Merrie rubbed her arm against her face to wipe the sweat burning her eyes. She was sitting in the middle of the great hall, surrounded by the pack, and staring forward as the trainers gave orders. It was like the first puppy show, but the differences were immeasurable. The commands were faster as was the bitches response. It was almost like a march as the commands snapped out and two dozen naked bodies obeyed without hesitation.
(And send them down like the pathetic bitches they are,) Tabitha's thoughts were playful and hazy with a slight beer buzz. She had three deep wounds on her chest and shoulders, one of them that left a dark line from her right nipple down to her hip. It looked painful, but the only sign that she was uncomfortable was the sixth beer she downed in rapid succession and the occasional scratch. She didn't bother with a shirt and her small breasts stood as if her injuries were a badge.
Obeying commands wasn't hard, since Merrie knew they were coming, but she didn't want to obey them immediately. If it was just her and the alphas, she would be trying to respond as fast as she could. But, in the larger group, Merrie realized that she didn't need to win a gold. Everyone knew she was almost as good as the two alphas, that she was already special. And if Sable and Dixie purposely didn't win, then neither would she. Some other bitch deserved the gold for the show.
“Lie down!” snapped Tabitha.
Merrie watched as two dozen girls hit the floor. She admired the tight asses and tails wagging in the three rows in front of her. Three-quarters of them all had tails now and all but four were cropped. Sama was one of the uncropped bitches and she sat in front of Merrie. The weeks of fucking, exercise, and submission eroded at the softness of Sama's body, just like the others. As far as Merrie could see, they all had been transformed by their enslavement. All of them had firm asses and taut bellies. And there was a raw sexuality in their movements, a hunger for orgasm and pleasure that gnawed at their cores.
She casually lowered herself to the ground and rested her chin on the wooden surface. The smell of her perfume, Crystalline Rose, tickled her senses and she felt the heat growing. Borias surprised her by asking Bass for the bottle. When the mage spritzed it on her, she almost came from the memories.
Bass stepped forward. Merrie couldn't hear his thoughts, but she knew he was going to ask them to roll over and she fought the urge to obey immediately. Sable, on the other hand, flipped over and spread her legs before he even opened his mouth.
There was a brief flash of a smile and a pulse of love as he admired Sable, but then the smile dropped as he barked out his command. “Roll over!”
As a wave, the bitches rolled over and spread their legs. As Merrie rolled over, she smiled at the sight of shaved and trimmed pussies, all of them flushed with excitement. It clung to the air, the smell of hunger and longing. She plastered her back against the ground and spread her legs. In her mind, she could feel all of them except the alphas. Like their bodies, each mind was bright with lust and desperate for those two special words.
“Good girls.”
The pleasure sparkled across the mental stars and Merrie shivered at her own pleasure. The collar didn't work for her, but seeing the pleasure filling the minds of the bitches brought her a sympathetic swell of pleasure. It pooled in her pussy, an inferno of sex and desire.
(The alphas and the beta,) it was Piffin's thoughts coming through clearly, (will be respond slower by a heartbeat. They will lose points because they are losing on purpose. And Bass doesn't care. All right, and now the order to beg.)
In a surge of playfulness, Merrie surged to her knees and spun around. Lifting her arms, she brought herself into the perfect alignment to sent a hard flash of lust coursing through Piffin.
He stood there, mouth open and a stunned silence across his thoughts.
Merrie's pussy dripped with the intensity of his desire for her.
“Piffin?” Bass asked.
Piffin stared at Bass and then back at to Merrie.
She let out a bark to encourage him, arching her back in the precise way that brought his cock to full attention. She could see it straining against his trousers.
Piffin blushed hotly and shook his head. “B-Beg.”
Borias laughed. “Never be seeing you falter before, Pif.”
Piffin snapped out, “Good girls,” without looking at the results and hurried to the back of the room.
“And you,” Borias said as he stepped forward and pointed to Merrie, “behave.”
Merrie wiggled her hips. She was dripping again, the hot juices of her excitement rolling down her thigh. She wanted him, she wanted Bass. She wanted all of the masters except for Grange.
Grange remained in the corner with a glower on his face. His left arm was wrapped up clear to the shoulder and his face and bared chest were covered with fresh scars and scratches. When he entered the room, he had a limp. From what Merrie heard, Rendi couldn't heal it as quickly because the shattered bone took time to set.
