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16 - Party Time

The four had left their packs with Monna after the nourishing meal and followed her directions to the tailor through small streets a little away from the busier main street. The sign with needle and thread hanging at the front of a plain shop could not be mistaken, nor the deep red dress and fancy man's costume and accessories in the shop's window, and they stepped inside.

'Welcome, foreign guests.' said a slender, black furred canine in white dress shirt and breeches behind a short counter with rolls of fabric. 'My name is Roran. How may I help you?'

Kaui stepped forward. 'My master is in need for a better outfit.'

Ulric laid his paw on her shoulder. 'Actually, we came here for outfits for you three.'

Roran watched in wonder when the three women suddenly looked in surprise at the cloaked figure and a quick discussion followed before the orc woman turned back to him. Her eyes shot back to her master and a quick smile appeared. 'I was mistaken, our master requests the possibility for a new outfit for us three and how much it'll cost.'

'For us!?' asked Iphigenia. 'We don't need it, you need something for yourself.'

Ulric grinned. 'Yeah, you do. Your clothes are damaged from all the fights and I did see the way you girls looked at the clothes for sale when we passed the shops on the main street.'

Elzbieta glanced at one frilly short dress on a mannequin. 'I don't really need something like that.'

'Oh, but with those gloves you don't really need your old armour anymore, and you can confidently show off your pretty legs and arms as well now.'

She glanced at Ulric and shook her head. 'There's no need for that!'

He sighed. 'Such a shame. I hoped to see you wearing a dress.'

She blushed and fiddled with her fingers. 'Maybe, I can make an exception for once.'

A voluptuous black canine woman entered the shop from the back and stared at the visitors for a moment. 'So you're my sister's guests.'

'Monna?' asked Kaui and Ulric thought she not only smiled wide in the same way as Monna, but was her spitting image apart from her fur colour, and that included the tendency to strain the clothing around her chest.

'I'm Ameda.' the woman said and embraced Roran from behind, her bust filling in the space around his neck. 'I just came from her and heard she had sent you here to our shop.'

'Ah, so that's why.' said Kaui.

'It's not just because we're family, but even if things look friendly, foreign people are looked at with some suspicion and can be taken advantage of.'

Kaui nodded.

'Anyway, by the looks of it you all need something new to wear.' said Ameda and moved up close to examine Kaui, Iphigenia, and Elzbieta, then pulled back Ulric's hood. 'Ohh, you really do look like a bloodwolf.'

Ulric glanced left and right under her stare. 'Ehmm, I'm fine with wearing just this.'

She shook her head when Kaui translated. 'No can do. If we dress up the women, the men must fit them.' She turned back to Roran. 'Honey, let's find these ladies something good to wear.'

'But we haven't spoken about the price yet.' said Kaui.

Ameda gave her a friendly smile. 'If you're willing to do the quest for gathering materials that we submitted at the guild it'll be fine.' she said. 'Others think it's a bore so we've been waiting for some time for someone to do it.'

'All right then.' said Kaui at a nod from Ulric.

Roran and Ameda smiled. 'Good.' he said. 'Will you be so kind, my dear?'

Ameda herded the girls behind a curtain in the back and Roran stepped close to Ulric, examining the cloak he wore. 'Hmm.. This is quite remarkable. This is the high level fabric with nearly indestructible properties of which just a few pieces exist in the world as far as I know. You must have paid a fortune for it. We have no clothing to match this quality.'

Kaui poked her head out from behind the curtain. 'My master would like to keep a loose outfit. Normal clothes feel too restricting for him and this cloak suits him fine.'

'But he can't walk around like that with you three cuties at his side, so something must be done.' said Ameda from behind the curtain.

Roran hummed more in thought. 'Ah, I have an idea. Despite the strength of the fabric, it can be tailored.'

'Ready?' asked Ameda when she came out from the back after a while of snipping and sewing noises and giggles and embarrassed mumbling. 'I'm pretty excited about the outcome.' Ulric and Roran nodded as they sat and drank tea while waiting for the women to finish. She pulled away the curtain and Ulric whistled at the sight of the three most attractive young women he'd ever seen at that moment.

Iphigenia wore a tight sleeveless blood red dress that resembled a Chinese style to him, with black hems and a split so far up her hips that there was just the tiniest of doubt left that she didn't wore underwear. Elzbieta's dress reminded him of the early days of rock n' roll, layers of sky blue with black hems halfway down her shapely thighs, short, frilly sleeves, and her white laced bust framed in the V of the dress. And Kaui stood most embarrassed of all in a short, beige, strapless and tight cocktail dress that revealed enough of her natural firm bosom and legs. She looked away while stroking down at her abdomen and hips as if it would lengthen the dress.

'Well?' asked Ameda as her gaze alternated between the slaves who blushed and their master who watched them with far more honest interest than previous slave owners she'd seen. She thought her sister was correct in her assertion of their relationship.

Ulric stood up and moved closer to the girls. 'All I can say is wow. It suits all of you so well.'

'Turn around.' said Ameda and the three showed their backs where Iphigenia had the outline in black, and the other two had three blood red horizontal strokes.

'Is that?' he asked her with a gesture to the marking.

She nodded when she guessed his question. 'A signature to mark the group they belong to.' she said and smiled a little mischievously. 'Or the man that owns them.'

He coughed and quickly looked back at the dresses. 'I don't want to really put it that way.'

Iphigenia grabbed his arm and grinned. 'We keep it a secret from him that it's actually us that own him.'

Ameda laughed. 'I can believe that.'

Iphigenia pulled at the equally blood red sash tied around his waist and checked the red hem around the hood. 'This is new.'

