Chapter 60: Big Game Hunting (1/2)

All the remaining mortals, a dozen people including Meritt, gather around us to witness our untimely argument. I frown at Nami’s display. Our arrangement is clear, she may be my elder and a Master but as long as the year of service is not ended, I remain in charge. This has worked so far in part due to my lax approach to ‘service’ and our friendly relationship. That is why I did not expect insubordination from her, not at this time. I hiss softly, baring my fangs to her alone.

“You said those monsters hunted mages?” asks Merritt with a hint of worry.

I turn my attention away from Nami who only seems amused by my display. I’ll show her… later. Focus, Ari. Ignore the THIRST.

“Yes. Do not use spells. You will be fine, we will ride on Metis and…”

“What happens if I do run? Will they stop at some point? Before sunrise? If they lose us will they go for the nearest mage after me?”

“I don’t know… If you run…”

“What if they go after my kids?”

Ah. Yes, her children. They already have an aura, even though they cannot use it yet. Merritt realizes that I know very little about the beasts when I do not reply.

“What if they rampage through the countryside unchecked? Can they reproduce?”

David King, whom I bought and released and who joined the squad comes forth as well.

“Miss Lethe, we know you and Naminata try to purge the world from evil despite your curse. We will help you on this and, God willing, we will end this scourge before it can cause harm to the population.”

The other members of the squad nod in approval, white, black and native united in purpose around God apparently. When did that happen? Did I create a new order of Gabriel? An order of Ariane, so to speak?

In the background, John’s simple smile is unerring. If I say we leave, he is the only one who will obey without complaint. Mistaking my intention, he frowns in an attempt to show he is serious. The ghastly result could send a prison warden running.

“I shoot for you miss Lethe!” he adds while waving around the heavily modified wolf slayer. The ominous crossbow looks like a normal-sized weapon in his hands, meaning it would be otherwise mounted as a fixed piece of artillery on some castle wall. I sigh in resignation. I have been outvoted. Me, the supposed vampire master of Marquette. Ah well.

I pat Metis, dismount and jump over the barricade and pass between the group to the armoury below, adding as I go:

“Fair enough then, I’ll get changed, keep your eyes peeled for flying horrors and breaking trees.”

I rush into the main room currently covered in sleeping bags and personal effects, to a corner where my own gear lays. I change into my most heavily armoured gown, with an enchanted heart protector and add a knife belt, two pistols, and a long dagger made after Jimena’s gift but without the enchantments. I also pick up my spear, my rifle, and a mining powder charge which I place in a bag at my back. A knock on the door makes me look up just as I am done loading and priming the last firearm.

“Come in.”

John enters and closes the door behind him with measured movements, just as I told him to do after he broke too many pieces of furniture back in the Dream. He looks at me with shyness so I ask.

“What is it, John?”

“Miz Nami said you were too thirsty. She said you need a bit of blood. I want to help.”

I consider. They are both right, of course, but I have always considered John to be in the list of people I would not drink from. According to my own set of rules, I cannot take the blood from people I am currently cooperating with, supplicants before the deal and children. I hesitate. Is an offering the same?

“Miz Nami said if you say no, if you are hurt later then you will lose control and take blood anyway. She says you have a choice now, but you won’t later.”

That is fairly accurate, and yet…

“I say, why you don’t want my blood? Is my blood bad because I’m dumb?”

“What? No, no that’s not true at all.”

Somehow, I find the big oaf endearing. I do not want a follower to suffer needlessly. He is mine.

“Then take blood and help protect Marquette. I help too. I will always help.”

I sigh and smile softly, disarmed by his helpless look. Denying him would feel like kicking the world’s ugliest puppy.

“Alright John, you win.”

The man extends his wrist and I realize that there is a small logistical issue with feeding this time. His wrists are as big as my leg.

Five minutes and a painful jaw later, I come out of the cabin fed, armed and feeling like a brand new woman. The troop gathers around me, covered in weapons and primed for bloodshed. I feel a bit of pride at the sight. They are here because of what I built over the past two decades. Time for a plan, and as those things go, easier is usually better when we have so little time to prepare.

“Alright listen up. Those are magic-hunting creatures so Merritt, don’t throw magic at them, keep the beacon going until they find us then switch to guns. Now, there are three kinds of monsters. The first is small, flying ones, don’t shoot them unless you’re sure of your shot. Let Nami and me handle them, and if they attack you stab them in the chest, not the head. The next is big hound-like creatures the size of small ponies. Those are your priority, use everything you can to stop them from overwhelming us. Finally, the pack is led by a huge creature the size of a small barn, do not get close to its tentacle mouth and let Nami and I handle the close-quarter fighting. That is all. You two get inside and grab all the muskets we have and load them. The rest, take your positions and good luck, everyone.”

I turn around and take position at the tip of the barricade line. Behind me, mutters erupt in the group.

“Tentacle mouth? Did I hear that right?”

Welcome to the party lads.

A few seconds later I turn around when Nami leans on the earthwork besides me.

“How are you feeling Ariane? I have never seen you so out of sorts. Is there a worse danger that you have not mentioned yet?”

“No, nothing in the short term at least.”

“Are you hurt then?”

“No. I… came to a terrible realization concerning my condition.”

“Ah yes, ‘tis terrible indeed to be a virgin at your age.”

“…Excuse me?”

Naminata nods knowingly, trying to act mature. It is laughable though I appreciate the effort.

“You do not know the embrace of someone you are intimate with, the rhythm of sex and their skin on yours. You do not know about working together towards that sweet release, of your moans and theirs, of the taste of their lips and the scent of their arousal. The satisfaction of lying on the comfortable mattress wracked by the aftershocks of your orgasm afterwards. Tragic, really.”

“That is… What… Why do you… Arg!” I sputter. “First of all, I am not a virgin.”

“Are you referring to what lord Nirari did to you?”

“Yes?”

“Really? Did you have anything of what I listed just now?”

“Hum, no?”

How did this conversation start anyway? I have never felt so out of control in two decades.

“You don’t take a lover because you want your first time to be special, yes? Your first time making love?”