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19 - Ambush

'Oh great, it's going to be cold when I wake up.' said one bandit to another while he watched thick strands of fog roll into the clearing. 'I hate fog.'

The other took a swig from the wine in his mug. 'Drink more then. That'll keep you warm.'

The first one laughed. 'Who needs that as an excuse to drink more?' he said and drank.

When the fog became thicker the bandits stoked up the two fires they had burning and a few of them wrapped themselves up in their blankets expecting the cold.

'It's as thick as soup.' grumbled one. 'As if it's cursed.'

Another one glanced around and held his dagger tight. 'Did anyone see something move in there?'

'What are you talking about, Remo?' grumbled Kels, the burliest one of the group and their leader. 'You're just seeing shadows.'

'Fog or not, I still gotta go.' said another bandit and headed for the edge of the trees.

Kels kept watch on the spot where the other faded from sight, then jumped at a crack of a branch and a muffled cry. 'Fedra! What happened!?'

'Tripped, damned! Hurt my face!' was the answer from a covered mouth.

'Damned idiot.' muttered Kels and drank. It seemed to him that every time they were stuck in fog every sound became louder. Rustling of leaves, creaking of branches, birds flapping their wings, creatures scurrying around. And he hated the cold damp.

He stopped drinking. Something wasn't right with this fog. The cold damp was missing. And the weather hadn't turned cold enough as usual to get fog. He looked around and counted the men he saw, and realised there were less than before. A short chocking sound at the edge of his sight raised his suspicion to alert level. 'Alarm! We might be ambushed!' he shouted and took out his sword as he stood up quickly.

The others around him became livelier and armed themselves. 'Took! Where are you?' one asked.

'Has anyone seen Horm?' asked another.

'Hey! Who goes the-' said another before the sound of wood hitting something hard cut him off.

'Attack!' yelled Kels and the next moment an arrow pierced the side of his arm and he cried out loud.

Trivian appeared from the fog with drawn bow while fighting erupted around them, and fired another arrow at Kels, but he stepped aside faster than expected and the arrow struck the ground.

Kels grimaced in anger as he lunged at and swung his sword at Trivian. Trivian held out his bow in protection, blocking the cut but the force of the hit cut his bow and tumbled him to the side. Kels held up his sword to deal another blow on Trivian but cried out at the stabs in his back and fell forward.

Bea hurried towards Trivian. 'Are you okay!?'

Trivian held up one half of his bow. 'Only mostly.'

Bea held out her hand to help him up when Trivian's eyes went wide, and grabbed her wrist and jerked her towards him before Kels could slash her with his sword.

He pulled one of her daggers from his back and threw it to the ground. 'You didn't think this was the first time I've been stabbed in a fight, did you now?' he grumbled and swung his sword back, and Trivian pulled Bea against him with his broken bow still in hand. 'That bow isn't going to help you any longer!'

Kels lunged forward to stab but Trivian pushed up on his knees, pulled Bea aside and thrust out an arrow with his other hand into Kels's throat.

Kels gurgled a cry as he clutched his throat, stumbled, and fell to his knees.

'The bow is only half of the weapon.' said Trivian and kicked against the back of the arrow to send it straight through Kels's thick neck.

Kels fell forward on his face and Elzbieta appeared out of the fog. She looked down at the body, then at the two young adventurers. 'Nice.' she said and gestured with her head to the side. 'But don't dawdle, we have a few more to take out.'

Bea nodded, retrieved her daggers, and disappeared into the fog again while Trivian grabbed a bow from the bandit's packs and followed her.

Not much later the fog had lifted from the clearing and the surviving and wounded bandits had been tied together in the middle while the group of adventurers looked around in satisfaction. 'Well done.' Elzbieta said. 'This was just like the missions I had before.'

Iphigenia wiped her sword thoroughly clean. 'I'm just happy we suffered no damage.'

Bea smiled at Ulric. 'I don't think I'd ever come up with creating fog by combining my water magic with Trivian's fire magic.'

Ulric washed his paws with water from a sack. 'I just thought of it in the spur of the moment.'

'Still, smart.' she said and turned to Trivian. 'You know, that was kind of awesome, stabbing that guy with just an arrow.'

Trivian blushed lightly and wagged his tail. 'A little trick I learned during early hunting, when predators came too close.' he said. 'But thanks for saving me before.'

Bea wagged her tail. 'Thanks for saving me after.'

Iphigenia watched the two and chuckled. 'Let's go drop this rabble off at the guards and see Rufert about closing the quest.'

***

Rufert read the note from the guard stating how many bandits were locked up and how many were killed, and looked up at Bea, who had handed it to him. 'Good work.' he said and looked at the others. 'I'm glad we didn't have to deal with those bandits for too long a time.' He took the guild cards from Bea and Trivian. 'You certainly deserve your points.'

Ulric growled in Kaui's ear and she handed Rufert their card. 'My master requests you give half of the points to Bea and Trivian. They were the ones who took out the leader.'

Bea and Trivian turned their heads towards him at once. 'Really!?' she asked and Ulric nodded. She jumped forward and hugged him tight. 'Thank you!'

Trivial smiled. 'Indeed, thank you. You didn't have to.'

Ulric dismissed it with a wave of his hand. 'My master says it's only natural to reward you for what you've done.' said Kaui.

Bea looked up at Ulric. 'You know, if you have a need for another fighter in your group, or for other uses besides fighting..'

Ulric coughed and blushed while Iphigenia giggled and Elzbieta stared blankly at him. Kaui cleared her throat. 'My master is very flattered but thinks you're too young and inexperienced to go adventuring far from your home already.'

Trivian huffed. 'Bea, stop teasing others.'

Bea giggled, let go of Ulric and hopped back to Trivian. 'Jealous?'

