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Virtually Real Chapter 67: The Merchant and the Coin.

Prowl-Ar Nightiger Human Immortal shapeshifter. Able to change from human to anthro or full black tiger with white stripes at will. He can also take on the form of a Bull and a wolf, but his fur and stripe patterns remain the same.

Guild Master Reginald: Rat, Master of the slavers guild. A likable man concerned that the slaves his guild house auctions are cared for while in his custody.

House: Artificial Intelligent Game Construct, Prowl-Ar's butler, chef, and grounds keeper. Guardian of the House Nexus realm. House takes on or generates servants from chefs to teachers as those under his protection need.

Mahan: Holographic or drone interface. Artificial Intelligence based on Prowl-Ar's mind, but different due to extensive self-modification. Primary intelligence of The Shadow Runner spacecraft.

Kyle (Drake) Nanaki/ Red XIII: quadrimorph. He spends most of his time in his anthro Eastern Fur dragon form. His personality is based on Red XIII or Nanaki from the original Final Fantasy VII game. He can also take on his original form, wolf form, and lion form however his coloration and markings remain the same in all forms. In one of the games Kyle inadvertently contracted lycanthropy, however already having a wolf form this only allows him to get bigger and stronger when already in wolf form.

Shock: The Shadow Runners chief diplomat he and Dash are on a five year mission to the synth colonies in the Alpha Centauri System.

Luca: A Sergal with a high libido and is almost constantly horny.

Jordan (Wolf): Joined the Shadow Runners as the ship’s medic and eventually became one of their mates. Whether he knows it or not has divine connections. In one of the games they encountered a pack of werewolves. Since wolf already had a wolf form this meant when overly emotional he increases in size and intimidation.

Rider: An Anthro Smilodon. After contracting the lycanthropy Rider is now able to take on a werewolf form. However because of his already large size he is larger than most wolves.

Snowie: His fursona is as a folf, a fox wolf hybrid. After joining the Runners he became a folf shifter. He and his Husband Rekka are no in a relationship with Prowl-Ar and Kyle’s son Frost the otter/dragon.

Dash (SP-01): The first real world synth. AI mind created by Mahan and Wolf using Prowl-Ar's and Wolf's personalities merged together. The body chassis by Luca is also based on Prowl-Ar and Wolf's DNA patterns. Dash was programmed to act as a nanny to Prowl-Ar and Wolf's children. He fell in love with Shock. He became a new mate, primarily for Shock, but to the rest of us as well. He then began altering his form and personality in order to better fit with Shock's needs.

Fenrir (Ulfgar Lokison): The great wolf fated to kill the gods and consume the world. Bound by the gods Fenrir changed after his eternity in chains. He fell in love with a human and has decided to defy his fate.

Malhoket (Mal): The son of the goddess Bastet and a priest of Anubis. He was placed in Wolf's care as a sex slave. Curse bonded so that if they didn't have sex or were very far apart they would experience great pain. This curse has been broken.

Kebohtet (Keb): The son of Anubis. The God charged him to Prowl-Ar as a sex slave even going as far as cursing them to keep them together. This because he felt Prowl-Ar owed him a debt. Unlike other characters from the games Mal and Keb were born in ancient Egypt and picked up by Mahan as he journeyed forward through time. Since the curse had been broken they have become the group’s newest mates.

I know it sounds silly, and my mates were probably going to be angry when they woke up, but I just needed some time alone. Well, as alone as one could get with Mahan around. I'd retreated to Frost's room. We hadn't changed anything since he'd moved to the colony with Snowie and Rekka. Of course they moved when it became obvious the school couldn't handle students from Earth and all our children as well.

I don't know, Even though I had older kids Frost just felt like our first. They'd all moved out now. I smiled and hugged his Red XIII plush. He was always going to create one for each of us, but he got a little distracted with his boyfriends. They were happy and that's what was important.

"It's not like in the past. All of the kids will be around for hundreds of years if not longer. Besides, you know all you have to do is ask and they'll return just to be sure you're alright." I muttered to myself.

"Or you could just meet with them using the VR chamber."

"Mahan, don't try to help right now. This is just something I'm going to have to work through on my own."

"You know there is an easy cure?"

"If you say we can have more kids I'm- I'm- I'm packing everything and moving to a different ship. I had enough trouble getting Jordan to agree to a generational break so that the kids don't feel like we're just replacing them. Which is what you're suggesting."

"I didn't suggest anything. I was going to suggest you return to an old VR game. You have a virtual house filled with individuals that need your care." Mahan laughed.

I didn't answer. How could I? He was technically right. And it would be easier with just those of us left to play. I'd need to review were I left off and tweak it for those that weren't here, for now. We could also return to the MAS game or continue the knight game.

"Or you could do something productive. The station school has inquired several times about you teaching history from the first fall of civilization."

"I don't know. I don't really like thinking about before I met my mates. I- I think I've had enough alone time. I'm going to go crawl back into bed with my mates."

As I slipped back into bed Wolf cuddled up against me.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just needed a little time to adjust. Well maybe not adjust as much as accept."

"The option is always open to have more children."

"No, I'm not going to change my mind. It was hard enough convincing you we needed to take a break. I know it sounds silly but, I want to be able to spoil our grandchildren before we have more of our own."

"So where do we go from here?"

"I honestly don't know."

"Well, I don't know about us, but I was thinking maybe it is time to consider opening up the junkyard and recruiting crews for space exploration. I know Earth isn't ready for it, but there are some good people in our own nation that could be trusted. Besides, it's better to know what we might be up against out there." Wolf said, doing his best to influence whether I thought it was a good idea or not.

"That isn't a bad idea. I'd been considering it for a few years now. The Synth's have their own system so we already have allies; but I feel guilty that the Kobolds are still stuck on the moon with no planetary system of their own."

"So if you found a system with a planet capable of supporting human life, you'd resettle the kobolds rather than set up a human colony?" Rider asked, while wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"I doubt our kobolds would be happy without some human presence. After all I know some have human partners they've bonded with."

"Good. Then that's settled. Now both of you get back to sleep we all need plenty of rest for when our newest mates wake up." Kyle hissed quietly.

***

I sat at the king's table looking at both the current King's Shadow and the new king. Kyle had decided to step down and have the people elect a new king. It made sense if we were going to portal to the house setting in the future. However, after king Lorinnik was elected I knew I couldn’t just leave.

"So you're saying you're from the future? And you expect me to believe that?" The King asked.

"My king, Lord Prowl-Ar is the one that is responsible for creating our kingdom. He taught me how to use my powers. If he says we need to prepare for war then we need to prepare for war." The Shadow stated.

"I was just elected. The people will never support me if my first act is to draft everyone."

"You don't have to. I can tell you about the first attack and how to deal with it.” I rolled out the map of the northern section of the kingdom. “The first attack will come from this valley and sweep down on the village. It is very important that you make no move to attack. This war has to be unprovoked. It is the only way you can win.”