Fortunately for Merrie and everyone else, Grange shoved his two bitches into the center of the room and promptly retreated to the corner.
She could still feel his thoughts in her mind, but they were muted by Borias' shield. (This is all a fucking joke. Damn that Bass and his stupid rules. Just get me my fresh bitches and let me go. I need to break in a fucking cunt.)
Merrie whimpered at the vile that burned in his thoughts. It tasted bitter on her tongue and she blinked back the tears.
“Cunt,” said Borias, “you be joining us?”
She looked up and noticed everyone else was on their knees, asses in the air. It was like a present position, but facing the trainer. With a hot blush on her cheeks, she got into position, careful not to look toward Grange.
“Good girls,” Borias said and a ripple of pleasure filled the room. He looked directly at Merrie and mouthed her name.
Merrie whimpered at the pleasure ignited inside her. It slammed into her and she swayed as the orgasm tore through her senses, driving up along her skin and spin until stars exploded across her vision. She gasped for breath and tried to calm her trembling body.
“All right,” Bass announced, “I think we have enough for a winner for tonight. Rendi, want to finish scoring?”
Merrie settled back into place, kneeling on the back of her shins and rocking her hips in the afterglow of her orgasm. In front of her, Sama was panting softly and her brunette tail wagged slowly. Her buttocks flexed as she shifted into place. Her pussy was glistening with her juices and Merrie could tell that she was playing through a particularly sexy memory with Thorn.
Grinning, Merrie broke ranks and crawled forward. She could feel Borias' eyes on her as she crept up to Sama, then wrapped her arms around her.
Sama jumped at the touch, then let out a whimpering moan as Merrie kissed her shoulder, then her neck. She bared her throat and Merrie lifted her body to run her lips against her neck. Pleasure rippled through her body and Merrie felt it filling her. (Oh, right there, just a little nip. Please? Right there. I wish she could her me. Damn this collar.) It was the voice that Merrie hadn't heard since the first day they were kidnapped.
Merrie parted her lips and gave Sama a nip right where the bitch needed it. The intense flash burned at her senses and she bit again, enjoying the trembling body underneath her skin.
Sama's tail wormed her way between Merrie's legs. The short hairs of her tail tickled Merrie's sex. Merrie spread her legs further and the Sama's tail tip dragged back and forth along Merrie's slit, teasing the opening. (Can you hear me, Merrie? That was her name, right? Merrie? She can read my mind, I hope.)
Breathing deeply, Merrie shoved one arm down between Sama's sex and rubbed against the slick lips. She nipped at Sama's ear and mouthed, “Yes.” Then, as an idea, she tried to push out her thoughts. (Yes.)
Sama shuddered and then let out a moan. (Thank you. I need help. Can you help? Can you talk?)
A faint frown tickled Merrie's eyes. She squeezed closer and kissed Sama on the shoulder. (What's wrong?)
(I'm scared, Merrie.) Images of Grange rose up in Sama's thoughts. There was only two trainers Sama had not been assigned to and Grange was one of them. She turned to Merrie, tears in her eyes. (Grange scares me. I don't want to be his.)
Merrie squeezed her tight, holding her and resting her lips against Sama's neck. (I know.)
(He hurt you, didn't he?) Memories welled up, of Merrie flailing on the ground, clawing at her neck as she choked on Grange's rope. It was the day she passed out. The memory continued of Bass jumping across the room, armor slamming into place before he swung his fist through the wall and into Grange's face.
(Yes,) Merrie said and buried her face against Sama.
(What do I do?)
(I don't know. I can't stop him. He's a trainer.)
(What did you do?) Sama asked, trying to find some hope. (How did you do it?)
Merrie struggled with words. She didn't know how to tell Sama about the pain, the agony, but also the longing. She couldn't explain how she survived Grange without the pleasure that was inherent in her own abilities as a beta. Unable to formulate it, she did the second best thing: she projected her memories.
Sama let out a whimper and tensed up.
Merrie pulled back, but Sama shook her head sharply.
