Chapter 3.9 - Court of Retribution

It was a good thing that Serin had instructed his team to stay back. After the spell [Sleep] was cast everything within the radius of Serin's spell was instantly put to sleep. Even a few butterflies that had been dancing between wildflowers fell to the power of Serin's spell. After the caravan personnel had collapsed, Rachel came over to check them. "Yep, they're out cold. Easily a few hours."

Serin looked at them. Many of them were older than 30 winters. If they had made it this long in the wilds, they had learned to survive. Serin would leave nothing to chance. Serin counted the raiders. There were 20 in total. Serin then started to issue commands.

"Alright Rowdy Bunch, Strip them naked. No boots. No weapons. Nothing. I don't want any possibility of hidden weapons, materials, or trinkets. Check their mouths, hair, and wherever a vagabond may hide materials. Then go ahead and load them in with the humans. Everyone is asleep so it will work in our favor. We can transport everyone, emancipated slave and slaver, at the same time to town. "

Within a few minutes the Rowdy Bunch cleared the raiders of clothes, valuables, and hidden caches of weapons and magical trinkets. False teeth with enchanted caps, as well as spell scrolls written on fake skin were removed. Nothing was left to chance. Afterwards the slavers, still very much asleep, were picked up and loaded them next to the Humans.

Almost 15 minutes after the caravan was rolling. It took an hour for the autocarts to make their way to the town center, but once there everyone had gotten to work.

One of the quests Serin had posted was for clothes and shoes. Serin had then stored the clothing in his personal supply in his estate. Serin sent Olma and Allister to retrieve the clothes. To ensure that the newest arrivals to town were given the best treatment possible to help them adjust to the situation, Lord Koni was put on kitchen duty to prepare food for the refugees. Serin hadn't ever expected human refugees, but his town was meant to be a haven for all those who had a plate. Roughly thirty women and children, malnourished, sickly, and very much asleep had been dropped at his doorstep in desperate need for assistance. Serin would be lacking in his station if he was to abandon these people to the grisly fate that met slaves without a buyer.

As personnel were checked for sickness, Serin went by and cast [Knock] on each of the slave collars. They had been sealed with magic so it was fairly simple to have his magic break the lock. Lady Eris and Rachel moved the previously slaved humans to the bunkhouse. Bilol and Serin had ensured that Rufala was waiting there to cast healing magic on them, removing the scars of the road and the chafing and bruises of the collar.

Serin then went to sort out the raiders. Serin had overcast the [Sleep] spell. The only issue with the sleep spell was any significant harm that befell someone under its effects woke them immediately. With the spell being overcast, this meant that to wake the sleeper before the extended effects wore off, it would take physically wounding the target. Serin had taken a bit of time to set them in front of the cage. To ensure that the slavers had limited mobility while they were dealt with, Ephraim quickly reused the collars the raiders had on the slaves and placed them on the raiders, as well as the feet and hand chains.

With that, Serin decided he would enact his first judgement as a leader. He requested one representative from each race be present, as well as the changeling Ansar, the Scion of Retribution.

Although it had nothing to do with the changeling race, Serin thought that his first court proceeding should be important. Additionally, Serin instructed all of those in attendance to wear cloaks and masks, including the representatives. Serin was the only one uncovered. Serin did not know how the slavers would react to truly alien people when they awoke, so he chose not to risk it.

With all of his preparations in place, starting with the caravan leader, Serin decided to give each of the slavers a trial. Serin looked to Ansar to start the proceedings, "Scion of Retribution, please gently wake our first defendant."

***

Risk woke with a start. He couldn't see much under the mask of the person who had just broken his pinky finger, but Risk knew it was to wake him. Another masked figure, a small girl, walked up and healed his finger. With the finger healed and the pain gone, Risk realized this must be a moderately trained Cleric, as he felt a few of the bruises from his previous battles cleared up as well. With that, he heard a voice. "Defendant, please stand to be able to better address the assembled Court."

