After spending a night with Sirgia in her recently assigned clan quarters, the two of us share a quick breakfast amongst her family, both close and distant, and head back to our shop. Daisy and Cecil remain within the compound, each handling their own part.
The Grand Patriarch has been informed about his role, the rest of us need to wait for him to make a move. His granddaughter is going to watch for any incoming messages to let us know about them immediately. As for the Patriarch's daughter, she's going to monitor the Stockhawker Household with her father and clan members, looking out for any sudden movements.
The thing is, with all the chaos connected to Zira's family, the Pleasure Queen has been left slightly neglected.
Oh, sure, Niel and Mevana have been working hard to run their joint shop, but the rest of us basically kept flying in and out in response to our enemy's movements. That's why, for today, I'm going to spend some time with our precious employees and bodyguards alongside Sirgia. We don't want them to feel unimportant when they are the heart of our operations in this land.
At the storefront, Lilia and Lilie come out of their clever hiding spot in the floral arrangements adorning the store. The plant decorations have grown extensively, covering most of the wall and the path near it, but not so much as to completely obstruct the building. Their big flower fits the composition perfectly. Whenever it opens, it reveals a sight even more breathtaking.
I bring the two green girls inside to shower them with some affection before the business opens. The two halves of one Liliraune relish my touch for a good few minutes, and I offer them a small reward for their constant overwatch. They share the nutrients kindly between themselves and return to their flower with mouthfuls of the tastiest snack their kind can covet.
Afterwards, I follow Sirgia upstairs and wake up the sleeping ladies according to her advice. Mev lets out a girly squeak when my special kiss rouses her from slumber. One look under the covers helps her brain catch up, and soon, a pair of exquisitely thick thighs holds me down while I continue our makeout session, stopping only after fully satisfying her need for some tender love.
Naturally, the commotion brings Niel out of her dreams too, but she quickly makes it apparent what she's been dreaming of as she shyly asks for a kiss too. I can't disappoint the purple-haired girl after taking care of her coworker, so she gets her request granted. Twice, for good measure.
One fast bath with all four of us, and everyone is ready to start a day at the shop. Mevana and Sirgia retreat to the workshop for their first shift, leaving Niel to man the counter. Since my expertise matches her station more than theirs, I stay with my genius mate's best childhood friend and give my assistance, jumping into my finest suit.
"Just let me know how I can help, and I'll be there." I ruffle through Niel's pretty hair. "And don't say that as the owner, I should just kick my feet up and chill somewhere in the corner. I'm the active type, even back at home."
"Thank you, Master. I appreciate it." She graces me with a tiny blush, ducking her head to sort things out behind her post. "I might still be new to this side of things, but I'm learning fast. I won't bring dishonour to your magnificent store."
Rolling my eyes at her endearing declaration, I sneak up behind her to slip a peck onto that lovely cheek of hers. "I don't doubt that. And you shouldn't either. Sirgia is very proud of you. And happy to have you in her life again. Just focus on enjoying it as much as you can. Any troubles, you can come and find me. We'll solve them in a blink."
A deeper flush spreads over her charming face as she takes a glance towards the still closed entrance and grasps my vest to pull me into a fluffy kiss.
"You already solved all my problems, Master. Including the morning ones." Niel nibbles on her bottom lip. "If you have any, you know where to find me. I'll happily assist. Anytime."
Oh, someone is doing their best to be bold. That didn't take long. But, I guess it shouldn't considering the fact that we provided her with an environment where she can be open with herself.
I boop the cutie on the nose. "Careful with statements like that. I may take you up on your offer in the middle of the busiest hour. You think you can handle that and still serve a customer?"
She turns positively crimson and twirls around to continue setting her base up. However, I don't miss the way she pulls her short skirt a tiny bit up, sharing her answer with me nonverbally. When she bends forward to reach the bottom shelf, I get a nice view of her violet undergarments. Her skirt wasn't the only thing she pulled up. Those panties are digging into her feminine secrets so firmly that I can see a clear outline of everything.
Sirgia is already teaching her advanced tactics.