(No, no, please let me see it. Please, show me how. Merrie, I need to know to know. It will help, it will!) A memory rose up from Sama's childhood, of her older brother kneeling next to her as Sama clutched her broken arm. He had the same color hair but there were scratches on his face. It was his words, not clearly remembered but the intent came through. He was telling Sama what happened when he broke his arm, the pain but also how the bone-setter put it back. He went into detail about his healing and promising she would be healed in the same way. It gave her hope that the pain would end.
(Please, Merrie, you can hear me, right? Give me hope? Promise me that the pain will end. Please?)
Merrie knew what to do. She let her own memories come back and started with the first words they shared.
("I'm Merrie.")
Sama leaned into Merrie as Merrie relived the memories of the mill, from the first time Bass raped her to when she realized she was something more than just a bitch. As her world became a series of submission and orgasms, so did Sama's. Sama's mind grew bright with pleasure, almost as bright as the supernovas of the two alphas.
They reached Merrie's time with Grange, but there wasn't even a whimper as Merrie relived every whipping, every beating, every choking. She was raped by Grange once again and Sama shared in the memory, sobbing and whimpering as she clutched to Merrie.
Merrie reached when Cock Diver and Pillow Chest stood up for, protecting Merrie for the last few hours. Merrie sobbed into Sama's shoulder as the last few images slipped from her mind.
In the silence that followed, they both panted for breath.
(I love you,) came Sama's thoughts, (I loved you every time you eased the pain, every time you projected–that's what you did, right?. When it got too hard, your thoughts were there, encouraging me, helping me. You were just like Sable, but I knew that you were also like me.)
Merrie opened her eyes, but she couldn't seem to see anything. (How do you know it was me?)
Sama reached around and kissed Merrie on the lips. She twisted around and ran her gloved arms around Merrie's waist. (I pictured you. No matter how far away, no matter what it was, one moment I was thinking of you and everything got better.)
(I-) Merrie let out a shuddering sob, (I just wanted to help.)
(You did.) Another kiss, then Sama broke it to work her lips down to Merrie's neck to nip at the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder. (And I love you with all my heart.)
Merrie was floored by the intensity of Sama's love. It was almost palatable as it wrapped around her.
“Um, you two be okay?”
Merrie jumped and looked up at Borias. He was leaning over the two of them, a concerned look on his face. Sheepishly, she nodded but didn't let go of Sama.
“It be time, pretty girls.” He sighed and reached down to stroke Sama's cheeks. He whispered softly, so low that Merrie could barely hear him. “I be sorry, Tits, but Grange has you now.”
Sama whimpered, but then she took a deep breath. With tears in her eyes, she got into a begging position and gave out a bark. The same determination that drove Merrie now drove Sama.
Borias looked surprised, then his eyes focused on Merrie. There was a curious look on his face, then a nod. “Good girl, Merrie.”
Merrie blushed and looked away.
She felt Grange as he came up, the anger wrapped around his heart like a cloak. He grabbed Sama by her collar and hauled her away
Merrie forced herself to watch as Grange hauled Sama and Seven out of the room.
(Merrie!) Sama's thoughts were fading with the distance.
Reaching out for her, Merrie clamped on to Sama's thoughts and held her close even as Sama was being dragged up the stairs.
Sama's thought swam through Merrie's mind. (Be there for me, please? Help me when it hurts too much? I know you can't always be there, but…)
Merrie reached out for Sama, knowing that Sama couldn't see her. She sniffed and projected her answer. (If you need, just call me.) It was the same thing Sama's brother said when he took her to the bone-setter.
The rush of love washed over Merrie as Sama was finally drawn out of range and her thoughts faded.
“Don't worry, Merrie,” Borias said, “Grange be brutal and an ass, but she'll be okay.” He didn't sound convinced himself. “And Tabby and I be asking Bass not to keep him next year, but the boss has promises to be making and promises to be keeping.”
Merrie nodded with trepidation, then peered around to see what girls Borias got. A few steps behind him, Anal Cookie and Twenty-Seven were nervously sitting. With a smile, she sent out a pulse of comfort and both of them relaxed. Getting on her wrists and knees, she crawled over and kissed both of them.
“So, you two be nervous about me?” Borias asked as he walked up behind Merrie.
Cookie looked at Merrie and Merrie nodded for her to answer. She looked up, gulping nervously, then gave a bark.
