Locum Tenens 08

~~~ Chapter Notes ~~~

Loki explores the capitol city with the princess. All chapters in this tale are complete and have been submitted. Hopefully, the kind, gracious, smartly-attired, and gorgeous admins will release a new episode every day or so.

~~~ Kira's Quarters ~~~

After breakfast, Kira got Rilla settled in for her morning lessons with Zima and Hanna and then she and I portaled to Valeri's shop, bade her good morning, and slipped out into the street. We turned to the right (north). We walked about a mile before we came to the city gates. I had never seen them before.

The wall that surrounded the city was probably half the height of the one at the palace. The wall there was 20 feet tall - and wide enough for two men to pass as they strode along its top. This wall was 12 feet tall at most. There was a gatehouse with tall wooden doors that Kira said were opened at daybreak and sealed after dusk. Those who arrived at the gates after they were closed were compelled to spend the night outside. There was a wicket gate a dozen feet to the right side of the main gate - for admitting messengers that arrived after the main gate had been sealed.

Kira noted that we would probably be able to get back inside after dark - without climbing the walls using her magic. She was certain that she was recognizable enough to be allowed in. She said that I could show the Mark that the mage had given me and I would be granted admittance as well.

We had just turned - to head back into the city - when a courier on a horse came riding in fast.

"Way! Make way!" the young man yelled.

His horse was lathered - the spittle foaming from the sides of his mouth.

"That's not good," Kira said. "Remind me to ask Father about messages from the army commander."

Kira picked a side-street at random and we followed it. At the next side-street, she turned again.

"Where are we heading?" I asked her.

"I don't know," she said. "I just feel drawn this way."

We passed an alley and found a filthy little girl who couldn't have been four years old curled up by the wall, shivering. She was dressed in tattered rags.

"Where are your parents, little one?" Kira asked her.

The little girl looked up at us and shook her head.

"Does your tongue work?" Kira asked. "Where is your mother?"

"She died," the girl said.

"Father?"

"Never had one," she replied.

"What is your name?"

"Tripe," she answered.

"That's your name or that's what they called you?" I asked her.

"One and the same," she answered.

"That's awful," I exclaimed.

I realized that the word had a homonym - offal - with nearly the same meaning (at least in the language on my old world). I grimaced at that thought. Who would call a kid that?

"Heal her," Kira said. "Can you dispel lice?"

"I don't know that I've encountered them yet," I told her. "I cleaned shit-spores from my clothes with a touch of heat. That should kill them if my healing doesn't get rid of them."

"Start getting her straightened out," Kira said. "I'll run back to the gate and see if they have a washtub that I can borrow."

I went into my storeroom and found some trail food in my pack. I handed her a piece of dried meat and a crumbling biscuit. She nearly tore my fingers off, getting the food to her mouth. I cautioned her to chew slowly and not to swallow it down until she had done so. I swear she was swallowing the pieces without even attempting to chew them. I got my waterskin out and gave her a drink to help wash it down. Her eyes began to clear as the nourishment made its way to her little tummy. I feathered heat across the mouth of my waterskin to kill any bugs in her saliva and then stored it away again.

I put my hand on her shoulder and healed her. It didn't do anything about the lice. I spotted one and sent heat into it. It died and tumbled free - landing on her shirt - which was little more than a rag. I glanced down the street. There was still no sign of Kira. I began working my fingers through her matted locks to get at the parasites and finally gave it up as a lost cause.

"Hold still," I told her. "I'm going to shave your head."

"Cut off my hair?"

"It's got bugs in it, hun," I told her. "It'll grow back but I want the bugs gone."

"Hungry..."

"We'll get you more to eat," I said. "We need to get you cleaned up first."

"Okay."

"Hold still..."

I pulled my dagger, ran my fingers through her hair, and began passing the blade between my fingers and her scalp. I watched constantly to be sure that I didn't cut her - ready to pull the pain and injury away if I messed up. Kira returned as I finished my work.

"I'll strip her," she said. "Fill this up with warm water so we can bathe her. We'll burn the clothes and the hair to kill the lice. I'll find a shirt to put on her once she's clean."

I held my hand over the large tub and called for the water. As it came, I heated it. After about five minutes, I noticed an increase in the amount of water that I was calling. Apparently, my skill had improved. It improved again about the time I got a foot or so of water in it.

"That's enough," Kira said. "How's the temperature? She's still shivering."

"Should be good," I said, touching the surface with the back of my hand.

Kira eased the girl into the water and I played heat over the hair and clothing until they caught fire.

"Should've moved those farther away, I guess," Kira said, shaking her head at the smell of burnt hair.

I had my nose covered as well.

I went into my storeroom and found a shirt that I'd collected along the way - no doubt from some poor guy that I had killed. I held it up.

"That'll work," Kira said, nodding. "You have a washcloth?"

I returned to my storage-item, found a rag in my shoulder pack that had held a biscuit, and handed it to Kira.

"Perfect."

She dunked it in the water and began scrubbing the child.

"Heat this a little more?" she asked.

She had me stop when she felt that it was sufficient for us to finish our work.

I went back over the child's head, looking for lice and nits. Kira pointed out a couple nits. I think I got the rest of them. She said the mage might have something to help.

We used the rag to dry her off as much as possible and then threw my shirt over her and got her bundled up to travel. We emptied the tub, stored it, walked back to the gate, and returned the tub with our thanks.

After that, we portaled back to the palace.

~~~ Kira's Quarters ~~~

Nella had already left for the kitchens but Dora came over to see our newest acquisition. She ran her fingers through the girl's short hair and found a few more nits for me to kill. She said we'd done a pretty good job.

We headed for the kitchens to get the child some more food. Nella and Mila fussed over her and fed the little thing until she refused to eat anymore. She fell asleep in Dora's arms. We told the others the name the girl had given us. The girls tried out several names and decided on Zarya.

We carried Zarya back up to our rooms and then laid her down in one of the empty beds. The rest of the girls had about a half-hour left of their lessons and then they would be heading to lunch. I stayed behind with the sleeping child. Kira promised to bring me some of her cousin's fresh-baked bread and a crock of butter. My stomach was growling, just thinking about it.

Zarya was still sleeping when it was time for Rilla and Zima to head to the training yards. Hanna begged Kira to be allowed to go along and she finally gave in. We were both worried that she was far too young, but I hated to make her continue with her studies when the other two were getting to go outside and do things that were far more exciting.

After the others left, I laid down beside Zarya and waited for her to wake up.

