You have gained in strength. Your level has increased from Fifty-Seven to Fifty-Eight. All of your Material statistics have increased by nine. Aether has increased by twenty.

  The fming amber letters in my Eye were wele as always, and as I cut down another Myid in front of me, my spear slipping past its defences and impaling the vulnerable cap that made up its head, I looked around to see that we had broken the back of the Myid resistance. Grulgor was drenched in vile green fluids, his mail banged up and splintered in pces, and even the heavy metal ball that tipped his mace was starting to look deformed from all the repeated impacts.

  Shaeu in trast was still impeccably tidy, her pinwheels cirg her. Even as I watched, she used a flicker of wind to remove the green goo that was smeared on her armour. On seeing my gaze, she tilted her head, and though the mask blocked her face, I could tell she was smiling.

  “That was quite-quite the battle. How many Myids did we sy? A hundred, more?” She looked at the devastation around us. “I now see why it is said that a single champion match-match a whole army, and why warriors such as Master Ulfuric, my sister and even those such as Duke Formor are said to be worth-worth a thousand Fae in wars.”

  “True, although I think the Myids might be a special case.” I said wryly, catg my breath. Having reached a sort of enlighte during the battle, I had used my muscles in ways I had seldom done before, so they were ag dully, though that was quickly fading, my enhanced physique fortifying my recovery. “Put me up against that many trolls and I’m pretty certain I’d be dinner by now. I could kill a few, sure, but unless I ran away their strength would eventually overpower me.”

  “True, Grul says trolls are strong. Though Grul is stro of all!” he smmed a meaty fist into his chest, mail jingling.

  “I’m sure you are. It’s hard to disagree seeing the devastation you cause.” I’m more certain thahat if I didn’t backstab him while he was tied up with the wyrm and use a type of wind that had excellent cutting prowess, there’s no way I’d have beaten him back then… “Still, we o decide whether to press on or retreat.” We could see the hill that housed the Spring, perhaps ten miles distant, or three leagues as the Fae measured things.

  I still had a reasonable amount of elemental energy within, ready for use, so could tinue. But we had definitely lost the element of surprise, as fighting suumbers there was no way to dispose of the Alert Spores before they got out on the breeze, so more and more Myids and their pnts would no doubt be heading our way.

  “I see o risk ourselves.” Shaeu said. “Much as I do like to see the vile Unseelie puppets perish, I am not-not foolish enough to believe we destroy them all in one assault.”

  “Yeah, probably better we retreat. But we’ll take a different route back, map out more of the area.” I said, and as we started to withdraw, the forest seemed to shudder, the ground trembling. “Uh, what’s that?” I asked, dumbly, befetting an ao my owion, as from around the hill, several utterly colossal ps were stirring, t a hundred metres or more i, overtopping the dead, rotting trees and massive mushrooms that made up the inner forest. They looked like the earlier shambling mounds, only being covered in thick spikes that jutted from them like a thicket of spears, and they had arms ahat hung down, as thick as the Rhyming Tree Asha dwelt within. Even as we tio retreat away from them, oook a massive step, crushing the forest underfoot, shaking the ground once more. The sed great mound bellowed, and suddenly a volley of the sharp needles were heading our way.

  “Shit, pick up the pace!” I cried, as the moon overhead was momentarily blotted out by the flight of thorny javelins, which began to crash down like a heavy rain. They were numerous, but fortuhe accuracy seemed terrible, as a tide of them fell short, pierg the opy and shredding the ground. Even so, with the sheer weight of numbers it was iable some would reach us.

  “Wind barriers!” I cried, and Shaeu nodded, raising her hand. Our swirling winds met, creating a jade co around the three of us, which shuddered with the force of occasional impacts. Even so, it held, and soon we were rag out of the forest. The iant mounds, those thorny behemoths, had also unleashed volleys of spikes, and vast swathes of fetid woodnd were now nothing but thickets of jagged needles and shattered debris. Several volleys overshot, smming into the barrier the Fae Stones protected, before scattering in bursts of brilliant light.