He lifted his arms to show the cloak had been modified by the sash and a few cuts and stitches to a wide semi shirt with wide and long sleeves, and with a cut at the back below his tail into false pants. Red hems lined not only his hood, but also the front, his sleeves, and the bottom of the remade cloak. 'I feel like a student of mister Miyagi.' The others looked puzzled. 'A legendary martial arts teacher in my country.' He was relieved when they understood that much.

'It provides loose comfort and it'll hide his features well enough.' Roran said. 'And is quick to take off when needed.'

Elzbieta's eyebrow went up as she looked at Ulric.

'In case of a fight!' he said and turned to Roran. 'There's also the thing about some mandatory need to mark them as slaves. What would that be?'

Roran pulled a few boxes from underneath the counter after Kaui translated. 'There are different methods like a visible tattoo or markings on ears or other body parts, but most slaves wear things like this.' he said and opened the boxes to display broad iron neck collars and arm and ankle bracelets. 'I personally prefer this less painful option.'

Ulric nodded. 'But I don't want to burden them with such crude things. Is there nothing else?'

'Well, the purpose is for them to wear a clear sign that they're slaves so anything might do.'

Ulric pondered for a moment as he watched the girls try the collars and bracelets and rejecting them while wondering how anyone could bear wearing those things constantly. He gazed at the accessories displayed in the shop's window, then gestured at Roran for something to draw with.

Ameda hummed at the sketch after Ulric was done and looked at her husband. 'We have the material that was left from that special armour we made.'

Roran nodded. 'I think it'll look very good indeed.'

The both went to work while the girls wondered what Ulric had come up with, but he kept quiet until he received a wrapped package from Ameda. 'We think you'll be pleased with the result.' she said with a smile. 'I think you also understand what this sort of thing means between you.'

Ulric nodded and smiled. 'Thank you for everything so far, and we'll pick up your request at the guild.'

The four waved goodbye as they went down the street and headed for the guild at the town square. Ulric chuckled at Iphigenia's curious glances at the package under his sash. 'I'll show you tonight.'

***

A large stone hammer that had clearly seen much use hung above the door of the guild building at the square and Ulric thought you'd already proved your courage as adventurer just by passing underneath it. It seemed the only people inside were a receptionist and a rowdy bunch of male canines at a corner table. A board with notices and one with quests hung at one wall.

The receptionist, a short, male canine resembling a terrier, looked up from the book he wrote in and blinked at the four strangers before remembering his job. 'Well, good day. I haven't seen you strange bunch before. Are you here to browse our quests?'

'Our master has been asked to look at a specific request, and was advised to register here.' said Kaui.

'Oh, you're new at this?'

'Pretty much.'

The receptionist presented a form in front of her. 'Then fill out this after reading the guild rules at the back and agreeing to abide by them. When that's done I can make a registration card for your master to hold on to. The guild fee will be deducted from your first quest.' He gestured at a second table in the corner. 'You can sit there if you want to but please don't mind that group, the Shadow Wolves. They're celebrating their last quest which was subjugating a dangerous bear. If you have a question just call for me, my name is Rufert.'

The four sat down and Kaui read the rules. 'It says not to cause excessive damage and trouble to other people, and not to hinder other parties in their quests. All matters pertaining to the guild are judged by the guild master and relevant authorities if needed.'

'Simple and reasonable.' said Ulric.

Kaui turned the form. 'Names, titles, specific skills optional, these are no problem, but we need to fill in a name for the group.'

'Ohh, what shall we call ourselves?' asked Iphigenia with a glint of playfulness in her eyes. 'Something tough like Swords and Fangs, or The Subjugators?'

'Ugh no.' said Ulric and scrunched his nose. 'Names like that sound so tacky. Trying to sound mysterious or dangerous just shows how insecure you are.'

Iphigenia looked at Kaui, who also heard the obvious boasting about strength and kills at the table behind Ulric. 'You're right, those Shadow Wolves are a good example.' she said and chuckled with Kaui.

One of their members pricked up his ears at their name and turned around. 'Hey, are you laughing at us?'

'Case in point.' said Elzbieta and Iphigenia sniggered.

The bulldog-like canine stood up and stepped closer, puffing up his chest and leaning his hands on the sword at one side, which length reached from the floor to his chest, and a large double headed axe at his other side. 'Are you mocking us Shadow Wolves, the greatest group of these lands?'

'With an axe large enough to bake two large pizzas at once and a sword that just screams compensation, I can guess what part of this guy's never going to be called the greatest.' Ulric growled and the girls sniggered more.

The bulldog slammed his hand on the table and leaned closer to Ulric. 'I don't know what you said but I sure don't like it. Why don't you show your face so I can rebuild it before me and my guys have some fun with these wenches.'

Ulric turned his head far enough for the bulldog to catch one eye underneath the hood and the killing intent in its red glow.

'Ehmm, I just remembered we still had an open quest we need to fulfil.' the bulldog yipped and backed off. 'I'll let you off the hook this time but remember this well!' The other members of his group stared dumbfounded at their leader and were ushered out of the guild quickly despite their protests.

Iphigenia chuckled. 'Shadow Puppies.'

Ulric sighed. 'Okay, back to naming. Something that describes us but not things like The Bloods, or The Bloodwolf Gang, or Ulric's Angels.'

Iphigenia folded her arms and sat back. 'We're different species, how about Mixed Breed?'

'We're a party, so Party Mix?' chuckled Elzbieta. 'Or maybe plainly The Mixed?'

'The Collective?' said Kaui. 'Combines?'

'Rufert said we were a strange bunch, I kind of like that.' chuckled Ulric. 'Thinking of Strange Breed, Disordered, Chaos, Motley Crew.'

'Us Guys're Anomalies?'

'Strange Lot.'

'Odd Lot!'

'Strange Company?'

Kaui sat up. 'How about-'

'Quaint?' asked Rufert when he checked the form.

Kaui nodded. 'You gave us the hint for a fitting name for us.'

