I was thankful as the sun rose higher and higher into the sky, warming my body. Titan had been kind enough to loan me a pair of his giant pants. We were going to use some of the clothing the bandits left behind but neither Gex nor Titan had enough cleansing powder to handle cleaning the bandit clothing properly, so it was prioritized for Bel to have normal sized pants and clothing to be cleansed, meaning I was stuck in Gex’s overly large spare tunic and a pair of Titan’s spare pants, which Titan’s pants only solved the problem of my legs being bare, introducing another problem of having to keep the pants held up or risk tripping over them. Being more than two feet shorter than Gex meant that the tunic she'd loaned me was an overly large dress. I looked silly as we walked with the group towards the city, playing dress up in adult clothing.

  Gex and Titan had gotten a good distance in front of us allowing Bel and I to talk as we walked. Our conversation was naturally aimed at what we’d just discovered. “So, we have character sheets,” I mumbled to my scientific girlfriend. “Maybe it’s not as bad as we thought.”

  “What do you mean?” Bel asked, arching an eyebrow. “We’re in a video game. How is that not bad?”

  “Cause, it means we probably survived the run in with the semi, so we’re probably in one of the level one trauma centers.”

  Bel stared blankly at me.

  “Level 1 means the best care for accidents, GSW’s and things that are almost always fatal,” I said, smiling as best I could with my new lizardy face. “Our parents probably demanded we get the best of the best treatment. You cause you’re a genius, and me cause I’m obviously your hero for saving you from worse damage.”

  “Oh kay.” She still didn’t seem convinced with my logic.

  “So, while they operate on our bodies, they hooked us up to a video game,” I grinned.

  “And you think what? We’ll just be unplugged and wake up in the real world whenever they’re done operating on us?” my girlfriend’s tone was decidedly negative. “Get real Angel. We don’t have the tech to do that. Augmented Reality has made strides, but this is way beyond that.” She flicked my snout causing me to wince. “See, you actually reacted like you have a snout.”

  “So, what? You want to think we died?” I asked. I pulled up my character sheet looking it over. Bel had always been more into video games than I was. I’d rather have spent the time listening to music or doing something that was more active. “I’d rather the more positive outcome, Hun.”

  We walked along quietly for a time, with Bel observing the surroundings and me continuing to study the character sheet. This thing only raised more questions in my head. Why a different race? What did these rankings mean? If it corresponded to grades, A+ was the best. But I had this S+ skill, what did that even mean?

  "Can you believe this place?" Bel asked, her eyes wide with amazement. "I know it's silly; we're possibly walking through a legit fantasy world," she whispered. "But I really miss some of the comforts of home," she said.

  "Like underwear?" I joked. My new form was taking getting used to. I’d never been the curviest, what with my caloric expenditure and active lifestyle. Walking along I was uncomfortably shifting as my hips and waist seemed to sway a bit more exotically and the bounce of my chest. It made me want to hold them with my hands.

  "Yeah, a bra would be great right now," she agreed, she rolled her shoulders as if trying to get comfortable with the new additions.

  “I did notice a bit of an upgrade,” I said smiling.

  “You’re one to talk, pipsqueak,” Bel teased, rubbing her hand between the horns on my head and causing me to make a soft sound. “You went from president of the itty-bitty titty committee to cheer leader captain.”

  “First off,” I said, playfully glaring at my now larger girlfriend. “Harsh. I wasn’t ever as big as you were, I was grateful for that. You ever try and back flip when you had boobs like Tiff?” I shook my head. “That girl was going to take someone’s head off.”

  “True,” Bel agreed. “She certainly was going to make some drunken college kid happy. But you know, it’s a miracle you have boobs at all. Mammals have breasts, lizards don’t.”

  “I gotta feeling I’m going to be reminding people, I’m not a lizard or Kobold a lot,” I sighed. “Well, what about my having boobs should be a problem? I have a tail, and I lost like a foot of height coming here.”

  “And don’t mention getting your oh so soft scales, Hun,” Bel said, gently stroking my face. “I think I can get used to your changes.” She leaned in closer. “Teasing aside, do you know what I could really use? Caffeine. I’m getting such a headache!”

  "Oh my god!" I exclaimed in a low voice. "A cup of coffee in the morning would have helped me so much to wake up."

  "That's a good point. We could have poured some liquid energy into your gullet," Bel laughed. "Hope you don't mind scalding water."

  "Considering how cold it is here," I said, looking up at my girlfriend. "I'll take it."

  "It's not really that cold," she said. "Well, not really for me. It's probably only late fall in temperature."

  "I guess it's just the joys of this new dragony body," I muttered.

  “Hey, Gex!” Bel called, the two in front of us came to a halt, looking back curiously at us. “Come here.” The two seasoned warriors glanced at one another, shrugged and moved to join us.

  “What’s up, Knife Ears?” Gex asked.

  “It’s Bel,” she said angrily. “I got some questions. As you know, Angel’s not a Kobold but you mistook her for one. What’s some things Kobolds are known for?”

  Gex put a hand to her chin thinking for a moment before she answered. “Kobolds are monsters. And they generally serve Dragons. They have different scale colors based upon the Dragon they’re living with. Also, Kobolds aren’t known for being fighters.” The Orc woman looked at me. “They’re honestly known as cannon fodder or as playthings. They make great brothel consorts.”

  I shivered, crossing my arms over my chest and rubbing them together. I did not like the idea of being seen as a lady of the night.

  “They’re not really common,” Titan supplied. “Like we said, they serve Dragons. And Dragons don’t typically let their chosen servants go wandering off on them. You might find a few that were ‘rescued’ from a Dragon and put to service in the city. But you’re more likely to find Goblins. Both Kobolds and Goblins are what is commonly referred to as breeder monsters.”

  “Breeder monsters?” Bel asked, she looked me over curiously.

  “No,” I said, forcibly. “I’m not looking to be bred.”

  “You might not have as much choice in the matter as you want, Scaly Butt,” Gex said. “You went gaga over seeing the Elf naked. That implies you have a low resistance to lust. That’s a pretty notable feature of a breeder monster race. They attack by sheer numbers; I wouldn’t be surprised if you could lay out a clutch of eggs and thirty more of you don’t pop out of them.”

  I blanched at the thought of eggs inside of me. I wasn’t a chicken! “What good would laying eggs get me? You have to heat them, and they require time to grow.”

  “Well, you’re lucky,” Titan said. “A typical Kobold female lays clutches of eggs and her children will hatch and grow quickly. Remember what Gex said. They attack by sheer numbers. Kobolds and Goblins aren’t exactly known as being long lived, the next generation is ready probably in a week, two at most.”

  “Why don’t they overrun the areas they’re in?” Bel asked.

  “That’s also why they’re considered Cannon Fodder,” Gex smiled. “They’re culled by new members of the Adventurer’s Guild. But Goblins are more annoying in that they can breed with literally anything that’s got seed and make more of the little buggers. And, sadly, it goes the other way around. A Goblin rapes a Demi-Human they always produce Hobgoblins.”

