(Zack)

It took Kylie quite awhile to get over the shock of meeting the most powerful, most famous healer in the Boundary. Nathan took it all in stride, and by that, I mean that he quietly played the game, then used Conceal promptly after dinner finished.

He did accompany us to the plaza, though, where Kylie rejoins her fellow apprentices. I think she's still trying to process the fact that she met Nathan.

"Zack," a voice says, and I look at the paladin.

"Hey, Peter," I say.

"My aunt is coming with this group."

"She one of the Druids?" I ask.

"Yes," he nods.

"What does she turn into?"

"A bear," he answers.

"Cool," I grin at him, then glance at Gold, who still looks extremely nervous. "Everything alright?"

He nods, though fear and anxiety shoots through him.

"You don't have to be here," I whisper, and he nods, stepping closer to me and gripping my hand tightly. I look down and notice his knuckles are white from the tightness of his grip. "Gold, why'd you come if you're so nervous?"

He whimpers in the back of his throat, and I sigh, then reach up and pat his head. He's wearing his beanie, which is really cute. It's not often he doesn't wear it when he's not at home, and I get the feeling it's a badge of pride for him.

Something that expensive and valuable, all his. Ignoring the boots, of course. The beanie is the real prize. Something powerful made by the System just for him, tailored for his Beastborn traits. Tailored for the…

Beastborn traits.

Do the boots… do they have the ability to be perfectly fine when his claws come out? Or do they not, since they don't say 'Beastborn' in their name, like his beanie does?

My thoughts on that fade as the circles around the plaza all begin to glow in unison, and dozens of people appear, grouped on each of the circles. Most have wagons, though a couple have crates or chests, and one of the circles is devoted to the Druids.

There are twenty of them, all of them looking to be in their fifties or sixties, though by the strength of their Crystal mergings, they're probably a lot older than that. About half-and-half between male and female.

After everyone arrives, they talk for a little while, mostly setting up where they're going to be staying until the war's over and such, then one of the women, who looks to be in her late fifties, approaches Peter, giving him a hug.

I look at Gold during this, whose gaze is fixed on one of the male Druids who looks to be around sixty. A particularly strong merging, so I'd estimate he might be around Nik's age. When the Druid moves, I see another Beastborn there.

Another Dog Beastborn, and judging by the series of emotions that goes through him, it's one Gold knows. A brother, perhaps? He's got a strong sense of longing and desire, but not the romantic kind. So they're brothers, even if not by blood.

There are a few Beastborn among the Druids, now I notice it. More than half have them. Most are Dog Beastborn, though I spot two Cat Beastborn and a single Monkey Beastborn. All of them are forced to wear the bare minimum – or less – and the collar, and that's it. Most have bruising or injuries of some kind.

The Dog Beastborn Gold's looking at doesn't look to have an injury. At least, not until he turns around. His back is covered in scars, including a gash that looks like it'll scar. As soon as Gold sees it, I know he's breaking.

Before my rage claims me, a hand firmly grips my right shoulder, and I look up to see Nik standing there, Nathan beside him, looking worried. He must have gotten my mentor.

"Nik-"

"Gold?" He asks, and I hesitate, then nod. He looks at the Beastborn who's causing this effect on Gold, then his master, then grunts. "Landon."

I look back at Nik, confused, and then realize that he isn't alone. The other eight Dark Knights I know about are here – including the Fallen Hunters. They must be here on a break or something.

It's only once I realize this that I notice that the crowd's giving us a fair bit of space. Ten Dark Knights, all gathered in one spot? Yeah, I guess people who aren't used to us would be nervous of a showdown or something.

And I did, admittedly, just try to cut off a guy's legs. And would've, if Nik hadn't stopped me. So a showdown did nearly happen.

"Landon!" Nik called to the departing Druid, who stops and turns, looking at him with a sneer that fades the moment he sees the practical army of Dark Knights standing here. "Come on over! Let's talk for a minute."

The collective gulp of the plaza's crowd is quite audible, and I can already see the gazes on the Druid planning his funeral. One of the Druids even whispers 'good luck' to him.

"Well?" Nik asks, and I can hear the menace in his voice.

The Druid pales a little, then walks over. How is this going to go? What is going to happen here? This is beyond me. I could use my sight, of course, but I don't think I should. I'm a bit nervous, myself.

Part of that might be from the waves of fear radiating out of Gold, who's hidden behind a couple of the Dark Knights behind me.

"What, Nikolai?" Landon asks, and I look at his Beastborn, easily overhearing the conversation between him and Gold, even though he's looking at the ground.

Gold's trying to make sure he's okay and assure him that everything's going to be fine, that I'm a good person and these are my friends. At least, that's what I think is going on. A full conversation between two Beastborn? Hasn't happened around me before, and it's moving much too quickly for me to properly register.

I've no idea why Gold's going on about candy, for example, just that there are snatches of it here and there. The other Beastborn seems extremely scared, and is worried that his master is going to beat him.

"I see you're still treating him with disgust," Nik told the Druid.

"He's a beast," the Druid scoffed. "Just because we can assume the forms of animals doesn't make us them, like these things are. Don't think I didn't see the one who's hiding. Fed properly, given proper clothes, and a body that's suspiciously clear of injuries? What, you really think you can civilize them?"

Nik's grip tightens on my shoulder, warning me not to say anything.

"Gold is a free Beastborn," Nik stated. "And if you saw him, then you saw his Level as well. He's a Dark Knight with full Access. He's not a beast, like you claim, and even the System has recognized that.

"Now," Nik said. "For the purpose of which I called you over here. Normar here, as you're aware, is used to traveling on his own, usually only working with his own team when he does work with others. He's been staying in Maelnor, and will until the war's over. He's looking for someone to take care of his property, since he's pretty neglectful and forgetful. The Beastborn you own would do well for that."

