...And the consequences thereof

After leaving Koreen at their tent in the safe care of Katari, Fenrir turned his attention back to Vashedin and his associate. Tracking down Vashedin was laughably easy due to the amount of blood that marked his trail; he caught up to him in the medical tent where Asaara was cleaning and dressing his wounds.

As he entered, Vashedin gave a terrified squeak and scrabbled to escape. "Be still!" Asaara chastised him, interrupting her work on his arm to try to keep him on the table. "What has possessed you to- Fenrir? What has brought you here?"

Fenrir ignored her in favor of sweeping the bull off the bench on which he lay and lifting him completely off the ground by the neck. "You didn't think you could escape, did you? We're not done quite yet."

"Put him down!" Asaara ordered, a surprising firmness in her tone.

"If you knew what he tried to do, you'd be just as eager for blood as my Chief is," Nelith said, entering the tent behind Fenrir.

Asaara threw her a surprised glance, but did not back down. "I have sent for the clan-chief. When he arrives all shall be revealed, so put. him. down."

"...Very well." Fenrir replaced Vashedin on the table, none too gently. "Try to run again, and I will be taking more than just an arm," he told the oni bull. Asaara threw him a look, but went back to packing the stump of Vashedin's arm.

A silence fell in the tent, Nelith coming over to stand beside Fenrir. He could already hear the chief's measured tread approaching in the distance. "How's Koreen?" he asked Nelith in a low voice.

"She's okay. Katari's going to stay with her until you get back." Nelith fell silent as the chief entered, stooping a little to avoid hitting his head.

A quick explanation sufficed for Katoh. "If it is as you say, he has no place in clan Aqun. He shall be put on trial tomorrow, and justice shall have its way. But what of his compatriot? Do you know who he was?"

"I can find him," Fenrir said. "I'll bring him to you." And true to his word, Fenrir tossed Vashedin's compatriot to land sprawling before the chief before another half hour had passed. Both were placed under guard, and with nothing more to do but wait until the morrow, Fenrir and Nelith took their leave.

As they made their up through the village, Nelith glanced up at Fenrir. "Gotta say, Chief, I'm kinda surprised you didn't just kill him on the spot."

"I may yet," Fenrir replied. "We'll see what verdict the oni come to. But I suppose I should give them a chance at least, since me taking things into my own hands might damage our alliance."

"'But if Vashedin is left alive he might come back for **** again,' is what you're thinking, right?"

"Yes. More than that, a part of me wants to tear him limb from limb for laying hands on one of my girls."

Nelith smirked. "You can get kinda possessive, huh?"

"You don't like it?"

"No, I do. It makes me feel like I'm valuable to you. And it's not as if you don't know when to rein it in, so seeing you get so angry when one of us are in danger is kinda exciting. And well, it wasn't like I didn't know you got possessive sometimes. I mean, we just talked about it a couple days ago."

Fenrir nodded. "If you ever feel I'm taking it too far, let me know."

"Will do, Chief."

The trial the following morning was a simple affair. The chief, the clan elders, and several of the warriors who habitually sat in the second circle gathered in the council hall along with Fenrir, his girls, and the two accused. Asaara was there as well, no doubt because it had been her who had treated Vashedin's wounds. Vashedin and his compatriot, who it seemed was called Dathras, stood between two large oni warriors before the fire, opposite where Fenrir and his girls sat. Everyone else sat in their accustomed places, standing to speak and taking their seats again once done.

First, Koreen was asked to tell her side of the story. She kept it short, but made it clear that she had not been willing at any point during the attempted ****.

Then it was Vashedin's turn. "The succubus lies," he said defiantly. "She invited us to mate with her, then when the wolf appeared pretended we had **** her. She must have been afraid that he would be angry with her."

"No, I didn't!" Koreen cut in angrily.

She would have gone on, but the clan-chief extended an arresting hand. "Do not interrupt. Vashedin, have you aught else to say?"