  “Fuck, I hope that doesn’t bother the Way-Wardens. Or worse…” As we darted between the Fae Stones and looked back, the t behemoths had stopped, gradually withdrawing back to the safety of the tall hill that crested the tre of the stolen nds. Fog my eyes I could see that amongst the vines and thorns that made up their massive bodies were swarms of Myids, many being types we had seen before, but others being strange shapes and colours. I tried to analyse them with my Eye, but the distance was too much.

  “So… think those are their secret on then?” I sagged down with relief, quickly disposing of the spores that were ging to us with a burst of wind and fme, before dropping my hood and pulling off the mask and goggles, taking a breath of air.

  “I have not-not heard of su tales of previous battles with the Myids.” Shaeu observed sourly, likewise removing her hood, shaking out her long amber hair. “Though most battles with them ended quickly due to their corruption, so perhaps they simply did not-not hem before?”

  “Grul thinks if the puny fungi had such beasts, they would seize more nd.” He rumbled.

  “That does make a lot of sense.” I agreed. “Although, are they any more dangerous than their spores? To us, yes, but to an average army, they are likely to die just as easily to the corruption. Still, I don’t think they are uable. I re Foehn could burn them up, if I got close enough. Still, it proves ohing we suspected. They have a lot more in reserve than just Myids. Well, it was quite the profitable run, anyway, and we certainly thiheir numbers, even if seeing them crawling all over the behemoths makes it seem like trying to drain a ke with a bucket.” I sidered the colle of Etherites we had found, the levels and skills gained, and the ether that was funnelled back to our Territory, and decided it was worth it. “We’ve also got a better grasp of the outer reaches of the forest. For now, we should see how Hyath and Ixitt are doing.”

  “Indeed, but first and more importantly, I need-need a bath.” Shaeu grinned. “You wash my back, and my front too.”

  Well, how I refuse that offer? I do need something to ease my tired mind…

  ********

  We dropped ear off in the ging room for ing and a maintenance check ter, and then indulged in some fun ihroom. When we were freshly ed up and ged we prepared to head out a Hyath, only to e across a bit of a strauation.

  “… don’t think this is a good idea at all-all, what will the prihink?” Velna was saying to one of the other maids, hispering to her in the er of the dining room. On seeing them, we halted, listening.

  “Well, we have-have to win back her favour do we not, as we have disappointed her. You should know better than most-most, as Shaeraggo picked you and Risha to apany her in her exile, no-no?”

  “Yes but is that something we should… oh, princess, there you are…” They noticed us and stopped talking, which was a shame, as I was curious about what they were talking about. I wonder what they pn to please Shaeu? I hope they don’t screw up, she’s ged a lot retly.

  Velna curtsied charmingly, before her gaze fell on me and she bowed. “sort, a good evening to you as well. It is a relief to see you both safe.” Her expression was plicated, but it seemed she was gerying to make the effort to follow the words of Shaeu and treat me with respect.

  Beside her the other maid tensed, before rexing and likewise curtsying. “Princess, sort. I apologise for us not notig you sooner. We will-will do better. we offer you some refreshments?” Her hands were ched on the fabric of her ce apron, exposiension. Even so, she kept up a smile while looking at me, which was admirable. Damn, does she still hate me that much? I think that’s the maid that Hyath nearly killed off, so I guess I uand…

  “I’m sorry, but we don’t have time for that yet, though I’m sure we’d love something ter.” I said, and Shaeu nodded. “By the way, all this sort business is a bit stuffy for my taste. Call me Akio, please.”

  “I ’t do that!” Velna gasped, before looking down, shamed at her outburst. “You… you are to be the husband of our dear-dear princess.” She was saying it almost as if to vince herself, I fancied. “If we show you such disrespect, especially after the princess warned us, well… I don’t want to be-be dismissed. g for the princess is all-all I’ve ever known!” she almost shouted. “Our beautiful little proud princess! How I grieved when you were exiled. But thanks to your brother, we serve you again.”

  Beside her the other maid, whose name I still hadn’t caught, agreed, though her knuckles were still white under her tawny fur. “Yes, nor would I wish to draw the ire of that… that thing you call your maid. She would take it ill-ill.”

