Feral Mage 3: Chapter 15

Alice was lying in his bed, her arms wrapped around Omelet as both of them slept. She had only made it two hours into helping him before she started dozing off, yet she was the one to actually find something.

Bryce felt a cold sweat on his brow as he paced the room and reread the passage Alice told him about. It was similar to the story of the knight who the God of War blessed, only this story gave some details on how the blessing was performed.

“… And the priest used the hair of the one to be blessed along with a sacrifice to the Divine…”

His hand went up and touched the spot that, months ago, Isabelle had cut a lock of hair. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, just chalked it up to her weird obsessiveness toward him. This passage, however, put everything in a new light, and he was able to connect the dots. She was a cleric, one who worshiped a heretical Goddess, and he had started to see visions of Ciarra not long after she took the lock of hair. He felt anger flare inside him at the thought of Isabelle doing this to him, but also a question he needed the answer to.

Why?

The door opened, and Bryce looked up to see Vex march into the room with Janna following behind her. The wolfkin let out a yawn as she made her way to the bed and, despite Alice being in it, lay down.

“Callie did her best to keep Vex busy so you could read,” Janna whispered as she moved to stand beside him.

Bryce chuckled.

“She certainly wore her out. They didn’t just spend the whole time fighting and arguing, did they?” he asked, knowing both girls.

Janna’s tails lightly bumped him as she smiled.

“Dominoes, Vex style. Though they did do plenty of arguing and fighting,” Janna answered before she took his hand into hers. “I thought since you were going to see a Duke tomorrow, you’d like to clean up tonight. So I booked one of the guild’s baths for you.”

Her fingers laced with his, and he felt her tails brush against him a few more times.

“I also thought, maybe I could help you with the bath,” Janna offered, and he noticed the heat in her eyes.

He pushed the remains of his anger away and grinned at his kitsune.

“My favorite kind of bath,” Bryce said as he wrapped an arm around Janna’s waist and pulled her against him. Together, they left, leaving the room to Vex, Alice, and a snoring Omelet.

***

“This is a brothel!” Thea exclaimed as the wagon slowed outside the Red Lace.

Even this early in the morning, a few girls stood in front of the establishment wearing scant clothing that revealed more flesh than it hid. Disapproval was painted across the Princess’s face as she took in her surroundings. Likewise, the working girls watched them with curious expressions, probably wondering if they were lost or potential clients.

Bryce had to admit they stood out in the Rim. Both Thea and Callie were dressed in what was called travel clothing by the noble and wealthy, which meant they probably cost as much as the horses pulling the wagon. He didn’t want to know how much the dresses in the travel trunks were worth since the girls refused to wear them until they arrived at the Duke’s estate.

“It’s a good thing none of us are delicate flowers,” Callie replied, calling back Thea’s words from last night.

Thea’s eyes kept darting between the women with exposed breasts or privates.

“I’ll be quick,” Bryce said as he climbed out of the wagon.

Despite the fact that they were in The Rim, he knew Callie would keep Thea safe, and he doubted anyone would try anything outside Isabelle’s base of operations. Not anyone who wanted to live long anyway.

The girls working the front didn’t even catcall as he approached, probably because they were still trading stares with Thea. One girl he recognized informed him that Isabelle was in her office as he passed by. No one bothered him as he made his way to the second floor.

“Come in,” Isabelle answered after the first knock.

When he opened the door, he spotted Isabelle sitting in one of the chairs in front of her desk with a naked blade in hand as she ran a rag along the steel.

“Darling!” Isabelle cooed as she continued to clean her weapon. “How goes the contract?”

Bryce let out a heavy sigh as he made his way to the chair opposite hers. Isabelle paused and looked at him with a sympathetic smile as he took a seat.

“I figured it was more complicated than I assumed when you returned yesterday without the merchandise and an injured party member,” she said before resuming her task. “So what happened?”

“A Quill Wyvern killed the fences,” he answered, watching her hand run the oil rag along the blade. At his words, she paused again.

“We’re a long way from the Wilds,” she said, setting the sword down and giving him her full attention. “A pack of Quill Wyvern this close to the city is bad news for everyone.”

He shook his head.

“Not a pack, just one. It’s injured and infested with Carrion Fairies, which is a problem in itself since the fairies make nests in the corpses the wyvern leaves behind.”

Isabelle grimaced.

“Carrion Fairies, nasty little things. Explains why it’s so far from the Wilds. The creature is probably trying to head north to the mountains, so the cold will kill the Carrion Fairies. Well, it will if the infestation hasn’t burrowed deep enough inside the Wyvern yet,” Isabelle said. “What do you plan to do?”

Bryce looked at her curiously, recalling the passage he had read last night and the fact that Ciarra was known as the Goddess of Monsters.

“Recruit a fellow Feral Mage to help me hunt it down,” he answered before locking eyes with Isabelle. “I’m surprised you know so much about monsters.”

She began twirling one of her curls of red hair with her fingers.

“I like to read about them. Plus, many people have referred to me as a monster, so you know, birds of a feather flock together,” she replied, giving him a wink.

He watched as Isabelle played with her hair, recalling the lock she had taken of his.

“You’ve never told me what Goddess you worship,” Bryce said, meeting her eyes.

Excitement flared in them as a smirk appeared on her face. Bryce then realized he had let some of his anger slip into his words.

