Kara is staring up at you, waiting impatiently for an answer. It seems like you could say nothing and she would just start, but it does not feel right. You can not bring yourself to lie to her so, as much as it pains you to deny yourself this first-time blowjob, you stop her as she is about to begin without your go ahead. You catch her with her mouth open wide, about to engulf your dick.

“Stop! It's obviously not normal! Don't let a human tell you this type of thing's normal to do with someone you just met...” You deflate a little after saying that. Kara does not look embarrassed. She shrugs, releases your cock and leans back.

“You're not gonna get aggressive on me, are you?”

You place a hand over your face and sigh. “Not because of this.” She has completely slid away from your lap at this point, but you are still incredibly hard.

“I don't really understand your people, but with humans it's more or less our problem to deal with our own urges and in most places, having them isn't an excuse to force yourself on someone. If someone tries that you have the right to call a guard or form a posse.” You get up and begin walking awkwardly towards the dark edge of the clearing. You see a wide, inviting tree that will be a good place to hide and do your business.

“Oh! Neat. I guess I'll keep that in mind.” Kara watches you go.

“Where're you going?”

“G-going for a walk.”

“I could walk with you.” She offers.

“Nope! I'm fine, just going to take a look around. I'll be right back.” You say hastily, choosing to go a bit further out after that explanation. While you are doing the deed yourself you muse over how lucky it was that you are the first human she encountered like this. You imagine quite vividly how a less scrupulous individual would easily be able to take advantage of her. How he would probably keep her around to use as a willing cock-and-ball cleaner. With that thought you coat the tree in front of you, wait a minute for your hard-on to die down, then carefully stow it back into your pants. You sigh, finally able to think clearly. You definitely know you made the decision a hero should make, but it still feels bad.

Walking back into the lit clearing you see her meditating near the wisp of flame. After sitting down across from her you ask. “Is that something you need to do? I know that mages have to perform certain actions to replenish their mana.”

Kara shakes her head. Her eyes are still shut as she speaks. “Not really. What I'm doing is communing with the mana in our surroundings. The Magic I use is kinda unlimited so long as there's a source nearby. Don't gotta replenish anything.”

“There's mana in everything, basically.” You comment with faint disbelief.

Kara smiles. “Yup! That's why my people wanna conserve and avoid consuming too much. If the land is changed too much then the flow of mana will get weaker. But you humans don't really care because all of your disciplines either steal power from gods or strengthen your own mana. Pretty selfish, right?”

“I guess that's one way of looking at it.” You consider the problem.

“Are most of the people of your tribe able to use mana like you?”

“Yup. Most of us do.”

Still putting it together in your mind you ask. “Cities, farms, places that are constructed or formed by man are basically without mana?”

“That's the problem. You change the land and it ruins the flow of mana.”

You look down, finally feeling like you have something to say after taking in all that info. “Most humans can't use magic. If we couldn't build cities or farms, I think most of us would be struggling but thanks to those places more humans are born and even if those humans can't use magic, they can still have the comfort of being fed and protected.”

Kara inhales deeply and opens her eyes. She looks at you, tilting her head to one side quizzically. With an exhale she states. “I think that it would be fine if there were less humans. If you chose not to hurt the land and lived like my tribe, you would have mostly strong people. Less people, but it's probably just as good.”

“We would only have strong people because all the weak ones would die out. Does that happen in your tribe?”

“Of course. That has to happen.” She says frankly.

You shudder. “That's a bit frightening.”

“It's nature.” It is a very simple answer that begs a lot of questions. Kara does not see any flaw in the system she is a part of and looks confused over your reservations.

“Agree to disagree.”

“What's that mean?” She asks, leaning in curiously.

“It means I don't think we're going to solve the philosophical divide between your tribe and my 'tribe' over night, so we should just leave it be for now.”

Kara seems like she is able to accept that, but adds. “If you wanna have a chance of learning my Tribe's magic from me you're gonna have to embrace our side of things while you're training. Think you can do that?”