~~~

I woke up to laughter - and a small hand patting my cheek. I opened my eyes to find Zarya looking at me. She was patting my cheek to wake me up - while Kira, Rilla, Zima, and Hanna stood laughing.

"What happened to practice?" I asked - my voice sounding groggier than I had expected.

"We're done for the day," Zima reported.

"Out early for good behavior?" I asked, grinning.

"It's nearly dinner time," Hanna huffed. "You've slept all afternoon."

"I blame this one," I said, digging my fingers into the little girl's ribs.

She squealed with laughter, pushing my hands away.

"We've changed your name," I told her. "What do you think about Zarya?"

"It means daybreak," Kira told the little girl. "It seemed appropriate since we found you early in the morning."

"Do you like it?" Hanna asked her, sitting on the bed.

"Yes," the little girl said.

"Good," Hanna said. "I think it's a pretty name."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Hanna."

"I think your name is pretty too."

It was beyond adorable. I turned my head and punched myself in the chin to keep the waterworks from starting. Kira laughed at me.

"Come and see," Zima told her, "the house-mother has some clothes that she thinks will fit you."

Zarya looked at me and asked, "Can I keep your shirt?"

"If you want to, yes," I said, "but I'm sure you'll be much happier with the things that Dora has picked out for you."

"This shirt smells like you," Zarya said.

Honestly, I didn't remember wearing the thing - but I wasn't about to argue with her. I scooped her up and we headed to the common-room to see what Dora had for her.

Zima and Hanna helped Dora get the girl dressed. Zarya ordered me to fold up the shirt and take it to her bed and lay it on her pillow. Kira snickered as I headed off to comply with her directives.

After that, we headed for dinner. Zarya sat with Alia and Nala. Alia rubbed her hand over Zarya's scalp and I told her to behave. Kira and Nella covered their faces when the little blonde reported that she wanted me to cut her hair like that as well.

While we ate, Rilla, Zima, and Hanna - with a little help from Kira - told me how their afternoons had gone. The archery instructor had praised Rilla's skill - and then promptly made her stand in place and practice shooting the same target for the next two hours. She showed me her fingertips. I started to heal them but Kira cautioned me that the instructor was probably trying to build up callouses. I healed the blisters and left the rest. Kira shook her head at me, grinning.

Zima and Hanna had done a bit of everything - as the instructors worked to figure out where they might have natural talent or inclinations. Kira was delighted to report that both had ended up with throwing knives. The princess had fallen in line with the girls and practiced side-by-side with them for over an hour. She said that - by the end of the day - both of them had made marked improvements. She expected them to be well above average by the end of the week - and even more skilled by the time we were ready to go adventuring.

At this proclamation, Zima's and Hanna's faces lit up like the sun. I cautioned them to continue to be studious in the mornings and to follow the guidance of all of the trainers in the afternoon. Kira told them that - in addition to weapons training - they would receive tactics training for small and large groups - as well as instruction on other important topics - like wilderness survival.

"When their skills have advanced enough," Kira told me, "I'll have the instructor set up a time for us to do tactics training as a group. Once we think we're ready, they'll have us face off against another group."

All four of my girls - two future wives and to adopted daughters - seemed to be chomping at the bit to fight another team. I was leading a band of blood-thirsty savages!

Kira praised each of them for keeping a positive attitude and listening to constructive correction from the trainers and instructors. She told them that those things were the keys that unlocked the greatest potential. I asked if they'd done any magical testing but Kira said that wouldn't happen until later in the week.

Everybody else was wrapping things up so we finished our food and thanked the cooks. Kira whispered something to her cousin before we left that had her blushing again.

Back in our rooms once more, it was time for another story. I held Zarya on my lap and told the girls the story of Hansel and Gretel. I started off doing a scary voice for the witch but it was kind of freaking Zarya out - so I dropped it.

Once again, the littles (including our newest member) were asleep by the time I finished the story. We picked them all up and carted them off to their beds. I tucked Zarya in and she mumbled something about the shirt. I picked the garment up and put it in her small hands. She cuddled it to her chest and began softly snoring.

On my way to the bedroom, I stuck my head in to see how Rilla was contending with Zima and Hanna intruding on her personal space. The 17-year-old had a soft smile on her face. Her eyes were closed (as were the younger girls'). Zima and Hanna were half-laying on the older girl with their heads tucked against her neck. She had her arms around them. They weren't quite asleep yet but they were close. I eased the door shut, hoping not to disturb them.

I turned and just about ran into Kira. She grinned and pressed her lips to mine.

"I checked on them too," she said. "I think they'll be fine."

"What are we going to do about Hanna?" I asked.

"You should have seen her, Loki," Kira whispered. "She was beyond determined to keep up with the older girls and - you know what - she did. She might not be as outspoken as the others but - once she fixes her mind on something - I'm not even sure the gods could stop her."

"Like having her own family?" I asked.

Kira's arms went around my neck, her lips pressed to mine, her legs wrapped around my waist. I carried my soon-wife to our bedroom. I eased the door open, stepped inside, and shut it - and then locked it.

"Starting without us?" Dora asked.

Kira turned to look at her and giggled. Dora and Nella were already lying on the bed.

"We were just commenting about how determined Hanna is. I said that I didn't think even the gods themselves could stop her, once she'd gotten something into her head. Loki noted that she had gotten the family she'd always wanted."

"And you were considering adding to that family?" Nella asked with a smirk.

"We can practice at least," Kira told her with a sly grin on her face.

Since Kira was already in my arms, I decided to start with her. She'd gotten so horny - the night before - with Nella whispering naughty shit in her ears as I fucked her - that I told the two of them to do it again.

Once more, Nella filled Kira's ears with honey as I fucked the hell out of her. We both came hard. I gave her a load of cream to go with the honey.

Nella went next. I rubbed my penis - still slippery from Kira's pussy - up and down her vulva and slit while Dora and Kira teased and tormented her like the two had done with Kira. Nella was soon gasping for breath as I rubbed the head of my penis around and around her swollen clitoris. She cried out when - just before she climaxed - I shoved my cock straight down her spasming channel. She came immediately which set me off and I flooded her. As soon as we'd caught our breaths, Dora traded in and the other two began relentlessly teasing the young woman - telling her that I'd probably knock her up with triplets when we finally decided to start having babies. Her body shuddered with her climax. I buried my cock inside of her and groaned as her clasping cunt milked a massive load from me.

