Meanwhile, many other character's stories begin in lands far away, here is a vague peek.

Meowing Plunder

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I woke with a start and sat bolt upright. To my surprise, and right before my eyes, I find the reason on my thighs. How could something be so tight? Surely this must be a dream, my god, I could almost scream. Where on Terra would I ever see such a sight?

The swaying stops and the long rod drops. She looks at me like she wants me badly. She's turned from me and with the clang of metal, I sorely now hang above a kettle. Cooked alive above an open fire, whatever did I do to earn her ire? The ropes cut off the blood to my tail, even with effort I can hardly flail.

But then who am I above this pyre, in this situation oh so dire. I can't recall anything from before I awoke. So with trembling body, bound in rope, I spoke.

"Dear gorgeous lady, might I ask how all this came to be?"

Although flatter her, I admittedly tried, she makes no move to set me free. The oil bubbles in the pot; alas my fate will see me fried.

"Odd fellow with furry brown scales was found, near dead, in these lands, tis a fool who wanders alone in the sands."

As she turns and faces the light of the blaze, I am shocked with what I see through the pot’s haze. She's naked, and of course my flattery would fail, her flawless beauty could surely tell a tale.

The short hair as if it was the crescent moon, her eyes the color of the midnight sea. Such lovely skin to make me swoon. Those soft pink lips, I would swear my soul to thee. At her bare chest I tried not to stare, and those hips, I wish my child, she'd bear.

"Please tell me miss, do you really plan to eat me?"

With a laugh like a hiss, she answers in pure glee.

"Why certainly no, you’re for my pets by that tree."

As she points to the distance, I must squint to see. Lizards larger than I could dream, they stare at me, their number three.

With renewed resistance and frantic scream, "Dear god please woman, just set me free!"

"And why should I? I find your eyes hungrier than those pets of mine"

"I swear upon my life above this fire, I shall fulfill your every desire. May the lizards grind my bones to rine, should I fail this request so dire."

Her smile seems ever so bright, yet with her fangs, my soul shudders in fright.

"One chance I’ll grant, but it will be quite the test, so I hope you’re prepared. Should you succeed in the task I set too you who dared, what reward would you request?"

"Two things if I may be so bold, the first, I must claim your hand to forever hold."

Only for a moment my eyes behold, on her pale cheeks, the most innocent of blush.

With her fading flush she looks at me, "What could follow that, you sure push your luck"

With a sigh of relief I spat, "Stop this rhyming its annoying as fuck!"

The god like beauty stares at me, “Hells you started it!”

“I know I know but really it’s got to stop. Now can I get down from here before the flames make the rope drop?”

She kicks the spit stand, there's pain in my side from the rock on which I land.

Hey, my thoughts can't resist, “Why won’t my rhyming desist?!”

She looks at me with disbelief, “Like I would know. Now will you hear my demand?”

Worried for my sanity, “Yes but keep it brief, you goddesses tend to carry on in your vanity.”

She pouts with a slight huff, “All sweet words until you’re untied?”

“Dearest lady, we’re both standing in the buff. Now freed from the heat of the fire, the cold night air is stifling my desire.”

She laughs while looking at me from head to toe, “I see your pride isn’t the only thing shrinking this night. Very well, you must head north for me in search of my stolen daughters, fail and your life is forfeit. Should you return them ...well, we’ll see.”

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Black Sheep

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All I see below me is trees, tall trees, short trees, weird trees. This campaign has lasted so long I’ve nearly lost all memory of home. I miss the oasis, the simple tufts of grass, the small trees, the clear blue pools of water. I tire of jungles and swamps.

The wind causes a small shift in our heading.

I yell back, “Helmsman, wake up!”

The poor squirrel girl spins the wheel with a start.

Thankfully our course is clear of clouds tonight, I’d feel sorry for her if she was stuck navigating through the damp air. The day heat is sweltering enough for those that have come from the north. Hence why we’re traveling at night, the stealth is an added bonus.

I wouldn’t mind being able to look at the stars if not for this stupid sack of gas holding us up. If someone had asked me if I approved of these ships I would behead them on the spot. Floating in the sky at the mercy of the wind is something for idiot males to enjoy.

