The First Cultivator

Three days later, Zultar stood at the auction. It was amazing how many things had changed during that time. He had his family and a substantial amount of gold. Most impressive of all was an awakened mana pool. With his color-changing artifact, he could pass for a mage anywhere. Although Azura told him his pool was too small to do anything, she hinted at some deeper power. All he had to do was stay and join them. And help if he could. He was tempted, but his family came first. He would complete his deal with the kin and then check on them. Perhaps when Zultar had ensured that they were safe, he would return and accept Azura's offer. Despite his turn of fortune, he felt sick. Kin were lined up on stage like cattle, most wearing thin rags. The women had nothing at all.

The first kin was pushed on stage. She was an extremely pretty tiger-kin with white fur and red stripes. Her eyes were bright yellow with slit pupils, which were downcast. He could hardly blame her. She was nude, after all. Her fur hid much as it did with any full-blooded kin but not enough as the bids went higher and higher for the exotic beauty. Zultar grimaced. He wanted to bid on her to save her from whatever cruel fate might fall on her. It was useless. If it weren't her, then it would be another. He saved the money to help as many kin as possible.

"One hundred and twenty-five gold!" Came a loud pronouncement. Zultar turned to see a striking elf with long blonde hair, pale skin, and the long, pointy ears of her kind. There was nothing obviously wrong with her. Yet Zultar couldn't help but shudder. Something about the woman's expression triggered a primal response in him. This was a predator.

"One hundred and twenty-five gold to Ulvandia!" The auctioneer said. "Any other offers?" The auctioneer looked around then. "Sold!"

Zultar hoped the elf wasn't as depraved as he feared as he put a bid on a family of six.

***

Trenton watched Ulvandia buy yet another slave for her playtime. He had no interest in her depravities. No interest in anything recently. He was a failure. He was the first one to encounter the Azure Magebane. His failure to report her existence in time had cost the elves much. After using the teleport spell, he promptly collapsed from blood loss and mana depletion. He didn't wake up until two days later. Luckily, he'd set his teleport spell location to the elven camp; otherwise, he would have bled to death before anyone found him.

He'd awoke to find his hand missing and his once violet hair bleached white from extreme mana loss. That humiliation was terrible enough, yet compounded when he discovered Sylvar's fate. The elf and his team were a legend among elves. Trenton had studied close combat magic so he could be like Sylvar. He'd hope to join his elite squad one day. Now… that kin had destroyed his dreams. His hand was gone, and so was his purpose. Perhaps if he went home, he could try to get the attention of a healing master to regenerate his hand. The trouble with that would be the cost and the time. Healers who could regrow lost limbs were in high demand. He wasn't that important. Now, he was the lowest of Ulvandia's guards. He sighed as the bitch bought an attractive girl wolf-kin who couldn't have been more than 13 years old. He winced at the torment the girl would go through at the hands of Ulvandia.

Poor wretch, he thought as the girl lined up with the other soon-to-be victims.

***

Azura looked at the kin as they tramped out of the city with three large wagons full of goods. She was far enough away that she wouldn't be seen with her brown cloak. Azura had grumbled about only getting a hundred kin, but the others had made their points. It meant more hardship and possible deaths without a way to house and feed everyone. They had to build up first. She understood it, but hated it at the same time. The mana forest was dangerous. Last night, a massive snake nearly killed one of her new cultivators. The smaller group was admittedly easier to protect. Azura sighed. Time. They needed time.

At least the others could cultivate while she kept an eye on Zultar. One of the points he made when they gave him this task was that the large number of slaves and goods made him a prime target. This was even truer as he couldn't have any mage guards to escort him. It was up to Azura to protect him. The others had wanted to come, but she overruled them. They had their own jobs, which were just as important. They were busy building their new home. She could handle this.

She shadowed the caravan till they left the city far enough behind. Then she circled back up front, waiting for them on the road. Zultar hesitated briefly before she gave a friendly wave. Keeping the cloak tightly around herself, Azura waited as Zultar dismounted and approached.

"I'm glad you're here," Zultar whispered.

"Did you see anyone following?" Azura asked.

"No, but many were rather interested in my stock."

"Great," Azura said, rolling her eyes. "I'll watch from the top of the middle wagon. Don't mention my name to anyone."

"Why not? You're a hero to them."

"I'd rather keep my existence a surprise if we're followed. If any bandit sees me, they might find out what's happening."

"I suppose," Zultar agreed.

"How long will it take to reach the rendezvous?" Azura asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Zultar said. "The river is out of the way."

