---Rufus POV

The huge cavern stretches out before me, a faint eerie glow from mosses, stalagmites and stalactites added to the wonder and the mystery. I trod on the former door, hopeful. The door seemed suspended beside the interior wall, hanging there, with no support. I couldn’t confirm the support or not without peering over an edge and I couldn’t look until I stepped forth, thus I depended upon faith and an inkling the Dungeon required visitors and wasn’t going to or wasn’t permitted to kill any potential guests at the front door.

I call Fesser to join me on the door platform and our combined weight doesn’t budge the Dungeon’s welcome mat. Confident now, I signal for the wolves and the annoying fox to join us. I am sick of her resistance. She should embrace the situation and while I acknowledge her reasoning, I am the leader and once I issue an order, the order becomes law.

{You have entered the Dungeon of Azizos.}

While the message is vaguely inviting, it proves the riddles and the actual commitment to step upon the platform means our entrance is official. Once I clear the message, I notice the distraction allowed the Dungeon to create a set of black stone steps from the platform to the cavern floor. More steps inside than outside perhaps? Difficult to confirm since I didn’t count the number for either set of stairs.

Like kids in a weapons store, Fesser and I race to the bottom, the steps are easily wide enough for both of us. There is enough light to ensure we don’t trip over anything, the bases of the stalagmites are untidy, elsewhere the cavern floor is undulating and smooth. Wonderful!

A tick, tick sound emanates from behind me and then a torch glow radiates out.

“Thought this could throw some light,” states Brak.

“You three provide archery support while Fesser and I play peek-a-boo around the stalagmites.”

“Dilia is still on the platform,” whispers Sheala.

I didn’t consider she wouldn’t follow. Insubordination always riles me to a level of unpleasantness!

In my most sickly-sweet voice, I call, “Sheala dear, run and advise Dilia I order her to join us.”

I add, with a bark, “If I need to fetch her, I will throw her off the platform!”

I enjoy hearing Sheala’s footfalls as she climbs the stairs, music to my ears. During my conversation with Sheala, my eyes are front and centre, same as Fesser, we’re in occupied enemy territory now.

Two sets of footfalls aren’t the sounds I hear next. I glance up, as we all do, the platform seems to float up the wall and when opposite the doorway eases into the doorway opening, flush, hidden as if it never existed. I inwardly smile though, as I watch Dilia immediately sprint back up the stairs, trying to catch an edge of the receding platform perhaps? Then pausing, presumably for a quick search of her soul. She needs to catch herself as the step she rests upon slides into the wall. Then the next one and the following one and so on as she sprints down the stairs to join us, nimble enough to reach the ground before all the steps recede.

“Good of you to join us, Scout.” I chuckle. She is bent over, paws on her knees recovering her labouring breath.

“You. Have. Killed. Us. You, arrogant mutt!”

She flies backwards and slumps against the wall. One of my better mail-fisted uppercuts.

“Rest Dilia, you look spent.” Probably shouldn’t lose my temper, one too many mutts though, when I am not, my lineage is pure. Not the sole reason for the discipline of course.

“Well, nothing has changed, Fesser and I will walk amongst the stalagmites, Brak and Sheala will cover us with archery. Move out!” I growl-bark the last words to ensure the wolves understand. I am, after all, the top dog!

---Aphrodite POV

“Mother discreetly observe your kill, it shifts,” sends Bucket Two, there is no alarm, curiosity perhaps.

I spy Bucket Two along the game trail, her talons around a branch, behind the tree trunk and peering towards my kill, the well-maned Lion Beast kin. All movement has stopped, although the carcass seems bloated, fuller than it should be. Perhaps the maker of this bulge, a new guest of some sort, is the object of the black furs search?

“Bucket One, stay behind the group of Lion Beast kin, hidden, we are going to ambush them.”

“Yes Mother, they are well maned.” I detect her trepidation and I assess the risk; the black furs will before long travel the Lion Beast kin trail when others prove fruitless, and we will need to flee if both groups live and don’t attack each other. Until then, I enjoy the game, the essence being delivered to me for a change with the option to fly to safety if in danger.

“Are you stronger since suckling on Mother?”

“Yes, Mother, I am sorry for my doubt.”

“It is healthy to fear. Prepare for the danger, don’t run from the opportunity. Mother has a plan!”

One daughter of mine returns and perches beside me, I swing around to embrace First.

“I am glad you missed me, please release me, you are squeezing me!”

“Sorry,” I say.

