Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  Dragken---looks---to---me,---analyzing,---watching,---smiling---confidently,---“She---said---that---I---should---serve---the---patriarch,---a---being---that---will---come---to---free---all---of---the---species---within---the---dungeon.---That---her---goddess---will---make---it---happen.---That---it---would---happen---soon.”

  “So---I---am---that---person?”---I---ask.

  I…---probably---am...

  Dragken---nods,---“I---know---you---are.---Your---aura---even---exceeds---hers---in---strength.”

  The---old---centaur---lays---back,---relaxed,---unknowing---to---the---war---that---is---going---through---my---mind---now.

  How---much---of---this---is---planned?---Did---Loki---plan---this?---Is---this---related---to---my---fox---tattoo?---How---did---this---dungeon---change?---What---is---the---change?---How---old---are---the---Kitsune?....

  …I’m---going---to---have---to---have---sex---with---the---kitsune…

  *Crunch*---*Crunch*

  A---sound---distracts---me---and---everyone---else.---We---all---turn---towards---the---third---centaur.---Damiar---sits,---relaxed,---sleeping---upright,---drool---seemingly---coming---out---of---his---mouth.---And---in---front---of---him---is---food,---veggie---snacks.---Food---which---is---currently---being---munched---on---by---a---small,---black---hairy---spider.

  “Oh---hey,---its---Petyr.”

  Chapter---Thirty---Three:---Nobody---ever---suspects..!

  If---someone---were---to---ask---Rathic---if---his---trip---through---the---borderlands---was---dangerous,---he---would---wholeheartedly---answer---yes.---Several---times---during---his---trip---south,---he---had---found---himself---constantly---attacked---by---[Raiders],---[Bandits],---sometimes---even---a---[Pirate],---though---that---was---actually---only---once.---Still,---it---was---dangerous,---but---in---a---relative---sense.---The---dangerous---part---was---putting---those---who---cannot---fight---in---harm's---way.

  But---nobody---got---truly---harmed,---mostly---thanks---to---his---superior---skills---warning---him---of---an---incoming---fight.---This---allowed---him---to---send---those---who---couldn't---fight---into---the---enchanted---carriage,---a---carriage---that---could---withstand---a---decent---level---of---punishment,---both---physical---and---magical.---As---for---the---rest,---they---fought…---and---won---easily.---Level---ten---and---twenty---enemies,---even---with---much---greater---numbers,---are---of---little---threat.---Superior---training,---skills,---items,---weaponry,---each---of---these---things---can---greatly---increase---the---capability---of---an---individual.---But---combined,---it---means---that---numbers---alone---tend---to---become---useless,---at---least---until---those---numbers---start---becoming---multiplied---by---absurd---amounts.---Stamina---can---only---last---for---so---long---after---all.

  Other---than---the---battles---of---life---and---death,---the---trip---was---relaxing---to---Rathic.---He---spent---time---with---his---daughter.---The---towns,---though---still---rather---dirty,---were---much---better---than---the---first---one---he---had---stopped---at.---They---were---led---by---low---leveled---[Nobles]---with---decently---leveled---[Guards]---to---protect---them.---It---was---here---at---one---of---these---towns---that---Rathic---sits,---a---town---named---Arraster,---inside---a---rather---decent---looking---inn,---talking---to---the---[Innkeeper].

  “Ahhh,---I---see.---So---you’re---a---[Trader]---looking---for---a---prosperous---but---safe---place---to---stay...---and---build---your---business,”---Barson---says,---his---hand---sliding---down---his---long---beard,---one---which---is---barely---touching---the---table---that---he---is---sitting---by.---The---man---is---old,---but---not---old---in---the---sense---of---being---decrepit.---Old---in---the---sense---that---he---has---seen---a---lot,---heard---a---lot---and---is---of---a---decent---level---in---his---trade.

  “Yes,---preferably---a---large---city---that---would---welcome---trade,”---Rathic---answers,---knowing---full---well---that---only---a---city---would---be---both---rich---enough---to---buy---his---goods---and---large---enough---to---supply---a---home---for---everyone.

  “Well,---I’m---not---going---to---ask---why---such---a,”---Barson---takes---a---look---around,---his---eyes---glazing---at---Rathic’s---servants,---specifically---the---well-off---clean---clothing---maids---and---the---two---heavily---armed---bearmen,---“wealthy---[Trader]---would---want---to---live---in---the---borderlands,---especially---considering---there---are---far---better---places---to---live---and---make---profit,---such---as---to---the---north.---But---I’m---sure---you---have---your---reasons.”