You see this as a surprisingly intelligent point coming from her. Kara has managed to surprise you a few times and her question requires you to stop and think. After a minute, you come to a conclusion.

“I'll learn however you need me to learn. I'll adopt your customs wherever you need me to. I think that's fine, so long as you don't ask me to do anything bad.”

Kara looks half-satisfied by that response. “You think my tribes way of doing thins is bad, so-”

You understand where she is going and interrupt before she gets the wrong idea. “Keep in mind that my peoples way of doing things stopped you from doing something really sketchy for me.” She is about as phased by the mention of it as she was as it was happening; which is to say not at all. Kara continues to stare at you, awaiting further clarification.

“When I say bad, I mean that I don't want to hurt you or stop defending weak people. Is that alright for a compromise?”

It is her turn to think, but it does not take her even a minute. After a few seconds she looks up and offers you a short nod.

“Deal.” She then looks at your bag.

“What food do you have?” The fox licks her lips.

You give her a sly look. “Sharing is a human quality that props up the weak. Are you sure you're willing to participate in something like that.”

Kara rolls her golden eyes. “I could take it from you but then I'd be trampling over a weakling and I guess that goes against our deal.”

You hold up a hand defensively and rifle through your bag for some dried, salted meat you had packed.

“Point taken! Here.” You toss her some of what you have and watch her tear into it without reservation, like an animal, while you take a small piece for yourself to chew on.

You start moving at first daylight and reach your village while the sun is high in the sky. Chesharidge is a mid-sized farming and logging community, which you are sure Kara has some opinion about. While you are approaching the town and can not yet see the walls and structures contained within, you know you have arrived, as to take the road means passing several large farming plots that stretch out for miles. The first farm you saw marked the edge of Chesharidge. Since it is the middle of the day, many of the workers are tucked underneath shaded awnings near the side of the road. They all regard you warmly, as you know everyone that lives and works in the town by heart.

A farmer whistles at Kara, then smiles warmly at you. “Left to become an adventure just yesterday and already come back with a wife? I'm impressed!” The assembled men all laugh, and a few more whistle at Kara, causing her ears to twitch. She gives them an annoyed stare.

“So loud...” She mutters.

You pat her on the shoulder and regard the man who spoke. “Please be polite to her, Mr. Jeffries. She's a guest. Not my wife.”

Another man chimes in. “Does that mean she's available?” There is another chorus of laughter.

You sigh. “Let's get moving.”

Kara looks back over her shoulder at you. “What're they saying? Available?”

“Don't mind them, really.” You assure her. While looking over at the group of men that you are quickly passing by you add loudly.

“They're just trying to be funny!” The men snicker at this. When they are almost out of sight you are about to turn around but notice Mr. Jeffries running to catch up to you. You stop and wait for him to get close.

“More jokes?”

He shakes his head and looks at you grimly. “No, no. It's probably a good thing you're back, actually. It's about your sister and mother.”

You grow serious. “What is it?”

The man rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, which tells you that it is not something that is easy for him to explain. “Well... Seems like she's re-marrying.”

“To who!? I don't know anyone in town bold enough to go after a married woman!” Your heart begins racing. Your father isn't present, but it definitely is not a sure thing that he is deceased. Kara stands back and observes your reaction. She does not speak, but seems interested in the gossip. Her eyes flit back and forth between you and Jefferies as you take turns speaking.

“That's the thing. It's not someone from the town. It's a trader from up north. Real ugly bastard! Inside and out.” The farmer spits on the ground, which causes Kara to silently recoil.

“You know your mother's business brings them in? Anyway, everything seems on the up and up, but we can't help but think something's off with them. None of the folks in town feel it's our place to snoop, which is why it's good that you're back.” He looks down sullenly.

“Seeing Marrien and Fiona out and about... They don't look happy. I can tell you that much. Hope we're all mistaken.”

