Archive of Our Own

The thing with being a triton that no one talks about is the fact that there isn't as many ways to keep one captured. As far as things go, most people don't discuss these things at all… but the people who Kaelee Thelori were around the past few months certainly were not 'most people'. No, Kaelee had the unfortunate circumstance of being abducted by sex traffickers. She was 'exotic' to the people she was going to be sold to, apparently. There weren't so many tritons inland, and on the planet of Krekya the sea was small, compared to other planets.

Her own planet was not the most technologically advanced, at least compared to the others in the FPA—Free Planet Association—but Kaelee didn't fuck with tech all that much anyhow. No, she wanted to be a baker like her late great-grandfather before her. Her boyfriend, Zachary, loved all the treats she made, and was fully on board with getting her own pâtisserie set up in the future. As soon as they got their own place, of course. Zach was living with his grandma who adored Kae's baking too! It was a nice little place, all told.

Which made it that much harder, on days like today, to remain calm.

Her captors were discussing what to do with her, and her less 'desirable' traits.

"What do you propose, Gregory?" The scum in charge asked, and it was a fucking good thing she was gagged and bound behind bars or she would tell where Hawthorn Grennvale and Gregory Giggle-fuck could shove their proposals. Her bright orange eyes narrowed, scowling as much as she could with the leather digging into her lips.

"Well before she gets sent off… I mean we've done wonders with her diet these past few months, as you can see—" Greg was a real piece of shit, no matter how handsome he might look on the outside, it paled in comparison to the monster he was within. Black hair, beard, and eyes sat atop a proud jaw and a refined hook nose. A light bit of aristocratic pudge that made their current topic of discussion even more infuriating. "—but skin doesn't shrink. We'll have to call in a surgeon if you want her trim before she's sold."

Fuck you. I will fucking tear your arms off with my teeth if you so much as give me a possible opportunity to do so.

"Hm… won't that take time to heal? I don't want her eating through our resources, and Lord Hiromi is rather eager to add to his harem."

He better like fucking tied up, muzzled women because it's not going to end well for him otherwise. One bite and his cock's gone. I'll be dead the next second, but if I can pretend to be interested… that I want to fuck near the ocean… then I'll be fine. I just can't let them take me to the center of the continent.

"The surgeon I'm thinking of has wonderful healers, the cost of which will certainly be worth it for such a rare jewel to Lord Hiromi." Greg-Fucking-Dick was gesturing at her like she was a fucking poodle. Just a pretty thing to be adored and not a person.

"I'm not so sure," Lord Hawthorn-Dumbass-I-Hate-Him Grennvale said. "I'm going to be paying enough to break her in magically for the man as-is."

…what?

"I can assure you, my lord, it is very minor. They might even cover the cost of healing over her… piercings and that nasty scar. They're very talented." Kae's navy blue curls bounced slightly as she watched the two continue down the line of women, similarly bound. Not many gagged though. No, apparently she was a 'tough bitch'. An honourable title in this hell hole.

Her stomach growled and she desperately tried to figure out this bridal bit in her mouth. Metal and leather—though the part she could attempt to bite through was not ever at an angle that allowed her to do so. Like a fucking horse. I guess they figured out pretty quick I wasn't going to go quietly. Kaelee honestly thought she'd gotten away when she bit the man's hand, doing it once more to the other who tried to silence her pleas for help, only to lose his thumb and pointer finger.

Was it gruesome? Yes. Did she regret it? Hell no. That fucker got what was coming to him. She just… didn't see the third guy. When she woke she was… here. Wherever here was. She could hear the sounds of the ocean, the crashing waves. They had to still be on the coast, but who knew how far away from home she was? Even if she only lost that night and the morning after, that was a long enough time in a carriage to be ages away from her home.

Mages to break me? Am I to be put under a spell until I'm… complacent without it? No. It had already been six months in this shithole. Most of the jailors here left her after hearing about her finger biting. But when she was tied up like this, sometimes they looked a bit longer. Lord Hiromi wanted her to be 'as pure as possible' which was a load of bullshit. She'd already ridden Zach more than a prize horse, and yet she "looked good enough" which was completely mortifying when the time came a week into her stay; the physician and several other men looking at her vulva as if they were experts on puss.

You can't be that good at getting pussy if you have to force them to give it to you. Mages… That would explain… Hannah. The triton looked across down two cells, past the tabaxi beside her, to look at the human. She was a pretty thing, long brown wavy hair and (frankly) enormous tits. Kae doubted they cared for her cute face, considering. One day she was yelling and screaming to be released, the next, nothing. Just like she was now. Granted, the time between was about a month? Two months? It was hard to tell, the tiny arrow slit that gave them light was barely able to show off the sky. Kaelee thought she'd been in his hellish stone prison for about six months, for the times she was able to see the full moon.

Hannah was quiet now. Never said a thing to anyone. Kaelee was a bit upset at that—not just for Hannah, but because now she had no one to talk to. The tabaxi had terrible Common, and their other languages weren't a match either. It was lonely at the end of the prison line. She sure as shit wasn't going to be talking nice with the walking scrotums that brought her gruel. So mushed up that she could swallow it past her bridal bit.

Mages… what did they do to Hannah? They're going to be doing it to me… why have they waited? They wanted her slim, that was obvious with their 'diet' talk. She'd lost far too much weight for it to be safe, but then these dicks didn't care about her anyway. These women were all cattle to them. I have to try. Maybe she can give me clues, some ideas for how to escape.

"Huh-nuh?" Kaelee tried past her 'muzzle'. She shuffled closer to the tabaxi's bars, checking to see… Yup, Hannah was awake. "HUH-NUH!"

Brown eyes forward, staring blankly.

"HUH-NUH PEAS!" she knocked her cuffs against the bars, the metal-on-metal making a terrible racket. "HUH-NUH!"

The human's face turned slightly, eyes finally seeing her own.

"Huh-nuh… wut a-ppened?"

The human licked her lips, eyes glazed over. Hope soared as she opened her mouth to speak. She has to know something! Anything!

"Just be good."

"Wut?"

"Just be a good girl… all will be okay…" Hannah's face turned back to the cell door. "I'm a good girl…"

I'm going to kill everyone here… after I lose my lunch. What had they done to her? In the… month or two that she'd been gone? Mages were… scary. From all the tales Kaelee had heard of, rare as mages were on Krekya, when they had power they had a LOT of it. Other planets had more mages with less power, at least what she'd heard of. Maybe if our planet were less fucked up with magic then I wouldn't be in this situation. Well… not a magical one. She had no idea how she was targeted, or if they were just looking for a triton woman for this Hiromi guy.

Her answer, for what happened to Hannah, was given to her the next day. Breakfast came, and she was not given a bowl. No, she was yanked out and half-dragged out the hall. She resisted enough that he didn't backhand her like they'd done when they took Hannah, but enough that she managed to see the ocean through one of the arrow slits. Freedom. I just need to get to the ocean. Even with these fucking cuffs I can probably dive deep enough to evade their lizardfolk guys. If they have a triton in their ranks, I'm fucked.

Up, up, up the spiral stone staircase, trying to not slip on the narrow stairs. One woman had… not survived her attempt to escape on them. Her blood running down the stairs haunted Kaelee. They didn't see the body. Just a scuffle, a shout, and then the thumping of a body hitting the stairs. Then blood. Never heard her voice again. Did hear about a 'distraught buyer' though. Disgusting.

Down a narrow hall before opening a heavy door… to a much brighter interior. The lights were too bright for her, the lizardfolk pushing her down the hall as her eyes adjusted. Red runner carpets along the dark stone, plush under her bare feet. This was so surreal, so deeply unsettling to see art on the walls, this hall was a picture of nobility. Stood atop the cages of women Grennvale had captured.

Another turn, another hall. A turn. She tried to keep the route in mind. Stairs, hall turn your first right. That hall take the second-to-last left… A set of stairs then one more right turn… second door on the right. If she could get back to the first level, maybe she could find the gates to this place. Hell, if she managed to find a room with a balcony overlooking the ocean, she'd take the risk of hitting the bottom. She was nothing if not a good swimmer, so if it were deep enough—even if she fucked up her shoulder or something—she could escape.