  Barson---grabs---his---wine---and---takes---a---sip,---enjoying---the---flavor---before---putting---the---glass---down.

  “Now---then,---back---to---your---question.---If---you’re---looking---for---a---large---prosperous---city,---then---there---are---actually---several---you---can---choose.---There---is---Anteros,---led---by---a---rather---dangerous---[Warlord]---by---the---name---of---Dominus.---He---is---currently---at---war---with---[King]---Henceforth---of---Skalag.---Skalag,---would---have---been---a---good---option---a---year---ago,---but---the---resulting---constant---battles---have---greatly---hindered---the---city.---Many---believe---that---Henceforth---would---fall---quickly---if---Dominus---could---use---his---full---army.---Too---bad---the---[Warlord]---is---forced---to---fight---two---battles---at---once.---A---[Bandit---Lord],---one---of---the---more---powerful---ones---around,---has---targeted---Dominus---and---has---been---sending---raids---towards---the---towns---under---his---control.”---Barson---says,---sitting---lazily---in---his---chair.

  “Those---two---cities---can't---possibly---be---the---only---ones,”---Rathic---voices---quickly.---After---all,---he---knows---that---the---borderlands---are---a---significant---amount---of---land.---It---would---be---foolhardy---to---believe---that---only---two---large---cities---exist.

  Barson---nods,---“That---is---true,---there---are---many---more---cities,---but---few---are---as---large---as---those---two.---Even---the---two---other---[Kings]---that---live---in---the---borderlands---don't---have---a---city---half---the---size.”

  Rathic---sighs---and---shakes---his---head.---He---would---not---want---either---of---those---cities.---[Warlords]---have---been---known---to---be---borderline---[Tyrants]---while---he---also---would---not---risk---living---in---Skalag---considering---that---it---may---fall.

  Moving---his---hand---to---his---pocket,---Rathic---takes---out---a---coin---and---throws---it---to---Barson,---the---innkeeper---catching---with---surprising---dexterity.

  “I---need---the---largest---and---safest---city.---A---city---that---rules---well---and---is---away---from---conflict.”---Rathic---says,---figuring---that---money---would---be---greater---motivation.

  The---[Innkeeper]---pockets---the---coin---and---smiles---to---Rathic.

  “Then---you---are---going---to---want---the---city---of---Sanavil,---led---by---a---[Lady]---Catherine---Rose.---The---city---is---not---that---big,---one---of---the---smaller---cities,---but---it---is---located---further---down---south.---Sanavil---is---the---closest---city---to---the---fog---and---is---probably---one---of---the---safest---for---that---reason,”---Barson---stops---a---moment---and---starts---tapping---the---wooden---table,---”also,---if---recent---information---is---to---be---believed,---the---[Lady]---had---obtained---a---rare---and---powerful---skill---recently.---A---skill---that---has---more---than---doubled---food---production---around---the---city.”

  Rathic---takes---a---moment,---taking---all---of---the---information---in---before---getting---up.

  “I---thank---you---for---that---information,”

  He---then---grabs---another---coin---and---throws---it---to---the---[Innkeeper],---“and---I---do---hope---we---can---keep---this---conversation---between---us.”---he---says.

  “Absolutely,”---Barson---says,---pocketing---the---coin---with---practiced---ease.

  Moving---away---from---the---table,---Rathic---takes---the---stairs---up,---moving---towards---his---daughter's---room,---and---knocking---first---before---entering.

  “Daddy
!”---Izabelle---squeals,---dropping---her---book---that---she---was---reading---before---jumping---out---of---bed---and---running---to---him.

  A---smile---forms---on---his---face---as---Rathic---bends---down---and---scoops---her---up.---She---squeals---in---delight---as---he---spins---her---around---him---before---placing---her---down.

  “How---are---you---Iza?---Sorry---if---I---haven't---had---time---to---be---with---you,---I---was---busy---getting---work---done,”---he---says,---stroking---her---hair,---enjoying---the---feel---of---it,---a---remembrance---of---his---own---wife.

