Author's Note: I finally found an editor! Thank you Neuroparenthetical for editing my story and making it ten times better. As always, I would love to hear what you think in the comments!
Disclaimer: Rape and non consent/reluctance sex are one of the themes in this series. It is also exclusively either anthro or feral furry male on a humanoid female protagonist. That said, everything written is strictly fantasy and I do not condone any sexual violence.
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We set up camp near the pond Dusk had led us to, where I found another red flower. I cleaned up in the pond as best as I could, and regretted my tumble with the minotaur just a little when I once again felt how bruised I was. After reapplying some of the powder the minotaur had given me, Dusk surprised me with a black tunic and trouser set, which I gratefully put on in place of the rags. Sitting at the campfire, eating the roasted potatoes Dusk had traded parts of our sheep for, my mind began to wander.
What if the red flower only works on certain species? If so, either the elven or dragon blood running in my veins could have prevented it from taking effect.
The only consolation I had was that elves had long lifespans, and, in return, low fertility rates. It was the same for female dragons. Male dragons, meanwhile, fucked everything they saw and spawned hybrid children often. I was one piece of living proof among thousands.
I knew nothing of my parents, only that I was dropped off by an elven woman at the doorsteps of an orphanage. Like every orphan, I had wondered about them and tried to track them down, but it had proved fruitless. My father, the shadow dragon, probably couldn't have cared less about my existence, and my elven mother had clearly been ashamed, or unable to raise me. Eventually I'd given up and accepted that some mysteries would never be solved. I'd also decided that family was overrated.
If the flower didn't work, I would have a family of my own in a year, or sooner, depending on who the father was. I was prone to worrying - a natural result of having had to fend for myself growing up - but I indulged myself; it seemed the only thing I could do - that, and hope, though I wasn't sure there was a clear line dividing the two.
Surely there must be someone on the outside who knows more about elven and dragon biology.
I shook my head to disperse the chaotic mixture of memory, worry, and hope, but it lingered at the edge of my mind.
Over the next three days, Dusk and I talked more about our plan. Our next step was to learn the schedule and location for the next few exchanges between the gang, the Marauders, and the soldiers. Dusk admitted that the stealthy approach anywhere but the forest was never his strong suit, so it fell upon me to execute it.
The next major part of that plan was to sneak into the compound during the dead of night, find the schedule in the gang leader's room, and get out unnoticed. Since the gang's ruthless reputation was feared by most, no one had been dumb enough to attack or steal from them in a while. Their guards had been less than alert as a result. Due to the landscape and the way the compound was built, at a certain point during the night, one of the walls would be completely devoid of light. All we needed to do was take out a few torches; then, using my shadow-dragonkin abilities, I could scale the wall without being seen.
"Getting in is not the hard part," I said to Dusk. "How am I supposed to find one piece of note with the gang leader sleeping in the same room?"
"What if I know exactly when the gang leader will be elsewhere?" Dusk asked, a mischievous glint in his feline eyes. "His lover is a formidable woman in her own right, and refuses to be known as his pet, so she insisted on having her own place."
"Well, another problem solved. Do we have a Plan B for if I can't leave the same way I got in?"
Dusk scratched his chin. "Good question. We should set up a signal for Plan B. I will create a distraction of some kind when I hear it, and you'll take that chance to get out."
"Alright. But... what if I get caught? Is there a Plan C?" Our plan was very much dependent on our trust for each other, which was difficult since we had just met five days ago, but we had little choice. I did not want to wait any longer with whatever might or might not have been growing in my belly.
"Same as Plan B, but I will create the distraction at dawn if you're not out by then. That's all I can do for you." In other words, he would not be risking his life for me, but having a Plan C was already more than I had hoped for.
While we waited, Dusk and I sparred, both to get to know each other's skills better and to hone our own. Dusk was faster and stronger, but I was more cunning and knew techniques that compensated for my weaker physique. I picked up a thing or two about archery and setting traps from him, while he learned more about stealth and pickpocketing from me. He turned out to be more of a ranger than a rogue.
On the fourth day, we packed up our things and headed to Deep Valley. Same as before, we split off.
"Try not to take two hours or come back with wobbly knees this time," he said before we parted, his expression serious.
"I can't make any promises," I replied with a smile, "but I'll try." If I had learned one thing about the jaguar, it was that he had a strange sense of humour.
When I arrived at the blacksmith's place, I was once again greeted by the sight of the minotaur working away on metal, his muscular frame making everything around him seem small. Noticing me, his lips curled back into a warm smile.
"Everything's ready for ya." He put the sword-shaped metal in his hands aside and grabbed what I'd come for from a shelf full of finished items.
The daggers were well balanced in my hands, their edges sharp and handles comfortable. The lockpicks were sturdy and refined. "Thank you, they're perfect." I returned him a smile and handed him the remaining gold.
"It was a pleasure doing business with ya. I hope ya feel better now?" He glanced at my lower body.
The events of the last afternoon I'd spent with him flashed through my mind, and heat rose to my cheeks. "I'm all healed up now, thanks to your medicine."
"Glad to hear. Will I be seeing you again?"I saw a glimpse of hope in his brown eyes.
I bit my lip. I liked him, but I didn't want to lead him on if I was planning to leave for good. Before I could think it through, my mouth blurted out a question on its own. "Do you ever think about escaping?"
The minotaur's eyes widened in surprise. Then he laughed. "I used to, all the time. Eventually, I realised that my life would probably not be so different on the outside. More female company and liquor, probably, but I'd always be looking over my shoulder. I've had enough excitement and adventure for a lifetime."
I nodded. "I understand. If what we're planning succeeds, you'll probably never see me again."
"Then I wish you luck." Though disappointed, the minotaur replied with sincerity.
I grinned. "Right back at you, Bull. May you find more female company as perfect as me."
We bid each other farewell, and I strapped the daggers onto my thighs. With proper weapons, I felt a lot more confident walking through the settlement. The malicious gaze following me no longer made me feel like vulnerable, naked prey.