Risk stood up in an unfamiliar town. As he looked around, he knew it was an established town because it had an adventurer's guild present directly behind him. As he stood up he realized he was chained, and clothed in a simple white tunic and dark sack pants. Risk winced, 'They must have known I would have hidden weapons'. They had removed his enchanted earrings, rings, and even the swallow bag he had with a razor blade in it. Whoever these people are, they must be other slavers. Only other slavers or slaves would know to check for a swallow bag.

Risk looked up and he saw the familiar young man he had met shortly before he had fallen asleep. Risk realized he, and his caravan, had wandered into a trap. Looking around he saw all of his caravan laid out in chains, fast asleep under a spell. His caravans parked off to the side. Risk looked up and addressed this stranger with the strange tattoos. "Alright boy, you haven't killed any of my men or damaged my property. We can still sort this out."

The boy sat maybe ten paces in front of Risk, on an elevated platform. Behind him stood a few cloaked figures. The strange boy then addressed Risk. "So you are in fact confirming you are a slave trader and that these slaves are your property."

Risk was confused by the response, "Yes. These are my slaves."

The boy continued, "And when I attempted to free them, you were planning to stop me, correct?"

Risk didn't know where this boy was going with his thought. "Yes, I wasn't going to kill you, but I was going to ensure safe delivery of my property."

The boy then smiled, "That's all I needed to hear. That concludes your interview. Due to confession of the uncoerced, we will immediately begin your trial."

Risk was confused, "Trial?! I have done nothing wrong!"

The boy looked at him. "What is your name, slaver?"

Risk looked at him. "My name is Risk, and you will come to fear this name."

The boy stood. "My name is Serin, I am the Sovereign of this land. You have violated our customs and broken our first law. The law that states that Slavery of any plated creature is forbidden. Is there a consensus among the representatives?"

Each of the masked figures nodded.

Serin then continued. "Then all present for your trial have agreed that you have broken our fist law, the enslavement of others. The punishment for breaking this law is that your life is forfeit. However our nation believes that all shall be given a second chance. The state decrees that you shall have a chance to earn your freedom back through trial by combat. Should you defeat five opponents in unarmed single combat without the use of Mana, you will be granted the right to leave this land, exiled under pain of death. Do you have any questions?"

Risk smiled. He had never lost a one on one fight. He was the head of the raiders because of it. "Nope. I'll play your little game. Then I will leave this place and when i return i will barrel through your silly little wall with enough explosives to make the sun proud."

Serin ignored his response. Instead, looked at the crowd that had assembled for the trial. "By right, the protectorates who responded to the threat of invasion from these slavers have first claim to the match. Who among you wishes to fight first?"

Risk watched as a short girl under a cloak with dark hair was the first to raise her hand. The others stood silent. The boy Serin then said "Olma, you claim the first fight. By their silence, your brothers in arms agree to your right. As a warning to both competitors, this is to the death or until the opponent yields."

Risk watched as his opponent began to strip layers. The small girl Olma removed her mask, and her cloak and used a ribbon to tie her hair back. She then took off the bone dagger, rifle, and pistol she was carrying. She then removed the armor which Risk could have sworn had a large dragon scale as the chest piece.

But before Risk could think to calculate the monetary value of the equipment used by his opponent, he was able to get a good look at his opponent in the flesh. He faced a monster. Risk felt a cold sweat as he came to the realization that it was definitely not human. It looked human, but with slightly pointed ears, pale face, and black eyes it reminded Risk of the stories he had heard of the things that haunted wells and old houses. It was a creature that reeked of death, and Risk knew the smile it had was not for the glory of combat, but in anticipation of feasting on his flesh.

Risk watched as Olma walked forward. A circle roughly 5 meters across was raised out of the ground by 25 centimeters. Risk realized that this circle was to be their arena. He had fought numerous matches like this. Against a smaller opponent, Risk knew it would be best to overwhelm with force and then force to submission. He stepped up on the raised arena opposite Olma.

