I walked through the campsite to find Reap and Herc lying down by my tent. ‘Guys, anything going on?’

‘Is anything going on? Did that little romp you just had mess with your brain?’ My brow furrowed while I gazed at Reap.

‘Dude, you just rescued a ton of people!' Herc bellowed. 'That by itself is amazing, but you didn’t stop there, you now have dragons, hellhounds, vamps, and even fuckin giants to help our cause. Seriously man, I am amazed at the moment that we’re in this place, and being able to help these beings.’

‘Talk about an instant army,” Reap commented. “Those there are a force to be reckoned with.”

I grunted, ‘Can’t wait to get out of here though.’

They agreed and we talked for some time before I went in to sleep. I fell asleep quickly and got some rest, but knew that it would be a hard trip tomorrow.

Awakening the next day, I felt numerous bodies on and around me. My ladies were in their undergarments, and the sight brightened my day. Disentangling myself from the human pretzel, I was halfway dressed and about to put on a tunic when Cass and Val woke up.

Both came over and kissed me on the cheek, I smiled and was about to speak when Cass gasped. She started running her hands on my chest.

"Babe, when did these appear?"

I looked down at where her hand was, incomplete curved lines were rampant on torso. Val got curious and gasped as well. "I have no idea when those showed up."

"Could these be that the tattoos on your chest are moving or transforming?" Val questioned as she traced the lines herself.

"I don't think so." I wonder when the hell this happened, maybe it started when my chest started hurting.

Cass asked, "Could these be from another bond?"

That was a valid question, but shook my head, "Not that I know of. No one has announced that we are near anything to bond with."

"Well, keep an eye on it," my blonde avian mage recommended as she kissed me again. "Let us know if something happens out of the ordinary. Your stunt down in the keep has us wary, love."

I nodded and went out to find Frank and Jacob. My eyes scanned the area and located them talking to some amazons, I walked over to them and nodded to the ladies when they saw me. I actually caught some staring between the amazons and mages when the girls left. Interesting, I wonder how long that’s been going on. Frank and Jacob came over to meet me when they realized I was waiting.

“Good morning, boss,” Frank said.

“Boss,” Jacob said.

“Gentleman, how goes it this morning?”

“Everyone is anxious to leave,” Frank quickly replied, “but are waiting for your command.”

“What is the head count and how fast can we move?”

“Depends on how far we can push them,” Frank answered. “They aren’t in tip top shape.”

“Total count is 982,” Jacob stated and shook his head in wonder as he began to read the calculated total he was given. “125 elves, 100 dwarves, 15 vamps, 25 weres, 25 humans, 75 mages, 8 giants, 5 dragons, 4 hellhounds, and 600 amazons.”

“Damn… that’s a lot of people. Did we find food for them?”

“Yes boss, fruits and bread were divided out, but we can’t really cook anything at the moment,” Jacob responded. “Once we clear out of this place and on the road, we’ll send out hunters for some meat.”

“Okay, thank you gentlemen. We leave in an hour, spread the word.”

“Yes, sir.”

I watched the area around me to find people rushing around getting ready. Hope was in their eyes, and most of them were smiling. Needing to talk with Grom, I headed in his direction. Ten minutes later, I found them within a meadow, talking.

“Grom, how goes it?” I asked walking up to them.

“Ah, young one, it’s a good morning,” Grom smiled as he saw me come up. “Are we ready to set out?”

“We set out within the hour. Thank you for your help, Grom.”

“No problem Max, our brethren need to be taken care of,” he replied.

I conversed with them for a while, asking some questions about their homes and clans. I left them and went back towards camp to find Herc and Reap sitting with a group of pissed off females. As my duo were chuckling in the back of my mind, I realized that somehow I am in some kind of trouble, and wasn't sure what I did. They all stood there with hands on the hips, staring back at me with anger.

“Where have you been?” Rach demanded, her eyes blazed in fury.

“Umm… what seems to be the problem?”