  Bel shot me a look. “Yeah, yeah,” I said conceding with her unspoken statement of we weren’t in a video game.

  “Now, that said,” Gex began, undoing her belt. “You two aren’t from around here. So, whatever familiar relationship you have. Hide it.” She reached up and tied a loop in her belt and threw it over my head and tightened around my neck. “As of this moment, this Kobold is mine.”

  Bel was about to protest but the look on Gex’s face and the hand on her shoulder by Titan made her go silent. “You said you’re not from here,” Gex explained, patiently but her face was stern. “I’m doing you a favor. Elves are supposed to hate our kind. You show up acting like you love a Kobold, you’re getting yourself in a lot of trouble.” Before Bel could say more Gex held up her hand with the belt. “I’m going to keep your girlfriend from ending up as a slave or a brothel plaything. So, you’re welcome.”

  Her explanation given she turned her attention back to me. “Now,” Gex said looking at me. She tugged on the belt, almost yanking me off my feet. “You’re mine. You do what I say, when I say it. And don’t cause trouble. Got it, Kobold?”

  I balled up my fists instinctively but felt my claws digging into my palms. “I ain’t a Kobold,” I hissed at her.

  Gex stepped forward, smacking the end of my snout. “No,” she said simply. Turned and began walking again, yanking me off balance as I tried to keep up. Oh, she was getting her ass kicked for this.

  As we got closer to the city we started to see more and more individuals around. Humans moving their carts of goods and what I assumed to be dwarves in carts. The Dwarven carts all seemed to have large doglike creatures or a singular huge creature shuffling along beside their wagons. They were eyeing our group as we walked. The area was busy with Elves, Dwarves, Humans, and more going about their daily business. I couldn't even name some races attending to their business in the outskirts. A pair of Elves were staring at us as we walked by, their look of disgust unmistakable. Gex seemed to pretend that their faces weren’t filled with scorn, nodding at a pair of Elves as we walked by.

  "You want to explain yourself, Tusks?" I protested. I pulled at the leash, trying to get it from Gex's strong hands.

  Gex's eyes bore into mine, a dangerous glint shining in their depths. "You want to fit in here. You do as I say," she snapped, her grip on the leash tightening. Before when she’d put on the leash she’d been only slightly intimidating. But the sudden shift in her demeanor sent a chill down my spine, reminding me of the savage she had become yesterday. It seemed like Gex wasn’t completely civilized and could switch back and forth as she needed. I gulped cowed a bit by the big warrior.

  Bel stepped forward, her voice firm but tinged with concern as she whispered at the Orc. "Gex, you can't go around leashing people like animals. What are you thinking?"

  Gex's gaze flickered to Bel before returning to me, a mixture of frustration and something akin to regret flashing across her face. With a deep breath, she loosened her hold on the leash slightly but didn't release it entirely. "We are entering a city where Demi-Humans hold power, and our kind is often treated as less than dirt," she said through gritted teeth. "Titan and I are Demi-Humans in name only not in standing."

  “Just,” Titan said in a sorrowful tone.

  “And Angel here isn’t. She has no protections outside of what I can enforce.”

  I swallowed hard, trying to understand the gravity of the situation. This was a fantasy world, the thought that Gex was considered less than dirt was actually something I was familiar with. It wasn’t long ago when some murderous zealot had decided to slaughter my people too, seeing my ancestors as less than human. But then I recalled the look of disgust on the Elves’ face. The more I thought about it, the more I realized there had been stares directed at us. Had they all been judging us? Why? Weren’t we sentient creatures just like them?

  “We know you’re not from around here,” Titan mumbled. “We’ll do our best to explain when we get a moment.”

  As we approached the gates, we were stopped. Bel was given only a curious glance and waved through while Titan, Gex, and I were stopped. The companion at the other side of the gate waved through a dozen Elves and Dwarves with only the most cursory looks. His companion signaled the other guard over to him.

  The guards eyed us warily, their expressions unreadable as they scrutinized our group. Gex stood tall and imposing, her grip firm on the leash still looping around my neck. She had the human guards by several inches, who knew how much she outweighed them. Titan exuded an air of quiet strength, his massive form towering over the guards. At the same time, I could sense a simmering tension beneath his calm demeanor. Clearly, the guards wouldn't have reacted if we were anyone else. But with Gex and Titan, the two were still determining how much they could get away with.

  "What business do you have in our city, Tusker?" one of the guards finally asked, his tone gruff and authoritative. He glanced at me and then back at Gex and Titan, his eyes lingering on the weapons they carried. I could feel Gex bristle at the word. It didn’t take many guesses to figure out whatever she’d been called had rubbed her the wrong way.

  "We're adventurers," Gex replied, her voice steady despite the unease that lingered in the air. “We're returning to the city after completing a quest. You can check with the guild master if you have questions." Gex pulled a scroll from her belt. There was a symbol on the bottom of the scroll.

  The guards exchanged a knowing glance before one of them stepped forward, eyeing Gex with a mixture of suspicion and respect. "They'll let anyone be adventurers," he observed, gesturing the duo into the city. “If you're taking your find to the markets, I'd hurry. The small monsters are going to be sold soon."

  "We'll take it under advisement," Gex said. She jerked on my leash, almost pulling me off my feet as she marched into the city. Titan right behind her. Bel trailed after the two of them, a confused look on her face.

  "Is everything all right?" Bel asked confusion etched on her face as she tried to make sense of the situation. I couldn’t help but love my girlfriend in that moment. She wasn’t the type to let a person’s outward appearance form the basis for her opinions. She’d save that for their actions.

  "She’s a monster, remember?" Gex whispered to Bel, her voice low and urgent. "It's the laws of this land. I must claim Angel as my pet to keep her safe."

  Titan's weary eyes peered out from under the shock of blue shaggy hair; I could see how sad they looked. He placed a comforting hand on Bel's shoulder, trying to offer solace amid the uncertainty. "Gex is right. It's the best way to protect Angel. Just trust her."

  I swallowed my pride and took a deep breath, allowing the Orc's makeshift collar to rest against my scales. I knew that Bel and I were new to this land, and sacrifices would need to be made to survive in this strange new world. But this felt like too much. This felt too much like slavery. And the guard had even said that the small monsters were being sold. Which heavily implied this was a world that hadn’t gotten past the level of thinking that others could be owned just for their appearance.

  “If you were from around here,” Gex said as we turned a corner. “You’d know that a Kobold is a monster and that around here that means she’s fair game to be killed or captured.” Gex only paused for a moment to look over her shoulder at Bel and me. “So, the fact you don’t know to be more careful Scaly Butt, means wherever you’re from is a paradise. Orcs and Minotaur are only barely seen as Demi-Humans.”

  “We,” Bel started. “We’ll follow your lead. Angel just be patient.”

  “Like I got a choice,” I said. I could feel the pull whenever Gex swung her arm forward. It wasn’t like I’d forget that I was being led around by a leash anytime soon.

