Victory celebration cont. and reassurances for an amazon

As the night wore on, the atmosphere became more boisterous. Most of the older oni had by this time left to seek out their sleeping furs, but the younger members of the clan showed no signs of wanting to end festivities. Laughter echoed through the hall, and from one end a warrior's ballad was being belted out by several oni bulls, surprisingly on key for how drunk they seemed to be.

He'd been talking for perhaps an hour when Fenrir pricked up his ears at the clashing of metal on metal through the door on the far side of the council hall. Sataareth noticed. "Some of the warriors must have begun sparring. Shall we go out to watch?"

"Yes, let's."

The two rose to their feet, garnering the attention of Asaara and Katari. "What is it?" The light-skinned oness asked.

"We are only going out to watch the sparring," Sataareth replied. Notwithstanding this response, both girls promptly found their feet as well, and the party of four began weaving their way through the crowded council hall towards the exit.

As they passed Nelith and Koreen, both girls glanced up. "Where are you off to, Chief?" the older of the two asked.

"Just outside," Fenrir replied, pausing beside her. "Don't worry, I'll come track you down once I'm ready to go to bed. For that matter, if you're tired you don't need to wait for me, either of you. You know where our quarters are."

"Okay," Nelith nodded, and turned back to her conversation, but Koreen pushed herself to her feet, swaying ever so slightly before she steadied herself.

"Can I come with?" she asked.

"If you want to, sure."

Fenrir noticed that while Katari remained in her customary position relative to himself, Asaara chose to walk beside Sataareth, close enough that her shoulder touched his arm more than once during the short walk outside. Koreen was doing the same on the direwolf's other side, though in her case he remained unsurprised. He hadn't missed the glances his two new acquaintances had shared from time to time either; it made him wonder what the exact nature of the relationship between them was. He was inclined to think it romantic in nature but resolved to ask once he got a chance rather than simply assuming.

They came out of the council hall onto the back side of the terrace. The council building itself was shaped like an oval, which left room for the circular training ground to lie partially behind and partially beside it. Not far from one side the highest level of the village terraces began, creating a chest high wall upon which several oni were standing, or more commonly, sitting. Other oni stood here and there around the open circle upon which two oni dueled, their blades creating the clashing of metal which had roused Fenrir's attention.

The mood was light, with multiple of the spectating oni shouting advice or encouragement in between conversations with those nearby. Ample light was provided by several torches on large poles spaced around the ring, and Fenrir heard at least one wager as to the outcome of the contest being struck as his party passed to a point from which they could watch the fight unobstructed.

The two currently sparring were quite skilled, though neither was giving it their all. After another five or so minutes of back and forth, one managed to disarm the other, sending his blade skittering across the hard-packed earth of the training ground.

Groans and cheers arose from the spectators, and various small items were exchanged, no doubt the stakes of the wagers. The winner clapped his erstwhile opponent on the shoulder, and together they returned to the sidelines, several of the oni they passed making light-hearted jabs at the loser.

A youth of twelve or thirteen ran out onto the ring to retrieve the sword and place it into a rack that stood to one side, and Fenrir realized for the first time that the swords the two had been using were only practice weapons. "Your practice swords are made of metal?" he questioned Sataareth.

"Yes," the oni bull replied. "Some do use wooden swords from time to time, but steel and wood react differently when struck. Most find the authentic feel worth the extra bruises."

"I see." Fenrir turned back to the ring as another two oni stepped out onto it, trading friendly jests as they did so. This time there were far less bets made, and the reason quickly became apparent as one of the two obviously outclassed the other. When he inevitably won, chuckles arose from the spectators as well as a few tidbits of advice. The loser, a fairly young bull, seemed unabashed however, and promptly returned to conversation with his opponent as they left the ring. Fenrir caught just enough to convince him that the winner was something of a mentor to the other.

As another two took their turn, Fenrir was approached by one of the onesses who had been watching the sparring. She bowed slightly, and said, "I am Rethra. Would you accept a request to spar with me?" Fenrir caught an excited gleam in her eyes as she waited for his response, though she kept her head lowered.

"Sure," he smiled. "Though I won't be taking any wagers on the outcome."

Excited whispers rose from those close enough to hear the exchange, but Fenrir paid them no mind. Instead, he focused on his challenger. She was tall and solidly built, though still feminine, a not atypical specimen of her kind. God's Eye told him she was in the mid-twenties levelwise, her class being named Duelist.

"What are your preferred weapons?" he asked, half to pass the time while they waited for the training ground to clear and half because he was curious.