“We discussed this yesterday, Alpha,” Tia answered in a manner that she thought I was slow in comprehending. “You will be accompanied by at least four of us at any given time.”

I chuckled and responded, “Seriously? Why all of a sudden is this a priority?”

“Babe, do you not realize how important you are?” Cass specified in a calm manner. “Dammit, I wish we could go back to our cabin and live out our days looking upon the stars and not having to worry about this shit, but we can’t. People are depending on us. They may not know it yet, but soon, everyone will pick a side in the upcoming war. I know you don’t want to think about that, but those around you are preparing. The kingdoms will unite and need someone to lead them. You are that leader.”

“Love, you will be a symbol of hope,” Soph continued after her sister-wife. “A sign of resistance against evil, and when people see you, they will be more confident that things will be okay.”

“I’m no figurehead, ladies. I am only Max, nothing more and nothing less. If putting guards around me will make you feel better then by all means, but know this, if I give you a command I expect you to obey it.”

“Agreed!”

I grumbled when they surrounded me, “Let’s go.”

We traveled slowly out of Brinegulch with a thousand beings, the squad leaders made sure we stuck to the forest until we were far away from that forsaken town, and those fuckin wyverns. A few hours into our travels, I sent scouts and hunters ahead of us. Hopefully, we could get started on food before we had to stop for the night. When we were close to stopping, a few came back with their kills. I shifted into my lion form and had Cass strap my bag onto my shoulders, then had two stags placed onto my back to carry. Others were put on Reap and Herc. We continued on.

“Alpha, can you tell us about Safehaven?” Shade asked.

“What would you like to know, my vivacious hellhound?”

She giggled at my remark, “We’ve never been a part of something like this. Is it true that people live free from prejudice or racism?”

I gathered my thoughts before I answered, “We try to make it that way, but if it happens then we take care of the matter swiftly.”

“Where is it located?” Storm wondered. “I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It is on my land, deep in the forest. We made it that way for defense and privacy. It’s basically a fortress. Although, we may have to expand now if any of these we rescued decide to join us.”

“That’s it? Just say they want to live there and voila?” Viki commented in disbelief.

“Sure, but don’t misunderstand. Just because you’re allowed to live there doesn’t mean it’s for free. Everyone pitches in and works whether it be labor, patrol, hunting, farming, etc. We also have farms and businesses set up in other towns.”

“Ah, yes, our discussions taught us that everyone has to pitch in. It makes sense now,” Detha responded.

“Also, everyone is required to train in combat: blades, hand to hand, bow, and magic if you have it,” Cass firmly stated to the newcomers. The others around were confused about this statement.

“Why do we have to train for that? Most of us can shift into our forms or have super speed,” Kali questioned.

“Well, protection for you and everyone else around you,” Rach replied with a smile. “The blades are useful to you because of your speed, and that could be a lethal combination. Your kin could be trained as assassins or scouts for us.”

Kali answered in disbelief, “You would let my kin stay there and trust us with that? Most people hate us.”

“Trust is given to your kin at the moment,” I casually advised the blonde haired vamp, “but if we’re betrayed, they will be burned alive and you will be killed very slowly.”

She gulped nervously, “We won’t do anything like that. Please, just give us a chance to prove ourselves.”

I nodded and eventually, she relaxed. We walked in silence for some time before Pri spoke out. “Cass, I’ve been meaning to ask. Can I see your blades?” Cass handed them over for her to look over. “Where in the hell did you find blades like these? The metal work is so exquisite and masterfully done.” Pri couldn’t believe the skill of this person, it had to be a dwarf.

“Let me see them, Pri,” Acace held out her hand and she gave them to her. “These are… my goodness, I’m at a loss for words. Where can we get some of these?”

Cass and the others chuckled, “You can’t find or buy those ladies.”

They looked confused and their shoulders slumped. “Why?”

“Those were made specifically for me. My sister-wives have sets as well,” Cass responded.

“Who made them?” Pri asked. “Was it a dwarf that made these?”