A cute little fox bat girl runs up, nearly tripping, “Mistress Fala, your oracle stone is glowing!”

I pat her on her orange head as I walk towards the bridge.

Inside I catch the squirrel girl nodding off at the wheel again, she should have been relieved hours ago.

“Hey, get your ass below and wake up your relief. You, take the helm for a moment.”

The bat girl takes over while the other one nearly misses the doorway in her hurry to obey.

I take seat in the back on my new red leather chair. It goes well with the red patterns in my black fur if I do say so myself, and I love how it matches my horns and new red velvet suit.

Now if there is one thing to destroy the slight semblance of a good mood I’m in tonight, its this damn stone next to my chair. Barely larger than my fist, a perfect sphere and mounted in an intricate gold holder. Its pulsing blue hue indicates someone is contacting me, and there is only one person who would at this time.

With a wave of my right hand I put energy in it to activate it.

A haughty voice rings out, “About time Fala, it’s rude to make your aunty wait.”

I roll my eyes, “Do you never tire of referring to yourself as my aunt, doesn't that imply you being related to my poor slave of a mother, rest her soul?”

If it’s possible she speaks with even more arrogance, “Don't make me laugh girl, I think of your dear father as a darling little brother. You should be proud of his ascent as Bahamut, and don't you dare imply my relation to a slave or I’ll shave your entire body bald.”

That would take hours considering my fine, short, black fur covers me almost completely thanks to my demon and beast blood.

“As you wish master, but do tell, how many slave women did my father go through in his whim to sire an offspring before I was the first to survive.” I have always wondered.

“Hundreds.” that almost sounds like a threat, “Anyway, I still have use of you before I gift your soon to be able body to a promising young lord.”

Thinking of the other demon lords I’ve met so far, “If you offer me to Phix I’ll kill him before I let him put a finger on me.”

She chuckles, “Don’t worry, your half-blood body is suited for far stronger than he.” no, I will definitely worry, “How far east have you made in your subjugation?”

I’m no better off than my slave mother, maybe I’ll die giving birth to some monster’s child like her.

“The air fleet has nearly made it to the west side of the southern horn, I expect the Garuda Tribe will soon confront us.”

“Good, once we have them under our wing the few human kingdoms in the east continent will simply surrender upon your arrival.”

Where on Terra is someone to plug up this horrible woman’s mouth before she makes another lame pun.

I sigh, “Does that mean you expect me to stop at every mud brick village between here and the orient?”

She scoffs, “Like you have better things to do, or are you so distracted by your horde of orphan girls. Perhaps I should have assigned a crew for you? Maybe a bunch of male imps who would only listen to orders after you’ve satisfied them.”

I hold back my bile at the idea, “And ruin me for your so called, promising, strong, young, demon lord?”

Her voice is sour once more, “Few are that picky. Crush the garuda, make sure there’s plenty left to join your army, be they woman or child. I’ll contact you in a few weeks my darling little behemoth.”

The stone fades, I’m tempted to throw it over the side if not for my certainty that none of her threats were empty.

I look up to the Lemur Tribe girl at the helm, “At first light signal for battle stations.”

I retire to my cabin, sprawled out on my huge round, red bed is the prize of my little collection of conquests. My Malta Tribe, tiger girl, Nila.

I do my best not to wake her as I crawl into bed and wrap her against me with my tail. As I slowly drift off I can only hope for dreams of escape for me and these girls.

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Deadly Curiosity

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“Go south they said, have an adventure they said, find yourself a strong man they said..”

“Hey shut up.”

“You’ll love the weather, the sea is beautiful, YOU’LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE THEY SAID!”

“I said shut the hells up!” the lone female guard bangs on the cell door.

This damn cell, not tall enough to stand, not wide enough to lay down, I’m half tempted to eat the rats that scurry in and out of the small holes lining the corners. The glyph carved into the floor keeps me from using any magic.

A small hole in the center of the door opens up.

“Eat you annoying bitch.” she passes a bit of meat wrapped in bread, it’s probably rat.

