Military Engagements

The 'compound' took up most of a rise that overlooked the town and bay. Well, it would have overlooked the bay if it wasn't for the thick mist that obscured the ocean and a chunk of the town, from here. What could be made out of the town looked to be all new construction, which probably meant the little fishing village it had been before had relied on the concealment. Now it had this.

What I was looking at was far more a military encampment than a simple compound. The collection of brick buildings and training fields was surrounded by a large wall though, so I guess compound wasn't too far off a description. I had to wonder just how much of this military presence was because of the now larger town, and how much because of a worry that more than trade would come from Zipangu.

Maybe not even Zipangu, which was a tiny island nation. There were far larger countries out there, kept at bay from this continent by the mists. Well, not my problem as long as the locals played nice.

I looked back at the girls before heading towards the gate. You'd think the newcomers would keep together, at least I had expected that. But no, the elf, Flora, had stuck by Maleficent. The two were very pointedly ignoring each other, the arrogance of the green-haired woman was amusing, really. She had some reason to be though, honestly. Elves in Mamono lands were not like normal. Their own inherent magic blended with the Mamono energy, leaving them practically succubi even though it maintained their elven looks.

Succubi were a pretty big deal in worlds like this. The Mamono Lords were basically Succubi, though the Elder Lilim were more on the scale of a dragon to a lizard compared to normal succubi. Still, it was the reason most monster girls, if they gained enough power, became some form of succubi. And yet the elves stayed elves, even the ones that gave in to their lusts just became dark elves instead.

The reptile girl, on the other hand, had cozied up to Cass and Ruby and had been trying to boisterously get to know them the whole walk up here. Both girls had accepted their own bracelets, seeing that all of my girls wore one. I still hadn't figured the dark pink-haired girl out though. She looked much like lizard folk, only my memories insisted they had green scales. Once she was captured, I'd have a full profile on her if I still hadn't figured it out at least. One of the annoying things about generic waifus like most monster girls, the Catalog listed them by type, so just their name wouldn't tell you anything. My bracelet did tell me that both women were counting down from the minimum, just like Quistus. I wondered if that was because of their husband seeking nature? Driven to accept the link to me as fast as possible. Three out of three was pretty good odds of the pattern holding, whatever caused it.

Hell, the bracelets were silver. For all I knew the Mamono energy was boosting them. Scary thought.

Turning off the main road onto the short path leading to the gate, I called back "Almost there now." If I'd known how far we'd be walking, I'd probably have gone back for horses. Definitely before heading out on the chase.

The gate was currently wide open, though the entrance was flanked by two armored warriors holding gleaming silver halberds. They snapped to attention as I approached, but didn't leave their post. Instead, a more lightly armored soldier, with just a sword on his belt, jogged out to meet me. We'd obviously been spotted from the wall before we got close. "Good morning, my lord! The Captain left word you'd be coming, and to provide anything you need." He looked the new girls over briefly. "He'd only mentioned the three monster girls though."

"Yes, I passed the Daughter Market on the way out here, and intrigued, I stopped in. I picked up Flora and Salome there. Is that a problem?"

He shook his head. "Oh no, your lordship, not at all. Just keeping track, if you don't mind." He gave me a salute and a bright smile. "I'm Qwent by the way, sir, Leftenant Qwent at your disposal, your Lordship."

"Excellent. There are two things I need, if you could show us to a spare sparring circle and let Captain Dascaros know, like I would like to see her at her convenience, I would be most appreciative."

He turned with a salute and headed through the gate, so we followed. "Of course, my Lord. Just follow me, and I will lead you to one on the way, then find her and let her know."

Qwent led us to a cluster of circles, actually marked out squares of cleared earth, next to a field full of training men before running off. "So many soldiers." Elsa said quietly. The group that seemed to be working on marching drills with long silver-tipped pikes probably outnumbered all of Arendelle's military, I thought. Maleficent just snorted, obviously not impressed.

I handed my sword and bow to Cassandra before turning to the dark pink-scaled woman. "Ready for this?"

She hopped past me, leaving her gear behind, bouncing in her eagerness. "Yer better believe it!" The fire in her eyes was back.

