6 Chapter 6

**Rindo Duchy, Lazare kingdom. ***

There are three noble families that have lived in the south as the wardens of the Southern Lands. They have always been vassals to the Southern Empire. Lazare, Rindo, and Vanderberg.

The Rindo family are the oldest and only ducal family in the Southern Lands and a loyal servant to the Lazare crown. But they are a vassal state to the Southern Empire as well. But what was Rindo before coming here? The Rindo are one of the oldest families in the Land of stars. Even a beast like me was always curious.

"Kuma can you give this to the Knights commander?" I closed the book and stand to acknowledge his command. My orange bunny ears droop down showing him how earnest I was.

"Yes sir." "Also, could you open the window near me before you go?" "Yes sir." The room was very dusty and quite empty. The only thing that was in his office was his desk and chair. I open the window to let in the subtle breeze blow in. It was refreshing to breath in the country air.

"That feels nice." The old man said. I turn to look outside when I notice a few children working in the stables. They were beast-men like me. "Kuma?" "Nothing Sir Lee." "Don't try to hide it. I can see it on your face pretty well for my age."

"I'm sorry Sir." "Don't be. I should be the one to say sorry. If I was still prime minster of the Lazare and the old royal family was still in charge maybe, we could have prevented this." I doubt it sir. Humans can be pushed off their ambition so easily.

Sir Lee interrupts my chain of thoughts asking a sudden question. "How is your wife?" "She.... is recovering...Slowly." "I see.....I will send the doctor again today. And stay by her side every day." "I Thank you, sir." His subtle expression changed. Sir Lee was someone who always send his sentences with stuttering. Yet he tried to ask me something in the moment, but it felt like he was holding back.

"...Tell me Kuma...if you could...would you take the chance to make things, right? With you're past mistakes." "Well...if I could. I personally must live with my mistakes. I'm also already trying to fix one right now. By taking care of wife when I never did in the past." "I see...after delivering the letter. You can retire for the rest of today." "Thank you, sir!"

"Give my blessings to your wife." "Yes sir." I went to open the door when the young hair of the Rindo family walks in. He had the Black hair that's famous amongst the Rindos and of course the great features they possessed. "Heading out Kuma?" "I am Young master and planning to retire for today." "I see. Dinner will be ready soon so be ready."

"Yes, young master." When I left the room. Sir lee and his son Lucas Rindo discussed something that would change our fate down the line. "It makes me sick just doing this. My ancestors would be ashamed of me for doing this, but I have to protect them for as long as I can."

"Speak son what is bothering you today?" ".....The black coats. They're going to be visiting our home next." "...Sign...I see." "Father?" "How have they been lately?" "We do our best to make it look like we're enslaving the beast-men. We also make sure we don't hurt them while pretending to be monsters." "They understand then." "Yes, but they also know that we can't protect them forever."

"I know that's why I have a plan." "A plan." "Yes...I had another dream. In the far east of the Southern lands...there lays a protector... our savior. A young woman with power beyond any mages and scholars' knowledge." "You have never had a dream like that. And a very detailed one." "I know. Normally there not so clear for me to understand." "Who's this person you've seen in your dream?" "She is a kind woman and gentle one. If the name of the white witch was a title, she would be the first to inherit it."

"Are you sure? I don't want to question you father but it's just we have a lot at stake and if where wrong the black coats will find us and skin us alive and put our gentiles and heads on a pike." "If I am wrong then I was a fool. I also don't plan to let the black coats just do what they want to us." "Me neither." "Good. Its best to fight then just let our enemies' dishonor us."

"What else can you tell me about this savior?" "She's cunning and very brave. These are the characteristics of leader. She will know how to lead a people." But something else was seen in that dream. Another person. But it unclears of who he is and what his purpose is. "Father?" "It's nothing." We will soon find out.

"We should prepare. We can't keep the way we treat to beast-men a secret forever." "I know father. Many of the beast-men are ready to move and have packed as many supplies as possible deep within secluded areas. That only we can only find. But there is one problem. The sick." "Let me worry about that. I must map out the routes the scouts have brought back." "Of course, Father. I will take my leave." I listened on their conversation outside where the window I had opened.

"Will things turn out well?" I asked that question many times. One wrong move and the Black coats will slaughter us all. We won't be able to escape them at all. I don't want to be capture by another black coat ever again. "Sir Kuma." "Captain," The Captain Roger pot.

He was very tall man. His scars are shown all over his arms and neck. It's safe to say he has scars all over his body. A man experienced with war. "This is for you." "Thank you." "I must take my leave now." After delivering the letter to the captain I head straight to my wife.

We live near the mansion of the Rindos. Sir Lee gave us the shack that was very cute in way. It was cozy. Sir lee valued me a lot. Me and my wife are the only Beast-men who are of nobility of the old beast-men kingdom. He believes one day the kingdom will find its footing and believes I will be a part of it. That was a reason to keep me close to the mansion.

"Shea." I answer. In the bed lied my wife who was also of nobility of the beast-men kingdom and of the same beast-men race. She was beautiful for her age with her long blonde hair. "Kuma." "Sir Lee let me finish early. He also sends his blessings." "Hmm. Have you been eating Kuma?" "Of course." "Good." "Come on let's get you in the tube." I pick her small body up and carry her to a chair next to the tube and place the wood in the fire pit under neath a giant pot.

Shea sat there in silence. She dazes off a lot since we came here. "...Kuma..." "Yes?" "...I still dream about it...a lot. All those people and the terrible things they did and the things that happen between us." I figured so. "...Don't talk about it ok. We're living a different life now. I know it will be hard, but we have to move on." "Ok." For a while there was an awkward silence between us. It was like the old days when we were young and had gotten married.