Before I can grab it the guard grabs my arm and pulls it through the hole, I feel the sharp cut of an iron dagger.

I bite my lip, this isn't the first time she’s done this, always cutting in the same spot to hide her doings. The scars from this place will never fade.

I ask over the sound of her sucking on my arm, “You know I should mention this to your master, how would he feel about you stealing bits of his meal? He’s being so careful to keep me from death of too much blood loss. Rather considerate for a monster, of course it’s only out of selfish ness."

She stops to take a breath, “Shut up”

“You defy him now little guard woman, but I bet at a single word, you’d suck his dick on command.”

“I said shut up before I slit your throat!” she yanks my arm, slamming me against the door.

I wince, “But we’re having such a charming dialog. Tell me how do I taste, like a cat, like anything else, or is a witch’s blood really that special?”

“Like shit!” she slams the meal into my outstretched hand and I quickly withdraw it into my cell.

“Come on, you’re just being mean now. How rude to say your master’s favorite food is shit.”

A second voice, the deep drawl of a man, “Actually, I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting shit.”

There is only a slight gasp before hear the sound of something heavy hitting the floor, a pool of black blood slips under my door. The rats begin to lick at the fresh puddle.

“Um my cell is going to smell after this, you don't want me to stink do you?”

My door opens for the first time in several days, the light from the torches feels blinding. I didn’t mind the dark really, it helped hide my situation.

The man in a fancy black suit looks down at me from the stone hallway, his red eyes examine my every inch. Despite his white hair and slightly aged look he is rather handsome. Hells, am I becoming attracted to this monster? I’d have taken care of my urges if I wasn't concerned the smell would attract more rats.

He has his attendant girl pick me up, she’s quite plain looking. I’m sure that she, just like the now headless guard, would tear into me the moment the master’s back was turned.

He reels his head back a bit, “Yes you are indeed in need of a bath, and it seems my treat for today has been spoiled. Clean her up, and chain her to the throne like a pet until you finish washing this cell. And kill the damn rats, I don't want my meal contracting plague.”

He turns to walk away but in that instant I touch the blood dripping from my arm and turn it into a red crystal needle piercing into the maid’s eye and out the back of her head.

He looks at me as if the whole thing was amusing. I wipe the remaining blood from my arm.

“I can wash myself thanks, and if it’s all the same to you I’ll be taking her room.” I point to the still twitching creature on the floor, it slowly turns to a pile of ash.

He smiles, “I don’t mind, but you get her job as well. Try to get along with the other staff, little black kitty.”

“No promises.”

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The butler did it

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“Maug! More mead!”

I pour Freki’s mug half full, any more and she’d just spill it.

“You look so nice Maug, you really should use this form more often.”

“I never would if it was possible to serve food with paws.”

That, and I’m sure madam Nyx is already plotting how to steal me away for a night. I wouldn’t put up much of a fight, she looks stunning in her tight dress lined with raven feathers. Her silky grey hair loosely rests in front of her chest in a braid blocking my view of her cleavage. The front slit of her dress extends from her neckline all the way to her hips. Too bad Ulfy would kill me.

“Mother stop distracting Mugy!” little Nemy is pouting while tugging on my sleeve.

She looks adorable in her armored white dress, so deceptive for a girl who’d slaughter thousands under the banner of justice.

I pat her head, she smiles wide, cute, deadly, but cute, “I’m not so easily seduced Madam Nemesis.”

She skips back to the table. Madam Inari pounds the table.

“I got it! It was Baron Vuk, in the swamp, with a tree branch!” she takes another deep drink of her sake bottle.

Checking the card she’s definitely right, but I see that second tail she has hidden by her side. Freki will punish me if she loses every game tonight.

Freki noticed my hesitation however and kicks Inari’s chair, the second tail falls to her side.

“No cheating Vulpi!”

“Don’t give me that, I see the bit of fog hovering on the branch above Maugy.”

Nemy looks pissed, “How dare you cheat in an innocent game!”

Madam Nyx pets her daughter’s head, “Relax dear, what would your champion think if he saw you getting worked up over a game.”

