Sacrifice

by Underwood, Patrick

  “I am not sure I am following the same rule book to be honest,” I said.

  “That’s why they call it magic,” Tas added, a small smirk on her face. She lifted her hands and made a small flame dance from her fingers. “My fire is so much stronger, but I can’t use the water outside my body yet, not even someone else’s body like you and Tyla. It’s just enough to heal myself for now.”

  “I really wish you hadn’t tested it like that. But yes, I am glad you can self-heal too,” I said.

  “I was right there if it did not work, Master.”

  “You know I hate self-harm, even if it’s fixable.”

  Tas came up to my side and grabbed me in a side hug. “I’m sorry, love. Ya want me to make it better?” Her eyes told me about the secret intent in her words.

  I laughed at the nickname she used. At least it wasn’t master, though I had tuned it out now mostly when Tyla said it.

  “Later. For now, let’s get back to training. How much power did that use Tyla?”

  “A little more than a normal blast of water. But since our bond with Tas, my power has almost doubled, even when you do not… fill me.” She walked up to me and bumped me with her hip on the last one.

  “Surrounded by sex kittens,” I said, looking up at the sky.

  “You say that like you dislike it, Master.”

  “Point, but I do like to get the job done first. You make that extremely hard.”

  “Not yet,” Tas said, reaching down to my groin to check. “But soon.”

  I broke away from the women. “Okay, we really need to stop now.”

  I was trying for serious but couldn’t stop my laugh.

  “He is very hard now, I can see the bulge in his pants,” Tyla said into Tasnia’s ear.

  “Whispering only works if you keep your voice down,” I said, not looking up at the two.

  “I know, Master!” I could almost hear the smirk in her voice.

  I sighed. “Soon, but please? Serious for now?”

  “Yes, love.”

  “Yes master, I promise.”

  I took a minute, forcing my libido to calm down before I said anything more. “Alright, let’s get you two to practice sparring with your rapiers while I try to sink into that mediation thing. If I can figure out how to keep you two powered up every day, even if it’s not during combat, we will give someone a rude surprise with Tyla’s new trick and your ability to heal Tas.”

  They walked off a short distance to give themselves space, unsheathing their swords and saluting at one another.

  The slightest orange glow came from Tas’s sword, while a bluish one came from Tyla’s.

  “Be careful!”

  “Yes, Master!” they said in unison, both smiling.

  “Not you too, Tas?”

  Giggling from the fiery red head was my only response. Rolling my eyes, I sat cross-legged on the ground.

  “At least she is getting past the loss of her father,” I mumbled under my breath.

  She had gone through several mood swings the past few days, but each day she smiled more than she cried.

  The first night, we had a small ceremony celebrating his life. Tasnia told us stories from her childhood about her father and her mother. Tears flowed, but I would have to say that it made a major difference for her. We even went to bed that night with no… other activities.

  But the next day she woke up feeling better, and she made up for the lost time. I briefly wondered if the bond was helping or simply suppressing them.

  But I shook my head at those thoughts. We made the choice and had to accept it.

  Deciding to focus back on my task at hand, I tried to relax. I had only entered it once since I had made the connection between Tyla and Tas, just briefly enough to put more power into each of them last night.

  It had the effect of causing another orgy, but to be honest, that was kind of my intent. I had no shame in admitting that. They had been ganging up on me a lot lately, and it felt good to make them… squirm for a change.

  I smiled at the thought as I closed my eyes, the sounds of the girls’ swords going through their practice strikes with each other in my ears.

  We just changed everything now that they could share elements, even if just a tiny amount of them. Part of me looked forward to our next fight.

  29

  Riven Hold

  “This does not look good, Master,” Tyla said.

  “No, it most certainly does not,” I agreed.

  “What do we do?” Tas asked.

  I stared at the city we had spent the last week getting to. It was in turmoil, but we did not know what kind.

  The city itself was on the other side of a river from where we stood. To get to it, we needed to cross a bridge. The problem was there was a refugee camp on this side of the river, and it looked like the guards on the bridge were not letting anyone pass.

  The city itself did not look promising either. The town outside the walls looked peaceful, but the castle that sat on the small rise had smoke billowing out of it. More so than you would expect from controlled fires, anyway.

  “We could avoid the castle. We don’t want to risk that anyhow, but we still must get across the river. I know it’s a way away, but do you recognize who those guards might be loyal to Tyla?”

  “The flag is a Riven Hold flag on the bridge, but I can’t tell you about the soldiers. The colors look right.”

  I bit my lower lip while I thought.

  “Any ideas?” I asked my women.

  “I can try to play the up-tight Chosen and bully my way past.”

  “Maybe, I don’t like it though. Any other way across the river?”

  “Not that I know of. This river splits the great plains and only has three natural crossings. Or at least, that is what I remember of it.”

  “Tas?”

  “No, I never much ventured outside of Hills Crest growing up.”

  “Alright, Tyla, we don’t have enough time to figure out another way. That river is as wide as the Mississippi. Let’s try your way.”

  “Is that another Earth term, love?”

  “Huh? Oh yeah, a huge river back on Earth. Sorry.”