For while we hated each other but at the same time respected each other because of our marriage. I wonder what the young me would say now since I have fallen in love with Shea? After a while the water had gotten hot. I grab a towel and carry the pot over to the large wooden tub to place the hot water.

"Come on I'll help you." After undressing I place her in the tube. "Does it feel ok?" "Yes. It feels nice. Thank you." "Good. Remember I'll always be here for you. No matter what happens." "...I know." As she washed herself I stared at her observing her beauty. With affection I begun to play with her beast-men ears. She looks at me with wet hair pushed over her head and innocent cute face. "How lovely."

Shea started too blush and sinks into the water halfway. I chuckled and turn to grab the towel. She mumbles dummy in the water. After cleaning up. Shea was in a long white plain gown and while I had taken off my vest and coat and wore nothing but my labor shirt.

"It's so strange." "You mean living like normal people?" "Yeah." Shea looks toward the window behind our shack. "Were pretty old now huh." "33 is not that old Shea." She begins reminiscing about the old days of our youth. "We were both young and yet we had to lead our family as the heads. That's when we got married to share our family loads." "Heh...it was quite a journey for us." "You know we didn't love each other back then."

"I know." "Do you regret it? Marrying me?" "Shea." I sit on the side of the bed and hug her. "Even back then when we didn't love each other. I will never regret marrying you. Cause you helped me a lot back then. You stopped my siblings and other members of my family from trying to take over the dukedom. I owe you a lot."

"We both have changed since then huh." Shea puts her hand on my face and kisses me. "Yeah, and it was for the better." "Do you miss home?" "I do. But home is anywhere you can be safe now." Flustered by her crippled body. She snuggles into my chest. "I'm scared." "I know. Don't be sacred ok. When the time comes well flee farther into the Southern Lands."

"For now, all we have to do is trust Sir Lee." "Kuma." "Hm?" "I love you." "Hehe. I love you too." She stroke her head after falling asleep in my arms. I laid her down on her side and begun to massage her feet. I frowned by the site of her back ankles. Her Achillies had a large scar cut crossed it. We've been married since we we're 13. During those time we never did interacted that much...until that day.

*** 20 years ago, Beast-men kingdom***

It was the day of our sabbath. Offering our blood to the Moutain Beast who had never came to rescue his people even today. The clouds were black like with thunder roaring there the kingdom. "What is this?" I was still young back then. My father never taught me how to fight in a war. And now that it was on our kingdom's doorsteps. I wanted to run away. "My Lord!" "What's going on!?" "The Humans! They have invaded our country!"

How did they get pass the magic wall? And to attack us on the day of sabbath. "Why didn't the King say a word to his loyal subjects!? Make it public that we were at war!?" "I... don't know my lord" We have to flee. We aren't prepared for war. If we stay any longer. "Where is my wife!?" I run out the door, but she was already running toward my chambers. "My Lord!" "Wife."

"What is going on?" "The humans have invaded our kingdom." "What? But how? Why didn't the king say anything?" "I'm not sure either but right now we need to leave." "But where to?" "The Sultrae Plains." "Our original homeland." "Come. We need to leave right now."

"My Lord! We have identified the Knights that have invaded our kingdom they hail from the Southern Empire!" I figured so. "Come on! We need to cross the mountains before our armies are overrun." I reached for her hand to make sure she followed me closely she was surprised at first but reluctantly follows me.

Large scale explosions are heard in the west of our dukedom. From a far a large mushroom or green fire and smoke can be seen. "My Lord look!" The knight points out to the sky. A dark grey creature hovered in the sky but could only see the outline of it. Teh roars startled us, and a cold shiver came done my spine.

"Is that?" Shea asked. "I hope not." A carriage arrives in time, and we get on it right away again the creature let out its roar shaking the air. I realized I was still holding her hand. She's shaking. Instead of letting go I continue to hold onto her hand. She didn't seem to be bother by it. "Knight Leko." "Yes my Lord?" "We're not going to go the usual route."

"But my Lord." "I know another route. We're heading right into the Mountains. An old pass that was once used for trading." "But Sir your carriage." "Well walk the rest of the way." "My lord! A message from the king!" "What?" The Messager rides up to the carriage. "For you duke." "What of the king?" "The King has been moved to a secret location that is all I can say for now."

"Until when?" "The nobility are going into hiding. I suggest you do the same until the Royal family says to come back." "Why so vague!?" "Stay safe duke." "Hey!" The Messager ride off into the opposite direction right toward the capital city was burning. "Damn it!"

Many things ran through my head and the helplessness of not being able to do anything as duke was frustrating. Shea holds my hand tighter to comfort me then. "Relax." I look at her with the realization of what's important right now. "Right." We abandoned the carriage since we couldn't cross the pass with it. "What are we going to do once we get to Sultrae Plains?" "I'm not sure. We won't get our privileges as nobility anymore."

"How so?" "Sultrae is the homeland of beast-men tribes. They don't live like we know or have the same laws. The Sultrae are like the clergy for beast-men race. "I see my lord." Shea, who was in thoughts, asked. "So we're just regular people now...hm." "What's wrong?" "I always wonder what being a commoner was like. How they live such a care and free life." Living the life of a commoner huh? My mother was a commoner too. I don't know if living like her will help me forgive myself. "Tell me my Lord. What do you plan to do now?" What I want to do?

"I... don't know." "Hehe. Don't worry about it then. We'll figure it out." "We?" "Of course. I'm a woman who takes marriage seriously." "I see." "You didn't think I was going to leave you right?" "Of course not!" "Good." Puzzled by her sudden attitude. I turn to one of my knights. "Let keep going." "Of course not." One of the Wolf beast-men stop and waves his hand to signals us to stop. "Leko." "I smell blood a lot of blood." The forest was silent, and I was hyperventilating too much. The thin air on the mountain made it hard to breath.