"Only that the wolf attacked me when I was unarmed. He is not so honorable as he has pretended."

Fenrir had to restrain himself from a rebuttal, instead looking to Katoh for liberty to speak. Asaara was not as patient. "If that is so, then why did you carry a shortsword sheathed at your waist when you came to me for the dressing of your wounds? You were not in a state to make it believable that you should have stopped to arm yourself."

"I- That is- ...I took it in case he should pursue me. I did not wish to be caught unarmed a second time."

Asaara's expression made it clear that she had her doubts, but she held her tongue. Katoh turned to Fenrir. "What have you to say? Is he speaking the truth?"

"No, he had the shortsword on him when I entered the tent. He went for it as soon as he realized who I was, but I cut his arm off before he could draw it."

Katoh turned to the oni who had helped Vashedin, who had thus far remained entirely silent. "And what have you to say?"

The oni hesitated, glancing between Fenrir, the clan-chief, and Vashedin. "...I have nothing to say," he finally mumbled.

Katoh raised an eyebrow. "You will not even attempt to defend yourself?"

The oni shifted his weight back and forth. Fenrir couldn't help but notice the glare Vashedin was giving his companion and wondered what their relationship was precisely. "...No," he said after another silence.

"...Very well," Katoh said, turning to Fenrir and Nelith. "Tell us of your part in this affair."

Fenrir told them his perspective in the matter, causing a few eyebrows to rise when he spoke of tracking Vashedin by scent, but after an initial moment of surprise it seemed to be accepted. Nelith followed his version of events with her own, nearly identical one, with the exception of her actually having noticed Dathras making his escape, though she had been too late to stop him.

When she finished Asaara was invited to tell what she knew, then there was a moment's silence as everyone considered all the different accounts.

It was broken by one of the elders rising. "While I have heard it is unusual for a succubus to refuse sex, both those present have declined every offer of the kind made to them for the duration of their visit here. I see no reason why that should have changed to the extent that Vashedin claims, even though she was by her own admission under the influence of drink. Vashedin also has made no secret of his enmity towards Fenrir and his followers ever since the raid upon which he first met them. Considering all this, there is no doubt in my mind that the fault lies with him, and not our guests."

There was a murmur of agreement, Vashedin's expression turning a bit panicked. The elder continued, unheeding. "I do question to what extent Dathras was involved, however." Vashedin's helper shifted, but did not speak. The elder fixed him with a sharp look, but after a long moment accepted the silence, and took his seat again.

"There remains then the sentencing," Katoh said, rising. "According to the Code of the Oni, to thus wrong an honored guest deserves branding and exile at the least and **** at the most. How judge you, my people?"

Another elder rose. "The Dishonored has lost his right arm and shall never be able to walk properly again. I propose he be branded with the mark of the Dishonored and exiled."

"Why not ****?" one of the warriors in the second circle wanted to know. "He deserves it."

Another of the elders chimed in, responding to the first elder rather than the warrior who had spoken. "Indeed, let us not forget that he has not attacked just any guest, but those whose actions have saved our clan from annihilation. Such deeds deserve a fate worse than mere ****; let him live out the rest of his days as a cripple. Unless he is far stronger than I judge him to be, those days will be short enough."

Much as he wanted to tear the oni's throat out, Fenrir had to admit there was something appealing about leaving Vashedin alive, crippled as he was. Missing his right forearm and with most of the muscles in his right calf permanently severed, he would have enough trouble just moving around. Fighting or plotting any sort of **** was well beyond the scope of his abilities now. On the other hand, however, he was unquestionably an enemy, and just killing him now would be safer than running the chance of him somehow surviving his exile, however low.

He stood, prompting a sudden stillness as everyone in the hall looked at him, with varying expressions. "I would prefer he be put to **** here and now. Better to entirely remove his capacity to do any more mischief, even if it is a lighter punishment."