Rufert chuckled. 'I guess I did.' he said and gestured at the boards. 'You can find all quests there and the one you mentioned should be among them then. In the meantime I'll prepare your guild card.'

The others joined Kaui at the board to search the one from Ameda and Roran. 'There are only low level or older quests here .' Kaui said and pulled down one form. 'This one's from the shop and it's been here a while indeed.'

'Ah, the one from Roran's shop,' said Rufert. 'to collect the wool from the flock at the fields nearby.'

'Why has it been here so long?' asked Kaui.

'There isn't much going on around here, so young adventurers who gained their basic abilities set out for bigger cities where higher quests can be found, even if actually getting one is a small chance since there are many more adventurers available.' Rufert wrote a note in the quests log book. 'Lots of small quests remain and even though the guys from Shadow Wolves could easily do them, they just hang around until a request comes in high enough to interest them and only do that one. It pays well enough because there's no one else to do them.' Rufert held up the quest form. 'These don't pay much because people think they're boring.'

Ulric hummed. 'They're just in it for the status, not to help people in need.'

Elzbieta folded her arms and nodded. 'And they get away with it. An elf with that behaviour would have been shamed by the tribe.'

Iphigenia sighed. 'Nothing we can do about it. Let's just get this done first.'

Rufert handed a blue card to Ulric. 'This is your guild card, take good care of it.'

He examined the card with their name in the upper left corner and at the bottom 0-A-A. 'What does this mean?'

'Your group's level.' Rufert said. 'For each quest you get a number of points, the more difficult, the more points. The first letter is the difficulty average of quests ranked from very easy A to possible but never seen before Z. There's been at most a G rank awarded as far as I know. The last letter also indicates the highest rank quest you ever did, so for example you could be average C but you have proven yourself strong enough to have completed an F rank quest. A high number but low ranks indicates you've been busy but not with tough quests.'

Ulric nodded. 'So the cheat of levelling up just by repeating easy quests does not work here. You actually have to do harder work to gain something.' He put the card away in one of the pockets Roran had sown into his cloak. 'I'm not here to play for the high score so it doesn't matter anyway.' He looked at the girls and grinned. 'But that doesn't mean I won't try to have some fun in the meantime.'

17 - First Quest

The four arrived later at fields a short walk away from the town where few people ever came, and spotted the fluffy herd meandering and grazing through the flower filled grass. 'So, all we have to do is catch sheep and cut their wool.' Ulric said as he looked across the field at the scattered puffs of white and brown. 'I can imagine it's boring to young adventurers.'

Iphigenia squinted at a ram with thick and curled horns the size of it's head staring back at them. 'I don't know. I have an odd feeling about this. They look a bit different from the sheep I know.'

Ulric flexed his arms and legs. 'To me the only odd thing is that these sheep seem a bit bigger than the ones in my world. We won't find out just standing here anyway so I'll catch one to begin with.'

He walked leisurely towards the middle of the spread out herd without going directly towards any sheep and scare them off right away. Some distanced themselves from him and when he had a reasonable indication of how close he could get to them, he moved casually towards one from behind, then bolted towards the ewe.

She looked back and jumped high the moment Ulric tried to grab her, kicked him back with her powerful hind legs, and ran off.

Ulric blinked as he looked up to the sky from the grass and rubbed the scales on his chest. 'Those aren't sheep, they're woolly kangaroos! Damn, that would have hurt if I hadn't been quick enough to transform.' He jumped up and ran after other sheep but they all jumped high and fast out of the way until the ram appeared in front of him. Ulric grinned. 'So, we finally meet.'

The ram was even quicker than the rest and Ulric thought he had jumped out of the way when the ram shot at him with a powerful low jump, but a quick thrust of its head hit him right in the gut.

Ulric flew back and rolled over several times before sitting up. Iphigenia gripped her sword. 'Wolfie! Are you all right!?'

He rubbed his stomach scales while coughing. 'I think the reason no one taking the quest had nothing to do with boring.' he said and stood up. 'But that might be good in a way.' The ram glared at him and he grinned again. 'Let's play.'

The ram charged at him again and this time he evaded the headbutts in time, although he couldn't tackle or trip his nimble opponent either as it jumped fast around him. 'Guess I'll literally have to go head to head.' Ulric grumbled and covered his head with scales. The ram charged at him and he charged back.

The girls flinched at the loud bang. Elzbieta let out her breath when both Ulric and the ram moved backwards, seemingly fine. 'He really does have a hard head.'

Iphigenia chuckled. 'You mean the ram or Wolfie? I think it'll probably be decided on who's more stubborn.'

Their heads collided several times more before Ulric grabbed the ram by his horns and stared deep into its eyes. 'Don't think you can beat me like this. I've endured worse headaches staying up all night coming up with catchy slogans for haemorrhoid cream.'

A terrified bleating caught their attention and they gazed at the edge of the field with a line of high rocks, where a predator resembling a huge salamander with crocodile hide and teeth had cornered a lamb between it and the rocks. The ram shook off Ulric's grip and bolted at the predator at once.

'That's an igififun!' Kaui said. 'They're very dangerous!'

The igififun crawled closer to the trembling lamb frozen in fear, its large jaws opened to grab the lamb and crush it between its rows of deadly teeth, then stared to the side when it heard the rapid trampling of the ram's hoofs on the grass. It hissed low when the ram hit it hard on its side, but it backed off only for a moment before lashing out with its tail.

Ulric was surprised at the speed of the monster as it hit the ram and threw it back. 'Is that normal!?' he asked Kaui.

'They might look slow but they're actually agile and fast.' she said. 'That's why they're so dangerous.'

The ram shook its body and after a feint hit the igififun on the shoulder but received another hit back.

Ulric studied the creature. 'Do they have a weakness?'