"So you want me to let them wipe out a village?" The king asked.

"No, starting today you're going to fortify all towns and villages against attacks as a kingdom improvement plan. This will also train the population. Such labor, as long as it isn't rushed or forced, prepares everyone better than just hacking at a training dummy. They won't be training, they'll be building and improving their homes. Since you have a year you're going to quietly evacuate the village, which is going to be attacked, replacing the civilians with the warriors you have and you're already training. When the attack comes you will be ready."

"Then we wipe them out and invade!"

"No. When they retreat make sure to let them go. They'll return home insisting that you knew their plans. You'll have six months as they retrain and try to discover the spy."

"A spy that doesn't exist." The Shadow stated.

"Correct. Again do not attack them. Their search for the spy and their aggressive recruiting method will turn their own people against them. So during this time you request that anyone that can, volunteer for the military. More importantly offer training to those that choose not to join as well. Tell them the training is free and you don't expect them to join the military, but they should still train so that they can defend themselves if the military does fall. Many will take the training. It is very important since there will be an attack here from another country hoping to take the kingdom while the army is busy in the north. The citizens will defeat them. Meanwhile in the North, seeing how well you are treating your citizens, the enemy’s people will rise up and topple the government and request to join this kingdom."

"So by just defending we'll double the size of the kingdom?"

"No, all the villages east to the mountains will also ask to join. They are already hostile to being ruled by the kingdom beyond the mountains."

"What about the South?"

"They only do anything if it'll improve their social status and profits. In order to avoid paying restitution for their attack here they will offer a treaty agreeing to never attack this kingdom again. That will end the war and you will be known as one of the most loved kings to have ever ruled. Now with your leave I'll be returning to my time. Oh and Shadow, the next time you see me will be my official first time in this realm. Therefore it is important that everything I've done before my next visit is erased from the histories."

"Understood, Lord Prowl-Ar."

I made my way out and once alone shut down the game.

"Not bad, but now what are you going to do about Rider?" Kyle asked.

"Prowlar returns, with my son. I train him to be the next Emperor. He is just about ready when I'm assassinated. My knight Errant and his squire disappear but it is rumored that they are still traveling the Empire rooting out evil. Of course the truth is I've just joined my mates in the house realm."

"Isn't that convenient?" Keb asked.

"Yes it is, but I very much want to move to the next game. Where I'm not on my own most of the time." Rider muttered.

"What I want to know is why no one is asking what happened that put you in a coma? Also why wasn't Wolf and Kyle as worried as the rest of us were?" Mal demanded.

"Mal, Tiger doesn't have to tell us. He's back now and that's what is important." Keb quickly replied.

"No, you all deserve answers." I said, quietly.

***

I converted the VR chamber to a conference room and then had Mahan contact everyone that knew about my condition. I kept myself cloaked as first Tye, Trace, and Nature logged in.

"So, is this the meeting where you tell us to start the sentinel program?" Nature asked. Gazing worriedly at Wolf.

"No, it's still too soon for that." He answered.

"Too soon for what?" Tank asked, as he and Tuft logged in.

"We're going to discuss what to do next, concerning the Captain."

"Does this mean you’ve come to your senses and you're ready to let me explore some of the technological options I've been working on?" Luca asked.

"Absolutely not!" Frost yelled.

"Sorry we're late. It took a little extra time getting everyone off this morning. The kids are starting to suspect that something might be wrong." Snowie said as he, Rekka, and Frost sat down.

"Well to start, I'm sorry to say despite our best efforts we've been unsuccessful." Kyle paused for a moment. "It seems Prowl-Ar is going to recover."

"Daddy! Don’t do that!" Frost yelled again.

I could see Trace smirking and I knew he knew I was watching. "Frost, calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down."

"Frost." Rekka ordered in warning.

Frost was immediately silent. I doubted anyone else noticed, but it was obvious to me that he had been gagged.

As I was saying if everyone would just take a moment and really look at the five of them you'd see that they're not telling us the whole truth. Isn't that right, Daddy Tiger?" Trace asked.

I pulled off the cloak. "Yeah, should have known I couldn't fool you. So as you can see I'm awake and fine."

"I wouldn't go that far, until I've run a few tests on you." Wolf pointed out.

"Have you discovered what caused him to collapse yet?" Luca asked while looking at Wolf.

"Before I explain, by a show of hands, who already knows why I was in a coma?"

Kyle, Wolf, and Frost tentatively raised their hands.

"Wait, Frost, you knew? How?" Snowie asked.

Frost glanced at Rekka.

"Oh right, you're free to speak again." Rekka said blushing slightly as the extremely small amount of material retracted from Frost’s muzzle. I’d have to ask if that was a new derivative or if they’d figured out a way to make the metal stronger. Such a thin strip shouldn’t have locked his muzzle like that.

"I didn't know for sure until Papa Kyle and Papa Jordan raised their hands. That’s when I remembered Daddy Tiger has had this happen before."

"Exactly, and you're all likely to go through this same thing eventually. We're immortal now but our minds aren't exactly meant to go on forever. As you get older you're going to reach a point where your mind shuts down and does a soft reset. When I was out here on my own it happened every couple of centuries. Now, it seems to be every couple of decades considering the amount of stimulation my mind has been getting."

"So you're back to normal?" Luca asked.

"No, but I will be after a few sessions with Rider."

"What do you mean?" Tank asked.

"This episode was triggered by separation anxiety. This is the kid's last year of primary school and they're all adults, so they are going to be . . . having . . ."

"They going to be starting their own independent lives and our tiger is feeling like he is losing everyone. But we're here and we're not going anywhere. It's the same for the kids. They'll be back to see us." Wolf said, while holding my hand.

"So you're going to be alright? That's good there is a lot of work I've been putting off while working on solutions to your non-existent problem." Luca said, before logging out.

I waited a moment and then thought I was going to start crying. I'd expected Shock to make a bet on Luca having a massive orgy. Only Shock and Dash were in the Synth system being good diplomats. "Anyway that's everything. I just wanted to let you all know I was awake and doing fine. That way if you were worried you wouldn't be any more."

It didn't take long for everyone to log off.

"So where do we go from here?" Mal asked.

"Well I can see two options. First we go back to gaming. Or second we all get some rest curled up together in a big pile of mates. So just let me pull up some game options-"

The room changed to a giant bed and I was tackled by my mates; but once we settled they made sure I wasn’t overly crowded or restrained. As I fell asleep I couldn't help wondering how I ended up being so happy and so loved.

***

I looked up the driveway from the gates toward House. Everyone was off reviewing the game to prepare for when we actually started. I, on the other hand had loaded a copy to check what was different. It had been so long that my two sets of memories had jumbled together. Almost everything was the same but also there were differences. I remember having sex with most of the characters but at the same time having memories of only having sex with the adults.