An elder opposite him also rose, frowning. "We do not punish misdeeds for the purposes of ****. Our goal is twofold. First, to warn others of the fruits of such actions, and second, to hasten the reformation of the punished in the trials of Hel. By meting out to Vashedin his just dues in this life, he may be given a greater understanding of the right path and thus be given the greatest chance of escaping the final destruction."

There were murmurs of agreement from the surrounding oni. Sensing further argument would do more harm than good, Fenrir took his seat, though with somewhat ill grace. Perhaps sensing this, Nelith squeezed his hand, giving him a commiserating smile when he glanced down at her. He returned it, letting out a little sigh. It seemed his influence among the oni had limits.

The clan-chief rose again. "All in favor of branding and exile?" He glanced around; nearly all the oni present had their hands up. "Then let it be so. And what of Dathras?"

"Y-You can't!" Vashedin broke in. "It was them! It is their fault! I am-"

Katoh fixed him with a look that made the oni shut his mouth mid-sentence. "The council has ruled it so. Warriors, take him from us and apply the branding."

Vashedin fought them, but even had he not been crippled he could not have matched up to the strength of the two warriors who dragged him from the hall. Once the sounds of his protestations faded sufficiently, the chief repeated, "What of Dathras?"

The first elder spoke again. "Will you truly not speak in your own defense?"

Dathras was silent.

"Then I propose ****."

Dathras' shoulders slumped, but he did not protest. The chief rose. "All in favor? ...Then let it be so. This council is adjourned."

As Dathras was led from the hall with head bowed low, Fenrir pulled Koreen onto his lap. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she replied, though she didn't resist him pulling her close. "You stopped them before they could really do anything anyway."

Fenrir looked at her, searching for any signs to the contrary, but found none.

"...There is something I've been wondering, though."

"What's that?" Nelith asked from her seat beside them. She was leaning into Fenrir, using his upper arm to pillow her head, though he doubted it was because she was tired.

"Vashedin mentioned something about you humiliating him," Koreen said, directing her attention towards Fenrir rather than at Nelith. "But when did you ever do anything to him?"

"Ah, that would have been back at the castle when we first picked up Katari," Fenrir replied, tousling the oness' white hair briefly as he spoke. She was sitting on his other side, having moved up from her customary position behind him when Koreen was pulled onto his lap. "He got angry that I won the duel and attacked me, so I laid him out with a fist to the jaw. Sataareth mentioned something about him having lost honor by doing that, so I assume he wasn't very respected for a while afterward. No doubt he blamed that on me."

"Oh."

"They aren't going to kill him though. Are you really okay with that?" This came from Nelith, who straightened so she could see his face as she asked the question.

"...Yes and no. I would like him to be killed here and now, just because it removes him conclusively as a threat. But at the same time, I don't want to jeopardize our alliance in any way over him; he certainly isn't worth that much. And the part of me that wants **** is entirely okay with letting him be exiled, because as that elder mentioned, having to live with the wounds I've given him is actually worse than just a quick ****, and I'm fairly certain he'll die before too long anyway. After all, him being exiled means he'll have to survive entirely on his own, and in the state he's in it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't last a week. If he doesn't starve or his wounds don't get infected, he'll likely end up being torn apart by ursa or dragged down by wolves. Might even run afoul of a yeti or a minotaur. The only unfortunate part is that I won't be there to see it."

Notwithstanding his words, however, Fenrir made certain to give Vashedin a final warning before he left the village. "I'm letting you leave alive out of respect for the customs of your former clan, but if I ever see you again- hell, if I ever even hear of you again, I will hunt you down and kill you. Am I clear?"

Vashedin just gave him an ugly look, but the way his eyes dropped to Fenrir's claws immediately after spoke to the impression the direwolf had left on his mind. He also hobbled away as quickly as he could, only slowing once well out of arm's length. Fenrir watched him out of the village, his eyes lingering briefly on the angry red brand on the side of the oni's neck. That sign ensured that no oni of honor would raise a hand to help him, and few other Dark-races who knew what the brand meant would tolerate him anywhere near them.

