Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  “This---is---apparently---the---best---Inn---in---the---town,”---he---explains,---his---own---frown---on---his---face---as---he---looks---at---the---decayed---wood.

  Regardless,---it---would---still---be---much---better---to---have---a---proper---bed---instead---of---constantly---having---to---camp---outside.

  Rathic---takes---a---deep---breath,---ignoring---the---horrid---stench---of---the---town---and---walks---forward,---opening---the---door---and---entering---the---Inn.

  Immediately---several---faces---turn---to---look---at---him,---almost---immediately---turning---away---except---for---a---muscular---chiseled---man---who---gestures---to---Rathic---to---come---closer---to---the---counter.

  Which---is---what---Rathic---does,---noting---the---rather---clean---insides---of---the---room.---Even---though---the---wood---of---the---walls---and---floor---have---aged,---they---are---well---maintained.

  As---Rathic---reaches---the---counter,---the---level---22---[Innkeeper]---and---level---25---[Bar---Fighter]---quickly---grabs---a---glass---and---pours---some---kind---of---dark---liquid---into---it---and---slides---it---to---Rathic.

  Rathic---looks---at---the---cup---and---grabs---it---with---his---hand,---noticing---his---ring,---enchanted---with---[Detect---Poison],---is---not---glowing.---He---nods---immediately---takes---a---gulp---of---the---liquid,---a---rather---bitter---but---strong---alcoholic---drink.

  The---drink---is---clearly---inferior---to---what---he---has---been---carrying---or---what---he---has---been---drinking,---which---was---primarily---wine.---But---he---was---a---[Mercenary]---before,---so---such---a---drink---does---not---surprise---him.

  “I---need---all---of---your---rooms.---Every---single---one---of---them,”---Rathic---exclaims,---noting---slightly---the---startled---look---of---the---[Innkeeper].---Though---to---Rathic---surprise,---the---[Innkeeper]---regains---his---composure---quickly.

  “We---have---35---open---rooms…---each---room---will---cost---3---drachme---a---night.---Meals---are---a---drachme---each.---Meals---for---horses---is---another---drachme.---If---you---need---a---basin---of---hot---water,---that---will---cost---another---two---drachme.---If---you---need---a---girl---for---the---night,---that---will---be---another---two---drachme.”

  The---costs---were…---surprisingly---cheap.---Even---Gen---had---lifted---an---eyebrow---at---the---price,---expecting---to---have---to---haggle---to---lower---it.---But---Rathic---just---nods,---reaching---into---his---bag---of---holding,---a---rather---expensive---enchanted---item---which---is---enchanted---with---[Increased---Space]---and---[Lowered---Weight],---allowing---him---to---fit---significantly---more---items---inside---it---while---also---making---said---items---weigh---only---a---fraction.

  Digging---in,---Rathic---retrieves---10---silver---drachme,---coins---which---are---each---equal---to---fifty---drachme---each---and---places---them---on---the---table---to---the---innkeepers---surprise.

  “I---will---take---all---the---rooms,---including---a---bath---and---two---meals---for---every---person,---including---the---horses---and---oxen.---If---my---people---want---a---girl,---then---they---will---pay---it---themselves.---We---will---be---leaving---tomorrow---morning.---Any---coin---left---over---is---yours---to---keep.”

  At---this---point,---Alfonso,---which---is---the---[Innkeepers]---name,---widens---his---eye---at---the---coins---on---his---table.---He---quickly---scoops---them---up.

  “I---will---have---the---rooms---prepared---immediately,”---he---states,---gesturing---to---the---two---serving---[Slave]---girls---and---quickly---relaying---orders---while---pointing---upstairs---and---downstairs.---The---girls---quickly---nod---and---run---towards---the---stairs---while---the---Innkeeper---himself---runs---towards---the---kitchen.

  “You---are---a---shitty---[Trader]”---Gen---voices---out---from---his---side.

  Rathic---wrinkles---his---eyebrows---as---he---looks---towards---the---[Mercenary---Captain],---”how---so?”

  “Because---you---could---have---lowered---the---price---to---possibly---only---a---hundred---drachme,---with---the---girls---included.”