I check the pendulum clock dangling on the nearby wall for time, snorting at its design. Because, obviously, the swaying part had to be shaped like a dick. At least the clock face isn't anything improper and is readable without any distractions. We still have a moment to go.
Which gives me enough time to go through our chaotic schedule again. I can easily get in contact with Daisy and Cecil, but it would be best to receive fast news from Zira's side too. Not that I don't trust their agents to deliver the information right away. I just prefer to be as careful with this as possible. If we miss the timing, it might all come crashing down.
Fortunately, I get a wild idea.
"Ailish," I call for my saucy Succubus, and she flows out of my chest right away.
"You called, Master~?" The perverted demon drapes herself over my side with a hungry grin.
"No getting wet yet." I smack her on the ass. "I have a question."
"Yes, you can flood all my holes atop the counter, of course." She bats her lashes at me. "The more people watch, the better."
I shake my head. This damn stalker is always listening in.
"At this point, you can return to me from anywhere that isn't magically restricted, right?" I choose to ignore her lusty remarks.
"Absolutely, Master." Ailish steps back and thrusts her chest out. "With all the cum you delivered into my womb over the span of our relationship, barely anything can stop me. Why?"
"I'm thinking of doing a little trickery on my abilities." I chuckle mirthfully.
That catches her attention. "Oh? That sounds intriguing. What do you need me for?"
"I'm going to bring someone here using Heart Swap. Then, I want to try swapping with you, who will wait in the shop. After that, you should be able to come back to me thanks to our bond," I explain my master plan. "Basically, you are my cheat code. If this works, I'll be able to juggle people without having to replace them even temporarily."
An excited spark flashes through her alluring eyes. "That's genius! Let's try it out right away! Who are you bringing in, Master?"
"Hecate," I answer, giving my target a mental heads up. "She's the best at staying undetected. Perfect for a spy."
Ailish directs a mighty pout at me. "You know, I could hide around in my mist form too."
"Maybe you could. But that would mean I wouldn't be able to summon you whenever I get the itch to stick my dick into something real tight and nice. You okay with that?" I smirk at her, crossing my arms over my chest.
She switches stances in a flash, waving her hands at me desperately. "No, no, no! Hecate is good! Much better than me at sneaking around! Come on, let's bring her in already! I miss that cold-blooded cutie so much!"
Chuckling to myself, I activate my skill and appear in some random room in our mansion back in the Human Kingdom. Verifying that Hecate landed in my previous spot without an issue, I do it again, this time picking Ailish.
Yeah, I could stay behind for a while, but I have a feeling that both the girls and my beloved mates would stretch that while as much as I would be stretching something else of theirs after being away for a bit.
I'll be back soon to properly embrace them and spend a moment focusing on the core of our presence in this world.
Experiencing the familiar pull and swirl, I pop back up in the Pleasure Queen, right in front of the pale-skinned spidergirl wearing her iconic superhero outfit. Noticing me, she drops to one knee just as Ailish flows out of my chest again, marking our experiment as a success.
"Greetings, Master." Hecate's delicate, cold voice tickles my ears as much as the strings of my heart.
She's improved once more.
"Get up from the floor. I don't know what they have been teaching you, but I would like you to relax a bit. You aren't on duty yet." I bring her up by her shoulder. "How have you been? And just be honest. None of those trained, professional responses."
The Arachne stares at me with her usual calmness. "I… I missed your warmth, Master."
"Then come and get some." I smile at her softly.
Thankfully, she doesn't hold back and wraps me up in a hug, right after her spidery limbs unwrap from around her chest, where they have been resting protectively. Instead, they curl around my frame as she presses herself into me greedily, her icy figure a distinct contrast to my hot blood, even with our clothes on.
Hecate is the first one to step back, unsurprisingly. "Thank you, Master. How can I help?"
"First, I'm just glad to see you again, so you don't need to be in a rush to get to work. Do I hear right that you've gotten even better at speaking?" I reach out to stroke her cheek.
Her face leans into my hand. "Yes, Master. My teachers say that I can now proudly represent you in most situations. I'm still lacking when it comes to the necessary knowledge, but my speaking capability shouldn't be a problem anymore."