The execution for the other offender was simple and quick. Dathras maintained his silence to the end, something Fenrir found a bit odd, but it wasn't the first time he had found something the oni did odd. He was the only one out of his party to even attend the execution; Koreen had no interest in it and both Nelith and Katari decided to forego attending as well. Nelith preferred to stay with Koreen, and Katari was busy helping Asaara in the healers' tent.

It was strange, Fenrir reflected as he watched Dathras' body being carried away. Despite her sarcastic and sometimes even abrasive nature, Koreen really didn't seem to care about ****. It was enough for her to know she was safe. It made him wonder who she might have become had her mother not died.

With their trade negotiations being now mostly completed, Fenrir and his girls began preparing for their return to Kharvionas Castle. Katoh broached the subject of possibly sending an ambassador to the castle at some point, an idea Fenrir had no problem with, though he had to admit there wasn't much need for it at present. He was more interested in finding experts in various fields, including runeworking, metalworking, and stonemasonry.

The oni couldn't help him at all with the first, but then Fenrir had never really been expecting them to. And the tip the Dark Twins had given him during his last meeting with them ensured that being unable to find anything more on runeworking here didn't bother him in the least.

Metalworking, on the other hand, was something the oni knew quite well, being responsible for the crafting of all their own weapons and armor. As such, they had several skilled smiths, and one of the terms Fenrir was sure to establish was access to their smiths for any commissions he might want to order in the future. Thankfully, the oni had no issues with providing him said access, especially as he was willing to pay for anything he wanted made. A part of him wanted to ask to be taught how to smith, but the simple fact of the matter was that he just didn't have enough free time to properly learn, so it was something that would have to be placed on the back burner for now.

Stonemasonry was also something the oni didn't know much about. Fenrir wasn't really surprised; even the wall around their village was only a thick wooden palisade, and worked stone basically only showed up among them when it was the only material that would do the job. It did mean he would have to look elsewhere for a means to repair his castle, however.

He was inclined to go looking for the dwarves. From everything he'd heard of them since coming to Ruyanei, they seemed to be very much the same as the fantasy tropes of Earth had painted them, so it was likely that they would have the expertise to transform Kharvionas Castle into a state even better than new. The problem, of course, would be convincing them to do so, as they were Light-races and therefore more likely to want to kill him than help him. And if the dwarves' legendary stubbornness translated to this world's version of them as well, convincing them that he was friend and not foe might well prove to be an exercise in futility.

Overall, however, this trip had been a resounding success; the strength of his alliance with the oni being far stronger than he had dared hope. Not for the first time he wondered just how much the events around him were being influenced by the Dark Twins.

The evening before they left, Katari sought him out. "My lord, I have a request to make of you."

Fenrir looked up from where he was lounging in front of a fire with Koreen's head resting on one thigh and speaking with Sataareth. "Yes, what is it?"

Seeing she looked hesitant to speak in front of the others, he got to his feet and followed her out of earshot. Once safely out of hearing, she turned to him, then paused, playing with her hands. "...Could you come with me to speak with the clan-chief?"

"...I don't have a problem with it, but why?"

"He has asked to speak with me again, and ...I would feel better if you were there."

Fenrir fixed her with a penetrating look. "Are you afraid of him?"

Katari jerked, then paused, as if thinking over his words. Finally, she replied, "...Yes, and no. I am not afraid he will do anything to me, but he is mighty, stern, and wise. I am not afraid, but..." She hesitated again. "I am not certain how to put it into words."

"It's fine, I think I get the gist of what you're trying to tell me. Sure, I can come along. When did he want to talk with you?"

"He wished to speak with me tonight yet."

"Right now? Well, sure, lead the way."

Katari did so, at first almost timidly, but upon glancing back and seeing him right behind her, her shoulders straightened and her stride became more confident. Fenrir suppressed a smile as he followed. He knew she relied on him, but it was unexpectedly cute to see it expressed in so obvious a manner.

