The Silver Fox

The kitsune girl responded without hesitation, rolling onto her knees and stretching her slender arms towards me across the ground in a completely submissive gesture. "Sixth Dragonfall... Please forgive me and accept my surrender. I didn't know we hunted a Great; I would never raise a blade against you, I swear it!"

I settled into an upright seated position, looking over her as she groveled. My mana breath had washed over her multiple times. She was no mage, and by now could have no hidden enchantments or magical times up her sleeve. "But you do hunt Dragons, allied with a unit like this? Explain yourself. Why should I allow such a disrespectful kitsune to live when Dragons have given so much to your people?"

She never twitched a muscle, remaining perfectly poised in her humble, submissive position. Her prominent kitsune features, large ears and a fox tail, were an unusual silver color, quite fetching against her tanned skin.

"It's true. I make a living hunting True Dragons for the guild. A shameful profession for one of my tribe, I know this. I can't justify my life choices to you, Great Dragon. Please know that I've never enjoyed this work, that I've only done what was necessary for me to survive. To encounter you like this, Great Dragon... I know this is my fate. I won't insult you by begging for mercy. I submit to your judgement."

She never lifted her eyes to look at me, or attempt to gauge my reception. I heard a slight tremor in her voice. She genuinely believed she was facing imminent execution. Was she crying?

I let her words hang in the air for several seconds as I considered her. Somewhere in the distance a man screamed. Yolfi and Sephillia were finishing their work.

There was no reason for me to execute the kitsune, although as a Great Dragon it would have been my right. I felt no genuine kinship for Dragons I'd never met, other than, perhaps, the other Greats. But they may potentially want me dead simply for existing on their level.

"You've a strong heart." I said, rising to my feet. "Here is my judgement. You will serve me six years for every one of my kin you have slain or that you had a hand in slaying. Your role will be to attend my companions. You will pay your debt to my kind by serving those who serve me. They are your superiors to whom you must submit entirely."

The girl hadn't moved an inch, but I could see her body trembling slightly with relief. I continued before she could speak.

"Tell me: how many years will you serve?"

Her voice faltered slightly as she answered. "Forty eight years, Great Dragon."

I wasn't sure how long kitsunes lived, on average. If it was comparable to humans, this. But she seemed grateful.

"Thank you, Merciful One. I will pay my debt with humility. I swear you'll have no trouble with me."

Azralynn and Ilithyia were close enough to overhear the exchange. The Scaleling noted my decree with mild amusement as she examined the runed platform. My Andoran princess, on the other hand, was openly excited about the development.

"What, you mean she'll be like my pet? A silver-fox kitsune? They're pretty rare." She stepped forward to get a better look at the kitsune.

Raising a clawed hand, I stopped my Companion short. "Ilithyia, don't interrupt. But yes, if you'd like to see her that way."

The other women returned from their task. Yolfi's clothing was torn and featured fresh blood stains but Sephillia hadn't so much as a single hair out of place. Her eyes twinkled with delight at the sight of the fox's submissive posture.

Beckoning to Sephillia, I removed her from the group so Ilithyia, Yolfi, and Azralynn could approach the kitsune.

As Sephillia took her place at my side and my Companions gathered around the kneeling woman, I spoke again to her. "Sit up, dragon-killer. Introduce yourself to your mistresses."