As we fell asleep, Nella whispered that she wanted to sleep in my arms the next night. I squeezed her butt and gave her another lusty kiss. I fell asleep to the feeling of Dora's still-stiff nipples digging into my chest.

~~~

After breakfast, a messenger came to ask Kira and me to visit her father's rooms. Kira's brother was there when we were admitted.

"I received a messenger yesterday," the king said. "My battle commander is losing scouts to some unseen person or squad. I was wondering if you could look into it."

"He won't let me go," Kiro grumbled.

"Your strength is a one-on-one duel," his father told him. "These two operate differently."

"I know," his son admitted. "I'd just like to tag along."

"We could use him as the bait...," I teasingly suggested.

"I thought about it," the king said, "and I do trust you - but I'd be placing both of my heirs lives in your hands."

"What am I?" Prince Kiro objected, "a defenseless child?"

"No...," his father said.

Kira's brother stood, waiting, without saying a word.

"Fine...," the king finally said. "Against my better judgement..."

"Yes! We're gonna fuck some shit up!" the prince cheered.

Kira laughed at her brother, shaking her head at him.

"What?" he asked her. "You get to run around with him all of the time..."

"We spent half the day yesterday removing lice from an unwanted child and getting her clean enough to bring into the palace to get food in her belly..."

The prince deflated.

"I know...," he said glumly.

Kira punched him in the arm.

"Come on! You know I'm just giving you a hard time. You'll make such a tempting target - a pretty little defenseless thing like you - stumbling around the edge of our forces - waiting to be picked off by a group of enemy assassins..."

I laughed as the king literally face-palmed.

"You'll need to load up on supplies," he warned. "They've been hitting just after dusk and just before daybreak."

"We should use army-standard kits," Kira noted, "so we don't look like we're anything unusual."

"Bring my children back to me safely, please, Loki," the king said.

"I'll do my best, sir," I replied, offering a salute.

He nodded, his face conflicted.

Kira swatted her brother on the ass and raced out of the door, hollering back at him that the last one to get to the quartermaster was going to have to sleep in a leaky tent. Prince Kiro went tearing out of the room on her heels.

"Stop in the kitchens and get some fresh bread and bowls of stew," the king advised. "It'll stay hot in your storage-item and you won't have to suffer through with trail rations. You'll have hot food without having to risk a fire."

"I'll do as you suggest," I told him, "but if we're going to play Kiro off as a hapless scout..."

"Ah... yes...," he replied, waving me off. "Look after them..."

"I will, sir."

I slipped out, nodding to the guard who closed the door behind me. I turned left and then right - trying to remember which direction the quartermaster's office was.

"Left, right, down two flights, then right again...," the guard said.

"Thanks," I said. "I owe you."

"Bring them back safely, sir," he replied.

"I will do my best..."

He laughed and said, "Try not to lose your arms this time..."

"... but it's such fun, seeing the expression on their faces..."

He shook his head, grinning, as I rounded the corner.

Since I was passing our rooms, I ducked inside. I pulled Dora and Nella aside, warned them that we'd probably be out for a day or two, gave them kisses, and left. Nella reminded me that she was sleeping on my chest when we got back, grabbing a handful of my ass before I could escape.

By the time I got to the quartermaster's office, the other two were already loaded up. I grabbed the things that they'd laid out for me and then pulled bread and stew out of storage for them to store away.

"Good thinking...," Prince Kiro said.

"Your father's suggestion...," I told him.

He laughed and said, "Dad hates trail rations."

As I stowed my things, I tried to think ahead to what else we might need to prepare for.

"I think I need to change my home location for my portal stone," I told them. "I'm currently set up for ferrying the seamstress back and forth."

"Let's go see the mage," Kiro said. "He might have a spare or two. You could keep yours as it is and Kira and I could manage return trips, if they're needed."

"I doubt we'll even need them," Kira said. "We walk or ride to the front, find the sneaky shits, and portal back. Easy peasy."

"Better safe than sorry...," her brother said.

"I agree," I replied.

"Fine," she said, grinning. "I definitely don't feel like walking back."

The mage only had one spare stone. Kiro and Kira fought over it. Kiro finally gave in and let her carry it. She set the home location in a quiet corner between the quartermaster's office and the kitchens - figuring that (if we were returning) it would be to retrieve items from both locations.

I talked them into visiting the storeroom filled with armor and weapons. I grabbed the sword with the necrotic curse and stored it away to fuck with later, when we were just sitting around, waiting for the bad guys to show up and stab Kiro.

Once we were all set, we headed for the front gate. We would be walking out to the battlefront - because the guards needed to see where Kiro had gone. It would have been nicer (and much faster) to portal.

As we approached the courtyard, I asked if the three of us should be seen leaving together and the two agreed that - if there were traitors or moles in or around the palace - that would be information worth passing along. Kira pulled a scroll from her storage and gave it to her brother - so that he could pretend that he was simply delivering a message. She and I stepped into a corner and vanished from sight.

Kiro walked purposefully towards the front gate, telling the guards that he was delivering a message to a crafter for his father. Kira and I snuck along behind him. I couldn't see her but I could sense where she was. She said that her sense of my location was weaker but she was confident that her skill would improve before we got to our destination.

My movement speed was hampered by my low skill and I apologized to the other two for slowing them down. I offered to drop the stealth and switch to a disguise but Kira was adamant that I needed to work on improving my movement-speed while remaining unseen.

Poor Kiro was barely moving at a fast walk. I grumbled that it was going to take us days to get to our destination at this rate. A mile later, my speed improved and Kira giggled at me. Two miles after that, it got another boost and I didn't feel so bad. By the time we left the city gates behind, Kiro was jogging. I was able to remain invisible but my feet felt like they were made of stone. Nearly three miles later - when we could just see support units' camps - my feet lightened and I didn't feel like I was trudging through mud anymore.

Kiro already knew where the commander's tent was. We headed there first. He informed the guards that he needed to speak to the commander. A mage came out, looked at Kiro and then looked around - trying to find Kira and me.

"Allow me inside and I will explain," Kiro told the man.

The mage was hesitant but finally nodded. He held the tent flap aside. Kira put her hand on her brother's shoulder to follow him in and I did the same with her. The mage brought up the rear. As soon as the flap closed, we revealed ourselves. Neither Kira nor I spoke however. Upon seeing the king's daughter, the mage relaxed.

"Commander," Kiro said. "I am here to try to remove the assassins. If you will please assign me to a scout's position, I will use my resources..." He waved his hand at me and Kira. "... to resolve your problem."