"Calm down. Calm down." I said to myself. Out of nowhere a rock spike comes out of the ground and stabs Leko in the back and tore him in half. "LEKO!" The rest of the knights draw their swords and surround me and Shea. Ravens begun to circle around. "My Lord, Lady! Run!" We do as he's told and run down the pass. "Oh, A bunny has arrived."

We dodged some arrows while running down the pass. We could hear the sound of steel smashing against steel behind us. We lost our balance because of our momentum of running down the pass. Shea suddenly felt into a warp hole and disappeared.

I blinked for a second. I heard the sound of a warp hole open and suddenly I was on the ground bind with magic chain on my wrist and ankles. Damn it! What do I do now!? "You really didn't think you would escape from us?" A woman? No, her smell is different it smells of mana...she's a witch. "Hello my bunny." Where is Shea!? "SHEA!?" "Oh, don't worry about her she's occupied right now. She points to a nearby carriage. It was shaking so much and there were a dozen men standing outside.

"SHEA!" "Shush. Shush. Be Quiet." She puts a spell on me Locking my body in place. I couldn't move even my lips. "You're wondering why a witch is helping the humans? Well let's just say I have my uses and mission. And because you're a cute bunny I think you can be useful too. What say you?"

She undo's the spell and I immediately curse and call out to Shea. "Go to hell you bitch! SHEA!" She puts her heal in my head and I screamed out in pain. The heel was in my skull, and I felt dizzy and lost my sense of thinking. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!" She pours a green potion on me and the hole in my head heals.

"Please just don't talk back to me. Ok? But you called me a bitch, so I'll just punish you a little more." She kneels down and force me to look up at her by my lifting my chin. "I'm goanna make you watch. Bring her out." "Yes madam." They threw Shea outside naked and bruised. Her eyes looked dead but when she saw me, she gained her sense. She whispered please don't watch me.

But I couldn't since the witch forced me to. After watching those men do those things to Shea. I never saw her the witch or Shea again. A few years later I was in the mine digging out diamonds. I felt broken. I didn't care what happened now. Suddenly an elf approached me. Handing me a piece of stale rye bread. "You still hungry right?" "Aren't you hungry?" "Naw. I'm good. I don't really feel like eating." He was a strange elf he was actually the first I ever meet. "...You don't have the manner of an Elf." "Well...I was an adventure once. I have hung around with the Northman and dwarfs."

"You were? I thought they were independent and hated the idea of slavery?" "Not all of them. Adventures can be greedy. If there are less adventure than theirs more jobs for them and fame." " I see. Sorry, that happen to you." "I figure it was going to happen." "Did you and the other non-humans fight back?"

"Some of us did. But there are more humans in the adventure guilds than non-humans. Many fought to stay in the guild since it was private organization and the authority of nobles, and the church can't reach them."

"There must have been a lot of pressure on the guild leaders." "Indeed.

"What did you fight for?" "

"I didn't fight. I was blackmailed to turn myself in. I did it to protect my family. My children inherited my magic but not my looks. I'm glad too. Cause now they are safe from the world's wrath. But they will kill my children if they found out they had elven blood running through their veins. If I didn't turn myself in the adventure's would have ratted to the Black coats and they would come after them since they all have their names on paper."

"Your wife is human and that means your children are half-bloods."

"Are you one of those kinds?" "...Sorry I meant no disrespect. I'm just unsure what I should believe now." "Well...whatever you have heard there probably true for your people. But in the end, they end up here with us too."

"...I still can't find any ounce of sympathy for the half-bloods who betrayed us." "I don't blame you, but my kids are elves. Not beast-men."

"...Sorry." There was an awkward silence between. The last thing I want is to offend him. I should not think of the children the same as the ones who betrayed us. The Elf broke the silence.

"My name his Lender of the Forest Elves." "Kuma Dan'lan." "Tell me. What was the beast-men kingdom like? I never been there." "...The land is known as the Ku 'Tion." "Is that the old language of the beast-men people?"

"Yes. It was the name that the mountain god beast-men had given. Which is why my first two letters are Ku." "What about ma?" "Mas 'Koda. The original land of the beast men. It's known as the Sultrae Plains." "I see. Elves have always lived in the green wood forest. Or the Greenwood Kingdom."

"I was told there are five races. The High Elves, Dark elves, Forest Elves, Moon Elves and the Spirit Elves." "Indeed...but the only elves left are the Forest and Moon elves." "My apologizes." "Don't be they died for trying to persevere Tree of life."

"Still." Lender and I stuck together for a while. He talked and shared food and he became my best friend. After two years we were both were chosen as candidates for working as butlers. during that time, I still think about my wife but at this point I know she was dead at least I thought.

I had to be taught manners as butler. I served under a duke of the Southern Empire, and he was known to like Beast-men and I mean men. I was surprised Lender and I end up here together since most of the time they just send us to random places. "My feet hurt." "Lender." "I know. I know." Standing outside is exhausting I admit. Is this how my butlers were feeling too?

We both notice the duke's daughter coming and we stood straight. "Is my father inside?" "Yes Lady Fridana." She forces herself in and we both tried to stop her, but she opens the door forcefully. "Sweetheart?" "Father, I need someone killed." "Oh, do say their name." "The Farmer girl down at the river." "You mean the Peach family daughter?"

"Yes, that whore." "But they are good people." "But she spoke to Duke Panstan son. He is engaged to me. And having an obstacle between us and the Panstan family will be problematic."

Hmm she is right. We need the engagment to clear of any unwanted situations. "...Well, I guess I can handle it. I have to talk it over with my assassins. We have enough money so we can pay the farm girls family to forgive us." Their conversations were unsettling at times. "Are all humans like this?"