The pinkette seemed more interested in a good fight than conquest, so I assumed a guarded stance and let her make the first move. Which she did quickly enough. Leaping towards me in a spin, her big tail swept towards my head. Ducking under seemed to be exactly what she wanted me to do though, as she completed the spin, slashing down with one three-clawed hand as she landed on her feet.

Overexcited or overconfident. I tsked as I raised my left arm to block the strike, and the silver forcefield met her claws with a flash. Before the shock wore off, I stood into an uppercut with my right fist, catching her under the chin and throwing her on her back a good five feet away. Shit, I hadn't meant to hit her that hard.

She rolled to her feet, grinning ear to ear though, and cracked her neck as she stood. "Hot damn! That was a punch! You wen and rung my bell good and hard. I love it!" And she dashed back into the fray. Having learned her lesson, she didn't overcommit again and fought a bit more carefully. Lashing out with both sets of claws alternatively, and trying to sweep my feet with her tail. She managed to get past my guard with one swipe, claws sliding over the forcefield guarding my chest instead. She was very quick. I also noted her tail was now on fire as I jumped over it.

That was the last clue I needed. A salamander, of course! Hot-tempered, and the urge to fight to find a worthy mate. Not quite a dragon, but better than simple lizardfolk.

Having left her back open to me again, I didn't wait for her to complete the spin, but reached in to grab her shoulders from behind. Before she could react, probably with the tail again, I lifted her up, over, and into the ground like a suplex. She grunted as the air was knocked out of her and blinked up at me from the ground. "Crickey." she wheezed. "Yer a lot stronger than ya look."

"Strong enough to give up?" I grinned down at her.

"Pffft. Just give me a sec to catch my breath. I'll show strong."

I stepped back to give her space and noticed we now had an audience. My girls were spread out, of course, but a good chunk of the pikemen had abandoned their formation to gather as well. Also, Qwent was back, and with him a one-eyed, silver-haired woman who looked to be in her late twenties.

I gave her a quick once-over as Salome got to her feet again. She wore her silver hair up in a ponytail with side bangs. Her single eye was a bright green, and she had a green bandana over the other. She wasn't wearing a whole lot. Black shorts, armored belt and armored bra, armored boots as well. A long-sleeved green jacket and green gloves might have covered her some, if she wasn't wearing it wide open. This left her slender but muscular body and medium breasts largely visible. I did not miss that she also held a silver halberd in one hand. I gave her a quick nod as Salome rushed in again.

The salamander's fires were burning brighter, flames running all the way up her tail now. Her arms were held wide, it looked like she was going for a tackle. Trying to overpower me, or just excited to get her hands on me, she hadn't learned to respect the shields Desiger Set could throw up. Faster and stronger than she had a right to be at her size, she was still not putting out the damage of a battleship's main guns. I planted my shoulder into her grinning face as the silver field flared up between us, and she stumbled back dazed. Before she could recover, I grabbed her by the back of her neck and tripped her to the ground. Knee in the small of her back, I held her down by her neck and used my other hand to catch her tail as it whipped at my head. I wasn't sure if the flames actually burned or if they were just a spiritual thing, but trusted Environmental Defense to protect me in case. Keeping her pressed into the earth, her flames now ran up her whole spine in a dark pink conflagration. "Submit." I told her as one blazing yellow eye looked up at me from the ground.

"Yer me mate, I'll do anything you say." She stopped struggling, but still burned brightly. The crowd watching broke into a cheer as I stood and gave her a hand up. She used that hand to pull me into a crushing hug as she gained her feet. "Mine." She said again, and I realized I could smell her arousal. In fact, her thighs were gleaming with her moisture. Oh right, this was foreplay to a salamander.

I stepped back, with a smile to show I wasn't upset. "That will have to wait. But soon." She huffed and crossed her arms, but nodded. I turned back to Qwent and the woman next to him. "Captain Dascaros, I presume?"

The silver-haired woman gave me a quick nod. "Prince Guy." She acknowledged knowing me as well. "Very impressive, I must say, subduing a salamander bare-handed like that. You were tossing her about like a toy." I could see some suspicion in her eye.

"You may have heard." I gestured towards Mal. "My bride is a Malef dragon. This comes with certain advantages."

The one-eyed Captain gave Mal a nervous look. "I had heard rumors of such, also that you should be at her beck and call if so."

