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Pox sat in one of the offices of the pest house that was run by the Children of Hectis. She had procured herbs like the doctor Malachi asked her to. There was a bit of shock and surprise coming from the nuns at receiving them from a rat like her, but the rat shrugged it off. Now she sat across a round table from one of the nuns, dressed in white robes with a red sash, and a porcelain mask in the shape of a rat's face. Much like the doctor in black, the woman's body was completely covered, so Pox could only determine that she was on the shorter side for a human.

After what seemed like hours, Malachi and another of the nuns came into the room. This other nun was taller and thinner than the one who had been seated with Pox. She recognized Malachi by his black outfit, and the raven beak mask he wore. He nodded to the nun at the table, “Well, it's legitimate. It's one of the variant species of silverthorn, not as potent as we would commonly use, but still, it can create an effective Theriac."

Pox nodded her head as she listened, “Of course is real, why would bring fake herbs?" she reached into the bag she had brought with her and produced a sizeable bundle wrapped in soiled sack cloth that she placed on the table. “Brought enough to make many bottles of nasty juice."

The short nun nodded her head, “Thank you, brother Malachi," she said and then looked to Pox, “I guess the next question I have from you is, what do you want for this? I'm guessing since you know the value in this herb, you have healers of your own, so our services aren't required. We could give you gold of course."

Pox laughed at that last bit, “Where we spend? Humans turn noses up at us, blame all problem on rats. Would take gold and call guard, send to gallows to hang." She shook her head, “No…thing clan need most is more food for young."

The nun tilted her head, “Food? If you can grow these medicinal herbs, surely you can cultivate food as well."

Pox shook her head, “Not much room for growing, and elders say herbs more important, need to fend off rat plague sickness. Normally we steal, but that getting harder. Other methods not so good either."

The nun nodded, “Yes, well, stealing leaves less for the rest of us too, you know. You said you had…other methods? Can you elaborate?'

The rat shrugged, “Stalk human into dark alley, slit throat. Pick poor person, it go okay, humans don't care much. Pick rich person, and someone sends rat catcher after us."

The nun brought a hand to her face, “That is ghastly…"

“But it provides an opportunity, sister." Malachi pushed himself up from the wall he was leaning on, and he moved to the table. “As much as you or I may find it distasteful, one creature's flesh is another's meal."

The nun nodded, “What are you proposing, Brother Malachi?" she asked.

“Didn't that large chap with the contortions pass this morning? He had to be a good three hundred pounds or more…plenty of meat on those bones." Malachi waved a hand in the direction of the rear of the building, “With the graveyard locked down, you would just burn the body and cast the ashes into the river anyway. Give the cadaver to our friend here in exchange for this parcel of herbs. You save on the coal to burn him, and you can make some Theriac to save the next poor sap who comes in here with a rusty nail in his foot." He then gestured to Pox, “Meanwhile, our rodent friend here gets enough meat and fat to sustain dozens of her kin for at least a week or two."

The nun thought about it, “Distasteful, but practical." She looked over to Pox, “What do you say? One…er…human corpse…" she said mumbling the last bit, “In exchange for this bundle of herbs here."

Pox thought about it and then nodded, “Yes, this is good to Pox. There is drain in alley beside pest house. Drop body into it in hour or two and Pox get it carried to warrens."

“I'll have it done…" the nun adjusted her mask a bit, “Perhaps…if you find yourself with excess herbs in the future, we can see about another such arrangement." She tried to remain calm, but there was a wavering in her voice that made her seem unsure.

Pox shrugged, “Maybe. If can get more." She stood and gave a polite bow as she had seen humans do before, “Thank you for seeing Pox and making good trade."

The nun nodded, “Sister Jasmine will see you out. You may call on us any time, just please be discrete."

The taller Nun opened the door and gestured for Pox to follow her and the two left, leaving Malachi and the shorter nun alone.

“You don't seem pleased," he said, going to the bundle and untying the cord holding it shut, pulling out the gray leafed herbs and separating several stems.

“I honestly didn't know what to expect when you told me a rat could bring this to us. Certainly not condoning cannibalism to get it."