As she ends there, I get a feeling that there's more she wants to say, but for some reason isn't sure about it.
"I told you to be honest, didn't I?" I raise a curious brow at the spidergirl.
Hecate's three pairs of eyes blink at me slowly. "Are you… happy?"
It takes me a second to figure out that she's asking about her development.
"You've always put my happiness above all…" I whisper to myself while shaking my head. "Yes, I'm happy, proud, and excited to see you become such a fine female."
The corner of her lips twitches ever so slightly, which is a big deal for the expressionless Arachne.
"Excited?" Her gaze dips below my waist briefly. "Would you want to mate again, Master?"
She steps closer and guides my other hand to her girly mound just as her sharp limbs pull the hidden zipper at her crotch. My fingers graze against her chilly core as she peers at me questioningly.
Meeting her eyes, I steal a kiss from the lithe woman, and she even kisses me back a tad. "Do you want me to mate with you?"
"I like when Master's male genitalia spread warmth through my vagina," Hecate doesn't linger in her answer, most likely taking my request to be honest to her heart. "I would like that. But it doesn't have to be now. I can wait for my… reward? Good girls get rewards. I'm a good girl for Master."
A snicker escapes me. So, they haven't been teaching her only the ladylike behaviour.
Withdrawing my fingers, I nod at her. "That you are. And I might just have a job for you that could earn you a big reward. Would you like to hear it?"
Her crotch is zipped up faster than I finish speaking, the gorgeous female standing at attention.
"I'm at your orders, Master." Hecate's additional limbs spread behind her in what would be an extremely threatening manner if I weren't already familiar with her.
She's still obsessed with being my servant, part of my nest.
"Alright. You are to closely observe one Miazira Stockhawker without being noticed and report her movements to me actively. I'll share some of my memories of her with you in a moment." I give her shoulder a squeeze. "Additionally, you are not to interfere with anything that's happening in her home, even if she's being hurt, unless she is about to lose her life. This might be difficult, because just as you, Zira is a subject to abuse from her kin, but she is bravely putting up with it right now while biding her time for revenge. Do you think you are capable of watching without stepping in?"
"I have learned about the feelings of pity and compassion, but I can assure you, Master, I won't ever hesitate to follow your words to the letter," she replies firmly. "If you tell me to observe, I will observe. If you tell me to protect, I will protect. If you tell me to kill, I will kill. I'm your paw—subordinate, and it is my duty to fulfil your desires."
She was definitely going to call herself a pawn there. What surprises me more is the fact that she caught herself getting into that previous mindset of hers and corrected the mistake. It really shows how much more of a person she has become.
"Good." I nod at her. "But, even so, since you are now capable of speaking comfortably, you should always talk to me when you feel something here at any time."
My palm rests over her slender chest, right over her heart.
"You are my precious companion, and I value your opinions. I might even sometimes make mistakes in my judgments. Whenever my order, or whatever you see and experience, or anything else, makes you waver or doubt something, just let me know. Can you promise me that?" I keep our gazes connected, staring directly into her dark soul.
Hecate takes a peek at my hand, then leans in to grace me with a gingerly kiss, her heart beating a tad faster under my fingers.
"Yes, Master." She steps back and salutes to her chest. "Hecate, heading out."
And with that, she winks out of existence.
Those threads of her are still utterly busted.
Ailish and Niel show up on my sides.
"She still gives me the creeps." The Succubus shivers, rubbing her arms. "Only you would teach a monster-born assassin how to feel. You are aware that she can at any point turn into what that otherworldly girlfriend of yours calls a yandere, right?"
"I'll make sure it doesn't come to that." I smile at her warmly. "Hecate deserves to be more than just a tool or a weapon. And, as her queen, it's my responsibility to ensure she grows into the best version of herself. A sexy, deadly, capable of loving, incredible spidergirl."
"She has the first two already covered, from what I heard. Evaneheim's streets are nearly empty of any more daring criminals or thugs." Ailish grins back at me.
"Who was that?" Niel tilts her head adorably.