Kaui thought it over. 'There was not much in the books about them but I think it was mentioned their underside and throat have the least hide thickness.'

Another sharp bang marked the two animals clashing their heads together and was followed by a blunt blow from the tail hitting the ram aside. It rolled across the grass but stood up again with some effort, and charged at the igififun once more.

'Unless he can get to its weak spot he won't last.' Elzbieta said. 'I don't see any sign of that thing weakening.' Iphigenia nodded and Ulric hummed.

The ram flew and slid across the grass once more after a hard hit from the igififun's strong tail. He swayed and pushed himself up on his shaky legs, and gazed at the curled up frightened lamb. His determination to fight was not just instinct, he wanted to see al of the flock lead peaceful lives. Even though his body hurt badly he drew in a deep breath and tried to steady himself. He had to give it his all to protect his flock even if it would cost him his life, and took one step forward before a black paw in front of him stopped him.

'You did well, let me take care of the rest.' Ulric said and stepped towards the igififun. The ram stared in confusion at the bloodwolf's back, the first time a predator seemed to protect instead of kill. Ulric pointed at the igififun. 'I'll take you down.'

The igififun hissed at Ulric while he stepped forward and it swiped his tail at him as soon as he came into reach. Ulric blocked the hit to his side with his armoured arm and stood his ground. 'You're strong, but not enough.' he said and lurched forward. The deadly jaws snapped at him but he turned to evade and punched underneath them with his spiked fist.

The creature screeched and jumped back with its head held low but Ulric didn't waste any time. He punched at its lower side but a third one missed when it rolled sideways and lashed out with its tail. Ulric blocked the repeated hits first, then snatched the tail under one arm and punched it. The igififun hissed and screeched but it couldn't free itself before receiving a row of puncture wounds first, and the pain didn't make it flee but only enraged it.

Ulric braced himself under a barrage of hits from the creature's tail and biting and clawing, but at the first opening he countered with his spiked fists and drew blood wherever he could. It jumped back, its breath hissing while blood dripped from every wound. 'You're taking it down!' said Iphigenia but Ulric shook his head. 'No, I'm not inflicting enough damage. Its skin is too thick.' He saw the ram staring at him from the corner of his eye. 'But maybe we can do some other damage.'

He charged at the igififun. It lashed out with its tail again but this time he ducked and rolled underneath, grabbed the monster's foreleg and thrust himself upwards. The igififun flipped sideways and Ulric grabbed it upside down from behind, pulled its forelegs back and wrapped his legs around its jaws, then pulled its head back. 'Hit here!' he shouted at the ram and stomped the exposed throat of the creature with one heel. The ram only needed a moment to understand Ulric's intention and bolted at them with all the speed he could muster.

A sickening crack sounded when the ram crushed the igififun's windpipe. It trashed around as it gargled but another blow from the ram's horns cut it short. Ulric released the limp body and sat down. 'Nice teamwork.' he said to the ram and chuckled.

The girls came up to him and inspected the creature. 'We should take this back with us.' Iphigenia said. 'I'm sure there's some use for it.'

Kaui handed Ulric his cloak and sash. 'I think its meat can be used and the books definitely mentioned its tough hide. The guild will tell us.'

Several other sheep came closer and one ewe moved up to Ulric with the lamb they saved. 'So you're the one who was lucky enough to have us show up today, eh?' he said. The lamb blinked at him and bleated cheerfully once while it wagged its tail furiously. The ram sat down in front of him and bowed its head.

'Looks like you earned his gratitude.' Iphigenia said and made a scissors gesture. 'Maybe we can get some wool now.' The ram moved to her and stood sideways in front of her. 'You understand? Can we get some wool from you?' The ram answered with a resolute bleat and she stroked his head. 'Thank you.'

While they all were busy shearing the sheep who volunteered their wool, Kaui chuckled at the lamb poking its head underneath Ulric's sash. 'I think she likes it.'

Ulric took one end of the sash, cut a ribbon from it and tied it into a bow around one of the lamb's ears. 'There. How's that?'

It bleated cheerfully and jumped around while other lambs dared to come closer and sniff at the ribbon. One moved a little closer to Ulric and gave him a shy bleat. 'You'd like one too?'

Kaui leaned close to whisper in Ulric's ear and he smiled. 'Oh, that's a great idea. Go get them then.'

Kaui jogged towards the town and Iphigenia looked at Ulric. 'What's a great idea?'

He grinned at her. 'A little surprise for our woolly friends here.'

***

'They are the ones who turn your wool into clothing and other useful items.' Ulric said to the sheep when Kaui returned with Ameda and Roran and several short rolls of cloth.

Ameda looked at the lamb with the ribbon and wagged her tail. 'Ooohhh, that's so cute!' she said while the other lambs looked curiously at the rolls of different colours.

Ulric chuckled and looked at the ram. 'How about it? Trade your wool for what they create from it?'

The ram watched the women tie bows on the lambs with their choice of colour and it became clear what the strange bloodwolf meant. Several ewes moved up to the women and he confirmed what was obvious with a bleat.

***

'Are you sure?' Kaui asked after several bales of wool had been collected.

Roran nodded. 'The value of half the igififun is more than enough to compensate for our work and a large stable for the flock to take shelter in. And now that they'll trade us their wool they can have pretty much anything they need from now on.'

'No need to wait for someone to take up the quest or buy more expensive wool from afar.' said Ameda, wagging her tail and petting a lamb with a blue ribbon on her tail in her arm.

Ulric stretched and picked up the travois they'd made to carry the dead igififun. 'All right, let's clear this quest at the guild and have them handle the business of dividing and selling this thing.'

From the moment they reached the town curious onlookers appeared and children tagged along on the way to the guild, daring each other to touch the monster and asking Kaui about the fight. Iphigenia chuckled at Kaui trying to keep up with the questions but the children listened eagerly and were in awe over the fight with Ulric and the ram. They looked at the hooded figure carrying the heavy monster with wondrous eyes.