The second door on the right was their destination, the yellow-green lizard man giving her the once over before knocking. I've got my eye on you, asshole. They were bid to enter, and the room was not what she expected. Lavishly adorned in silks and floor pillows, bright and airy with two large windows overlooking the sea. YES! They were barred, but that didn't mean that all the windows were.

"Ah, Mazda'Mun, set her up in the usual place, I'll be right with you." The voice came from Greg of all people, and she frowned inwardly. Greg? He wasn't a mage, surely? Mages were so rare, the fact Greg knew a healing mage personally was… downright bizarre. So he couldn't be one… right?

The guard pushed her further into the room, the decadence of which was nearly abhorrent. Especially when compared to the place she'd been in the last few months. Metal loops on the floor were her destination, already outfitted with handcuffs. Oh fucking hell… It's happening now. They never actually cared if I were 'intact' or not, they just wanted to keep the guards off me. To keep me for them.

The thought renewed her struggle, managing to elbow her captor in the gut before racing to the door. She didn't make it, the man pulling her back, choking her. She was so weak after eating nearly nothing and not being able to move more than the small confines of her cell for so long. Is that part of it? Not just making me lose weight? The edges of her vision started to fade before she was roughly thrown to the floor, one of the metal loops catching the edge of her ribs.

"Mun!" Gregory snapped, "I need her unharmed."

The lizard mumbled an apology as he bent to lock each of her hands into separate cuffs. Just enough to bend her elbows slightly while sitting on her heels. Another was a collar around her neck, with enough chain that she could feasibly lay down.

"When shall I return for her, my lord?"

"...I'm not sure. I'll send for you. This one is… fiery."

A bow and the navy-blue uniformed piece of shit was gone. Greg looked her over, as if assessing an unusual insect. With minor interest, but purely curiosity at an odd creature. Not at a fellow person. His dark eyes held hers a moment, before he sighed.

"Kaelee, yes?" Her brow knit together. She'd not told any of these fuckers her name. "Hannah is such a good girl, she told us all about you when we asked."

What did they do to her?

"And now, I have to earn my coin." He smiled, the handsome slash making her stomach roil. "I am rather gifted at a particular type of magic… do you know what that is?"

She glared. The asshole knew full-well she could not reply.

"Enchantment… Usually, it's Illusions but... Now I'm not the best, but I think I do well enough for my job here. The pay isn't the best either, but it has… other perks." He took in her barely-covered body slowly. I'm going to throw up. "Do you know that I created a spell, just for you women?"

His air of nobility was making this even more nauseating. Pretending to be someone he wasn't. Mages weren't allowed to be in positions of power on Krekya too much literal power to then also be some sort of royalty or mayor or… anything, really. Was never usually a problem with how few mages existed.

"A fun little spell, I've decided to call it Frailmind, as it's merely a shadow of its inspiration." Kaelee didn't have to know anything about magic to put two and two together. "Ah, I can see you've got the gist from the name. I'll overtake your mind and you'll be barely sapient for oh… about eight hours?"

…what? Barely… sapient? Like… a barely awakened creature? What the fuck? How is that possible?

"Delightful, isn't it?" he turned his back to her, puttering away at the cabinet he'd been looking at when they arrived. "Not to worry, you'll remember everything."

He turned, holding a cut of a sandwich. Beautifully soft bread, cheese, plenty of meat… mayonnaise and lettuce, onions and… She was so fucking hungry. He brought it up to his lips, taking a bite and watching her take it in. "If you're good, you can have some."

She growled as best she could from behind her muzzle.

"Well, I suppose that would have been too easy, hm?" pale fingers put the rest of the sandwich back on the top of the cabinet. Looking back to her. "I do enjoy a challenge, though."

He strode toward her, stopping a few feet away. "Do you know the best part of this spell, Kaelee?"

Crouching down, getting to her eye level. Beautiful face with soft eyes that made her want to rip him apart.

"I can cast it several times a day. That's the trade off, you see. Not thirty days, just eight hours. If you manage to evade it the first time, you won't be so lucky the second. Or, if you are… I can persuade you in other, more painful ways to allow it to take effect."

All the tales of boogie men throwing fireballs at villages, creatures in the deep that could cast lightning through the sea itself to electrify you wherever you were… All those tales were nothing compared to the implications that were here. With this monster.

"Too bad the feisty ones are usually intelligent. Wasted on you." His fingers flicked toward her face as he mumbled something. His magic was like a cold splash of water on your face while sleeping. Instant, unpleasant, and shocking. She could feel the tendrils of his arcane touch attempting to slide around, to find a crack in her mind. Pushing and prodding and… it found its way in.

"Kaelee, let's see that smile, hm?" Her brain felt like lead, slow and cumbersome. She could barely make sense of what this person was saying. Who is this person? I… I know them… somehow… He moved toward her, taking off her muzzle.

Oh… that's nice.

"Kaelee?" She looked up at him. That's my name, right? "Can you smile for me?"

Smile? I can do that… he just got that thing out of my mouth. That's worth smiling for. She did, and was rewarded with a smile in return.

"That's a good girl."

The spell ended and he asked her if she wanted a sandwich. No, fuck you, you sick frea—

The spell ended and he asked again. Why the hell would I—

The spell ended and he asked again. No.

"Suit yourself. I'll be back tomorrow. We'll start doing a bit more than simple commands then."

"Are you hungry, Kaelee?" Asshole enchanter Greg asked. "You didn't eat anything yesterday."

"And I won't eat anything until you release me. Release all of us. This is so fucked up, what is wrong with you peo—"

"Hello, Kaelee…" Who… oh. Was he… he was the one from yesterday. The one with the soft hand on my face. The gentle voice. She smiled, he was a nice man. "Oh, aren't you beautiful?"

Beautiful? Really?

"Are you hungry, Kae?" He held up a sandwich, and she nodded, opening her mouth. So hungry. "You want some?"

He moved forward, kneeling in front of her. Why am I stuck here? "Open up… good. Good girl. Is that tasty?"

She hummed. It was really, really good. He took a bite himself, watching her. Does he like feeding me? Why can't I move? The triton leaned forward, toward the food, frowning down at her shackles. Looking at him. At the shackles, back at him.

"I'm sorry, Kaelee… I can't get you out of there. I've tried." He has? Oh. Maybe I am just stuck then. "Do you want another bite?"

She nodded, leaning forward.

"I don't have a lot of food… do you want to trade for it?" Trade? She tilt her head, processing. "You can have my sandwich… for a kiss."

A… kiss? That sounds familiar…

"Shall I show you?"

She nodded, watching as he got closer, not sure what this person was doing. He was very handsome… and very nice to her so far. He wouldn't hurt her, right? What is a kiss?

Mages were disgusting.

Kaelee sobbed into the cushions he'd propped up around her before ending the spell. The man had left, smug. She was capitulating so much faster than Hannah, apparently. Zach… Zach, I miss you. Tomorrow, Greg said, was when he was going to start 'having fun' since her Frailmind self… only remembered the things that loopy part of her did. She could remember the feelings, and she was disgusted with herself.

He can't kiss me again. He can't.

How could she escape? Metal loops with metal shackles… and metal covering the windows. No… she'd have to be released somehow. Unless… She looked at her arms. Swallowed. That was… an option. If Gregory left her collar off one day. S-She could do that. She'd never be able to bring herself to do it. Nevermind that there were amazing leaps in the technology of prosthetics… She'd probably bleed to death before she could get help. M-Maybe if it were just the one hand…

The only reasonable time that would happen, having free hands, would be… once Greg got her to that point in her 'education'. She shoved her face harder into the pillow. No. No… there has to be a way out of this. She turned the problem over in her mind. Again and again. What could she possibly use to escape? She had nothing.

Kaelee let out a sob, the hopelessness taking over. Then it all hit her at once. She was never, ever, ever, going to escape. She'd never see Zach or his Grandma Iris, never get that fancy pâtisserie that her dads always wanted to help her open when she came of age… Her crying turned into a wail, unable to help herself. Heaving breaths, trying to breathe through the horror of her new life.

A banging on the door had her jolt. "Quiet in there!"

That wasn't… That wasn't Greg or Grennvale. That wasn't even Mazda'Mun. Who was that? Could he be the key to her escape?