I sat on the bench by the fountain. My statue was at the very center. The next step down was Kyle, Shock, and Wolf. Rider wasn't there, even though Marius was. Fenrir and Raulin were there as well. It was strange. The slave statues were now adults. I guess it wasn't strange, since I'd progressed the game eight years so they would all be adults, just different adjusting to the new looks.

"Computer, please remove Fenrir and Raulin from this game. They served their time as slaves in another realm and have been freed."

"Do you want them removed from all reference and NPC memories?"

"No, just the fact that they were sent ahead. Actually just remove them from the fountain. Place a life-size statue of them standing along the road. That is how slaves that have completed their time will be honored."

"Should Raulin be clothed or nude?"

"Show me nude first."

"Error, unable to complete request."

"Clothed then."

"Error, unable to complete request."

"What is the error?" I asked.

"Fenrir is too large for a life-size statue to be generated."

"Oh, right. Display Fenrir in the size he spent most of his time as in the game."

The statue formed with Fenrir the size of a horse with Raulin leaning against his foreleg.

"And now clothed."

"Go with the nude. It fits the realm better." I jumped at Fenrir's voice in my head. "It's good to know you're awake."

"You knew?"

"Yeah, but I knew what was going on. Remember I'd been watching you since you modified yourself to have wolf characteristics. Anyway you have fun, I have a class to teach."

I sighed. If the gods were watching I hoped they were ashamed of the way they'd treated Fenrir. He had a job that he loved, teaching history. Plus he was really good with children. He and Raulin took in any kids that had been cast out for being gay or furry; giving them a stable loving environment where they felt safe and protected.

I looked at the house and noticed it had gotten significantly larger. Though considering we would be arriving eight years after we left it made sense everyone was going to require more room as they grew.

"Computer, even though they will be in the game with us, place a statue of Keb and Mal across from Fenrir and Raulin. Some of the characters knew we were going to Egypt to get them. They have certainly served their ten years, and then some. Oh and display everyone nude."

The statue formed as I returned to the bench and stretched out. It felt good to just relax. "Mahan, when the others are ready to start wake me. I think I'm going to take a little nap."

"Without being drugged or coerced? I'm going to make a note of this."

"Yeah, whatever." I yawned and shifted to full tiger form. If I was going to have a cat nap I was going to do it properly.

***

"Mmm, is my little pup hungry" I reached down and ruffled the fur. Wolf, Keb, or Kyle in his wolf form was vigorously licking me to hardness.

"Very hungry, Alpha."

I sat up abruptly. The voice hadn't been one of the three I's expected.

Gray whimpered, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, I was just surprised."

"Why? We all sort of arrived at the same time with a large group. Wolf noticed that one of them was ill so he rushed him inside. Kyle brought us to the fountain and explained the rules. He noticed you sleeping here and told me to watch you, then took the others inside to start cleaning up. I tried to be good, but, while we were traveling we didn't get to have any time for playing."

"It's okay. It's just we've been gone longer than expected."

"Longer? We all arrived together."

"Yes, but from different portals. Your portal brought you directly here. However for some of us it's been nearly twenty years. That's why House has placed statues of Fenrir and Raulin. They served their time and have settled in another realm."

"What about Master Shock?"

"He is on a mission in another realm."

"What about the other statue? I noticed those two with the rest of the slaves."

"That is a bit complicated. They have served their ten years, but the gods place a curse on them as well as Wolf and myself so that we can't be apart. They've been with us for the full time, so they aren't slaves, but not really free either. They are . . . well under the circumstances they are now our mates."

"So they are our masters as well?"

The question, though completely reasonable, caught me of guard. "I . . . I'm not really sure."

Gray nodded. He didn't ask if that meant if he stayed with us long enough was it possible for him to become one of my mates.

I had to remind myself that game characters wouldn't even think to ask something like that. "As fun as continuing might be, we’d best hurry inside and get you cleaned as well. Though you might want to take human form since it will be easier."

"So you're telling me I'm dirty and stinky?"

I smirked. "Yeah, just a bit. Fighting and running from monsters can cause that problem. However there's more to it than that."

"What do you mean?” He asked, as we walked toward the main entrance.

"It means you're going to be cleaned inside and out."

He whimpered, but didn't ask for an explanation. Once inside I found the foyer empty. "House, where is everyone, other than the newest arrivals?"

“They are at a festival in the Kingdom realm."

"Okay. First I need you to set up a portal to a new Guardian Realm."

"Char's Nexus? This was done seven years ago."

"Who set that up?"

"Master Kyle, he said you made a promise and rather than having you worry about it he'd just make sure it was done and then tell you when you started to worry."

"Very good. Next I need to get cleaned up. There is another promise I need to keep. Come along Gray. We need to catch up with the others if we're going to go to the festival.

***

The air was crisp and cold, as it likely always was for this realm.

"Master Prowl-Ar! You've returned to our humble onsen. How can we serve you today?" A six tail fox asked.

"I'm not here for a soak or any form of relaxation. I have a promise to keep. In my travels between realms I found one of your lost clansmen. I promised to bring him here. He is contained within a glass orb. Before I free him I'm going to need to be sure this is where he belongs." I reached into my pouch and pulled out the orb.

"Is this really the safe haven you promised?" He asked.

"I don't see any darkness or malicious intent in his energy. Let me connect with the others. It is possible he will be recognized." The Six tail said.

I waited as the fox spirit gazed intently at the orb. Then another spirit materialized.

"Father! Is that you?" The trapped spirit glowed with happiness.

"It has been a very long time. I believed you were forever lost outside the valley."

“The humans trapped me in here. Then I was placed on a shelf for a long time. I seemed to slip out of place and I found myself in a dragon's treasure. I figured out just enough of the magic that carried me there to slip into another place, but I was discovered. I was forced to pretend to be a magic future telling orb, but I wasn't very good. Most of my predictions were wrong. I developed a cursed reputation. I was passed around by so many beings that I stopped caring. I'd nearly lost all hope when Lord Prowl-Ar found me. He told me that he would bring me to a safe realm, but I never imagined he'd really get me home."

"So everyone agrees this is where he belongs?"

"Yes. This is where he belongs." The elder fox replied.

I nodded and broke the crystal allowing the spirit to escape. The wisp immediately went to his father, who also became non corporeal and they disappeared.

"Oh! They wish me to apologize on their behalf, and the young one wants me to thank you. I thank you as well. This is the first time one of those we believed had been forever lost has returned. It gives us hope that other lost members will one day find their way home."

"I'll be sure to watch for them in my travels. Now I must go. I have been gone a long time and there is another promise I need to keep."

"Of course, my Lord. You, your mates, and your slaves are always welcome here."

I turned and headed back to the portal. Next was my promises to Char.

***

As I stepped through the portal into Char's caves I was amazed at the modern light fixtures. No more electrolisks floating about.