Malachi let out a dry laugh, “We might see the rats as being similar to us, but I doubt they hold similar views. Same with the wolves in the forests, or the cats in the high hills." After selecting some of the herbs, he began to close up the bundle again. “To a rat, a dead human is no more special than a dead elk. It's just food for the table."

The nun nodded, “Yes, you probably have a point, and it does save on us having to dispose of the body by other means. Thank you for helping us out with this, Brother. What will you do now?" she asked.

He took the smaller selection of herbs. “If you will allow, I wish to make use of your cleansing chamber. I haven't tended to myself in some time, and now that we have some of this silverthorn, I wish to do so." He gestured to his clothing, “I could also stand to have my garments laundered if you'll permit it. After that I'll probably remain for a few days to make sure all is well with my patient. Then I'll take a train out of town. There is good money to be made in the smaller villages further out."

The nun nodded, “Of course. I'll have one of the girls draw a hot bath and prepare clean bandages and implements for you."

Malachi gave a bow in return, “Thank you." He said, taking his herbs and his leave.

† † †

Back at the warren, Pox stood in the meeting chamber before the elders of her clan. The meeting chamber was a large round space shaped like an amphitheater with rows of seats containing a few dozen rats. Ahead of her at one end sat the three elders of the clan. Po looked between each of them as she stood, her hands tied with rope. On the right was the old shaman Gnarltooth, so called for his mangled snout causing his teeth to grow crooked. He was a wiry brown and gray rat with patches of fur missing from large parts of his withered looking body. He was laying back in his seat, breathing heavily and looking pale, still recovering from his duties. He rested a twisted ad mutilated hand on the head of a black mastiff that sat by his side. The hound stared at Pox with bright yellow eyes that gleamed with malice.

On the left was Stumptail, another old rat with white fur who was so named for having his tail removed in a fight when he was a youngling. Despite being aged, he was powerfully built, and Pox knew he was easily the best fighter in the whole clan. His prowess with a dagger was known to everyone. He also had the job of meting out punishments, and Pox was sure he'd have his way with her hide before the day was out.

In the center was the oldest of the three, and the oldest of all of the clan, Milkeyes. He was half blind, one eye clouded with cataracts, but his mind was sharp as the razor he kept hidden on him at all times, and no one who crossed him ever lived long enough to regret doing so. He spoke up, loudly despite the crack in his voice, “Pox. You are once again here before the elders. Once again you have wronged the clan." He scratched his muzzle with gnarled yellow claws, “You stole precious healing herbs. Herbs that prevent the rot and plagues from taking us. Herbs we all depend on. And what is more, you gave them to humans. Humans who may come here and attack us for them."

Pox hissed softly and spoke up, “I have brought food for the clan! Food for the younglings!" she said in response, “For such a small quantity of herbs, we have meat for days! What is worse? Plague? Disease? Or the constant gnawing of your own belly?" she asked looking around.

Other rats started chittering and murmuring amongst themselves before Milkeyes picked up a stone and rapped it loudly on his seat, “Silence all of you!" he shouted before turning his gaze back to Pox, “This is not a matter to be decided by the clan, Pox, it is for the elders alone to decide your punishment. While the food you have brought is a boon for the clan, it does not erase your crime, or the crime of your sibling."

Pox shook her head, “No, leave Ticktock out of this. I told her to get the herbs for me. I-"

“Silence!" Milkeyes shouted, “Ticktock is a smart rat. She acts on her own free will. She chose to steal the herbs for you, and her punishment has already been decided."

Pox swallowed, she hadn't considered her sister might take some of the blame for her actions. “What is to become of my sister? What is her punishment?" she asked, staring down at the stone floor at her feet.

Gnarltooth spoke up, “Blood for blood. At the next full moon, she will make the sacrifice in my place, to repay what she has stolen."

Pox swallowed at that, her ears laying back. “No! You can't make Ticktock do that, she isn't as strong as you are!" Pox said, “Please, let me be punished in her place!" Pox looked pleadingly at Gnarltooth.

Gnarltooth gave a dry chuckle, “I know it will eat your soul to bear a lesser punishment than her, but nevertheless, she will pay the price of blood for her theft. As for you, it will be the price of pain."

Milkeyes looked at Gnarltooth, “So you have decided?"

Gnarltooth nodded, “I have. Ten lashes of the barb, to be administered immediately."