"Two short-swords," she replied. "I have no need to ask of yours. None who joined in the battle today could have failed to see your axe rend your enemies asunder."

Fenrir grinned. "But I don't see any axes or short-swords in the rack over there." He nodded towards the rack in question.

Rethra bowed her head. "Yes. I meant that we should spar with the training swords, but if you would prefer otherwise..."

"No, that's fine. I'm not as skilled with the sword as with my axe, but Katari taught me enough to at least pose a challenge. Probably, anyway." Fenrir grinned again, one shared by not only the oness but also the rest of his party.

Just then the current duel came to an end, and Fenrir and his challenger stepped out to take their turn. As he stepped forward, a sudden buzz of conversation arose, but not enough to drown out the sound of Sataareth saying to Asaara, "Now you shall have an opportunity to see his skill first-hand."

As they both picked up a practice sword and took positions opposite each other, Koreen shouted, "Kick her ass, Master!" Fenrir caught just the faintest hint of slurring in her words, indicating the **** she had been drinking was having its effect. He glanced over, seeing not only her but all the oni watching eagerly. Wagers flew thick and fast, the odds sounding fairly even from what he could make out.

Returning his attention to his opponent, Fenrir settled into a simple ready stance. He had favored this stance while training with Katari for the variety of attacks and defenses that could be made from it, though it was also easier to read than some other forms.

Rethra took a stance that he recognized Katari using from time to time, also fairly basic in nature though more advanced than his own. "Whenever you are ready," she said, the excited gleam still present in her eyes.

He opened the spar with a simple feint. As he had expected, she read it easily, but instead of backing off, he flowed into a series of attacks, each one coming faster than the last. She kept up easily at first, and before he could increase to a speed she couldn't match she found an opening. Only a lightning quick dodge saved him from taking a hit, and then it was his turn to defend against a barrage of attacks.

Rethra was skilled with the sword. Not as good as Katari, to be sure, but nonetheless he wasn't sure he could have won without using his abilities even despite the advantage provided by his greater strength and speed. Of course, that was before he factored in Katari's recent training. He was by no means a swordmaster, but even so, he had come a long way from that first duel with Katari, which he knew now that he had only won because he had caught her off guard with Sand in the Hourglass and the strength boost granted by the Shark Spirit.

Seizing a split-second opportunity, Fenrir locked swords with Rethra and shoved, sending her staggering back several steps. He leapt after her but nearly paid for his eagerness by taking a sweeping kick to the knees as she went low, striking at his legs. He only avoided it by jumping again, this time vaulting over the oness entirely, hitting the ground hands first and rolling back to his feet. The exchange got several cheers from the audience, though Fenrir only registered them distantly, more concerned with his opponent's next action.

He came up just in time to block a swing from Rethra, but she spun away before he could retaliate, giving both of them time to rise to their feet. She was grinning widely, something he could not help but echo.

"You are an entertaining opponent," the oness told him, delight in her eyes.

"And you an instructive one," Fenrir returned with a smirk, shaking himself lightly to rid his fur of any dirt it might have collected during the roll. He took up his stance again, this time a more advanced form that relied heavily upon speed.

Rethra didn't seem eager to give him a chance to make use of it however as she was upon him immediately, forcing him onto the defensive by means of a flurry of attacks. But if she was going to play the speed game, it was a contest he was confident he could win, and he made her aware of it as well by turning the tables on her by means of a riposte that **** a grunt from the oness' lips as his sword made contact with her ribs thrice in quick succession.

She danced back, laughing. "You are only playing with me. But I suppose I deserve as much for daring to challenge one who has already so thoroughly demonstrated his skill in open battle. I yield."

Fenrir straightened as well. "You sure? I feel you have a decent chance of at least getting a few good hits in."

"No, I know when I am outmatched. But I thank you for the kindness." She made a deeper, more formal bow, 'sheathing' her sword in her left hand as she held it at her side. Fenrir returned the bow with one of his own, then both of them turned back towards the edge of the training ground.

Thunderous applause rose from the assembled oni, Fenrir only realizing now that the crowd had grown somewhat since he had stepped out into the ring. He focused on his own party, Koreen bouncing on her toes as she cheered. Sataareth and Asaara were applauding him as well, but Katari was only watching his approach with a look of glowing pride.

"Well, Sensei, what do you think? Did I do your instruction justice?" Fenrir asked the diminutive oni.

She blinked at his use of 'Sensei', but after a moment replied, "...You have. There were openings you failed to exploit, but if I consider how short a time it has been since I began instructing you in the use of the sword you were impressive indeed."

"Watching that has made me wish to spar with you myself," Sataareth said, grinning broadly.