"So you finally decided to face me. Let me guess you lost the books and you've been scared of facing my wrath?"

I laughed. "Your books have been here the whole time. As it turns out Frost only had one type of magic. An innate ability to create realistic illusions. So real in fact that as long as he was maintaining the mana release they were basically real."

"Oh, I bet he was disappointed."

"Well, no. As it turns out he is a born shifter and when he shifted to human form I immediately knew one of my mates was his father. So that also made me his second father." I said, as I retrieved the magic books from my bag and placed them on a table.

"I knew placing him in your care was the right decision. So where is he now?"

He's living in another realm with two humans that serve and service him."

"Ah to be young and alive again. So, do you have anything for me? Setting up the energy maker and the lights paid the first part of your debt. I suppose making sure I was linked to your realm so that I could have visitors who weren't scared of me was another part. However you still need one more thing that won't show up here."

"Do you have a television?"

"A what?"

"An entertainment device that shows theatre performances from other realms? I mean, you have enough remotes but do you have a moving picture frame?"

"No! Can you really get me something like that?"

I grinned. "Yes, I believe that can be arranged. I'll just need a free cavern to set it up in."

"Here, your slaves found these and they have been really useful."

I stared at the axe, pick, and shovel toys he handed me. They were composed of small, soft, shimmering blocks. I wasn't sure what was going on.

"So this is something you didn't know about? Follow the light." He flicked his wrist and small blue lights started to pulse out of the room and down a tunnel then he disappeared.

Still confused I followed the blue light. It didn’t take long until I was looking out over a gargantuan cave. It was nearly as big as the Queens nesting chamber in the MAS game. In one top corner there was a mass of glowing blocks imitating the sun. The ceiling was made of several types of blue blocks and the center of the room was filled with blocky trees.

"It takes some getting used to but since the caves no longer connect to a surface world, not that I ever bothered to go to the surface anyway, it is nice to come here and read under a tree. Your slaves built this. They said it was like a game in their realm but here they could play it for real."

I looked at the pick and then tapped it against the wall a couple of times. It squished doing nothing then on the third squish a square block seemed to magically pop out and it was sucked into the pick. "This is going to take some getting used to, but something tells me, if I have any spare time, I'm going to be here digging and building."

"I like the sound of that."

“I'll get a TV put in soon."

"I can't wait!" Char said excitedly.

"You're going to have to. I haven't found any of my slaves since I got back, however it was very important to me to keep my promises."

"Last time they were here they were talking about a festival. You might choose whatever realm might be having something like that."

"Thank you Char, I'll do that now."

***

I made my way around house while everyone else was out touring the island and learning their limits. The basement area hadn't changed other than new realm portals being added.

The bottom floor was mostly the same. Though it now had a more "lived in" look. The dojo had moved into a new addition at the front. The weight room had been moved into the space opened up where the dojo had been and the old weight room was now storage. At the other side the ball room had been bumped out and the formal dining hall was much larger. The small dining room had been converted into an office.

The second floor now had dorm rooms on both sides. I was a bit confused by the fact that the main hall was still only two stories high when from outside I could see it was three.

The third floor had more dorm rooms on the left and the theatre and library taking up the two floors on the right. The library extended out into the new addition with a dedicated map room, including the new realms. Beside it was a study room. The center of the floor was completely blocked off. The top floor on the left side was a master suite. Outside I found that the roof was almost the same except the center section was an infinity pool that extended out over the main pool creating a water fall at the back of the house. After a bit of checking I found controls to restrict or turn off the waterfall effect.

In the master suite I found that there was a private elevator down to the main floor opening into the hallway between the dining room and the kitchen.

"Lord Prowl-Ar, the med tube has completed your slave’s restoration." House informed me.

"Please contact Rush and have him meet me in medical."

“Kyle has completed the Island tour and they are returning. However, they haven't yet visited the village yet."

"House, how much area is covered by the barrier now?"

"The entirety of the caldera. There aren't yet enough slaves to extend to the greater island and out into the ocean."

I wasn't planning on adding more slaves any time soon, but I knew Timid and Brave would do better in a saltwater environment. "Understood."

"Sir, I have also detected an anomaly in the Kingdom Realm."

"Is it a hidden underground bunker with a large space craft in it?"

"You placed it there?"

"Yes, we inadvertently entered a realm not realizing it was the Kingdom Realm."

"Understood. Oran and Razor will be happy to know that once their slavery ends you will be able to take them home."

I’d forgotten that Kyle’s two slaves arrived in the Kingdome realm in a spacecraft. That implied there was a dinosaur planet as well as a standard furry world in the kingdom sector of space.

I entered the medical area and found Rush working to catch his breath. "I'm here, master. Is Spanner alright?"

"Let’s find out." I opened the med tube.

The Lombax blinked and looked around.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"Okay, I guess. Where am I?"

"You're home. At least the place you're going to think of as home."

"I don't understand."

I sighed. "What is the last thing you remember?"

"I'd been captured and they told me I was going to be transported to another galaxy to be sold as an exotic slave. I don't know how long it took but I know they didn't provide enough food. Next I remember being pushed into a cell and then seeing a blue alien. I remember thinking he was the most attractive being I'd ever imagined. Then I woke up here."

"That blue alien is going to be your mate. He, and you, are my slaves. Don't worry other than a bit of sex most of your time will be your own. There are some rules. You're not allowed to lie. You have to obey your masters, which is primarily me, but also includes my mates."

"And except on certain occasions there is no clothing." Rush quickly added.

Spanner looked down and quickly covered himself.

I moved his hands aside and looked him over. "Hmm, everything looks good here, I don't know what you're trying to hide."

"He looks really good to me." Rush said, excitedly. I noticed he'd slipped from his sheath.

"Rush, didn't one of my mates tell you something?"

"Oh, right no sex until tomorrow."

"That goes for you as well Spanner. Your system was cleaned and enhanced in the medical tube but your system needs to adjust so no exchange of fluids."

"How do you know my name?"

"I'm not sure exactly. Either you or Rush told me or it was on your bill of sale."

"Tiger, we've completed the tour of the grounds. I'm wondering how long we've been gone. We seem to be the only ones here." Kyle said, as he entered.

I noticed Spanner went to cover himself again, but stopped himself as he realized no one was wearing clothing.

“House says there is a festival in the Kingdom realm. That means Mika, at the very least is busy in the bakery and I'm betting just about everyone else is there as well."

He sighed, “I'll have everyone pair up with their mates, if they have one, and get dressed. If Mika isn't here to do the registering we're just all going to have to go the guild together." Kyle sighed.

I'd forgotten that bit. Even other worldly slaves had to be registered. "Okay, let’s go find the rooms you've been assigned so you can get dressed."

"But Kyle said-" Rush started.

“We'll all be traveling to another realm. We're the only ones in this realm so we can go around naked. In other realms we dress as needed." I replied.

"Come on Spanner, I found our room during the tour."