  Rathic---rolls---his---eyes,---money---is---not---a---problem---for---him---right---now---as---he---currently---carries---significantly---more.

  But---then---he---frowns---when---he---thinks---that---such---spending---may---very---well---attract---unwanted---attention---to---him.

  “I---should---have---kidnapped---my---[Quartermaster],”---Rathic---whispers---under---his---breath,---eliciting---a---smile---from---Gen.

  “Whatever.---What's---done---is---done.---I’ll---go---see---if---I---can---sell---some---of---my---goods.”---Rathic---says,---turning---around---and---walking---outside---the---Inn.

  _____

  Moments---pass---and---a---stall---is---quickly---formed---at---the---central---trading---area---of---the---town---with---several---goods---on---tables,---displaying---items---ranging---from---alcohol,---wine,---leather,---and---various---other---goods,---which,---to---Rathic’s---understanding,---Is---lacking---in---the---borderlands,---cursed---lands,---sundered---lands,---and---whatever---other---name---the---locals---call---the---southeastern---continent,---a---place---so---devoid---of---mana---that---no---kingdom---outside---is---willing---to---attempt---to---conquer.---Controlling---and---ruling---over---it---would---be---more---expensive---than---just---leaving---the---place---alone.

  Rathic---frowns---as---he---watches---his---maid---as---she---attempts---to---sell---a---rather---beautiful---garment---to---an---older---woman,---only---for---her---to---notice---the---rather---steep---price---and---walk---away.

  Most---people---which---have---seen---the---price---of---his---goods---had---attempted---to---haggle---the---price---down---significantly,---but---his---maids---were---adamant---about---making---a---profit,---forcing---many---customers---to---walk---away.---Some---have---even---resorted---to---violence,---which---did---not---go---well---for---them---as---his---two---bearkin---[Guards]---were---able---to---quickly---deal---with---anyone---effectively.

  Unfortunately,---it---seems---that---his---goods---are---too---costly---with---only---the---wine---selling---to---[slavers].

  As---he---was---deep---in---thought,---Henrietta---shows---up,---her---hair---and---tail---slightly---wet---after---having---a---bath---inside---her---room.

  “Mistress---has---been---cleaned---and---is---now---sleeping,”---she---informs---Rathic---who---looks---up,---finding---that---the---sun---is---slowly---setting.

  It---seems---that---Izabelle---had---been---tired---from---the---trip---and---had---preferred---to---sleep---early.

  “I---see…”

  “Henrietta…---I---am---having---my---doubts---if---my---plan---to---raise---my---daughter---here---was---a---good---idea,”---Rathic---says---as---he---leans---against---one---of---his---carts,---arms---folded---across---his---chest.”---If---the---borderlands---are---just---like---this---town,---then---I---fear---for---my---daughter’s---well---being.---I---do---not---want---her---to---grow---up---around---such---a---horrible---place.”

  Henrietta---nods,---her---own---thoughts---were---on---the---same---thing.---So---she---had---talked---to---the---[Innkeeper],---who---was---more---than---eager---to---explain---the---situation.

  “All---of---the---towns---and---villages---at---the---border---of---these---lands---are---extremely---poor.”

  Rathic---gives---the---foxkin---a---confused---look,---signifying---her---to---continue.

  “The---lands---deeper---in---are---apparently---rife---with---[Bandits]---and---[Thieves],---but---of---a---much---lower---level.---But---here,---so---close---to---the---central---kingdoms,---those---[Bandits]---and---[Thieves]---are---of---a---much---higher---level.---So---much---higher---than---it---is---within---their---ability---to---take---over---a---town---several---times---a---year.”

  At---that---explanation,---Rathic---relaxes,---realizing---that---the---much---higher---level---[bandits],---like---the---ones---he---had---just---fought,---had---probably---taken---over---this---town---already…---and---robbed---it---s
everal---times.

  “I---see…---thank---you---for---that.”

  Henrietta---bows---towards---her---master,---happy---to---be---helpful---to---Izabelle’s---father.

  He---releases---a---deep---breath---and---turns---towards---the---sun,---finding---its---light---slowly---starting---to---disappear.