"I'm not opposed to the idea," Fenrir smiled back, catching Koreen as she threw herself into his arms, giggling. "You're good and drunk now, aren't you?"

"Nooo, I'm just a little bit tipsy is all~" she laughed back at him in between nuzzles into his neck.

"Who knew you'd be an affectionate drunk," Fenrir chuckled. "Well, try to restrain yourself for a bit. If you want cuddles you'll have to wait till we get back to our tepee.

Koreen's brow wrinkled in confusion. "What's a tepee?"

"A kind of tent. The oni's dwellings look a lot like them." He transferred her to his shoulder, where instead of sitting upright she draped herself around his neck like a particularly erotic scarf.

"That was most impressive. Would you consent to sparring with me as well?" This question came from a warrior who had approached while he had been busy with Koreen.

"I would also welcome the chance to test my skill against yours," another chimed in.

"And I," a third added.

Fenrir laughed. "Well, I can hardly fight everyone, but sure, I don't mind sparring with each of you."

"Are you certain?" Sataareth asked. "If you are fatigued, you need not be concerned you may cause offense by refusing."

"No, I know. I'm definitely going to sleep well tonight, but I still have strength to spare for the present. And I have to admit, it's fun to test my prowess against skilled opponents. Teaches me quite a bit as well."

The slate-blue bull bowed his head in acknowledgement of Fenrir's words. From his other side, Asaara asked, "Are you not accustomed to sparring?"

"Aside from with Katari, no. I'm afraid this is the first I've spent much time with anyone who has both the time, skill, and inclination."

"The clan will ensure you get your fill," Sataareth chuckled. "All are eager to test themselves against the strength of a warrior such as you."

"That suits me," Fenrir grinned back. "If I get tired of it, I can always-" He broke off. His keen ears had caught, through the buzz of conversation and the clashing of blades in the training ring, Nelith's voice, raised in anger. He paused, listening for a moment, then he heard her again, sounding even more angry than before. Fenrir quickly lowered Koreen to the ground, earning a pout from her, but his attention was elsewhere. "Excuse me for a moment."

But by the time he reached Nelith, the altercation was already over. The most he saw of it was a gray form shouldering oni aside as it retreated in a huff and Nelith muttering something under her breath as she turned back to the drinks table.

"What was that?"

"Huh? Oh, hey Chief. Nothing important, just one of the oni got a little too pushy and I had to make it clear that I wasn't interested. He backed down eventually." She finished filling her mug and turned back to him. "Did you have fun watching the sparring?"

"I did, yes. Have you gotten approached much tonight?"

"A couple times. Why, are you jealous?" Nelith's tone turned teasing at the last sentence, and Fenrir couldn't help but chuckle.

"I believe I've already made my feelings on that particular subject clear," he grinned back. "Aside from the oni which want a taste of you, how have you been enjoying the party?"

"It's been fun," Nelith responded as they began to thread their way through the crowd towards the exit to the council hall together. "I think your idea to ally with clan Aqun was a really good one. They're different, of course, but they'll make good allies, and once you get used to the way they talk they're pretty good conversation partners too."

Fenrir nodded. "I'm pretty happy with my decision as well. Everything I've seen so far indicates that we'll end up being well repaid for the effort it's taken to get them on our side. Though I am a little concerned about why they had two clans attacking them in the first place."

Nelith glanced up at him. "Why? Do you think it's something they did?"

"Possibly, but not in the way you mean. Remember a couple nights ago I interrogated an Issala-Bas lieutenant? He mentioned a mysterious visitor that came to see his clan-chief just before the raid was ordered. He also mentioned that there were some among his clan that suspected the visitor to be a demon. Now I don't know if they're right, but my gut says this visitor's important."

"What do we do about it?"

"For now, nothing. Just keep an ear out for any sign of them cropping up again. If they really are the reason this raid happened in the first place, they likely won't be happy it failed."

"Okay, I'll stay on the lookout." By this time they were coming up to Sataareth's party, so the subject was shelved for another time.

Several days' travel away, Saeko was feeling quite pleased. She hadn't yet arrived at a point where she felt comfortable asking Myrina about what her problem with Fenrir was, but the amazon had definitely been opening up to her more in the past few days. Enough so that now she stood in the bathing hall disrobing in preparation for a bath with her, something Myrina had proposed of her own accord.