  As we navigated through the bustling city, Gex led us toward what she called the true heart of the capital, where she said the Adventurer's Guild was located. The journey was silent, with each of us lost in thought; the only sound was the clinking of Gex's chainmail armor and the soft thud as Titan's hooves resounded against the cobblestone. The city's noise faded into a low hum as we neared their destination. The areas around the guild were wide, and several shops were open, bustling with people going about their business.

  The moment we opened the door to the guild, it was like we'd unleashed a dam of sounds; the bustling atmosphere was filled with people talking and laughing. Warriors clad in gleaming armor bantered with robed mages; their voices punctuated by the clang of a sword against a shield. A group of Dwarven blacksmiths huddled around a table, animatedly discussing stuff I couldn't make out because of the noise. I saw Titan cover his big, floppy ears as we walked into the room. I was glad I didn't have ears in the traditional sense for once.

  "Wow," Bel murmured, her eyes wide with amazement as she took in the scene before her. "This is incredible."

  Gex guided the group toward the registration desk, where a grizzled veteran with an eyepatch looked us over.

  "New recruits?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the sight of my leash but choosing not to say anything about it. "How old are you, Elf?"

  "Uh," she looked towards Gex and Titan for an answer. "Why would such a short-lived race care?" she asked as she saw both Gex and Titan mime being snooty and disdainful.

  "Alright, settle down, knife ears," the veteran asked. "We just have to ensure no Elves under a hundred are registering. We don't want to get in trouble with the Elven Royals."

  "I'm one hundred and eighteen," she lied. She threw a superior look at him as if daring the old man to question her statement.

  "I hate Elves," he muttered. He turned his attention to Gex and Titan. "You, holding her reins," he said, indicating to me. "You got her claimed as a pet or a slave?"

  "Neither," Gex said. "We just came here from the gate. This was our first stop since we had to turn in our quest."

  "Unfortunately," he said, shaking his head, "we cannot officially register your addition until you've been properly documented with the council, seeing as it’s a monster."

  "Of course," Gex replied, gritting her teeth. "We'll take care of that next."

  "Good," the man grunted. "Return once it's settled."

  "You got this, Titan?" Gex asked her Minotaur companion.

  "I'll make sure Bel's skills are documented and register her with our group so she can get our experience when we go adventuring." Titan nodded, his deep voice seeming tired. "You and Angel go sort things out with the council. You know I’d do it if I could."

  “I know you, big lug,” Gex said, sighing. Gex squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before leading me back out of the bustling guild hall. The city's noise enveloped us once more as we walked through the crowded streets toward the grand spire that housed the High Council of Races.

  I could feel a sense of foreboding as we approached the towering building. The sheer size of the structure was imposing. Did everyone who wasn’t considered, what did Gex say, a Demi-Human have to visit this building to validate their worth? It seemed barbaric but I guess not that long ago in my world people could own other people. The thought that I was about to be someone’s property made my skin crawl. Well, scales.

  Gex strode confidently through the entrance, her armor gleaming in the sunlight that filtered through stained glass windows. I followed closely behind, feeling nerves and determination churning within me. Gex was here to ensure that I was protected in a world that saw herself, Titan and I as monsters.

  Inside, we navigated through a maze of corridors before arriving at a window where a bored-looking clerk awaited us.

  "Pet registration?" Gex asked her voice firm but weary.

  "Indeed," the clerk replied, pushing a stack of forms across the counter. "Fill these out and provide the necessary documentation."

  As Gex began to fill in the paperwork, I scanned the room, noticing the disdainful glares from passing Elves and Dwarves. I couldn't help but feel a sting of hurt at their blatant prejudice. Even Gex, despite being considered a Demi-Human, was not immune to their scorn. A muttered slur under someone's breath made the woman clench her fists, anger bubbling within her. I gulped; unsure I could stop the Orc if she went crazy like she did in the camp.

  "Almost done," Gex whispered, sensing my tension and reassuringly smiling. "We'll be out of here soon enough."

  "I'm okay," I lied. "Are you?" I swallowed the lump in my throat

  “Great,” she muttered.

  With a final glance at the suspicious eyes around us, Gex and I entered a grand chamber where the High Council of Races convened. As we walked in, the chatter among the members fell silent. The room was filled with tension as they took in our unusual presence, most of them their distaste was palpable even from the distance we stood. Only the Humans on the council seemed indifferent to Gex and me.

  A council member, an elegant Elf with a sharp gaze, scrutinized the forms Gex had filled out. "You wish to claim ownership of a... Kobold?" he asked skeptically. "Why in the Divine's name for?"

  Gex straightened her back and met his eyes, determination in her voice. "Yes, I do. Angel is more than just some mindless beast. She's intelligent and caring, and she deserves protection of the Council."

  There were many scoffs from the council members at the Orc woman's statement.

  "Protection? From whom?" Another council member, a stocky Dwarf, chimed in, his tone dismissive. "She's a monster. Everyone knows that until they prove themselves, their only use is for parts or labor."

  “And favors,” A Human with a black beard grinned. His tone made no mistake what sort of favors he meant. And the look from the other members would have sent a lesser man running.

  Gex clenched her fists, anger simmering within her. "It's that very discrimination that puts her at risk. I will keep her safe, no matter what it takes. And you know that she can’t prove herself without other members of her clutch. We have to ask for a special allowance," she gestured to the paper the Elf had. “To exclude her from being considered a monster and brought under your protection as a lesser race, like me.”

  The Elf raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And what if your pet becomes a threat? Are you prepared to accept responsibility for any damage or harm she may cause? Or put her down?"

  "Absolutely," Gex replied without hesitation. "But I trust her. She won't be a danger."

  "Some say you're a danger yourself, Tusker. Wasn't it just last week you flew into a rage and put a Human's head through some window?

  Gex’s fists tensed, at the slight or the description of events, I couldn’t tell. Before Gex could respond, a man approached. He was very well dressed in what I assumed was silk or satin. The outfit looked as if it would have been stifling anywhere outside these cold chambers.

  "Ha!" scoffed a nearby merchant, eyeing Angel with a predatory grin. "Fetching little thing, isn't she? I'd pay handsomely to have her in my establishment. Kobolds are quite popular in certain circles.” He licked his lips suggestively.

  Gex's face darkened, and she took a threatening step towards him. "She is not for sale, especially not to someone like you." I had a sudden feeling there might be a repeat of last week’s head through a window in a second.

  "Enough!" The head councilor slammed his fist on the table, silencing the room. "We shall allow this registration under the condition that you, Gex, take full responsibility for your pet's actions. Any infraction will be dealt with severely."

  "Understood," Gex agreed solemnly, relief washing over her as they stamped the approval on the papers.

  I quickly steered Gex out of the council chamber and away from the fuming merchant who had wanted to buy me. He had thrown many high-value numbers at the Orc as we walked away. Making me realize that there was certainly a part of me that was in demand in this area. I shivered at the thought of being put to work in what would obviously be a whore house.

  "It's always the same," Gex lamented as we walked out. "Kobold, Goblin, and other small monster races. Just to be sold into slavery for sex. And most of those races love it. It meets their need. Disgusting." I felt that Gex was talking from a place of understanding. “Oh sure, they will say they’re too civilized for that sort of thing or scorn those who openly do it. But you’re just property to them.”