He poked her nose. 'And stop teasing me.'

She stuck her tongue out at him and grabbed his arm while she winked at the others.

Rufert handed the cards back and they all were satisfied with their status. 'A few more quests under their guidance, and I think you've gained enough experience to work on your own.' he said to Bea and Trivian.

Trivian looked at Ulric and his group. 'Is that okay?'

Kaui smiled. 'My master will be glad to help you when he can.' she said and looked at Iphigenia and Elzbieta. 'And so do we. But first we go celebrate our successful mission.'

***

The other patrons at Monna's inn congratulated the group when they heard about their success and drank to their health, and each time they recalled what was said about the fight, Ulric's cunning plan and the powers of Bea and Trivian grew and the fights became bloodier, but the group enjoyed the cheerful mood and let it be.

'So, the mighty fearful black canine is actually a sweet puppy.' said Monna with a wide grin when Ulric retrieved a tray of full mugs from her counter. He blinked at her and she laughed. 'I heard you gave Bea and Trivian half of all points. That's quite a high value for beginners.' He grinned and shrugged, and she laughed again. 'Let me treat you to a special drink as a thank you.' She reached down for a bottle and cursed, then picked up a tray covered with a cloth. 'I totally forgot to bring these to my sister. I baked sweet breads and wanted to give her some for after their meal.' She looked at Ulric. 'But now it's too busy to leave.'

Ulric held up his hand, pointed at the tray, and tapped on his chest.'

Mona smiled bright. 'Would you? I'd be grateful.' He nodded and took the tray from her. 'Thank you, these taste best when they're fresh from the oven and my sister really loves them.'

Ulric smiled at her and headed over to the group's table to drop off the tray with drinks. 'I'll just be out to bring these to Monna's sister.'

Iphigenia sniffed the scent. 'Yum. Don't go eating them yourself on the way.'

He smiled at her. 'I'll save my hunger for something else later.' he said and left while not only she, but Elzbieta and Kaui as well tuned a little hotter under the collar.

He took the quick route through the back streets and both Ameda and Roran were happy to see him with the treats. 'I'd give you points if I could.' chuckled Ameda and smiled at Ulric. 'So, how did the collaring of your girls go?' They were happy, right?'

Ulric blushed and grinned slightly in embarrassment and Ameda laughed just as heartily as Monna. She smiled at him. 'You better take very good care of them, or I'll be unhappy with you.' Ulric smiled back and gave her a resolute nod and short growl. 'Good, Tell Monna our thanks.'

Ulric went back on his way, chuckling lightly at the cheerfulness and caring the two sisters displayed towards others, and was surprised when the Shadow Wolves appeared in the middle of the wider alley he used as a shortcut.

The bulldog leader moved up to him. 'The people here are beginning to think highly of you and your bunch of wenches. We don't like it when you're stealing our turf.'

Ulric raised an eyebrow and stared at him.

The bulldog growled low. 'You'd better leave this place quickly before we do something about it ourselves right now.'

Ulric's eyes radiated a slight red glow and the bulldog gripped his axe tighter in an effort to suppress his growing fear. He focused on the assurance he'd get help if it came to a fight and that the black wolf was too friendly to actually kill without good reason. 'You can't always keep an eye on the women.'

His heart stopped when Ulric seized his throat at once with a sharp snarl and lifted him from the ground. Fear took hold of his mind and he dropped his axe to grab Ulric's wrist and wrestle free from the claws piercing his neck.

Ulric snarled at the others when they reached for their weapons and they froze at the sight of his murderous intent. He stared each of them down and looked up at the struggling bulldog, thinking about taking him out and be done with him, saw the fear in the bulldog's eyes, and threw him to the ground. 'Don't ever get in my way again!' he growled while the coughing bulldog looked up at him, then chased the other members aside with another growl as he headed for the other end of the alley. He noticed blood on his claws and the tips of his fingers and nearly bumped into a guard when he wiped them.

The guard looked at him for a moment, then recognised him from the stories he'd heard and gave Ulric a nod. Ulric returned the nod with a friendly smile and continued on his way.

The bulldog coughed while he leaned against a wall to help him stand up. 'Shit! I don't think he'll back off, or that we can take him down without more help.'

A figure cloaked in black appeared from the dark shadows of a recess. 'Don't worry, thanks to your help I already learned something very useful.'

The bulldog looked at him. 'How can we take him out then?'

He glimpsed a wicked smile when the figure spoke again. 'By dying now.' it said and before any of the Shadow Wolves members could defend themselves it moved in a flash and slashed their throats with steel claws attached to the gloves it wore.

The figure wiped the blades of the glove. 'Thank you for your support.' it said, and headed down the alley in the other direction.

When Ulric entered the inn, the mood inside was bright and a cup with Monna's special drink was pushed into his paw. 'Drink up, Wolfie!' said Iphigenia with a wide, tipsy grin. 'This stuff is really good!'

Ulric chuckled and drank. His ears and tail pricked up at the sudden heatwave rushing down his throat and the tingling that followed it. 'Wow.' he wheezed. 'Strong.'

Iphigenia giggled and pulled him over to their table. 'Come, Monna gave us the whole bottle.'

Ulric watched Monna grin and raised his cup to her, then indulged in the festive drinking mood with the others.

***

Ulric woke up slightly dazed and only remembered drinking with everyone, then heading for bed for their rest. He turned his head and found all three girls snuggled up to him and sleeping peacefully. He smiled softly at seeing Kaui resting her head on his abdomen. He hoped she would accept him fully, not so much because he'd find pleasure in it if she became intimate with him, but because she'd actually enjoy it as much as Iphigenia and Elzbieta did. He'd feel guilty otherwise if he had to heal her when it was needed, or what she'd feel in the shared link when he'd be intimate with the others.