  “I’m---good!---Henrietta---was---here---earlier---and---was---tutoring---me---with---Kasandra.---It---was---a---lot---of---fun!”---Izabelle---says,---waving---her---arms---apart.

  “Oh,---she---was---teaching---both---of---you?”

  Izabelle---nods,---“Yup.---Kasandra---doesn’t---know---how---to---write---or---read,---so---Henrietta---is---teaching---both---of---us.---It---is---a---lot---of---fun---cause---I---can---show---her---what---I---know.”

  Rathic---chuckles,---enjoying---the---smile---on---his---daughter’s---face.

  “So---where---are---Henrietta---and---Kasandra?---I---figured---they---would---be---with---you.”

  Izabelle---pouts,---“Henrietta---told---me---to---continue---reading---and---that---she---needs---to---train---Kasandra---to---be---a---proper---[Maid].---They---went---to---her---room.”

  Undeterred---by---her---pout,---Rathic---pats---his---daughter---on---the---head,---“Well,---I---need---to---talk---to---Henrietta---about---our---future---plans.---Then---when---I’m---done,---how---about---you---show---me---what---you---learned?”

  “Yaaaayy~!”---Izabelle---jumps,---running---to---her---bed---and---sitting---down,---“Quickly,”---she---says,---waving---at---him---to---go---talk---with---Henrietta.

  Shaking---his---head,---Rathic---steps---out---of---the---room---and---closes---the---door.---He---walks---down---the---hallways---and---stops---at---a---door,---knocking---first---and---then---attempting---to---open,---but---the---door---is---locked.---A---thumping---sound---comes---from---the---other---side---as---the---lock---is---removed.---The---door---opens---slightly,---allowing---Rathic---to---see---Henrietta’s---head---and---nothing---else.---A---sheen---of---sweat---is---going---down---her---face.

  “Master---Rathic,---is---there---something---you---require---of---me?---I---am---busy---training---Kasandra.”

  “Yes,---I---have---news---of---a---possible---location---to---make---our---home.---I---was---hoping---to---talk---with---you---and---obtain---advice.”

  “Not---now---Master---Rathic.---I---must---finish---Kasandra’s---training.---Is---it---very---urgent?”

  Rathic---takes---a---moment---to---contemplate---Henrietta’s---weird---behavior,---but---in---the---end,---just---shrugs.

  “I---am---in---no---rush.---Find---me---when---you---are---done---training,”---he---says---with---a---smile.

  “I---will---Master.”

  *Slam*

  The---door---is---slammed---shut---with---impressive---speed.---Rathic---hears---the---sound---of---the---lock---being---applied---right---after.

  Shaking---his---head,---Rathic---turns---and---walks---back---towards---his---daughter's---room,---figuring---he---might---as---well---spend---time---with---her---while---he---waits---for---Henrietta.

  ____________________________________________________

  Kasandra---watches---with---abject---fear---as---the---door---is---quickly---closed---by---Henrietta---and---then---locked.---She---attempts---to---move,---but---the---ropes---tying---her---to---the---bed---have---been---done---extensively---well.

  *Mmmmmm*

  But---not---just---the---ropes,---the---rag---that---is---covering---her---mouth---is---also---firmly---placed,---making---it---impossible---for---Kasandra---to---make---much---noise.

  “Now---then,---Nafisa,---where---were---we,”---Henrietta---says,---turning---away---from---the---door,---her---eyes---focusing---on---Kasandra.---Kasandra---looks---at---the---older---woman,---gazing---at---her---naked---beauty.---Firm,---erect---perky---breasts,---long---slender---legs,---shaved---crotch,---disheveled---long---reddish---tail.---None---of---these---things---Kasandra---cares---about.---She---has---seen---many---[Slaves],---all---of---which---with---such---amazing,---seemingly---perfect---bodies.---But---today---was---the---first---that---she---saw---a---woman---with---such---a---erotically---predatorial---look.

  Kasandra---attempts---to---move---again,---but---all---it---does---is---loosen---the---dress---that---she---is---wearing.---Yes,---Kasandra---is---naked---except---for---a---dress---and---a---wig.

  “Mhhhhh,---Nafisa,---what---shall---we---do---next,”---Henrietta---says,---moving---closer---towards---the---bed---while---licking---her---lips.---Her---eyes---are---focused---upon---Kasandra’s---dripping---wet---crotch.