  As we exited into the bustling city, Gex's grip on my shoulder tightened protectively. The council building, with its cold chambers and colder inhabitants, starkly contrasted with the vibrant market square that now surrounded us. I licked my lips, the scent of cooking food wafted through the air, momentarily distracting us from the lingering tension. I didn’t want to mention this to Gex, but I’d have to bring it up to Bel, but it seemed like my sense of taste was now linked to my sense of smell. In the past I had never thought about taking a big whiff to get a sense of what it was. Now, that was muted and if I wanted a good sniff I had to stick out my tongue. This was such a bizarre game.

  We finally exited the council building and saw Bel and Titan walking towards us. "Man, that took forever," Bel said.

  "It's necessary," Gex said between clenched teeth. She seemed to center herself, her grin returning. “Now, I can smell that food; let's get some." As the Orc walked, I noticed a fair mixture of not just disgust aimed at her but a good few looks of respect. It seemed the Humans were more accommodating of the Orc warrior and her companions.

  We settled into an outdoor seating area, the warm sun casting a comforting glow over us. The aroma of grilled meat and herbs filled the air as we perused the menu, our recent ordeal at the council fading into the background, if only for a moment.

  "I'll have the roasted boar with a side of spiced potatoes," Gex ordered, her voice more relaxed than it had been in hours.

  Bel opted for a hearty stew, while Titan ordered what seemed like half the vegetarian section of the menu, roasted vegetables, grain porridge, a fruit and cheese platter, and bread with herb butter. I noticed he skipped right over all the meat dishes despite his massive size. Was that because like a normal bovine he had flat teeth? Religious preference?

  My stomach growled as I scanned the menu, my eyes widening at the variety of dishes available. Unsure what to choose, if this was home I'd have grabbed just a burger, maybe a small salad and called it good. Or if I was feeling particularly adventurous, maybe a gyro and some fries. Though I did recall Bel getting on me about not eating enough vegetables. I saw Gex watching me with a soft smile.

  "You should try the honey-glazed chicken with roasted vegetables," she suggested. "It's one of their specialties."

  Nodding gratefully, I relayed my order to the attentive server, who quickly bustled off to the kitchen.

  As we sat several passersby openly stared at the group. Whether because I was there or because it was three monsters I don’t know for sure. I had a feeling I had better get used to being stared at by others. As we waited for our food to arrive, conversation flowed easily between us, the tension of the council meeting finally dissipating in the warmth of camaraderie and good food. Bel regaled us with tales of her latest exploits back at school, much to Titan and Gex's confusion. Titan shared anecdotes from his days as a mercenary. Gex recounted some of her adventures in lands far beyond our current reach. When it came time for me to regale our group with tales the food had arrived. Grateful because I didn’t know how to explain a martial arts tournament to these two without seeming weak.

  Bel dipped her spoon into her bowl as soon as our food arrived, pulling out what looked like some beef, it was a browned piece of meat from here. I stuck my tongue out a little bit, getting just a hint of mutton. She barely got it to her mouth before she grimaced and put it back in the bowl. I had never seen my girlfriend turn away from any food.

  "Why'd you order it if you weren't going to eat it?" Gex asked. "Elves can't digest meat, so I'm surprised you got it that close to your mouth without throwing up."

  “Not from around here,” Bel commented, her tone suggested she was having trouble even thinking about eating the meat in the stew.

  I tried the honey-glazed chicken, sucking down the bird, bones and all. I hadn’t even realized I was biting through the bone at first but when I did, I was surprised at how tasty it was. The warmth of the meal made me feel better. As Bel stared at my vegetables, I pushed the plate to her, indicating that I'd take what was left of her stew. She'd picked it clean of potatoes and carrots and the like. Leaving chewy pieces of meat. "Right, Dragon's lair," Titan said, nodding. "Bet Scales can't eat anything but meat and carrion."

  "Here, try this," Gex offered, pouring a clear liquid into a small cup for me. "It'll keep you warm."

  I hesitated but accepted the drink, taking a sip. I shuddered at the horrible taste. But a feeling of fire was rolling down my throat and into my stomach. "I like it. It makes me feel... cozy."

  "Ooh, let me try some too!" Bel exclaimed, eager to try the various drinks.

  With a shrug, Gex pushed her tankard of clear liquid to Bel. My girlfriend for her part took a swig and then looked sick, started to cough and rub at her eyes with the palms of her hands. “Bleh!” She said sticking out her tongue. “What did you give me?”

  “Fermented potatoes. It’s a Human drink the nomads make.” She grinned, leaning forward. “You want to try the fermented yak’s milk?”

  “Ugh! No, thank you,” my Elven girlfriend protested, putting her hands up in front of her as if to ward off a blow.

  “Here,” Titan said with a laugh. He pushed his glass towards her, which Bel sipped curiously. "Wow, it's so light and fruity! Like a sports drink!" Bel pushed the giant mug of the wine towards me, and I flicked my tongue outwards towards it out of instinct. And as soon as I did, I could taste it.

  "No thanks," I said. "I'm good." I put my hand up to indicate I didn’t want any as Bel was reaching for the bitter liquid I was drinking.

  "Try it!"

  “I don’t need to try it,” I said. “I just had a taste.”

  "No, you… wait, does that mean you can taste the molecules in air?" I could see her putting on her scientist hat again. “So, you really didn’t taste it,” she said matter-of-factly. “If it’s like a snake your tongue came in contact with the chemicals from my spit that were in the air, picked it up and brought it back to mix with your saliva.”

  “Lovely,” I muttered. “You are such a nerd, Luv.” I stuck out my long tongue teasingly at her. “But I also smell things, but it’s really muted. Like a clogged sinus. If I want a better, I guess smell, I can just flick out my tongue.” I curled my tongue showing its dexterity to my girlfriend and the others.

  “What are molecules?” Gex asked looking back and forth between Bel and me.

  "I don’t know what those are either, Gex,” Titan said. “But remember, her highest ranked skills are Alchemist and Scholar," Titan said with a laugh. The Minotaur was cradling a new mug that was as big as my head. "It's an A rank. Nice to finally have someone intelligent to talk to for a change"

  "That's great," the Orc said. She drained her drink with a grin. “I have no idea what we’re going to do with that, outside of maybe teaching nobility stuff. And I’m plenty smart,” she retorted to her friend. “I can smash and slash.”

  “Bel,” Titan said, he moved his hand as if giving up the stage to my girlfriend.

  “Thanks, Titan,” she said. She took a sip of the cup she’d stolen from Titan. “The Scholar skill means that skills that aren’t normally available to my class can be learned at half proficiency, so if I got an A rank crystal, I’d learn it at half that. I don’t know the math of ranking so not sure what that rounds down to. But it will never be lower than F, but the sheet master or whatever, said it’s not uncommon for people with this rare skill to pick up additional skills to help out their party. Like trap detection and first aid. And Alchemy,” her face becoming positively radiant. “Means I’m able to create potions and other marvelous stuff. And Prodigy means I can level up any skill in my list at twice the normal speed. So, the half rank isn’t such a big deal for me.”