You feel anxious at the thought of your mother getting re-married. When it comes to them seeming like they are unhappy a pit forms in your stomach. “Thank you for telling me.”

Jeffries nods. “Figured you'd either sort it out or get enough info to convince all us folk that things are actually fine. You've always been good at solving problems.”

“Thanks a lot. Remind me to buy you and the guys something at the Inn.”

The man winks. “I'll take a drink when it's all sorted.”

You begin walking at a quicker pace down the road. “What's that all about?” Kara asks. “Marriage is a normal human thing, right?”

“He said they didn't look happy and I can't imagine my mother would get remarried.”

Kara looks up in thought, easily able to keep pace with you while you take long strides. After a moment she adds. “From our perspective human marriage is always about trading a bit of happiness for some benefits. That's probably what's happening here.”

That sounds wrong to you, but the cynical side of you sees the unfortunate truth in that sentiment. Especially in this situation. “If this is true, best case scenario is that mother is trading a bit of happiness for something. Worst case, she's being forced into something.”

“I thought being forced into doing things was against your human customs? How could anyone do that to your mother or sister?”

You groan, unready for more philosophical discussion at the moment. You respond simply. “Sometimes humans with some power will use it to get leverage over others.”

“Sounds like the strong living and the weak dying with more steps.” Kara utters offhandedly.

You snap back at her. “Yeah!? Well I'll be happy to discuss all the aspects of it with you when I'm not worried for my families safety.” Kara flinches at the response. She takes the hint, gives you a short nod and chooses to purse her lips to remain silent. She keeps her eyes trained awkwardly on the farms and the workers for the rest of the walk.

“Sorry.” You say after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

“I understand.” She offers.

You finally come upon the walls of Chesharidge. Nothing incredible. They are simply study wooden logs stuck into the ground with ramparts in the back. The purpose of the walls has become more ceremonial in recent decades, as Chesharidge sits in a safe location. The village is positioned on a main road just before a fork that leads to several mines, a mining town and on the other end of the fork a very prosperous port-city. Due to its advantageous position, it benefits from all types of trade and is buffered against any dire threats. The town, as you have brought up to Kara, produces food that feeds some of the surrounding area, and wood that Chesharidge's lumber yard collects and processes for use by both the mines and the shipwrights of the port town.

Because of the town's history of collecting and processing lumber the structures are quite sturdy and large for a town of it's size. The main building that sits at the center of the town, in a Cobble-paved and elegantly decorated square, is a magnificent three story manor that hosts the mayor, his family and all of the people he uses to run the town. The people that live in Chesharidge are comfortable. Their homes have thick walls that keep them warm in the winter and they are fed year-round by the farms that rotate throughout. Any dry spells are subsidized by the trade and work brought into the town by your family. You walk past the square with an impressed Kara and make your way to the edge of town.

What was once a densely forested area decades ago had cleared into a wide plot surrounding the house you grew up in. You walk down the road that is flanked by fields planted with root vegetables towards your families two-story home. It was your living space, but you also know that it contains a single room that serves as the office from which your mother organizes all the wood collecting and processing for Chesharidge. Down the side is the long plot of flowers that your sister tends to. While the farmland is mostly for personal use, the flowers and herbs have been sold quite frequently from as far back as you can remember. First by your father, then finally by your sister after he left.

As you approach the house your mother comes out to meet you and closes the door behind her. She looks the same as when you left, roughly. Though you pay little mind to this fact, she is an attractive woman for her age. Auburn hair and blue eyes. She is regarded quite reverently within the town for her beauty and kindness. Something you only regretted taking for granted after you left.

“Welcome back.” Marrien, your mother, says that warmly but you can tell there is something else on her mind. There is a certain level of worry and tiredness in the way she is looking at you.

“I was not expecting you to return so soon.” She lets out a performative gasp after seeing Kara and adds.

“And who is your friend?”

You want to get straight to the point but end up allowing a little beating around the bush for the purpose of explaining and introducing Kara.