“About all those rumors about me peeing on you?”
Twenty-Seven barked and looked a bit green.
“Well, they be true. And my cooking tastes like shit.”
Both of them looked frightened and to Merrie.
Merrie gave a sheepish shrug, then sent out an strong wave of pleasure and comfort. She glanced up at Borias, who was looking at Tabitha who laughing as Dixie and Sable wrestled in the center of the room. She lowered her gaze to the other two, then projected. (It isn't real, but it really tastes like shit.)
Both of their jaws dropped, no doubt hearing Merrie's thoughts, but they were unconvinced. Merrie regarded them for a moment. Then she thought about Sable and what the alpha would do. With a grin, she hopped forward and tackled Twenty-Seven.
Before the naked girl could response, Merrie wrapped her arms around her neck and licked at her face. At the same time, she let a playful sense of innocence rise up and surround them. It wore at their own dread and she was rewarded when Twenty-Seven began to wrestle back.
“Ah, you be playful. You all be wanting a lager before we be going down?”
Merrie nodded and threw herself into a begging position, Twenty-Seven thumped against her side as she tried to get her head out from under Merrie's arm. With a grin, Merrie released her so she could beg and bark.
“Come on, pretties, let's get something to drink. A bit of buzz will be making the dinner go down.”
Merrie pushed the two bitches forward as they went to enjoy one last beer of the night. As soon as he poured a large mug into her bowl, she spun around to watch the room and settled down to enjoy the brew.
With Grange gone, the mood in the room lightened up and conversation started. Piffin, Thorn, and Garcon got into a discussion about Franome politics. Bass and Hilfe started a card game. Rendi spoke with Tabitha but then drifted to join Piffin and the others.
On the floor, the bitches also relaxed. More than a few were fucking with tongues and amputated limbs. To Merrie's surprise, Licker was one of the more popular girls, but there was little doubt. The strange charm that Tabitha gave her transformed her more into a dog. She had fur now, covering her from head to toe except around her holes, nipples, and face. It was only a millimeter or so thick, just enough for a hint of bestiality. It looked unnatural and strange at first. But, it was still Licker and her mind hadn't changed.
The charm had also given her two more sets of nipples on the smallest hints of breasts Merrie had ever seen. They were also sensitive and, during the pre-show play, Merrie had joined into clamp her mouth down on one of them at the same time. Licker came from six mouths against six nipples, plus Sable lapping her sex and ass with enthusiasm.
As if knowing she was looking, Licker peered up from the dog pile on her and gave Merrie a large smile before Fuckhole straddled her face and Licker was lost from sight.
“All right,” announced Tabitha as she strode toward Merrie and the others, “get over here bitch.”
Merrie wasn't sure which bitch she was talking about, it wasn't her. She looked around at the others, but it wasn't a girl that Tabitha wanted. She grabbed Borias and yanked him into the middle of the floor.
“Tabby?”
“Dance with me,” she grinned, “bitch.”
“I not be-” he stopped as she spun him across the room. There was a pained look on his face, but it was faked.
Merrie couldn't help but smile as Borias was jerked and pulled across the floor. There was some skill in both of their dancing, not surprising given Borias' history, but neither was trying to do anything besides have a bit of drunken fun.
After nearly a half hour of dancing, their movements grew more erratic thanks to two more lagers that Tabitha downed. Borias chuckled and whispered to Tabitha as they came together and spun apart.
“Hey, Bori,” called Bass, “going to get a good night kiss? Or is she just going to hump your face?”
Laughter filled the room.
Tabitha glared at them, but then let out a giggle. She punched Borias playfully in the arm and he staggered a few steps to the side. “I don't kiss anyone good night.” She turned to smile at Borias. “And if I'm going to hump him, it isn't his face I'm going to fuck.”
Borias laughed freely and the others joined in.
Merrie wagged her tail in her own silent laughter.
(Merrie!)
She jumped at Sama's thoughts. It was distant and muted, but there was fear and pain burning her thoughts. Merrie closed her eyes and threw herself out, stretching further than she had ever gone as she sought out Sama's thoughts.
(It hurts! Please, Merrie, can she hear me? Please, don't let me… I can't breathe!)
Concern pushed Merrie and she lashed out, catching Sama's mind. As she connected, the bitch's mental voice came with a rush of sensations.