The commander looked back and forth at the three of us. He turned to the prince.

"I appreciate the king's attention to the matter," he said. "If you will move your... resources... to the side, I will call in the captain of the scouts and have him tell us where we should place you."

Kira and I stepped to Kiro's left and disappeared. The commander nodded to the mage. The mage leaned out and spoke to the guard. The guard motioned for a runner. The runner went to retrieve the captain.

"The resource that is unknown to me...," the commander said quietly.

"You remember the prisoner that I left with - the last time I was here...?" Kiro asked.

The commander nodded. Kiro pointed to where I was standing and then drew his finger across his neck, signing that I had killed the Beast.

"Impressive," the commander said. He grinned and added, "I DO worry, however, that your other resource could be a bit of a liability..."

"Fuck you...," Kira whispered.

The mage smirked - and then straightened his face as the scout captain was announced. He pulled back the flap and admitted him.

The commander and the captain conferred and the captain was dismissed.

When the man was gone, the commander looked at Kiro and said, "Good hunting to you..."

Kiro nodded and headed for the exit. The mage pulled the tent flap open. Kira and I slipped out ahead of the prince and then waited for him to catch up.

A half-hour - and a costume change later - Kiro relieved the scout that held the position to which he had been assigned.

"Thank the gods!" the man muttered, heading back to camp to report to the captain.

Kiro waited until he was far enough away so as not to hear us. He still whispered when he spoke.

"Sweep the area?" he asked quietly.

I tapped my toe on the ground twice - our signal for 'yes'. He nodded. I caught Kira's hand, flipped her palm facing up, and drew instructions on her palm for her to search the left while I went right. She drew an "X" in my palm and signaled for us to stay together. I took her hand in mine and we moved to the right.

Hand-in-hand, we moved away from Kiro until we could barely see him because of ground cover and other obstacles. I sent my senses out farther - feeling for people or magic. I didn't "see" anything. I signaled to Kira and she wasn't getting anything either. We circled ahead and to the left a bit. I planned to do a full 360-degree sweep but - obviously - we should focus in front of us first. If the assassins were already between Kiro and the main camp, we were really in trouble.

At that thought, I froze. I called my portal stone to my fingers, wondering if portalling would cancel our concealment. I decided to risk it. I took us to Valeri's shop. We were still invisible. I breathed a sigh of relief. The seamstress was in the back so I just whispered quietly. I quickly told Kira of my suspicions - that there was a chance that the assassins were already inside of the perimeter - which would be why the scouts never saw them or heard them - because they were training their senses outward.

Kira thought the idea was reasonable and - if we ended up sweeping the back without finding anything - we'd still end up checking the front to make sure that our foes weren't already encamped. There was a chance that the group was moving from station to station and we were doing all of this for no real reason. There was also a good chance that there was more than one group of assassins working to eliminate scouts.

The obvious goal was to remove enough scouts for the commander to call them back - which opened the main camp up to the possibility of facing a full-scale attack with little or no warning.

Confident that we had a workable plan, I portaled us back to Kiro.

As soon as we returned, I realized that I'd just fucked my temporary portal location. Valeri's shop was my home location and I'd been using our quarters as the secondary one. My secondary had just been switched to this location. At least we still had Kira's stone to get us back to the palace.

Turning in the opposite direction that Kiro was facing, I led Kira ahead and slightly to the right. As we moved, we continued sensing ahead of us - trying to see if there was a person (or group) hidden away - waiting to hit on our bait.

We'd made it back to the path we'd followed to get here and just headed farther to the right when I heard a rock get kicked. Kira squeezed my hand and we froze. There was a muttered curse and then a whispered rebuke. There were at least two people somewhere ahead of where Kira and I were standing. We stayed put.

I sent out my senses. I got a fuzzy feeling of where two individuals were standing. They began moving our way. I grabbed Kira's hand and made signs for us to use a nearby tree as cover - assuming that the hidden assassins would avoid it.

I portaled us back to Valeri's.

"What're you doing?" she hissed quietly.

"Who's there?" Valeri called.

"Do you sense them both?" I whispered.

"Yes, a little. There are two of them."

"I'll leave you by the tree and deal with them. Keep watch for others."

"I doubt..."

"I know - but just stay put. I'll have the poisoned blade out and I don't want to cut you with it."

"Fine."

"Who's there?" Valeri called again, her footsteps moving our way.

I portaled us back, squeezed Kira's hand, and released her. The assassins were bumbling around. It was probably two guys and they didn't want to touch each other to keep track of where the other was. I eased their way, planning to come at them from the back and just nick them with the poisoned blade and then let it do its work.

As the first passed me, I realized they had a rope or something between them that they were using to keep track of one another. I waited for the second to pass where I was. I sensed him turning towards me just before he stepped past - like he was getting a sense that someone was there. I quieted my breathing but I was fairly certain that his labored breaths were keeping him from hearing me.

I side-stepped to the right just as he thrust a blade where I'd been a moment ago. I sensed the front one tugging on the rope - trying to figure out what the second one was doing. I pulled the poisoned blade, tried to estimate where his neck would be (assuming that it wouldn't be covered) and eased the tip of the blade forward until he reacted.

As soon as he flinched, I pulled the blade back. Almost immediately, he faded into view. I sensed the other turning and then heard a low gasp.

"Something bit me," the visible one whispered, rubbing the back of his neck.

He was already beginning to look unwell. The poison was close to his brain from the outset and I could guess how easily it was going to start fucking with his head in addition to his overall health.

As the visible one fidgeted and grumbled, I eased around behind the invisible one. I dislodged a small stone with my toe as I shuffled about but the other assassin was preoccupied with trying to figure out what was going on with his buddy.

Once again, I eased the blade forward until the invisible foe flinched. I yanked the blade away just before he reached back to feel at the spot on his neck where I'd stung him.

I slowly moved back towards where Kira was still hiding. I stowed my blade well before I got to her. She flinched when I touched her hand. I gave it a squeeze. The second assassin was just fading into view.

"We need to get out of here," the second hissed to the first.

The first guy that I had tagged was still standing - but his elevator was no longer going all the way to the penthouse, as they say. His eyes were dull from pain and the increasing toxin levels in his blood. I waited patiently. The longer the second guy tried to help or talk to his friend, the longer the toxins had to claim his body.