He wanted to enjoy the moment longer but his bladder notified him that it was high time to drain it. Gently he moved the girls heads and slipped from the bed, and headed outside to the outhouse where he found relief in what felt was like draining an entire lake.

After he was done he stared up at the clear sky and the blanket of stars that he could never witness back in his own world. A sudden sadness took hold of him and he sat down on a bench nearby to take a longer look at the pattern of star dots and the ring and the blue moon which was the only one visible now, while wondering if time had passed just as fast back home, and if the people he knew had noticed he went missing and might be worried about him. He wondered if he could really go back home with the power of the demon lord.

How much time he'd been staring up at the sky, he didn't know when he heard footsteps. He looked aside to see Kaui approaching him, wrapped in a bed sheet. 'Can't sleep?' she asked.

'Nature called.' he said. 'You?'

She smiled gently at him. 'I thought I sensed worry from you.'

He smiled softly back at her. 'Just feeling a little homesick.' he said and looked up again. 'I thought of my own world and life when I saw all these unfamiliar stars here.'

Kaui sat down next to him and looked up. 'There are some things I miss from before I ran away to join you guys so I understand, but I won't know how it feels to you when it comes to being away from an entirely different world.'

Ulric took a deep breath of the fresh night air. 'Thank you. Understanding is enough to make me feel better.'

They looked up for a while longer when Kaui yawned. Ulric chuckled. 'We'd better get a bit more sleep.' he said and stood up. Kaui nodded and smiled sleepily, and he held out his paw to her. She smiled up at him as she took it and stood up.

She squealed when the sheet snagged under her foot and pulled free, and tumbled forward into Ulric's arms. She held him tight. 'Sorry.' she said softly while she wished to feel his body against hers for a bit longer.

Ulric embraced her gently. 'Hey, I have no trouble with naked young women hugging me.' he said and chuckled.

Kaui giggled and blushed and found the courage to hold him a little tighter, and he stroked her back softly with his thumbs.

'Oh, lovebirds, there are some here who'd like some of that as well.' said Iphigenia while she leaned out the open window of their cabin.

Ulric watched her grin mischievously and stuck out his tongue. 'Don't worry, you'll get your share.'

She licked her lips slowly. 'That's a promise.' she said and disappeared back inside.

Ulric looked down at Kaui. 'Well, time to be everyone's cuddle toy again.'

Kaui giggled and let him go with some reluctance. 'Mine too?'

He pushed her snout up gently with one finger, leaned closer, and kissed her softly. 'Do you really need to ask?' he whispered.

She blushed hard while her heart raced, and shook her head slightly.

He smiled softly at her, took her hand, and walked back with her to the cabin to snuggle up with the others and get a bit more rest before their next appointment with Bea and Trivian at the guild.

20 - Escape

Loud knocking on their door and Monna bursting in woke the gang up at once. They stared at her with wide eyes while she grabbed their clothes into her arms. 'Quick! Come with me! Take everything you have!'

They understood there was something urgent and gathered their belongings while Kaui asked what was going on.

'You're in big trouble!' Monna said while she led them back to the inn. 'I just received a warning that the guard is coming to arrest you lot, or at least Ulric. You have to hide right now.'

'Me!? Why!?' asked Ulric.

Monna opened the trap door to the cellar. 'Seems they found the Shadow Wolves murdered in an alley a short while ago and someone had seen you coming from it with blood on your paws.'

Ulric froze at the memory. 'I did have a run in with them and wounded that bulldog when I grabbed his throat but I never killed them!'

Monna pushed him towards the stairs when Kaui translated what he said. 'I don't believe you did it, which is why I woke you all up, but the guard isn't known to trust strangers and you won't stand a chance of proving your innocence unless someone saw it all happen.'

Rattling of the handle and urgent knocking came from the front door while Ulric went down into the cellar and the others followed. 'Keep absolutely silent.' Monna said and closed the trap door behind them. She went over to the front door and opened it after ruffling her hair and putting on a frown.

The captain of the guard knew her well enough not to make her angry but catching the black canine and his group was their highest priority. 'Sorry, Monna, but we've come to take your guests.. That foreign canine has murdered the Shadow Wolves.'

'Then you've come too late.' she growled. 'I just found out they left their cabin with everything without paying what they owe me!'

'You're kidding!?'

She stepped back and gestured towards the back of the inn. 'Check for yourself, all their stuff is gone!'

The captain gestured with his head for two of his men to take a look. 'Any idea where they might have gone to?'

'I have no idea! I never heard of any plan that guy and his women had to go somewhere!' Monna said. 'And they fooled me into thinking they were such good people!'

'Ulric and Kaui and the others?' asked a kid walking up to them.

The captain turned to the boy. 'Yes, have you seen them?'

He pointed back. 'I saw them outside the town heading for the forest.'

The two who were sent inside came back. 'Nothing indeed. They're gone.'

The captain turned to Monna. 'Don't worry, we'll catch them.' he said, then turned to his men. 'Let's go!'

Monna and the boy watched them run away in pursuit, and she stroked the boy's head. 'Come back later and I'll give you one of my famous sweet buns. And don't forget this is our secret.'

The boy smiled up at her and wagged his tail hard. 'Okay!' I hope they'll be safe.' he said and hurried away.

Monna returned inside after locking the door and let the gang out of the cellar. 'We've sent the guard into the forest, that'll keep them busy for some time.'

'Thank you.' said Kaui. 'You really saved us.'

''Not yet. First you need to get away unseen and to somewhere least expected.' Monna said and a devious smile appeared on her face as she looked at Ulric. 'Not to mention, dressed. Although I don't mind this sight.'

They realised they were still naked and Ulric chuckled although he did feel embarrassed, but it was too late to hide what had been seen already. Monna went into the kitchen while they dressed and prepared their packs, and returned with several bundles and water sacks. 'Here, something to keep you going so you won't have to stop to hunt soon.'