  “A promise then.” Shaeu said suddenly, drawing all eyes. “Akio is rather shy about these matters. I find it adorable, of course-course. So instead, he be satisfied with being called master. He used to be positively thrilled when I did-did it.” She teased, drawing sdalised gasps from Velna. The other maid looked away, biting at her lip once more, fresh blood blooming, before she said some words, as though they were dragged out of her.

  “Very well-well, master, I shall do as the princess bids. If you have any needs at all-all, I attend to them.” She bowed again.

  Okay, I wasn’t particurly thrilled by it when Shaeu called me master, only embarrassed by it really, I’m gd we have a real retionship now. But I’ll admit when a maid does it, it hits different…

  Seeing the other maid acquiesce, Velna twitched with shock, before following suit. “Sorry, master. I will-will do better. We will tell the other maids as well.”

  “Good. I am pleased.” Shaeu said, and Velna looked gratified by her praise. “There may-may be hope for you yet. Now do excuse us, we have important work to do.”

  “I know you have grown, princess.” The other maid said, a trace of something in her voice, perhaps doubt. “But should-should you be braving the dead forests of the Unseelie? If you were to die there, like so many have before, we could surely not face your brain, nor live-live with the guilt.”

  “You need not-not worry.” Shaeu ughed. “Our protective gear is proof against the spores. With them we have little-little to fear. Today many vile Myids met their end at our hands. I am no-no longer a sheltered, selfish princess. I am one who will deserve her arrogance, backed up by deeds-deeds none question!”

  And with that she swept past them, leaving them to step aside, curtsying again. I followed, nodding to them, and Velna bowed back, head down, while the other maid met my eyes, a slight smile on her face, hands still clutg at her ce apron.

  Well, they are making the effort. I’d especially like it if Risha and Velna shape up, having them gring at me stantly is a pain. Oh well, no time for this, now we o see rogress Hyath has made…

  ********

  “Master, yooou came!” Hyath rushed at me, eg the master that the weaselkin maids were using now, causio flush a little. Still, I caught her outstretched arms and spun her away from me, as the gleam in her eyes looked a little dangerous, but as I did so she started to tear up, so I at least patted her head gently, softly stroking her dark hair.

  Ign the ughter of Ixitt, I turned my attention to the Fae Stones, where we had secured a half-dozen captured ps of various species, as well as a couple of Myids, hence why Ixitt was still wearing his full protective gear.

  “So, how did it go?” I asked, and Hyath looked at me, her eyes moist.

  “Sooo very hard, master! Hyath is trying, but I still dooo nooot get it!” she pouted. “But I will keep trying, for master and mistress! Hyath wants tooo be head maid!”

  “Well, I am sure you are trying your best.” I aowledged her. I turned my attention to the Fae Stones, notig there were quite a few less Degraded Weaselkin remaining than rovided her with. On seeing that, Ixitt barked anh, pr me several clear gss vials that had been corked and sealed with the barrier cream.

  “She finally mao get to the stage where the spores don’t kill the kobolds.” Ixitt said. “But as, they are still having no effect upos or the captive Myids.” He shuddered theatrically, tail twitg. “It was frightfully instructive, watg the mindless kobolds disie, fungus everywhere, but equally horrifying. I may have nightmares, but such is the path of Mortal Engineering, I shall not shy away from the end. If you analyse these spores with your Ether Healing, might you not gain some insights that may assist her?”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” I fended off Hyath, keepi arms’ length. Shaeu, seeing my troubles, pulled her off and started lecturihough with quite some warmth, sidering. All right then. First… my Eye fred amber as I peered at the fsks, getting various readings on the tents. Two were most iing to me.

  Boggart Death Spores - These spores are a nature element replication of Myid spores, with increased viruleainted by darkness energy that will feed upon the exposed victims. Wheering through the mouth, nose, eyes or any open wound, they lead to rapid growth of darkness-aspected fungi that leaches the energy and life from the afflicted, leaving them a husk and seedbed for further expansion.