By the time the first one collapsed, the second was too far gone to move more than a couple steps before he sank to his knees and then rolled to his back - his blank eyes staring at the pretty blue sky.

I squeezed Kira's fingers and started to pull her after me as we continued our search. I stopped and portaled us back to Valeri's shop. She was standing there, looking around the room. Somehow, she'd figured out that someone had been there. I dropped my stealth. Kira did as well.

"Seven hells!" Valeri gasped, holding her chest.

"Sorry," I said. "We're doing some sneaky shit and - as you know - this is my portal location. I probably need to pick an alley nearby instead."

"Let me take you to the garden," she said. "You can change your location?"

"That'll work for me if it's okay with you," I told her. "We might be bouncing in and out a few times throughout the day, evening, and night..."

"My husband rarely goes out there," she said. "I relax there when I'm not busy but..."

".. but I ordered a couple dozen dresses...," Kira said, grinning.

"Yes," Valeri said, giving my future bride a quick curtsy.

She led us through the back room - then down a hall through their modest dwelling - and then out the back door to a grassy space with a crude lawn chair sitting beneath a small shade tree.

"Thanks, Valeri," Kira told her, giving her fingers a quick squeeze.

"Stay safe, you two...," she said, retreating back inside.

"Who was that?" I heard her husband ask.

I turned to Kira.

"Leave the bodies where they are?"

"Yes, and keep sweeping the rear," she replied. "I have a feeling there are two groups. Once we've established that the perimeter is clear, I think we should keep watch over the dead pair."

I gave her a quick kiss, grabbed her fingers, and disappeared. I called the stone to my fingers, updated my home location, and - as soon as Kira vanished - took us back to Kiro.

We swept the rest of the perimeter without finding any other assassins. We eased up beside Kiro and I made that little sound with my tongue like you do when you're trying to coax a reluctant puppy to come closer. He looked towards the sound.

"Didn't want to startle you," I whispered.

We quietly updated him on what we'd accomplished so far and what our plan was, going forward. He moaned that he was bored. Kira pinched his butt and then evaded his counter-strike, giggling once she was safely out of range.

Kira and I headed off to sit under the tree and watch over our new fly-trap.

We just sat together for quite a while. Then of course, we got handsy - which escalated. A half-hour later, Kira was bent over - leaning against the backside of the tree - as I slid my cock in and out of her perfect pussy.

"I can hear you...," Kiro hissed.

"Shut up...," his sister hissed back.

I tried to slow down but she was getting close and started thrusting her ass back at me - pushing me in deeper and faster. I managed to hold off cumming until she did - but it was a close thing.

I couldn't see her but I could feel her pulling at her nipples as she rode out the last of her climax and moaned softly as my penis finished pumping my creamy load deep inside of her.

Kiro gave an overly-dramatic sigh and found a waist-sized boulder to sit on.

Kira pulled off my slick cock, spun around, knelt down, found my penis, and cleaned me up. She stood, caught my face, and grinned into my lips as she forced the taste of our mingled fluids into my mouth with her tongue. I squeezed her bare ass in my fists and pulled her into a deeper kiss.

"You two are the worst...," Kiro complained.

"I'm sure there are some company whores among the support units," his sister told him. "We'll keep watch while you go get some relief."

"I hate you...," he told her.

We dressed while continuing to make out. I thought we were being pretty quiet but he harrumphed at us and moved several paces farther on.

At lunchtime, we sat together and ate, chatting quietly - though Kira and I remained invisible.

Around mid-afternoon, we all froze when the birds in a nearby tree suddenly took flight - but it was just a fox. I returned to my seat and updated the other two.

"You fucking anybody?" Kira asked her brother several minutes later.

"Nosey, much?" he asked. "You're the sneak. Surprised you don't know all of my secrets."

"Haven't found any young maidens in the palace with unexplained swollen bellies so thought maybe you'd decided to become a paladin and take a vow of celibacy," she teased.

"I just haven't found the right girl yet...," he said quietly.

"You can have a bit of fun in the meantime...," she told him, sounding far more serious than I expected.

"Father lectured me," he said glumly.

"Sorry," his sister replied, with a knowing tone. "You could..."

"Yes," he said. "I could just find one who's good with her mouth but... I've never had much willpower and..."

"I understand," she replied quietly. "I kind of thought I had things under control until this one showed up. Thankfully, the All-Father's got his balls on a leash or I'd probably already be ready to burst."

"That is entirely too much information," her brother told her.

He was smiling though.

"You could get a talisman...," she suggested.

"Dad was pretty adamant."

"I'm sorry."

She was quiet for a minute.

"That..."

"... sucks balls?" he finished for her, laughing.

"Yeah," she said.

I let them sit quietly. I slipped back over to check on the two dead guys. Nothing had changed.

We stayed quiet after that. I decided to try the necrotic blade again. I wedged the handle of the regular blade between my knees, locking it in place so that I could use it to remove the finger if I failed to heal the necrosis.

When I was ready, I touched the tip of the cursed blade to my finger until it broke the skin. Immediately, the flesh began to decay. The wound began spreading. I gasped. I'd forgotten how quickly it worked. I slid the finger up the regular blade - cutting it off before the necrosis spread to my hand. Kira and her brother just shook their heads at me as I restored the finger.

I started again - mindful this time that I needed to work faster. As soon as the decay began, I focused on the wound, pushing the magic against the curse. Sweat beaded on my brow. For a moment, I thought I had it - and then the tide turned. I had to slice the finger off once again to stop the damage.

I gave up after an hour. I could halt it but I couldn't push it back - I couldn't get the healing to push hard enough to remove the necrotic curse. Eventually, I always ran out of energy (or lost focus) and another decaying finger dropped to the ground at my feet.

I finally stored away the blade and just sat there, staring at my finger, trying to figure out if my approach was wrong or if my magic just wasn't strong enough yet.

Dinnertime came and we ate more stew and bread. I pictured the bread-maker's face - and then the blush that had colored her cheeks the last time Kira had whispered into her ear. Mila had been looking directly at me when she began blushing. My cock started swelling as I thought about the possibilities.

I cleared my throat and went to check on the bodies again. The day was just starting to fade into dusk. I wondered if the scout captain would send somebody to relieve Kiro or if he'd been instructed to leave us alone.

I had just started to turn - to head back to sit with the others - when I caught the sound of a toe scraping through gravel. I turned my head towards where Kira and her brother were sitting - to make that sound with my tongue again - but Kiro was facing exactly where I'd heard the sound. His hand was on the handle of his short sword. Kira was moving my way.