Grange had Sama bent backwards over the stool, her arms tied between the legs. Sparks of pain radiating along Sama's shoulder blades and her buttocks from the painful position. There was fear that she couldn't move, but her terror came from the cock buried deep in her throat. He was fucking her with short strokes, pounding her face but never letting the cock escape from the pressure of the rope around her neck.
Merrie let out a shuddering breath as she remembered herself in the same position.
(This was the same, right? Merrie, can you hear me?)
(Sama?)
(Oh, thank Madock,) it was the name of a merchant god, (Please be here. I can't breathe! It hurts. Please?)
Terror resonated along their mental connection. Merrie felt her breath catching in her throat. She reached out and projected comfort, trying to ease the growing agony and fear. (He will stop soon. Just hold on. Please?)
(I-I can't,) the choking sensation blasted through her telepathy and Merrie felt it around her own throat. Merrie shuddered at the sensation, forcing her mind to send back love and compassion.
(Just get ready to inhale. As soon as he pulls out, try to grab as much as you can.)
(Okay, but it hurts. I can do this. Just get ready. Please hurry up, I can't breathe.)
It kept going. The feeling of Grange's cock slamming in her throat made it hard to see anything but Sama's terror. There was a flash of image, of seeing the world past Grange's swinging balls where Seven was crying from one of the cages, his face already bruised and bloody.
(Just a bit more, Sama, please hold on.)
Black motes swam across Merrie's vision. It seemed to on forever with Grange still slamming into Sama's face brutally.
(M-Merrie? I can't see. I can't… breathe…) Sama's thoughts were darker and growing distant.
Something was wrong. Even in the infinity slowness of being throat-fucked, Grange didn't seem to be stopping. As much as she hated it, she needed to hear his thoughts. She reached out but she encountered the smooth sensation of Borias' shield. It was protecting her from Grange but Merrie knew something was wrong. She lashed out with her mind against the shield, trying to force her way past it.
“Cunt?” Borias called out from across the room. There was concern in his voice and he stepped toward her.
Merrie gestured for him as she slammed against his shield again. Desperation fueled her as she clawed for Grange's thoughts. She pulled back, gathered up all her concern an fear and slammed out with all her might. It crashed into Borias' shields. There was a crack of something and she felt Grange's hatred pouring in.
There was a thump on the ground and Rendi called out, “Bori! Bori!”
Merrie couldn't stop to look. She punched at the shield again, using her emotions as a fist. The shield buckled under the impact.
(I… can't breathe… Merrie…)
Focusing her fear for Sama and remembered terror, Merrie slammed against the shield. She felt it shattered under her assault and she was free. Snapping out, she grabbed Grange's mind with all her might and threw herself into the vile thoughts of the man she hated.
(Kill that fucking bastard! Kill them all! Fuck them all until their corpses rot in the sun!) He was slamming his hips into Sama's face. He knew she wasn't struggling anymore and it drove him to pound faster, trying to find release for the intense anger that seethed inside him. He had his fingers clamped around her breasts, blood welling out of the gouges from his fingernails.
And, to her horror, she heard a different voice inside him, the last bit of sanity left in his rage-fueled mind. It was quiet underneath the screaming and she had to force her way deeper into his mind to find it. She could feel herself being drawn in with a hunger to be beaten and choked. She sobbed past the longing to catch the whisper of Grange's sanity. (They won't find her body until Bass breaks every promise he made. We'll go out the back door with her corpse. Even that bitch Tabitha won't find it until too late.)
Ice ran through Merrie's veins. Grange wasn't stopping, he wasn't going to stop. He was killing Sama just to hurt Bass.
She screamed out as she stumbled for the door. She felt the collar ignite, but she threw herself through the pain, fumbling for traction against the floor.
(Merrie!)
Merrie clamped on Sama's fading thoughts. She couldn't breathe as she struggled to focus on the door. Sparks flew across her vision, fading in and out as the darkness drew across her vision. Her limbs refused to work and she slammed into the ground.
Terrifying helpless, she felt Sama's mind grow black.
(I love you, Merrie.)
Merrie screamed out with her mind, (Sama!)
(It… isn't your fault…)
And then… nothing.