'That's too much!' Kaui said but Monna shook her head. 'To be honest, I'm glad we are rid of those useless Shadow Wolves. They made trouble for others and only did work when they were paid. And you inspired the young ones to become adventurers with your good example of how it should be.'

A gentle knocking on the door caught everyone's attention.

'That should be the ones to get you safely out of town.' said Monna and headed for the door.

The gang ducked behind the counter when Monna opened it and let Bea and Trivian inside, and were relieved to see them. 'We heard from the boy you sent.' said Trivian to Monna. 'What can we do?'

'I'd like you to help them get away unseen.' said Monna and Trivian nodded.

'Where to?' asked Bea.

'We have nothing special in mind.' said Kaui.

'How about the Dead Land?' asked Trivian. 'I heard those bandits fled from there because apparently it became even too dangerous for them to be there. They even heard rumours about the demon lord or other high demons being seen there. You could at least take that direction at first, then turn towards a safer direction later.'

Iphigenia looked at Ulric. 'That's what we were looking for anyway.' she said and he nodded.

'All right, we'll head that way.' said Kaui and looked at Monna. 'We want to thank you for everything you've done for us.'

'You're welcome, but if you really want to thank me I'd like one thing.'

Ulric nodded. 'Anything you want.' said Kaui.

Monna smiled, pulled Ulric tight against her bursting bosom, and kissed him hard. When she let go she grinned wide but couldn't hide her blush. 'If I could leave this place I'd go with you, so I'll have to satisfy myself with a little reminder of the sexiest hunk I laid my eyes on in my life.'

The gang slipped silently out the back of the inn's grounds between Trivian and Bea, glad it wasn't light yet. Iphigenia giggled silently at Ulric, who was still a little dazed from Monna's sudden kiss. 'You really are an animal.'

He blushed. 'Is it normal for women to be attracted so much to lethal bloodwolves in this world?'

'I think it has to do with that you look like one, but are human inside.' Kaui said. 'The thrill of danger without the actual fatal side.' said Kaui.

'So, is that what drew you towards him?' asked Iphigenia and Kaui blushed.'

'Focus!' said Elzbieta. 'There are more pressing matters now.'

'You're right.' said Iphigenia. 'We'll discuss this later when we can explore Wolfie and our attraction to him thoroughly.'

'That's not-' Elzbieta said but knew it didn't matter. She couldn't deny Kaui had a point and wanting to exploring her darling as well.

Trivian led the party through quiet streets and alleys until they reached the edge of town. 'Hold up!' he said. 'There's a guard at the road out of town. He'll see us when we cross the open field.'

'Is there some other way?' Kaui asked.

'Only a big detour that takes too much time, and since there's a guard here I suspect there are others at the other roads.'

'Knock him out?'

'Then they'll know we've come this way.' said Ulric. 'We need a good distraction.'

'I know that guy, Fedric. He's an annoying stuck up guy and not easily distracted.' said Trivian.

Bea sighed. 'I know him too,' she said. 'and know something that will certainly get his attention.' She looked at Trivian for a moment, then pulled him closer by his tunic and kissed him. When she let go of him she smiled ruefully at him. 'Forgive me.'

Trivian watched her hurry towards Fedric in confusion. 'what?'

The group watched as she slowed her pace to a casual walk towards Fedric, then squirm. He looked at her. 'Bea? What's wrong?'

'Something's gotten inside my clothes!' she said and scratched all over, then quickly pulled her tunic over her head.

Fedric gazed at her perky breasts while she scratched her back and she moved up to him. 'See if you can find it, please?' she said and turned her back to him.

He blinked, then eagerly explored the fur on her back with a wide grin. 'No problem.'

She looked back at the gang from the corner of her eye and gestured with one hand to move.

'That's our cue.' Elzbieta said and the group hurried across the open field while the guard had his eyes on Bea.

At the end of the field they went down a river bank and Trivian looked back towards town. 'We're safe. Doesn't look like we've been seen.'

'She certainly knew a way to distract him.' Iphigenia said as she noticed the stern look in Trivian's eyes. She moved up to him and gently squeezed his shoulder. 'I'm sure she won't let him go any further.'

Trivian looked at her and understood her intention. He nodded. Bea had always been a tease, but she had been his tease and she had kissed him, the only guy he knew of to receive a kiss from her. He pointed along the river. 'If you follow the river it'll take a bend further away, then lead towards the Dead Land. You'll have to decide where to go from there.'

Ulric shook his hand after Kaui translated. 'Thank you, and thank Bea for us.'

He nodded. 'Good luck.'

Kaui smiled a little at him. 'We don't wish you good luck with Bea, to us it clear you already have it.'

He chuckled. 'Yeah, I probably have, even if she's an incredible tease.'

The gang waved goodbye once when they were farther away, and Trivian went back to town. The smirk planted on Fedric face was hard to miss. 'Hey, Fedric.' he said.

'Hey, Trivian.' Fedric said. 'Did you know Bea has really nice breasts?'

Trivian bit back his anger. 'Everyone thinks so.'

Fedric smirked widened. 'Oh, but they haven't seen them for real. Not like I did. So even you, who spent so much time with her hasn't had the privilege of seeing them?'

Trivian's fingers itched to form a fist and smash the grin from Fedric's face. 'I guess you got lucky then.'

Fedric tucked his hands in his belt. 'I guess she knows where to look for a real man that tickles her fancy.'

'Yeah.' said Trivian and stiffly moved on, knowing very well why it happened and logically knowing the truth, but it was still hard to convince himself.

Bea beckoned him closer a street farther away and she gazed into his eyes when he stood in front of her. She laid a hand against his chest. 'You're angry.'