Keb entered as the two ran out. "Master, Wolf is helping organize everyone, but he said you were feeling off. Is something wrong?"

"I'm just not sure I can do it. There is just so much lore to this game that I've forgotten. I'm worried everyone is going to realize I'm just a senile old man."

"Stop that right now. You're not senile. After nearly twenty years most of us have forgotten things. I'm sure it'll all come back to you as we play, and if it doesn't then it wasn't really that important."

"Thanks Keb, I needed that."

"You're welcome. Now spill, what is the story with that gray wolf and his constant need to be close to you?"

***

Rider and I entered the Slave Guild. He wasn't happy about it either.

"I don't get why I have to be here,"

"It's required that all slave masters register in person."

"But I don't have any slaves."

"You have Marius. He may be mated to one of Kyle's slaves but he still has your collar."

"Excuse me, but are you here to register this . . . cat as a slave?"

I glared at the ferret behind the counter. "No I have other slaves to register. My mate is here to register as a Master."

The ferret sighed boredly "Fill out-"

I placed the form on the desk before he could finish.

"Unfortunately the Guild Master doesn't want to be bothered today. Return in a few days and-".

"Has Master Reginald retired?"

"I said-" the ferret started.

"Is Reginald still in charge?"

"He isn't to be-"

"Reggie! Get your fat rat ass out here." I yelled.

"I'm telling you-"

"If you don't I'm coming in that office and taking that shadow coin."

The ferret gasped.

"Crim! What is all this noise . . . Master Prowl-At? You're back!"

Yes, I admit I've been gone far longer than I imagined, but I've returned with a few more mates and a couple more slaves."

"Let me guess two, maybe three hundred considering how long you've been gone?"

"Oh no, nothing like that. Only four more mates. One of which is off with Shock, our fox mate, on a mission in another realm. Two who haven’t decided whether they want to be masters or not. They were former slaves. If they decide to take on the role I'll have them register then. Right now there is just Rider here, and he needs to register since he picked up a slave in another realm. One that didn't require registration."

"Not what I meant. Still I presume you have the paperwork all filled out?"

"Of course. All that's left is a guild master witnessing his signature."

"Of course." Reginald smiled happily.

Rider quickly signed his name. "Can I go now? I don't like the smell of this place. Too much fear and sadness."

"Yes, but wait outside with Marius so you can register him. And send in my slaves."

"Rider nodded as he rushed out."

"Still sensitive to auction houses. Some never get over it. Can't say as I blame him. Now, why are your slaves here? I trust your paperwork is in order."

"Well, as you know, I tend to pick up interesting specimens and I thought you would like to see types you've never seen before."

"Ooo! Young Crim, take good notes these are likely something really special."

The Ferret yawned as though he doubted that was true.

"Numbers fifty-three and four Charcoal the Arcanine and Sparx the Luxray."

"My, your tastes have diversified."

"A dog and a cat. Unusual color patterns but nothing special. And why the numbers?" Crim asked.

The master cuffed the back of the ferrets head. “Because they are Master Prowl-Ar's fifty-first and fifty second slaves."

"Oh. I've seen masters with more."

"Sorry master Prowl-Ar, He's no Mika, but he isn't as stupid as he seems."

I nodded. “Next up are 55 Crimson the Incineroar and 56 Chomper the Tyrantrum."

"Another cat and a dragon. Admittedly a bit more exotic, but not exciting."

I glanced at Chomper and shook my head. He remained silent even though I could tell he wanted to tie the tube rat in a knot for implying he was a dragon type. “Numbers 57 and 58 Rush the Lucario and Spanner the Lombax."

"Another dog and a . . ." He trailed off as he tried to classify Spanner.

"A Lombax. He has features of many species but in the end he can only be classified as a Lombax." Both of them grinned at the ferret. "Moving along are 59 Stone the day form Lycanroc and 60 Iceberg the Arctivore."

"Two more dogs."

Both of them growled

"Never mind what I said earlier, maybe he is that stupid. Crim, those are wolves. Maybe not the standard coloration but you should never call a wolf, even one that's a slave, a dog." Master Reginald chastised the ferret.

I was happy that both of them were quieted by Master Reginald's quick thinking. "Then there is 61 Inferno the Carnagrius and his mate number 62 Speed the Jeetah."

"A tiger and a Cheetah."

I rolled my eyes, so there was no impressing the little snot. “Finally number 77 Gray."

"A standard wolf."

"Werewolf, you little criminal."

The Ferret was on his feet in an instant. "Don't ever call me that, slave." He snarled.

"And a werewolf is different how?" Master Reginald asked.

"It means part of the time he is human and part of the time a wolf but most of the time something in between the two."

"Very interesting indeed. But why the number jump?"

I smirked, "As you know my mates use the same numbering system adding their slaves to my total. They picked up some slaves before and after Gray. Shock's slaves are next. Even though he isn't here currently, they still need to be registered in his name. Gray, please sent in Shock’s slaves." He nodded as my group filed out.

"Given your standing, that's fine." Reginald said happily.

"Master that isn't-"

"It's fine. Unless you can think of anyone other than the king and Lord Prowl-Ar that can summon the King's Shadow without repercussion?"

Crim's eyes opened wide for the first time. For once he kept silent.

"Seventy-three the night form Lycanroc-"

"Wait, he looks nothing like the other . . . wolf." Crim said, quietly.

"My brother is a day form, I am a night form. When we evol-"

"Their species has three different types depending on when they were conceived. Day, night, and dusk or dawn. Blood is a child of the night." I quickly explained. Blood looked at me oddly but didn't try to correct me. "And this is number 74 Fang the Mightyena." Okay you two can go and send in Stede."

Both Marius and Stede came in. "I'm sorry, Master Prowl-Ar, but Master Rider needed to be away from this place. He said it was making him . . . need to hunt. So he went to help Master Kyle find your other servants."

"Okay. If that's the case then it's for the best." I turned back to the desk. This is Rider's slave, number 78 Marius. He is also a werewolf."

"I . . ." Marius seemed to deflate a little. "I guess I am."

"And this is Kyle's slave number 79 Stede the-"

"My god! You're a Pegasus! I thought your kind was a myth. Can you fly?" Reginald asked excitedly.

"I- no, I can't."

"Never mind, those wings and that body, you are truly a wonder to behold. I swear, if I was like Master Prowl-Ar I'd give anything to own you. Master Prowl-Ar, is there any chance you could get me a female Pegasus? I know my wife wouldn't like it, but so what?"

"I'll just pretend I didn't hear that. Not that it matters the gate to Stede's realm was permanently closed. So, probably not." I couldn't help thinking about Peter and Jordan's world of mythical beings. Technically they were in this realm and there was a very good chance there were Pegasii there.

"A shame. Still I must say I envy your mate a great deal right now."

"Tiger, I hope you don't mind but I sent those already registered with Rider to enjoy the festival."