  Brownie Irritant Spores - These spores are a nature element modification of Myid spores, tainted by darkness energy. They ck the harmful effects of the inal spores, haviwisted by nature element and darkness element energies, but they will heighten and irritate the emotions of the victim if they enter an open wound or orifice, leading to potentially erratid frenzied behaviours.

  “Iing. I think you’ve done well here.” I said to Hyath, who ed softly at my praise, looking at me coquettishly, lips pursed as if expeg a kiss. No way! Instead I gave her another head pat. “This one might be useful in battle and be used retively safely I think.” I showed her the vial, and after opening it, I carefully used a little wind to waft the spores over to Hyath, who breathed them in, eyes closed in thought.

  “Oooh yes, these.” She nodded. “I make these ooones easily enough, but they don’t dooo anything, master!”

  “I think you’ll find they do. Shaeu, Ixitt, I think I should be fine, but just in case, watch me as I breathe these in. If anything goes wrong, you heal me, Shaeu.”

  “Very well. I do not-not like the risk, but I have faith in your judgement and skills.” She said, taking up a position beside me.

  “Here goes then.” I decred, using wind energy to guide in the spores. They quickly took root, though Ether Healing rushed to ter them. Even as the spores were disiing though, I felt hot, and found myself lig my lips unsciously. Looking down I noticed that the top buttons on Hyath’s maid uniform had e undone, and the pale expanse of her throat and cleavage was visible. Quite the pleasant sight. Wait, what am I thinking? I turned away, face hot, to see Shaeu looking at me in . She’s so cute as ever. I’m such a lucky bastard…

  “Are you well?” Shaeu asked, only for me to seize her and start kissing her savagely. For a moment she was surprised, eyes going wide, before she reciprocated, tangling our toogether passionately, tasting each other. My hand started gropiight bottom, and my other haowards her chest… wait, this isn’t right, in front of Ixitt… I pulled back, our lips parting with a wet squelch, and Shaeu leaked out a hot sigh, looking a touch disappointed.

  Ixitt was looking down, his mask hiding his expression, while Hyath was once more stomping her feet jealously.

  “Why-why did you stop?” Shaeu asked, puzzled and flushed. “I like it when you are more-mgressive, like a great male should be.”

  “Sorry, I think it was the spores affeg me. I was turned on by Hyath so I had to look away, then when I saw you, I lost all trol. After all…” I admitted. “I already lust after you anyway, so when I saw you looking so cute my emotio crazy. Damn, those spores are some ons-grade stuff. If that was the effect of darkness element, it could definitely be useful to sow discord amongst the enemy.”

  “I see.” Shaeu said, pleased and a touch disappointed we were not tinuing as well. “So, what do you think?”

  “I have an idea. But first…” I opehe other, more dangerous, vial and this time I let my arm touch the spores first. It hurt, being a different co to the Myid spores, and dark mushrooms sprouted, before I destroyed then with wind and fme, healing my injuries. I repeated this several times, adapting to the spores, which happened rapidly, as they shared much with their Myid base. Eventually, I was evehing in more that Hyath created.

  “Yeah, I think they are rgely harmless to me. Though I did get a useful side be as well.”

  Your affinity to the darkness element has slightly increased. The amber letters were a surprise, but a wele one. “I have to say, darkness element sure is something. I could feel the mushrooms pulliher out of me as well as feeding on my flesh. If Eri could learn some of these tricks, I’d feel a lot better about her safety.”

  “So Hyath did gooood?” she said, and I nodded, giving her a gentle (and chaste) hug, allowio bury her head in my chest. “Yeah, you are doing good work indeed. But we just hat final step.”

  “Any ideas how?” Ixitt asked, fasated by our experiments, and I nodded, grinning. “As a matter of fact, I do have one or two.” My gaze took in our captive Myid Scouts, and they shivered, as if knowing what I was thinking was not going to be good for them…

  ********

  “Damn, we are really close now.” I said, taking a drink of the rich red Faerie Wine, feeling the warmth permeating my tired body and mind. Risha and oher maid was waiting on me, p me a fresh gss, while Velna and another were perf the same service for Shaeu. For ohe maids weren’t all gring daggers at me, which was nice, but there was definitely an atmosphere of some sorts, as several maids were gng at each other while they thought we weren’t looking, but my perceptive abilities were easily able to detect their furtive gnces and nervous behaviour. I wonder if it’s because of Hyath? She was once more insisting on helping prepare the food, as well as doing some ing, which might have offehem.