He sighed. 'Yes, but I know I should have no reason to, while I also have a good reason.'

She smiled a little at him. 'That sort of makes me happy though.'

'Then I'm glad something good comes of it.'

She moved up against him and hugged him. 'No, the good thing is about to come, if you want to help me replace the memory of him seeing a glimpse of my breasts by everything of me being seen by you.'

Trivian's heart pounded. 'If you're doing this for me..'

She smiled softly. 'Yes, and for me.'

He embraced her tightly and kissed her.

***

The gang followed the river bank until Ulric noticed Kaui struggling to keep walking. 'Break time.' he said. 'Kaui has reached her limit.'

'No, I can continue.' she said. 'We have to make a good distance as soon as we can.'

Ulric pushed her down onto a stone to sit on. 'Nonsense. You're not used to it like I've noticed Iphigenia and Elzbieta are. Even I only keep up because of this body, not because I was so physically active in my real body.'

Elzbieta sat down next to her. 'True, Iphi and I have always been on the move for most of the time. We can walk great distances.'

'But we only risk getting caught if we don't create enough distance between us and the town.'

Ulric hummed as he pondered. 'Then there's just one thing to do.' he said, undressed to their slight surprise but mostly pleasure. and crouched down. 'I still feel this is the easiest way for me to walk anyway, so hop on.'

Kaui blushed. 'Ride you!? I couldn't!'

He gestured with his head for her to get on. 'You can and you will.'

She looked down. 'But I'm too heavy for you to carry..'

'Kaui?' he said and she turned her eyes to him at once. 'Shut up and sit on my back. This is your master's order.'

Kaui's heart skipped a beat and pounded harder. She wanted to protest but she was also happy to hear him ordering her. She nodded, then carefully climbed on his back and gasped when he stood up quickly on all fours.

'We go.' he said and continued along the river. He noticed Iphigenia's glance. 'Yes, I'll give you a ride too when we have the opportunity.'

She chuckled and stroked the back of his neck. 'Another promise you have to keep.'

He grinned at her. 'I'm certain you'll make sure I do.'

***

Trees were dried up and most had broken branches, most grass was brown and thin, and barely a sound was heard when they stopped. 'My guess is we're close to the Dead Land.' Elzbieta said.

Kaui slipped from Ulric's back in one of the rides she had to take less and less over the past days since they left the canine town. Slowly she gained more strength and endurance to walk distances and she could feel the change in her leg muscles. 'The old master had many books on different parts of the world but I don't remember reading about this.'

'It's unknown to me as well.' said Elzbieta. 'Maybe this land has only existed for a short time?'

'I think we'll take a good rest here before we go on and encounter who knows what.' said Ulric and stretched. He smelled few prey here. 'I have a feeling we won't find much to eat up ahead.'

The others agreed and they soon had a camp set up while Ulric hunted what prey he could discover in the area. When he returned with mostly rabbit-like creatures and a couple of other rodents, Iphigenia skinned them and Kaui cooked them with familiar herbs and leaves she found nearby.

'Looks like you got used to hunting.' said Elzbieta while they ate;

Ulric nodded. 'I think I've got this body figured out, and the extra scent ability makes it easier to spot prey.' HE chuckled. 'Soon I'll be completely animal.'

Iphigenia gave him a sly smile. 'So, you'll go full beastly on us then?'

He growled playfully at her. 'I just might already if you can handle it.'

Iphigenia turned towards Kaui. 'Say, you wouldn't be ready to experience the fur on his front between your legs instead of the fur of his back?'

Kaui's face turned bright red, but she glanced at Ulric and nodded slightly.'

Iphigenia looked at Ulric. 'No more excuse left, Wolfie. I'm craving for it after such a long time.'

Elzbieta cleared her throat and glanced at him with red cheeks. 'I seem in need of a boost since I expended a lot of energy on all the quests and the trek here.'

Ulric looked at Kaui as she fiddled with her fingers, swallowed his last bite and chased it with a drink of water, then growled as he moved in front of Iphigenia on all fours. Her heart pounded harder at the hunger he revealed in his eyes and the next moment she yelped while he pushed her down and stripped her of her clothes.

Elzbieta and Kaui gasped but Iphigenia's excitement leaked through their shared familiar link and they clenched their thighs together. They watched Ulric spread Iphigenia's legs and growl as he clamped her mound between his jaws and licked her from her clit to her ass and back. Al three of them cried out when he bit all over Iphigenia's mound, in her lips, and her clit before licking her again and raising the heat inside their bodies.

They gasped when he thrust his strong and rough tongue inside Iphigenia and Kaui wondered for a moment if it was always like this, and if her addition to his pack meant they'd experience this more often than before. Of one thing she was certain, she'd never ever regret making the familiar link with him, and was happy it hadn't turned out like she had expected at the time. If anything, him becoming her master was what she needed in her life.

Iphigenia sensed how wet she became and Ulric knowing it, because he straightened and she nearly drooled at the sight of his hard and blood red dick. There was no question about how addicted she had become to her Wolfie. She cried out in pleasure and relief together with Elzbieta and Kaui when he growled hard and thrust his dick deep inside her and hit her depths.

Elzbieta began stripping her clothing while she couldn't totally suppress the shame of subjecting herself to an animal when she was one of the higher races on the planet, but deep down she knew that was what aroused her so much and she wouldn't want it any other way.

Kaui stripped as well when she saw Elzbieta doing it and moaned at the sensation rushing through her body and mind, almost fearing what it would be when he would actually penetrate her for real. Her heart raced and she clawed at the ground at the new but fantastic sensation filling her.