Rufert whistled at the sight of the igififun and called on a few of the children to fetch their parents, who'd process it to get the useful parts. He grinned at the fresh party. 'Yep, the name Quaint fits you. Never imagined someone take this down together with a wild animal and on top of that, making those deals.' He gestured for them to come inside. 'I'll update the quest and your card. Unfortunately there's no quest to kill this igififun so no extra reward.'

Ulric grumbled soft and Kaui nodded. 'My master doesn't mind. The price for the materials is plenty enough according to Roran.'

Rufert nodded. 'True. And we're glad you killed it right away. Most would just run or only be willing to kill it after a quest with high reward is posted.'

Ulric noticed the quick glance at the Shadow Wolves who sat rather quiet in the corner, trying not to look at the igififun outside and the crowd around it, and sipping their ales with a clear sulk on their faces.

Rufert returned the card to Kaui after updating it. 'Rank C?' she said.

'Although there was no quest for it, as the guild we are allowed to give a bonus for unexpected work.' said Rufert. 'It's not as high as an official quest but it's the least I could do as an appreciation.'

Kaui smiled and nodded. 'My master gives his thanks for all of us.'

Rufert nodded at Ulric. 'I'll send a message when they're done with the igififun.'

Ulric's stomach rumbled and Iphigenia chuckled. 'Yeah, I'm getting hungry as well. Some rest would be nice too.'

Ulric grinned. 'Time for a bite and get some sleep at the inn then.'

The inn had a few local customers when they arrived and Monna greeted the four with a wide grin. 'There he is, one half of the wolf and sheep saga.'

Iphigenia chuckled at Ulric's embarrassed expression. 'Which half would that be?' she said as they went up to the counter where Monna stood.

'My master would like to eat and rest in a room with us for now.' Kaui said.

Monna frowned a little. 'I can't give you a room though.'

'You're full?'

Monna shook her head. 'No, I have empty rooms.'

Kaui looked down and fiddled with her fingers after Ulric spoke. 'My master wants to know if it has to do with us being slaves.'

'Yes. I'm pretty sure you're more than just slaves, especially after I heard my sister's opinion of you.'

Ulric growled low and Monna held up her hand. 'I know what you're thinking, but you're not getting a room.' She watched the disappointed expressions on the girls' faces and Iphigenia putting her hand on Ulric's arm, and laid a key on the counter. 'That's why you're getting a cabin at the rear where you'll have more privacy.'

They watched her grin wide with some mischief and groaned their chuckles. Kaui turned red after Ulric spoke again. 'My master wants to tell you you're a meanie, and thanks you for your thoughtfulness.'

Monna laughed. 'Your packs are in the last cabin, freshen up and I'll have your meals ready here.'

***

After a satisfying meal and drinks while Kaui told the story about the fight to Monna and the other curious guests, they plunged down onto the large bed in the cabin and sighed. Iphigenia snuggled up with Ulric. 'I haven't slept in a comfortable bed in a while, but you're still the best pillow.'

Ulric chuckled. 'I'm a natural at being a pillow.'

Elzbieta hopped out of bed and checked the corner with a stove and cupboards to store food and drinks. 'No water.' she said as she looked into an empty jug. 'I'll fetch some.'

'I'll do it.' said Ulric and gently slipped away from Iphigenia. 'The barrel for bath water is almost empty so I'll fill that as well.'

He went back to the inn and showed the empty jar and barrel to Monna. 'Sorry, I've been so busy it slipped my mind. I'll fill the jar, then bring you the full barrel later.' she said. He shook his head and gestured at himself while pumping. She smiled and pointed at a water pump in the corner of the kitchen. 'All right, the pump is over there.' She watched him fill the barrel without tiring after bringing the jar with drinking water. 'It would have been no trouble to do this.' Ulric shook his head again and patted on his chest. She chuckled. 'Those girls are lucky with such a gentle man. Or wolf.' His embarrassed glance at her made her chuckle more.

Iphigenia rolled on her stomach and looked at Kaui who folded her clothes at a table in another corner. 'So, you do like our Ulric, don't you?'

Kaui blushed. 'He's certainly nice and gentle.'

Iphigenia's smile turned a little devious. 'Just nice and gentle?'

Kaui's cheeks became a darker red. 'I, don't know otherwise?'

'I did notice you call him my master while calling your old one the master.'

Kaui stared at the dress in her hands. 'It's just..'

Iphigenia hopped from the bed and embraced Kaui from behind. 'Even if you weren't bonded, would you still leave us if you found a place to stay? Wouldn't you want to experience his strong yet gentle embrace?'

Kaui's imagination latched onto that just as Ulric came in carrying the barrel in his arms. He noticed her flustered face. 'Are you okay, Kaui?'

She turned away and unfolded and refolded each of her clothes again. 'I'm all right! I wasn't thinking of anything!'

Iphigenia chuckled while Ulric put the barrel in its place. 'I have something to give you,' he said. 'but since I don't like the original reason much I made my own reason to make something positive out of it.' The girls looked on while he pulled out the package he brought from the tailor shop and unfolded the cloth. 'I couldn't think of a better look for a slave collar than this.'

The girls gazed at the slender black leather chokers with three vertical slim and red jewels at the front. 'That looks very stylish.' said Elzbieta.

'I don't want it to mean that you're my slaves or property even if it seems that way to others, but I want to express my gratitude for the trust you have in me and being at my side despite the difficulties we've had so far, and also to pledge myself to protect and care for you for as long as I can.'

Iphigenia wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed and nuzzled his cheek. 'You're so sweet, Wolfie.'

The girls stood side by side while Ulric fastened the chokers around their necks. 'Ameda said this leather will keep a perfect fit and will never feel tight or loose.' he said.