  “Do you require anything else, master?” Risha asked, and I shook my head. “No, this’ll do until the meal.” With that she pulled away, bobbing a quick bow.

  “Anyway, w together, I think we crack it soon.” I tinued, and Ixitt agreed.

  “Yes, it was quite the sight, seeing mushrooms grow from the Myids and pnt-creatures. A shame it did little harm, but it is quite the det step forwards.”

  “Yeah, usiher Healing, we tell roughly what sort of effect the fungal spores are going to have, so by paring several small ges we help Hyath cycle through many iterations far more effitly. I hate to lose out on raiding time, but I thiing this cracked is for the best.”

  “Yes, I would quite-quite like to be doh this, the stant feelings of danger and dread are stabbing at me like needles.” Shaeu pined, dabbing at her lips delicately with a napkin, her manners impeccable. Tuning to Velna she asked a question that had been on her mind. “Has there been any strange prowlers around the estate, dregs of the Wild Hunt perhaps? I should hate-hate for the mansion to be attacked in our absence.”

  “No-no, I don’t think there has been anything like that, princess.” Velna shook her head in denial.

  Hmm, is it my imagination, or… out of the er of my eye I saw the tail of one of the maids serviwitch as Velna spoke. It’s probably nothing, but… “Excuse me.” I asked. “Maybe Velna doesn’t know, but do any of you others? We are only thinking of your safety.”

  Risha and the maid who had reacted exged a brief gnce, before the maid nodded. “I didn’t think it was worth bringing to your attention, princess, master. But I did-did hear that there had been an incursion near here. I believe the Way-Warde with it, so I had not sidered it relevant.”

  “Wait, was there a Warning Bell?” one maid asked, puzzled, and Velna nodded, seeming equally fused.

  “That might have been while you were out-out replenishing our supplies.” Another maid piped up.

  “Oh, I see.” Velna said slowly. “So, did any escape?” she shivered. “If the mansion is in dahe princess…”

  “I am in no-no danger from some fleeing curs who could not-not even hahe Way-Wardens.” She sniffed. “Still, I wish no harm to e to any of you, so you must-must keep Akio and I appraised of such matters iure. We will have to take precautions.”

  “If puny dogs e, Grul will smash them, just like before!” he rumbled. “Grul will keep watd protect the home.”

  Before I could thank him, there was a loud crash from the kit, and a weaselkin maid ran out in tears, covered in yellow sauce, her fur matted with it, her white and biform in a terrible dition. Before we could ask what happened, Hyath staggered out, also dripping with rich, fruity liquid.

  “Careful, you ooot serve that slop to master and mistress!” she hooted, chasing after the maid. She was annoyed, but at least I couldn’t see murder in her eyes this time. “Dooo it properly! Hyath dooo it if you will not!” As she chased the frightened maid around, no doubt trying to let off some steam after hours of gruelling experiments, I let out a sigh. Never a dull moment around here, is there? Meanwhile the itch that was my Fht tio niggle at me, not deing. If anything, it was growing stronger. Yeah, I agree with Shaeu. I want to finish reg the Spring as soon as possible. Maybe then we avert whatever danger is hanging over us like an oily shadow… st time it was a raid on the shrine, putting Kana and the others in danger. Could it be the same again, just whatever remnants of the Wild Hunt that escaped the Way-Wardens attag? Or could they help others evade the defensive barrier and un atta force?

  Making up my mind to spend some time patrolling around the mansion to detey hostile intruders, I stood, grabbing Hyath and the dirty maid, usiher to se them of the sauce, scooping it out of hair, fur and fabric. As I began to lecture Hyath, the maid hid behind me gratefully. Well, at least I feel my approval rating with this maid going up a little… as Hyath started g, as mercurial as ever, I held in a smile. At least this is only a small problem to worry about, easy in parison…

  ShipTeaser