Iphigenia moaned hard in pleasure at the thrill of Ulric growling and thrusting his dick inside her in his hungry lust for satisfaction. Her heart yearned for nothing more than to be ravished by the monster she had tried to kill at their first meeting. Each hit against her depths sent a punch of excitement through her and her whole body itched for her Wolfie.

Ulric growled loud when he was close to his limit and Iphigenia felt his dick tense and expand inside her, and clamped her pussy down hard on him to make him come into her as soon as possible. His whole body went out of control in his heightened urge to fill the human woman with his animal seed and he thrust as hard as he hadn't done before, until his limit was reached and he flooded Iphigenia's depths with his thick and hot stream.

Iphigenia moaned out loud at the explosion of heat inside her and her body stiffened at her own deeply satisfying climax while both Elzbieta and Kaui moaned at theirs and the overwhelming heat rushing through them.

Ulric panted while he watched Iphigenia catching her breath while her body twitched in pleasure on his throbbing dick. He sensed his animal instincts taking him over but he only allowed those that would give his girls exactly what they wanted. He growled in his lust for his next prey and slipped out of Iphigenia, and set his sights on Elzbieta, who had rolled over on her stomach to get a grip on herself.

She yelped when her hips were suddenly lifted up and Ulric's hot dick spread her wet folds. She shut her eyes tight as the hungry predator took her in his craving for her flesh and subjected her to being nothing more than a lowly prey species to satisfy his lusty craving on. She couldn't utter anything more than shameful noises of lust from her throat while her own body basked in the pleasure of being ravished by the monster that Ulric inhabited.

Iphigenia panted at the sensation filling her influenced by Elzbieta''s shame, and wrapped her arms around her to fully embrace it. Kaui moaned hard when her own desire to be dominated by her powerful master mixed with Elzbieta's shame and deepest desires.

Elzbieta dug her fingers into the ground to brace herself while Ulric pumped his dick inside her burning pussy savagely and slapped his hips hard against her behind. She didn't know if she could stop him from taking her like a beast If he wanted to do this to her all the time, or even if she wanted to stop him in the first place. All she wanted now was for him to satisfy his lust with her because she had to admit it had been too long since she felt him inside her.

Ulric sank deeper and deeper into the bloodwolf instincts as Elzbieta tightened more and more around him in her desire for him, and his balls tightened once more in his unrelenting urge to force his seed deep into these female creatures.

Elzbieta moaned out loud and stiffened at Ulric's deep growl and the fire igniting inside her, and her mind went black while her body relished in carnal satisfaction together with Iphigenia and Kaui, who lost their minds in their second climaxes.

Ulric licked his lips while his throbbing dick squirted out the remaining thick drops of his seed into the subjugated elf woman and set his sights on his next victim, the deliciously plump pig orc.

Kaui regained enough of her senses to watch Ulric dismount Elzbieta, then slowly approach her with his red hot dick aiming straight for her underneath his abdomen. She froze as fear and excitement in anticipation of finally receiving her master's bloodwolf dick seized her heart. Once, she dreamed of meeting a nice orc male and experience the bond of male and female with him, but that had been so long ago and she wouldn't have given that a second thought if she'd known what was about to happen in her future. All her mind could muster now was her craving to be taken by her beastly master. The master she'd serve in any way he would like to until he'd decide to discard her and end her reason for existence.

She squealed inside her mouth when his thick dick filled her completely in one hard thrust. She gripped the fur of his chest while he pumped her soaking pussy hard and unleashed his basic urges on her.

She barely uttered the word master while her body surrendered to him and indulged in the raw physical pleasure of the flesh. He embraced her tightly and shivers rushed all over through her skin as he growled his lust for her in her ear. She held him tight and cried in happiness while electric sparks shot through her at every pounding against her puffed up mound, and sensed herself sinking deeper and deeper into oblivion until her master growled out loud when he truly took possession of her and marked her with his essence, and her mind blanked out while her whole body exploded into fireworks.

Ulric panted hard while his tongue hung from his jaw and his balls forced the last of his load deep into Kaui's obedient pussy. The girls moaned softly in the afterglow of their shared orgasms and he caught Iphigenia's eye. 'Had enough?' he said in his mind.

She grinned with some effort. 'I don't know, I'm still conscious.'

He chuckled mentally but his animal side growled in lust for more. 'The only reason I can hold back is consideration for Elzbieta and Kaui.'

Elzbieta moaned and turned her head to look at him. 'You really are an insatiable pervert and I'm not strong enough to stop you from having your way with us. I have no choice but to endure it.'

Kaui stroked his chest. 'I only exist to satisfy my master.'

The bloodwolf inside Ulric howled and growled loud in hunger and lust, and he slipped out of Kaui to satisfy himself with each one of his girls until all of them passed out.

21 - Dead Land

Ulric woke up with his girls all over him. He remembered vaguely fucking Iphigenia into unconsciousness as the last one and pulling all of them together under the covers before plunging into a deep and satisfying sleep, and something stirred between his legs again. He groaned softly. 'El's right, I really am insatiable.'

'I'm always right, darling..' muttered Elzbieta as she barely woke up with Ulric hard between her breasts. 'I can't believe any male creature has this much endurance.'

He chuckled softly. 'Maybe it's not about the male creature, but the wonderful female creatures at his side.'

She blushed , took his hard flesh in her hand, and sucked it hard while twirling her tongue around his tip for a moment, then let him go. 'There. Just to punish you for the pervert you are. I won't finish until the next time.'

He chuckled and let out a deep breath. 'After what we did, I think I can wait for a little while.'

Iphigenia yawned, stretched, and snuggled tighter against him. 'Mmm.. Wolfie.. I slept so deep this time..'

He stroked her hair. 'Yeah, same here. Even the bloodwolf in me is rolled over comfortably on his back.'

Iphigenia chuckled and ran her fingers lazily through the fur on his chest. 'I want a repeat, although not right now.'