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  “So, you’re a healer and a book worm?” Gex said.

  “Oh, no,” the other woman grinned. “I’m going to make explosives.”

  I blinked. “What?”

  “Come on,” she grinned. “It shouldn’t be too hard, with the right lab, to make black powder. If we get all those ingredients then I can make stuff so you can throw bombs and shoot people.”

  I shook my head. “You might want to tone down those ideas,” I suggested. “Until we know for sure how you can even—”

  “Potassium Nitrate, sulfur and charcoal,” Bel said crossing her arms over her chest. “At least the charcoal is going to be easy. The Potassium Nitrate can be mined, and we just need to go to a volcano for sulfur.” She leaned forward, grinning. “I can make gun powder, Angel.”

  “Right, and what about a safe way to deliver it?”

  She waved her hand dismissingly. “I’m sure I can figure out how to make at least a blunderbuss. It’s just a metal tube, stock and a trigger.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’ve insulted every gunsmith in the world with that statement,” I laughed.

  Gex and Titan shook their heads in confusion. “And don’t worry Gex,” Bel said. “You get the first blunderbuss.”

  "A metal tube with a stock and a trigger," Titan said simply. "Weren't you listening?" He was trying his hardest to keep his face impassive but failing at it.

  "So, what did the adventurer's guild suggest for our Elven friend?" Gex asked, taking a deep drink from her mug.

  "They suggested we try the Mage's Guild," Bel said. "Something about it being normal for an Elf to spend a few hundred years dabbling at magic before wasting time in other professions."

  Titan shrugged. "You know how it goes. Elves regenerate mana faster than other races, so they're pretty much geared towards being mages. If they were more connected to their gods, they'd probably be decent clergy. We can go ahead and swing by there too, doesn't hurt."

  I didn't know Elves had better mana regeneration than other races, until this moment I hadn't known that mana could regenerate. But I guess that made sense that it would regenerate, like someone's health or their stamina over time. I still didn't fully know what that stuff was, but so long as Bel did then that was all that really mattered.

  After the meal, Gex indicated that we should get moving and that we still had things to do before the sun went down. The warrior woman took the lead, guiding us through the bustling city streets as we made our way to the next destination. The air was filled with chatter and the clatter of horse hooves on cobblestone. As we walked, the buildings around seemed to grow taller and more grandiose, indicating we'd entered a more prestigious part of town. The building we stopped in front of was a marvel, with intricately carved stone walls and towering stained-glass windows that shimmered in the fading light. Inside was a sanctuary of knowledge; rows upon rows of ancient tomes filled the air with the scent of old parchment while magical artifacts glowed softly from their displays.

  "Let's follow the advice for now. If she doesn't like what she sees at the Mage's Guild we can try the priest path. Bel, Titan, you two go ahead and get Bel registered," Gex instructed, her voice full of authority. "Angel and I will wait for you out here."

  "Why can't we go in?" I asked.

  "We don't have any magical skills," the woman said, settling to lean against a wall. “So, we’re not allowed inside their building. Unless you want to register as a mage, that is. Then Titan or Bel could take you inside. But Titan and Bel can’t touch you because you’re my property. This city is just filled with ways to trip you up. I swear Elves and Dwarves are always trying to make it harder for non-Elder Races." The way she said elder explained how she felt on that whole relationship. “You know most of what they consider monsters have been around longer than those three races. Just because we didn’t build great kingdoms, we’re considered inferior. We didn’t need to have sprawling kingdoms, we kept ourselves in check.”

  "There are so many laws in this place," I muttered, taking in the majesty of the buildings' designs. I bet that if the Renaissance had magic, this is what some of those churches would have looked like.

  As we stood on the outskirts, waiting for our companions to come out, I noticed a tall, Elven man staring at me. Seeing that I'd finally noticed him, he began to move towards us.

  "Greetings," the Elf said, his voice melodic and soothing at the same time. "Buzz around the guild is you finally suckered someone else into your duo," he said, clearly looking at Gex. "Gex, wasn't it?"

  "Yeah," she said, though she didn't look particularly relieved that he'd approached her. "What can I do for you, Leilatha of the Snapdragons?"

  "Oh good," he smiled, a charming white veneer plastered across his face. "So glad that even the lower ranks have heard of us." He turned to regard me, and I felt his gaze slide over me like I was something in a shop window. "Interesting... I never thought I'd see the day a Kobold would be part of an adventurer's group." He bowed low, sweeping off his hat with a flourish. "As your..." he glanced at the collar and leash, his smile never wavering, "...owner said. I'm Leilatha, co-leader of The Snapdragons." With his other hand, he took mine, and before I could react, pressed his lips to my red scales.

  I felt a tingle go through me at his touch, a warmth that spread from where his lips met my scales and settled somewhere deep in my chest. It felt nice. Really nice. Too nice, actually. The warmth pulsed, almost like a heartbeat that wasn't my own, and suddenly I wanted to…

  I pulled my hand back sharply, suddenly aware of how my pulse had quickened, how my thoughts had gone hazy and soft around the edges. What the hell was that? Damn this Kobold body and its garbage lust resistance. Or... wait. I touched my hand where he'd kissed it. My scales felt warm, almost feverish. That wasn't normal attraction. That felt like...

  "You're mistaken," Gex said, her voice careful, and I noticed her hand had moved to rest on the pommel of her weapon. Had she seen something I missed? "She's the camp Kobold. She does the errands around camp so that the rest of us don't have to. If I could trust her not to run off or not get distracted, I'd have her running errands in the cities." Gex gave a gesture. “See, already spacing out, and you just kissed her. Kobold’s they’re not great for focus.”

  “Oh my,” he murmured, politely. “Poor thing.”

  "And besides times are changing," Gex continued, trying to hide her annoyance. "We're not just any group, we're a team and care for each other. Maybe Scaly Butt here will prove to be useful in a dungeon or something."

  Leilatha's smile widened, though something about it didn't quite reach his eyes. "A Kobold? Useful in a dungeon?" He let out a musical laugh. "Well, I suppose stranger things have happened. Though I'd wager she won't last a week before you're hauling her back to the markets." He adjusted his hat with a practiced flourish. "Tell you what, if your little pet actually proves herself in combat, I'll buy her a proper meal at the Golden Griffin. But when she fails..." He shrugged elegantly. "Well, at least you tried, yes?"

  "Challenge accepted," Gex said confidently as Leilatha disappeared into the bustling crowd.

  As the crowd swallowed Leilatha, I felt a lingering sense of something I couldn't describe. The Orc woman nudged me forward, her eyes set on the grand building of the Adventurer's Guild. “We have some unfinished business in that building, Scaly Butt.”

  Just like earlier in the day Gex marched proudly into the guild hall, dragging me behind her until she stepped right up to the man who had dismissed us before. Gex put her hands on my shoulder moving me so I was standing between her and the table. Staring straight at the grizzled veteran.