Elzbieta touched hers and smiled softly. 'It's almost as if it's not there, just enough sensation to be reassuring.'

Kaui blushed and smiled a little as Ulric fastened hers. 'It may be my just own preference, but these do look great on you.' He stepped back and smiled at them. 'A feast for a man's eyes.'

Iphigenia hugged him tight and kissed his muzzle. 'Let's sleep.' she said and looked at Kaui. 'Do you want to sleep on the left, the right, or on top of Wolfie?'

Kaui blushed hard again. 'Don't tease her like that.' Ulric said and slapped Iphigenia's behind. Not only Iphigenia, but Elzbieta and Kaui let out a cute squeal at the same time. With large eyes he watched a flustered Kaui, frowning and blushing Elzbieta, and giggling Iphigenia biting her lower lip while each held their behinds. 'Did you all just..?'

18 - Busy Days

Ulric yawned and smacked his lips as the four waited inside the inn for their meal.

'Someone didn't sleep much?' Monna asked while she took back empty bowls to the kitchen and smiled a little mischievously at the girls.

Monna's expression and intonation of her voice were enough for Elzbieta and Kaui to blush while Iphigenia giggled at Ulric waving his hands in denial. Kaui cleared her throat. 'My master is used to a different sleeping habit so sometimes he can't sleep well during common rest.'

'Ohh, I see. I did expect it would take more than three to tire him out.' she said and chuckled as she entered the kitchen.

Kaui glanced at the only other customer who sat with his back to them but it appeared he hadn't heard what was said. The dark and smooth furred canine fumbled in his pocket and placed a few coins on the table before leaving quietly.

At the end of their meal a boy arrived to deliver the receipt for the igififun and Kaui read it. 'This is the price offer for the igififun's parts if we want to sell what we don't want for ourselves.'

Monna passed by to clear their table. 'The meat's good. You can sell that for a good price because it's not easy to come by as you've noticed.' She stared a little into the distance. 'I can still taste the roast and stew the last time I got hold of some.'

Ulric chuckled and Kaui made a note. 'How much do you want?'

Monna smiled. 'Well, I think I can afford one or two lumps.'

Kaui shook her head. 'It's a gift from us. Just say how much.'

Monna's tail wagged hard. 'I don't know if I could accept.'

Ulric chuckled again. 'My master's sure you can.' Kaui said.

Monna gave in and Kaui wrote down how much meat to deliver to the inn. Monna grinned. 'I'll make you the best meal I have to offer from this.' she said. 'And what will you do now? You can take it easy for a while with the money you'll get.'

Kaui handed the note to the boy and he hurried back to the guild. 'We'll have a look at the rest of the quests to see where we can help.'

The four ended up later at the guild staring at the quests board. Ulric hummed. 'There are so many older and relatively easy ones, which do we pick first?'

Elzbieta gestured at Rufert who put up a new one. 'Ask him?'

Rufert folded his arms while he gazed at the board. 'I'd suggest the one for collecting herbs for our healer. A good stock of medicine and potions is important for our town.'

'That one I can do alone because I have some knowledge on plants.' said Kaui.

'But there are some dangerous animals around so it's better to have someone armed to guard you.'

Iphigenia looked at Ulric. 'You can guard her and help with your nose while we take up another task.'

He nodded. 'But is doing that by yourselves allowed with your slave status?'

Rufert nodded after Kaui asked. 'No problem here. Everyone should know your group by now.' he said and turned to the board. 'I know just the quest you two ladies are perfect for.'

***

Ulric glared and growled low at the bear who thought Kaui would make an easy meal and it quickly turned to settle for a vegetarian dish, preferably far away from that red eyed demon with intense killing intent. Kaui held on tight to Ulric's arm and let out a long breath in relief. 'Thank you.'

Ulric smiled gently at her and laid his hand reassuringly on hers. 'No need, it's why I'm here.'

They continued their walk through the short stretch of forest towards the fields where they should be able to find the herbs listed on the quest and Kaui suddenly realised she hadn't let go of Ulric's arm. She blushed and glanced up at him. He had kept his hand on hers and kept his eyes on their surroundings, and she smiled softly at the warm and safe sensation it gave her. She couldn't remember ever feeling this before with someone else, and could certainly not imagine it from what was essentially an extremely dangerous demon species. The memory of the first time they met popped up and her heart pounded harder at the question what might have happened if he was a real bloodwolf, but instead of an answer where she'd be eaten alive, the wild image of him taking her long and hard filled her mind and her face turned hot and red.

'If you're not feeling well we can return and do this later.'

She looked up at once. 'Later!? You still plan to take me if we don't do it now!?'

Ulric stared at her. 'You do know most about herbs so you're the only one of us that can do this task. But only if you feel comfortable enough after that bear attack.'

Her mind returned to the present. 'Oh! Of course! No, I'm fine now!' she said and took a deep breath.

'Sure?'

His concerned look filled her chest with warmth and she smiled. 'Really. I'm glad you're here.'

He nodded and she leaned a little closer against him while they continued their walk.

The fields provided a good yield of the plants they needed, especially with Ulric's sensitive nose pinpointing the location after Kaui let him smell the scents of the ones they were looking for. He sniffed the air for the latest one and pointed in one direction. 'I smell some there.' he said and after a short walk they looked down a low and long crevice. 'It's not too deep for me so I'll jump in while you wait here.'

Kaui nodded and watched while he picked randomly from the plants scattered around the grassy bottom. She spotted one more of the plants on the list and gestured at it. 'Can you get the one next to the one with those tiny purple flowers?'

Ulric squatted next to the plant and touched the one with round leaves. 'This one?'

Kaui leaned forward. 'Yes, that's the oOO!' she cried out when one foot slipped on a loose patch, and she fell forward.