Merrie screamed out, “Sama!” Her world ignited into lighting as every muscle spasmed around her. She hit the ground again, her face smacking against the wooden floor. She regained her senses, but couldn't get her body moving as she struggled to her face.
She reached out for Sama, trying to find the thoughts of the bitch. There was nothing. Just a dark hole where the Sama used to be.
Merrie expanded her thoughts, probing the area with her mind. She could feel Grange's anger still burning bright and Seven's fear. She brushed against his mind and got an intense image of Grange still pounding into Sama's face, driving with hard, brutal strokes. Every smack of flesh jet a bolt of fear through Seven, but he couldn't look away from the rape going on before him.
But Sama's wasn't struggling against her ropes.
Her eyes no longer saw.
She was dead.
Merrie let out a cry and slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
Bass rushed over to her, but he stopped in mid-step as if someone punched him in the gut. His gray skin turned white and his knees hit the ground. His powerful presence suddenly drained away as he let out a pained groan. Behind him, Sable let out a terrified wail and slumped to the ground.
“Bass!”
“Boss!”
“What the fuck,” snapped Tabitha, “is going on!?”
Merrie couldn't reach the door, but she could do something. She yelled out even as the collar burned her skin. “Grange!”
Tabitha spun in confusion, but then her bright eyes grew wide. Slamming her foot on the ground, the magic burst around her as she transformed into a huge wolf. She shot forward and through the recently repaired door to the great hall. It shattered from the impact. She slid against the wooden floor at the base of the stairs and slammed into the wall. Another transformation shrunk her body into a smaller wolf and she accelerated up the stairs in a burst of magic.
A heartbeat later, Dixie's wolf form followed after her.
“Boss?” Borias staggered over to Bass.
Upstairs, a crack rocked the floor as Tabitha burst through Grange's door.
Rendi was at Bass' side and healing magic poured from her hands. Runes flashed across Bass' skin as she gasped in fear, “I can't find the attack spell, but his heart is tearing. I can't heal him, Bori! There's nothing to heal!” There was a desperate tone in Rendi's voice. Her neck clicked as she turned on her son. “Who's attacking you?”
“No, my shields be busted by Merrie… Cunt. She not be attacking Bass.”
“Cunt?” Rendi looked over at Merrie who was struggling to get to her feet, “how did Cunt-”
The entire house shook violently from an explosion. The windows in the great hall cracked and two of them fell out of their frames. A shower of wood and glass rained down into the mill yard, follow by a bloody body hitting the ground.
Grange was back on his feet and his glowing whip snaked out of his hand as he jumped back through the falling glass. He was covered in blood from fresh bites. He had a huge bite out of his side and he favored his left leg as he stared up.
Tabitha in human form landed on the ground. She was naked and covered in blood, most of it Grange's. Power rolled across her body and violent spells gathered around her body as she stormed toward him.
“You killed her! You fucking bastard!”
Bass shoved Rendi away as he surged to his feet. “Rendi,” he gasped for breath, “get Tits!”
Rendi nodded and scrambled to her feet. She raced out the door and up the stairs.
“Boss?” Borias reached out for Bass.
“I'll kill him!” bellowed Bass. He spun around, but didn't head for the door. Instead, he stormed toward the wall between the hall and the front yard. Magic gathered around him and there was a brief haze around his body before his armor slammed into place. The shock wave from his spell slammed into the wall and cracked it.
Bass snapped his hand out to his side. His great sword burst into existence, cutting through the air with a crack of air. The magic was blinding as runes appeared along the blade, starting at the top and flashing down the blade only to stop at the scorched mark at the hilt.
More magic rolled around him as he braced his foot behind him and poised his sword to slash through the wall. A rune appeared over his head. More runes burned into existence as they formed a large circle in front of him. Each one was a brilliant white. As the they completed the circle, there was a flash and the entire wall of the great hall exploded out into the yard. Bass was already charging before the wood hit the ground. He jumped up with another spell and shot out of sight.
Grange swore as he looked up to watch Bass' leap, and then threw himself to the right as Bass came down.
The sword slammed into the ground and everything within ten meters exploded out. Magic crackled the air as Bass swung out in a low sweep of the two-handed sword, but Grange jumped over it.