When she got close, I took her hand and motioned that I was going to move to the other side of the bodies. I signed for her to stay put by the tree unless things went sideways.

In my hurry to change positions, I got careless as I quick-stepped across the corpses. I caught my toe on the first man's boot and tumbled in the rocks and brush. I hit my head on a boulder and lost my concentration long enough to become visible.

An unseen foe leapt on top of me. His partner collided with him - trying to get to me as well. The force of his body drove the dagger than had entered my throat up into my brain. My vision split. The man was still lying on top of me and the blade was still buried in my body. I couldn't heal myself. The second man was still trying to regain his feet - leaning against his buddy to accomplish it - and I was having trouble shoving the weight of both of them off of me.

I thrust my hand at the second guy and used my unusual gift to grab for one of the pustules - casting its contents in his direction. He cried out in pain and toppled. The weight on my chest (and the weapon in my throat and brain) decreased. The man became visible. He was writhing on the ground, clawing at a belly wound that already looked infected.

I grabbed whatever was in the next pustule and sent it at the man who was still lying on top of me. His next breath told me that there was a gash in his throat. I pushed at him, causing the blade in my throat to cut into my vocal cords, and he finally tumbled off of me.

I grabbed the handle of his weapon (which, unfortunately, he had left behind) and yanked it out of my body. My eyes crossed as my brain struggled to make sense of the multiple images that wavered within my fading vision.

"Loki!" Kira gasped, rushing towards me.

She pulled the man the rest of the way off of me and knelt beside me.

"Fix it!" she demanded. "Heal yourself."

I attempted to say "Trying..." but nothing but air came out of my throat - and it came from a hole below my mouth.

"Heal yourself, you son of a bitch!" she screamed.

I could see Kiro moving our way.

I just needed to focus on my gift... I just needed to convince my magic to do its thing.

I looked up into Kira's face. She looked like a fucking goddess. I was beyond smitten with her. I reached my hand up to caress her cheek.

She pounded her fists on my chest.

"Heal, dammit!" she screamed. "Don't you fucking do this to me!"

Tears streamed down her face. Her brother called her name. She ignored him and beat her fists on my chest a few more times.

She leaned forward - into my face - screaming at me. The sound was odd - like she was a hundred yards away.

Her tears dripped from her cheeks and wet my face. She threw her arms around me. I closed my eyes and relished her touch. It always felt like electricity when she touched me. This time, though, it was just cozy - comforting.

Her lips were on mine. She was kissing me. It was like she was saying goodbye.

I gasped.

"Goodbye?!"

A burning rage ignited somewhere between my heart, my lungs, and my belly.

I reached for my lover. I wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her lips back to mine. I kissed her hungrily.

"Come on, Loki," she whispered. "Heal. I need you."

"I need you too," I said - though no sound came out.

She pressed her lips to mine again - and ran her fingers through my hair.

Slowly - slower than it had ever done before - my body began to knit itself together.

It started in my brain. It felt like someone was dragging a hot poker through my skull - but there was suddenly one Kira where there had been four.

I clasped that face - that beautiful face - in my hands - and pulled her lips back to mine. Her tears continued to fall. She was no longer sobbing however - she was crying happy tears.

"Keep it up, you bastard," she ordered. "I swear to the All-Father that if you die on me, I'm never sucking your dick again."

"Do you know?" I asked her. "There is nothing in this world - or any world - as beautiful as when your lips are wrapped around my cock as my balls erupt and you swallow it all down."

"Yes. I'm your cum-slut. Now, fucking heal that hole in your throat. It's disgusting, listening to you talk to me through it."

"Sit on the hole and I'll lick your..."

"Loki! Dammit! Finish healing yourself, you piece of shit!"

I realized that I wasn't using my gift to heal - at least not the instantaneous one. My body was just slowly rebuilding itself. While it wasn't happening quickly, it was happening faster than it ever had - especially considering how much damage I had taken.

Kiro looked relieved.

Suddenly, I realize there were two men sneaking up behind him. I knew they were invisible but I could see them as plain as day. They were like misty outlines - but I could make out everything - even facial features.

I thrust my hand at the first and sent a random pustule at him. He gasped as a belly wound appeared on his body. He became visible. Kiro turned to see him fall. Kira's brother still wasn't seeing the other assassin though. I reached for the next goiter - but nothing happened.

The invisible assassin slammed his blade into Kiro's chest just as I cried out. Kira followed my eyes and turned in time to see the assassin appear with a smarmy grin on his face. He pulled the dagger from Kiro's chest and watched with glee as the body of the king's son fell backwards. He turned his attention to the princess - the woman that I would marry.

Kiro's body bounced as it hit the ground. His eyes were going blank. I reached my hand for him - willing him to be healed. I was too far away to reach him but I had to try to heal him. I had to. I had promised. The gift resisted - or the wound did. I couldn't give up. I had to heal him. I smashed through the wall that stood between us and ripped the wound from his body. He gasped. The assassin's eyes shot open wide at hearing the sound - and he turned back to the man he had just stabbed.

"How?" the assassin gasped.

"Goodbye," I told him.

His eyes turned to me just as I flung the wound - still hovering within my hand - back at him.

His wide eyes grew wider and the blade flew from his grasp. He clutched at his chest and stumbled backwards.

He was dead before he hit the ground.

Kiro slowly got to his feet - with a little help from his sister.

"How?" he asked, looking down at his chest as he ran his fingers over the hole in his leather chest plate.

"I think I got an upgrade," I told him.

I glanced at his sister.

"I can see them now," I told her.

"Fucking ass," she glowered. "I've been doing this for years. You've copied my skills and then surpassed me in like - what - two weeks. I fucking hate you."

"That's not what you said a minute ago."

"Are you about finished patching yourself back together, you piece of shit?"

"I think I might have died there for a minute...," I told her.

"Don't you ever do that to me again..."

"Both of those fuckers were lying on top of the blade - trapping it inside of me. I couldn't do the usual thing. It took a while for my regeneration to kick up a notch to deal with it all."

I stood to my feet, trying to figure out if I was back to 100%

Kira stalked over, punched me in the chest, grabbed my collar, and pulled me down for a kiss. She released me, stomped back over to where we'd been sitting with her brother, and reclaimed her spot.

Kiro laughed and shook his head.

"You suppose there's more than three teams?" I asked him.

"No way to know without asking some folks that aren't liable to be inclined to answer our questions," he replied.

I thought about what he had said. Maybe I couldn't ask them... but maybe I could go snoop around... and remove a few of their scouts while I was at it...