Something I don’t remember trying is connecting to my three daughters at the same time, this I need to test otherwise my simple plan will end up complicated.

“Daughters?”

They respond. Success! I hold their names in my mind’s eye, picturing their faces and then speak my words to them.

“When I attack, Bucket One will attack with her archery when they face my direction, aim for upper legs, we can’t allow them to flee. I hope to kill the first with surprise and attract their attention. First and Bucket Two will then release and target their legs. Within the first few heartbeats, the Beast kin will be wounded at least, except for the blinded Beast kin and he should stumble over the fallen impeding them.”

“Where do you need us positioned Mother?” sends First.

“As they progress, they will pause when they spot my kill. So, position yourselves to take advantage.”

My three daughters answer in agreement. Bucket Two and First fly off to ready themselves.

I survey the trail to find the perfect tree, unfortunately, I find an adequate tree, the maturity useful, but the position less than ideal.

---

They creep along the trail, eyes darting along its edges, into the trees and further ahead. Through a small opening in the foliage, I catch a glimpse of them and swing down from the tree branch spreading my talons around the tree’s trunk for purchase by driving my claws into the bark. One leg extends and the other bent to hold my upper body upright, near parallel to the tree trunk. As I drawback on my bow, a branch crosses before me, protecting me physically and breaking up my shape. A portion of my lower body is visible under the branch, my upper body visible above the branch with my legs hidden and protected by the trunk. My wings are tugged away, out of sight behind my body and head.

I contemplate throwing a spear and dismiss the option as I want protection. I doubt I could place my body weight behind the throw while off the ground, hence deciding upon the bow instead.

On cue, the group pauses. Then strangely they point towards the carcass. I couldn’t check, and neither could my daughters, being distracted by the corpse was not part of the plan!

After some vocal agitation, the blind Beast kin calls for calm. At that moment I release. The trajectory is hidden within leaves and branches, travelling along the edge of the game trail. I aim for his muzzle and draw again. The second shaft is ready as the first strikes. The Beast kin falls to the ground as my second shaft follows. I aim, expecting a hit as the remaining Kin don’t dive for cover, instead, like the young they are, the four duck and peer trying to locate their attacker. Like a litter of kittens, they scan the length of the game trail in vain.

My daughters release their arrows in between my first and second releases. My pride swells within me as my three daughters score hits, arrowheads bursting through thighs. Then a cacophony of hisses and howls escape the lips of each victim! I counted on their stoic macho resolve! What weak willpower these Lion Beast kin display!

My third release targets a wide-open muzzle, the one screaming the most. With his fall the others resort to whimpering and hugging the ground. Without quiet, I knew in my heart the black-furred beast kin will surely investigate and in quick time.

“Bucket One position yourself near the two carcasses and report when the black-furred beast kin arrive.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Bucket Two, position yourself near your dung pile and report on the arrival of the black-furred beast kin.”

“First keep releasing if they move, I am going to sneak up to them and finish them.”

During contact with my daughters, I secured my bow on my back between my wings and reach for my spear to stalk my prey. Gathering my strength, I throw, targeting the blinded beast kin, he is composed and waiting, sniffing, and listening, his mistake, swivelling his head in my direction. With the others down, grovelling, none impede my throw, blasting through his upper right chest as he dodges at the last moment. He accepts his wounding in silence and earns my respect and thanks.

Two continue to blink their eyes, and another of the kin sprouts multiple shafts – from First. Sword in hand my acquired skill with it allows me to deliver a quick end to both and then the blind beast kin. Sheathing my sword and retrieving my spear with a grunt of effort, I reach for my dagger.

“Your kill is agitated by whatever hides within. I didn’t stop to investigate Mother as I needed to hurry to position myself near my artistry of excrement!” sends Bucket Two.

"I didn’t expect such an elegant reply!"

“You are rubbing off on me Mother!” Bucket Two replies, taking my hesitation as a question.

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 3.1}

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 3.2}

“Mother, two black furs are approaching the two dead Lion Beast kin,” sends Bucket One.

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 3.3}

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 3.4}

{Knowledge successfully transferred: Tracking Level 8, reduced to Tracking Level 5, restricted by Feline Essence Level.}

{Knowledge successfully transferred: Trapping Level 8, reduced to Trapping Level 3, restricted by Feline Essence Level.}

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 150.0% Feline Essence Level 3.5.5}

“Mother, one and then two more black furs are inspecting my artwork,” sends Bucket Two.

“First, fly to support Bucket Two, stay hidden, and wait for them to step through first!”