"A very reliable lady who is part of his ever-growing family." The demoness points her thumb at me. "She'll protect you for as long as she is here, so make sure to befriend her. It might be a bit hard with how unapproachable she is, but she loves Al as much as any of us do. In her own, unique way."
The short Dwarf girl nods at her, assuming a resolute expression.
Perhaps Hecate will gain a new friend or two during her outing in these lands.
Nevertheless, we dive into business soon after. Even Ailish dons a very scandalous maid outfit and helps in the store. Customers flood in from the very first hour, and the dance begins.
Time flows fast as everyone works together to introduce and sell our products to the Dwarf females interested in some quality self-care. A number of guests are even bold enough to take some test rides in the special stalls on the side, which should be muted out, but it seems that a person or two forgets to activate that function as they lose themselves in the mind-blowing features of our toys.
One would think that might make the other visitors uncomfortable, but the first-hand musicals that happen occasionally only drive them to make a decision quicker if they have been hanging on for a while. Thus, it becomes an unspoken agreement not to point out the silencing wards after someone comes out of the booth. Both to save them from the feelings of humiliation and to boost the sales a tad.
At one point, there are more volunteers for the on-site testing than there are spots to provide it and literal queues form in front of the dubbed Trying Rooms. The name comes with a double meaning. The first is obvious. As for the second, it makes itself known due to how hard it is to try and hold back from staying inside forever.
And what's even more shocking is the fact that those women waiting in lines know perfectly well that these booths are supposed to be soundproof and still choose to blast their voices into the store occasionally. I have a feeling it starts some kind of competition, but I'll need to investigate later.
Over the span of the day, I receive reports from my dependable companions. Things are moving without any difficulties for now. Daisy's grandpa has made a stink as he was supposed to. Cecil's people have noticed commotion in the Stockhawker compound. Hecate has confirmed a message came in.
Everything is falling into place.
Also, in the meantime, my mercenary unit is taking care of small requests all over the city to make themselves more noticeable. If we want to use them for the second part of the scheme, they can't just pop out of nowhere and get hired by a reputable household for a sensitive rescue mission. Easy requests might not boost their fame by much, but their main goal is to show off and create connections with our branch in the Human Kingdom. Cecil's father will spread rumours about that for us.
Just like that, the night comes, and we close up the shop.
~Master.~ Hecate's voice echoes in my head as we are cleaning up. ~My target is lamenting on her lack of options to contact you without raising suspicion.~
~Is something wrong?~ I give Ailish my broom and focus on the conversation.
~From my perspective, she seems intent on updating you about her family's movements,~ the spidergirl replies.
~Thank you. I'll be switching with you briefly, so please make sure you aren't on the ceiling.~ I chuckle to myself.
That would be an interesting entrance.
We wait for the moment when Zira isn't in the room, and I use Heart Swap. I appear in a rich bedroom that fits the dwelling of an heiress to the tiniest details. You would not even have the slightest idea that something is wrong with its owner when seeing it. Everything screams of a wealthy noble lady living the best of her life.
I find myself right in front of the window and lean onto the frame, listening to the intense rain rampaging outside. Quite a heavy storm we have there.
My contemplation is interrupted by the golden-haired lady strolling into the bedroom through a side door, which turns out to lead into a bathroom or something, as she comes out only with a towel wrapped around her short figure. Multiple bruises and marks riddle her skin all over, even more noticeable without the cover-up.
A lightning bolt decides to strike nearby at that moment, and she jumps a little at the sound of thunder. Then, she nearly jumps out of her skin as she notices the shadowy outline created on the floor by the flash, spotting me just standing by the window with my arms crossed.
"Goddess!" Zira catches her heart, her eyes wide. "Wait. That's you! Why are you here? No, how did you get in?"
"You wanted to see me?" I smile mysteriously.
She gapes at me incredulously. "How did you…?"
"I have my ways." I shrug lightly, my gaze skipping to her blemished cleavage.