  "Back to try your luck this time?" He looked bored. “Or are you trying to offer me a gift?”

  "The only gifts I give end in bruises," the green woman said. She put the paperwork on the counter in front of him. "Register the Kobold with our trio."

  "It's your funeral," he said. "Everyone knows they're only good in the sack."

  Gex fixed him with a hard stare, which he either didn't catch or didn't care about. He finished registering me and handed her the form back. "Now get out of here until you're ready for a mission. You monsters make me sick."

  "Gladly," she muttered; she tugged lightly on my collar, pulling me after her.

  "Not so rough!" I squealed, hurrying to catch up.

  Stepping outside the guild, Gex took a deep breath of the city air, her grip on my leash loosening slightly. "Alright, Angel," she said, looking down at me warmly. "Time to get you properly equipped." She started to walk, her stride confident and purposeful, and I had no choice but to follow.

  Gex finally stopped in front of what I would call a luxurious shop front. It reminded me of the boutiques you would see in a movie. The storefront window was stained glass with a mural of what looked like creatures. The door was made of expensive-looking wood, and the store was built of bricks.

  "What is this place?"

  "This is a place where we can get you a proper collar," she said. She pushed open the door and stepped inside. The interior was filled with mannequins holding collars, hats, and other accessories. A small table was near the front, and a woman sat behind it.

  "Good afternoon," the woman said.

  "Afternoon," Gex said. "I was wondering if you could help me find a collar."

  "Of course," the woman said. She stood up and came around the desk. She was tall and thin, with short blonde hair. "What type of collar are you looking for?"

  "I was thinking of something more fitting for a pet than a slave," Gex said. I shot a glance at Gex.

  "Oh, is this your pet?" she asked. She was probably only up to the Orc woman's shoulder in height. I noticed the pointed ears as she adjusted her hair. So, she was an Elf. It made sense that her store would look this fancy. She'd probably been running it since time began.

  "Yes," Gex said.

  "I see," she said. "How old is she?"

  "It doesn't matter with Kobolds," Gex replied. "They basically only have one function and that’s to pop out more numbers before an adventurer kills the clutch.”

  "And yet you’re outfitting it," the Elven woman murmured in what was probably not supposed to be heard. "Let me take a look," she said. She walked over and knelt in front of me. "May I?" she asked.

  "Yes," Gex said.

  "Very nice scales," she said.

  "Thank you," I mumbled, feeling her fingers trail along my neck.

  "What type of collar are you interested in getting?" she asked.

  "Show me which ones you got," Gex said.

  "Very well, I'll use this to determine her size," she hummed. She moved her hands to the collar and loosened it. "I assume she won't grow anymore outside of magical means."

  "It's a safe bet," The Orc agreed.

  "Don't worry, Little One," the woman said. She ran her fingers down my neck, her fingers tracing along my scales. "Your master is still here."

  “She’s not likely to run off,” Gex said. “She knows the dangers.”

  “Then she must be a clever Kobold,” the Elf said dismissively.

  I shot Gex a look out of the corner of my eyes; the Orc woman was grinning ear to ear.

  "She seems like a sweet creature." Her warm fingers vanished, leaving a coldness on my scales. She turned and walked into an area curtained off from the rest of the store. I could hear her softly singing to herself.

  "Do you feel alright, Scales?" Gex asked.

  "Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I asked.

  "Cause your hands went to your throat as soon as she pulled that collar off."

  "It's because it was so tight, and it choked me," I lied. I hadn't even realized I'd moved my hands to my throat as soon as the strip of leather was gone. “And her fingers are cold!”

  "Okay," Gex said, a slight smirk on her lips.

  The woman returned a few moments later, pushing a cart with dozens of collars. Some were simple fabric, while others were more robust and made to look like prisoner's shackles. "Here we are," she said. "All of these are considered our pet line. Though some obviously have different connotations," she said, looking between us.

  I would have to ask why this society allowed people to take monsters as pets. They'd mentioned slavery, so what was the difference between the two? And did I honestly want to know the difference between the two of them? Did slave owners not take full responsibility if a slave turned out to be dangerous? Or had taking care of me just been a jab at Gex?

  I looked at the various collars, my hands staying around my neck. The woman reached out, grabbing a black and purple collar. She slipped it around my neck, her hands gently brushing the scales as she pushed aside my fingers. I couldn't stop the moan that escaped my lips.

  "Oh, does this one suit you, little Kobold?" the woman asked.

  "Don't mind her," Gex said. "She's got a skill deficit. Low Lust Resistance."

  "Oh, I see," the Elf saleswoman's voice almost sounded like she pitied me. "She is a breeder monster, so it can't be helped. It must be terribly inconvenient when it builds too high."

  "It can be," Gex said.

  "So, do you like the collar?" the woman asked.

  "Uh, yeah, it's nice," I mumbled.

  "Do you want to see more?"

  "Um, yeah," I said.

  "Good girl," the woman said, rubbing my head. "So, is she precious to you?" She turned to look at Gex, her hand lingering between my horns as it continued to rub it absentmindedly. Like someone might do with a pet cat or dog.

  "You have no idea," Gex said with a grin. She put her hand on my back. "Pick one you like, Scales."

  I looked up at the Orc woman, startled. "Go on," she said. "You're the one who's going to wear it. I'm just holding the end. All leashes feel the same."

  Turning back to the display of collars, I frowned. I didn't want to wear a collar in the first place, but if I thought about it as a necklace, it wouldn't be so bad. I picked up a golden one. It was thick-looking and had some weight to it. I put it down and continued looking through the options. "I think she likes that one," the saleswoman said.

  "Huh?" I asked, looking at her.

  She reached down, untwirling a golden one from my tail. "Your tail grabbed this one." I was glad my red scales couldn’t show me blushing. How embarrassing! I hadn’t even felt my tail move around it. It was something that was always in the back of my mind. That the tail was there. But for it to move on its own?

  "It's shiny," I said finally. "It looks really nice."

  "It's gold," Gex said. "Aren't Kobolds attracted to gold?"

  "I believe they are. That's why they lair with dragons."

  "Then we'll buy that one," Gex said. She rubbed the spot between my horns.

  "Do you want a matching leash ring?" the Elf asked.

  "A leash ring?" I asked.

  The Orc woman didn't respond to my question but seemed to consider the Elves question for several seconds and nodded. "Sure. Can we walk out with them now?"

  "It'll only take a moment to connect the two," the saleswoman said. She pulled a ring from under the counter and put it on Gex's finger. I hadn't thought the tiny-looking ring would fit, but it slid over her finger with ease. The saleswoman took the collar and put the ring into a slot on the back of the collar. She wrapped the collar around my neck and clicked the lock shut. "There, that should do it," she said. “If you should need to remove the collar for whatever reason, you just put your ring to it. Naturally it doesn’t need to come off for any means.”

  "That was fast," I said.

  "Magic items are a big seller," the saleswoman said.

  "Thanks," Gex said, taking the ring.

  She closed her fist, a brilliant blue chain coming from the front of my collar to the tip of her ring. She twitched it, watching as I half shuffled forward from the exertion of her pull.