"Please!"

"Shut up!"

Right… they all work for Grennvale… they all know what the fuck is happening, right? So… I am really alone. She cried, not caring at all for the pounding on the door. Be annoyed you shitheel. My life's been ruined and you're helping make it happen. The door opened, and a man… two men walked in. An older earth genasi, and a younger orcan. The genasi didn't even seem all that phased, walking up and slapping her across the face. It was too much, the situation, the pain, the humiliation and shame.

"These cunts don't last long. Greg gets em real hypnotized or some shit, and sends em off."

"And…" the half-orc hesitated, glancing at her. "And they don't remember a thing?"

"Not when he's got his spell on em… then their brain breaks or something. I don't know man, I just work here."

"And you never…?"

"No, not into chicks." The earth genasi's warm brown eyes would have been pleasing if he didn't just slap her for crying. "I've had one of them… whatdayacallem? The chicks born with dicks?"

"Uh…"

"Whatever, tight ass, that's all I remember." He shrugged, as if this were… a totally normal conversation. "You want her, take her on your own time. Hell, I'll do you a solid and patrol alone for a few minutes."

"A few minutes?" The green man looked uncomfortable.

"Oh, you sick dog, yeah, yeah… I'll be back in… an hour? Yeah?" the man walked back to the door. "You owe me one!"

The door closed.

Kaelee looked to this half-orc with wide eyes. Was he really going to do this? His tusks swung in her direction, looking her over.

"You can't understand me, can you?"

Can I use this? How… If I hurt him, then the other guard will be back. I don't even know if this guy has keys to these cuffs… I've only said one word so far, and that—yuck—might be plausible.

"...please?"

"What's your name?"

She tilt her head like a dog, hoping that her remembered dumb-time with Gregory would be able to help her escape.

"...wow. Okay…"

Do it. Don't think about the how, only the why. The triton hummed, tugging forward in her shackles before turning to look at them. Please, please, please think I'm fucking stupid. Back to him, a little whine. He wasn't ugly, but he wasn't exactly prince charming either. Not that any of that matters in this hell-hole. He stepped forward, and she reared back. He paused. That was instinctual but… I can use it now.

Kaelee looked up at him warily as he considered.

"Hypnotized… hm." He shrugged and she saw her chance at freedom slipping away.

"Please?" As sad and pathetic as she could be. His brown eyes looked her over again and she fought past her inner disgust to angle forward, pressing against one of her arms. Making her cleavage a little more obvious.

"...You're scared but you still…" He licked his lips. Ew. ew ew ew ewwwww—

"Please?" How long did she have? An hour? How long could she stretch this out? Make him think he was… taming her. Barf. She could see he was still on the fence. Contemplating. I'm going to escape. I am. She opened her mouth, tongue out.

"Well, shit… I guess… If you want it…" If I'm hypnotized I can't consent, you piece of shit!!! He moved closer and she leaned away, eyes wide.

"...please?"

"Should I just take you—?" Kaelee moved as far away as her shackles would allow. "...Maybe I can… get you used to me first."

Yes, yes, tame the prize poodle. Nevermind that this is going to be the death of you as soon as I have the chance. She chirped a little in a questioning tone. Back and forth they went, him slowly inching closer and her playing at being curious, at wanting to… do that, but scared of the 'big scary tusked man'. Anytime he lost his patience she would have to be a little more forward. A little more pleading.

How long would this guy try this, to get his dick wet? Would he just wait until he was close enough to push her down and take what he wanted? She didn't… think so? Based on what he'd done so far… But who the fuck knew at this point. This man wanted to fuck someone no more cognizant than a stray dog. Gross. Apparently, he would take as long as it took to reach out and touch her. She wasn't sure how long it had been, but she couldn't ruin the progress they'd made. He might come back, maybe she could—ew—lick him… I really hope it doesn't take that long but… I can do it.

His hand hesitantly reached out, stroking over her cheek. EWWWW. She flinched slightly before leaning into his touch.

"There… not so scary, am I?" No, you're just nasty. She hummed, closing her eyes a moment despite desperately wanting to know what he was doing at all times. "That's okay… You're going to be here awhile, aren't you? I have time for you…"

SICK.

She nuzzled into his hand, doing her best to smile softly at the guard. To pretend to be the brainless thing he thought she was.

"What does he do to you to make you… so sweet?" I'm going to rip your dick off.

"Mn?"

He leaned forward, moving his hand through her curls. She pretended to enjoy the feel of his hand in her hair. Pressing up into his touch.

"Just gotta be gentle with you? Is that all?" He hummed, "I can do that… You're warming up to me already… I can—" A knock at the door. The orcan stood, immediately backing away from her. Then the genasi entered.

"You have fun? Surprised you're…" He looked toward her, and Kaelee latched onto the idea. A stray dog? She could do that.

She frowned at him before hissing as he entered the room more.

"Fuckin' hell, you see those teeth?" the orc blinked.

"Whaddya mean? You didn't use her mouth?"

"Well, no, she's… skittish."

The genasi laughed. "The fuck does that matter?"

"You put your dick next to her teeth, then you tell me."

The older man looked over and she hissed again, showing off her sharp incisors.

"...fair enough." He looked back to the orcan. "You do anything with her, Karftal?"

"I think… I think it'll be a slow work up to that. Whatever Greg does… it's like she's a stray cat or something. You hit her, so she obviously doesn't like you." He gestured back to Kaelee. "But she warmed up to me, liked me petting her hair."

"You want her to want you, eh?" The genasi grinned. "You all soft under that bluster?"

"It's more enjoyable if… if the other person doesn't try to tear you to pieces, right?"

The genasi shrugged. "Mine was already a fucking brainless blob. Couldn't tell you… Shit!" Both men left quickly, closing the door behind them. Moments later she heard another person's voice.

They're not supposed to be in here… And the orc thinks I'm an animal… What can I do here? Instead of crying, she got to thinking. A lot.

"That's enough for today… unless you're hungry?" Greg asked, smiling.

I'm getting out of here you fucking asshole. She said nothing, just glared.

"Do you need a bit more time to think about it?"

"No." She swallowed, looking back at the waffles drizzled with strawberries, a cloying feeling in her stomach. "And no."

"You know… I could go a bit faster. Make your Frailmind-self so hot and bothered that you start begging for it… But I like the buildup. It's so much sweeter when you do finally break. Knowing that no matter how you and I started, it would always end the same way."

"You're sick."

"And yet, within the month, you'll be whining, begging for my cock. And if you're really, really lucky? I'll make sure the spell is dismissed as you come." With that horrifying statement, the man left, his self-satisfied smile making her want to vomit.

At least, she reasoned, with him wanting to… savour her torture, she had time to work on her escape plan. She wasn't sure how long it would be before the fucker got her animal-self to kiss over his pants, but… it wouldn't be that much longer. She was so fucking hungry.

When Gregory was away, she thought of ways to go forward with her plan. To listen to the faint crash of the ocean, and to not cry. The night arrived, and so did the orc. She acted happy to see him, which was made easier by the fact that he had come back. That her plan had merit. She had to tread carefully… if this worked, it would have to be… delicate. Not her strong suit at the best of times.

"Hi… remember me?"

Miraculously, her stomach growled. Yes! Maybe… She whined, holding her belly and looking at the cabinet. "Please?"

Karftal saw what she was looking at and hummed. "Maybe this'll smooth the way forward…"

Oh fuck. I mean… it makes sense. It's working on the actually Frailmind-ed me. He picked up the plate, and brought it over to her. She was salivating. It wasn't just waffles on the plate. There was bacon and eggs. Protein. I need that if I'm going to break out of here.

"Hungry, little one?" Yuck. "Will some food make you feel a little more affectionate?"

She cocked her head, playing the part of simpleton.

"Heh, cute." I think your beating heart in my hand would be far cuter. "Such sharp teeth… Bacon?"

He held one end of the crispy meat out, just within reach. I will escape. She opened her mouth, and he pushed it forward. She moaned at the taste, instantly ashamed. It had been so long without eating real food… When she was herself.

"Oh wow…" He shifted closer to her, and it was incredibly obvious that her little noise aroused him. "You that hungry?"

"Mmm!"