Zira grimaces visibly, holding her towel tighter to her chest. "I apologise for showing you something unsightly… I didn't expect guests and thought there was no need for make—"
"Hey." I cut her off, uncrossing my arms. "The only thing I regret is not being able to take care of those for you right here, right now. I should be the one apologising for intruding on your privacy and laying my eyes on your feminine body in a moment of relaxation."
Her face twists with a shadow of anger, and Zira opens up the towel, dropping it to the ground.
"There's nothing feminine about this." She gestures at herself. "Not anymore."
Before me stands a gorgeous Dwarf lady with a wide frame and considerable womanly charms. If not for the uncountable spots of disfigurement over her skin, she would undisputedly rival the finest Dwarf females, a prime example of how her kin should be built, no offence to Sirgia. Unfortunately, not even her intimate areas have been spared the rough treatment, and I can understand how she might feel horrible about her appearance.
The fire in her eyes fades slightly as she sees me walking towards her. However, she doesn't run, and I soon kneel before her. Picking up the discarded towel, I drape it over her shoulders.
"You are a stunning woman from top to bottom, and your troubling circumstances have no say in that. I feel lucky to have a chance to witness this appealing view. It's almost guaranteed I will have thoughts of it at night for a long time." I hold her gaze to convey my honesty. "So, don't you dare belittle yourself. These marks will soon disappear. You'll need all the confidence you can muster to attract a worthy mate and rebuild your family into something great again. You understand?"
Breaking the contact briefly to make sure she's all covered up and holding the towel together, I tilt my head in wait for her response.
Which, after a few long seconds of consideration, comes in the form of her face tentatively leaning in.
Smiling kindly, I press a finger to her luscious lips. "Now, I'm even more honoured, but I hate taking advantage of ladies in distress, so let's think about this clearly after you are safe and comfortable. And, most importantly, not in pain."
She does something unexpected and pouts at me cutely. A rosy flush consumes her cheeks as she turns around and trots to her bed, hopping onto the mattress. Her fingers clutch the towel to her chest, but the way her legs dangle off the edge causes the material to shift just enough for her belly and hips to poke out. Thankfully, she keeps her thighs together, concealing her decency.
Are all Dwarves naturally this seductive?
Now I feel even worse, realising that I'm making nearly every single Dwarf lady I met wait.
"Your plan succeeded," Zira announces. "Mother is furious. She's heading out the day after tomorrow."
"That's fast." I rise from the ground and sit down next to her.
"You hit her favourite property. What else did you expect?" She snorts to the side.
"Damn. We had no idea." I laugh openly. "Wasn't it kind of abandoned?"
"It's a trick to lower taxes. You don't need to pay as much if only servants live there and keep the building up," Zira explains. "Mother sneaks in there regularly. No one else knows besides me."
"Looks like fate is on your side." I bump into her shoulder.
"Maybe." She scrunches her bruised nose. "Do you think you can finish things on your side in a day?"
"Won't take even half." I wink at her. "What can you share about her escort?"
We dive into the details of the trip, and I make lots of mental notes for later. Nearly an hour passes as we discuss every important bit. By the end, I have no doubts we can wrap this up without a hitch. All thanks to our valuable double agent.
"It was a pleasure speaking to you, Zira, but it's time for me to disappear." I stand up and playfully dust off my pants. "Don't worry about contacting me again. I'll be in touch the moment you need me."
I start walking towards the door on the other side of the room.
"Ah, one more thing." Stopping before reaching it, I throw her a grin over my shoulder. "You look so much prettier without all that pesky makeup."
Zira remains stunned by my words until my hand grabs the knob.
"Wait, that's my bath—"
Her voice cuts off as I slip into the spacious bathroom and immediately swap spots with Hecate. Then, I watch through the spidergirl's eyes as the blonde bursts in after me, turns on the lights, and stares at the emptiness with her mouth agape, unable to comprehend what has just happened.
Back in the shop, I fill my companions in on what I have learned, send a letter to the Patriarch and the two princesses, and go for a nap within the confines of three nude shorties. We don't fool around, knowing that there's work to do in the morning.
We are woken up the next day by the loud knocking transmitted into the bedroom by the enchantments. I extract myself from the pile of bodies and dress up in a snap of my fingers. The perpetrators of this heinous crime turn out to be rather lively Cecil and Daisy.