"Thank your father."

"Anything for you, my daughter." She walks away feeling very happy. We caught each other both looking at each. Of course, I bowed to her presence. I didn't want to show any disrespect to her. These people were crazier than I thought. Afterward we head to the kitchen because the duke asked for some candy.

I carry the crystal candy to his room and knock on the door. When he opens it, he was in his short night gown, and I can see his hairy legs. He was a short man and bald on the top with black hair on his side and a little chubby.

"Sir." "Come in." I hesitated to walk in, but disobeying can lead to my death. He shuts the door, and I felt his gaze on me. I put down the candy and I was afraid to turn around. "My Lord." "Yes." "Would...you like anything else?" He smiles and slowly approaches me. Every step he took I could her from the squeaking on the wooden floors.

"Have I ever told you how my wife left me?" "No, my Lord." "Heh well it's a very sad story. You see we grew up together and did everything together. I never once looked at other women." He shows me an old picture when they were young, and he looked a lot better back then. "When we got engage, I was so happy."

He sits down and crosses his legs in front of me. This is really uncomfortable. I was feeling more and more frighten. "She also felt that way about me too at least I thought she did. Turns out all she saw me as was a best friend. I caught her in the same bed we slept in with my uncle."

She explained everything to me then, she married be to preserve her blood line and debt to my father who help her family. She was madly in love with my younger uncle who was only 8 years older than me. Having a child was part of the debt she owned to my family. She knew we couldn't be together any longer so we both decided to sign a divorce and got approved by a priest and the emperor. She told me to take care of our kid.

I didn't know what to say I felt sad for him and at the same time I was frightened by him. He then takes a candy and crushes it with his teeth.

"We were married for 10 fucking years. We had our first kiss and our first time and our first child and yet she wanted someone else to be truly happy.... but I hold no resentment really. Since she was so determined to protect what we had. And our child. I respected her cause she was even willing to have my first child to make me happy."

"My Lord. I don't want to be rude but why are you telling me a lowly slave this." "...Who knows." He stands up and turns toward me. "We have been divorced for 8 years now. In those year I grew somewhat of resentment toward women except my daughter. I grew found of men you see."

I need to leave. "Kuma." Startled by his voice I tip over his swords that hung ton the weapons rack. "Yes sir. I mean Sorry sir." "I hope you view me as a good man." "I always do." He puts his hand on my shoulders. "Remember. This is human land. Human sovereignty. We are above you."

"Understood my Lord." "Good. Tomorrow you will be serving under my daughter you will be helping her with everything." "Understood my Lord." He waves to me to leave and as soon as I walk out the door, I felt relieved. Lender who was lying down on his bed notice my subtle face when I got back. "Kuma? You alright?" "...Yeah. Just tired." The next morning, I stood outside Fridana door.

An hour of waiting had passed, and she finally came out. I think my wife took this long to get ready even on our wedding day. "You must be my new butler right." "Yes. Mlady." "Hm." She scoffs at me and walk toward the garden. I follow behind. "Milady." "What?" "Um...are you not going to eat breakfast." "No."

She went to her garden after denying her morning royal routine. She instructed me to stay 20 feet away from her, and so I did. After a while of admiring some roses, she moved to a different area of the garden. She's just as every bit of the rumor I was told. I notice the parallels between Beast-men society and humans. I notice she was about to pick a pink and purple flower and immediately rushed to her. The plant was poisonous since it grew all over the beast-kingdom. I pull away her hand which was very rude for servant.

Doing this could result in my hand being cut off for touching the Ladies body. but it was better then letting her die. If she dies I would most likely be killed. "How dare you!" She slaps me in the face a couple times leaving my face red. "My Lady these are poisonous flowers." "What?" These plants grow in the Beast-men Kingdom. It leads to serious rash like tumor inside the body especially in the lungs where it could kill you from suffocation."

Fridana was shocked from almost death experienced. We both wondered why such a plant was in the garden in the first place. Fridana found some nearby gardeners. "Why is something like this here!? Go get the Head Butler!" After complaining to the Gardeners and Head Butler they removed the flowers. She decided to go back to her room since her mood was spoiled. I waited outside like most butlers would, but she grabs me by the sleeve and forces me in. "My servants don't stand outside when I need them and since you helped me you can come in."

Her room was more extravagant than any of the rooms I had in my mansion. "Melly, can you ask the chief to cook some soup for me?" "Yes, my Lady."

I stood their unsure what to or say and I felt anxious a little. She puts down her book and lays her head on the table and stares at me. "You. Come here."

I walk toward her slowly and I stood beside her. With a plain look. "I'm goanna touch your ears." She grabs my ear forcefully and begun to stroke them.

"Lady Fridana!?" "Do you bunny men get off like this? Why are you moaning?" "It just feels weird." "Hmmm." With a smile she strokes both my ears really fast.

Her innocent smile through off my perception of her since she was usually a cruel individual and at the time to me, she was having fun like a young would. It was the first normal smile that a child should always have but she never showed it.

"Well, that was entertaining." I fell to my knees and for a second, I was about to cry. A little kid almost made me cry. "By the way. What's your name?" "My name is Kuma." "Kuma...what a strange name." "It was just given to me by the Moutain beast."

"Well, it's weird but I like it." Her mischievous smile made me fear for my life. Getting close to her is dangerous in its own way. After ending my shift with the lady, I head back to my room were me and Lender stay in. When I walked in Lender was on the bed reading his book.

"Hey." "Hey. How was work?" "Lender looked exhausted and hesitant. He forces a smile and I notice he had blanket around his body up to his neck and down. "It was fun..." "Oh. Good."