With Risk and Olma on the platform, Risk's bindings fell off. Serin smiled, "you may begin."

Risk ran at the small girl, intent to beat her with size and speed.

'This little girl thinks she can beat me? I have fought a hundred men twice her size. Regardless what tricks she has up her sleeve, I will beat her to a pulp for challenging me.'

What he did not expect was for her to run at him. And even if Risk was fast, Olma was faster, and as he reached down to grab her, Olma dodged, used Risk's momentum as a fulcrum, she grabbed him and twisted her body until she had come behind him wrapping her legs around his neck, then with the force of that momentum she twisted using his weight.

Risk had no idea what was happening, she had moved around him, and had him in a choke hold. Before he could realized what was happening, he felt pressure at his neck, followed by a twist and crack, and saw only darkness.

***

Serin watched the match with the raider leader Risk and his Olma ended in roughly 6 seconds. Olma, not wasting a moment, dove her hand through Risk's chest and pulled out his heart, then ate it. All of the changelings cheered. Serin was not put off by the sight. To him, these raiders were not human. They weren't even people. They were the monsters. He smiled and waved at Olma who smiled and waved back as she ate the heart in her hands. Then the body of Risk was dragged off the platform.

The remaining trials for the nineteen members of Risk's caravan were relatively quick. They all openly admitted to slavery within his borders. Then they each gave a threat of one form or another. Most stating that the rest of his raiding party would come looking. Serin ignored it. His [alarm] spells were in place. He would ring their entire territory in alarm spells if necessary.

Each member of the protectorate was given first rights to a fight, and they all succeeded in seconds.

Then something surprising happened. After each changeling of the protectorate got their kill of a human, they declined further violence, and instead as a group auctioned off the rights to the kill. This continued with twelve more auctioned off. When it got down to the weakest human, Serin interceded. "I will claim this one, however I request that Rufala the healer fight in my stead."

Serin smiled and the changelings cheered. Olma scowled a bit and Serin sent her a [message].

[She is not in a combat class, so her opportunities to battle are slim. I mean nothing by it. I am still yours.]

This made Olma smile. She knew Rafala was not that physically strong. But she was still a changeling, trained in the art of hand to hand combat. Rafala faced off against the smallest Raider. He was not trained, but his hits were still strong.

The fight initially looked one sided as the raider pummeled Rufala. She took several hits from him as she kept up a guard. But Serin could tell Rufala was specifically moving with the hits reducing their impact, as she wore down her opponent's stamina through her defense. When he got too tired, Rafala darted in and used her palm to strike under her opponent's nose, breaking it. Then as the raider teetered back on his heels, Rufala landed a punch to his chest, under his heart, causing him to double over. When the raider bent over, Rufala grabbed the back of his head and kneed his already broken nose. As her opponent fell to the ground unconscious, Rufala watched as blood and yellow fluid drained from the face of his unconscious body. She was tired, and had bruises. But she looked at Serin,

"This match is decided. His body is leaking brain fluid and blood has reached his brain. Without emergency healing magic, he will die in a few hours. He will remain unconscious until he expires. Permission to use a weapon to dispatch him and extract the heart."

Serin smiled. He nodded and Olma threw Rufala a knife. Rufala pressed the knife down on his back at an upward angle and passed the blade between his ribs and through his aorta, causing a veritable puddle of blood to form. Rufala waited roughly 30 seconds then flipped the raider over. The raider was now dead. She cut out his heart with a knife and ate it.

All of the changelings cheered. As they went to clean up the area, Serin tempered their celebrations with a solemn reminder of his resolute vows.

"Our rules are absolute. Those who enslave others will forfeit their lives in this kingdom."