The chief was sitting alone at the fire before his tepee, gazing into it as though deep in thought. He roused himself as they approached, however, giving each of them a nod. "Fenrir, Katari, my greetings to you." Gone was the deliberate dismissal of Katari's presence; either Katoh had decided to disregard the custom or Fenrir's treatment of her had been noted.

"Good evening," the direwolf returned. "Katari asked me to be present during this conversation. I hope that's not a problem."

"No; considering it is you she is Beholden to, it may be better that you are here." Katoh paused as they both took their seats, then continued. "You have had time to consider what I have told of your past, Katari. Have you any questions?"

"I have one," Fenrir spoke up when Katari remained silent. "What precisely made you so hesitant to tell Katari of her true origins? I think I might know, but I want to hear for certain."

"When she was younger, telling her of her true parentage could have done no good and might have done a great deal of harm. I intended to tell her the day she came of age, but when her decision to become a warrior was so ferociously opposed, I judged the time not yet ripe."

"But why?" Fenrir interrupted. "What would her learning of her parentage have done?"

Katoh sighed. "...I have watched Katari closely as she grew, at first because she was the daughter of my sister, but later for her own sake. I knew that if she was ever to take her place as a respected member of the clan, she would have to prove herself through trials greater than most are tempered by, for there is much prejudice against runts in oni society. Thus, I gave her little aid and placed in her way several obstacles throughout the years, that she might prove to those around her that she was worthy even of the respect given only to our greatest warriors."

Katari's brows drew together at this, though she kept her thoughts to herself for the moment. Fenrir noticed, but only said, "That doesn't answer my question."

"I wished Katari to earn respect by her own deeds, and her road was not fated to be an easy one. Telling her of her mother would have introduced yet another burden of expectation upon her. She might have begun to believe she had to match her mother's legend, and thus begun to live always in the shadow of her mother's memory. Perhaps it has not been made clear to you, but Kataranda was a warrior such as only appears once in a lifetime. I doubt that even you, with your strength, could have defeated her at the height of her power."

"...I see." From what Fenrir knew of Katari, that wasn't an altogether unlikely possibility. He had to admit to being impressed by the chief's foresight in realizing this. Judging from the expression on Katari's face, she was just now realizing it as well.

She stood, and bowed. "Thank you. I would have cursed you for keeping the truth from me when I was younger, but now I see the wisdom in your choice."

A shadow lifted from the chief's face, one Fenrir hadn't even realized was there, but he moved on without further comment, turning now to the direwolf. "I contemplated challenging you to a duel for the ownership of Katari if you were a master unworthy of her, but you have proven yourself beyond doubt. Under your wing, she has the room to grow into her full potential. Take care of her, for my sake and my sister's as well as her own."

Katari's face reddened at this, which amused Fenrir, but he kept his face serious as he replied, "You can count on it. Katari has become precious to me, and it would bring me deep satisfaction to see her achieve her greatest potential."

The diminutive oness reddened still further, quite an accomplishment for her considering her already scarlet skin, and was for a moment very careful to look anywhere but at the two men.

Katoh continued, unperturbed by Katari's sudden shyness. "No others have yet been told of your true parentage, Katari. Do you wish it made known, or no?"

Katari took a moment to consider. "...No, I am content with things as they are. It is not that I am ashamed, but... I do not think there is much to be gained by telling all the clan of it. It may even taint my mother's legacy further." She looked back up at Katoh. "No, it is enough that I know."

"Very well. Do you intend always to keep it a secret?"

"...I do not know. Perhaps in future I may come to feel differently, but..." She spread her hands in the universal gesture of uncertainty.

"I understand. Then for now, I shall continue to keep the secret," Katoh nodded. Turning to Fenrir, he continued, "You plan to return to your home tomorrow, yes?"

Now it was Fenrir's turn to nod. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, yes. I'm sorry that we could not stay longer; I've greatly enjoyed the time I've spent here, but there's no small amount that still needs to be done."