"That's fine Wolf."

"And this is?" Master Reginald asked.

I glanced at the Guild Master and then at Wolf. He was registered. Then it hit me. He was registered in a new game version and not this one.

"Oops, we both forgot that little fact." He said telepathically.

"Crim, get A new Master registration form for Lord Prowl-Ar."

I thought the ferret would protest, but he just shook his head as he scurried off.

"We're very sorry." Wolf apologized.

"Think nothing of it. With Lord Prowl-Ar and Master Kyle's standing it's no problem at all."

I did my best, but I could only remember chastising Kyle for not being sure to examine the slaves closely enough before bidding. Something felt off. Master Reginald was being just a little too accommodating.

Crim quickly returned and passed the papers to Master Reginald, as though he wasn't going to sully himself by having any contact with me.

"Here you are. You get this filled out while Master Wolf registers his slaves."

That off feeling intensified, but I went to one of the tables and started filling out the papers.

"Most of my slaves are in numerical order from sixty-three through seventy-one with the last one being number eighty. First up are my sharks Bold and Timid followed by Bort the boar and Tu'Ruk the Orc."

"Whoa, how do you keep such large slaves under control?" Crim asked.

"Their sweet disposition and their fear of me should I get angry." Wolf growled. "Next are Shifu the Urshifu, Leather the Obstagoon, Terro the Mudsdale, Dusk the dusk form Lycanroc, Cogneur the Machamp, and Asaut the Nidoking. Finally there's number seventy-eight Acteon the stag."

Crim didn't comment but he stared at the Pokémon as if his brain had locked up. I passed the form to Wolf and he signed where Master Reginald indicated.

"Just to be clear we had four more slaves, but they have completed their terms and have been freed. Number 73 Fenrir the wolf, 74 Raulin the human, 79 Malhoket the cat, and 80 Kebohtet the Jackal."

"How-" Reginald started.

"I'm only informing you so that your records reflect the correct numbers without any missing." I continued.

"That is a violation-" Crim started.

"Crim, enough. Lord Prowl-Ar, can I speak with you privately?"

"Don't worry, Chiot. I'll get this settled and then meet you. Just find the shop that sells bread."

"You've been gone for some time. The Bakers sell a lot more than just bread now." Master Reginald said happily.

Wolf nodded. "If you need help let me know and the King's Shadow will be here immediately." Wolf thought to me.

"I'll be fine." I replied, also in mind speak as I followed Reginald to his office. Once inside he locked the door.

"You’ve been gone for eight years, however I presume it's been longer for you?"

"What?"

"The new King, the first after Berik, Didn't much care for reading or books and went to dispose of the entire collection. I don't know how but Mika was able to convince the King's Shadow to exert pressure for a new archivist guild to be formed in order to collect and preserve a copy of every book in the kingdom. I think the king only went along with it because he learned he couldn't collect the taxes without the accounting books."

"After all the trouble the kings of the past went to build that collection. I can't believe-"

"And on the day, which will be forever known as the first day of the first year of the kingdom a strange human knight wearing black armor with white stripes appeared. He traveled with slaves that he treated with respect as though they were friends. He was brought before the ghost king, and though no one knows what was discussed, a new system was established where the people would elect the King to rule the kingdom and the ghost king became known as The King's Shadow, ensuring that the people were treated justly and the King didn't abuse his power."

I stared at the book. There was an illuminated picture of myself and my slaves. How did I not know about this book!

Master Reginald turned almost to the end. “A stranger arrived today. He seemed to exit through a wall in the castle. At first it was believed he might be the king's shadow by his armor except he was a dragon instead of a human. He spoke with the king and became his advisor. He spent much time in the village helping where he could." Reginal flipped a couple of pages. King Kyle the first is elected. His rule is only four years. In his fourth year a black tiger with white stripes arrives from the stars. King Lorinnik the Lion of war is elected when Kyle refuses to remain king. The Kingdom goes to war. Though there are many battles there are very few casualties on the Kingdom's side. It is though King Lorinnik knew where the enemy would be."

Reginald flipped to the last few pages. "I am King Berik, Lorinnik's successor. Today I noticed a human in black armor with White stripes. Is this an omen that the kingdom is entering a new golden age? Lord Prowl-Ar rarely comes to town, however I have consulted with him and he does give good advice. Yet he seems so lonely. He never has any slaves with him. I've seen him look at the slave guild on several occasions. I may be a fool, but I no longer think I am dealing with the knight of legend. I believe he will become that knight and somehow travel back in time."

"That's just silly." I tried to explain.

"Really? Then you'll love this next part. King Kyle has returned. My royal Knight Sir Wren has confirmed it. He is one of the few that actually met the dragon king. What surprised me is Lord Prowl-Ar introduced him as his mate! Neither one seems to realize that they are known. I'm more sure than ever that they will travel back in time to critical points in our past to build the kingdom into the wonderful place it is today. This will be my final entry as king. I am stepping down, as agreed, today. It has been six months since Lord Prowl-Ar was last seen. His slaves still make regular trips and insist that they still belong to him. He is just traveling currently. I'm sure he is. I just hope he returns soon. The new King has made a lot of promises to get elected but I don't think he will be good for the kingdom."

Reginald stared at me. "You've been gone eight years, yet you had slaves that spent ten years with you. Also Mika accidentally told me that you travel between realms and sometimes time runs differently. I swear upon my life and to the King's Shadow that what I have learned will go no farther, but I really want to know, how long has it been for you and your mates?"

"As you've learned time can flow differently in other realms. I'm not going to say anything about the past of this realm, but for Kyle, Shock, Wolf, and myself it has been more like twenty years."

"That long! I- I never imagined. . ."

"So, is this blackmail?" I asked.

"No!" The look of horror on his face told me he meant it.

"Then why tell me you know all this?"

Reginald looked worried. "No one is happy with the current king. However he refuses to step down and the few people that might make good leaders and have considered trying to get elected suddenly changed their mind."

"The King's Shadow would stop him if it the will of the people."

He placed a summoning scroll on the table. "No one has seen the King's Shadow for three years. I- I tried to summon him but he never came."

I narrowed my eyes. It was possible to trap a spirit being, though not easily. If the current king had found a way and was turning tyrant . . .

"I know you have a special connection to the Shadow. If you could find him. . ." He glanced around the office nervously. "At the end of the festival I'm retiring as the Guild Master. I . . . I'd like to . . ."

"You want to be king?" I asked.

"I know, a rat king is completely unheard of, but something has to be done. It's just, without the support of the King's Shadow no one is going to elect someone like me."

"What I'm about to tell you can never be told to anyone. The King's Shadow is the first ruler of these lands. After he died he was so ruthless and powerful he never moved on and his spirit haunted the ruins. Eventually he found he could possess humans and he became king once more. However because of his power he rapidly consumed the lives he possessed. Then I arrived."

