Chapter 5-3 In the Fox's Den

Chapter 5-3 In the Fox's Den

Do you know the Sang paint their skins before they re-carnate? Use their skins to wrap up the newer infant variants of themselves that came with them when they hatch from the husks of their old bodies.

The ratio of young that comes out with them is always the same. Four girls and a dying boythe latter has no chance of surviving less you tomb them in one of those Voidwatch med-vats.

Why? It aint up to the Sang.

Dragons. Always goes back to the dragons. Dont know what made them different from the likes of our gods, but it seemed like those half-strands could cross over whole. Didnt need any domains or Heavens to step into the real. From what was told, it sounded like they were proto-clads in a sense.

Cept for the part of them forcing the Sang to create other gods, before wearing the bodies of the Sang themselves to channel said miracles second-hand like.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

What makes em different also be why the Guilds still breed them; keep em around. No other way to make Thaumic Cyclers. Dont know any other beings that can loop their own chronobiology

-Quail Tavers, New Vultun Sunrise

5-3

In the Foxs Den

The blood architecture within Green River was a faade of chaos.

In her palm, the tea swirled. In her body, three different hearts guided an intricate system of arteries and veins, the biology between the woman and the fox interlinked, organs fusing together in a melding clash. Yet, only a single accretion of thoughtstuff rippled, belonging to the Sang resting gracefully in her seat.

Does the rhythm inspire a hunger in you, Moonblood? Green River asked, a placid smile adorning her face. No mockery clung to her words, only genuine curiosity, unchained by fear. But past the woman, the fox was staring at him too, and in its eyes, he saw the languorous gaze of a predator watching for weakness.

Always hungry, Avo said. Good at ignoring it.

Draus tilted her head in a low nod. He aint lyin.

Green River chuckled. Her grafted fox squealed, its notes mirthful and sharp. Be my very words so accusatory? I only tease. The fox bit at Avo, ever-playfully. But first, before more words, a drink. With practiced ease, the Sang cupped the tea in both hands and brought it to her lips, blowing. To your health.

Now she sounded like she was mocking him. An intrusive fantasy of tearing the top half of the vulpines jaw off and beating Green River to death with her own graft appeared. He did his best to hide the gnashing of his teeth.

Reaching down, the Regular plucked a bone-carved cup filled with a yellowish fluid. A petal of folded tea leaves drifted, their shape a Sang character that he couldnt recognize. Their light floral scent suffused itself into the steaming water and tickled against Avos olfactory senses.

Black Jasmine? he asked.

The fox perked up in surprise, and its human half frowned. Quite so.

He grunted. Walton preferred the common-soil flavor. If that was the accurate translation. Just another thing he didnt get to ask before his father passed.

Listen, River, Draus said, doing her best to barrel through the layers of ceremony, not that I dont wanna speak with you, but we got something we have to

Your rooms are being prepared. The supplies you requested have been stocked. Your prisoners are being chained. And your associate is already on her way. Green River smiled. I understand your haste to greet your task. I have been there. So, I implore that you understand when I say there is not the need. All there is to do for now is wait. Relax. That is your role as a guest. Leave the rest to me, in my role as host, and master of this abode, to ensure the slave work is done thoroughly. That is why you came to me, is it not? Sold me the golem.

Draus eyed her flatly. Its also my role to ensure that things are done proper. Youve been where I am? You should know that too. Courtesys courtesy. But that only burns so long before you run out of wick.

Green River drew in a breath and held it. Carefully, she tugged at the leathery collar of her green and white gown of pearlescent shine. A Qipao. Or at least that was how Avo remembered it being pronounced.

I respect Green River began, ... candor. And I will honor your candor with some directness of my own. The fox flicked its gaze at Avo, all playfulness lost, its expression growing focused, body perching on the womans shoulder. Your survival. How did it occur? The stream grew thin at the end when that fool-child disrupted her own event. But I saw enough. I saw two refugees, a ghoul, and a Regular long stripped of rank and resources flee from a golem. A Sangeist. Tell me how did you survive?