“Where can we find them?” Acace questioned the blonde, they would make a trip to get some made.

Cass answered with a giggle and pointed towards Max, “He’s right over there.”

They looked over and were shocked to hear that he made them. Max either didn’t hear the conversation or wasn’t going to comment, so they passed around the blades to others that cooed over them. People also asked the others to show them theirs, and that started off another round of remarks from the folks around. It took close to half an hour for them to return the blades to their owners, but the conversation about them kept going.

The chat went from ‘where can I get some’ to ‘how much did they pay for them’ to ‘who made them’ and finally ‘can he make more,’ but questions started to be about my life, childhood, where I grew up, and when did he know about his destiny. I just let my girls handle those answers, they were very descriptive about my life, our adventures together, and living in SafeHaven. Folks were intent on listening to their stories, not interrupting that often, and for the next hour or so, my girls took the opportunity to discuss the future of SafeHaven. I didn’t know how many were staying with us, but seeing the hopeful emotions on most of them, I would put money on numerous to count at the moment.

We made it farther than I thought when we stopped for the night, our campsite was off the main road a few hundred yards away. The other hunters caught up to us by then with numerous creatures for our meal, so we sat down to field dress all of them. My girls and some amazons were already into the cleaning after I shifted back, so I searched nearby for other sustenance. It took a little searching, but I found some berries, wild carrots, onions, tubers, and other edible roots. Making it back to the camp, my nose picked up the delightful aromas from the meat and veggies made my mouth water with anticipation. I handed over my findings to several men and women who helped with the cooking, others went to the nearby river to wash up and relax.

A perimeter was set up while numerous fires were started among the campsite, volunteers were taking turns keeping watch for the night. After the awesome meal that was served, conversations started up around us. Folks laughed and carried on like it was a celebration, though I guess it is of a sort. I smiled and listened to how others lived before being captured, the races of Giseria all had different customs, and would probably balk at some of the things we were doing at the moment.

“Boss, it will take us at least four days to get to Ebondale.” Frank advised and after a few moments, gestured around the area, “What are we going to do about these people?”

I scanned the area around to find people that were malnourished and haggard, but the gleam in their eyes tells me they aren’t giving up.

“We’ll ask them if they want to join us, go home, or head to SafeHaven. Tomorrow, we need to send out individuals to let them know of our plans for Ebondale, and let them make the decision.”

He nodded and ate the rest of his fruit, but Jacob suggested, “Boss, the mages we rescued have been out of commission for months. I ask your permission to get them back into conditioning, we may need them at Ebondale.”

Seeing the gaunt mages, I thought they may want some revenge after the way some were treated. Grinning, I replied, “That’s good thinking, have them start tomorrow morning and go throughout the day.” He bowed his head and laid back to rest on a log.

My girls and I were relaxing by the fire when a crowd of High Elves, male and female, made their way over. They stopped about fifty feet away and a male voice spoke out.

“We’re looking for the human called Max. He has one of my kin held captive, and needs to let her go.”

I didn’t even turn around, but Tia tensed when the elf spoke. I went about my business, Frank being the ever helpful friend replied, “Who are you to command anything?”

“I am Lord Jhaan. You will release the prisoner, now. We don’t want any trouble, but will not tolerate any interference. My mages are primed and ready to force you if need be.”

Everybody laughed loudly at his statement, Jacob responded when things settled down. “Are you fuckin slow? Or do you just want to die tonight? Look around you fucknut, you may have some mages, but they want get far. Every one of you will be dead in moments.”

The elven looked around to see amazons, weres, and mages ready for a fight. “All we want is to retrieve our kin and leave, you will never have to see us again. We’re prepared to die if need be,” Lord Jhaan stated with anger in his voice.

I looked around to see golden eyes and spells about to be let go, it let me know things were about to get out of hand, so I stood up and walked over to Jhaan. He was tall, around 6’5”, broad shoulders, white hair, and green eyes. Jhaan and the others around him flinched, and took a step back when I approached.