'To the shame of my elf kind, I agree.' said Elzbieta.

Ulric chuckled. 'I think I can wait until you're ready for it.'

Iphigenia brushed a stray lock of hair from Kaui's peaceful face. 'It must have been some introduction to her.'

He smiled softly at Kaui and stroked her back. 'I'm pretty confident she has no regrets.'

She stirred, blinked her eyes, then rubbed them with one hand, and looked up at Ulric's face and smiled softly at him. 'Master.' she said softly.

He smiled back at her. 'How are you feeling?'

'Happy.' she said and a tear ran down her cheek. 'Truly happy for the first time in my life.'

Iphigenia wiped the tear from her cheek for Ulric. 'Welcome to our state of mind, right El?'

Elzbieta sighed and rubbed her breasts along Ulric's hard dick and her hard nipples through his fur once. 'Yes, as shameful as it is, I confess that's true.'

Ulric chuckled. 'Would you rather I send you back to Winter City?'

She looked up at him with large eyes. 'No!' she said, then averted her eyes. 'Unless you're not satisfied with my performance.'

He took a deep breath. 'Elzbieta, Iphigenia, Kaui. I'm absolutely thrilled any of you magnificent girls chose to be at my side. That's my honest feeling and it won't change, as simple and easy as it might be.'

Iphigenia pushed herself up and kissed him hard until she had to pull back to breath. 'As long as you feel that way, I won't leave your side.'

Kaui blushed but she pushed herself up as well and kissed Ulric long and gently, sharing her tongue with her master's for the first time while her heart beat fast.

Elzbieta sighed again after Kaui pulled back, and crawled up to his face. 'Don't you dare let anyone else ever get a hold of me like you do.' she said and kissed him urgently.

The four enjoyed lying together for a while longer until hunger reared it's head and they had to cease being lazy. Ulric sniffed the air, located the few rare prey in the area, and hunted them while the girls reheated the leftovers and prepared for the day's trek.

Iphigenia noticed Kaui holding her tummy and looking down. 'What's wrong?'

Kaui gave her a little smile. 'Nothing, really. It's just, after what you told me about your poison healing and Elzbieta's recovery from her amputations, I thought maybe I'd become slender like the really beautiful orc girls or like you two after Master had me.'

'You wished for that?'

Kaui looked up at Iphigenia. 'I just wanted to be beautiful.'

'Beautiful as you saw it?'

Kaui fiddled with her fingers. 'Beautiful for Master.'

She gasped when Ulric embraced her from behind. 'You are, Kaui. I think you're beautiful just the way you are.'

Kaui blushed hard and couldn't control her happy smile. 'Thank you, Master.'

He kissed her in the side of her neck. 'If you ever dare to doubt how beautiful you are, I'll punish you by fucking you until you pass out again.'

Kaui face turned even redder. 'I won't! but Master is mean for tempting me to say I doubt you!'

He chuckled and growled in her neck. 'Hey, I'm lusting more than enough for you girls that it doesn't matter to me.'

Iphigenia gazed at him with sad eyes. 'Ah, I don't think I'm beautiful either!'

Ulric smiled at her. 'Iphi, do you think you need any excuse to have me take you?'

She giggled. 'Yeah, I know.'

Elzbieta huffed as she held up a skewer with the leftovers. 'What's it going to be here, eat or more sex?'

Iphigenia looked at Kaui, then gave Elzbieta a smirk. 'I think you know the answer, and won't disagree.'

***

'I've never felt this energetic before.' said Kaui after they'd walked for a long time into more and more dead surroundings. 'Master is really incredible.' She checked her tallies once more to convince herself that they really were much higher than she'd ever seen before.

Iphigenia smiled as she looked at Ulric while stroking his neck. 'Wolfie is life.' she said. 'My life.'

Ulric blushed and smiled back at Iphigenia. 'Circumstances just made me fortunate enough to save you.'

Elzbieta squeezed the fur near his shoulders between her fingers. 'I'd say restoring my limbs counts pretty much as incredible.'

'Ah, yeah, that too, was something that actually makes me very proud, if I could really believe it was truly me.'

Kaui stroked the fur near his back. 'When an experiment delivers three equal results, it's pretty much proven that it works, Master.'

Ulric looked up at the faint presence of the sun behind cloud cover and light fog. 'It'll take more to really convince me it's me, and not just what that wizard did that summoned the bloodwolf and me. For now the only incredible thing I accept is you girls, and how I need you to survive in this world and spooky environments like this.'

They looked around at the grey landscape of sparse dead trees and plants where even the rocks and ground looked dead and no speck of green, or even any other colour was visible. 'I'm not surprised they call this the Dead Land but I'm baffled by anyone spending a long time here.' said Ulric.

'I even doubt the demon lord or any of the high demons would come here voluntarily.' Iphigenia said. 'Not even they could enjoy this depressing mood.'

Ulric looked at the darkening distance ahead of them. 'Still, there's only one way to be sure, and that's go find out for ourselves.'

***

The dreary grey landscape had turned into a dense forest of large, dead trees and thorny thick bushes while the sky had become black as the night but missing all the stars. The light from the moons was enough to reveal an ancient stone path through the trees and the gang followed it.

Kaui shivered at the fitting dead silence around them and held Ulric's fur a little tighter between her fingers. She'd visited a burned forest before to gather materials but even that still had some life to it.

He turned his head to look at her. 'You okay, Kaui?'

She gave him a gently smile while his concern for her filled her chest with warmth. 'I'm all right at Master's side.'

He smiled softly at her. 'Tell me honestly when you're not or I'll worry too much about you.'

She smiled more and nodded while relaxing her fingers and running them gently through the comforting fur of his upper back.