"I'm not selling him to any of you," Landon sneered. "Not even to the little healer."

A staff whacks him on the head, and I look over to find Normar staring at him furiously, staff poised for another strike.

"I don't think he likes being called 'little'," I comment, and Nik's grip tightens again.

"And who are you?" The Druid sneers. "A little Dark Knight wannabe?"

"I am death incarnate," I say with my Demonic Voice.

The entire plaza turns dead-silent, nearly everyone freezing up in terror. I might have used a bit of Intimidation in that as well, it was just too hard to resist.

"This is Zack," Nik's grip tightens on my arm. "And he's a Dark Knight as well. With Access."

The Druid scoffs.

"Now," Nik said. "You will sell Normar your slave. There is no questioning this. You will find another to abuse."

The Druid frowns.

"That Beastborn," he said. "That's this one's littermate, isn't it?"

So they are blood brothers.

"I thought I recognized him," he sneers, then freezes, his eyes going wide. He starts to say something, only to freeze up again. What's going on? "Ver-very well, then."

"Normar would like to buy him for ten silver," Nik states, and Landon begins to protest. "Landon, the other option is I release my grip on Zack."

Landon looks at me nervously, then nods. He's not sure why that's a big deal, but the fact that the other eight Dark Knights suddenly started emanating pity and all shifted back half a step probably told him it's something big.

Normar holds out a silver ten-coin, and the Druid accepts it, glaring down at his former slave, before turning and marching off.

Nik keeps his grip on my shoulder until the other Druid is out of sight, releasing me only then. He lets out a groan, and I turn and glare at him.

"Next time you're being warned not to talk," Nik says. "Don't talk. That could have ended badly."

"For us or him?"

"I'd rather deal with things without bloodshed, when necessary," Nik tells me. "Okay? We can shed blood later."

"I'll shed your blood," I say, and he snorts. I look at the staring crowd. "Alright, people! Show's over! Get your asses back to whatever the fuck you were doing! Now!"

Everyone starts dispersing, and I look at the Beastborn, who looks terrified. Gold's doing his best to try and calm him down, but it's failing.

"Nathan," I look at the little healer, then draw my dagger. He nods, understanding what I'm asking. "Alright."

I turn back to his new servant, then step forward, rapidly slicing through the collar and letting it fall to the ground. The movement is fast enough that he doesn't catch it, and is startled when the collar drops, jumping back and whimpering, an apology forming in his mind.

"There we go," I say. "Nathan said he doesn't want you wearing that. Now, I'm doubting Big S will let you have Access just yet-"

Or ever.

"But we'll work on that," I ignore Big S's comment. "Mostly after we figure out how I'm making it up to him and paying him back for Gold being granted it. Now, you need a name. Do you want to pick your own, or Nathan?"

The Beastborn still looks nervous, and I look at Nathan, who shrugs, and a flash of something goes through his mind. He knew I was tapping in.

"Really, Nathan?" I ask, and he grins. I look back at the Beastborn. "Nathan's naming you 'Aurum'. It's a dead language for 'gold'."

Here and in reality.

"Come on," I say. "Let's get you home and cleaned up. Some of Gold's new clothes will probably fit you."

Aurum's fear increases in volume, and a moment later, he's tackled by Gold, who's telling him it's alright, that everything's fine, that they're back together again, and that no evil masters are going to ever beat them and separate them again.

I really should've expected Gold to be a twin. Since they're Dog Beastborn, does that mean there could be more of them?

"N-"

"No," Nik interrupts me as soon as I turn to face them. "It's just the two of them. There were three, but the middle one died not long ago, long after Gold's final master bought him. Gold's the youngest of them."

That explains why he's so attached to his brother. They were split up years ago, and their third died somehow. I feel so sorry for them, getting split up. Gold's probably suppressing the guilt he has, living well while his brother was a slave and getting abused.

Even if it was for a short period of time.

His fear and anxiety was probably from the possibility that the Druid who owned his brother – and probably him a long while ago – would be in the group. Fear and anxiety over his brother showing up.

"Gold," I say, and he jumps up guiltily, face flushing. "Why don't we save the happy reunion for after we get home? Since Nathan lives across the street from us, you two can spend a lot of time together, if you want. And we can have a nice brunch, and you can help Aurum take a nice, hot bath."

Gold's tail wags furiously as his face lights up, and I can tell how happy he is to get to show his brother what it's like to actually be clean for once. Glancing at Nathan, I notice he looks upset.

"Nathan," I say. "I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to let you take a bath with them. Plus, Aurum's back needs healing, so…"

I trail off, and Nathan nods, his expression going from miserable to serious with a touch of happy.

"Thank goodness this made him forget to ask about seeing animal forms," Nik mutters.

"Oh, right!" I look at Nik, who looks like a goblin caught with its loincloth down the moment I do. "Thanks for reminding me!"

I turn to the Druid, Elizabeth, judging by her status.

"Can I see your bear form?" I ask. "I wanna see you transform!"

"Tell you what," she chuckles. "Why don't you come by Peter's house for dinner tonight? We'll host you and your… friends for dinner."

I can see the idea of free Beastborn makes her uncomfortable, but she's trying to hide that, and accept that maybe the view we Dark Knights have might be a better one. At least, in the case of these two.

"And discuss a business thing as well," Peter adds, and I raise an eyebrow. "Our previous discussion. Aunt Liz has brought the payment."

"This is the boy you were telling me about?" She looks shocked, staring at me. "You didn't tell me he was a Dark Knight in that letter!"

"We have a lot we can talk about tonight," I tell her, grinning. "I can't wait to see what his cooking's like."

"Ha!" She laughs. "My nephew couldn't cook to save his life! I'll be the one doing the cooking."