A few years later Fridana got use to me being around. She would complain to me a lot about her troubles, and I would do my best to advise her on certain things. And at the time things seem peaceful. But it was Lender I was more worried about. He seems to be tired and sad all the time but still kept his smile in place. I knew he was putting up a front.

"Kuma?" "Oh, Sorry Milady." "Jeez pay attention." "Sorry." "I was saying that engagements should be decided by the people being forced into it not the parents." "Maybe you can start a rally about it." "Hmm. I never thought about it but there are many powerful families that respect the old traditions."

"That doesn't mean it's not impossible." "It will take a while but." "If you believe in it then go for it. You must try before you think it fails." "...Yeah, your right." Afterword I went to the kitchen to get some drinks but was stop my two knights that was already in the kitchen. "Hello there." "Your names Kuma right?" "...I am." "You have been summoned to the Knights headquarters."

"But the lady?" "We will have another send it to her." What is going on? "I understand." They take me to the Knights headquarters that was hidden behind the back of the mansion. There had to be a few hundred knights here. Many of them notice me but didn't pay too much attention to presence. We walk into the small building, and I was greeted by young man.

His hair was a red blood color and looked much like girl when you first see him. His voice was not too deep for his age. "My name is Jorge commander of the knights. Your Kuma right?" "I am." "You work for Lady Fridana right." "I do." "And you're a slave." "Yes I am." Why is he being condescending. "Then why Is something like you is being brought into her room?" "She said her servants don't stand outside."

"Please that's not her personality." "..." He leaves from his chair to stand a few inches from me. "You need to know your place. Lady Fridana is mine." "...I... don't want to be rude but she is engaged." "You say you're a slave, yet you talk back to your masters." "You are not my master. Lady Fridana is. And I was not talking back sir. I was stating a fact. Lady Fridana is engaged to another. It is very rude to speak of her as you own her...Sir." The knights looked at their captain and he smirked instead of lopping my head off with sword. "...You know I like you. You know how to speak up for your master."

"It is my job." "Yeah. But your job is not to get close to the lady." "Tha...that was not my intention." "I don't care what your intention is or was. The fact you're speaking to her like a normal human is enough for me to punish you. I was already informed by the knights who guard Lady Fridana room at knight and day. You have crossed the line little bunny. Pull out three of his nails." "Wait!" The knights pin me to the ground placing one of their feet on my head. They force one of my arms out. Another then grabs some pliers. "Don't worry little rabbit. I'll be quick with it."

He places the pliers under my nail and pulls it out with very little strength. The pain was intense. Tears would flow from this terrible punishment, and they laughed at my screams. "Don't worry. It will be all most over soon ahaha." Jorge came back afterward. "Your blood is all over the floor so clean it up before you go."

They let me go afterward. I notice Lender walking outside. "Lender." "Kuma!?" Lender, blood had dropped from hand. It left a long trail that pointed the way I came from. lender was a blur in my eyes. It must be because of all the blood I lost. I awoke later in my bed, with patches all around my hands. "Kuma." Lender was awake, he must have been here for a while now since he still wore his uniform. "Lender." I curled up in my blanket and turn toward the wall. I was extremely embarrassed. This weakness of mine is something that causes paranoia. "Kuma. Who did this?" "..." "Kuma. If you don't tell me, I can't help you."

"What can you do to help if I do tell you?" "What?" "We are nothing but servants Lender! We have nothing anymore and all we can do now is just take the punishment!" "Kuma calm down." "...Argh!" Why do keep forgetting who I am? I just followed the role of a servant. That what I am. "If you don't want to tell me fine but please be careful don't try to make friends here. We're not in the slaves' mines, camps or the stations."

"..." "Stay here for today I will inform the lady that you had a little accident. I'll be back." I through the stool that stood between our beds at the wall breaking it apart. "What am I supposed to do." These four years I've done everything I could to survive. Why did things turn out like this? I was a broken man in the inside. I never could show what I really felt since emotions like these would be a result of punishment.

The mountain beast had forsaken its people and not even today he rescues the beast-men people. It's been four years since our kingdom fell. I have no home to go back to no family. Right then and there I remembered Shea. It's been a while since I thought about her. I can't believe I forgot about her. But what's the point? I'm nothing but a... a slave. The next day I wore gloves to hide my injuries from Fridana. As he ranted on about a tea party she had went through.

"Kuma!" Her sudden shout startled me. I knocked over her with my elbow then. "I'm so sorry Milady." I panic and try to clean up the mess. She holds my hand, and she looked like she was about to cry. I suddenly realized why. She rubbed my hand trying to comfort it. "Don't worry about it...it's a normal thing for us." It was surprising with her concerned nature. It was something she never showed in the few years I've been her. "Kuma." "What are you doing today my Lady." She lets go of my hand and she looked conflicted. "Lady Fridana." "Nothing." Later that night she was forced to do her father's work since he had business elsewhere.

"Do you need coffee, My Lady." "No." It was midnight when she took a break. She begun to talk normally now and asked a "How long have you been my attendant now?" "A few years, Milady." "I see...hey what were you before you came here?" "Miss?" "I've been very conflicted Lately, and I think listening to your story will help me." "My story?" "Will you...Mr.Dan'lan." She called me Mr. Why is she acting so strange. I was concerned if someone was listening but for the first time a human has wanted to know who I was and what I've been through. "....Ok."

"Come sit down." Can I really talk about it. Is this place the right place for someone like me to talk about such things? "Go ahead. I promise you and to my ancestors I will not do anything to harm you." "....I was someone who was expected to be great at everything. I was meant to be someone great."