The blood-red whip snapped out and wrapped around Bass' neck. Smoke rose up as the armor blackened, but Bass lashed out with a fist. He caught the whip in his gauntleted fist and yanked back.
Grange let go of his whip and it burst into flames before it faded. “Feeling a bit weak, paladin?”
Bass gasped for breath as he shook the flames off his gauntlet. “Why?”
“Because you are weak.” Grange's eyes flashed. He snapped his wrist and three flaming daggers appeared. “Hey, Tabitha! Want to break a few more promises for Bass?”
Both Tabitha and Dixie froze from where they were circling around to attack from behind.
Grange flicked his wrist and the three daggers shot out toward the great house. Merrie could see that they were aimed for the naked women on their hands and knees in the great house.
Borias swore and clapped his hands together. The air hardened in front of one of the daggers and it hit it like a wall.
Air rushed into the great hall as Tabitha raced inside, knocking one dagger aside. Dixie jumped off her back and caught the third one, rolling as he hit the ground. Flames licked his muzzle before he spit out the dagger.
“This is our fight, bitch,” snapped Grange, “keep out.”
Tabitha spun and growled, the air shaking from her anger.
Grange threw three more daggers at the bitches and then reformed his blood whip.
Bass surged from the ground with a two handed blow. Grange stretched the whip between his hands. Bass' blade stopped before it could cleave Grange in half. The force of the blow threw Grange back through the shattered glass and wood.
“Face it, Bass, we're equal in power now that you broke your precious promises. You couldn't even save one useless, fucking-”
Grange's voice died in his throat as Bass growled. It was a deep, primal noise that shook the air. Power beat in the air, squeezing down on Merrie's body as she saw it rise up inside the thriban. Bass held out his hand, palm facing Grange.
“You really think so, Grange?”
Grange brought three more flaming daggers into existence. “She can't save all of them.” The daggers doubled as he threw them past Bass and into the gathered bitches. One of them was aimed directly toward Merrie and she couldn't move in time as she saw the point rushing toward her eye.
There was a flash of movement and magic, but Merrie was locked into place. She saw the point growing larger and she felt a terrible twisting in her stomach. She couldn't move with her limbs frozen in fear. She wanted to, but there was nothing she could do.
And then Merrie couldn't see as Sable stood in front of her. There was a meaty thunk as the blade slammed into Sable's side and a splatter of blood whipped across Merrie's face.
Merrie whimpered and stared in shock as Sable. The dark-haired bitch gave her a sheepish grin, completely out of the place from the horror of what was happening, then turned to brace herself for another attack.
Bass' body shone from the inside with a brilliant light as he stretched out his armored fingers. Swords appeared in the air around him. One, then three, then dozens. The dozens became hundreds with each of the bright white blades aimed directly for Grange.
A look of surprise crossed Grange's face. Then there was a palatable fear filling the murderer.
Bass clenched his hands and a thousand swords shot forward.
Grange snapped his whip in front of him to block the swords for his face and chest, but other blades sliced into his sides and arms. Blood splattered everywhere as he staggered back from the blows from hundreds of cuts. More swords slashed into him and he twisted to the side. For every one he knocked out of the air, three more sliced across his arms, legs, and chest. One blade punched into his leg and he collapsed to his knee with a thud.
Bass charged forward, the great sword glowing from the inside.
Grange choked out a word that Merrie couldn't hear.
Bass stumbled to a stop, his blade millimeters from severing Grange's neck. He gasped for breath as he stepped back. The armor creaked as he lowered his blade.
Grange yanked the blade from his leg and struggled to his feet. Blood poured down his leg as he sway for a moment. Then, a faint healing magic rose up and stopped the bleeding. It wasn't as powerful as Rendi's power, but it was enough to keep Grange alive.
Merrie didn't know why Bass didn't kill him.
Still growling, Bass pointed to the forest behind Grange. “You have one hour.”
“As you promised.”
Tabitha's thoughts burst throw Merrie's mind, (Fuck that!) She charged forward with a snarl on her lips. Dixie charged from the far side of the room.
Grange smirked and limped back, “Behind you, paladin. You have a promise to keep.”
Bass spun around and his mind was filled with humiliation and regret. And then, to Merrie's surprise, he grabbed Tabitha by the back of her neck as she shot past him. Magic flashed as he yanked her back. Her speed picked her off the ground and he swung the huge wolf high over his head and slammed her down into the ground behind him.