  "Perfect," the warrior said. She reached into her pouch and pulled out several golden coins, dropping them into the saleslady’s hands without counting. I hadn’t seen any prices anywhere so how did Gex know how much this cost? The lady smiled, nodded and headed back to her spot with the cart of collars.

  Gex turned to exit, closing her fist to gently tug me into following her. I trotted after the woman as she moved at what was probably her normal pace. “Hold up!” I begged rushing after her. “Your legs are longer than mine!”

  The Orc stopped, her posture tense as she let me catch up. "Look, I know this is uncomfortable for you," Gex began, her voice soft. "But it's necessary if we're to keep you two safe. Elves, Humans, and Dwarves see monsters as just drops of experience. Elves can't own a monster. Their gods ordered them to kill all monsters, pretty much on sight, so Bel can’t touch you without invoking Elven wrath. The Elves might not be as powerful as the Humans, but they’ll make our lives even more difficult. Dwarves are the ones that insist on owning monsters. They want cheap labor. Humans are the only ones who will give us a decent shake. Provided we prove we can be useful in whatever campaign they’re fighting in." She sighed shaking her head. “Sometimes I just want to burn this whole system to the ground.”

  I shifted my gaze to Gex as we walked; her strides were more measured allowing me to more easily keep pace with her. For which I was grateful. "But why are you so determined to protect me? We barely know each other."

  Gex sighed, her green skin wrinkling slightly in thought. "My people, the Orcs, and Titan's people, too, have fought long and hard to be recognized as Demi-Humans rather than monsters. We understand what it's like to be judged and persecuted for what we are. You saw it in the chamber; they still see Orcs as monsters. And besides," she added, a hint of fierceness in her voice, "you're a part of our team now, and that means something."

  "But how does that even work?" I asked, my tail swishing in confusion. "I mean, how do you get to be a Demi-Human instead of a monster?"

  Gex's expression darkened. "That's the screwed up part. My people? Titan's people? We had to fight for it. Wars, proving ourselves as adventurers, dying for cities that still called us monsters. We earned our status through blood and service." She spat to the side. "But then there's others who get it handed to them just because of who their parents were."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Dark Elves," Gex said, and there was something bitter in her tone. "Half-breeds. Elf with a Human or Dwarf. Kids get slotted into Demi-Human status automatically because one parent was an Elder Race, Human, Elf, or Dwarf. Didn't work for it, didn't earn it. Just got it because of bloodline."

  I frowned, trying to wrap my head around the unfairness of it. "So you had to fight for recognition, but they just... get it?"

  "Exactly. And you know what the kicker is? They still get treated like dirt. Elves won't let them into their cities, won't acknowledge them as kin. Call them 'cursed' and 'tainted.' Dwarves exploit them for cheap labor, trap them in debt. At least we get some respect for what we've accomplished. Dark Elves? They're stuck being lesser in everyone's eyes, legal status be damned." Gex shook her head. "The system's broken, Angel. Some of us claw our way up from monster to Demi-Human. Others get dumped into Demi-Human because their bloodline's 'good enough,' but can never climb higher. And you? You're still at the bottom, where anything can happen to you unless someone like me or Titan stands between you and the world."

  I nodded slowly, a grateful smile forming on my lips despite the heavy topic. “I'll do what I can to make sure you're proud."

  "Good," Gex replied, gently clapping her hand on my shoulder; it still had some impact. "Now, let's get going. Bel and Titan should be done by now."

  “One question though,” I said, tugging at the collar. “Why was getting a collar your top priority for equipment? And how did you know those prices in there?”

  “Because until we know if you can even take a job class there isn’t any point in buying you armor or weapons you can’t use. In case you didn’t notice; we’re not well liked here. You think I’m going to get a good deal on returned items?” Gex snorted. “There was a rune on the cart that advertised the price. You’re not supposed to know where to look for it, but I spotted it when you grabbed stuff with your tail.” She grinned down at me. “It’s a little stupid sometimes, but Elves like when you can just pay things without haggling. If that’d been a Dwarf, we’d still be in there haggling.”

  “I suppose you have a point,” I muttered.

  We continued to walk silently, the blue chain jingling lightly with each step. The city was bustling around us, but Gex easily guided me through the crowd. As we neared the mage's guild, I saw Bel and Titan waiting outside. The two casually chatted as we made our way up.

  "I'm a registered mage!" she grinned. Practically jumping up and down.

  "She's a summoner," Titan said. "So, we're going to have to watch out she doesn't make us worthless, Gex." He patted Bel on the shoulder.

  "Congratulations, Bel!" I said, genuinely happy for my girlfriend. I had no idea what it meant to be a mage let alone a summoner, but I hoped she'd have some cool spells to throw at people like in a video game. She could learn how to open a hole in the fabric of reality and get us back to New York. Though I suspected that was going to be a lifetime of work.

  "Thanks, Angel!" Bel responded with a beaming smile. "So, what's next for us?"

  "Leilatha hinted that The Snapdragons might be interested in hiring our trio if we can prove ourselves," Gex explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But that also means we'll face challenges and dangers unlike anything we've encountered before. They're known as group crushers."

  "Well, I trust Leilatha," I said unprompted. "He seemed nice."

  Titan and Gex shot each other a look I couldn’t quite see but didn't say anything.

  "Working with or for them won't be a walk in the park," Titan added, his tone serious. "We need to be prepared and vigilant at all times."

  "But for now," Gex said, looking into the sky. "It's getting on time for us to find a place to rest."

  With a nod of agreement, we set off searching for an inn. The city was alive with the setting sun, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Gex was moving us more towards the outskirts of the city, but unlike where we came in this morning this area seemed a bit more run down. It wasn’t exactly like the slums or projects in New York, but it certainly made you think of it. Soon, we found ourselves in front of a rustic tavern, its warm glow inviting us in from the chill of the evening. It was on the outskirts of the town. And it was apparent from the door size that larger races were accepted.

  Pushing into the inn the place was made up of races that were probably classified as Demi-Human but didn’t have the same pull as the ones in the council chamber. Three Centaurs were relaxing in the corner, there was a large grizzled looking Orc drinking by himself, a couple of small, bearded creatures that I would have thought were dwarves if they weren’t slimmer. Here and there I could see what looked like a Human with animal features carrying serving platters. The dimly lit tavern buzzed with energy as Gex led us to a sturdy wooden table, laughter and camaraderie filling the air.

  "I see why you come here," I shouted to the duo. Even though all three of us were around a table that was no bigger than a dining room the amount of noise the patrons was making required one to shout at one another. Which was different than what I had seen in movies.

  Gex, her smile warm and genuine, ordered food and drinks for everyone, ensuring no one's cup was ever empty. I was quickly losing count because the waitress was constantly dipping in and leaving us with new rounds. Picking up a cup as soon as it looked even remotely close to empty. I could see Bel's cheek flushing as the alcohol took effect, her inhibitions melting away with each sip.

  "Alright, Angel!" Bel chuckled. "You sure you can handle more?"