"I was a son of a duke in my kingdom. My father and mother were both great figures during their time. Father was a great warrior during the Fifth war with humans. It was uncommon for a rabbit beast-men to fight so he was made a legend. My mother was from the Sultrae. She was from the old beast-men rabbit clan. Both of them died from the green fever pandemic. I was made the head of the family at a young age." "Were you married?"

"...Yes. Her name was Shea. Her mother also died from the pandemic but her father died before we were born and so she was made the head of her family but because we were so young and could not keep up with the work of being a noble. We married to help each other."

"We shared the pressure that came with becoming a leader and all those times we never got to know each other. But I did care about her. She helped me save my family from ruin since I was so young and was not ready to hold all of the Dukedom by myself." "I see." "But then.....your people came, and you know the rest." "I see." Her silence was a sign to me of something a beast-men should never say. I tried to correct my wording but gestures to me to not worry about it. "Tell...if you had the chance to be free would you take it?" "Miss?" "Answer the question." A chance to be free? What person in this situation I'm in would not? "...Yes...I would." "Good."

"My Lady?" She looks sad but her cheerful look would convince otherwise. "Do you know where your wife is?" "...She's probably dead. I haven't seen each other since the invasion." "Do you want to know if it's true. or not?" "My Lady it's only a small matter it should not concern you." She hits me with her pencil. "I'm trying to understand you Kuma and why I feel like this but." "Milady?" "It's just ever since I meet you. I feel like I see things differently."

"What? I don't understand." "I don't get it either. This doesn't make since to me." She lays her head on the table facing the other way. I take a step back to give her space and turn away from her I was unsure what to make of this situation. This kind of thinking. It's not natural. For both of us. But talking about my feelings what I think about is refreshing since we are forbidden to think of such things and to say such things.

A few days later I was getting ready that morning and realized Lender was still sleeping. "Come on Lender. Get up." When removing his blanket, I notice all the bruising around his neck and wrist." "Lender?" When we awoke, he quickly pushed me away and curled up into his blanket. "Lender." "Don't look. I feel ashamed if you look."

What the hell? "Lender what is going on what happen to you!?" Lender didn't say anything. "Those bruise around your neck did someone try to choke you?" Lender for a while never told anything. I notice the markings were getting worse just by the color of it. So, I had to be more assertive. "What is going on Lender. Why are you coming back with bruises on your body!?"

"Just drop it." I grab him by his shirt and through him onto his bed. "The Knights had removed fingernails Lender. Because I was not acting the way they think I should. I was scared and at the time I didn't know what to do. I... I was also to embarrassed to tell you because I hate how weak I am. I coudn't save my country or my family." "Kuma." "We may be slaves but to me we are brothers. And brothers can help each other out."

I sat on my bed across from him and waited for him to tell me what was going on. Lender was stun not by what I said but by my sudden change in tone. I has been years since I have shown such emotion. Lender then spoke the truth to me. "You know the duke assigned you to the lady because of my request." "What?" "The duke had his eye on you Kuma. I noticed it when we both served under him during our first year here."

"I heard from the other servants of his reputation to us. He a cruel man with fantasies. So, I suggested to him that you would make a great servant to the Lady. At first, he didn't but after.... seducing him I gained his favor. I told a lie that I should be the only one here to serve you and not you."

"Why would. I know why. But...but." I jump from my bed but stumbled to the ground. I grabbed my chest real hard because the pain that inflicting there. "Lender." All this time...the one person who is my brother. Sacrificed his dignity to protect me. My brother helps me to my bed then. "I've been feeling sick lately." "Sick?" "I've been tired and coughing too much it makes it hard for me to work."

"We should see a doctor then." "I did. He told me this is something common and have no cure. They say I won't last 10 years. Haha man I haven't even figured out what I want to do after having my adventures license taken away." "What do you mean? You make it sound like this ordeal we have been in is job?" "I don't think this Slave system will last forever, Kuma. There will be someone who will fight against it."

"Your being ridiculous." "Forget it. You will understand when that day comes." Lender has said some foolish things before, but this takes the cake. "Come on we...I can figure something out with whatever sickness you have." "Forget it Kuma." "No, you're my brother. I can't do that." "...You're my brother too. But hey I still have 10 years to live so." Lender has always been the big brother since he is over 200 years. I'm an only child and having him as a brother is a blessing. "I don't want you to spend your entire life trying to save me Kuma." "But." "Please don't do anything that will get you killed tyring to save me." "...I get...I understand." "Kuma. I feel like if we stay here, we'll die the most brutal way." "I know."

"You and I do have a choice in the slave system." "We do?" "Yeah. We can ask to be transferred to a Station." "A station?" "The stations are a farming and weapons building branch of the slave system. We work their four years, and they eventually move you to another. Thats how it works it's also less stress of people trying to kill you." "So how do we?"

"It might be a challenge. We have to talk to the Manger of slaves here." "We can ask who ever is in charge of organizing us here to send us there." "Will he agree?" "Of course. Less work for him here. Being a slave manger is exhausting work."

"Before we do...I need to say goodbye to the Lady." "...Make it fast then." After getting ready. I head to Fridana's room. "Kuma." "My Lady." "Come in." She seems mellow right now. "Are feeling, ok?" "Yes. I am." " I apologize for being late." "Its fine." "Milady I." "Did you hear? The Slova burned down another city." They must have broken through the imperial armies' line of defense in the west. So now there in southern empire territory. "The Slova."

"...I used to hate them but now...I'm not sure how to explain it." She's been acting strange for a while. I always listen to her problems, and I do care for her wellbeing in the time I've been here as her servant. I learn to cherish others. Cause before I only cared about my business. My reputation of my noble family. "I've been thinking about all the thing I've done."