"If ever you need our aid, send word, and we shall come."

"I appreciate that, and I extend the same to you. Busy as I am, I will make time if ever you need me again."

The next morning, they took their leave of the oni, their horses laden with some of the lighter items the succubi had wanted to trade for. Nelith had made good use of her time among the oni.

"I hope to come visit you soon," Sataareth told Fenrir as they each laid a hand on the other's left shoulder in farewell. "We never did find a chance to spar."

"That's right, we never did. I look forward to your visit, though I have to warn you that if you come without notice you may find me not at home. I have several different journeys to make in the near future."

"You are kept busy?" Asaara asked. She was standing at Sataareth's shoulder, having just finished saying her goodbyes to Katari.

"Very much so," Fenrir smiled. "I'm afraid I still have much to do before I can assure my family's safety and security, but you're welcome nonetheless. Even if I'm not there, my people will make certain your stay is a pleasant one."

"Thank you, clan-friend. Fight well." Asaara bowed slightly, an action which Sataareth echoed, though to a lesser extent.

Fenrir inclined his head in return. "Then until our next meeting."

As they climbed the trail out of the valley, Nelith spoke. "So what's up next, Chief? I heard you mention more trips you need to make. Is that to the capital, or...?"

"Hmm? No, though I probably should check on things in Mavenia fairly soon. What I was referring to was making a visit to the goblins in Apollyon for much the same purpose that brought me here, and going to visit the Ancient Dungeon Core to find out whether she'd be willing to help me master runeworking. I think I told you about her, didn't I?"

"Yeah, I remember. You said it wouldn't be for a while, though."

"It has been a couple weeks since then," Koreen volunteered from her own horse.

"You're right, it has." Fenrir paused to guide Nelith's horse over a particularly tricky section of the trail, then continued. "I intend to revisit Apollyon first, because that won't incur as much travel time. Hopefully, anyway."

"What do you mean?" Nelith asked.

"Well, if I enter Apollyon where I think I will, the journey to the goblins shouldn't take more than two days. But there's no real guarantee that I will. Just in case, I'll be leaving one of the Keys here, but don't be surprised if it takes me over a week to get back."

"I see," Nelith nodded. "Do you plan to take anyone with you this time?"

"Yes; you for one, and probably one other. I haven't decided just who yet, though."

"Right, you mentioned that you wanted to trade with them too. Alright, Chief, I don't mind, especially since it means I get to spend more time with you." She gave him a salacious grin.

Fenrir grinned back before returning his attention to the trail ahead. 'Nelith should evolve from a Lesser Succubus into a full Succubus soon. I wonder what that'll look like, and if it'll change anything. Speaking of which, my own monster level is getting pretty high, especially with all the sparring I did with the oni. Carnachias mentioned that I'd probably evolve in the future; I wonder when that'll happen and how I'll evolve precisely. I'm pretty content with this body as it is, though I could always get stronger and faster. I'm not really interested in getting any bigger, though. It'd make it tough to have sex with any of my girls; I'm already at the upper limit of what they can handle.'

He shook off the thoughts. 'Something to worry about once it actually happens. For now, we go home and I get to see the rest of my family again. Especially my children. I wonder how much they've grown in the time I've been gone.'

And the oni arc comes to an end. Vashedin gets his just dues for what he's done, Katoh has a final talk with Fenrir and Katari, and with their goals among the oni now achieved, Fenrir and co. turn their sights on future plans. Who do you think Fenrir should take with him to Apollyon apart from Nelith? And also, do you think Elmeria's going to get to the castle in time to catch him before he does?
Update: Made a couple changes to make it a little clearer just how unlikely it is that Vashedin could survive his exile. The Kharos mountains are a dangerous place even for an able-bodied individual; for someone as crippled as he now is his fate is pretty much a foregone conclusion, but I hadn't properly expressed that. In theory, he could survive, but you know what they say about theory once it meets practice.
Enjoy!