Serin then shifted the subject to a slight plea for assistance. "The other humans are rescued slaves. They will be very new to our way of living, I ask that all of us do our best to give them the two things they will need to get acclimated, patience and kindness. Humans have a tendency to emotionally respond to that they don't understand, so for now we should not mention the Changeling's eating their captors." Serin looked at the now stack of lifeless bodies, "Please clean this up before our guests awake. Bilol, since your people made this mess, I will leave it up to you to clean it." Serin then quickly walked over to the adventurer's guild. "I want to establish a quest. 4 members. 5 luck points each. Locate the amethyst mine and return with 50kg of proof."

With that Serin went to greet their new guests.

***

Serin came in and found Lady Eris and Rachel tending to the humans. Olma followed closely behind. She had wiped off her face and cleaned her teeth, then put her mask on and brought her cloak up. Serin knew that women were inherently less threatening than men. Lady Eris and Olma were both attractive and very close to human looking. They would do as the immediate welcoming party.

In the time that the trials were conducted, Lady Eris and Rachel were able to work with a few other changelings to change the humans out of their dirty rags and into the spare clothing Serin had requisitioned. When Serin and Olma arrived, the humans were still asleep, but they were changed, and Lady Eris had worked with the others to wash them with sponges and warm water. Serin thought about it and it might be best for them to naturally wake up.

Lady Eris looked at Serin, "If you are going to wake any of them, it would probably be best to let the children keep sleeping and talk with the adults first."

Serin nodded. Serin then cast [counter-spell] on the adults. Since it was a magical sleep, it was negated by Serin's casting. Serin was met by cautious expressions. Serin soothed their fears with a [calm] spell, and soon enough the adults had become more receptive and less threatened by his presence.

Serin looked at the adults. "Welcome to our town."

***

Serin had given this speech twice before. But this time he was giving it to humans. "You see, this is a refugee Town, that is in itself an independent nation. You are currently guests. Take tonight to get some food and take a hot bath, and in the morning you can choose if you wish to leave or stay. Should you wish to stay, we will do our very best to get you situated."

Rachel showed the adults to the baths. In all it was 12 children and 18 adult women who had been rescued. Serin didn't want to know what the goblin king had in store for them. He was just glad he would be able to give them the opportunity to live a better life in the safety of his town.

***

In the morning the humans were fed a nice breakfast of eggs, rabbit, and fruit. Serin requested that Bilol and Olma join him, as well as Lady Eris and Ephraim. One of the youngest younglings from both the Changeling and Demis race were also in attendance.

The human women were initially stunned by the appearance of the Changelings and the Demis, but Serin was constantly sending out the calm spell, so their fear eventually subsided when they realized they were not in danger.

Serin started his explanation. "While you eat your breakfast, I thought I would tell you about the town you have stumbled into. Our small town is part of an independent nation. I am its leader, Serin. I was originally from the Northern Kingdoms."

One of the adults gasped, "Your from the Grand Generals' lands? Are you a deserter from last month's battle?"

Serin shook his head. "I have not left this valley since spring." Serin then continued. "This town has been given the unique opportunity to take in refugees from far away lands, far from our shores. This is our divine blessing."

Serin continued as he motioned to the Ephraim and Lady Eris. "These are the Demis. They hail from a land that was being wiped away by an awful magical plague."

Serin then came over to Bilol and Olma. "These are the changelings. They hail from a land where their race was being systematically massacred during a genocidal cleansing under the guise of religious decree." Serin came over and kissed Olma on the cheek. Her neutral composure changed to that of a lovestruck young girl. Appearances may be a bit different, but emotion was universal. As Serin predicted, the human women, seeing young romance, smiled. A few looked close to tears.

Serin looked at them. "They are a bit different from us, but just like us they have a plate."

Serin then looked at the humans that had gathered. "Today you can decide. If you wish to brave the wilds, we will give you a caravan and supplies, and you may take your leave. We will give you weapons and hope that you can find the future you wish for in the wilds of this continent."