“This is Kara. She is going to be guiding my training as an adventurer and... A hero.” Your mothers eyes widen in shock.

“I found out I have the potential to be one.” You say awkwardly, trying not to sound like you are bragging.

All of the worry leaves Marrien for the few moments after you tell her that. She steps forward and hugs you.

“That is incredible! Your father always said you were going to do great things. I am so proud.”

You take a moment to just let her hug you, enjoying the moment. While still in her arms you eventually try to broach the subject.

“About that.” She senses what's coming after you say that and releases you to take a step back. Her tiredness returned so quickly once the tone shifted.

“I'm guessing someone told you about-”

The door behind her opens before she can finish. Through the frame walks a man that looks as if he has had very few struggles in his life. Quite large and devoid of muscle. You are surprised at how tanned he is and suspect that it must simply be natural tone, as you can not imagine someone like him would spend any amount of time out in the sun. He is wearing modest clothes, but that modesty is betrayed by loud jewelry that decorates his neck and three-out-of-five fingers on each hand. You look up and take some comfort in the fact that the man is going bald despite seemingly being the same age as your mother and father. Rather than choosing to embrace it, he took the option of combing his greasy hair unconvincingly over the bald spot. Lastly the man's fat face, you notice, has something akin to jolliness, but is what you suspect to be closer to some kind of corrupt glee. Even though he is smiling as he regards you and Kara, he is licking his lips. The way his eyes center in on you both hungrily gives you an unusual, uncomfortable feeling that you've never felt before as a man.

“Well, if it isn't my soon-to-be son-in-law!” He opens his arms wide, stepping up from behind your mother. You cringe as one of his fat arms drapes over her shoulder and pulls her into his side tightly. Despite being a strong woman, she endures the touching and closeness that he is imposing on her.

Kara whispers. “He's weak. Want me to deal with him?”

You consider just saying yes for a moment, but disregard those bad thoughts. “No... That wouldn't be right.” You whisper back.

“Such a cute friend.” The man adds, trying to sound warm. Instead, he comes off as a bit creepy.

Kara, you know, does not respond in any negative or positive way to these types of advances because she is not accustomed to them. However, even she recoils slightly and you get the impression that it is the gross aura that he puts off.

“This is a bad guy, though.” She claims in whisper.

“We don't know that.” You snap back quietly.

“Just... let me handle this.” You step forward and eye the man cautiously.

“You're marrying my mother?” He nods in response to your question. Marrien blushes. He offers a fat hand towards you.

“Sammead. I met your mother through our business dealings and we just kind of... Hit it off!” He chuckles.

You take his hand and cringe, feeling the sweat in it. “Alright.” Looking to your mother, you see what the others in the town professed to. She does not look happy.

“She's married.” You say simply.

“Ah, yeah. To a deadbeat that left. Quite unfortunate. Don't worry, I'm here to take care of her now.” Sam explains. You notice that one thing he is gifted with is speech. There had to be something.

“He's coming back.” You add awkwardly, becoming flushed by the conversation. Putting his gift of gab aside, hearing the disgusting man of all people insult your father boils your blood.

“Huh. I feel like you think this is an argument. It isn't. The date's already been set and both your mother and I agreed. Right, dear?” Her craned his head to look at her with a wide grin. Marrien nods meekly.

“Can I talk to my mother privately?” You cut in.

“Of course! Why wouldn't you be able to? I'll get to know your friend out here.” Sam releases Marrien and wanders up to Kara. As he approaches you see her arms are crossed tightly. Some of her hair and the fur on her tail and ears bristling, telling you she is probably going to be fine handling him.

You pull your mother inside and close the door. You choose the entryway as a good place to confront her and simply choose to keep your voice low. “What's going on here?”

Marrien is surprisingly frank with you. “His company has consolidated control over both the shipping to the north and the mines to to the north-west.” She explains.