“Bucket One I fly to aid you. If they pause at the bodies and shy away in disgust, release at their thighs, stay hidden until then.”

“Yes, Mother.”

---Dilia POV

Water soaks my fur and wakes me from my stupor. While in a dark dank place you don’t wake yelling and screaming, you carefully and slowly open your eyes. Brak stuns me with his embrace.

“They are dead, they are … all dead,” he whimpers.

I push him back and he slides over to the wall and props himself up beside me. He is dragging at least one of his legs.

“Quietly and slowly explain,” I ask him. The eerie glow persists, although our location is an inky black shadow. I prod my muzzle, a lump, a couple of teeth wobble and one tooth lost. Then the back of my head, the huge lump explaining my unconsciousness, soft furry head meets a hard wall, I guess.

“Orcs showed themselves and the two tin cans chased them, killed a few, mainly though, they tired themselves out. Sheala and I finish a few wounded strays off and then a wall of orcs charged. Sheala and I protected the flanks with me running about and her standing her ground behind the tin cans. Rufus called out to her and when she didn’t answer I sprinted to him and never made it, an Orc swept his club at me and took out one of my legs.”

He paused to drink from a water skin he held dear to him. This reminded me of my backpack and waterskin, poking around for them I find both and thank my ancestors.

“Thought I was dead. Rufus cut him down. The Orc fell over me while Rufus and Fesser clanked by, followed by several Orcs, so I kept my head down. I heard Fesser yelp and then a crunch. Rufus howled and swore and after considerable bashing, silence. Then the bodies of the dead Orcs started to vanish, mine included. I dragged myself to an area we didn’t explore amongst the stalagmites thinking they wouldn’t search there. I passed Sheala, a stalactite half the size of her was extracting itself from her dead body. The stalactite lived Dilia!”

“Why weren’t you hunted down? How did you find me?”

“I must have crossed some invisible line because the Orcs searched, except where I hid and I took that as a hint to crawl back to where the stairs were and then I realised you were probably still here and sorry, I was glad to find someone alive and I couldn’t help myself.”

“I understand.” I didn’t dare touch him. “Can you confirm what happened to Rufus and Fesser?”

“My guess, dead. Combat over, Dungeon reabsorbing bodies. More importantly, how do we escape?” A tremble in his voice.

“Same way we entered or at least same method. This place seems as safe as any to do just that.”

“Try! Try now!” he pants, the panic in his voice obvious and rising.

I don’t bother turning towards him, it is too dark, and I can imagine his terror as I shiver myself, the battle didn’t last long I suspect. Whoever enters next will need to improve on this pathetic attempt. I remove my leather glove and place my paw against the wall. Nothing.

“Try I said,” he whimpers, as I imagine him shedding tears.

“I am, nothing is happening, I will edge along and try higher, quietly,” I whisper.

I shuffle along, the true smooth wall ends too quickly and again nothing when I try. Desperate, I stand and reach up, trying several locations on my way back to Brak.

“Nothing.” Despondent I slide down the wall my back to it. “Were there any clues or treasures? Anything on the Orc dead?”

The silence lasts several heartbeats, I suspect he is considering a choice. When did he find a choice? I wait for his morals to reveal themselves.

“No nothing, we didn’t get a chance to search any bodies, too busy fighting for our lives and in the end running or crawling for our lives, I am lucky to be alive!”

Bloody ‘cat’s balls’ the simple answer is yes, here it is or no, sorry nothing. Not empty thought and then this dribble. Should I ask again or act ignorant male about it?

“We are dead then unless you can run and fight on one leg while I sneak and snipe?” I offer, trying to spark his morality.

“I am sure others will investigate and when the stairs emerge, we will sprint to them.”

I snort. “I will sprint up them, you will limp and hope someone stays on the platform long enough.”

“What do you mean, you won’t leave me will you?”

“No. I will sprint up the stairs yelling at them, not to leave the platform. Then someone stronger than me can carry you up the stairs, which I would think …”

“Oh.”

“How much food and water on you?” I ask.

“I finished my water skin just then and my rations are probably being enjoyed by Orcs now …”

“So, when I share my water and rations with you and we are still not rescued after they are gone because those in the Ancient Town blather and debate instead of sending out a rescue party, which since we didn’t travel the path expected, means no chance of finding us, let alone solving three riddles, if they stumble upon the Dungeon … you see where I am going with this?” My long breathless sentence, was deliberate, to try and motivate him by revealing our desperate situation.