Serin then continued "The other option is that you can choose to stay and become citizens. We will do our best to find you accommodations, as well as employment. You will also be given full rights to the fruits of your own labor, as well as access to the public bathhouses. Most importantly," Serin looked over to the children, "Our defense force, the Protectorate, is completely voluntary."

The humans had never heard of such a thing. But then again there was honey and various fruits available for breakfast. Serin got the distinct impression that his introduction gave the feeling of a hidden paradise to these humans.

Without fail, they humans agreed to staying here.

***

Serin's Luck seemed to affect his world in the strangest of ways. While Serin was going through and determining how to assign work to the other humans, the first human he spoke to, Ericka, was previously a teacher. So when Serin sent off the 18 younglings, Lady Ericka joined them. Lady Eris would be keen for the assistance. The rest of the villagers held a variety of classes. Two crafters, One potter, two merchants, a fisher, a tailoress, and an apothecary.

Serin would be able to find work for them quickly.

Then three women approached Serin as he was getting to know the new citizens. Serin smiled at the three militaristic women who had stood at parade rest in front of Serin's Chair. "What is your class and job?" was Serin's question.

"My name is Jasmine. This is Lela and Lisbet. We were members of the town guard. We are all fighters who have excelled at the spear techniques of the Alliance. We would gladly take up positions training children as well."

Serin looked at them, standing at parade rest, "Would you be interested in being town guards again?"

Jasmin winced, "We would. However," Serin then saw that the three of them had their hands removed.

Serin stood in shock. "Oh my, I am so sorry!" Jasmin was used to sympathy. "It is ok Sir,"

Serin shook his head, "no it's not! This should have been identified during your intake." Serin then immediately cast regenerate on the three of them. Serin could tell the wounds were fresh. Within minutes, Jasmin Lela and Lisbet had hands regrown as if they had never been removed.

Serin then announced, "does anyone here have serious injuries? Missing appendages or broken bones?" One of the girls raised her hand "I lost a tooth to a bad fall a few years ago, can you fix that?"

Serin chucked, cast regenerate. All of the women watched the scars, blemishes, and bruises were removed. Then they lined up.

So with that, Serin sat down. He looked at Jasmine. "It is up to you three. You are welcome to become town guards, however you must first become a member of the protectorate. To learn the requirements to do that, you have to sign a contact. It may seem a little tedious, but secrecy is how we were able to get this far."

Jasmin nodded, "We understand state secrets. The Inquisitors of the Alliance were bound to them as well." Jasmin chuckled, "Thankfully we are all washouts." Serin cocked his head and Jasmin explained, "No woman has ever graduated from the Inquisitor Academy."

***

Serin sat down with Jasmin. He had the other representatives gathered with him as well. It had been a week since the Slavers had come to Serin's doorstep, and in that time Lord Koni had completed housing for every last Changeling, as well as additional housing in the various areas Serin had identified for the Demis that were about to plate. Additionally Serin had worked with Lord Koni to build workshops for the Potter, Tailor, crafters, and Apothecary.

Now after a long Autumn morning, Serin sat and listened as Jasmin was teaching them about the Grand Wood Alliance. Although Serin had offered housing closer to the town, Jasmin and the other two guards requested a building be constructed near the gate.

Jasmine was explaining how the Grand Wood Alliance split its spoils after a battle. "You see, it's based on quotas. The spoils of the wars that each State in the alliance gets after it takes territory from one of the other countries, or raids their towns, is directly linked to the quantity of soldiers that they enlist. Because of this, even women who showed aptitude for combat were rarely sent to the front lines. At best, the governing body felt that we would feel a 'maternal call' of our nation and bear the next generation of soldiers. At worst," Jasmine sort of trailed off. "There are rumors that some of the states have women in prisons. Their only crime being their gender, and their only purpose to produce offspring. They are called 'breeders'."

As Jasmine told her tale, an aura disgust towards the grand wood alliance had developed among the Demis and Changelings.

"In the Inquisitor Academy, we learn about our nation. As the tales are told, our founder, Jarrod 'the kind', petitioned the divines to give our fledgling nation an increased fertility."

