the portal. The Hamtaro’s gasped as she disappeared in a flash of light. They were about to ask Anton where she had gone when Cetina returned. She grunted and shook her head.

“It’s a little better.” Cetina smiled bitterly. “But we can still use it.”

“Axia? Do you think you can follow the Hamtaro’s through and show them just outside the portal building? I don’t know if Rasha’s there but don’t let them go too far. I’m sure the guards will soon be coming back.”

“Alright…” Axia chuckled nervously. “I don’t like the headaches but if you wants from me.” Axia stopped before the portal and pointed her finger at Anton. “But I want something from you. Something nice.”

“You’ve got it. I’ll make sure you get some pretty clothes.”

“Food too.” Axia winked. “Mother says you can make some very tasty food.”

“You want us to go through there?” A Hamtaro asked.

“It’ll give you a nasty headache.” Axia offered her hand. “But, trust me, it’ll be worth it.”

The Hamtaro’s again shared a worried look but stood just before the portal with Axia. She took one by the hand and stepped onto the portal. The Hamtaro looked surprised when his bare mouse feet did not fall through the white disk. Both flashed away. The remaining three grit their teeth and followed. The room fell quiet.

“How long do you think they’ll be?” Cetina asked.

“I don’t know.” Anton stretched out his legs. “But it should be a few minutes. Don’t forget to ask Hazm about some more armour before we leave. I don’t want you roasting out in the desert.”

“I am rather attached to this.” Cetina ran a hand over her sides. “It’s got me through a few dangerous times.”

“It has...Come here for a moment.”

Cetina tilted her head a little before moving to his side. Anton pulled her down and onto his lap. Cetina squeaked in surprise but her body softened, she pulled herself closer to him and held a hand on his chest.

“I’m not too heavy for you, am I?”

“I didn’t think that women wanted to talk about their weight.”

Cetina scoffed. “I don’t think I’m anything like the women from your world...Do.” Cetina found Anton’s hand and held it. She sighed softly when she realized that she was still wearing her metal gauntlet. “Do you want me to wear something like those women wore? Something short-”

“Yes.”

Cetina laughed at his lack of hesitation. “I thought you would.” Cetina rubbed her free hand over her upper thighs. “Definitely not outside but...I think it would look good. Maybe a good gift for your wives.”

“Having them dance for me would be pretty fun.” Anton smiled. “Four beautiful women shaking their hips and undulating their bodies-”

Anton stopped when Cetina placed a hand on his crotch.

“You are very excited by it.”

Anton looked Cetina dead in her eye. “When Verona and Kal have given birth I want to have a baby with you.”

Cetina’s face turned red. She removed her hand from his crotch and ran it through her hair.

“I didn’t expect you to ask like that.”

Cetina leant forward and kissed him deeply. She wrapped a hand around the back of his head and pulled him in hard, Anton did the same. When they parted their faces were flushed and breathing hard. Anton wiped her mouth free from the strands of saliva that covered her parted lips.

“Of course I will.” Cetina kissed his gloved hand. “You’ll need more bodyguards if I do. Though I think you’ve got that covered with everyone here.”

“Axia’s a little young.” Anton squeezed her cheek. “And Zuhura-”

Cetina sighed. “Now I'm doing Verona’s job, aren’t I?”

Anton smiled. “You’re not that bad.”

“But I’ll leave most of it up to you. Might not be much of a fighter but she looks like she knows more...womanly duties.” Cetina's smirk slowly faded. “Do you think that I’ll be a good mother?”

“Absolutely.” Anton kissed her again, more tenderly this time. “And I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He gently rubbed her stomach. “I can’t wait to see-”

The portal flashed again. Cetina jumped up and calmly approached the portal, as calmly as she could with a red face. She smiled at Anton as Axia groaned and held her temple.

“It’s still awful.”

Beside her, the four Hamtaro’s stood still. They looked a little dazed but were not rubbing their temples.

“The headache will soon pass-”

“We didn’t feel anything.” A Hamtaro scratched his nose, where the whiskers emerged from his nose. “She...Your friend seemed to be in a lot of pain.”

“It will pass.” Anton beckoned for Axia to come to him. He gently massaged her head, which seemed to ease the pain, though it was certainly only on a physiological level. “But what did you think of my city?”

“It…” The Hamtaro that bit Anton’s hand winced slightly. “It was incredible. There were Beast-kin and pale Humans, and dark-skinned Humans with long ears and really short Humans as well...I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It is a city called Atros. Safely hidden from the world and from Frindal, safe from the people that hold you captive. I cannot guarantee that your lives will not be without struggle or hardship but I can that I will do everything in my power to ensure the Hamtaro’s not only survive but thrive alongside Atros. Food and housing is provided.”

“Do you have cheese there?” Another Hamtaro asked. “Nuts?”

Are you really just a big mouse?

“We do. Quite a few varieties. And if there are any types you don’t like we can always buy them. Compared to some of the things that I want to buy, food is one of the least expensive things.”