“I am Max, who are you to her? ...Consider your answer very carefully, and don’t lie to me. You’ll be dead first, and you’re people won’t make it back to your camp.”

“Who the hell do you think you are!?” Jhaan bellowed in anger. “No human ever talks to me like that, nor my people. You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of.”

I chuckled and my voice came out raspy, “I don’t give a shit who or what you are, but my patience is failing. You have five seconds to explain why you want her. Five… four… three… two… one.” No answer was given, just the normal noble flair and temper. I closed my eyes and let my fire out, lightning too. It surged out of me, acting like a protective parent, and I let it flow around my body. Shouts of fear were all around me, I grabbed the pompous elf by the neck and pulled him over to me. His feet were dangling off the ground, and the asshole shivered in fear.

“Last chanccceeeeeee,” I growled out. My anger was about to be let loose if he didn’t answer.

“She is my sister!" Jhaan whimpered. "Please, I-I-was trying to track her down and got captured.”

I nodded and thought about this situation a few moments before responding, “I will give you leave to talk with her, but don’t try anything stupid or your life is forfeit. You get me?” He nodded vigorously, so me being an asshole, I threw his ass into some of his people, knocking them over.

I turned around to see my girls staring at me, Tia walked out of the group with tears in her eyes, and went over to her brother. They embraced for a few minutes, then they walked away for some privacy. I walked back towards the fire before letting go of my magic, immediately the fire and lightning extinguished as I sat down.

“You made your statement clear, boss,” Frank snickered and others around chuckled.

I shrugged, people started chatting and laughing again, so I thought about the upcoming battle, wondering what was waiting for us. I shook my head, no use worrying about that right now. An hour passed when I felt something off, it seemed associated with Tia somehow, and I decided to investigate where they went off to.

‘Doom, Reap, Herc, Shade, Storm, and Fluff follow me, something is wrong.’ We got up and I advised, “Something is off with Tia, we’re going to investigate. If the assholes have fled, well, use your imaginations.”

“Be careful, love,” Cass responded and the others agreed.

We took off towards the clearing they were headed. A fire had been burning but now it was ash, so... the idiots left.

‘The fuck heads left, shift and let’s find them.’ I commanded my crew, but hollered out in pain when my chest started burning again, this time it actually put me on my knees.

‘Alpha, you okay?’ Doom asked with concern. The others looked on with worry as well.

It felt like my whole torso was burning from the inside, making my skin delicate to the touch. Concentrating on the issue, I had to take numerous deep breaths to calm down and it took five minutes for my chest to get back to feeling normal. Damn, that fuckin hurt! Standing up, I shook my body out to make sure it worked properly. Six pairs of eyes were staring at me, wondering what was going on.

‘What the fuck is happening, kid?' Herc demanded. 'This isn’t the first time that this has happened.’

‘Not sure. We will figure it out later, let’s go.’ My crew glanced at each other, concerned for me, but didn't say anything else.

We shifted and got the scent from the elves and found they were going away from Ebondale, so we took off after them. Since we could see in the dark, the trees flew by as we sped towards the fuckers. The asswipes tried to cover their tracks, but they didn’t know I could track anything I wanted if I put my mind to it. We stopped at a crossroad to see which way the group went.

‘They tried to cover up their tracks here.' I turned around and moved over into the forest to see the tracks leading away, 'They’re going northeast, let’s go.’

At that moment, I glanced around to our group to see a group of cold stone killers. If we came up on anyone, they would freak out to see hellhounds, a siba, a kodiak, and little ole’ me. I chuckled and shook my head as we traveled to our destination.

The elves were good at moving through the forest, we were better, and I was angry at the trust I put in them. They will pay dearly for the slight on my honor, and the kidnapping of my woman. A couple hours later we heard shouts in the distance, so I slowed everyone down when noticing my night vision had picked out numerous people in the distance. I didn’t want to run into an ambush.