"As I suspected, most of the time he is possessing you."

"No, I'm immune to possession. Instead I took control of him."

"So you're-"

"Most of the time. Except when we are in the same place at the same time, then he possesses someone else. Though, for the most part, he prefers to just watch his kingdom flourish rather than interact. It's possible he has moved on from this world, however I don't think that's the case."

I sighed and pulled a new summoning scroll from my pouch. "Tradition mandates that the king must ask the people if they are happy with his rule at the end of the Harvest Festival. It is then that anyone may challenge to be king. Begin letting people know that you, for the betterment of the kingdom, are going to challenge and that you have the King's Shadow backing you. If you are threatened, that scroll will work."

"Thank you, my Lord."

"Just be sure your intentions are pure. If they are not I will find out and I or one of my mates will end you. You know far too much as it is."

"I- I understand."

"Good. Now I'd better catch up with my mates and my slaves. Eight years is a long time to remain loyal to a master who is missing."

Reginald smiled, “And yet they are. I've never seen anything like it. Within minutes of talking with them your slaves are loyal to you."

I smiled, "I respect their wants and needs and I listen to them. I only have one real rule and that is no lying to me or my mates. Beyond that I try not to force them to do anything against their will. I doubt such a method would work for anyone else, though so far it seems to for my mates as well."

There was a knock on the door.

"Crim! I'm not to be-"

The door slammed open and a pudgy dragon strutted in. "Reggie! It's been eight years but I've done it! I've collected the rarest slaves possible."

Master Reginald groaned. "Bertram, this isn't a good time."

"Don't give me that. You told me that the only way I'd get my hands on a shadow coin is if I traveled around the world and collected a group of slaves that could be considered worth it. Well, it’s taken eight years, but I've done it. Have the pompous Lord sent for so he can see for himself."

"Master Reginald, is the sales ring closed for the festival?" I asked.

"Yes, there are no sales this week."

"Still, it could be used for this individual to display his wears for a private buyer correct?"

"Well, yes. I guess."

"Then I'll go get Lord Prowl-Ar and his mates while Master, Burpy was it, prepares his wares. Oh and about what we were discussing, about your future, consider this a test in discretion." I quickly turned and walked out, but I paused just out of sight.

"What was that about?"

"Personal business. You'd best get things set up once Lord Prowl-Ar gets here he isn't going to be happy if you keep him waiting."

"Good, he understood not to reveal I'm the pompous lord just yet." I thought. "Shadow step" I whispered, stepping out of the game and back in at the bakery just as Wolf arrived.

"Cheater," He said, giving me a dirty look. "What did the Guild Master want?"

"Political stuff. We need to get all our slaves together and go back over there."

"Why?" he growled.

"It's a story event that I set in motion before I stopped playing. There was a slave merchant that was bothering the King and the Guild Master about getting one of my shadow coins. I said to tell him that he'd need a really special group of exotic slaves. Now, since the game has progressed, he's back. He barged in on my meeting and demanded the Guild Master send for the 'pompous lord'."

"All you had to tell me was that an asshole insulted you and it would have been enough." Wolf growled.

"Who insulted our tiger? Kyle asked as he came up behind me.

"That's not the important-". I tried to divert the conversation.

"If he insulted you, he insulted all of us. Mika! Get those apprentices to take over for a while. Papa's back and someone had the cheek to insult him." A white rabbit yelled. "We're all going to go put him in his place. Ali, you're the fastest, gather the rest of the family."

"Bit?" I asked in surprise.

"Been a while hasn't it? I kind of got a lot bigger." Bit said, grinning widely.

I smiled, "Yes, you did. You're still my cute little bunny though."

"I told you so. Alpha, who is it that we're dealing with?" Sticks asked.

I rolled my eyes. "All you are doing is filling the stands. Make sure the rest of the 'family' knows that. It's your master's that will be putting anyone in their place. All of you get to enjoy the show."

"Yes, and I'm going to make sure it is a good one." Wolf mentally growled to me.

“Let’s avoid violence, if possible. There are some things in the works that require we keep our hands clean, for a while at least.”

***

I waited just outside the auction grounds. I didn't say anything I just pointed each of our slaves to a different section. Mine in the center bleachers, Kyle's and Shock’s on the right, and Wolf and Rider's on the left. Wolf, Kyle, Rider, Keb and Mal stood at the front looking at the stage. I was about to join them when two more joined us.

"You didn't expect to get away with attending an auction without us did you?" Shock asked.

"What are you two doing here?"

"It's just a quick visit. We're not really here we just wanted to check on you now that you've finished getting your mind in order."

I smiled at Shock. "And everyone thought they hid it from you."

"Not a chance. Our mate knew the moment you collapsed. I tried to insist we return, when he told me, but he said this is normal for you." Dash said, as he hugged me.

"Yeah, just one of those little ailments from being over a thousand years old. Still I'm surprised to see you here. You hate VR."

The blush marks appeared on his visor. I've had a visual upgrade. I see and experience VR the same way you do now. It wasn't really realistic when it was just light and code. Shock's been showing me some of the, ah . . . advantages to virtual reality."

"I'm sure he has. How long are you going to be here?" I asked.

We have a couple hours, so I guess just long enough to watch the auction and to let my slaves know why I'm not going to be around very often."

I nodded. "Join the rest of our mates. The dealer doesn't know which one of us is the one that holds the shadow coins so he is going to be off his game. Wolf or Kyle will fill you in."

"Got it." Shock replied, then they hurried to join the rest of our mates.

I made my way up on stage and joined Master Reginald as though I was just one of his lesser masters. He looked a little surprised but covered it up quickly enough. I’d planned on standing with the rest of my mates but what better way to seem like I didn’t have a stake in the auction and get a closer look at the slaves?

Bradly led out six slaves. "Reggie? I don't understand this isn't an open auction." He huffed.

"You wish to present your slaves for Master Prowl-Ar. He is here with his mates and all of their slaves. Now you know just how much work you have ahead of you to impress him."

"Which one is he?" the dragon whispered.

Master Reginald grinned. "He could be any of them. Hiding in plain sight as it were."

The dragon let out a puff of smoke and turned toward everyone, though he seemed focused on Talon. Likely because he was the only other Western Dragon. “Eight years ago I came hoping to sell a slave for a shadow coin, however Master Reginald informed me one slave would not be enough. If I wanted it I'd have to travel far and wide to find the perfect group. The only hints he would give me is that you liked your slaves young, unique, preferring the company of males and especially interesting. With that said, eight years is a long time to travel and slaves do tend to age so the youngest I have is eighteen."

"That's fine, our mate's tastes have matured a bit." Shock yelled.

I could swear I could see him marking Shock as insignificant.

"As I was saying I have collected this group of ring tailed exotics."

"Six exotics for a shadow? You’re out of your mind." Evan yelled.