'Kaui!' Ulric growled as he reached out to catch her. He caught her just before she hit the bottom and he stumbled back on his behind to soften the impact. Buried in his soft chest fur, his scent filled her nose and her heart raced as she quickly pulled back and looked deep into Ulric's eyes. 'Soft.' he said.

'Soft?' she asked, then noticed his tight grip on her naked behind and her dress pulled up to her chest while straddling him.

Ulric quickly let go of her and looked away from her flustered face. 'Sorry!'

She pulled down her dress quickly. 'No, it's okay! It was just an accident! Thank you for saving me!' She glanced up at him and placed her hands on his chest. 'I, I don't min-'

'Hey hey hey!' came Iphigenia's voice in their minds. 'I'm glad you two get along well but can you leave the intimate touches for after we finish the quest?' she said and watched Elzbieta chase and swing her sword at a naked and puffing orc, while she had one foot planted on the face of a knocked out naked goblin. 'I'm sure it felt good to you, but it distracted Elzbieta enough for one of the two perverts we had to lure out to cop a feel of her.'

'Sorry!' said Kaui and stood up. Ulric caught a glimpse of her mound just before she fixed her dress and tried to think of something else. 'It's my fault. I slipped and fell down but Ulric caught and saved me.'

Iphigenia winced at the smack Elzbieta gave the orc on his head with her sword. 'You can tell us when we see you back in town. We nailed the two who harassed women around here so we're going back.'

'Good work.' said Ulric. 'We gathered most plants on the list so we shouldn't be long.' He looked up at the edge of the crevice, then at Kaui. 'Just in case, I still need to help Kaui get out of this hole so I can't guarantee you won't feel my hands again.'

Kaui blushed and Iphigenia chuckled. 'Keep it as brief as possible this time.'

***

Ulric heard the goblin and orc whine and squirm and a crowd laugh hard when Kaui and he arrived at the town square. 'What are they doing to them?' he asked Iphigenia.

She grinned deviously and gestured with her head to the crowd. 'A little suggestion from Elzbieta and I on how to punish perverts who try to touch women.'

Ulric and Kaui moved closer to see and sniggered at the two who stood face to face with their wrists locked in a shared pillory and their open hands pressed against each other's chest. 'For them feeling man boobs must be torture.' Ulric said. 'I hope you'll never have a need to punish me.'

Iphigenia smirked. 'We still need to hear the details of what went on with the both of you.'

Kaui blushed again and Ulric cleared his throat. 'I think Rufert likes to close these quests now so let's get going.' he said and hurried towards the guild.

Rufert hummed cheerfully while he processed the quests. 'I knew you two could do this.' he said and looked at Iphigenia and Elzbieta. 'Those two only appeared before women and kept away from men. Even when we tried to disguise a couple of men as women they stayed away. The women in town will be very grateful.'

Iphigenia looked at Elzbieta. 'See? Your sacrifice was worth it.'

Elzbieta glared at the crowd through the window. 'I still say this punishment is too light.'

Ulric smiled gently at her. 'I haven't yet had a little chat with them about touching my precious girls.'

She chuckled. 'I'd like to see that.'

Kaui received the updated guild card from Rufert. 'So, what's next?'

Iphigenia stretched her arms. 'Another quest?' she asked and the others agreed.

***

'I'd like to ask a favour.' said Rufert after several days had passed in which the four stripped the quest board slowly of relative mundane tasks. He gestured at an older canine girl and boy. 'These are Bea and Trivian. They just registered here and I think receiving some guidance in the beginning would benefit them greatly, so would you mind them tagging along on a few quests?'

Kaui turned to them after a short discussion with the other three. 'For that we'd like to know your reasons for becoming an adventurer and what skills you have.'

The girl with rust coloured long fur and sleek muzzle glanced at Ulric and spoke first. 'I wasn't sure about becoming one until I saw you helping out so much with quests that other fighters wouldn't look at. I thought it wouldn't benefit me if I wanted to become strong but you have so much respect from everyone that I realised that was what I wanted for myself. I'd like to be someone others can turn to for help.' She pulled out two long and curved daggers. 'My uncle trained me a little in fighting with these, and I know some water magic.'

Kaui nodded at the black curled boy which Ulric couldn't stop thinking of as a big poodle. 'I've been helping my dad around the farm and go out hunting with him, and I think becoming an adventurer will help me gain more experience and skills.' He gestured at his back. 'I'm pretty good at using my bow and I know fire magic.'

Kaui received a nod from the others and smiled at the two youngsters. 'We'll try to guide you as best as we can then and hope you can learn something from us.'

Rufert laid down a sheet. 'Can you have a look at this request? I think this would be good one to get a first impression on what Bea and Trivian can do. It has a certain risk but I am confident it'll go well when the four of you are there.'

***

'Six of us for something like a few small thefts?' Trivian asked while the group was on their way to the area where a few chickens, clothing, vegetables, and some tools were stolen from multiple small farms. 'Isn't that a bit much?'

Kaui shook her head. 'My master thinks it's Rufert's intention to let you handle it and we only step in when needed.'

Bea slapped Trivian's shoulder. 'I'm sure we can take on a simple thief with the two of us.'

He rubbed his shoulder. 'I suppose.'

'Elzbieta says to be careful though, even a simple thief can be dangerous in her experience.' said Kaui.

Bea looked at Elzbieta. 'Was that before you became a slave warrior? What did you do?'

Kaui nodded after Elzbieta spoke to her. 'Elzbieta was a knight of one of the strongest elf tribes. Their duties included maintaining order in every capacity.'

Bea nodded. 'So how did you end up like this? Did Ulric conquer you in a fight or did he take you in some other way?'

Elzbieta became flustered at the memory of Ulric taking her for the first time in the mountains and looked away.