"I treated those people so bad...why did I do those things. Am I the monster?" "I'm not sure how to answer that." "It's ok. I just want you to listen. Like you always have in the time you've been here." "...Miss. There is something I want to tell." I was not sure how to tell her but I hate to leave her with a goodbye. Because of her. I've seen the change a human can go through and understand them from a much better perspective. "Please, go ahead." "I plan to head to the stations. I think staying here is hard and dangerous." She looked surprised at first, but she smiled and nodded om agreement with me.

"Good...this place is not for you. But I also don' think the stations are too. But it's for the best." "My Lady." "I'm not sad. I just hope you find you're freedom." "I...will." "I am sorry...for what my country men did. I really am."

"Don't you dare apologize Milady you had nothing to do with it. That was the emperor and his follower's decisions." "Still, I went along with their views in the beginning and now I feel so...disgusting." "You are a bright girl...Fridana. You learned from the mistakes you made, and I am proud." "Ehehe. You never said my full name before." "I'm sorry." "It's ok." "Meeting Lady Fridana is a blessing. I will never forget you."

"Ans I won't forget you too. If you want to leave early than let me handle it." "What?" "I can arrange for you to leave tomorrow." "I would appreciate it." "Then wait in your rooms until tomorrow." "Thank you. My Lady Fridana."

When I return, I informed Lender about what the Lady was going to do. "Will she though?" "She will. I promise. The lady was a lot of things but a liar she never." "...Ok then. I trust you brother." We waited in our room until the next day and suddenly there was a knock on our door. I open the door and was greeted by Fridana. "Lady Fridana." "Come on everything is ready."

She takes us outside where a small iron carriage stood in front of the water fountain. "I'm sorry about this." "It's fine. We know what we were expecting." We turn to the lady and bow to her. "Thank you. Milady Fridana" "Kuma...I." "Lender!?" We look to the long stairs and see the duke and his knights and the commander of the knights. That red-haired bastard Jorge his here too.

"My Lord." "Why are you leaving!?" Lender was frightened by the duke's angry shouts. Lady Fridana stood between us and the duke. "Father I am sending them away." "My daughter." "They got on my nerves. So, I'm sending them away." "But my dear. I don't think that's a good enough reason to." "I don't care!?" She's good at acting. She signals me to get in the carriage with a thumb up behind her back and so we did. But the Duke grabs Lender by the hair and forces him to the ground.

"Lender!" "I'm the duke here! You will stay here!" I look at Fridana who was about to step forward but was grabbed by the knights. "Hey!? Let me go!? Do you know who I am!?" The duke walks up to her and slaps. "Milady!" "How dare you! A women should know her place!" Fridana was shocked by her father words. I was shocked since he never once laid his hands on his beloved daughter. Fridana tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Oh no. I didn't mean that! I was just trying to." She swipes his hand away and struggles to get free from the knight. "Get off me!" I was unsure what to I was scared. What do I do in this situation? "I've been good to you my dear and yet you still treat me like this." I could see the crazy in his eyes. But his eyes looked really red as if he had sanded his eyes.

The duke started to breath really fast in a fit of anger and begins to beat his daughter down. Me and the Knights were both shocked. But did not stop the duke. "Lady Fridana!" I attempt to stop the duke, but I was stopped by Jorge. He punches me in the face, and I fell down to the ground. "You should have listened to me."

The duke continues to beat his daughter until you could not recognize her anymore blood was all over her body. I was unsure if she was live since she didn't move at all. "Fridana!" I try to tackle Jorge, but he was too strong for me to handle. Th spell on me was still active so I couldn't use my beast-men strength. Then suddenly Lender sneaks up behind one the knights and grabs his sword. He cuts of the knight's head and then throughs the sword at one the other knights.

Jorge was distracted with what happen to his men. I kick his knee in breaking it. I could hear the crack of his leg breaking. "FUCK YOU!!! GODDAMN NON-HUMAN!!!!" I ignore his insult and push the Duke off Fridana. "How dare you!" The duke hears someone walk behind him and turns around to only see Lender. "Lender...my love."

"I already have a wife. I'm goanna make you pay for what you did." "Bullshit!" Suddenly a red glowing magic circle appears on lenders head and screamed in pain. But endured it and jumped on top of him. He begins to choke the duke until he turned blue. The duke died by lenders hand. "Lender." Lender looks at me and reassures me he's alright.

I kneel down to the bloody Fridana. "Milady." ".....Ku...ma." Her voice is faint. "My Lady come we have to." "...No... you need...to get on the carriage...he is...a hired...carriage rider...I hired...him...to escort you." That's why he didn't run. He must want to get paid. "Give...him...this..." She holds out a pouch with gold coins in it. "He will.... get...you there....to the...station."

"Don't speak. Just rest." "Hurry...go." "But you'll die!" "It's...ok...I'll be fine...." "Fridana!" "I'm glad we meet Kuma." She took her finally breath then. She stopped moving. In that moment I felt the feeling of lost. The emotions all came out. "My lady! Fridana!" "Kuma." Just then we notice a group of people coming from the west gate and a woman pops her head out her carriage. "Fridana! My child!" "Kuma!"

"If you want to escape then get on!" The carriage driver said. "Kuma! We have to leave. Argh!" An arrow had pierced Lender's chest and falls to the ground. "Lender!" I rushed over to him the arrow had pierce through him. I carry him to the iron carriage and as soon we stepped in, we took off. I take one last look at my master and watch her fade away as we got farther and farther away.

"There still coming." There were a dozen knights chasing after us and shot crossbow bolts at us. Lender pulls out the bolt from his chest and he gushed out blood. "Lender!" Lender grabs my hand and looks straight at me. "Remember me...ok." "What?" In the middle of the iron carriage there was gate that split the carriage room in half. Lender pushes me on the other side and closes it.