Silence, hopefully, he ways up his options and contemplates some more. While he thinks, I place my backpack on my lap and scrutinize the shadows in his direction.

I raise my backpack to catch his dagger thrust. With a twist of the backpack, I roll away. The caught dagger rips free from his grasp now transfixing my backpack. He tries to lunge at me, missing, as I am no longer near him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything, I am wounded and not thinking straight, no harm done?” His sweet whining voice irritates me as I free the dagger from my backpack.

I strain my ears to listen as he drags himself towards me, his dark fur difficult to discern in the shadow. Helpfully he twitches his ears and the inner white and pink allow me to target his head.

I stare at the upright dagger impaling the top of his skull, for an age. No blood surfaces from the wound, he doesn’t stir, and the shadows are silent. One step at a time grandfather used to say, and once recovered take the next step in the direction of your goal. Therefore, according to my grandfather, this inner turmoil and guilt currently consuming me is my recovery stage. Good, yes, excellent. I clasp my paws together to stop them from shaking and then hitch my chest with every sob.

---Aphrodite POV

“Appear before me cowards and face justice!” The black fur yells in Lion Beast kin tongue, or perhaps it is a common cat tongue, although I didn’t learn it as such.

“I’ve arrived Bucket One, report.”

“I hide Mother, one is down, I released aiming for its thigh after arrowing the one who yells, and he dropped to the ground as I released and hasn’t stirred since. The one who yells snaps the shafts and extracts the arrows, three so far.”

“You did well to hide, he who yells is angry and frustrated, the other probably his son or brother and dead. He will tire when his adrenaline expires and from his blood loss. We can’t wait. Show yourself to release at him, as he charges you, I will strike, and he should fall at your feet.”

“Yes, yes Mother, I leave now.”

“I charge silently myself spear hefted in my grip ready for release.”

“Finally, you show yourself, ugly aren’t you!” yells black fur.

“Mother he doesn’t charge?”

I don’t respond while rounding the game trail bend and he is facing away from me, I catch a glimpse of Bucket One trying to nock an arrow and heave my spear, targeting the back of the yelling black fur.

He falls forward, the standing spear in his back marking his death place. Bucket One flees into my arms, shaking and I comfort her.

“We need to go.” I release her. “Keep watch down the game trail from cover.”

I guide her as she plods slowly, her condition is my mistake.

I reach for my spear to discover the spear point shattered and the wooden shaft split. With dread, I examine the ‘corpse’. It stirs, winded possibly. I discard my spear into the undergrowth and with a sword now to hand drive the point through the back of his neck, avoiding the chain armour. He squirms a moment and then rests.

I dig for a way to his liver, I need to loosen some straps and notice his arrow wounds, the arrowheads remain in them, although the movement of the chain armour is slowly digging them out while widening the wound. There isn’t enough blood loss, he held every right to call us out! I consume his liver.

{Knowledge successfully transferred: Shield Level 8, reduced to Shield Level 3, restricted by Feline Essence Level.}

{Knowledge successfully transferred: Armour Affinity Level 8, reduced to Armour Affinity Level 3, restricted by Feline Essence Level.}

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 150.0% Feline Essence Level 3.7}

“Mother another approaches!”

I sprint to the other black fur and roll him over. Bucket One’s arrow shaft has lodged in his mouth and through his brain, an extremely lucky release! His armour is a hardened leather although I seem to comprehend the straps and buckles now, and I cut his liver from him in quick time.

“Fly Mother!”

I dive into the undergrowth and hope they pause to investigate the death of the first black fur. I enjoy devouring the liver while I wait, although I need to pick out some twigs and leaves.

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 4.0}

“Mother there are ten held back by my artistry, although a huge black fur is shoving them around and they are striking into the undergrowth to avoid it!”

“All my daughters, sneak away and take flight, we will meet by the river, maybe the males are waiting for us, I will meet you there shortly.”

“What of the creature in your kill the black furs are searching for Mother?” asks Bucket Two.

“Leave the creature to me, now escape and remain out of sight.”

Investigating their dead, delays them, and struggling through the undergrowth delays me. I can’t deploy my wings; therefore, I need to utilise my talons to grip the tree trunk while my hands claw me up, manoeuvring past branches until high enough in the tree to reach the higher thinner branches. I propel my body skywards thrusting my wings, splintering branches thin or otherwise. I imagine their Panther Beast kin's ears pricking up at my departure.