"What's your name?" He sighed at her questioning hum. "I can't just… Kitty. I'll call you Kitty."

I'm going to wear your entrails like a scarf. "Mn?"

"You want some more, Kitty?" He fed her, pet her, fed her, pet her… Back and forth until there was a single piece of bacon left. He held the meat just out of reach, and she could tell he was going to make some sort of move. It was the way he was looking at her, calculating. But in order to move forward with the plan… she had to go along with whatever the fuck he was thinking.

She leaned forward, tugging on all three restraints. A green hand reached out to stroke her cheek, trailing down her neck. Kaelee stopped trying to go for the bacon, sitting back and frowning, pretending to be confused.

"It's okay, Kitty… I just want to touch you." He held the bacon up, easing it away as she leaned for it. Then his hand was back, stroking down her neck. Vile creature. "There… that's it…" She was rewarded with the last piece of bacon. Another stroke down her neck. "I'm not so scary, am I?"

This will take too long, whatever we do together is all tied up in… how long he wants to wait. Maybe… Fuck this is a long shot.

"...please, who?"

"Oh!" He blinked. "Who am I?"

"Please?"

He touched his chest. "Karftal." He reached forward to stroke her cheek. "Kitty."

"Kar… Kar…?"

"Holy shit. Maybe there's more brain in there than we thought…" He looked her over. "Kar-ffff-taaaal."

"Karr… Karf?" Yes, yes, you're winning. You're the chosen one, your simple act of kindness gets you free fucking rights. 'I'll fuck you, I just want to see the ocean, I haven't seen it in so long.' I can get there… I bet I can get there. "Please?" She tugged on her chains, whining. "Karf?"

"Close enough." Yeah, to 'barf'. His hand reached forward and she let her head get heavy in his palm. "You… If you behave, maybe I can release your hands, hm?"

If he has access to the keys, then I can take the whole ring off him! "Please! Please! Karf!" She smiled (without teeth, better not freak him out) nuzzling into his hand. "Mn— Karf… please…"

Kaelee hummed in faux pleasure, noting just how tented his trousers were. Yes, think with that head, not the one holding your brain.

"Fuck, Kitty…" She did her best not to flinch as his other hand slid up and down her left bicep. "You like that?" He continued at her hum. "Want to touch me back?"

"Mn! Karf!" No! Barf! "Please…"

"If you like that… Maybe a bit more incentive to behave when I get the keys?"

"Mn?" Gods, what the fuck are you possibly going to do to incentivize me? The hand at her cheek passed her ear-fin and scritched the back of her head. She leaned into it, playing the part of the stray cat as best she could. The hand at her bicep flowed along to her collarbone, barely touching her. Ew ew ew ew ew— The hand in her hair gripped a little, palm on her front sliding down to brush over her chest. Zachary… I'm sorry. I'm going to get out of here and we'll start our life together. No more waiting for the right moment. You don't have to be in the right place financially, we'll live with Iris forever if we have to. She arched into his touch, and the grip in her hair fell away.

"Wow… You really will behave, won't you?"

"Karf?" Sell it Kaelee, you can do it. "Please?" She jangled her restraints back and forth, making her chest wiggle with the motion. The thin shift was fortunately (unfortunately?) attention grabbing. Helped by the fact he was still holding her.

"I'll get you out of there, Kitty…" She gasped as he pinched the peak, in shock, but he took it otherwise. "Fuck… Then we can have lots of fun…"

"K-Karf—" Ew ew ew ew ew— Both of his hands were on her chest now, and her stupid fucking nipples were tightening as the sensation even as she mentally recoiled.

"Like that, Kitty?" She moaned past her discomfort, past her shame. I am getting out of here. I am. "Make you feel good?"

She let her mouth part, panting. Yes, it's you, the chosen one. A single touch of your fingers and I'm already so needy for you… you want to get me to touch you back… I'll do it, if you free my hands. I can do this. I'm getting the fuck out of here. "Kar-Karf—"

"Fuck me, Kitty…" He moved closer, and though she hated it, it would work for her plan. If he gets this close with the keys… I'm sure I can get free. I know I can. "Making me hard with those noises."

She tucked that away for later. She couldn't go all in right now or he might rub a few braincells together and see he was being played. Patience was not her strong suit, but she'd do anything to get out of here. His right hand left her torso, rubbing himself through his trousers. Ew ew ew ew ew ew— She tried to think of anything else, literally anything else. His breathing grew heavy and she closed her eyes, pretending to be enjoying his touch.

His breathing was harsh, and she forced herself to listen past that, to focus on the barely-there sound of the ocean. I'm going to get out of here. I am. "K-Kitty, hgn— so good—" I-I am going to get out of here. I am. I am I am I am. "F-Fuck—" He squeezed her tight as he came, and the motion made her want to curl up and die. I am getting out of here.

I have to.

She shook her head, a little confused. Where's that handsome man? The one who made me feel so nice? Her concern was absolved when the man ran in, closing the door behind him.

"Kaelee!" He seemed so excited! What was he so smiley for? "I found keys!" Keys? "I can get you out!"

He reached for her wrist, trying one key then another, and the last one worked! She beamed up at his kneeling form. He was going to free her! What an amazing man. He always made her feel so good… and now she could be free! They could go find food together instead of having to share what he was able to bring back!

"I'm so happy, Kae…" He leaned in to kiss her, and she hummed in delight. This was an amazing day! One they could celebrate together. "Here, let's try the others."

Her other hand was freed, and she rubbed her wrists before his mouth was on hers again. Hands cupping her jaw. It's always so nice when he does it… Oh! Maybe I can do it too! She lift her hands, a thrill of pleasure shooting through her at his moan. Why did that noise make her hot?

"Mm… Okay, last one…" He jangled the keys over and over, face falling. "...I'm sorry."

She pawed at the collar sadly, not sure what hope there was left. No finding food together… No leaving this room, pretty as it was. How did I get stuck here anyway?

"My beautiful Kaelee…" She looked up, into his near-black brown eyes. "At least… At least now we can hold each other."

She hummed in question before he came close, wrapping his arms around her. His hands in a metronome up and down her spine. Oh… this is so nice… he's so warm. The triton embraced him in return, slow to join him in the up and down. He gave that moan again, and she found herself smiling as he pulled away. Her face felt a bit hot, but so happy he was here.

"That's my girl." He stood, walking around her to hug her from behind. Kaelee wiggled with happiness. He was so gentle, so sweet. And he was even out there, searching for a means in which they could escape. Together. Her palms laid atop his knuckles as he leaned back against the pillows. "You're such a good girl…"

Am I? I hope so. Her hands slid with his, ribs to hips, back and forth. This is so nice… he feels so wonderful… His hands stopped abruptly. She hummed in question, arching her body away so she could see his face. He seemed just as confused as she was.

"What is it?" He leaned in to kiss her. A light touch of his tongue making her startle before realising how good it felt. "Show me Kae… what do you want?"

Gregory was laughing as she fell back, sobs escaping. "Who knows? Maybe I won't need the full month afterall. But I think I'll keep it anyhow. Make sure you know exactly where you should be."

I moved his hands to make him touch my chest. I'm so fucking disgusted with myself. Why?! Why is this happening? The fact that she was the one seeking out his touch now made her want to shrivel up and blow away as dust. It wasn't really her, but she was living it, remembering it, all the same. I'm so sorry Zach… I'm getting out of here, I promise.

The bastard had a perfectly good steak sitting there, and he didn't even have to use it to incentivize her. I have to get out. I can't afford to be cautious anymore. I have to… Do whatever it takes. I can't let this mage ruin me. I won't. The smell of steak and roasted potatoes made her stomach grumble, and she was beyond thankful she'd eaten yesterday with Barf. She had enough to eat that her grumbling stomach didn't make her 'trade' anything more with Fucks-McGee.

Her only company was the smell of dinner, the keys hung up like trophies, and the sounds of the ocean. A terrible reminder, those keys. Just a little nudge to say 'well, in case you forgot, here's why your life sucks'.

Gods, I miss home. Her little cave by the coast, several meters below sea level. Pretty shells adorning her walls like pennants, the nearby fish that seemed to come and go with the seasons… It was all pretty magical. And above the ocean: Zachary. He was living with his grandmother, always helping out around the house. Then Kae would come visit and they'd all have dinner or play games… Iris would inevitably fall asleep after awhile, and the couple would tiptoe upstairs to enjoy a bit of privacy.