I laughed. Never again, not ever, would I be a **** to a monster girl again. "A lesser man, perhaps. I lead my women." Maleficent bowed her head to me in deference, and Descaros's eye widened.

"Truly impressive. Clearly, Zipangu sends their best to aid us. Guard Captain Themos said something about a prophecy?"

"Yes, a warning most dire. Perhaps we could have a word in private?"

She drummed the fingers of her hand on the haft of her polearm in thought briefly. "Yes, that is a good idea." She turned to the roudy crowd of pikemen and raised her voice. "Since break is over, windsprints until I return." The men groaned good-naturedly, but started making their way back to the field after quick salutes. Clearly she was well respected by them. "If you will follow me." She headed towards a nearby building, so I followed, my companions, and Leftenant Qwent as well.

I looked a question at the shorter black haired man. "At your service, my lord." He said with a short bow. In other words, an escort. Well, I didn't mind. The building turned out to be a barracks, probably for the pikemen that she was clearly training. As she ducked into what looked like a private office, Qwent swept a bow at my companions. "If you ladies will come with me, I will serve refreshments while the Prince is busy." Cass looked me a question, and I nodded before glancing at Elsa. The glowing-haired soldier nodded, message received, and led the others after Qwent. She'd make sure Elsa and Ella handled anything before they ate or drank.

Merse waved me towards a seat at a small table as she swung a kettle over the fire. Oh well, some tea wouldn't hurt, probably. I'd bought resistance. I took a seat and sat back waiting. She took out a nice little tea set and soon had a cup for each of us before she sat in her own chair opposite mine. It was no Zipangu tea ceremony, but I was fine with that. "So, Prince Guy."

"Just call me Guy, no need for formalities in private."

She smiled and nodded. "Guy then, please do call me Merse as well." Yes, I already knew your first name. "About this prophecy?"

"Quite serious, I'm afraid. An oracle saw each of you fall to corruption in these lands. Joining the forces you came to fight."

The silver-haired warrior took a deep breath and shivered. "That would not be pleasant. And you were sent here to what? Prevent this? To put us down after we fall?" She almost sounded hopeful at the last.

"To keep you safe. To counter the creatures that have you targeted. To prevent the loss of such great defenders of humanity. I have been given general directions to two groups that split off, and a vague hint for Primera. With your help, I hope to reach everyone in time."

Shaking her head, she paused to sip her tea. "I have no idea where Primera is heading. She would tell no one. Alameria was **** to find a unicorn for some reason, but would not say why."

"Paula and Olivie went with her up the coastal road, I was told. I've a stable of good horses, we should be able to catch them up."

She chuckled. "You presume I would go with you when I have obligations here?"

I sipped my own tea. Rose hips? "My Lady, while I have my own crew, your blade could be vital to the rescue of your sisters. As well needs must I keep you at hand to preserve your own." She started to speak, but I raised a hand and let loose a tiny flare of my draconic aura. Eye wide, she gasped, and I continued. "I know you think yourself safe here in the armed camp of a friendly nation, surrounded by soldiers. But I assure you, if I leave you here, your fate will come. Neither of us wants that. Nor do the troops you would turn on." I really wish I'd been given better information about just how they were supposed to fall. As far as I could tell, she should be safe here.

"Your arguments are quite persuasive, my Prince." Back to formalities, I see. She sipped tea quietly, seemingly lost in thought for a while. I drank as I waited. Pretty good tea, didn't taste corrupted. "I would not turn on my men." She finally answered. "The things a corrupted monster does to good men... No, I cannot risk it. Very well, I will travel with you."

"A wise choice. I will return to my base of operations and prepare mounts and pack supplies while you handle what you need here. I hope to be on the road by midday, time is of the essence."

We finished our tea, then stood and clasped forearms. "Very well, my Prince, I will be ready to depart upon your return."

"Excellent, until then, I would leave you with one more thing." She raised her uncovered brow, and I pulled out a silver bracelet. "This is a potent charm against corruption, each of my companions wears one, and I would like you to have this one."

.

I whistled a happy tune on the walk back towards town. Only here for half a day, and not only did I have a bracelet on one of my targets, but three monster girls were counting down as well. It was too bad the new girls couldn't use Apportation yet, avoiding the long walk a second time would have just been the cherry on top of this morning.