“That’s something personal to ask a girl. More of a date question than business,” Isabelle said, her tongue running along her bottom lip. “Once you finish with this Quill Wyvern, I’d be up for a date.”

Isabelle waited for his reply with an expression that made Bryce unsure if she wanted to kill or fuck him.

“And you’ll tell me about your Goddess?” he asked.

She let out a giggle before biting her lip.

“I’ll be an open book for you to run your finger through,” she purred.

Bryce ignored her flirting and stood.

“Then after the Wyvern, we’ll talk,” he said.

The crime boss clapped excitedly.

“Yay! I’ll have to talk to the girls and see what I can wear. Don’t take too long with your monster, Darling, remember I’m not a patient girl,” Isabelle said as he moved to the door.

His hand had just touched the handle when she spoke again, her tone changing to something with an edge.

“Oh, before you leave, a warning. I know you have a hobby of collecting Princesses, but the new one in town, the Saltland Princess. Pass on that one, she’s nothing but trouble, and I’m the only sea elf you need,” Isabelle said.

He looked back and saw her focus had returned to maintaining her weapon, and he took that as a sign that she wasn’t going to elaborate on that warning. Opening the door, Bryce stepped out and left Red Isabelle.

Once outside, he saw that Thea’s face was now crimson red, and Callie’s smile made him suspicious. Also, a few of the working girls were laughing and smiling at him.

“Something happened while I was gone?” he asked the snow elf.

Thea cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure.

“N-nothing,” she answered.

Callie’s smile turned to a shit eating grin.

“Lady Thea was concerned with how long it was taking you and wondered what could be happening in there. I merely offered some suggestions,” Callie stated, and earned a glare from the Princess.

Bryce clicked his tongue and looked back at the working girls, one of them even winking at him.

So that’s what happened. Odd that she was worried, I didn’t think I was in there that long.

When he turned back, he saw Thea watching him with a slight pout.

“Sorry. Isabelle and I talked about the contract,” he said, climbing back into the wagon.

Callie chuckled.

“You mean she flirted with you while you told her about the Wyvern?”

Thea cleared her throat.

“Well, if you’re done here, then let’s be on our way,” she said, her voice slightly agitated. “The sooner we arrive at the Duke’s estate, the better.”

Bryce took the reins and got the horses moving.

They were only on the road for an hour before they arrived at the Duke’s estate. High walls surrounded the large building, built on a hill with a view of the Winter River. The area the estate encompassed was larger than many of the villages Bryce had been to, and he couldn't help but be a bit shocked at the extravagance of it all.

“Stop! Who goes there?” one of the guards greeted as they neared the gate, shifting his weapon to be ready.

Bryce pulled on the reins of the horses, slowing the wagon as he sized up the six men. They seemed disciplined as they spread out around the wagon while one approached, their halberds at the ready. Slowly, he pulled the letter out that the Duke had given Thea.

“Duke Brook invited us here,” Bryce said, presenting the letter.

The man read the letter, then handed it back to Bryce.

“They are good,” he said before bowing to Thea. “I hope you enjoy your visit, Princess Volson.”

The iron gate creaked open, allowing them to enter the estate, and Bryce gave the reins a little flick to get the horses moving past the walls. The wagon rolled along a cobbled stone pathway that was better maintained than even the wealthiest parts of Witchbrook towards the large building. He took in the surroundings as they approached, spotting colorful gardens, statues, and fountains that put those at the university to shame.

“First time seeing a Duke's home?” Callie asked.

Bryce nodded.

“First time and hopefully the last,” he said softly. “I feel more out of place here than a fish on dry land.”

She grunted.

“This is a place designed to intimidate even other nobles. A way to not so subtly say I have the money to crush you if I wanted to,” Callie replied.

As their wagon rolled towards the three-story building, Bryce noticed three maids and a butler, all standing at attention with their heads bowed. As he brought the wagon to a stop at the front of the house, a maid approached the back of the wagon and started to haul out the trunk. The other two maids assisted Callie and Thea as they exited the wagon, while the butler approached Bryce himself.

“I will stable your horses, young master,” the Butler offered, bowing deeply.

The man wore gloves that were whiter than bones bleached by the sun, and his black coat jacket appeared plain, but Bryce could tell it was made from high-quality fabric. The buttons that lined it were probably made from solid gold.

“Thank you,” Bryce said as he jumped out of the wagon.

The door to the estate opened as he landed, and a very familiar man with a thin mustache stepped out. Unlike the maids and the Butler, he didn't bow. Instead, his eyes took them in as if scrutinizing them. After a long moment, he gave a slight bow towards Thea.

“I trust your travels were pleasant, Princess Volson,” Jasper greeted.

Thea smiled and curtsied.

“The weather was in our favor this morning,” she said before gesturing to Bryce and Callie. “These are my bodyguards. I'm sure you remember Bryce, and this is Callie.”

Jasper gave Bryce just a darting glance, but his gaze lingered on Callie a little longer before he gave a nod to her.

“Lady Queenshield, the Frozen Rose. I had heard rumors that you left the service of Duchess Frozenveil. I’m glad to see they were true,” Jasper stated before looking back to Thea. “If you will please follow me inside, the maids will show you to a room so that you might change from your travel attire.”