‘Nice and easy, I can see multiple heat signatures due north.’ Slowly we moved up a hill and looked in the distance to find what looked like a battle going on. I couldn’t really tell who it was but they were both held up on different sides.

‘Who the hell is fighting?’

‘I think it's elves and dwarves, maybe some weres,’ Doom answered with fire coming out of his mouth, which was very cool.

‘Really? Why the hell would they be this far into this kingdom?’

‘Not sure, let’s ask them before we kill em,’ Shade replied in her shadow form which sounded almost like a wraith when she spoke. I shuddered thinking what she could do in this form.

‘No killing yet, not until Tia is safe. Understood?’

‘Yes, Alpha!’

We moved in closer to hear the dialogue of the adversaries.

“You fuckin pipsqueaks don’t know who you’re messing with!”

“Fuk ya pointy ears, come ova here and say that ta me face!”

“Let us pass, asswipes!”

“Not on ya life, ya pale white asses. Ima gonna put me fist in ya fukin faces.”

On and on this went, nobody fighting or magic being used. It was kind of pathetic to be honest.

‘I’m getting bored, boss,’ Doom groaned and yawned. ‘Can we at least show them we’re here?’

‘Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It’s getting fucking lame if you ask me.’ The others cackled and waited for my signal. Shouts and obscenities were thrown back and forth, so I decided to join it.

“Oi, down there in the battle!” I shouted to the two groups.

“Who was that?”

“Don’t know? It didn’t sound like a pointed ear though.”

“Why the shouting ya wankers!” I asked in a cheerful manner.

“Those dwarves are in our way. All we want is for them to move!”

“Bullshit, you started this. We were just asking questions. Our people are prisoners down in some city down here and we asked them if they’ve seen it.” That’s interesting, I guess they were looking for me then since they are at my camp.

“We answered your questions! Now let us by, we need to move quickly out of sight!”

“Yeah? Why is that? Nobody’s around, what’s the rush?”

“There’s this crazy human chasing us! He kidnapped my sister, we found her today and freed her.”

“What? You’re in the amazon kingdom pal, the human wouldn’t be here if he was trying to hide. Where did you find them, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“That’s none of your business! Now let us by, before we kill all of you!”

“Hold up, what is the name of this human that has you frightened so much? Also, why are you afraid of him anyway?”

“His name is Max. He’s just a crazy human, trying to kill us just because we’re elves. He’s a racist asshole!”

“Max? Did ya say Max, pointy ears?”

“Yes, what of it short man?”

“Then I kno yer lying, he freed us from slavery. I thought I recognized her, she wuz at tha mine with us, and she wuz sweet on im. Ya kidnapped er, didn’t ya?”

“No, she’s not in her right mind at the moment. She has been brainwashed, thinks she loves the fucker.”

“Yuz a dumb shit then. He dindt do no such thang. Obviously, ya don kno who yer fuckin wif, pal. Ifin he finds ya, you won liv ta tell about it.” The dwarves cackled loudly.

“Shut up! He will never find us, and will not be allowed in our kingdom anyway.”

The dwarves were still laughing, which pissed the elves off more. They were shouting in their language, obviously cursing at them.

“I’m a shifter and we were there to see him demolish an entire army of wens with his two killers. I’m thinking you know exactly where our kin are located. If he’s here, then I would put my money on that he freed you and the others, then you betrayed him by kidnapping his woman.” The shifter nailed it on the head.

Another shifter spoke out, “Now it all makes sense why you’re in such a hurry. We don’t like that shit, hand her over jackass. It would be better for you now, than when he catches your asses. We’ve heard he’s gotten more powerful since we saw him last. He already had all kinds of races join him and we’ve heard he’s taken at least four packs: wolves, tigers, and bears. If that’s the case then others will be with him, and you won’t live to see another day after tonight.” The eyes of the weres glowed in the night, there had to be at least a hundred of them.

“We aren’t doing shit. You will let us pass or die.”