  “It’s fine, Master. It helps us understand you when we ask.”

  “Fair, let’s go, Tyla you're the boss, I’ll be the bodyguard, Tas you be the servant.”

  “Why am I the servant?”

  “Shit, trapped myself there, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, love, but it’s fine. I’ll play the lowly servant, forced to meet the wicked needs of my Chosen and her… well-endowed guard.”

  “Little thick.” I laughed, raising my hand and putting my fingers about an inch apart. “Give me the packs and let’s go, you two.”

  “Master, if you are the guard, you cannot carry all the gear.”

  “But…”

  “I’ve got it,” Tas said.

  Tyla strode out of the bushes and onto the nearby road like she owned the place, me following to her left, and Tas to her right. Both of us were just a half step behind the beautiful brunette.

  Our clothes were not exactly those of nobility, but hopefully, we could bluff it. Tyla was in her light leather armor, her rapier at her side, having handed her crossbow bow and pack to Tas to carry.

  “You okay, Tas?”

  “Yes, love. Since we joined, my strength has increased a lot. The added load doesn’t bother me.”

  “Let me know if it does.”

  She reached over and squeezed my hand. Quickly, but it was there, then we resumed our march towards the refugee camp.

  “Look at all these people,” Tas said as we entered the camp.

  It smelled of people and shit. No sanitation measures could be seen. The dirt road was the only place that was clear of any type of trash or excrement.

  “This place is ripe for disease,” I said.

  “Do you want to help them, master?”

  “I really do, but we can’t afford the risk yet. We do not know how far away a poten
tial enemy is.”

  “I agree, love. But it breaks my heart.”

  “The only saving grace,” Tyla said, “is that this side looks peaceful, if not organized. I don’t see any suffering other than the conditions.”

  “They just want to get away,” I said. “Desperation has not fully set it yet or it would be worse. If an opportunity arrives, we will help.”

  The people in their tents, or carts, or even just a blanket strewn on the ground looked at us as we passed. Some held anger in their expressions, others just hopelessness. It was heartbreaking.

  We finally got to the bridge where about ten guards were stationed at the entrance. They stood menacingly in front of a small crowd of refugees, begging to be let through. I wanted to stop and listen to the specifics, but that would not fit the noble cover we had.

  Tyla stopped and looked back at me. She gave me a wink, then assumed an expectant expression.

  “Yes, my lady,” I said and moved in front, pulling my sword.

  I didn't even have to say anything. The sound of the sword leaving its sheath was enough to get the people in the back of the crowd to turn around and move away, which caused a cascade effect as I marched forward, the girls following in my wake.

  The people parted like I was Moses, and we approached the group of guards at the gate. When we passed the mob, I felt a light tug on my elbow and moved to the side. Tyla walked past me, and I resumed my position behind her.

  Tyla did not even acknowledge the guards, just walking past them like they did not exist.

  “Halt!” a meaty bruiser of a man said. He had a black beard and a plume on his pot helmet, so he was probably in charge. The armor he wore was serviceable but obviously a mass-produced item to fit an army with, not a custom job.

  Tyla stopped and glared at the guard, but she did not speak.

  “Name and business? We aint accepting no more refugees.”

  Rather than respond, Tyla lifted her hand and a bolt of water shot out into the man’s face. He fell back and choked in surprise.

  Some of the other guards drew their swords, and I hit the quick release on my pack, sending it to the ground and readying my sword for a fight.

  “You will not talk to me in such a manner,” Tyla said to the now soaking man. “I have business in Riven Hold. What has transpired here?” She lifted her hand and pointed to the smoke coming from the castle.

  The guard, for his part, recovered quickly. “My apologizes, ma’am. I did not know who you was. The witc— I mean matriarch's daughter fled several days ago, and things have been in… turmoil around here since. I was told to keep my post and more orders will come soon.”

  “Fled?” Tyla asked, ignoring the term he almost used.

  “I… don’t know ma’am. Rumor was she went to the Matriarch of Casting Harbor for help but had not returned. But I didn't see her cross this bridge, so I don’t know.”

  “Very well. Why are these refugees being kept out?”

  “Orders ma’am. We was letting them in until a few days ago. I don’t know what changed other than to stop.”

  “I’ll find out then. In the meantime, use some of your men to at least set up more sanitary conditions and organize them. Sickness will soon follow, and it could also affect your men. Try to give them supplies if you can spare them.”

  Tyla started walking the bridge without waiting for a response. Tas and I followed silently after I put my pack back on.

  “Yes, ma’am,” the guard said to our backs and started organizing men to carry out her orders.

  No one challenged us further as we walked away.

  “We will need to be quick. I doubt it will be long before someone confronts us, Master.”

  “To the contact point, then out as quick as we can then,” I said as we walked down the bridge to Riven Hold.

  Walking down the streets of Riven Hold, you could see the stress in the town's people.

  “These markets are usually full, at least the last time I was here several years ago they were,” Tyla said, walking next to me.

  We had donned our cloaks and put them over our packs like ponchos, changing up our outline to try and shake any followers. We could have taken more precautions, but we prized speed over stealth at this moment.