Nemy bites her lip in frustration and shoots another dirty look towards Inari.

She laughs, “Don’t worry Nemy dear, not a word will reach my silly husband.”

Not appeased in the least at the reminder that her champion slept with Inari. She materializes a massive war axe identical to Fenrir’s and slams it down where Inari was just seated. She reforms from a white cloud behind her.

Inari eyes her shattered bottle, “It’s someone’s bed time.”

“You Dare!...” Nemy falls asleep where she stands, I manage to catch her.

Freki claps her hands, “OK, next game, Maugy you’re in. Winner gets to haunt my champion for a night.”

I feel slightly bad for Nox as I set Nemy off to the side against a tree. On the other hand that ass is off enjoying his time with my mate, I must win this.

Madam Nyx conjures a chair for me to sit next to her and begins to make a set of cards with pictures and numbers….

She starts passing them out, “Inari you’ll love this one, it’s another other world game called 21.”

….these bitches.

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The quest for snacks

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I quickly turn around to see who yelled. Patra remains clinging on my back to hide, her tail between both our legs.

A large odd bird creature stands before me, he’s looking between us waiting for a response. Ah, he’s wearing a white uniform, a cook!

“Guess we made it to a kitchen, tell me sir, is there any food available.” it tilts its head in a rigid movement.

“I’m a woman.”....with that hoarse voice?

Patra speaks my mind, “Bullshit.”

The odd bird stares her down, she hides back behind my head, her ears flat against her head.

I shift into fog causing Patra to fall to the ground, she does land on her feet. She gives me a sour looks as I reform. Ulfa cackles a little, but Akane pats Patra’s head.

I address the ...woman, “Whatever, I’m hungry, ya got food?”

“What makes you think you can have any if I did?” she crosses her arms and snorts, the beak prevents me from judging her expression.

Walt actually steps forward, he seems be giving an impersonation of father, “Wipe that look from your face before I crack your yellow beak.”

Nice little brother, I chime in, “Show me to the food or I’ll break it anyway.”

Patra hops on my back again, “Maybe then someone could tell you’re a woman.”

I don’t think it would help at all. Ulfa cackles more, seriously this chuckling beast is more obviously female than this freakish bird woman.

Akane pulls Patra down by the tail, “We are lord Fenrir’s pups, we’ve been herded around all day, and we’d really appreciate some food.”

She turns and enters a doorway a little ways into the dark.

We follow her in, this clearly is a kitchen. However, the counters are bare, the shelves have cobwebs. The bird woman lights a small lantern in the room illuminating the dark corners.

In the corner by a stove I spot another person...creature thing. Its big, round, black, and one hell of a beard.

He stands up, “Did you insult my Kiki?”

Shit, “Um, no?”

The woman screeches, “Theys called me ugly Domo! Theys threatened to kills me!”

Once again I find Patra hiding on my back...seriously am I wearing a saddle?

The big black creature leaps towards us only to be turned into ash in an instant by Akane followed shortly by its Kiki.

“You don’t think that was a tad hasty just killing them?” I’m looking at Akane.

“What, you would have done the same.”

I guess, my stomach growls again, Patra kicks my sides with her heels.

“Come on, let’s continue our hunt!”

I send a slight charge up my tail causing her to jump off with a small yelp.

“Ulfa, get us out of here, I’m tired.” she does a slight bow on her front paws before dispersing into fog.

Not long later we finally find a kitchen store room filled with dried meat.

We give up on finding our rooms, luckily we find father’s study where we started and decide to spend the night on the long cushioned seats.

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Far to the North West, at the edge of a village buried in snow, a young woman hides behind a tree. She bites her lip so hard she draws a small bit of blood, praying to all the gods her breath doesn’t make a sound. She has clamped shut her eyes, and covered her ears. Despite all this, the sounds and images of this night will haunt her forever.

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A/N : regular releases will resume this week, still job hunting however.

I don't like the formatting of this chapter, i'll give it another look in the morning and post this half decent ruff for now.

A short interlude, excited to start this next part of the story.

Love reading the comments and reviews, keeps me motivated to write. I reply as needed and to what i can without spoiling anything.