“These six are-"

"No offense to our possible future brothers, but raccoons are common and can't be counted exotic." Conner yelled.

"Also that lemur, while exotic and having rings on his tail isn't a related species." Mal added.

"Nor for that matter is the raccoon dog." Kyle said.

"That leaves the Cacomistle, Coatimundi, and Red Panda. I hope you have something more to offer." Mika stated.

"How? How do you know such rare species? I only know them because I’ve traveled to their homelands."

"That's Mika, one of my best, he was falsely accused of theft and made a slave." Master Reginald grinned broadly. “Lord Prowl-Ar and his mates have traveled extensively, and as I understand it have book in their personal library on every known race and many that are unknown to us.”

"Still for such rare specimens-"

"I've remained silent, but if you're going to say three semi-exotics are worth a Shadow, I'll tear your wings off. Just look at them. I'm guessing you worked them pretty hard. They may not be malnourished, but they are under conditioned and looking a little worse for wear. Do any of them speak common? No, do any of them speak at all? Can they even preform as pleasure slaves? As they are I'd say they are worth six gold for the set." Wolf yelled.

"Um . . ." The Dragon was visibly confused and upset. "Yes, they've had to work. It's been a long journey, but I was careful not to overwork them. Yes, they can all speak common. I made sure of that much however, they have also learned not to speak without their master's permission. As to their performance you will have to teach them what you want them to do. I've kept them from 'performing' other than having one of my other slaves provide them with release once a month."

Wolf looked them over. "Okay, I can see with upping the bid to twelve gold for all of them but still nowhere near the level of a shadow coin. However, you said you have other slaves, perhaps there is something there worth our time."

The dragon let out a puff of smoke. Kyle laughed, looked up, and released a ring of fire. "If you think a little smoke will intimidate anyone here you'd better think again."

"Reggie, make sure they don't paw at the merchandise. I'll be right back." He said, quietly. Not that it mattered with me standing there.

It took him five minutes before he led a seventh slave up on stage. The Ring-tailed lemur moved as far away as possible.

"I found this interesting creature on the island-"

"We know he's a fossa, next." Shock yelled.

The dragon marched off the stage he was back.

"Are you kidding? A coyote? I'm a coywolf so he isn't going to get you the coin." Justin yelled.

I smiled, it seemed he had gotten over being shy.

"Garbage hybrid, not that I need that worthless Yote. All he was good for was making sure the pleasure slaves didn't get backed up." The Dragon muttered as he walked off again.

I clenched my teeth, he was going to be lucky if I didn't take him as a slave. Not for pleasure, but as a gift to Char. I'm sure he'd love “teaching” the whelp proper behavior.

"This ram still has a few years left in him. He is trained for labor and not pleasure though."

"Ah Benny," Reginald smirked, "You're acting like this is your last one, but according to the records you have another six."

The dragon growled. "Two, the other four didn't survive."

I noticed all the slaves on stage hung their heads. There was a story there and it didn't seem to be a good one. "I suggest you bring out the last two." I said. If he was responsible for working four slaves to death then there was no way I’d let him leave the Kingdom with any slaves.

"Listen, those are my personal slaves."

"All the same, if you want the coin you'd better show all you have. It doesn’t seem they are impressed with what you’re offering so you can only hope to win with the numbers."

He marched off.

"At this point I'm not sure he has anything worth a Shadow coin even if you took all of them. Master Reginald said quietly.

"Maybe, but there is more riding on this than you may realize. He is going to get the coin but not one of the really good ones. Plus you’re going to make sure he is black listed and revoke his license to buy and sell slaves in this kingdom."

Reginald looked surprised but didn’t question me further.

"Here's the last two. I use this tall one as a look out for danger and to make sure, if any of the slaves are stupid enough to try running, they are quickly recaptured." He indicated the giraffe. “And this one pulls my carriage with all my supplies." He gestured toward the American Bison. What he likely didn’t notice was Gray running down and whispering to Wolf.

"Tiger, it seems Gray is really interested in the Bison." Wolf thought to me. “Interested to the point he might stop following you around like your personal love struck puppy.”

I walked over and ran my hands over the bison's chest. "Tell me, what do you think of males who prefer the company of other males?"

"I have no opinion. I do as my master tells me and Master locked my breeding equipment and destroyed the key."

"What a waste. If I purchased you and removed the cage, would you object to being mated to a male wolf?"

"Reginald, what is your assistant playing at?" Benny asked.

"The black wolf or the gray wolf?" the Bison asked.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes. The black one is angry and frightening. However the gray one makes me feel strange. Sort of sick but excited too."

I nodded. "One shadow for all eleven. However, that is not all.“ I turned and glared at the dragon. ”You will leave this kingdom today and never return to these lands."

"This is a joke right?"

"I'd say you're getting off much too easily. Had any of us been there when you insulted our mate you would have needed immediate medical attention." Wolf growled.

The dragon turned to me. "You? Yeah right. I admit your species is rare but there is no way-"

I held up the coin. "No way what?" As I held it up I noticed the back had a lion, but it wasn't Lorinnik. The Lion face on the coin was gaunt and looked angry. Likely the current king.

"Reginald, you have one of those, is that real?" The dragon asked.

"I don't even have to examine it to know it's real. Lord Prowl-Ar is the only one that can easily part with a shadow coin. Well, other than the King's Shadow himself. Also, no one would dare just blithely pull a shadow, fake or real out of a pouch like that other than Prowl-Ar."

The dragon reached out.

"Remember, if you accept, you get the coin but you have to be beyond the Kingdom's boarders before . . . you know what, I'll be generous and give you until the end of the festival. That way you'll have a chance to hire someone to help you shift your garbage. If you aren’t beyond the boarders the King's Shadow will hunt you down and take back the coin."

"Done." He grabbed the coin and turned. "Oh but one thing, about the devises keeping your new slaves contained." He lifted a key and before anyone could react he let out a breath of intense heat that melted it. "I hope you didn't want them for breading purposes." He stretched his wings and with a powerful down stroke flew away.

The only slaves that hadn't broken down was the Giraffe and the Bison, but they did look sympathetic to the other's permanent chastity.

"Master Reginald-"

"Don't worry about the paperwork. Just have Mika fill it out and bring it in after the festival. I’ll send out network riders to let all the guilds in the kingdom know that they are not to deal with that dragon. I’d wondered what legal reasoning I would give, but destroying that key, which by guild law was your property the moment he touched the coin is more than enough justification."

"Good. Gray, Mal, and Keb give me a hand with this group. Everyone else get to know each other and enjoy the festival. We should be back as soon as we get these devices removed and your new brothers have completed their cleaning.” I heard some groans from our slaves, likely in sympathy for what the new group was about to experience. “House, open a portal."

Reginald gasped as the portal materialized.

"Get used to it, this is how we travel between realms. If what you are planning comes to pass you're likely to see it a lot more often.” I said, as I started sending the new slaves through.

***