Zach hadn't seemed all that keen on moving in with her, always citing lack of funds and having to help his grandmother out. She understood… but when she got back, she was moving in. Before marriage or not, Iris, I'm staying with you two until we can afford a house of our own.

The orc returned that night, hunger in his eyes. Fuck fuck fuck fuck, he can't not have the keys on him. She pointed toward the cabinet, excitedly pressing forward and saying his name. "Karf! Karf please!" He looked back at where she was pointing. He missed the keys completely, scooping up the plate of food.

"Hungry, Kitty?" Well, yes, but that's not what I was getting at. "Want some food?"

He cut off a piece of steak and passed it to her. The steakknife was sharp… The real question was, could she hold off long enough to grab it when he had keys? She accepted, humming at the flavours. Anything she could use to her advantage, she would. And it that meant moaning at the taste of steak? So be it.

Kaelee was so fucking hungry that she didn't realise how close to polishing off the plate they were until Barfy-Karf stopped holding her food for her. "That's probably good, right? Can I touch you now?"

He leaned forward and she went through the motions of wanting his touch. The keys were too far away. She couldn't… She couldn't do anything like this. Especially not if she wanted to keep the ruse going. He leaned in to touch her, cheek to neck to clavicle to the tip of her chest. "Such pretty tits…"

I will kill you. I swear I'll fucking kill you.

"Let me touch them… fuck you're so soft…" She bit her lip to keep from lashing out, to keep up the ruse. She only needed the keys. Everything else would fall into place after that. It has to. "You can touch me now, Kitty…"

Fucking shit. Balls. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

"Mn?" Cute and stupid. You can do it. Cute and stupid.

"Give me your hand…" I'm going to fucking vomit. "Over me l-like that… gods, Kitty…" He was rather large, being an orcan, but he also—luckily—didn't seem too experienced in this area. Minor boons. "Such a good girl…" One hand left her chest to roll down her stomach. No no no no no… with her unoccupied hand she took his and brought it to her face to nuzzle into. I should get this over with, I fucking hate every second of it.

Disgusted with herself, determination fueled her to squeeze the tip of him through his trousers. "Please?"

Thankfully he didn't take long after that, hips jerking into her hand. I'm sorry Zach… I'm coming home, promise.

Gregory was going to die by her hand. It wouldn't be slow either. As soon as she got her strength back, she'd come back to this hell hole and tear out his stomach.

Her Frailmind self was getting curious about what he kept moving her hands away from in his trousers. Stay curious, you dumbass. Don't give him the satisfaction of you wanting his pecker.

"You know Kaelee… you could just give in." Despite having eaten yesterday her stomach still grumbled. Watching him slowly savour the meal he had brought in as leverage. "You can eat three square meals a day… live in this luxurious room and have no need of a chamber pot when I'm not around… there's a full bath in the door behind you."

"I…" the sauce on the chicken he bit into dripped onto the floor. She watched it, eyes snapping back to his when he started to chuckle.

"Come on… if you're a good girl, you can have everything you need. All you have to do in return is touch and be touched. Doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

"...fuck you."

"That is the intention, yes." His smile was affectionate, if a bit smug. He wiped his hands on a cloth napkin before picking up the ring of keys. She watched with a morbid fascination as he spun it on his finger. Watching him get closer. Watching the keys get closer. "What do you say? Think you can be a good girl?"

"I…" If he comes close enough with the keys… maybe I can take them.

"Don't be shy… I know you're hungry." The glint in his eye made her want to scream. "Must be getting difficult to focus with how little your other self is eating, hm? Why don't we—"

They both jumped at the sounds of shouts. The keys clattering to the ground. A second later a head popped in. Mazda'Mun shouted, "Please, Sir Gregory, there's been a fire!"

"Fire? For fuck's sake—" He glanced at the keys as he left, smiling with the knowledge that they were too far away. The doors slammed and she was alone. The keys… so close but so very fucking far away.

The door opened later, as the sun was starting to set. And hope bloomed when she saw it was Karftal. He was stupid. Horny and stupid. And that would be enough. It had to be.

"Karf!" Her arms lift as if wanting to embrace him.

He grinned. "There's my Kitty… did the shouting earlier scare you?" A pause as he stepped on the keys, moving his foot to see them on the ground.

"Karf, please!" She pawed at her collar before reaching for him.

"Are these…" He stooped down to pick them up, looking over to her pleading expression. "You want out, Kitty?"

"Karf… please…" Please let me out so I can kill all of you. I swear I'll do it.

"I'll let you out…" The tone in his voice made her nauseous, watching him tuck the loop into his back pocket "You just gotta do a little something for me."

No no no no… Damn it. Zach, I'm getting out of here. I will. Today. There was little question what he was thinking, especially with the slide of his hand over his lap.

"Have you sucked cock yet, Kitty?"

Fucking hell. She pushed past the discomfort, tilting her head. Yes, I'm sooooo stupid, I could never figure out how to unlock my own metal collar without you. Fuck I hate this. It's the only way. I'm not giving Gregor the satisfaction. Even if… I have to go along with Karftal.

"Remember how you touched me yesterday?" He rubbed over his now very, very, tented pants. "Can you do that again?"

If I hurt him he'll stay away… and if I make him fall back I doubt I'd have the strength to tug him close enough to get the keys and then also get away. Fuck fuck fuck. I have to get him closer.

"Give me your hand… Yes… just like that, Kitty…" He cursed, and she took the opportunity to move as far back as her collar's chain would allow. As if scared. If he falls I'll have enough slack to hopefully get to wherever he lands. How can I get him to fall? Or… Or… she could distract him enough that her hands on his ass wouldn't seem out of place. Could get the keys and wait for him to leave. Fuck.

"I didn't mean to scare you…" He finished unbuttoning his fly, keeping his pants on by the belt. His cock was not one she thought she could deal with, but he came from touching over clothes before… maybe he'd be a quick shot. I'm going home. I am. "Touch this like before… Give me your hand, Kitty…"

I'm going home.

"Good… fuck— good girl, Kitty." Her hand was trapped under his, making her pump him as he wanted her to. "Keep going…"

His hand left hers, and she grimaced inwardly as she faked her curiosity. I'm going home. Today. He took her other hand, getting her to stroke him with both. Why is this not over already? She swallowed thickly, one hand lowering to fondle his balls. Today.

"K-Kitty… what a good girl…" His hand in her hair tightened and she grimaced as he pushed her towards him. She couldn't quite believe this was happening, all of it surreal and horrifying. "Lick me…"

When she didn't comply, his grip tightened, pulling her head back to look at him. He opened his mouth, tongue out. Today. She copied him, hating herself but knowing she could escape. Today. Her mouth at the base of him, forcing her head along the shaft. "Fuuuck, I couldn't stop thinking about you today, Kitty… Any second I had, I came thinking of your mouth doing this."

No wonder he's not already done, he's emptied the damn tank. I hate you so much.

"G-Good girl… Open wider…" I'm going home, today. "Hgn, yes, just like that…" Her hands slid up his thighs. I'm going home. She took him deeper, gagging as she got to the root. "K-Kitty—" The hand in her hair forced her up before pushing her back down. I'm going home. He was a big man, and it was hard to reach behind to his ass without… "Hgn, hah— want some milk?"

I will kill you. She hummed, pulling him close, pushing past the discomfort, tugging on his ass. Fingers moving to get the keyring the whole time. She couldn't quite reach it, his pockets were deep. "H-Here it comes—"

He moaned as he filled her, and she swallowed as much as she could while racing for the keys. Got them! Fuck— He moved back to look at her, the movement making the keys jangle. Well… the plan's happening now. She lunged forward, pulling his sword from its scabbard before plunging it into his stomach. Twisting and yanking back. No time to think. Just do it. All the air escaped him as he flopped back, the sword thrown into pillows away from him so she could unlock the stupid collar. It only unlocked the chain, but that was fine. She ran back to the sword, and sent a quick prayer to her parents as she did.

