FSE

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The only movement Kret does is lower her head, showing her submission to Vijaya. Her growl instantly disappears as she offers this supplication.

"That's a good girl," he says, pulling his toe away. "You're a powerful individual. You may not be the prize I sought, but you are a prize, nonetheless. Do as I say, and you'll move up in this world. A slave, certainly, but the chief among them, standing at my side as a true horror to behold. Do you understand me?" He scratches under her chin, his nostrils just in front of hers. His hot breath slightly spiced, making her wrinkle her nose.

"I... I understand, master," she admits. "Please, have mercy on this slave."

"Very well. I'll need to keep my eye on you to begin with, just to make sure that you're exactly what I'm looking for. Now then, come. Sit. I have business to attend to." He pulls upon her chain as he climbs onto a

series of pillows. When he leans back, he yanks her in close, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and scratching under her chin. "Now, be a good dear and cuddle your master."

Kret closes her eyes, placing a hand upon his chest and scoots in closer against his body. "Y... yes, Master," she breathes out, holding back for him.

The doors on the other side of the chamber open, flooding it with bright light. Instinctively, she buries her face against Vijaya. The crime boss covers her face with his feathered sleeve and calls to his company. "Ah, and how are you this delightful day? Take a seat, if you're so inclined."

"I will remain standing," the croaking voice responds. "I have not been permitted to relax on such decadent displays. I'm sure you understand."

"No rest for the wicked, is there?" Vijaya says. "Very well, very well. Then, tell me, what can I do for you and for your queen?"

"The book has been missing for far too long. You promised our queen results, yet you have failed her on numerous occasions."

Kret peers through a few feathers to get a look at the new visitor. Draped in a cloak, the guest is quite tall. Even hunched over, it towers over the two kobolds. Yet, Vijaya is calm and collected. Why? With her own magic dampened and being this close to him, she should be able to tell if he has a magical aura, yet he has none. He'd be completely exposed for retaliation if things go sour.

"Those failure are of my subordinates," Vijaya says, shrugging. Your queen wouldn't be to blame if you were to fail in your tasks, would she? I've dealt with them accordingly for their failures as a proper leader should."

"You tread on dangerous ground, Vijaya. My queen could take everything you own and leave you in squalor. Is that the future you see for yourself?"

"Not something I'm interested in," he admits.

While the two continue their pleasantries, Kret realizes that pissing this queen off would lead to the end of all of her enemies at once.

She feels her preservation instinct kick in and pulls herself free from Vijaya to fling herself to the floor before the mysterious hooded guest. "Oh servant of such a great queen. I cannot lie to you in the face of such presence. My master, Vijaya, has deceived you and your queen. He sold the book for his own gain. See? I am a kobold--the kobold that once owned the book you seek!"

The cloaked figure trembles, and an unnatural howl issues out from within. Sweeping off of the ground, the creature leaps for Vijaya, who stands tall, his eyes focused on Kret with a burning hate. Kret flashes a toothy grin back at him. Her path to vengeance has finally begun.

Behind Vijaya, a white streak zips by and a human arm clotheslines the diplomat, sending it sprawling to the floor.

Kret collapses on the ground when she sees it--her--Vijaya's pet. Her upper body is that of a beautiful woman. She's both a work of art and a wondrous frame of strength. Though she is clad in golden armor, her lower body is unshod, self-armored by a long, scaled tail that curls around her master, keeping her safe. Her scales and skin are like the color of snow, yet a heat burns in her black eyes as her beautiful appearance is marred only by the devotion and anger on her face.

"Your queen isn't the only one with pets, messenger," Vijaya says, his fingers brushing over her scales. The snake woman seems not to mind it. Instead, she reaches for her back and pulls out a trident. Gripping it tightly in her hands, she holds it in striking position. "When you return to your queen, let her know that the rebellion is at hand, and we will not be dealing with her anymore." With a flick of his talon, the snake woman plunges the weapon into the creature's face. Another howl sends black vapor screaming through the halls. When they disappear, all is supernaturally quiet.

Vijaya sniffs the air after a quick moment to adjust his crown. His pet sheathes her weapon, her face shifted to that of one of serene calm. No more is there the fury that makes her a monster. Instead, she lowers her head, her tail coiling up around her so that she may bow before her master.

"You've done well, Aelis," Vijaya says. "I trust that the elf is also taken care of? I notice a distinct lack of the normal tells." He pets her cheek, making sure not to let his claws mar her pristine flesh.

She shakes her head, placing a hand upon her breast. With a flick of her tongue and a quick hiss, she says her response, though Kret has no idea what it could possibly mean. Vijaya laughs at it all the same. 'Yes, I suppose I didn't give you enough time to savor the kill. Don't worry, You'll have time soon enough, but I have another prize awaiting you." He looks up from his pet, only to stare deathly cold towards Kret. His smile does not fade, and when he speaks, it is still to Aelis. "I don't think this pet I acquired is suitable for service to me. You, on the other hand, deserve a little reward for saving my life. Take her. She's yours. Bring her to the theater to make an example of her, my beautiful lamia."

Aelis towers high above the kobold slave. Kret scrambles back to

escape, but Aelis lunges forward, her tail wrapping around her body, squeezing her tight. So wide is their size difference that even with the poor kobold tied up around her, Aelis is unhindered in her movements. She slithers past, humming to herself an unusual song as they pass through the chamber and into another brightly lit hall.

Kret squeezes her eyes shut, cursing her luck, yet Aelis is not

bothered. As she hums, Kret finds her voice melodic, calming even. But the kobold shouts. "Let me go. Let me go, and I'll never bother you or your master again!"