Iphigenia nudged Kaui while trying to keep a straight face. 'My master might not have been able to conquer Elzbieta if it wasn't for an unfortunate wound that became her disadvantage.' said Kaui.

'Ohh.' said Bea. 'So Elzbieta might have been the one to take Ulric and make him her own? Or would she have cut him down?'

Elzbieta and Ulric coughed and cleared their throats and Iphigenia sniggered. 'Ehmm..' said Kaui with a slight blush. 'I think she intended to cut him down the first time they met indeed.'

'I'm really, really glad I ran fast enough.' mumbled Ulric and Elzbieta punched his arm.

Bea raised her eyebrow at the sight of a slave dominating her master but from what she heard this strange group didn't behave in traditional master-slave ways anyway. She turned to Kaui again. 'What about you and Iphigenia?'

Iphigenia grinned. 'Iphigenia encountered our master during a fight with a dark wizard and it was after a fatal wound during a mighty battle with a horde of goblins that she submitted completely to him.' Kaui said and Iphigenia smiled at Ulric. 'As for me..' She blushed as she thought of a good explanation. 'He saved me from a very bad experience and I think if he hadn't taken me with him I'd no longer want to go on living the way I did.'

Bea watched Kaui glance at Ulric as he cleared his throat and growled softly, then noticed all three women smile softly. 'My master wants you to know that he's extremely lucky to have us at his side,' Kaui said. 'and that he would be lost without us.'

Bea smiled as she looked at Ulric. 'Would this big and strong master be interested in another young female slave to be at his side?'

Ulric choked and coughed and Iphigenia chuckled while she slapped his back, and Bea grinned wide. 'Kidding..'

Trivian sighed. 'Don't joke around, we're near the area where the thefts have occurred.'

Trivian examined the crudely drawn map and then looked at the farm house they approached. 'Old man Hakkan is supposedly not robbed but he's a potential target.'

A shout cut short and a flurry of chickens from the back of the farm barn raised their suspicions and without needing one word between them they all ran towards it. When they turned the corner they found Hakkan lying still on the ground and two burly men with orcish features in their face.

Bea shot forward with her daggers drawn. 'You filth!'

The thief was much faster than her, ducked to evade her blades and tripped her up. The second thief overpowered her and held her tight before him with his short sword at her throat. 'Don't move!' Everyone glared at the thieves while they slowly backed away. 'We're going to quietly walk away and if anyone dares to come after us we'll find out if her blood matches the colour of her fur.'

The thief took one step back and Bea dropped her weight at once. Surprised by the sudden move he bent forward, and this time she jumped up as hard as she could and hit his lower jaw with the top of her head. As he tumbled backwards she pushed herself back and landed with one shoulder on his face as he hit the ground, the crack of his nose breaking clearly audible.

The second thief didn't hesitate and ran away at the first sign of trouble between a couple of rows of short pear trees. Trivian pulled his bow. 'Don't kill him!' Kaui said. 'We need to ask him questions!'

Trivian aimed ahead of the thief. 'I won't.' he said and let his arrow fly. The thief cried out and fell forward when the arrow hit the back of his thigh. Trivian smiled with a little pride. 'I learned to shoot deer running faster than him.'

Kaui bent a little closer to the tied up thieves. 'My master would like you to answer a few questions.'

The thieves glared at Ulric, who looked casually down at them. 'The first one scoffed. 'We ain't talking. He doesn't scare us.'

Kaui gave them a sweet smile. 'Oh, but there's no need to be scared of him.' she said and gestured at Bea, Iphigenia, and Elzbieta standing behind her and smiling at them while cracking their knuckles and rolling up their sleeves. 'These three ladies are on their period and would be grateful for the chance to let off a little steam.'

Ulric sniggered while the group headed towards the nearby forest after Iphigenia healed the farmer and he went to the town with the thieves wrapped up nicely in the back of his cart. 'I don't know if I should feel sorry for them or not, facinng such a threat.'

Iphigenia grinned deviously at him. 'I'm sure you wouldn't do anything to warrant that and find out.'

He looked up. 'Not as sure as I am after witnessing how quick you girls can make men spill everything they know.'

Iphigenia chuckled and nudged Kaui. 'And here I thought you were such a nice girl, but you do have a mean streak to you.'

Kaui blushed. 'I just know it's one of the few things that most orc men dread and I hoped it would speed things up to make them talk.'

'Well, it worked so now we know they're part of a gang and hiding in the forest after they came here a few days ago. How will we take them on?'

'First we'll need to scout their hideout, see what tactics we can use to minimise fighting and chances of getting hurt.' said Ulric and looked at Iphigenia and Elzbieta. 'I suggest Bea and Trivian take a look with the one who has the most experience of you two in this.'

Elzbieta looked at Iphigenia. 'I've dealt with bandits often during my time at home and at Winter City so I guess it's me.'

Iphigenia nodded. 'I agree.'

***

'A dozen men, most with orcish blood, well armed.' said Ulric after the three came back from their quick observation of the bandits. 'Rock wall at their back and a clear area around them wide enough to prevent surprise attacks.' Elzbieta nodded in confirmation on what Bea reported. 'It'll be difficult if they know how to fight, and there's a chance some could escape during the fight.'

Trivian rolled an arrow in his fingers. 'Stealth or invisibility spells would be welcome now.'

Bea sighed and leaned back on her hands. 'Or any cloak that could hide us.' she said, summoned a small body of water before her and twisted it into various knots. 'If I had more power I could at least create a heavy rain to limit their view.'

'My cloud jars could do the trick but those bandits would be alerted at the first throw.' said Kaui.

Ulric scratched his cheek while an idea hovered at the edge of his mind. He watched Bea transform the water into a sphere and a cube, then Trivian trying to create the same shapes with his fire magic. The idea drifted into his mind. 'I know!'

###