"Hey!" Kira yelled. "I know that look... That's the look you get right before you stab yourself in the throat or the eye just to show off..."

"I wasn't showing off," I said. "I was just storing up wounds for later."

"So, what're you planning, fat-dick?"

"Payback? Plus... a little espionage...?"

"I'm going with you...," the prince began to say.

"No, you're not," Kira said firmly. "We'll run back and alert the commander to what we've found - and then I'm taking your ass home and making sure that Dad knows you're safe. Then me and this piece of shit are going..."

"... to fuck some shit up," Kiro said mechanically. "I didn't even get to kill anybody!" he complained.

Kira grinned at him.

"Next time...," his sister promised.

"Please...," he begged.

"If Daddy's so fucking worried about your penis, he'll be even more worried about your other head... How'd you manage to get him to let you go up against the Beast of Rivergorge..."

Her eyes widened.

"You didn't ask...?" she began to ask.

"I was just delivering a message from Dad to the field commander when the Beast threw out his challenge," Kiro said, nodding, and confirming her suspicions.

"What did Dad say when he found out?" she asked.

I laughed. She looked at me.

"He told your dad...," I began.

"I said, 'It worked, didn't it?'" Kiro finished.

Kira laughed - and shook her head. Then she looked at me again.

"Daddy must really trust you...," she told me.

"He was very clear that I needed to make sure you both got back safely," I said.

"Kiro goes home and we do a little snooping...," she suggested, nodding.

"But...?" Kiro asked.

"We'll be invisible behind enemy lines, dear brother, what part of that suggests that Daddy won't absolutely lose his shit when we return?"

"He'll never know...," Kiro said.

We all knew it wasn't true. We would either be successful - and likely cause a rout - or we would fail - and my future father-in-law would cuss my corpse."

Kiro's shoulders slumped.

"We'll report to the commander," I suggested, "find some huge monster or animal for you to kill tonight, drop you back off with the trophy, and then throw our surprise party for the enemy."

Kiro's eyes gleamed.

"There's supposed to be a demon-bear living in a cave just a bit north of east," he said with a grin.

"Works for me...," I replied.

"I get to kill it," he clarified. "No one else touches it."

"I'm just a healer...," I replied with a wink.

He started laughing.

"Let's go report in. You two okay staying up half the night?" he asked, looking at his sister.

"As long as it gets you home and keeps from pissing Daddy off, I'm game," she replied.

We looked around our little post, to make sure we hadn't forgotten anything, and then headed back for the main camp.

We got challenged twice but they quickly recognized Kiro and Kira. When we got to the commander's tent, I told the guard to send for the scout captain. He gave me a shitty look but the mage stuck his head out of the tent flap and told him to quit wasting time.

We headed inside. Kiro gave the commander the executive summary and - when the scout captain arrived - went back over the play-by-play.

They agreed that it was unlikely that there were more than three teams operating behind their lines. Once the captain had left again, we got more precise directions to the demon bear's cave, telling the commander that we were going to relax a little before we took Kiro back home. He shook his head at us and waved us out. Just before I slipped through the exit, I casually mentioned that Kira and I would be back to do a little hunting of a different nature. I warned him to keep his ears open. He didn't say anything; just nodded - and then glanced at the mage.

We hiked about two hours through the darkness. Kiro followed Kira and me. I don't know if it was related to the sneak-thief skillset or not but I could see clearly enough in the little moonlight that there was to get us where we were going without any difficulty.

We found the cave. We could hear the demon bear. It was tearing apart whatever it had just dragged back to its home. Kira and I vanished. I put my hand on Kiro shoulder, and we moved forward.

The bear was nasty looking. Besides being like twice a normal bear's size, it had chunks of fur and flesh torn loose in places. The flesh beneath the wounds was seeping with some nasty yellow drainage that made you ill just to look at it.

The bear sensed us before it came into view. It had ceased tearing apart the human corpse at its feet and was looking directly at Kiro when we rounded the corner and stepped into the large space that it called its home.

The beast swiped its paw through the air and - a split-second later - I could see the attack become visible. Kiro didn't see it, though, and gasped when the magical claws ripped furrows across his face, chest, and stomach. I was already pulling the wounds away as they formed.

"Fuck...," he said.

"We staying?" I asked.

"Can you keep that up?"

"Yeah."

"We're staying. I want this bitch."

"Probably gonna be a challenge to find a taxidermist who'll take the job," I told him.

"Probably," he said, chuckling. "We'll worry about that tomorrow."

"Try to stay close enough for me to keep a hand on you," I told him. "I don't know if I can repeat that distance thing."

"Noted."

Of course, that cued the monster to leap at Kiro/us, and bat us aside like a mouthy kid. I lost my hold on Kira's brother as we slammed into the wall of the cave. I heard her gasp behind me.

Kiro was moving - but not very fast. I touched his ankle and healed him, pulling his wound into a goiter. I was already recovering so I didn't waste anything on myself.

The demon looked directly at me. I looked down to see if I was still invisible. I was.

"He can see us, Kira," I warned her.

I saw her take a couple steps back. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The bear batted me aside again and then pounced on Kiro. I rolled to my knees, got up, and headed back into the fray to see how badly the prince was doing.

The demon bear had Kiro backed up against the cave wall and was currently screaming into his face. Kira's brother had gotten his sword up before the bear arrived and the blade was buried in the beast's chest - just to the left of its heart. I couldn't get around the bear to reach Kiro. I stretched my hand towards him and tried the distance-healing thing again. It was slightly easier this time.

The demon-beast noticed what I was doing and sent me airborne with a backhand (backpaw?). I hit the far wall of the cavern with the sound that a sirloin would make if you tried to bounce it off of your kitchen cabinets. My brain catalogued the interesting new pain formation - even as my improved regeneration kicked in. Kiro was in trouble again. I did a full-heal and tossed it into a pustule. I wanted to toss it at the bear but Kira's brother had been most insistent...

I didn't try to heal him until I'd skirted around the bear and was lying against the wall beside him. The bear glared at me - even as it tried to tear at him. Kiro's left forearm was wrecked. His right hand was still gripping his sword. He'd stabbed the thing a second time - but once again failed to hit the heart. I wasn't sure even a direct strike would finish the thing.

"How's it going?" I asked him, restoring his health and making a new goiter.

"Aww, you know," he said, "just another day at the office..."

I leaned back, bent my knees, pressed the soles of my feet against the bear's chest, and pushed.

Kiro pulled the blade out and stabbed it again. The bear shrieked - and then bit his arm off. It looked confused when I healed the prince and the tasty treat disappeared from its jowls.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this...," Kiro said.