  Kasandra---attempts---to---close---her---legs,---but---that---also---is---futile---as---her---legs---are---firmly---tied---to---the---sides---of---the---bed.

  *Haaaah~*

  “Nafisa,”---Henrietta---whispers,---moving---on---the---bed,---her---face---completely---red,---focused---upon---the---prey.

  Kasandra---closes---her---eyes,---internally---cursing---Izabelle’s---mother---for---dying.

  ____________________________

  “Yes---Henrietta,---I---understand---that---going---directly---south---would---be---dangerous---since---we---will---be---passing---through---Dominus’---territory,”---Rathic---says,---pointing---on---a---large---map---of---the---borderlands.---A---map---that---is---more---than---likely---both---obsolete---and---inaccurate---considering---it---was---most---likely---made---by---a---low---level---[Cartographer].

  “but---your---idea---of---going---around---the---west---side---of---Anteros---also---shares---many---dangers,---many---of---which---include---[Bandits].”

  “I---understand---that,”---Henrietta---interrupts,---pointing---towards---the---stretch---of---land---between---the---city---of---Anteros---and---Skalag,---“but---you---did---say---that---it---is---easier---to---fight---[Bandits]---rather---than---[Soldiers].---So---it---would---make---sense---to---travel---west---of---Anteros,---away---from---[Soldiers].”---she---explains.

  Rathic---understands---Henrietta’s---logic.---She---expects---combat---and---figures---it---would---be---easier---to---fight---[Bandits]---than---[Soldiers],---which---is---completely---true---since---[Soldiers]---tend---to---have---much---better---skills---in---a---direct---fight.---But---Rathic---is---a---[General],---a---man---who---has---spoken---to---countless---strategists,---fought---many---battles,---outsmarted---his---enemies.---As---a---[General],---he---is---able---to---see---the---whole---picture.

  “Your---logic---is---good,---but---you---are---forgetting---many---important---implications.---First,---you---must---understand---that---all---[Bandits]---are---hostile.---They---will---always---attack,---especially---our---caravan---which---to---an---observer---must---seem---undefended.---[Soldiers]---on---the---other---hand---are---not---all---hostile.---It---is---far---less---likely---to---be---attacked---by---them---if---we---are---able---to---prove---to---them---that---we---are---[Traders].---The---other---problem---with---your---plan---is---that---going---west---of---Anteros---will---take---a---lot---of---time,---possibly---as---much---as---three---or---four---times---as---long---compared---to---going---straight---south.---The---longer---we---are---on---the---road,---the---more---likely---the---chances---become---that---we---will---end---up---getting---attacked.---That---Is---why---I---believe---the---best---approach---is---the---direct---one.”

  Rathic---finishes---his---explanation---and---sits---back---into---his---chair,---watching---the---candlelight---flicker---over---the---table---and---hearing---the---howling---wind---outside---as---it---strikes---the---inn’s---walls.---It---is---currently---night---and---they---are---in---his---room,---planning.

  Henrietta---looks---at---the---map,---tracing---with---her---finger---the---two---possible---routes---before---nodding---and---looking---up.

 
“I---understand---and---believe---your---plan---and---reasoning---are---far---better---than---mine.”

  Rathic---smiles,---enjoying---these---sessions---with---Henrietta.---Planning---and---counter---planning,---all---of---it---is---something---he---had---done---constantly---with---those---under---him.---He---would,---usually---at---night,---invite---the---[Captains],---[Tacticians],---other---[Generals],---sometimes---even---[Lieutenants].---He---would---sit---them---down---while---he---tells---them---his---thoughts---and---plans.---Usually,---he---would---be---right---and---everyone---would---agree---with---his---logic.---But---sometimes,---occasionally,---a---better---plan---than---his---would---spring---up.---It---is---this---exact---reason---that---he---has---these---meetings.---Because---as---confident---and---high---level---he---is,---Rathic---is---not---perfect.---Of---course,---the---meeting---can---get---very---long---when---many---different---plans---or---strategies---are---made,---some---of---which---are---outright---bad.---But---Rathic---takes---the---time---to---explain---why---it---is---bad.---This---way,---he---is---able---to---get---proper---logical---advice---and---not---just---blindly---followed---because---he---is---a---[General].---This---is---something---Rathic---takes---great---pride---in---and---allows---a---much---firmer---loyalty---and---trust---with---his---subordinates.