  And---just---as---he---was---about---to---order---the---goods---packed---back---up,---the---sound---of---several---mounted---individuals---grab---Rathic’s---attention.

  Eight---people---ride---in---on---horses,---mostl---of---which---seem---armed---in---some---way.---One---of---the---men---is---the---same---[Lieutenant]---which---he---had---seen---at---the---entrance.

  The---horses---stop---a---couple---of---meters---away---from---him---and---all---of---the---men---dismount,---including---a---short---man---in---a---robe---with---a---scowl---on---his---face.

  That---man---is---clearly---the---leader---of---the---town---as---the---armed---men---surrounding---him---take---to---his---sides.

  Rathic---activates---his---[Silent---Analyse]---skill---as---they---start---to---head---towards---him.

  Antos---Renish

  Level---32---[Lord]

  Level---47---[Slaver]

  Rathic---lifts---an---eyebrow---at---the---man's---levels,---clearly---higher---than---anyone---else---in---town,---but---also---far---lower---than---his---own.

  No,---what---interests---him---is---the---woman---next---to---him.

  Kasandra

  Level---46---[Mage]

  Level---22---[Slave]

  She---is---a---foxkin---just---like---Henrietta,---except---that---while---Henrietta---has---a---dark,---slightly---blue---tail,---Kasandra---has---a---vibrant---orange---one.---A---common---color---for---the---foxkin.

  Looking---around,---the---other---men---around---Antos---are---all---[Soldiers],---each---in---the---high---twenties---with---one---of---them---at---the---level---of---thirty.

  They---approach---him,---Antos---giving---Rathic---a---look---of---someone---finding---fresh---prey.

  As---the---man---is---a---couple---of---meters---away,---he---turns---to---the---fat---[Lieutenant],---”What---is---his---level?”

  “[Analyse],”---the---[Lieutenant]---exclaims,---immediately---activating---his---skill,---a---skill---which---impacts---Rathic’s---aura,---unable---to---find---purchase.

  The---[Lieutenants]---expression---changes---to---a---frown---as---he---instead---is---given---a---garbled---mess---of---information,---a---clear---sign---of---a---[Analyse]---spell---failing.

  “It's---not---working,”---he---says---out---loud,---turning---to---look---at---Antos.

  “What---do---you---mean---it’s---not---working?---How---does---it---not---work?”---Antos---asks.

  “S-sir,---I---don't---know.---My---skill---just---isn't---working.---I---don't---know---why.”

  The---[Slaver]’s---expression---turns---angry---as---he---looks---towards---Rathic,---”How---are---you---blocking---[Analyse]?---That---should---not---be---possible.”---he---yells,---his---aura---expanding---out,---converging---over---Rathic.

  “Answer---Me!”---he---yells,---activating---a---skill---called---[Minor---Authority],---a---useful---ability---that---a---[Lord]---may---obtain---to---control---his---subjects---or---in---general…---other---people.

  But---to---Rathic,---a---greatly---experienced---[General],---it---is---but---a---child's---attempt---to---manipulate.---With---utmost---ease,---the---aura---pressing---down---on---him---disappears.

  Rathic---straightens---his---back---and---stops---leaning---on---the---cart,---the---level---of---threat---these---people---pose---to---him---is---practically---nonexistent.

  But---still,---that---is---no---reason---to---not---keep---up---your---guard.---All---it---takes---is---one---mistake---for---a---person---to---lose---his---life.

  With---a---wave---of---his---head,---he---directs---Henrietta---behind---him---as---he---takes---a---confident---step---forward,---aura---brimming---at---his---call,---ready---to---act---as---needed.

  Chapter---Twenty---One:---Leaving---Town

  “Master.”

  *Shwip”

  “I-I-I-I’m---Sorry.

  *Shwip*

  “I'll---do---better!”

  *Shwip**Shwip*

  Kasandra---watches---as---a---whip---made---of---leather---and---metal---strikes---the---air---and---slams---down---on---a---cat---demihuman---cowering---naked---on---the---floor,---squealing---for---mercy---the---entire---time.

  But---her---master,---Antos---Renish,---shows---little---as---his---hand---moves---up---and---down,---the---whip---striking---the---poor---girls---back,---ripping---and---cutting---skin---with---each---loud---impact.