Taking a small towel to cover her nakedness, she stepped out from behind the screen behind which she had been undressing. Myrina was already in the bath cleaning her muscular body with one of the washcloths provided for the purpose. Saeko took one from the rack, noticing the small piece of cork attached to one corner which kept the cloth from sinking to the bottom of the bath where it would be difficult to retrieve. A simple but ingenious solution to a problem created by the lack of other washing facilities. Her eyes darted briefly to the waterspouts along one wall, still broken.

She began cleaning herself as well, beginning a light line of conversation with Myrina in the process. The occasional glances the amazon gave her indicated that she had something more on her mind than simply sharing a bath, but she didn't bring it up until both of them were drying themselves off.

"Hey, um, what do you think of how I look?" Myrina finally asked. "Do you think I'm attractive to guys at all?"

Saeko couldn't help but prick up her ears. Unless she was much mistaken, this was a lead-in to the very topic she most wanted to discuss. She would have to handle this delicately to avoid scaring the amazon off.

"I do," she said carefully. "I could see lesser men being intimidated by your height and strength, but any man worthy of you would only see that as another facet of your beauty."

Myrina brightened. "Really?" Then her face fell again. "But doesn't- I mean, don't most men prefer short and dainty girls?"

"I see no evidence for that." Saeko finished drying herself off and picked up her undergarments. "Is that what you have seen in your travels?"

"Well, it's how most of Fen- I mean, it's how a lot of girls that are in relationships look."

Saeko cocked an eyebrow at Myrina. The amazon really was doing a horrible job of concealing her true concerns, to the point that it stretched belief that she herself could remain ignorant of them.

"It is true that most of the women in Fenrir-sama's harem tend to be more overtly feminine, but I have found that most men are quite flexible when it comes to what they find attractive. I have personally known one man who insisted that he wouldn't even look at a woman if she did not have long red hair. Do you know who he eventually married? A black-haired woman who kept her hair cut short about the shoulders, and he was very happy about his choice as well."

"...Huh." Myrina thought about that for a moment as she dried her own blue mohawk with a towel, then she seemed to realize the implications of Saeko's first sentence. "J-just so we're clear, I'm not talking about Fenrir specifically or anything!"

Saeko gave her an understanding smile. "Of course not. He is simply a good example, being a man we both know well, and one involved with women as well."

"Y-Yeah! He's just a good example! So, hypothetically, do you think Fenrir would find me attractive? Just hypothetically."

"My friend, I do not need to speak in hypotheticals to answer that question," Saeko replied, her smile growing. "I know for a fact that he does."

"Wait, really? But I don't look anything like his other girls."

'His other girls, hmm?' Saeko thought. Aloud, she said, "That may be a boon rather than a hindrance. You stand out. In you there are attractions not to be found in any of his other women, not even Katari."

"Y-You think so?"

"I do. In fact, if you do not wish to be claimed by him you may want to consider leaving before he returns. Men of such strength as he tend to take what they wish, nor are they known for their patience."

This suggestion was slightly risky; if Myrina actually left it would ruin all, but Saeko thought it should be safe enough. The amazon had made it painfully obvious that she wanted Fenrir-sama's attention. And it seemed the shaft had struck true, as a visible shiver passed through Myrina's body at the mention of him claiming her.

They both put on the rest of their clothing in silence, but as Myrina handed back the comb Saeko had lent her, she asked, "But... ...do you think he only wants me for my body?" There was an undercurrent of real anxiety in her voice, and Saeko thought they may have finally arrived at the crux of the matter.

Being careful to maintain her calm exterior, the kitsune took the comb and began setting her own hair in order. "In all honesty, I am not certain he is capable of wanting anyone only for their body. He seems to have built a relationship with each of his girls unique to each, even the succubi, who of all people one would most expect a purely sexual transaction. But you yourself have seen how tender he is with each of them, even the most licentious of them."

"Yeah..."

Myrina didn't speak again, but Saeko was happy to let the matter rest there. Judging by the amazon's thoughtful expression, all that remained was a word to Fenrir-sama once he returned, and then her work would be done.

And she was careful to thoroughly extinguish the spark of envy that arose when she thought of what Myrina would likely experience soon afterward. There was no room for feelings such as those in her future plans. As she had just told Myrina, no sexual liaison with Fenrir-sama was likely to end there.

The second part of the oni celebration, and a glimpse of Saeko's project with Myrina. Fenrir should be pleased with her once he gets back to the castle.
Despite it being almost four thousand words long, it doesn't feel like much of substance happened in this chapter. I did get to showcase some of the fruits of Katari's labor, though, in Fenrir's increased skill and knowledge when it comes to swordsmanship. I also established the general attitude of the oni towards Fenrir, and even a glimpse of an old acquaintance, so it wasn't a pointless chapter.
Enjoy!