"Lender!" "Remember me brother and....find my family. Please." "Lender! Don't!" With resolve he jumps out the carriage and rolls on the ground. He immediately stood up in his fighting position. "Sorry Kuma. But my days are short." I have no talents but fighting. I hope you find your happiness Kuma. I helplessly try to break the bars while I watch as he fades away in the distance while he fights the Knights.

"Lender....Fridana." I fall to my knees and bang my head to the bars as hard as I could. And after the tenth time I blacked out. Memories of my family flashed through my head. Even to the day I buried my parents to losing my wife. Another memory which I had forgotten revealed itself. It was the day I had killed my brother. The time when I fought for my position I had. I'm not so innocent either.

I awoke then in a white bed with other patients next to me. I notice the wraps around my head, and new clothes. "Don't try to get up son." "Who...are you?" "I'm just a doctor." "Where...am I?" "You're in the Southern Lands. The kingdom of Lazare." "...Lazare." "Yes. Welcome to the Lee Station." For a while I couldn't control my balance and I was having headaches for months.

I did rehibition. The people here were strange. During the process Lender and Fridana was all I thought about. One night I stare out the window in the direction were the Mountain beast-men. "You still haven't left your comfortable home. You look down on the mortal world and watch your people become stock. You no savior of mine anymore." I never prayed to the Mountain beast-men ever again.

"You must have been through a lot." "..." "The Lady did a lot to get you here. You should be happy." "Fridana." "Yes. She reached out to us and said she wanted to send two slaves here."

"She..." "I won't disturb you. Just relax and recover." "...Why is a human giving me such privileges?" "I'm not like the rest of them. This is the Lee domain. We're not like others of our kin. So please be at easy. I will send beast men here to help you if you feel uncomfortable with the healers here."

He leaves me alone while I sat near the window. I had trouble with the light shining in the window. It looked like a bunch of fairies were shining light magic at me. It made nauseas so I turned away before I throw up on the healer. I spent months trying to get my balance together. Eventually I did recover.

Because they also could be punished for not making me work and to protect themselves, I had to work after I recovered. For a while I was depressed. I didn't want to be around anyone. But people always bounce back. Being here was a very nice feeling. I always thought the human and non-couldn't get along. But here they did.

"Kuma." "Yes, Sir Lee?" "There is another group of newcomers being dropped of here. So, they might need help." "I got it." I waited with a few dozen men. About four large carriages stop in a straight Line and many beast-men step out of the carriages.

"let's help them." We all do our part to help. After we helped them off, I was in charge of cleaning the carriages. "Bastards they just through it on me." As I step in the first carriage, I notice a Boyd in the middle of the floor. "Damn....Sign. Guess you're one of the unlucky ones." Huh? Why does her hair.

"No, it couldn't be."

When I turn her over to my surprised it was Shea. The women who I never thought I would see ever again. "Shea!" I was so stunned I fell back but I crawled up to her and hold her in my arms. "Shea." I put my ear to her chest and there was a beat. Tears began to flow down my eyes. I called her name so many times and apologizing to her. "I thought you were...no. You're alive." Eight long years it's been since I last saw her. After eight years I just accepted that she was dead since the treatment of female beast men was harsh and cruel.

"Shea...Shea." By shear fate we were reunited. Sir Lee said to stay with her until she wakes up. For the next few weeks. The Doctor said that force drinking her with this potion would prevent her from dying of hungry and thirst. So, I did. I cleaned her, bathed her. I did everything I could to prevent her from dying.

"Shea. Please...I don't want to lose anyone else again. Please wake up." This continued for a long time. I looked forward to the day she woke and to have a conversation with her. Eventually she woke. "....." She looked dead in the eyes and did not see me sitting next to her. "Shea!" Her eyes widen.

She turns to look at the voice she hadn't heard in a long time. "Ku...Kuma?" "Yes...it's me...it's Kuma." "Kuma..." We both sobbed from seeing each other after all this time. "Kuma...Kuma...Kuma." I held her hand to my head. Relieved she hasn't forgotten me. "I'm here Shea. So don't worry...I'm here now."

She was able to feed herself and drink, but I did what I could. We didn't say much to each. It's been four years so it's kind of hard to talk. "Shea." "Kuma." "I...I missed you." "I... missed you too." Then there was another process of healing. The doctor then realized she might have problems walking. I carried everyone. When she wanted to go outside or bath.

I took to a hill that showed the entire station. She sat the grass while I stood up. "...Shea." "Yes?" "Tell me...but if you don't want too say it's ok." "What is it?" "What happen after we were separated." Just from her face she looked in pain. "I was sent to some place far to the north of the Southern Empire. I was..." She began to break down and I held her. "They didn't show any mercy to anyone." "I know."

"I... had a child." I looked at her crying face and I felt the pain for her. "Shea." "They took him away." "Don't say more. Don't say anymore." For the next 12 years we stayed here. To heal our wounds. I told everything that happen to me, and she cried in my place. We grow closer and closer over the years and finally we fell in love.

"Kuma." I woke up from my nightmare and Shea was still laying on top of me. "Shea?" "Sorry you weren't waking up so." "Don't worry. There's nothing better than having your wife who is as beautiful as you, Laying on top of me."

"You know how to charm a woman huh." "Hehe I learned a few things." After becoming paralyzed from her last...man. I had taken care of her. After we've been sent to the Southern Lands, we end up here coincidentally. Stations, they call them. Each slave is put to work for four years and move onto another.

Luckily, we came here. Sir Lee is such generous man. I still think about that black coat women before we split up me and Shea, she told me I hope we meet again.

Kuma?" "Shush...Let's sleep some more." Shea was confused but she relented. "Ok." As we both fall asleep. We dream of a future...a family a home we can go back to.