  *Shwip*

  “You---did---not---swallow!---Do---you---believe---yourself---better!”

  *Shwip*

  “You---spat---out---what---I---gave---you!”

  *Shwip*

  “You---are---just---a---fuckin---slave---and---nothing---more!”

  *Shwip,---Swhip,---Shwip*

  The---strikes---continue---as---her---naked---master---continues---to---abuse---the---[slave]---next---to---his---bed.

  A---[slave]---he---had---ordered---to---suck---him---off.

  Kasandra's---tail---is---wrapped---around---her---leg,---shaking---after---every---cry---of---pain---the---girl---screams.

  Only---after---the---[slave]---is---caked---in---blood---does---the---master---stop---his---torture.

  His---hand---drops---the---whip---as---he---turns---to---me,---a---smile---on---his---face---and---an---erection---between---his---legs.

  “Kasandra.---Undress---and---suck---me…---and---do---make---sure---to---swallow.”

  Nodding,---Kasandra---starts---to---remove---her---clothes,---knowing---that---the---master---prefers---his---women---completely---naked.

  But---her---undressing---has---been---interrupted---by---the---master's---room---door---being---violently---opened.

  “Antos!---We---have---a---fucking---problem,”---yells---a---rather---large---man---as---he---wobbles---through---the---door,---finally---noticing---the---situation---he---just---barged---in.

  Antos---turns---away---from---Kasandra,---looking---at---the---overgrown---pig---he---had---picked---to---lead---the---towns---guards.---A---strand---of---annoyance---passes---the---masters---face---before---he---speaks.

  “Speak.---What---happened.”

  The---[Lieutenant]’s---eyes---move---away---from---the---unconscious---girl's---body,---then---to---Kasandra,---and---finally---on---Antos’---naked---form,---his---erection---noticeably---smaller.

  “A---trader---came---into---town---like---he---owns---the---place.---He---refused---to---pay---the---entrance---fee---and---now---he---is---staying---at---Alfonso’s---Inn.”

  “And---why---didn't---you---have---the---[soldiers]---enter---and---force---the---man---to---pay?”

  A---frown---forms---on---the---big---mans---face---as---he---takes---a---gulp,---trying---to---avoid---the---master's---penetrating---gaze,---”cause---he---has---over---forty---[Mercenaries]---and---a---[Mercenary---captain]---of---level---86---in---there.”

  Antos---expression---quickly---changes---from---rising---anger---to---curious---and---intrigued.---His---town---is---too---small---and---out---of---the---way---for---such---high-level---people---to---visit,---especially---armed---with---enough---mercenaries---to---stop---any---force---he---can---muster.

  “And---that---[trader]---is---with---them?”

  The---[Lieutenant]---shakes---his---head,---”No,---he---is---in---the---town---square,---selling---his---overpriced---goods.---All---of---the---[Mercenaries]---are---inside---the---Inn.”

  A---smile---forms---on---Antos---face---as---he---moves---and---grabs---his---clothes.

  “Good.---Get---your---highest---level---[soldiers]---with---horses---and---meet---me---at---the---mansion’s---front---gates.---We---will---be---visiting---this---[trader]---as---soon---as---possible.”

  The---[Lieutenant]---nods,---running---out---and
---bellowing---names---while---Antos---quickly---puts---on---his---clothes,---sex---all---but---forgotten.

  After---a---moment,---he---is---all---dressed---and---turns---to---Kasandra,---”Why---the---fuck---are---you---standing---there.---Put---your---clothes---on---and---get---dressed.”

  “Yes---Master,”---Kasandra---replies,---putting---her---pants---and---shirt---back---on---while---her---tail---fits---through---a---hole.

  “Follow,”---Antos---yells---as---he---exits---the---room.

  Kasandra,---not---having---many---clothes,---not---even---shoes,---grabs---her---staff---and---runs---out,---moving---behind---her---master,---traveling---through---a---hallway---and---finally---getting---near---the---entrance.---Exiting---out,---Kasandra---notices---several---horses---and---men---standing---next---to---the---town---stone,---a---place---where---people---can---enter---to---obtain---a---class---or---obtain---information---about---their---own---class.