  "Me?" I asked, my eyes narrowing playfully. "You're the one who's looking flushed."

  "You're probably flushed too," the Elven woman shouted. "You just have red scales, so we can't tell!"

  I gave her a grin and sipped at the bitter liquid that Gex had ordered for me. It really was something that would take getting used to. Unlike Gex and Titan’s mine came in a smaller cup, almost half the size of theirs.

  “Alright,” Gex said when we were several cups in. I nodded to her statement. “So where are you from?”

  I didn’t know what to say exactly, my head was fuzzy from all the drinking I’d had. I need not have bothered because Bel spoke up for us in a happy voice. “It’s an island city called New York,” she said. “In a country called New York.”

  “Never heard of it,” Titan said, he took a sip at his giant mug. “What’s it like?”

  “Oh, you know… average,” I said. I shot Bel a look but she either didn’t know what I was thinking, didn’t care or simply didn’t think it was worth keeping silent about.

  “It’s got a lot of cool stuff to see! Like The Statue of Liberty! Freedom Tower. And the food!” She closed her eyes as she remembered the food. “I could go for a pizza right now.”

  “Pizza?” Gex asked. “Sounds spicy.”

  “Oh no!” Bel reassured. “Unless you want it spicy. You can get fish on it, vegetables, meat. You name it. You can put it on there.”

  “Bel, luv,” I mumbled. “Let’s try to hold back, shall we?” Even in my addled state I knew that telling them we had flying transport and cars, and the internet was going to blow their mind. At best they’d think we were crazy. At worst they might do something that could pose a real problem. How would Gex feel if Bel told her that we had guns that shot way further than any bow and arrow and could punch a hole the size of her head in steel. Or hell, trying to tell her about a battleship or aircraft carrier.

  “We’ll have to visit someday,” Gex mused. “Maybe you can try making pizza for us here.”

  “Oh sure!” Bel said, she took a long pull on her wine, noticed it was empty and then stood, swaying a bit, and went to get more. I watched her go and had a sinking feeling that we should not have agreed to drink whatever Gex had put in front of us.

  As the evening wore on, Bel continued to drink more and more wine. I couldn't blame her; it was addicting being in the tavern, drinking and having a good time. As the evening went on, I watched as Bel stumbled slightly when she went to use the privy, her words slurring together as she answered questions. Gex shot me a look of concern, but I could see the twinkle of amusement in her eyes. Titan simply shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. The Centaurs in the corner eyed us curiously, occasionally lifting a mug when someone or something shouted for a toast.

  As the night progressed, the tavern became livelier, with more patrons streaming in. Bards played lively tunes on their lutes, adding to the jovial atmosphere. Bel attempted to join in on a drinking song, but her voice cracked, and she dissolved into giggles midway. Gex and Titan shared a knowing glance, silently agreeing to keep an eye on our tipsy friend.

  After a bit, Titan finally had enough and picked up the woman, who, to her credit, did try to fight off the Minotaur's massive arm as he slung her over her shoulders. "Someone's going to have a rough morning as it is already," he mumbled. "I'm taking her to bed."

  "You big lug," Gex laughed good-naturedly. The Orc woman drained her tankard, standing. "Come on," Gex said gently, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Let's get some rest."

  "Sleep sounds wonderful," I mumbled, allowing myself to be led to a room by Gex. I saw Titan ducking his head as he walked out of a room, closing it behind him. I started to move in that direction, tasting the faint traces of Bel in that room. Gex's heavy hand stopped me from taking another step.

  "He was just helping her with her bags," Gex said quietly, reading my concerned look. "And checking the room for her. Your Bel is an Elf, so there are certain expectations we Demi-Humans have to maintain. Luckily our boy Titan is a cleric, so he can go in before Bel, check it for things that might offend a delicate knife ear, and take care of it."

  This place and its rules bordered on stupid sometimes. "So, he was what? Her manservant?"

  "Not sure if that's the term I'd use," Gex grunted. "But it's tolerable for a cleric Demi-Human to see to things for an Elf. Just so long as the door stays open so no one thinks any Dark Elven tendencies might crop up. And that means…"

  "I can't stay with her," I finished, my stomach sinking.

  "Yeah, rules are rules," Gex confirmed. "You're bunking with your owner in the Demi-Humans' quarters."

  Once inside, Gex helped me settle onto the bed we would share. I blinked up in confusion at Gex, trying to get words out. She shook her head and sat down, pulling off her shirt and kicking off her boots. The chill in the air prompted me to huddle close. Gex's naturally higher body temperature provided a welcome source of warmth.

  "Stay close," Gex whispered, her breath tickling my ear. "You'll stay warm this way."

  "Thanks," I murmured and cuddled closer to her. As I pressed my body against her warm, hard body, I felt a slight emptiness inside me from earlier. I shifted, getting more comfortable, resting my head on her broad shoulder. She smelled heavily of oiled leather, with just a hint of muskiness that was curiously comforting.

  "This is going to kill me," Gex muttered, draping a blanket over us.

  "Why?" I mumbled, already feeling myself start to get drowsy. "Too warm?"

  She snorted. "Orcs don't get 'too warm.' It's..." She hesitated, which was unusual for the normally blunt warrior. "Look, Scales, I should probably warn you before you notice something and freak out. I'm cursed."

  That woke me up a little. "Cursed?" I shifted trying to get a better look at her face.

  "Yeah. Shows up on my sheet and everything. 'Trait: Cursed.'" She shifted, putting a careful few inches between our lower halves while still letting me leech warmth from her torso. "Someone thought it would be hilarious to give an Orc woman a little extra equipment, if you catch my meaning."

  It took my sluggish brain a moment to process. "Oh. Oh."

  "Yeah. So don't go wiggling around too much down there or this is going to get real awkward real fast."

  "Got it," I said, suddenly very aware of where my tail was positioned. I moved it to wrap around her arm instead of her leg. "That why you got so angry about the whole 'Kobolds sold for sex' thing?"

  "Part of it." Her voice was gruff. "I know what it's like to have people treat you different because of what's between your legs. Titan's the only one who knows, and now you. So keep it to yourself."

  “How did it happen? Why? When?” I asked, starting to become more awake. Worried that something like this could happen to Bel.

  “Scales,” Gex growled. “You gotta learn, there are some things you don’t go asking about.” She reached down, closing my snout. “Asking ‘Hey why’d you get cursed?’ ‘What did you do?’ That’s in poor taste even for me.” She fixed me with a serious stare, her yellow eyes hard. “So, you learn I’m cursed. Don’t get crazy, don’t freak out, and just accept that I make a good heat source. Since you can’t sleep with your Elf or the Minotaur.”

  I nodded. "Your secret's safe," I promised, settling back against her shoulder.

  "Good. Now shut up and go to sleep."

  I closed my eyes and listened to the rhythm of her slow breathing as she drifted off to sleep. Her arm pulled me close to her, trapping me against her. Not that I minded, my tail wrapping around her leg as I closed my eyes and burrowed into the woman, content to sleep in a warm, safe place.