Pop, Dad, thank you. I never would have known what to do without your guidance. Men-at-arms that fell in love, she got a bit of training from a young age. Thank you.

Sword in hand she gave the dying orcan a wide berth, grabbing the chicken off the cabinet and shoving it into her mouth en route to the door. Fin pushed to the door… no noise. She opened the door and saw no one. Just the low lights of an evening-lit hall. Fuck how do I get to the ground floor? We went up stairs, turned… a hall near the end for more stairs… and another right turn to here.

Kaelee tried to flip it in her mind. So left to stairs… Yes! Okay… She was warring between speed and stealth, settling for quiet glances around corners and jogging down halls she cleared. There were so many fucking rooms and halls… I'm fucking lost. This… This can't be it. She found stairs again and frowned. Stairs are usually on the outer wall… so if I check in some rooms maybe one will have an unbarred window.

With that in mind she carefully opened the door to the closest room, hearing light snoring as she did so. Small window. Too small to fit through, even now with how much weight they'd forced her to lose. She closed the door. Next room had an arrow slit for a window… and three men playing cards. Fuck, they saw me!

Throwing caution to the wind, she started frantically opening doors, the inhabitants spooking each time she flung their door open. I'm going home. I'm going home today. Today. TODAY! Her prayers were answered at the end of the hall with a balcony. She raced forward, skittering past the surprised face of Greg-fucks-mcgee until bars covered the exit instantly.

"NO!" Kaelee spun around in time to have Greg's letter opener cut over her eye. "FUCK YOU!"

"That was meant for your ear fin, you stupid cunt." He hissed. "Which one of my men did your whore mind decide to seduce, hm?"

There was no way this was real. This couldn't be the end. She stabbed forward, Gregory leaping back enough so she just barely caught his arm. The other people from the hall were gathering at his room's entry, curious. That's when she saw it. His curse at his nicked arm coincided with a shine on the bars. What was his speciality? Illusions and Enchantments? Surely… I'm dead if I don't try. The blood in her eye made it so hard to see, so hard to focus.

She ran, full tilt, towards the metal bars he'd summoned. And passed right through them. No time for second guessing, she just jumped. The ocean beneath her welcomed her with a cold splash and she was never more thankful for her ancestry. I'm going home. She dove as hard as she could, deeper and deeper, touching the bottom before she sped off along the rocks. Lizardfolk could dive pretty well, but if they had a triton in their ranks?

Kaelee was exhausted, this was more physical activity than she'd had in months. But she couldn't stop. Stopping meant she could be found. Could be brought back. I'll never let you take me again. The sea grew dark with the setting sun, and still she pushed on. It was only when her arms couldn't move without screaming and crying out that something was going to snap that she let herself slow. The stinging of her eye's cut made her wince as she touched it. A tentative opening of her eye. Please don't be blind, please…

She nearly wept with relief. One less thing that fucker ruined for her. The cut was no longer bleeding, had stopped awhile ago, but she couldn't be too careful. Checking out the rocks around her, she found a crevice that she barely fit in and allowed herself to rest.

I'm going home. I'm free… I'm free…

When she woke she worked herself loose from the rocks, every muscle aching from her intense workout she forced them to go through yesterday. All that muscle mass went right along with the pudge. I hate those motherfuckers. The anger, that was her fuel. Kaelee knew she could find her way home, as long as she kept along the coast, she'd make it eventually. Even if she didn't recognize any of these landmarks.

She didn't push herself as hard as yesterday, needing to marathon instead of sprint. Who knows when I'll find home again? I can't push myself to exhaustion without knowing where I'm going. So Kaelee would swim a long ways, come to the surface, look around for landmarks or buildings, then dive once more. Over and over… Then a building! Oh fuck, finally!

Kae pulled herself ashore, the lack of buoyancy making her feel like lead on the sands. The building was a stables of some sort, attached to a town. Perfect! Oh fuck, they can tell me where home is. She stumbled her way forward, stomach clenching at the smell of lunches being prepared. The first person she saw was an old man, leaving the town.

"'Scuse me!" She hobbled over to him, and he looked aghast. Yes, I know I'm wearing white and it's wet and I have a fucking collar on, let's keep it moving. "What town is this?"

"Houndsmaw… You… You alright Miss?" He took off his vest, handing it over to her. "You look downright terrible, no harm meant. You alright?"

"Houndsmaw…" That was completely unfamiliar. "I'm okay, thank you sir… I… do you know where Brightmoon Village is?"

"...Brightmoon?" He looked at her sadly. "Can't say that I do."

"Shit." She finished donning his vest, which at least covered up her cold nipples. "Thank you… I'll pay you back."

"Do you need help?"

"I need…" She paused, watching with awe as a spelljammer came into view. "I need that."

"The Emperors? Whatever for?" She left him, heading to where the ship hovered in air on the other side of the town. Getting plenty of looks for the metal collar alone. Emperors… there's only two I know of. Leaders of the FPA. They'll be able to help. I know it. Even if they only gave her directions, it would be enough. She just needed to get home. A crowd had gathered around the space ship as it hissed, settling into place. It was a small vessel, but still massive compared to sailing ships she'd seen.

She pushed her way forward, even that felt like a marathon. So tired. So hungry. The gangplank lowered and a human with red hair the height of a damn tree came down the incline, looking around with a crystal pad in hand.

"I'm looking for the mayor here, a Ms. Yan…" He'd petered out as Kaelee pushed herself into the empty space around the ship.

"Help me— please—"

He blinked, green eyes there and gone. "I think you ought to see this, Your Majesties!"

Kaelee started crying, so fucking relieved. She fell to her knees. So tired. Black boots and heels came into view, side by side. Then the heels clicked quickly down the metal ramp, cool hands raising her face. Violet eyes and white pupils in a blue face. One that was looking at her with concern.

"Archibald, please let Ms. Yannary know we'll have to reschedule."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Are you alright, darling?" Thumbs brushed away tears. "What happened?"

"I… I was taken…" She took a deep breath. "There are others, still there. Still… I escaped. He was going to… to sell me. Please, I just want to go home."

"We'll get you home, don't worry… Archie?"

"Already alerted the medical staff, my lady."

"Who did this?" Kaelee looked up to the man wearing the boots. Grey skin and charcoal hair. Gold ingots at his cheekbones and along his helix. But they were nothing compared to the molten gold of his eyes.

"Gregory… um… working for Lord Grennvale. Sire."

He waved that away, looking at the crowd. "We'll return. Samiya?"

"Yes, my love." She looked back into the triton's orange eyes. "Will you come aboard? I know you're probably scared out of your mind."

"Y-You're the… the gods running the FPA, right?" She continued at the woman's nod. "I'll go with you. Just… Just so tired."

Once aboard, the ship started to rise, and the golden-eyed god frowned. "Lord Grennvale?"

"That's him, yeah. S-Sire."

"How long did it take you to get here?"

"Well I slept a little last night but… yesterday evening to now?" She swallowed as he looked her over. "W-What is it?"

Maybe I shouldn't have come on the ship. Am I bound for… worse?

"Incredible." He nodded, looking away. "I was surprised. It's a long haul."

"Autivus, I'm taking her to the med bay." The woman's purple fingers found her shoulder. "Meet us there?"

He nodded, looking to the red-haired human. "Let's go to this Grennvale… He was supposed to be next month but…"

Their voices faded away, and she looked up to the woman. The goddess.

"You have to excuse my husband," Samiya said. "Autivus is rather protective of our staff, and me. He… must have been extremely impressed if he doubted your story."

"That I… swam that far?"

"In your condition, yes." The woman led them to a room with two female staff and one male. "I'll be here the whole time, don't worry about Jaxon, he's the head nurse."

"O-Okay."

"What's your name dear?"

"Kaelee… Thelori."

"Well Kaelee, as you know, I'm Samiya Bronze. My husband, Autivus, and I are here to… break up places that you seemed to have found yourself in." She paused, helping her step up the stool to sit on the edge of the examination table. "Before we begin, I'm afraid I have to ask… Were you sexually assaulted?"

"...Not, um," Kae shook a little. "Not… not inside me."

"Okay, we'll skip that portion. Aside from your eye, is there anything else that I cannot see?"

Why is she being so… "Are you… always like this?"