"Alright," Azura said as she headed back toward the wagons. Kin gave her cautious looks as she approached. They were downtrodden. Their lives had just been upended, and they had no clue what their future held. Zultar and his family were told not to say anything to them until they reached their destination. Fatania had insisted that they kept everything secret as long as possible.

With a leap, Azura landed atop the middle wagon and sat down, her cloak covering every part of her. Without explaining anything to the kin, Zultar led them onward while Azura kept watch.

***

The cart hit another large bump, and Gwen held back a gasp of pain as her tender back hit the side of the cart. Pain. Though she was only sixteen, Gwen understood this concept more than ever these past few days. She understood so much more now. Gwen was a half honey badger-kin, or badger-kin for short, with snow-white hair and rounded black ears like a bear. Her tail was small, curling upward with deep black fur, similar to that on her legs and paws. Her human skin was lightly tan with spotted freckles. On her cheeks, the freckles seemed to gather, making them appear red. She was lean but powerfully built like the rest of her family. Her mother was a full-blooded badger-kin, with black fur covering most of her body, except for her head, which was a bright white. They'd been sold as a pair for a paltry sum. Badger-kin were notoriously hard to control. That didn't stop the mages from taking her. Gwen ground her teeth as the unwanted memory intruded.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

NO! I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER! Gwen thought furiously, biting her lip. A thin trail of blood leaked to her chin, where it pooled. Her traitorous mind refused her plea. It showed her everything. Again and again, it showed her the events as the bead of blood grew steadily larger. It dangled dangerously as each bump of the cart threatened to free it. The mages… how they broke into her home laughing. How they pointed at her, grabbing their crotches. She had fought them until the paralyzing spell hit her. The men laughed as they tore her clothes off. The way they…

NO!!!! STOP IT!!!!

Her mind had no mercy, as the replayed the events over and over. Each time she was forced to relive the scene, it was a small cut to her soul. Eventually, her mind moved on. This was only a brief reprieve. She was forced to remember afterward how they had slapped her unmoving body as the last mage pulled his robes back on. For a fleeting moment, she remembered when the spell was released. The moment she lunged, nearly tearing one of their eyes out before the pain spell hit her. They thought to break her. They were wrong. Over and over, the pain spell was casted for long, agonizing minutes. Once free, she would lunge again only to return to an agonizing oblivion. Eventually, her body turned traitor, just as her mind was now. It had shut down, refusing her demands to get back up and kill the men. They ended up dragging her out front of everyone in the revealing rags of her torn clothes. They made a further example of her. The burns... against her will, Gwen reached around, touching her back. The scars there were still agonizing. They had burned her with a brand usually used on stubborn animals. They had branded her over and over while they lectured the kin on the punishments for bad behavior. They only stopped when she had passed out.

Her mind, fortunately, finally had mercy on her, letting the horrible night's events go… for now. Gwen had no doubt they would return in her dreams. Or when the filthy mage that had bought her eventually decided to try to have his way with her. Animals… they called kin animals, but no animal could be crueler than humans. She rather be an animal than a fucking elf or human. For the hundredth time, she looked toward where the mage named Zultar sat. If she was quick, she could do it. She could plunge her clawed fingers into his eyes. Once the gooey sphere burst, he would be in too much pain to cast. She could kill him before he could do anything. She'd been determined to try or die doing so when the stranger had appeared.

Gwen had good instincts. They were not good enough to avoid her fate, but they were still pretty good. Something told her that whoever the figure was, they were dangerous. She would have to bide her time.

The shadows grew long, and the air became chill as night approached. The mage Zultar had finally pulled the carts over for the night. Gwen was worried the fucking mage might march them all night. Kin were ordered to set up camp when the bandits appeared.

Outlaws weren't uncommon in Deepmere. Mages down on their luck would often rob kin or other mages if they weren't too powerful. With kin now considered property, there was more incentive than ever. It was also the chance Gwen had been waiting for. She might be able to kill the mage controlled their slave rune, while he was distracted. As long as he lived, they couldn't be free. If she were lucky, the bandits would do it for her. There were six of them, after all. All the men were disheveled and reeking of alcohol. When their eyes fell on her, Gwen knew what they would do. It became apparent as they looked her up and down. She would rather die than suffer THAT fate again.

"Well, I thought old Stan was pulling my left nut, but I owe him an ale," The apparent leader said to his men, who laughed.

"What do you want?" Zultar asked, his voice trembling.