Milkeyes nodded and looked back to Pox, “So it shall be done. Stumptail, do the honors."

Pox swallowed hard as two rats moved in on either side of her. One began unclasping her cloak and pulling it away from her body, leaving her completely naked, while the other looped a cord around the rope binding her hands, before pulling the other end and backing away, forcing Pox's arms above her head.

Stumptail got up from his seat, and from behind it he produced the barb, a long whip with a length of metal wire on the end. He moved around behind Pox and un-coiled the whip swinging it around a few times before looking to Gnarltooth, who gave a nod. Pox grit her teeth as she heard the rush of air behind her, followed by an ear splitting 'Crack!' that echoed around the chamber, as the barb lashed out, and the needle sharp end of the wire sliced a gash down her back.

Pox screamed through her gritted teeth as the pain hit her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She gripped at the cords binding her hands and braced herself for the next blow. She listened to the whistling of the whip moving through the air as Stumptail swung it over his head, before hearing the change in pitch, and then another 'Crack!' and another sharp jolt of pain as another thin line was drawn down her hide.

Stumptail was methodical in dealing out the punishment, keeping the timing between each strike consistent. Pox could hear the whip swing around three times before each strike. She counted them, one, two, three, 'Crack!' One, two, three, 'Crack!' She kept her jaw clenched tightly but continued to scream at each strike of the whip until finally the tenth landed and her punishment was over. She was cut free of the ropes, and she fell to the stone floor, breathing hard.

“Very good," Milkeyes said, “You took your punishment well. Come back before the elders after the next two harvests of herbs have passed. If no humans have come looking to steal more from us, perhaps there is wisdom to trading for more food."

Pox panted hard and then nodded her head, “Yes, elders…" she said, before slowly getting to her feet and retrieving her belongings before making her way out of the chamber, heading towards the metal door where she hoped to find Ticktock. Once there she found the door open and the room empty. She thought about it for a moment, and then went deeper into the warren, following the maze of twisting tunnels to an area seldom used since the clan wasn't nearly as big as it had been in the past.

She found her sister there, in an alcove behind a rag curtain. The younger rat was hunched over a wooden plank bench against one wall, the only light coming from a small gas candle above her head as she toyed with the inner workings of one of her many watches. She had several dozens of them hanging on the walls of the alcove, each one open and all of them tuned to match the same time.

Pox crawled into the small space, saying nothing as she scooted up behind Ticktock, putting her arms around the smaller rodent and leaning over her to watch as she worked. The young rat didn't flinch at the touch and remained focused on her work. Pox had sat like this many times before, not understanding the workings of the geared mechanisms in the slightest, always in awe of Ticktock's skills. The younger rat intuitively knew each gear, spring, and sprocket that made the time pieces work. It was delicate work, and Ticktock not only had the intelligence, but also the dexterity to handle the small fragile pieces. Fixing broken watches and adding them to her collection was one of Ticktock's favorite hobbies, and Pox was happy to watch her do it for hours at a time.

Ticktock worked in silence, fitting the gears and small bits back into place, screwing down plates with small tools that she had stolen from an abandoned watchmaker's shop. Finally, she fitted the back into place and turned it over to the front, winding it slowly and then adjusting the hands to match the time on all the other watches before finding an empty hook to hang it from by its chain, adding it to the others there. She then broke down, letting out a screech of anger and pounding the bench with a fist over and over again.

Pox winced at the sudden outburst, but held onto Ticktock, squeezing the smaller rat to her, and nuzzling into her hair, “I'm sorry, Ticktock. I didn't mean for you to get punished too," she said, gently holding onto her sister till she calmed down.

The two sat like that for several long minutes until Ticktock managed to get some composure. “It's not your fault Pox. It's that bastard Gnarltooth," she said as she gripped the edge of the bench, digging her small claws into the wood, “I asked for the herbs, told him your idea to trade to the human healers. He laughed at me but said to take the herbs and try. He was hoping it would get you caught by the guards and sent to the human gallows."

Pox hissed at that, “What?! Then we were set up! He lied to Milkeyes!" she said, “We should tell him!"

Ticktock shook her head, “Milkeyes won't do anything, not after declaring punishments for us. He's too proud to take it back, and besides, everyone knows you and Gnarltooth hate each other, but he is an elder, Milkeyes won't get involved on your side."