Serin knew of the founding traits. He had seen that one, called fertility rites, but immediately disregarded it. At the time Serin claimed the nation, their population consisted of himself, Jericho, Allister, and Rachel. Serin also remembered the drawback to that nation perk.

Jasmin continued, "The story tells that to strengthen our fertility, it draws on our connection to Magic. Most of those born within the grand wood alliance have extremely low aptitude for magic, and with that decision our mana pool was permanently halved."

Serin grimaced, 'In our country, a person's greatest asset is their mana pool.' Serin realized how this country had pushed itself in a direction it could not recover from. Jasmin continued. "The story goes that when the founding nation reached the size to receive a second divine perk, it asked for soldiers with higher martial prowess." Jasmin snickered, "And it worsened our connection to magic. We have people who are born with mana pools of 1 mana. Even now their mana pool is equal to their intelligence modifier, so most spells are beyond reach."

Serin could not fathom how a ruler could hamstring his own people in such a way.

Jasmin continued. "It was that decision that fractured the original country into the nation it is now. Some of them believe that if they can take control of the other nation states, they would be able to dissolve the Grand Wood Alliance and reform it under their flag. Before we had ever fought the Northern Kingdoms, we were locked in a constant civil war."

Jasmin laughed, "After the approach of an external adversary, the Northern Kingdoms and their General, a great magical pact was signed. A 100 year decree. Whichever state brings the most glory to the Grand Wood Alliance will be given control of all of the fractured states, and have the power to reset the nation."

Serin interjected, "This is madness. Why doesn't a state just renounce the Alliance and reform as a separate government?"

Jasmin smiled, "Because the only thing those fools in power know is conquest, and the only way they know to rule is through subjugation. Should one of the nations try to abdicate the alliance to establish its own nation, they are fully aware the remaining states would rally together to destroy it and split the territory between them. I know this because when I was a child, there used to be 8 states in the alliance. There are 7 now."

Serin then shook his head. "Well that is not how things run here." Jasmin smiled, "Yes. I have seen how your town operates. Its quite magnificent. But how will it compare with the Sarween Technocracy and their alien technologies? Or how about the Northern Kingdoms and their Battlemages? What about my birth nation? The strength of their magic may not measure up, but they train the inquisitors to shake off spells as if it was a light fog. And they number in the thousands."

Serin could see, though Jasmin was ready to defend her new home, she was worried about the power of these other nation states. Serin smiled at her. "Jasmin, I am unafraid."

She couldn't understand. "There is a reason our town does not have a name, and appears on no map. There is a reason we focus on increasing density, and not expanding our territory. As long as we do not extend our border past this valley, we are not at risk of having the Announcement Rites forced upon us. And as long as we have not announced our nation to the other world powers, we are granted divine protection."

Jasmin was awestruck. "But what about growing in power?" Serin nodded, "the changelings do not develop as fast as they could if we were at war. But I am working on a solution to that. Otherwise, Every protectorate develops so quickly that they gain a minimum of a status point a day."

The members of the protectorate giggled. They understood Serin's reference. He gave them a skill every day. And with their Luck at 50, it slowly increased their stats because of it.

Jasmin and the other two guards that had come to share their tale smiled, "I have hope in the future here. But if we are safe from attack by the divines, how come the raiders came?"

Serin frowned, "I believe it is because they belonged to no nation, so by the rules of the claim their attack was no different than a wolf in the woods, or a Dragon attack."

Jasmin laughed, "yes, except if a Dragon attacked we would be done for."

Serin grinned, the representatives grinned, Olma grinned. Jasmin wasn't the wiser.