I could hear the grin in his voice. The bear ripped one of my legs in half while I was distracted - not that I was working that hard to avoid its strikes. Kiro yanked the blade out again and thrust a little higher.

"Did I miss it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure it's gonna be that easy...," I told him.

"Remove its head?" he mused.

"Likely..."

"How do we get him onto his back to let me get at him?"

"I'll tickle him, you run around the rear, and then try climbing up from that side."

"Worth a shot, I guess," he said. "Back in a bit..."

I pulled the poison blade from its sheath and cut a foot-long slit in the bear's belly. I also healed my leg.

A spray of spittle that contained pieces of whatever the bear had been eating when we entered the cave, flew out of the beast's maw as it screamed in rage at me.

"Tickle, tickle,...," I teased.

Kira gave a snort of laughter. The bear started to turn its head towards her - just as the point of Kiro's sword emerged from the front of its throat. I slipped out from under it, grabbed at its rear leg and pulled, trying to drop the thing onto its face. It was like trying to lift a Cadillac.

Kira laughed when I fell on my ass. Her brother was sawing up and down with his blade, trying to widen the wound that he made when he thrust it through, and turn it into a gash.

The bear reached over its shoulder, grabbed him, and yanked him forward, smacking his head and face against the wall of the cavern and knocking him out. Kira screamed. I leapt over the bear, touched Kiro's face, took the damage from him, and sent it into the demon bear. Its eyes widened for just a moment and then they closed. Kiro struggled to his feet.

"You're on a timer here, dude,...," I warned him.

He glanced at the monster and then got to work. He shoved his blade back in the first hole and began slicing - up and down - in and out - making the hole into a wide slice that covered half of the back of the bear's neck.

The bear started to wake up.

"You doing okay?" I asked Kiro.

"I need a little more time," he said.

"Get him to knock you out again and I'll transfer it..."

The prince ignored my jest and kept working.

"I need an axe," he said.

I popped into my storage. I had the cursed blade - along with some daggers and knives - but no axe.

"I've got nothing," I said. "Just the necrotic blade - but it'll eat shit up."

"Catch!" Kira yelled.

I looked up to see a hatchet flying towards me. I caught it - in my chest.

"Knock that shit off," she growled.

I pulled the hatchet out of my body and held it up for Kiro.

"Heal that, you ass!" my lover yelled.

I stuck my tongue out at her.

"I'm not sure that's big enough...," Kiro told me.

"That's what she said," his sister teased, laughing.

We both groaned. The bear was struggling to get up. If we both hadn't been hanging off of its back, no doubt it would've already succeeded.

"I've got it!" I gasped. "Cut my head off and I'll transfer it..."

"I don't fucking think so...," Kira snarled.

"Nothing else is working," her brother argued.

"So help me...," she growled.

I was completely caught off-guard when Kiro's blade spun, slicing through my neck.

My head rolled down the demon bear's back - traveled another dozen feet - and then stopped - and flopped onto my right ear. I was staring at three asses - mine, the bear's, and Kiro's.

"No...!" Kira screamed. "You fucking idiot!"

"Loki...?" Kiro asked quietly. "You got this, right?"

He couldn't see me grinning. He was talking to the gaping hole in my neck.

I pushed the injury from my body into the demon bear's massive frame. It pushed back. My grin faltered. I pushed again. The bear roared. I pushed harder.

"Loki?" Kiro asked, worriedly.

"You stupid sons of bitches!" Kira screamed. "Why do I let you talk me..."

I pushed again and this time something snapped.

The demon bear's head popped off. Mine disappeared from the floor and reappeared where it was supposed to be.

I tried to do that Beetlejuice thing - where it spins around in a circle - but it was hooked on real good.

"I fucking hate you!" Kira said, falling to her knees, bawling.

"Sorry, sis...," Kiro apologized.

She groaned. It sounded like she was in pain.

"On a positive note...," he continued, his mouth turning into a huge grin.

"Don't say it...," she threatened.

"... it worked!"

She just glared at him - or maybe she was glaring at me. Yeah. It was me.

I slid off of the bear's back and walked towards her.

"No... No...," she said, getting to her feet and holding up her index finger to stop me.

She disappeared. I froze. She hadn't turned invisible. I'd still be able to see her. She was gone.

Portaled.

She portaled.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned back to see Kiro grinning at me.

"Dude, she just ditched us," I told him.

"What?"

"My home portal takes us to Valeri's," I explained. "That's like a three mile walk to the palace..."

"Shit..."

"Yeah," I told him. "Your sister's pissed and she's making us walk."

"At least we don't have to carry..."

"Dude, I don't think that thing is fitting in my storage-item..."

"You've gotta be shitting me..."

Hoping that I was wrong, I tried storing it. The head would go - but not the body.

"We could just leave the...," I started to say.

"C'mon...," Kiro begged. "You know nobody's gonna be impressed with just the head..."

"Fine," I said. "I'll move my shit around. Dig your things out and I'll add it to mine. Maybe then it'll fit."

We spent the next hour moving stuff around. I had my shit packed along the left side and Kiro's on the right. I still wasn't that sure that I hadn't mixed our stuff together at some point along the way.

Kiro reported that - as we removed the items - the shelves disappeared. I said a quick prayer to the All-Father that this would work. I swear I heard him chuckle.

We finally got Kiro's storage cleared and the body went in. I still had to take the head. He couldn't take them both.

We portaled to Valeri's backyard. I let him out of the gate, locked it back, and climbed over the wall.

"That's fucking handy...," Kiro said.

"Yeah," I replied.

It was like two o'clock in the morning. We tried to stay quiet but we ended up chatting most of the way back to the palace. It was at least 3:00am by the time we got to the gate. The portcullis was down.

The guards grumbled but finally raised the heavy iron gate to let us in. They'd just gotten it lowered back down when the captain showed up and asked why they hadn't used the wicket gate. Kiro and I snuck off while they were still fuming and cursing.

We were both still covered in blood, puss, and - in my case - demon bear spittle. We went to Kiro's room, woke an attendant to fill the tub (twice) and got cleaned up.

We shoved the chairs and sofas around in his sitting area and made enough space for him to dump out the bear's carcass. As soon as he unloaded it, we realized how badly it reeked. He stored it back again, deciding to wait until the next day (or, since it was already technically morning, later that same day) to unload it - probably somewhere outside. The blurry eyed attendant scowled at us when we had him come back in to mop up the mess. I would have done it myself but I didn't know where they kept the mops... or the water.

I unloaded all of Kiro's shit from my storage-bracelet, setting it beside the wall, next to the chairs and sofas that we'd moved for no real reason.

The songbirds were beginning their irritating serenade by the time I laid down on one of Kiro's couches and passed out. He'd already gone to bed an hour or so before.

~~~ End of Chapter 8 ~~~

There are 18 chapters in this story series.

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