The First Cultivator

Toren walked toward the market district. They used to have their own area in the non-magical sections of the city, but that had dried up years ago. Now, they were forced to trek across town to meet their basic needs. Naturally, the mages didn't let them into their districts, but an area was set aside that anyone could shop in. It was here that Toren hoped to find the trader. It had been over three months since he last heard from his brother. From the last letter he received, the mists were nearing Fortunia. Delays were expected. The traders didn't go back and forth often, only about once a fortnight. Still, he had expected something by now. Perhaps he met a girl? Those thoughts redirected him toward Azura…

"Toren! Hey!" He turned toward the voice to see Coralline waving at him.

He smiled and made his way toward her. Azura's mother hadn't changed much over the last four years. It was hard to tell with cat-kin as their fur hid much.

"What are you doing here?" Coralline asked when he got closer.

"I heard there was a trader from Fortunia. I was checking to see if he had any letters."

"Oh, Zultar? I didn't think he would be back so soon," Coralline said thoughtfully.

"You know him?" Toren asked.

"Yeah, he's a good guy for a human."

Toren raised an eyebrow. That was a strange sentiment from a kin.

Coralline noticed his confusion and gave a mischievous grin. One that he recognized from Azura on plenty of occasions.

"He's not a mage," Coralline whispered conspiratorially.

That would explain it. Non-magical humans were treated even worse than kin. It was rare, but when it did happen, they were usually killed at birth or sent off to be raised by kin. As he remembered more, he winced. In addition to being abandoned, certain precautions were taken. The precautions included ensuring that the offending human couldn't reproduce... ever.

"So, when are you going to tell her?" Coralline asked.

"Huh?"

"Azura. When are you going to admit that you like her?" The last word was drawn out and sugary sweet.

It felt like a pyromancer just casted the heat wave spell. Toren turned bright red all over like he had gotten a severe sunburn.

"Oh! The look on your face!" Coralline laughed. Toren said nothing.

"Come on! You'll have to make a move soon. I've seen other kin come sniffing around. Azura's too oblivious and obsessed with training to do anything herself. You'll have to make the first move. It would be a relief if she did something more normal for her age, other than… what was the word she uses?" Coralline snapped her fingers, the sound muted by her fur.

"Cultivate. That's it. I would be grateful if you could distract her with something more mundane." She gave Toren a lecherous grin. Then frowned. "Not too much, though."

"C, can we talk about something else?" Toren muttered, looking at his feet.

"Okay, have it your way."

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Toren was glad she relented. After all, he had been thinking the same thing earlier.

They found the trader at the center of the market. A scowl on his face. He had mud-colored hair, a neatly trimmed goatee, and a paunch that made him look pregnant. Unlike his ample abdomen, his stall was sparse, with only a few food items available. All at ridiculous prices.

"Zultar! How's the family?" Coralline shouted as she approached the man.

He turned an angry glare toward her, but softened as he recognized her.

"The kin are doing great! Mother is retired, and father is taking up carving. I think that, as an elderly beaver-kin, he still wants to chew on wood, but his teeth can't handle it anymore. This must be some sort of substitution. It doesn't matter as long as he's happy. As for the birth mages, I hope the spawn takes them, whoever they are." Zoltar said, his voice slightly effeminate.

"Right on!" Coralline said as they gave each other a quick embrace.

"Who's this?"

"Where are my manners? I forgot to introduce my companion," Coralline said mockingly.

"In the litter box, I imagine," Zultar guffawed. Toren quickly memorized that retort. That would be useful later.

"Just for that, no hug next time. This here's Toren, a friend of my daughter."

"Good to meet you lad," Zultar said. "So, how's your little troublemaker?"

"Not so little anymore. The brat actually outgrew me."

"Really? I haven't seen her in… what is it now, eight years? I really need to stop by and say hello. She probably won't even remember me."

"Oh, she will. At least her rear will," Coralline said darkly. "Those paints you gave her last time ended up all over the walls. I ensured she couldn't sit properly for a week after that."

Zultar chuckled. Toren kept a neutral face. He recalled those paints. Azura's idea to have a 'paint war' in her home was not the best she had. They both got a good spanking for that one. He suppressed the urge to rub his rear and broke into the conversation.

"Any news or letters from Fortunia?"

Zultar's cheerful demeanor darkened. "A lot, actually. I only head up that way once a year as my goods aren't in high demand, but it usually is profitable enough. Besides, I can stock up on food and sell it on my way home, even at these scandalous prices."

"What do you usually sell?" Toren asked.

"Weapons."

Toren's surprise must have shown, causing Zultar to elaborate.

"Non-mage blades. Useless unless you're a kin. I figured I could sell some of my stock with the mists encroaching on the city. Instead, the bastards confiscated my entire supply. They only gave me a pittance of food here in exchange."

Zultar spat to the side. "Bloody mages."

"What about the kin there?" Toren asked.

Zultar face grew pensive. "That's one of the main reasons I came here. It isn't good. After the theft, I used this little beauty." Zultar showed them a pendant from his pocket. "This here is the most powerful artifact I've ever seen."

Toren had visions of grand fireballs or perhaps chain lightning. "What does it do?" he asked excitedly.

"It…" Zultar lowered his voice and beckoned the pair closer. "Changes all the hair color on your body."

Toren was vastly disappointed.

"Wow," Coralline said, impressed. Toren turned toward her, incredulous. She noticed Toren's look, which caused her to give one of her own. "Come on Toren, it's not hard to figure out."

Confused. Toren looked at the pair uncertainly. That was when he noticed the man's brown hair. Then it all clicked.

"Oh…" he said.

"That's right," Zultar said proudly. "I used this beauty and asked around. The only way I could get a mage to talk to me. What I found out isn't good." He looked down as he scuffed the cobblestones below.

"What happened?" Coralline asked. Toren felt his stomach sink. No. Please no. Not that. Anything but that.

"About two weeks ago, an offensive was led into the mist. The entire kin infantry was lost. No kin survived. Even a good number of the cowardly mages died."

Coralline gasped, and Toren swayed. Martel… His brother was dead. What about all the others? Over a thousand kin joined from Deepmere alone.

"That can't be true," Toren muttered as he shook.

Zultar looked concerned as Coralline hugged him. He didn't even notice at first. Then the situation became real, and the tears started. He clutched her back as he silently wept.

"I think you should go home and tell your mother. I'll tell the others," Coralline said, her voice grim. Toren nodded, then took off at a run.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news," Zultar said.

"No. Thanks for telling us. How long do you plan to stay? I would love to have you over for dinner."

"Thank you for the offer, but I already have plans with some of my distant kin family who live here. I'll be in the city for about a week. I'll drop by later. I have more paint to hand out anyway."

Coralline laughed.