  “Everyone who is out looks nervous,” Tas added.

  “Let’s just keep going. Which way is the Twin Badger Inn?”

  “I only know the basic direction, Master. I have never been to the poor area of town before.”

  “Fair, just point out the turns as best you can. We will ask someone if needed.”

  We walked out of the market, and things got worse. People were walking fast, looking at everything around them instead of enjoying their day.

  “Haven't seen a town guard since the market,” Tas said as we crossed into the poorer part of town.

  “Only likely to get worse, keep your guard up.”

  The building went from two story wooden affairs to wattle and daub style shanties with thatch roofs. Almost no one was on the street here that we could see.

  A woman’s scream came from down an alley. Without thinking, I diverted towards the sound, unable to help myself.

  I expected a voice of concern from Tyla or Tas, but they just followed me down the alleyway without missing a beat.

  “I don’t say it a lot, but I love you both, just want you to know that,” I said.

  The feeling had overwhelmed me, and I needed to say something.

  “We know, Master. We feel it through our bond.”

  “Yes, love. We know.”

  A smile broke out on my face.

  As we neared a corner, we heard men yelling and a woman crying in fear. I could not make it out until we rounded the corner, and I stopped momentarily to listen.

  “She is a witch!” an older man said, white hair on the side of his balding top. I pegged him as an angry old asshole and probably the instigator. The same type of guy that yells ‘Get off my lawn!’ at the kids.

  The crowd roared their approval as a couple of lackeys tied a woman up to an oil-based streetlamp in the middle of the dirt road intersection. Apparently, replicating the Salem witch trials of earth was a thing here.

  She was younger… well, about my current age, I guess. Blonde hair with a hint of red in it, but it was hard to tell since she was filthy and in baggy threadbare clothing. She looked like a street rat that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  “The witches of old have fallen, my friends! We must find them all and burn them before the Demigods arrive or we shall all be doomed!”

  I rolled my eyes at this guy’s monologue and started walking. I hunched my shoulders and forced my way to the front of the group, pushing and prodding my way through with my two ladies right behind me, their own righteous anger echoing my own through the bond.

  The man held a torch above his head, as my eye shifted momentarily. It was then that I noticed they had covered the girl in a substance that looked like oil. I was just going to be an asshole, but this brought the situation up a notch and I changed my plans.

  “Now, we watch this witch—-” The old man began before a crack of my elbow silenced him as I passed.

  He was probably going to scream about burning her or something. He would never get the chance. I hit him so hard that I thought I killed him.

  “Oops,” I said, not meaning it.

  I turned to the crowd, Tyla and Tas going right behind me to form a triangle around the girl.

  “Next mother fucker that tries to burn a girl at the stake will look at this guy and wish they were him.” My voice was loud enough for all to hear.

  The group went from righteous anger to shock as they saw the old man hit the ground. “Besides, she is not the one you need to worry about.”

  The crowd looked at me, going from shock back to anger. I noticed that most of them were men.

  “You killed him!” - “Who are you?” and other random questions came from the crowd. One of the younger men even stepped
forward, a bean pole type kid, “She is going to bring ruin to us!”

  Behind me, I could see two different hues of light form, and all the men cowered in fear at the sight. I glanced behind me to see that both Tyla and Tas had their palms out and each hand had magic ready to go. Blue on Tyla’s hands, and the reddish orange of Tas.

  “Pretty sure these two are the ones you should fear. Anyway, last chance, run or die. Don’t particularly care right now.”

  The crowd started dispersing. I watched as a few even ran. Most gave us some ugly looks as they fled and I didn‘t care in the slightest, just glaring back at them in return.

  I peeked down to make sure the puritan acting asshole was not getting up, noticing the neck angle he had now.

  Not getting up. Might have overdone it.

  I turned and found Tyla washing the young woman of all the oil with her water, but it was only so effective against the thick substance.

  I stepped up to her, and she flinched back a little.

  I paused and backed up a bit, putting my hands up in a non-threatening fashion. “Hi, my name is Derrick. No one is going to hurt you. This is Tasnia and Tyla my… friends. Do you have a family we can take you to?”

  The girl looked at me, fear and hope warring inside her. She studied Tas and Tyla, then glanced back at me before shaking her head. “Nnn…. No. I… have no one. I was just trying to eat. The…” She looked at the dead body. “He thought I stole from him… I was just hungry.” Then she lost her composure and cried. “I’m sorry I did—” Tyla cut her off as she hugged her, shushing her words, and Tas joined a few seconds later.

  “Shh,” Tyla said. “No one judges you here. We do what we must when the need arises. No one will harm you or allow you to be harmed.” Her eyes met mine, and we nodded at each other in meaning.

  I closed a bit, getting within arm’s reach, but not coming any closer, not wanting to set her off. “It’s ok… miss, what’s your name?”

  She looked up at me, her beautiful blueish green eyes captivated me for a second, seeming to shift between the shades of green and blue as the sun reflected off them. It was mesmerizing, and I had to shake my head and get my thoughts back to the task at hand.