~Sara skip home~

Our party, much larger now, was quite somber upon returning to Convail. I could feel it all.

There wasn’t a single jovial person during the return, making the thicket an even worse journey. I couldn’t manage it with my present company, and had to be carried. Still, I was ill the entire time.

The mutilated were worried their sponsors would pay for their recovery or that the healing would leave lasting damage. Worse were the injured among the captives, they already knew the answer. None would claim them, unless as slaves.

Our allies, our rescuers, wafted palpable anger. Those uninjured were still comrades with those who were; I expected many to return requesting spars. Not to death, but certainly to beat out frustration.

With a shudder, I pushed it out of my mind and focused my senses on the children playing in a nearby common yard. Joyful out of breath laughter and squeals translate to pure sweetness, a palate cleanser I desperately needed.

~Matron Anthali Necime~

Another knock came at my door, and I had to bite down on my irritation. Every little problem seemed to need me to solve it. I knew this was the price of having power, but it still grated on my nerves.

“Enter.” I called, but the doors burst open before I could finish.

“Matron, your excellence, the heir has returned, unharmed! They seem in good spirits. The Patriarch will be most pleased!”

The news infuriates me as much as the message. Even now, after years of my direct control, the patriarch is still the core of our organization. He does nothing but fraternize with his whores, and yet he is respected merely for having a bit of skin dangle between his legs.

“Big sisie’s back?!” my son exclaims, tugging the leash of his new octogater to drag it along.

“Indeed, Youngest Master!” The intruder confirms, “He passed the gates just moments ago and the runners came, well running! Your brother.. Or sister? They’ll surely arrive shortly, be at ease!”

I know my son is young, but his foolishness still infuriates me. His… sibling is a competitor for power and should be treated as nothing more. But as I was busy dealing with the munushia of daily matters, that useless fraternizer seized a place in my own son's heart. Even his recent pet is the cause of bedtime stories told by his corrupting brother, or sister, whatever!

“Really!?” my son asked, and the two conversed as if I were naught but air. My migraine was building as it went on, just as it was about to crescendo, my doors burst open once more.

“There’s my favorite brother!” Avery exclaimed, opening his arms to catch my rushing son.

“I’m your only brother”, my son pouts, “Mama says that’s lying!”

“How could I lie? If I had another brother, you would both be my favorites and I would expect the same from you.”

“Yeah!” My son agrees. Instantly disregarding my caution to agree with his half-brother’s… half-sister’s… whatever’s opinion.

Does my effort, my results, truly mean anything to these… people? Everyone seems so eager to side against me.

~Time skip - Ashley~

Months had passed since my first true adventure! I met new friends and did battle with two faced allies. All in the name of Friendship! Ok so maybe survival was a higher priority for most of us, but still!

I walked through town with my meal-ticket–I mean fiancé. Me and Hellen pressed ourselves against him, currently a male, and conjoined the power of our ultimate puppy eye technique.

For some reason, Hellen seemed afraid of actively manipulating the “young master” but I offered my own hind as sacrifice, only to receive an amused smirk in retaliation, she soon joined me. Together we sought conquest over her thighs and his loins! Granted, I was less thrilled of the his aspect, but took the lead in the her aspect.

Together we tamed the mighty serpent and concurred the crescent–Twin blows hit of our necks in unison.

“Come now,” our partner began.

“I’d love to,” We replied, only to receive two more swats!

“Ouch!” We protested as one, our wills combined.

“As I was saying, he rebuffed, we need to prepare. You don’t want your first adventure to be the only one do you?”

“Fiiiine, I said. Still pouting”

“Soon you will be awakened to the truth of the world. Adult in mind and in knowledge. While I have allowed you two to indulge yourselves, I cannot allow the status quo to remain as it is any longer.”

“I get it,” I waved him off, “Time to get serious, we can be serious, right Hel?”

She smirked, the bitch! “You’re the one who started this game, I just played along to keep you entertained.”

I glared at her, but Avery just ignored our meta-game. How cruel.

“Your ability with fire is pathetic, and your shape-shifting lackluster. Hellen, your improvement has somehow been less impressive. Apparently, you both need discipline in more than one way.”

As one we play cowed, shivering both to play the role and in anticipation. He just rolled his eyes. The meanie!

With my extended tongue ignored, I decide it’s time to get serious. No, not playful serious, seriously serious. I can too be serious!

“Aright, what do you want us to do this time?” I asked seriously.

“Not more hind stuff?” Hellen quipped, seriously ignoring my resolution to seriousness.

We were both smacked as a result and it hurt more than usual too! Seriously!

“Ashley needs control of her body, intimately.” He quipped, “Hellen, you need more combat potential in general. You excel at taking the wandering fool for a twist, but fools will be more rare as we advance. You need to decide on a path and focus your natural strengths towards that end.”

~Lisa~

Back at the sect, tensions are higher than ever.

Those who truly attempted to retrieve me, now rallied against me as they fumed about their mistreatment. I couldn’t help but wonder if they were playing the long game, aiding only to hender later.

Those who obviously betrayed the clan were few, but not non-existent. My parents tried their best to focus the attention on their punishment, on what would happen to those to stand against their own. Yet a person, even a cultivator, can only be crucified for so long before they self detonate.

The betrayed loyalists were much longer lasting. Sure we could make an example and slaughter them, but then we would have to do the same to their parents. That in itself may be viable, but what of their siblings? The friends of their siblings? Leaving the friends may not cause a revolt, but it would certainly cause disunity. A clan’s greatest strength is the same as its greatest weakness.

The worst part, my greatest ally is the one who challenged me prior to the expedition. He was there, among the wounded of our rescuers. I learned after the fact that his own companion, Charger, was nearly slain from my own traps. Instead of a grudge, he and his beast seem to have a newfound respect for my battle prowess.

I would be proud, if I were not ashamed of my trap’s performance. They did nothing but cause chaos, on both sides of the exchange. We were merely lucky that the confusion sown by my traps seemed to underline the mayhem caused by the betraying agents.

Yet, I knew when to pretend it was my brilliance that won the day.