“What's that got to do with-”

Since you do not understand she continues. “That means that he is able to shut us out. Not just the logging but the entire town. We have always been able to support Chesharidge's short-comings with our lumber and I assumed that the north and north-west needed us, but he claims he is going to be able to maintain his operations at both points at a loss until the time when we are at our worst and forced to sell, regardless.” She clicks her tongue, adopting a more frustrated look while talking about it in private with you.

“He was fine showing me the books. He is not lying. With this arrangement we keep the milling and collection operation and get to maintain trade.”

Your voice rises in frustration. “So you're selling yourself for the sake of the town!?”

“Shh!” She peeks her head out to one side, looking through the glass in the door. You do as well to see Sam talking up a disinterested Kara. She returns to look at you.

“Not just the town. You and your sister. The mill will be left to you both and I can not imagine the man has long to live based on his... Lifestyle. I made a calculation that should pay off. All it requires is a bit of sacrifice.”

You understand perfectly well what she is saying, but it is still hard to accept. “Okay... We can go north. We can find some way to figure this out behind his back.”

She leans in, brow furrowed firmly. “Don't! There is nothing to figure out. If he decides to, he can ruin not just us, but the entire town. That is all there is to it. Chesharidge is a sleepy little pass-through on the way to two important sites. Without our ability to support those were are going to lose business, then people, then the whole town.”

“As long as he's alive...” You mutter.

Marrien rests a hand on your shoulder gently. She calmly shakes her head. “You and I both know you are not like that. It is not how either your father or I taught you to be.” With that she opens the door and returns to Sam's side, pulling his attention away from Kara. Instead of returning to her, Sam turns and smiles at you. He walks past your mother and enters into the house, closing the door behind him. He remains friendly, even while out of earshot of the others.

“You must have a lot of questions.”

“Just one.”

“Yes?” He leans down to hear. The man is a bit taller than you and you guess that if he weren't overweight he could strike quite an imposing figure.

“How do you live with yourself?”

Sam covers his face with his hand and laughs as he lets it slide down. “Quite well, actually. Beautiful wife. Beautiful step-son and daughter.” You bristle especially at that remark.

“She doesn't like you. My sister doesn't like you. I don't like you.” You say harshly.

Sam crosses his arms and taps his foot as he looks up in thought. “Funny thing, that... When you are selling something, regardless of what it is, once you are in someone's home eating their bread and drinking their tea and you both get to talking they are going to get worn down. No matter how long it takes they are going to get worn down and then it won't just be a matter of what you can sell or take, it'll be a matter of what they can keep from you. Right now I am doing something quite nasty to your family, yes.” He looks down at you with a wide, foreboding grin.

“But do you think, given time, that I wont be able to convince everyone that this is the way it should've been all along?”

You shudder, feeling what he is saying to be true. You are not sure what to do. The man is unambiguously describing his intentions to you with a smile and you are truly helpless.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I want something to play with.” He says simply, offering you a strange look that gives you the same unfamiliar, gross feeling as when he first regarded you and Kara.

“You'll upend an entire town and destroy my families lives over that?” You question.

“Yes.” Sam says unashamedly.

“But...” He adds, trailing off.

“But what?”

“It doesn't matter what I get to play with. I could be convinced to turn my attention from your mother and sister while also backing off of the town and your lumber.”

You stare up at him skeptically. “What do you want?”

“I'm enchanted by that Beastwoman of yours. You can offer me her to play with. You don't even need to get her to agree, I have my ways.” You cringe at the offer. Selling out Kara would be an awful thing to do, but it is your family that is on the line.

“Or, you could offer up yourself.” He adds casually as a second thought.

“I'm sorry? What?” You fail to process that offer and stare up into his small eyes with a confused look.

“Exactly what I said. You agree to take the place of your mother and sister. Same deal. You play with me for a while and I'll release your town and your family.” You feel like you are about to throw up at the offer. It defies your comprehension but, at the same time, it is your family that is on the line. Your entire town.

“Whaddaya say, son?”