One of the nurses stifled a laugh, answering for the goddess. "She's an angel. I'm Aisling, that's Jaxson, and that's Lanessa. We just want to help. They hurt you anywhere else?"

"...no."

"Alright then, let's start with your eye, then see about getting you some food, and hook you up to an IV for rehydration. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you… Are… Are we going back there?"

"Do you want to go home first?" Samiya winced. "I'm sorry, but we're going to get those other people out. We'll take you home right after."

"That's… don't apologize." Kaelee let the doctors examine her cut, following a flashlight as directed. "I… I promised myself I'd go back there and kill the rest of them."

Jaxson paused before continuing to set up the IV bag.

"...'The rest'?" Samiya's head tilted. "You killed someone to escape?"

"...yes."

"Good." Autivus was in the doorway, eyes shifting from Kaelee's to his wife's. "I hope it wasn't the ringleader though, I do so love to watch you work, Miya."

"Absolutely incorrigible. I love it." She stretched up to meet his lean in to kiss. "How long?"

"We're actually just looking for a space to touch-down now." Already there? How fast is this thing?! "Kaelee, if I may… I'd like to remove the metal at your neck."

She nodded vigorously. The man moved in, lifting a metal finger to touch the collar. The thing fell in two halves which clattered to the floor.

"Can I go with you?" Kaelee asked. "I want to see him die."

Kaelee was quick to explain all she could, anything relevant. How she saw six cages, but didn't know if there were more. The spiral stairs down to that room… Anything she could think of.

"He's a mage!" She shout as the gods walked ahead. "He— He can do Illusions and…. And, um, Frailmind!"

"Feeblemind, darli—"

"No! He… He made it up himself."

At that the gods paused, looking at each other.

"Kaelee, we'll come fetch you when we find him." Autivus nodded. "Promise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The women were aboard now, all eight of them. After they were all given fluids and were looked over, Kaelee made her way over to the human she'd made friends with.

"Hannah?"

"...good girl."

The nauseous steel-blue triton left the med bay, staring at the gangplank, waiting for her summons. IV still dripping away. She was going to kill them all. The tall reed of a man, Archibald, found her. He looked her over a moment before taking a seat opposite her.

"You're doing remarkably well."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her eyes narrowed. Who the fuck is this guy, anyway?

"It's supposed to be a compliment…" he turned his tablet over so she could see the screen. It was a map of the coast. "Even if you took the most direct route… it's a rough time for anyone to swim that long, let alone in your condition."

"Oh. Thanks." She leaned back. "Sorry… it's been… a lot."

"I can imagine." He went back to tapping on his crystal pad. She watched him, the man seemingly completely engrossed in his work.

"You work for the royals."

"I do."

"And you enjoy it?" At that question he looked up.

"Working for Their Imperial Highnesses has been extremely rewarding. Both for their sakes and my own." He sat up. "Do I look familiar to you?"

"...No?"

"Drat." He sighed. "Worth the ask. I'm trying to find out who I am… amnesia. And no one thus far recognizes me. Working with the Bronzes has been a boon for connections and coin to fund investigators. And the work they give me is rewarding. Knowing we're helping people like you and the general populace of the Free Planets."

"...Sounds like a lot of work."

"It is."

"But you enjoy it."

"I do." He considered her a moment. "You know, Their Majesties said you had a home to go back to…"

"Yeah?"

"Well we usually offer for anyone we've rescued to come live in Telaris. Without worry of having to work to feed and clothe yourself it gives time for… working through anything you might have experienced." He cleared his throat. "A lot of the women, and others, tend to end up working with Her Ladyship or elsewhere in the Tower, er, royal palace. Some just… start their own businesses and pretend it never happened."

"Really?" Kaelee was curious. "They rescue people and… just let them live rent free outta the kindness of their hearts?"

Archibald chuckled. "Seems ridiculous, doesn't it?"

"I mean… kinda. But they're… gods, right?"

"I'm certainly not going to tell them to stop." A notification on his pad made him look down. "Ah. They're ready for you, Kae. Shall we… get you dressed?"

"Oh… Yeah I… I need to give that old man his vest back."

"From Houndsmaw?" She nodded. "I'll see it done. Just give me the vest after you've changed. The medical staff will provide you with clothes."

"You don't have to do that."

"And you didn't ask."

Kaelee, now outfitted in a dark tunic and matching trousers strode into the main hall of Grennvale manor. The place she was kept was an outpost, barely used, so they apparently told any who might inquire. The tower was surrounded by water, and it was a 'last line of defence'. One could cut the bridge and hole up for months until help arrived. Supposedly.

The fuckers were tied up, and Her Majesty went along tapping the shoulders of those deemed ignorant of the goings-on in the tower. Mages are scary. She can just flash her eyes and… Though I guess she's a goddess, she can do whatever the fuck she wants. Those were the only people allowed to leave the courtyard unscathed. The triton didn't bother looking at Lord Hawthorne Grennvale as she strode up. He was sick to allow it, to orchestrate it… but Gregory was personal.

"Kaelee, you seem a rather vengeful sort." Autivus said as she sidled up beside him. Looking over the bastards that kept the women enchained. Who sold other people's bodies like cattle. "Shall I tell you what we normally do?"

"I'd appreciate that, sire." Now that she had eaten and was rehydrated, it was easier to remember her damn manners.

"My wife is connected to the overseer of the multi-verse." The triton nodded, she'd heard the stories. "So she has allowed herself to use that connection, only for this purpose. To help me dole out Justice."

"What can she do with that connection, sire?"

"She can see the abuse they inflicted on others… and turn it back upon them." Kaelee blinked, looking up at His Majesty's quirked lip. "Gloriously just, wouldn't you say?"

"...Yes." Orange eyes turned back to the courtyard. "Is that what she's doing now?"

"Any who knew are going to be processed in a proper lawful manner. Those that… participated get their due Justice."

"And you, sire? What do you do in all this?"

"I make sure their last few seconds of life are incredibly painful." He sighed. "If it weren't for Miya's skills, I'd probably just kill them all. Fast but… less rewarding."

"Hm. And… I can help?"

"If you'd like." He turned to face her. "You took the half-orc's life, yes?"

Kaelee nodded. "I had to… do things to get the keys. Then his sword was… within reach."

"You needn't explain further, Kae." He's so sincere. "I was just making sure you'd taken a life before. No going back after your first."

I mean… he wasn't my first, but a second is barely better. "I'd thought about how I would kill them. To keep my anger as fuel. To… get out of that place."

"It served you well."

"It did." She swallowed, watching Her Majesty tap another person on the shoulder. "I cannot say whether I actually want to do any of the things I imagined though."

"It kept you alive, that's all that matters."

"Thank you, sire… I… I want him scared."

"Don't you worry about that." He chuckled. "They always are after my wife gets ahold of them."

"...Is it wrong to want to watch him die?"

"I'm a man of Justice, not morals." She smiled at that, still staring into the courtyard with him. There were far fewer people than when Her Majesty started. Maybe ten total? Still too many. "Shall we?"

She nodded, walking in tandem to meet up with Samiya in the middle of the sunny courtyard. Hawthorne and Gregory stared up at their executioners with varying levels of fear and hatred.

"Miya, we need to start doing actual trials… for the people," Autivus said. "Not today, of course, but you know…"

"I'm sure you and Telen can come up with something to show the people things we've done."

"Remind me to send my brother a message after we're through here." He turned back to the humans at his feet after Samiya nodded. "I think… Kae, let's show Gregory what awaits him, yes?"

"Yes please, sire."

"Alright, Grennvale…" Her Majesty's eyes flashed. "...You are a horrid creature, aren't you?"

"Now, please, I'm sure I can—" He cut his own words off, screaming. Kaelee merely spared the man a glance, just watching Greg's handsome mug grow paler.

"He'll be done shortly. He was more into the money than the rest of it." Samiya took a deep breath. Maybe another thirty seconds."

Thirty seconds? Kaelee looked up to see the god kiss his wife's temple. Such tenderness… Then he squat next to the blubbering mess of Lord Grannvale and shoved up his sleeve. Showing off his metal arm.

"How long has this been going on, Miya?"

"...decades."

"Hm. Slow and steady then." He ripped open the man's clothes at the stomach, before pressing his stiff digits against the skin. "What do you think… Should I grant you clemency?"