"How can you still sleep when we have so much to do!" The latter huffs so hard she has to catch her glasses from falling.
"We got your message." The former tries to be a bit more polite. "What's the next step?"
"Come in. I'll explain while we wait for the main stars of today's show." I shake my head at them. "Seriously, it's not even six."
They hastily slip in and stand in the middle of the store, intent on interrogating me about the next phase of our operation.
"The two of you can chill out today. Tomorrow, preferably too. We don't want anyone making any connections between what's going to happen and your family. Keep the animosity and spying at the everyday level, got it?" I squint at the pair, and they nod reluctantly. "Great. Now, hear me out…"
In the fifteen minutes that we wait for Eden Beta to arrive, I clue the two in on the fine details. With that little peek into my brilliant mind, they agree that things should be fine and don't cause any more commotion. My girls show up and line themselves before us with respectful salutes.
"Alright, ladies. The mission is simple. Take your beast companions with you and spread in all directions. Stop by every settlement and town, asking adventurers or mercenaries about nearby bandit groups. Scout the leads and find out their hiding spots. We meet back here in six hours and compare notes. Any questions?"
"Sir, no, sir!" they chant in unison.
My eyes pause on Fullen, the High Elf Healer. "Will you be safe on your own?"
She smacks her staff against the floor. "My main role might be that of a support, but I'm strong enough to protect myself from a bunch of brigands, sir!"
"Very well. Dismissed." I wave them off, and they jump into action.
In a blink, they are all gone, leaving me with Diana. Sirgia and the girls come to get their good morning kisses, actual ones this time, and I plunge into the shadows too. My trusty steed leaps from one shade to another and brings me to the next city. Then, I check the guilds if they are available, inquire among merchants, and be on my way again.
Exactly six hours later, everyone returns to the Pleasure Queen without a scratch. Mev brings us drinks and snacks as we compile the gathered information. There are three confirmed dens in this territory. Out of seven rumoured ones, that's a decent score.
"What are our next directives, Boss?" Ressia asks expectantly, wagging her mesmerising tail.
"Pair up and capture a few bandits from each hideout. Bring them to the ruined cottage, half a day's horse ride from here. Convince them that they will live if they follow our orders. I'll deliver Stockhawker outfits to the location. Have them wear those underneath their armour and clothes. Their task will be to ambush Zira's mother, let at least one escort escape, and wait at the cottage. According to my intel, the guards are bastards, so we don't need to feel bad about them. Got it all?" I raise a brow at her.
The wolfgirl salutes silently and takes her squad away to start.
Cooperating with my stealthy spidergirl, I have Hecate drop Zira a note when nobody is looking, which shocks the poor girl white, a written message seemingly appearing out of thin air and just as abruptly fleeing her fingers. Still, the Stockhawker heiress doesn't stay dazed for long and hurries to bring the uniforms to her chambers. Making the final delivery, she finds me waiting there, waving at her in a friendly manner.
That doesn't help the accidental scare, though.
I shove the bundles into my spatial storage, distract her with something outside her window, and swap places in that short moment, watching her turn around to face empty air just as surprised as yesterday.
We might have a problem.
I'm starting to enjoy doing that.
Everything is ready by the evening. The bandits are very cooperative, thanks to our extremely convincing mercenary girls, and they lie in wait for their part. I spend the night at Sirgia's estate with my petite lover so that we can reassure the two princesses that things are proceeding according to plan. I don't wish to tempt either of them, so we avoid partaking in our love once again, lest someone walks in on us and decides to join in.
Hecate reports the matriarch leaving while we consume breakfast in a grand banquet hall. She follows after the departing party, acting as my eyes on the road. From then on, everything unfolds exactly as we envisioned it. Our paid-off bandits stop the entourage, a fight ensues, Hecate gives them an invisible hand, and they run off with the target. Two wounded sentries share a horse as they hustle back to inform Zira and the elders of the incident.