Things were about to definitely get out of hand, so I decided to join them. Walking in between them in my lion form, I sat my ass down, watching their faces go from shocked to anger.

Jhaan shouted, “Move or die lion, you’re not part of this. If you want to live, then leave!”

‘Guys, come up and let em know who you’re with.” They moved up in the clearing and roared. Man, it was commanding and menacing, but music to my ears. Gasps and shouts of fear rolled through the battlefield when my hellhounds and killing duo came into view.

“Holy shit! Those are fuckin hellhounds!”

“My goddess! They’re with the lion!”

My crew came up beside me and sat down, reveling in the fear that showed in the elves’ eyes. It was scary, Doom and Fluff had fire, Shade in her wraith form, and Storm with lightning flowing through her.

“W-Who are y-you?” Jhaan trembled.

“Oh, I believe you know exactly who I am.” I shifted into my human form. More shouts were heard from behind me and panicking coming from the elves as they knew what was about to happen.

“Shit, it’s him. Kiss your ass goodbye, pointy ears!”

“Damn, how the hell does he have those scary fuckers with him?”

I tuned into the fucker in front of me and advised nicely. “I told you what would happen if you did anything stupid. Now, you and your people’s lives are forfeit because of your actions and them being accomplices. I will say this only one time, hand her over.”

“Please, we don’t want any trouble,” Jhaan said, backing away from the group. “We were just completing our mission from our queen.”

“I could care less about your mission or your queen. Trouble started when you ran off with my woman. Now, evidently you aren’t going to do the smart thing so…” I shifted into my shadow form and included Herc and Reap in this form. I also activated the Cerberus tattoo and summoned ten titanoboas and twenty dire wolves. The links hit me when they appeared and sat there watching the stupid fucks.

“What the fuck? He’s a Shadow-were, and he multiplied himself!”

“I thought those were fables!”

“Where the fuck did those snakes and wolves come from?!”

“Look how enormous they are!”

I had my group spread out, waiting for a move from the frightened elves. Commotion was heard in their ranks as some elves pinned Jhaan down and brought an unconscious form over to us, warily. They set her down gently in front of me and ran back to their people. I could see that she had bruises on her face and arms. That broke the camel’s back and I summoned the weres behind me.

‘My fellow weres, shift and get your asses over here to surround them.’ They didn’t argue at all, howls and roars filled the sky.

I bent down and rubbed her cheek to see if she would move. Her eyes fluttered open a few moments later, she sat up quickly and screamed when she saw me. When she got her thoughts together she whispered, “Max?”

I nodded and replied, “It’s me, babe. I’m here to rescue you.”

“Where am I? ...How did I get here? The last thing I remember is talking with Jhaan at the fire.”

“Yeah, your people kidnapped you. We tracked them down when we didn’t hear from you.”

She turned around to her people, contemplating something. I didn’t know what her emotions were, but stood there, waiting. Our group was waiting for me to throw down the hammer, but I was going to see what she wanted to do before I massacred her people. Tia walked over to where Jhaan was and punched him in the face. She then put a knife to his throat and slid it very slowly across so that drops of blood were coming out.

“You motherfucker," she hissed in anger. "I should go ahead and cut your throat right now before my man tears you apart. ...How could you do this, Jhaan!?”

“You’re not in the right mind. Taking this whatever he is as your mate. It is disgusting, and you’ll be banished from your home. I was helping you realize who you are and who your betrothed is.”

“My home is where Max is. You can tell father that, if you survive in the next few minutes.” Tia looked around to her people and shouted, “We rescued you fucks and this is how you treat us. You shitheads betrayed us, and I don’t know if I can convince my mate to let you live. He is very generous unless you take what’s his, so listen up fuck wads! I. AM. HIS. FOREVER!” She stomped over to me with angry tears falling down her face.

“What is it you want me to do, babe?” She shrugged and broke down sobbing. I released my shadow form and told my crew to stay put. I wrapped her up in my arms and let her cry until her tears were done.