Pox growled as anger grew in her. “But he's punishing you to hurt me, it's not fair!"

Ticktock leaned into Pox's shoulder, “He knows he can't hurt you directly, you have too much respect among our brothers and sisters. If he managed to get rid of you and word got back to our brothers and sisters that it was his doing, they'd riot and skin him alive, and until we get a new shaman, we need him to make the herbs grow."

Pox pet at Ticktock's head and shoulders, “I don't care," she said, shaking her head, “I wish I had a silver knife…I'd cut his fucking dog's throat and send it back to the hell it crawled from."

Ticktock smirked some, “Mm…maybe steal one from your rich human, if you are brave enough."

Pox giggled darkly, “Not a bad idea, but then how to get the hound away from the master?" She sighed heavily. “I am really sorry, Ticktock..." she said.

Ticktock finally shrugged Pox off of her, “It's fine. No use having you moping about it too. When it happens, it happens." She reached into a nearby satchel and produced a small bottle, “Speaking of your human though, here. Aged nasty juice. You might want to take it to him, it's about time."

Pox took the bottle and nodded, “Okay…are you…okay?" she asked.

Ticktock shrugged, “No, but really we have time to worry about me. Right now, you should try at least to celebrate your accomplishment. We'll all have full bellies tonight thanks to you."

Pox nodded her head and embraced Ticktock once more, before getting up and nodding. “You are such a kind one. I'll see you later then." She then turned, leaving Ticktock to begin repairing another pocket watch.

† † †

Paul yawned wide as he walked down the steps of the Council House, and he rubbed at his eyes. “I thought today would never end…"

His father, Jonathan, put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in a firm grip, “Good that you held those impulses back while you were in there," he said. “It's ill-fitting of the station for an arbiter to fall asleep during proceedings." He led Paul toward the cobble stone street.

“Sorry, Father, it's just been a long day and it's hard for me to be enthusiastic about the finer details of urban development." Paul responded, keeping pace with the older man as they walked down the moderately busy street. His eyes darted towards the shadows and alleyways, and he occasionally glanced above as he walked. He had grown more paranoid as he began to leave his home after his recovery, thinking there might be a rat around any corner waiting to pounce on him.

“You don't need to be enthusiastic, but you should respect the gravity of the situation," Jonathan said, not paying attention to Paul, but instead gesturing around him. “Every decision the council makes affects everyone in this city, from those of us at the top, all the way down to the beggars on the streets."

Paul shook his head, and rubbed his eye again, “But the council didn't even make any decisions today. You just spent hours bickering over minute details of Councilman Stone's redistricting plan."

Jonathan rubbed his chin, “It was more than bickering, and those minute details are important. This city is balanced on the edge of a cliff, we are stable for the moment, but the slightest miscalculation could send us spiraling down to ruin." He looked to Paul before continuing, “No one on the council wants that, so everything anyone can think of is brought up, at these debates."

Paul sighed and nodded, “Sorry, Father, you are right. I must just not quite be at my best yet, I did just recover from my illness only a few days ago," he said, hoping that might garner some leniency from the older man.

Jonathan did relent, “Yes, I suppose I am pushing you a bit too hard," he rubbed his chin. “I'm going to go for a meat pie for supper, would you like to join me?" He asked.

Paul shook his head, glad for an excuse, “No father. I'll get a carriage home and I'll eat something there and retire early if that is okay."

Jonathan gave Paul a pat on the shoulder. “Alright. Rest up, tomorrow will be another busy day," he said and then turned humming softly as he walked in the direction of Mrs Annie's Pies.

Paul himself started walking in the direction of home, before hailing a passing rickshaw and getting in the back. After telling the puller the address he sighed, closing his eyes for a time to relax. He must have dozed off as no sooner did he close his eyes, but the puller was shaking him awake in front of his home. He paid the fare before entering the large empty house, stopping by the kitchen, and grabbing an apple from a bowl there, biting into it before making his way to his room.

By the time he had gotten there, he had finished the entirety of the fruit, with the exception of the pips that he spit into a chamber pot, before entering the room. He grimaced as he caught a familiar, acrid smell, and saw the rat sitting up on his bed. “Ugh…you again…" he said softly as he closed the door.