"What do you want?" The bandit leader mocked his voice in a high, girlish tone. "What do you think we want, ya daft fool! Hand over your gold, goods, and slaves. If you do, we'll let you live."

"I rather doubt that," the cloaked figure said. Her voice was that of a young woman, suddenly standing before them. Gwen blinked, as did the mages. When did she get there?

"Oh, and who are you, little lady? The boys and I considered having fun with the kin, but a proper human bedmate would be much better."

"I'm afraid I will disappoint you then," the figure tossed her cloak aside. She wore a simple tunic and trousers. Nothing fancy, but well made. Her blue hair fluttered in the wind, as did her tail. Her pale skin seemed to shine in the setting sun. A blue half-cat kin. It had to be her. The slayer of mages. The Azure Magebane.

The bandits appeared to agree, shouting in alarm. They were quick to react as several spells were launched at the Magebane. The cat-kin slapped the spells away. Then, she was among the mage bandits. Her fist flew faster than Gwen could follow. In seconds, it was over. The six lay broken, clearly dead. Their lifeblood pooled on the ground. Then, something truly odd happened. Okay. All this was insane, but this was even more so. A bloody mist rose from the bodies as their blood burned to ash. Gwen had no idea what she was seeing. It wasn't tangible or had any smell. It was as if the air had suddenly become colored. As the ash scattered in the wind, the crimson mist swirled briefly around the Azure Magebane before seeming to sink into her, leaving no marking behind. The mages seemed shrunken like aged jerky. The spilled blood was gone. She then turned toward them.

"Boring. Their blood was so much weaker than the dragons," the Azure Magebane said, dusting her hands off. "Perhaps I should've had the others take this job."

None of the kin said anything. Gwen's eyes nearly fell out of her skull. She had heard the tales and thought them myths. A kin who could kill mages? Wishful thinking. She… She made it look so easy.

"Hmm, I guess you are all wondering why you're here?" The Azure Magebane said. "My name is Azura, and I'm here to help." She walked to Zultar and slapped the man on the back. He just kept looking at the dead mages. It was as if he believed they would spring up to attack once more.

"My friend Zultar was hired to buy you so we could free you. In the morning, you'll have a choice to make. We can break the slave contract, and I can let you go on your way. We'll even give you some coins and supplies to aid your journey. Or you can stay with me. I can't promise you will be safe if you choose to stay. I will promise to give you power. The power to fight back. The power to kill mages. The power to defend yourselves. The choice is yours. Either way, you should rest. Tomorrow will be a long day." She began poking the human.

"That goes for you too."

"How did you do that? You just swatted them like bugs…" Zultar asked slowly.

"Stick with me, and you'll find out," Azura said cheekily. "Now that the secret's out, spend time with your family." She gave him a slight shove. Gwen watched all this as her mind raced. Power. Oh! If she could get power like that…. She marched up to this Azura.

"I don't need until tomorrow!" Gwen declared as Azura turned toward her. "I'll join you now, Azure Magebane."

"Just call me Azura."

"Very well, Azura, I'm Gwen."

Azura looked her over. "A half badger-kin?"

"Yes," Gwen said, not elaborating. She didn't want to talk about her father. Gwen was sure that as a half-kin, Azura would understand.

"That's great," Azura said. "It's best if you get some rest. We won't do anything tonight."

Gwen nodded reluctantly and returned to her mother. She thought she was too excited to sleep. That ended up being untrue. Her exhaustion quickly took over, and less than twenty minutes later, she was asleep, her dreams filled with dead mages.

***

Morning came, and Azura repeated the announcements from the previous night. Not surprisingly, all agreed to join her, except the beaver kin. They were going back with Zultar to get his family.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Azura asked a second time.

"We'll be fine. We won't have anything to take now," Zultar said, gesturing to the supplies on the ground. "Are you sure you don't need me?"

"Nah, the others will be here later today," Azura said.

"Okay, girl," Zultar said, hugging her. "Thank you for everything."

"You too," Azura said, returning the embrace. "We'll see you when you get back?"

"Count on it," Zultar said as the wagon pulled away, the horses relieved to have their heavy burden gone.

Azura watched them go, then turned back to the kin. Time to get to work.

Azura had managed to awaken every kin's pool before the others arrived. She smiled at their annoyed faces as they struggled with their heavy load. The kin were hauling three massive boats carved from a single tree from the mana forest. That was primarily why she wanted this job. Carving and carrying those things didn't look fun.

The next few hours were fairly boring. Mostly loading up supplies and talking with the new kin. Once ready, they all jumped on the boat and set off for their new home.