“If Midas dies then we’re all dead.” The biting Hamtaro said softly. “We won’t last a day in the arena.”

“So you’ll join us?”

“What choice do we have?”

“You make it sound like I’m forcing you-”

“We’ll go.” Said the fourth Hamtaro. He had not spoken a word until now, the other three quickly fell into line. “Do you expect to bring all of our people through this portal thing?”

“I do. But not here.” Anton stood up. “It’s far too suspicious for nearly eight hundred of your kind to just vanish. We haven’t bought you yet...Suffice to say that we need to get out of the city first, then we can send you through the portal to safety. Actually, we’ll put you on a boat and have them send you through to Atros. That’ll save a lot of drama. Now. Do any of you know a way to tell Midas to trust us without speaking to him? There’s no way we can get any of you four to see him.”

“He did say that he was going to see the cells that held your people,” Cetina said softly.

The fourth Hamtaro shook his head. “Midas is only there for a few moments. Just long enough to check that we are alive and then he’s taken away. We can shout it to him...But I think that you don’t want the guards to hear what we have to say. Right?”

“Correct. So, do you have a way?”

“I...I might have something.” The biting Hamtaro said.

He ripped a small piece of cloth from his shirt and bit into his finger, just enough to draw blood. Anton was a little shocked but not when he began to write on the cloth with his slim claw. He sucked on his claw when he was done and rubbed the back of the cloth between his eyes. After giving the cloth a final inspection he passed the piece of cloth to Anton. It looked to be little more than a strange series of scrawls but there was some pattern to it, some semblance of a foreign and alien script.

“This will be enough to tell Midas that you’re trustworthy and we should follow what you have to say.”

“You could have just asked for a pen.” Anton gently placed the cloth into his pocket. “It isn’t necessary to spill blood.”

“It has my scent.” The Hamtaro tapped his twitching nose. “Ink does not.”

“And what’s to stop Midas thinking that we tortured you for the information?” Anton asked dryly. Cetina nodded glumly while Axia winced.

The Hamtaro did not look concerned. “Don’t worry. Our scents can’t be forged. He will know that it wasn’t under duress.”

I wonder if that could be circumvented with drugs. Then again they’ll probably be able to tell that there are drugs coursing through their body.

“I will.” Anton held the cloth delicately in his hand. “Hopefully he doesn’t pick up my scent. But don’t you worry. Your days of rotting in a cell are over.”

The Hamtaro’s looked at him with a mixture of hope and dubiousness. He would soon prove them wrong.

---[]---

“I still can’t believe the way you have with animals,” Wilford said to Anton. “Every time you can make the most wild creature completely compliant.”

He nodded to the large open, iron-barred containers that contained the Hamtaro’s as they were being loaded onto the ship. The small mouse creatures sat in their cages as they rattled from side to side. None said a word nor tried to fight against their current situation. To any outsider, they seemed perfectly compliant to head to whatever fate had in store for them. Which was true, in a sense. Midas said nothing after receiving the bloodstained note. He licked a corner and returned it to Anton, then telling him to return it to the other Hamtaro’s. After one mere sniff, the Hamtaro’s let out a series of squeaks and became very compliant.

“I have a way with words.” Anton smiled. “But I do owe the Sultan something for the trouble.”

Hazm, his guards, and Mahdi stood some meters away, even more shocked than Wilford. Hazm couldn’t decide if he was going to laugh or shake his head in disbelief.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Hazm asked. “I’m sure that you could earn a considerable fortune as a beast tamer. If you could do what you did to the Hamtaro or the Feral Beast-kin you could earn infinitely more money than you could be doing research for Graterious.”

“I’m afraid not.” Anton smiled. “But I must depart immediately.”

“Are you certain?” Hazm frowned. “I could easily offer you a house and servants, if you wished.”

Anton continued to smile. “While your land is beautiful it will be some time before I come through here again. I hope that you could house me for a few days.”

A smaller cage moved past, containing Midas. He sat in the metal box, watching Anton intently.

“Just make sure he doesn’t get out.” Mahdi laughed. “I don’t want to hear of Hamtaro pirates plying the seas around Frindal.”

Anton laughed as well. “Now that would be something very interesting.”

Anton produced a small scroll, sealed with a plain stamp of wax and two small simple pens. “Wilford. These are the instructions for the Hamtaro. Only open it once you’re at sea, beyond the range of the mana dampening field. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“That thing in your room?” Wilford took the scroll. “I understand. Not a problem.”

“And these are for you.” Anton offered Hazm both of the communication pens. “If you are ever in need, or require help write with these. I will receive it and do whatever I can.”

Anton demonstrated the communication pens function. Hazm and Mahdi were shocked, they were even more surprised that Wilford was completely unphased by such an incredible feature.