Pox nodded, “Yes, me again. Brought more nasty juice. Come drink, doctor's orders," she said, holding up the bottle and shaking it.

Paul moved closer, wishing his sense of smell hadn't returned as he moved nearer the filthy rat. He saw where she had been laying on the bed, “Is that…blood?" he asked softly, noticing the staining on the covers.

Pox looked at it and nodded, “Yes, did bad thing, elder rats mad, give Pox ten lashes." She said, turning for a moment so the human could see the barely scabbed over lines crisscrossing her back. She then pressed the bottle out to him. “Here, drink."

He shook his head at the ghastly sight, but then when she turned, he did as he was told. He took the bottle from her, pulling the cork out. “At least this is the last of it…" he said, shivering as he braced himself, before tipping back the burning medicinal liquid.

Pox shrugged, “Maybe, maybe not. Pox probably bring more next time too, and time after."

Paul wiped his mouth on his sleeve, “Ugh…this is dreadful…" he muttered, before looking from the bottle to Pox, “More? Why? I'm supposed to be cured."

Pox nodded, “Cured this time, not next. Pox is plague rat. Pox not get sick, but make others sick." She then grinned, showing off her wicked yellow teeth, “But Pox not want you sick, so Pox bring more nasty juice. Cure you before."

Paul swallowed softly and then nodded, “I guess I don't have a choice in that…" he shivered, not yet having a plan to get rid of her. He swallowed again and looked at the rat, “So why are you here this time?"

Pox shrugged, “Mostly give medicine. Also, to mate," she said standing up, towering over the human. She gestured to the bed, “Get naked and comfy, Pox will be gentle this time."

Paul shook his head, “You…no…there is no way…"

Pox growled and grabbed his shirt, her claws shredding into the fabric easily, as she pulled him close, her muzzle a hair's breadth from his face, “Take off or Pox will rip off!" she said, staring into his eyes.

Paul swallowed and nodded, “O-okay…" he said shuddering in a mix of fear and disgust as he began to remove his clothing. Despite the new rips in his shirt, he took the time to unbutton it, even as the rat stood there, watching impatiently as he did so. “May I ask a question?"

Pox grumbled, “Hurry with clothes. What question?" she asked trying to rush him along.

Paul continued to remove his clothing, “Why me? Why don't you find one of your own kind to have sex with?"

Once he had finally disrobed, Pox picked Paul up and tossed him onto his back on the bed before climbing on top of him. “Because, human and rat, harder to make rat pups. Pox not ready to breed. You because you mine, and you useful." She said, a hand moving to start toying with Paul's manhood.

Paul gasped and shuddered in her grasp as she teased at him, “This really isn't…" he grunted softly as her hand squeezed, “I don't…find you at all…attractive," he said as she continued to fondle and grope at his member.

Pox shrugged, “Don't care. Close eyes, pretend Pox is someone else," she said, continuing to tease him, getting frustrated at the slow response she was getting from him.

Paul shivered, closing his eyes like she suggested, “Ugh…not being able to see you doesn't help with the smell…" he grumbled, trying to relax himself and will his body to giving in to her and get things over with.

Finally, Pox got what she wanted, and she shifted into position to slide her cunt down over his cock, letting out a soft gasp as she took him into her. “Aah…you care about clean too much," she said. Her hands moved to his shoulders, and she started rolling her hips.

Paul gasped softly and shivered, opening his eyes again and panting, “You…don't care enough…" he said, shivering as he felt her hot tunnel sliding over his rod, “You are greasy and covered in fleas." He panted.

Pox leaned down, grinning, “Such pretty complements, least Pox not taste like nasty lye soap," she teased, leaning in and running her tongue up the side of his neck, “Would be much better without."

Paul grimaced and a shudder went through him as that long tongue lashed at his neck, “Ugh…please stop doing that." He said, turning his head away from her.

The rat, continuing to ride him giggled, before grabbing his face, “How about this then?" and she pressed her mouth against his, forcing her tongue between his lips.

Paul went wide eyed and shuddered violently as her tongue invaded his mouth, and his guts began to churn angrily with sudden nausea at the fetid taste of her. He struggled under her, but she held him down as her tongue prodded around in his mouth.