Draus shared a look with Avo, their joined expression both empty, bereft of expression. He considered linking with her using his Whisper, but seeing the interlacing rings protecting Green Rivers mind, he doubted she was ignorant to be fooled by the obvious.

Did more runnin than fightin then, Draus said. Made it to the platform up. Tried to leave it behind.

Green River pressed. But how did you leave it undone?

Draus sighed. River, youre askin an awful lot of questions.

Third daughter, requesting permission to speak.

Third daughter, granted permission. Please speak.

The most traditionalist of the No-Dragons and those associated played games such as this. Games. Because thats what they were. Walton had ensured he knew enough about the cultures of each of the eight major colors that he knew deliberate deception when it was being portrayed.

Ultimately, the Sang were nowhere near as obtuse or rigid as they pretended to be with outsiders. He gave it good odds that this was plannedeven rehearsed.

Whoever Green River was, she did not hold a senior enough position in the eternal cycles of the Sang. This ceremony was aped from the habits of one far older than she.

The rooms of our exalted guests have been prepared, along with all other requested facilities. Furthermore, the third party has arrived and is waiting to greet them in their chamber. No difficulties have transpired in the meantime. We beg of our leave.

Most excellent. Leave granted.

Backing away without turning, the third sister bowed upon reaching the door and disappeared upon its shutting.

A low sigh slipped free from Green River, uttered by both woman and fox. I shall release you thusly. I beg your pardon for twisting pleasant conversation into seeming interrogation.

Nah, were all curious sometimes, Draus said, brushing past things but sounding unconvinced. Already water under the bridge.

Green River smiled, her expression genuine. Splendid. Well. I suppose I shant keep you longer. You both look tired. Tense. You should enjoy my facilities while you are here. We have a most excellent gambling arcade, and there are local circuits to enjoy. Chess too, if your battleground is more of strategy than savagery. She spoke the last words eyeing Avo.

He met her gaze then without issue.

I dont doubt that you do, Draus said. But as you said tired. May we request permission to leave?

Green River laughed, her voice a lyrical bell chiming in the wind. You may. It has been a most insightful conversation, despite what little has been said.

Yeah, Draus said, rising from her seat and rolling her shoulder. Come on, Avo. We got some sleep to catch up on.

Looked like he was going to be diving again soon. Finally. More time to fix his sequences. Improve his phantasmics. Rising, they made for the door to leave, the path opening automatically as the living door sensed their encroaching footsteps.

Oh, Green River said, one final thingtwo, actually.

Draus halted and turned. Avo just twisted his head.

Should you desire to participate in sport for the circuits, know that the doors are open to you. Both of you. And, mayhaps this might be more interesting to the Moonblood, but we have a most excellent in-house grafter as well. One with personal experience working on your ilk. Perhaps it will do you well to see her. Improve upon strengths and fill lacking attributes.

Wordlessly, Avo grunted. She wasnt wrong. That did feel interesting. It also felt like a perfect opportunity for them to implant him with a specially engineered virus. He left the room ahead of Draus, deliberately planting a foot on the bar-crossing below.

Behind him, he heard Draus huff a low laugh. Just had to be a shit at the end, didnt you.

Need to leave. Playing games with us. Testing us. Place is her den. Unwise to stay here.

Draus hummed. Would agree, but these are the Warrens, consang. Dont got no other place to stay less you wanna do some gutter divin. And she owes me enough to be good for it.

Avo nearly hissed with annoyance. Honor? Thats your justification?

Justification is that we signed a contract, marking us as sworn-bound. Shell catch the bleeds n die before she can betray us proper-like. Oh. That changed things. But yous right. They onto us. Lookin close and seeing what they can get.

Think shes No-Dragon? Avo asked.

Draus laughed. Her. No. Too young. Too soft. Her expression then flattened. But if she finds proof for whats she suspectin, I reckon thats gonna go up the chain internally. Good thing is that she wont sell us out to any outsiders. Bad thing is that she might just be angling to become a proper No-Dragon.

Part of Avo was disquieted at Draus openly speaking the words as a junior Sang came to greet them, to take them to their residences. But looking around, there was little hidden from obvious suspicions.

The walls here were alive, after all. And they were listening. They were always listening.