“This…” Hazm frowned even more. “With something like this you don’t even need to do whatever it is that you did to the Hamtaro’s-”

“Speaking of…” Anton reached into his pockets again and produced a Tanzanite gemstone. “I believe this will more than cover your losses of the Hamtaro’s.”

Hazm gingerly took the purple gemstone. His shaking hand held the gemstone towards the sunlight.

“This is real…” He looked at Wilford in disbelief. “Who is this man?”

Wilford scratched the back of his head. “I honestly don't really know. But his money’s good and he hasn’t asked me to do anything dangerous or stupid. That’s more than enough for me.”

Hazm softly sighed, shook his head and closed his eyes. “If my servants had told me what I would witness today I would have thought they were mad. And yet…”

“I hope that Zuhura is still to act as our guide,” Anton said.

Hazm blinked. “Yes. Yes she is, even if you didn’t give me this.”

Zuhura stood nearby, watching the last of the Hamtaro’s being loaded onto The Snowberry. Her head was tilted slightly as she studied the ship. Its structure was different to anything else in the dock, different from the designs of the Frindal ships. Anton spied a ship in the distance that matched a Graterious design, or perhaps Qaiviel.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Sultan Hazm.” Anton offered his hand for the Sultan to shake. “It has been truly a pleasure.”

Hazm gingerly took his hand, fearful that he was about to receive a burn like Mahdi. He seemed very happy when he removed his hand, unburnt.

Anton did not offer it to Mahdi. “Take it easy on your future battles.”

Mahdi laughed. “That I will. Good luck on your journey, strange mage.”

The sailors shouted that they were ready. Wilford turned to Hazm and hugged him deeply.

“I’ll see you again, old friend. Once Anton has sent me to every continent I believe that I will be allowed to sail where ever I want.” Wilford looked to Anton who nodded once. “So I’ll be able to come back then. Shouldn’t be too long.”

“Well get on with it then.” Hazm shook his head. “The sooner you get it done the sooner you can come back. And the sooner I can hear more about what you’ve seen across the world.”

Wilford gave the Sultan a final hug, Mahdi a brief wave and ran towards The Snowberry. He ran up the wooden gangplank and immediately began shouting orders to the crew.

“He’ll be back.” Hazm waved to his guards. “Good luck with your journey, Anton. When Wilford returns I wish to know what it is you wanted with the Feral Beast-kin. And if you’re ever in need of work just come visit me. I’ll always have a room available for you, and your companions, of course.”

With that the Sultan and his guards left, leaving Anton standing amongst the busy Frindal dock workers who immediately took advantage of the vacated space. Anton took his companions and moved towards a less busy area.

“What’s happening with them?” Calo asked. “The mouse people?”

“Once Wilford gets far enough away he’s to open Midas’s cage and direct him to the portal,” Anton said. “After that he’s to free the others and send them through. Then he’s to sail to the Holy Kingsland, but that was his destination already.”

“He seems to have it pretty easy,” Sheso said, her eyes narrowing towards the busy sailors aboard The Snowberry. “Makes heaps of money, gets to travel the world on his own ship.”

Anton shrugged. “That’s fine. I have no idea how to sail a ship. And this way I can continue to explore the world and meet interesting characters. I wouldn’t have met any Dark Elves if I hadn’t.”

Calo and Sheso smiled.

“When we stop for the night, wherever that will be, I’ll return to Atros and see how the Hamtaro’s are going. I just need to see Verona and Kal first, tell them what’s happening so they don’t think I’ve just lost my mind.” Anton held a hand to his brow. “I think I can see them now. They’re probably thinking that I’ve turned off Beast-kin women and now are fully invested into the Beast part.”

Anton laughed but no one else did. His voice trailed off as silence settled over them.

“Please don’t work too hard,” Mezot spoke softly. Her face softened. “When you helped us escape Graterious I heard that you rode all night without stopping and fell asleep in the back of my class…” Mezot’s eyes began to grow wet. “Please don’t do that again.”

“I won’t.” Anton nodded once. “That was...An emergency. But this isn’t, so I’ll get a full night’s rest. I imagine you often pulled long nights?”

Mezot nodded.

Anton clapped his hands together. “Now...Shit. We didn’t get the armour from the arena.”

Cetina nodded towards the markets. “We’ll just buy it in the market. It’s not a problem. I still have some of the money that you gave me.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Anton began walking towards the market after ensuring everyone was following closely. “I’ve still got lots of gold and silver-”

“How did you have a Tanzanite stone?” Sheso whispered harshly at Anton. “That’s worth so much money.”

“From the Goblins.” Anton smiled. “Not from the Seocurian mines. But…” Anton clicked his tongue. “I think we’ve just determined one of our future raiding sights.”

“So much money…” Sheso started giggling. “We could have anything we could possibly want.”

“We also need to buy some of the good cloth and spices for home.” Anton nodded towards Zuhura, waiting patiently at the end of the dock with her hands clasped in front of her. “And we have the perfect guide.”

Calo, Sheso and Axia shared a knowing look but said nothing.