(Mistress!) Dixie turned in a flash of anger and charged for Bass with bared teeth.
Bass threw his sword into the air and it exploded into a white light. Haze appeared around his hand as a tower shield formed into place. Bass slammed it into the ground just as Dixie crashed into it. The impact threw a cloud of dust in all directions.
Dixie jumped to his feet, magic pulsing between him and Tabitha.
Bass stepped forward and backhanded the wolf.
The impact cracked bone. Dixie's body flew back into the great hall and into the wall next to Merrie. The force of the blow cracked wood and Dixie slid down the wall to land in a sprawl of fur and legs.
Tabitha tried to charge after Grange, but Bass stepped in front of her. The impact rang out and she bit down, slicing through the metal armor. She clawed at his chest, her body growing as magic poured into her.
Dixie groaned as he got to his feet. He braced his feet against the wall, but then Sable was in front of him, growling.
For the first time, there was no joy or playfulness in Sable's eyes. The knife wounds in her side was still bleeding and it left a sheen of red against her naked breasts and sides. She wasn't frightened or in pain. There was no hint of the sheepish smile she gave Merrie. Instead, there was an intense presence of something dangerous. It beat against Merrie's heart and she was more frightened than she thought possible.
Dixie snapped out, biting the air centimeter's from Sable's face.
Sable began to glow from the inside. Magic poured into her as the connection between her and Bass grew solid. It wasn't a flash or a pulse like Dixie's power, but a steady stream of power that kept pouring into her. It filled her until her bones glowed from the gathered energy. She pulled back her lip as her canines grew into fangs and the air grew hazy around her. (Do you really want to hurt my master, bitch?)
Merrie whimpered at the presence behind Sable's mental words. It was overpowering and echoed endlessly inside Merrie's head. It sounded masculine and feminine, a mixture of Sable's thoughts and Bass' voice. The very force of it shook her to the core.
Dixie's eyes widened and he began to shake. His attitude changed instantly as he dropped to the ground in humanoid form. He cowered against the ground as a puddle of pee formed underneath his hips.
Outside, Bass pulled Tabitha from his chest and grabbed her by the throat. He slammed her into the ground. When she snarled and snapped, he picked her huge form off the ground and slammed her down again. The blow left an impact crater in the hard-packed earth.
“Stop!” he roared.
Tabitha rolled away and changed back into a human. She remained on her feet and hands, her lips pulled back in a snarl. “What the fuck is wrong with you! That fucker,” she gestured to the rapidly retreating man, “killed one of my bitches!”
Bass' helm disappeared. “He has an hour, and then you can hunt.”
“An hour!? You should have let me kill him there! I had him!” Tears flashed in her eyes, “I could have killed him and you know it.”
“And,” Bass' voice was quiet, “what about Borias!?”
Tabitha shook a fist at him. “What about him!?”
“His geas.”
Tabitha froze. Her fist began to shake as the anger boiled inside her. She glanced over her shoulder at Borias, then back to Bass. Snapping to her feet, she screamed out at top of her lungs. “Fuck the ancestors!”
Stepping back, she pointed to where Grange had disappeared. “Fifty-seven fucking minutes and I kill that bastard!”
Bass shook his head. “No.”
She tensed up. “Don't you dare stop-”
“Fifty minutes. From the point Tits drew her last breath.”
Tabitha spun on her heels. “Dixie! Get the hunting gear!” She burned with anger as she transformed into a wolf and raced toward her cave.
Dixie crawled away from Sable, never looking away from her. He transformed but held still. His bright eyes bore into Sable as if waiting for permission.
Sable broke their gaze and looked to her master.
Relief flooded through him and Dixie raced after his mistress.
Shaking herself, the power inside Sable dissipated as she rushed over to Bass.
Bass slumped to the ground, his armor already gone. Panting heavily, he clutched at the cracked earth beneath him for a moment, and then lifted an arm for Sable to worm her way underneath it. He looked old and frail as he stared at her without seeing anything. Tears ran down his face and splashed on Sable's cheeks before they dripped to the ground.
“I promised,” he sobbed. “I promised no one would hurt them.”