I wing back to the game trail utilising the sole safe entrance, the tree canopy above Bucket Two’s artistry. The sun is low as dusk approaches and the shadows grow long in the forest. I decide to test Concealed by Shadows, my blessing from my Patron Goddess Hera. Edging my way back to my kill unseen under the blessing I am aware there will be another risk, I am hopeful their noses are now too bludgeoned by the sweet scent of Karpy dung they stepped through and inhaled to detect my scent. Listening remains and I glide for as long as possible along the game trail until roosting in a nearby tree.

Several black fur beast kin crowd around and over the body of my kill obscuring my view, who I now realise are Panther Beast kin since acquiring their language. Two more beast kin approach, one has a leash around his neck and rope around his waist!

“Be careful! If you aren’t, we have you covered so she won’t take you!” The second one says and then slaps the first one on the back as they both enter the gathering of Panther Beast kin. After countless heartbeats the gathering splits, some going along the trail towards me, others going the opposite direction. The leashed and roped Panther Beast kin staggers out between them a snake-like creature wrapped around his waist and chest. The snake body ends where a female torso with arms begins, the torso is narrow, either small or young. Her head is snake-like.

He is trying to step away yet is restrained by the live snake neck leash and waist rope. Why doesn’t she untie or cut them? My question is answered by the huge Panther Beast kin who emerges from the crowd.

“You three collect our dead, their relatives will want to pay their last respects and salute the brave.” He then stares at the small snake woman, flipping a dagger over and over in one hand.

“Your disressspect and treatment of a Princesssss of the Golden Sssscale Empire is unacceptable! Captain Javier, I demand an apology and I demand releasssse!”

“Empire? Isn’t the name of your mother’s scurrilous trading company, a well-known cover for thieves and brigands rather grandiose? And we both know, haughty or not you are no princess! Now release my soldier from your grip and if possible, from your venom!”

The dagger stopped tumbling, securely gripped in the Captain’s paw, threatening the small Princess directly.

“Oh, very well Captain you don’t need to threaten me with your sssharp toy!”

Slithering off her victim he crumples, caught by two of his companions before he hits the forest floor. The moment the Panther Beast kin clears the Princess, a gridded cage drops over her.

“Captain!” Her snake portion slithers side to side agitated.

“Be thankful the walls aren’t solid. Your freedom is dependent upon your mother, although she seems to prefer the expense of escape attempts instead of a fine and a pledge to cease her activities on our lands.”

“If my mother operated on your lands, I am sssure you could identify usss by our appearance well enough!”

“Don’t play words, you recruit other Beast kin and check on them. Enough! Cover the cage, poles in and don’t allow her fangs anywhere near you!”

In single file they march along the game trail, leaving behind Bucket Two’s artistry, I suspect taking the longer although more pleasant path out of the forest.

---

“Your magic is powerful. Normally I can find the hidden, magic or no magic, Snake Beast kin sense the vibrations in the air. I don’t mind saying I am guessing your location and I am not here to threaten you, I am here, purely by chance to offer you employment,” says a hissing voice.

“Your speech is perfect?” Female? Difficult for me to distinguish as the magic may interfere.

“A little magic, frowned upon, even by my kin,” she replies.

I didn’t move. I would like to locate the source of the voice, except my concealment is more important to me now. I already answer to one Master, I didn’t need another, and I suspect I couldn’t comply with the travel requirements! To say no though is probably fraught with danger.

“I need to consult with my partners first, although it is always useful to inform them what would be required in my new employment?”

A hissing chortle. “Not unreasonable, I witnessed the pathetic Lion Beast kin you massacred, they are the simple kin! More impressive, the two Panther kin you slew, they are the soldiers and the fact you didn’t flee but stayed to eavesdrop, is useful. In summary, not squeamish to deliver a kill and able to hide when you need to.”

“How long have you been … observing?” I immediately question, probably too hastily.

“Long enough to appreciate you aren’t Beast kin and probably unique! I admire your feathers, the deep raven black suits you! Most of my race are fixated on scales, I am broader in my appreciation.”

“Where can we meet if my partners are interested, to discuss details, expectations, and rewards?”

“Well, the Ancient Town is stirring up a fuss at the moment and it is the single most well-known location which exists at this end of the continent.”

“Done – three nights?” I reply.

“Yes, I will wait for you there, easily found as every other Snake Beast kin will defer to me.”

I fall forward from the branch and then pumped my muscles to drive my wings and propel myself skywards. I didn’t want to take wing from the branch, too obvious. While flying to my children I ponder my clever responses and considerations, perhaps Hera’s concealment provides for beyond the physical, including the cloak and dagger of negotiation and repartee as well