My arachnid operative observes the aftermath ten hours later, meaning late at night, considering the two-way interrupted journey. Zira acts properly taken aback by the report, calling for an assembly. The arguing and chaos descend on the clan's leadership as they can't agree on the best course of action. Our little foul trick with the concealed outfits that the guards have noticed in the battle causes them to even point fingers at each other, sowing more discord in their ranks.
In the end, they don't reach a consensus and move the council to the morning.
Which is perfect for us.
Said morning, I sit primly in our mercenary headquarters, going through the reports of successful requests the girls have taken up two days ago. Oh so unexpectedly, the entrance bursts open and two Dwarves barge in, more stopped from entering by the two ladies I have set up as our bouncers. Those outside are obviously escorts.
One of the two who came in is an older male in nifty robes, currently arguing with Zira. "—is too abrupt of a decision, Acting Matriarch! This company is too fresh! They have no experience! We can't rely on—"
"I'll tell you who we can't rely on! Our OWN people!" She snarls at him, making the man shrink back. "We can't trust ANY of our kin! And that's why we need the help of an outsider! I've been keeping tabs on this Human, if you have forgotten, and there is NO better option!"
They arrive in front of the reception, and she turns to me after one last glare in the elder's direction, softly clearing her throat and attempting to wear a polite expression.
"Greetings, Company Master. I know our first meeting wasn't too amiable, and I regret many things I said that day, but I come to you today with a professional request. I hope you can look past our grievances and consider accepting it." Zira bats her lashes at me, and when I simply stare at her impassively, she exhales in defeat. "If you agree to help us, we are willing to withdraw all our claims and promise to never bother you or any business you associate yourself with for the rest of our lives. I… apologise in the name of our entire household…"
Impressive. She's an amazing actress. The reluctance to bow while being forced to is nearly real.
Putting away the documents I've been reading, I stand up with the smile of the slimiest salesman. "Please, do not lower your head, Acting Matriarch. It's unbecoming of someone in your position. Let's move to the negotiation chamber and see what we are working with. I give you my word that we'll do our best, regardless of any previous interactions we shared. Our company's honour is on the line, in the end."
The elder is present during the meeting so that he can create another witness of our clean operations. We hash out the request, which is to find their matriarch at all costs. Zira adds a clause that she has to join us, and while the male fights her on this fiercely, he ultimately gives up after she reminds him that she's most likely the strongest person after her mother due to how many artefacts she has brought out of their vault for this rescue. Again, she reminds him they can't trust anyone, so she is the one who has to go, while he keeps an eye on the movements of other Board members.
My team assembles in a matter of minutes, and we ride out of the city. To make this as believable as it can be, we travel the roads and make ourselves seen by the other travellers. Ressia even sometimes shouts for them to get out of the way as we are on a critical mission from the Stockhawker Household, escorting the Acting Matriarch.
Half a day later, we arrive at the ruined cottage, jump off our mounts, and head to the backyard, where a blond-haired woman dressed in tattered noble attire is tied to a thick oak, surrounded by about twenty thugs. They notice us first, but we don't give them a chance to open their mouths, launching an attack immediately. The bandits go down like straw houses in the wind, their dying cries waking up the hostage.
Zira's mother has a few bruises over her face and collarbone, but not nearly as many and as horrible as those currently concealed all over her daughter's body. They share the hair colour, and their hairstyles don't differ that much either, but I immediately clock in the slightest divergence in… general beauty. The matriarch isn't ugly per se, but let's just say that someone's genes must have clearly leaned more into the father's side. And that makes this awful feeling swell in my chest.
They say women killed for less.
"M-Mia?" The restrained lady locks on the girl standing by my side amidst all the carnage, her voice hoarse from dehydration. "Oh, thank Goddess… You have no idea how happy I am to see you… Quickly, cut these ropes and free me… This vermin is working with someone in the clan, and we need to act fast… My poor, poor face…"
Miazira stares back at her with fingers curled into fists, her lips drawing a thin line. Taking a glance at one of the mutilated bodies, she crouches down and picks up a rusty shortsword. Giving it a brief lookover, she slowly walks towards the tree and her bound mother.
The final act is upon us.