She eventually pulled back, grinning down at him again, “Taste good, taste sweet," she said as she rolled her hips again and again. She licked her muzzle, “Mm…you feel good, human," she said, closing her eyes as she continued to ride him.

Paul closed his eyes and panted softly through his mouth, glad he so far hadn't started vomiting, remembering the last time he had done that and the rat's swift response. He shivered softly, letting out a groan despite himself as he felt the hot wet cunt of the rat sliding up and down his rod, her pace growing faster as she lost herself in the pleasure. He winced as her claws prickled at his skin, leaving small scratches in his shoulders where she was holding him down.

Pox was starting to pant as well from the exertion of riding him, letting out soft squeaking grunts every time she dropped down into his lap, “Ah…good…keep up…Pox almost done…" she said, as she continued to ride him faster and faster, and her body began to tense up as she neared her climax.

Paul panted and groaned, “Good…get it over…" he panted and shuddered more, keeping his eyes closed and focusing on his breathing, and trying to think of anything else than what he was doing. It was going well until he felt the rat's claws moving from his shoulders, grabbing his hands, and placing them on her body.

Pox grinned wickedly when Paul opened his eyes as she held one hand at her breast and another to her hip. “No need be shy! Enjoy yourself," she said as she slowed her grinding on him, holding his wrists in a surprisingly strong grip. “Go on…squeeze," she urged him as she continued to bounce slowly and more carefully.

Paul grimaced and shivered, looking over her, “Ugh…can you please…just get it over with…" he said, trying to tug his hands out of her grip, “I don't want to participate any more than I have to…"

Pox giggled and rubbed his palm over her chest, “Then have to more," she said and leaned over him, running her tongue up the side of his neck, “Go on…" she said, nipping at his ear to tease him.

Paul shuddered softly and grunted as he did as she wanted, squeezing and rubbing at her breast, feeling her grip loosen as he did so. Her breasts weren't enormous, but they easily filled his hand. The flesh was soft and giving, while he could feel her muscles under the hand at her rear flexing as she moved.

Pox giggled more and started rubbing more at his body once she let go of his hands, “Much better…hands soft, feel nice," she said as she continued to ride him at a much slower pace, moving more like a lover than a beast in heat. She caressed him gently, feeling over his chest and sides. Her claws pricked gently at his skin, leaving small scratches. “Mm…such a cute human…" she teased softly, letting out a moan of pleasure herself.

Paul panted and groaned out, closing his eyes as he continued to fondle over her chest and her hip. He rolled his hips, pushing up into her. “Ugh…" he groaned, “This is-" he was cut off by a hand pressing to his mouth, and he opened his eyes.

Pox lifted her hand and wagged her finger before tapping his lips, “Mmm…no…no complaining…keep quiet…" she said and groaned out as she worked her hips slowly, continuing to move up and down, feeling her pleasure building up more and more as she rode him. “So nice…gentle…" she hissed softly.

Paul panted softly and groaned, feeling his own climax approaching as well, giving in to the pleasure and thrusting up into the rat, meeting her hips with his. He swallowed hard and moved both hands to her hips, holding onto them and pulling her down into his lap over and over.

Finally, Pox reached her peak first, followed by Paul right behind her. She bounced onto him a few more times before letting out a screechy moan as her orgasm hit her. She rolled her hips, grinding into Paul's lap as her pussy gushed over him. “Ah…good human…" she groaned out, holding herself there even as she felt Paul reach his own peak and felt the warmth of his seed filling her. She settled down and panted hard, looking down at him, caressing his cheek and chest, “Very good…"

Paul swallowed softly and nodded some, shuddering more, dazed for the moment. He rubbed at her hips slowly and gently as he started to come down from his peak. He looked up at the rat as she leaned over him, running her tongue over his face, causing him to shudder and grimace again.

Pox giggled, before getting up slowly, pulling off of him and sliding off the bed to her feet. She gave a stretch and then gathered her things and the empty potion bottle. “Until next time!" she said, blowing a mock kiss at him, before she went over to the balcony and jumped over the rail to drop down.

Paul lay there, watching her go, panting hard as he did before nodding slowly to himself, “Y…yeah…next time…"