***

None of the gang had any idea what time of day or night it was when they stopped to have a bite to eat and rest. 'No use trying to hunt here.' Ulric said. 'I haven't smelled anything alive for a long time.'

Iphigenia opened her pack. 'It's a good thing we stored plenty of food in our packs all this time.' she said and pulled out different ingredients for cooking.

Elzbieta collected firewood and tried to light it. 'Damn it.' she cursed after many failed attempts. 'This place is so dead even the wood can't be set on fire.'

'Really?' said Kaui and she tried to set the bare twigs on fire with her alchemy skills but she failed as well.

'Looks like we'll have to survive on dried and uncooked food.' Ulric said.

Iphigenia grinned a little as she pulled a tasty smelling bundle out of her pack. 'Then thank Monna for providing us with this.' she said and the mood turned better while they enjoyed her cooking.

After they had their fill Kaui peered around between the trees. 'Will it be all right to rest here? Maybe nothing alive is around but does that mean we're safe?'

Ulric ran his fingers through her hair and stroked her ear. 'Don't worry, I'll keep watch while you sleep. I know I couldn't sleep right now anyway.'

She smiled at him and leaned into his hand. 'Thank you, Master.'

Iphigenia stroked his cheek. 'But wake me if you do feel sleep coming on, Wolfie.'

Elzbieta poked his other cheek. 'Or me, so don't you dare deny yourself rest.'

He chuckled. 'I wouldn't dare make you worry about me, my precious ones.' he said, and the girls took their covers and snuggled up tight against him, and closed their eyes while he smiled proudly as he watched them drift into peaceful sleep.

***

They had walked in silence for a while when faint flickering lights in the corner of his eye caught Ulric's attention and he halted. 'What's up, Wolfie?' asked Iphigenia and peered into the direction he was looking.

'I see faint lights.'

Elzbieta and Kaui squinted to see what he meant. 'I see.' said Elzbieta. 'Several of them fluttering about.'

'Too far away for me to see them.' Iphigenia said. 'Shall we take a closer look?'

Ulric peered at the trees to the side up ahead. 'I think I see a path in that direction a little further from here. We'll use that.'

Ulric was correct and they followed a narrow path through the undergrowth. 'I can see them now.' Iphigenia said through their link. 'What do you think they are?'

'Doesn't look like lanterns or candlelight to me.' said Elzbieta.

'It's a blurry shape.' said Ulric. 'Let's just silently get closer. If it's anything bad we go back.'

'It's like they're little ghosts.' said Ulric when they approached an open space underneath the trees and where several glowing white shapes like fluttering rags floated about

'Spirits.' said Elzbieta. 'They don't look like bad spirits but we can't be sure.'

'Could we find out anything from them?' Ulric asked.

'Maybe. Some can be intelligent enough to understand simple questions.'

Carefully they approached the edge of the clearing with stony bare ground while Ulric sensed the slight nervousness of the girls as they held on to him. The spirits didn't seem to notice them and fluttered and swung about the same way that Ulric had seen from the start. 'Maybe they can't see us. Like how people in my world can't see ghosts. Although I don't think they actually exist there.'

'That might explain why they haven't reacted to us so far.' said Iphigenia.

'I'll move a bit closer.' Ulric said and stepped forward. Nothing changed and he stepped closer again until he was just a few steps away from the closest spirit. 'Yeah, looks like they don't even notice us.'

The girls felt some relief and joined Ulric to have a closer look at the fluttering apparitions. 'They're like thick wisps of smoke.' said Kaui. 'The spirits I read about had shapes like one of our species.'

Ulric waved at one spirit and thought it twitched for a split second, but it continued its drift towards the edge of the clearing. He looked around and noticed the other spirits had drifted farther from the centre of the clearing, and it seemed to him there were more spirits there than before. An uneasy feeling welled up in his gut. 'Girls, I think we'd better leave here, right now.'

The girls looked at him. 'Trouble?' asked Iphigenia with her hand on her sword.

'I hope not.' Ulric said and the group stepped back towards the path.

Deafening high pitched screams started all around them from the spirits while they transformed from gently flowing beings to large and sharp edged ones.

'Go!' shouted Ulric and followed the girls who ran towards the path, but a stream of spirits rushed at it first, then changed direction towards them.

The girls shouted as the spirits hit them hard and threw them back just before Ulric could block the stream with his scaled body. 'Are you all right!?'

Elzbieta shook her head to chase away her daze. 'I'm fine!'

'We're too!' said Iphigenia while she helped Kaui stand up. She pointed to the side. 'Wolfie! Watch out!'

Another thick stream of screaming spirits rushed towards him and hit him with the intensity of a blast of thick hail. They couldn't hurt his body but they threw him back and he had to cover his eyes and flatten his ears to protect them.

'Ulric!' shouted Iphigenia but she had to jump out of the way fast to evade screaming spirits aiming for her.

Elzbieta blocked attacks against her with fast movements of her sword and gloves and protected Kaui in a crouch between her legs. 'I can't slash them! They have no body!'

Iphigenia slashed at two spirits and watched their cut halves combine again. 'I can't either! They can touch us but we can't touch them!'

Ulric roared loud and thrust his fist harmlessly into another raging stream attacking him. 'Is there no way to fight these things!?'

'If spirits are controlled by someone they can only be stopped by that person!' Kaui said. 'There might be someone else around here because this does not look like a spirits attack according to the books!'

Ulric focused his senses on the area outside the clearing while he ducked and weaved his attackers, then caught a scent of clothing that didn't smell like himself or any of the girls.

Still ducking and weaving, he moved indirectly towards the source of the scent, then snarled and bolted straight through the prickly undergrowth towards their enemy.

A black cloaked shape jumped up and turned but Ulric tackled it and threw it forward into the prickly bushes, then pinned it down and froze at the female cry of fear.

###