***

Serin had reached a population of 187. Of that population 30 had become protectorate and showed up at Serin's residence once a day for their copied skill or spell. But he was reaching a small problem. Lady Eris had informed him that one of the Human boys did not care to learn. He was only maybe 7 years, but he was already far behind in his studies. Lady Ericka had told Serin he was a noble's son prior to his enslavement and arrival in Serin's town. Serin then figured it out. Just like in his Burb, the comfortable life of a Noble had a habit of fostering Contentment, the curse of humans.

Serin informed Lady Erica and Lady Eris that he would be giving a special lecture on the species of their nation the following day. He had decided it would be important for everyone to know each other's strengths. As well as their weaknesses. He would be giving the presentation with the assistance of Lady Eris and Olma. So with very little notice, Lord Koni prepared a relatively delectable feast. Serin had learned from last time that when he had large meetings it was best to have a banquet prepared.

So the following morning, a great breakfast of sweat cooked rabbit stew with roasted vegetables was laid before the entire Town.

Serin had made sure the children ate first. Then when everyone had a bowl of stew, he started his lesson.

"For many of you, this is just a quick recap. But there will be a few details I want you to pay attention to. We all know the strong and varied Demis. They may be a child for much longer than any other race, but once they reach a certain point, they become adults within a few weeks. I have heard we are going to have a few more graduating from the school soon, so we will have to host a party for them!" people smiled while Serin continued, "And the changelings. Mysterious at first, maybe a bit scary, but their people know a kindness towards all things. And that is because Changelings must learn of the magics of other creatures to truly grow in this world. Changelings therefore honor their prey's sacrifice, and grow in power when they consume."

Serin changed the subject for a moment. "And we all know of the First Law! All plated beings within our borders are born free, and cannot be subjugated to another's will. Our second Law is that all beings that have a Plate are considered equal here, no matter their differences."

Serin took a deep breath. "I mention this because of Humans. When Humans are children, we are born with a curse. We must always work hard in our studies and apply ourselves in our work. Because when 18 years pass, if we have not applied ourselves, on the next Solstice the curse will activate. We will become Content."

Serin then grew a bit dark. "I want everyone to know the seriousness of this. Because Content, by their very nature, do not have a plate. Serin looked at the children. If they do not have a plate, they are not citizens. They are resources."

Serin then narrowed his eyes on the human he knew that was on the path to being Content. "If a human becomes a Content, they are to be eaten by the changelings."

This caused the humans to gasp. Especially the children. Serin looked. "You have seen the content. The maids of the house. Those who carry water or shovel manure. Those who pick crops. They are resources. And our nation is an efficient one. If a human becomes Content, the greatest use of his life is to strengthen a Changeling."

***

"That was a bit much Serin." The representatives all sat with Serin in Jericho's bar. Since two of the humans had experience in running a tavern, Jericho's role shifted more to 'manager', so he spent less time waiting tables and more time running quests.

Serin smiled. "I needed to make things clear. I highly doubt I will have to feed anyone to the changelings, but I will not suffer the Content to exist in our society. We simply do not have the room."

Serin sat at the table. It was nice to Sit. Serin thought about it, and realized Jericho probably had the most furniture in the entire town. Then he remembered that Jericho knew the [Carpentry] skill.

'I will have to copy that one of these days.'

Olma had drunk a few too many glasses of Jericho's aged honey wine. She was now curled up against Serin. He realized he would be carrying her back. It was then that he saw something he was not expecting. His [Kingdom Management] screen was blinking, and he saw it was time again. This time, though, there were two messages waiting at the same time. There was not one, but two requests for assistance.

Serin looked at everyone having conversation. "It looks like the party is at an end for this evening. We have new requests for refugees."

The representatives stopped their conversation. Serin smiled. "Please inform your people. We will prepare the square for the arrival of those in need." And with that, Serin carried Olma back home, left a note, and carried a crate that contained clothes, shoes, and basic necessities from his house to the town square. He did not know the state of who was coming, but he was aware that they would need help. Serin then headed back and grabbed a bath. It would be an all nighter, but he was used to these at this point. Serin had no idea about who would come through the gate, but he knew there were two requests.

***