"...p-please. Mercy… I… I'll do anything…"

Autivus tilted his head in consideration. "Anything?"

"Y-Yes, anything—"

"What do you think, Kaelee?" Gold eyes found hers. "He's asking nicely."

"I think he knows what happens to good boys and girls." She took a breath. "No matter what they plead."

"Is that true, Grennvale?" Kae's gaze shift between Autivus' hand pressing to the man's stomach and Gregory's look of thinly veiled hope. "Should I believe her?"

"N-No, please, I'll—" Autivus' hand started to pierce the skin, blood gushing as he ratcheted forward to his wrist. No more words, just a gasping, pleading mess. Blood pooled around the man with startling speed.

"Always the lords that pass too quickly." The god murmured. "Women really are so much stronger, aren't they?"

"Most of us have to birth children, my love."

"Mn. That's why they called it the woman's battlefield, back in the day." He was up to his elbow now, and Kaelee couldn't help but watch Gregory's face contort. Oh yes… that'll stay in my memories forever. Sick fuck. "His lungs are surprisingly large, Miya."

"Part orc… far far down the line."

"Mn." He pulled back, dropping the man's heart on the ground unceremoniously. A snap of his fingers and his person was clean of blood.

"I-I-I-I know I've done wrong—" Gregory stammered. "I'm a powerful mage, I can assist you, I can atone! Make things right."

"Samiya?" Autivus knelt down to the man's level. "What do you think?"

Kaelee looked up to see the goddess' eyes flash. "...That spell you created, I see you didn't share the knowledge of how to make it with anyone else."

"R-Right! It's just me, I can show you, I can—" he gasped, eyes rolling back in his head.

"Miya?"

"Don't worry… just expunging that knowledge from him… I need lone access to his quarters before we continue. No one is to see the spellbook but me."

His Majesty tapped his ear. "Archibald, secure the tower, no one is to move a muscle, understood?"

"I do so adore Archie," Samiya said. "Don't… don't tell him I said that name."

Autivus chuckled. "I think he likes it when you do, love."

"I think you're too fond of nicknames to believe someone else might not like them."

"I haven't the foggiest notion of what you speak of, Miya O Mine." The two smiled at each other, and Kaelee knew that this? This was what two people in love looked like. No matter what was happening around them, they had each other… and that was all that mattered.

"I'm bringing him back. His… crimes were more psychological. You'll have a lot more time with him."

"Goodie." He said the word like a caress. Dark and sinful and… Kaelee was just as ready to join the god in doling out Justice.

"—show you anything you want to know. Please, I can help you." He didn't even realise he'd been put into an altered state. How powerful is this Samiya?

"I'm starting in ten seconds, take your time… I need to go to his rooms. Now."

"W-Wait, please!" Gregory watched the woman take a step back, adjusting her attire. "I can… I can show you the others— the people I know have other women!"

"Like how Kaelee here was supposed to go to Hiromi?" The woman scoffed. "I know everything you've done. You have no sympathy from me. You can beg for mercy from those two."

She started walking away, and the colour drained from his face. Looking between orange and gold eyes. "I-I know what I did was wrong, please, I… I wasn't lying about my powers, I can help you."

"Kaelee, what do you think?"

She looked the man over as he started to twitch. The sick freak didn't go to pound town until he broke them… so his torture was bound to look different.

"Kae, Kaelee, please—" The handsome man begged at her feet. "Please, I know I hurt you, I'll make it better. I promise, whatever you want."

"...Really?"

"Yes, yes—" He grit his teeth eyes clamping shut against some unknown horror in his mind. "Anything, I can give you whatever you want— I have money and and magic and, c-connections."

His breathing was heavy, pained voice becoming more and more obvious.

"Promise?"

"Yes, shit, yes, whatever you want— I can make it up to you, I can—" He let out a wail, unable to hold back from the mental trauma.

"I know what I want…" Kaelee watched him squirm in agony. "I don't know if you can give it to me…"

"Anything—" he hissed, convulsing a moment.

"Okay." Kaelee nodded, kneeling in front of the tied up mage. "His Majesty might have to help you on this one."

"W-What? Whatever you want—"

"Sire?" The god was looking at the triton with interest. "I want a scarf."

"I like you, Kaelee." He turned back to the mage. "You hear that?"

"A scarf? What…" His face paled. "N-No, I can do anything you want, please—"

"How much longer does he have?" Kaelee spoke over his blubbering pleas.

"Hmm…" Autivus tilted his head. "With mental stuff it's always harder to tell."

"Well… even if we don't need to use the full time…" She glared back at her jailor. His dark brown eyes holding hers in fearful hope. "I think we should anyway. It'll so much sweeter when you do finally break. Knowing that no matter how you and I started… It would always end the same way."

"And how long have you two been together?" Samiya asked as they headed for Brightmoon. "You and Zachary?"

"A few years now. He helped me get through losing my dads… and I helped him when his parents passed." Kaelee looked out the window. "We keep talking about me opening my pâtisserie, but something just keeps coming up."

There was a pause. "On your end, darling?"

"Well, no, but he's got to take care of his grandma, Iris, so I haven't pushed." The ship was silent until Kaelee spotted her home. "There! Wow it's so small…"

After they found a spot to land, the royals expressed that they'd be around for awhile, checking over the ship. The triton waved, running toward Zach and Iris' home. Oh gods, I missed you so much. She slammed the door open.

"Zach! Zachary!!! Iris! I'm back!"

Thumping stairs and then her blonde, handsome man was there, pulling her close. She broke down, telling him she'd been captured; that she'd only escaped the other night. He nodded along as she told him what happened to her, hand moving up and down her arm in solace.

"And then, well, I had to get the keys, right? So he starts being all gross, but he's part orc so his frame is enormous so I… Zach?" His eyes were tight.

"You… blew him?"

"Well, yeah, then I used his own sword to gut him. I couldn't risk him falling back and… Zach? You're freaking me out."

"Did you have to?"

"I…" she blinked. "I just told you I was being held prisoner, and had my mind fucked with, and you're concerned about me sucking someone off to escape? Someone who's now dead?"

"I just didn't think you'd… do that. To me."

She spluttered, incredulous. "To YOU?!"

"Well, no, come on, you know what I mean."

"No, I don't. I was in hell for half a year and you're upset that I managed to escape?!"

"No, no, it's not… I just thought you were stronger than—"

She slapped him across the face. "How… How could you?"

"You fucking hit me?!" He stood. "What do you mean?! You're a badass, and you couldn't just kick him and take the keys?! You had to blow him?"

Kaelee stood too, not wanting to be loomed over. Too much of that. "You want to say something, go on."

"No… I just…" He huffed. "There had to be another way."

"There wasn't."

"You don't know that."

"You WEREN'T THERE!" She roared. The two stood there, holding each other's gaze. Kaelee panting. "You weren't there. And I've lost a lot of muscle… I barely made it to the nearest town."

"I'm sorry… I just…" He sat back on the couch. The he looked up at her with sky-blue eyes. "You didn't… fuck anyone did you?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Just… You didn't… do anything else?"

"You…" Kaelee turned to leave.

"No, Kae, wait!"

"I didn't do anything, Zach. I was held prisoner." She opened the door as his hand found her shoulder.

"I just… I just want to make sure that…" He paused. "You know, if we have kids, that…"

She turned to look at him, slow as the grave.

"That… there's no question about—"

Her fist found his nose and she left, running back towards the spaceship. Archibald was at the foot of the ramp, smiling as she appeared. "You've decided to work with me in Telaris?"

"Yeah." A deep breath. "There's water on the planet, right?"

"Of course."

"Cool. Let's go."

Sure, she wanted to go home. She wanted to jump into Zach's arms and have everything go back to normal. To have a place of their own and kids someday. If he were concerned she'd sleep around because of what she had to do to escape that tower? He wasn't home anymore. The earlier words of Her Majesty settling the deal. He didn't really want her, he wanted a prize. And if someone touched his prize? That was the issue, not her.

So yes, Telaris. Working for people that helped her… to help others? Sounded perfect. Nothing would hurt her ever again. She grinned at the human's nod, motioning her aboard; teeth on full display.