She looked up and kissed me passionately for a few moments then whispered in my ear, “I don’t want you to kill them, Max. They’re still my people. Even though my brother is an idiot, he doesn’t know anything outside of our kingdom.”

“Okay, but that doesn’t make up for the bruising on your body. He’s gonna pay for that.”

She reluctantly nodded, I held her hand while we walked over to the offenders. Letting go of her hand, I walked over to Jhaan and picked the bastard up by the neck, choking him while his legs were trying to kick me. I let my fire out and he stopped immediately, but I didn’t, he felt the burning on his skin.

“Tia saved your lives tonight. I would’ve killed you, but she has a bigger mind and heart than you fuckers. If I ever see you again, I won’t hesitate, you’ll be dead in seconds. That goes for all of you motherfuckers!” Jhaan started screaming in pain, so I gave him a love tap by hitting him in the face. I dropped him and walked away with Tia towards my crew who were waiting on me, and at that moment, I let go of my magic and the creatures that I summoned before making it back to them.

Noticing the weres were still holding up the elves, they waited. I called out to them, “Shows over folks, weres let them go, please. Thank you for the assistance, also I need to speak to your leaders.”

Four individuals from the group behind us, started meandering our way: a lanky man, a dwarf, and two tall females with blonde hair. I walked away from my scary crew towards them with Tia holding onto me.

“Good evening folks, I overheard you telling those idiot elves that we’ve met before.”

The gangly man answered, “Yes, sir. We were in the mine you freed.”

I nodded to him, “Then it’s good to see you again. Why are you in Amenoa?”

They glanced at each other before one of the females spoke, “We’re here to look for our kin that have been taken. We were informed that a city deep in this kingdom is where our people are being held.”

“It was told ta us tha wyverns wer guardin tha city. Knoing each otha, we decided ta come tagether for this,” the dwarf stated calmly.

The other female commented, “Max, if you don’t mind us asking, why are you here?”

Glancing at the four I gathered my thoughts, “I don’t mind, we were asked to help the amazons fight off the dark ones. They have sacked six cities so far and took prisoners. We also found they’re headed towards Ebondale, their capital. Capturing some of their warlocks, information was gathered that people were being held in Brinegulch. We liberated the city of those prisoners, and now on our way to Ebondale.”

I saw hopeful expressions on their faces, the gangly man asked, “D-Did you find any of our kin?”

I smiled and nodded, “Yes, we have a camp a couple of hours southwest from here. They’re malnourished but we gave them food.”

“Can we follow you to them?”

“Sure, gather your people up, we leave in ten minutes.” Tia and I walked over to our crew and advised them of the situation.

We left out of that area headed to our camp plus a couple hundred give or take. It took longer for us to make it back, but it was a good journey, Tia held on to me the entire time, crying. I whispered words of love and comforted her, but it would take some time for that betrayal to clear from her mind. Announcing our arrival, a crowd came to meet us. When people started recognizing their kin, crying and laughing was heard throughout the camp. We made it to our people, the girls came over to comfort Tia since she started with the tears again. They took her away from the crowds for some privacy, but Frank and Jacob wanted to know what happened.

“Douchebags kidnapped her and ran, we caught up to them when they met the dwarves and weres. They unknowingly helped us, and since they were looking for their kin, we brought them back here.”

“Whoa, did you kill em?” Frank asked.

“No, only because Tia asked me not to. Scared the shit out of them though.” They laughed and we talked about what was needed the next day. The girls came back later on and we went to our tent to get some rest.

We got an early start the next day, the dwarf and were group joined us for the trip, but was going to break off before getting to the capital city. Stories were told as the day went by, beautiful forests and grasslands went by as we traveled, and friendships were born. That night was uneventful, and everyone turned in early to get as much rest as possible.

When we left the next day our group split up, most of the weres and dwarves left, but some wanted to get some revenge on the bastards, so they joined us. Grom and his bunch were slowly following us, we had some tough days ahead of us, and hopefully we would live to see the next few days.