148 Homes (1/2)

Li thrust open the doors to the Golden Flagon to find the remnants of what must have been quite the scuffle. Most of the tables and chairs had been shattered and flung apart like a typhoon had ripped through the floor. Shards of wood mingled with broken glass shards from cups and bottles.

Li gingerly stepped over a shattered bottle of liquor and closed the doors behind him. He panned his stare from side to side, getting a thorough look at the people in the room. Thankfully, whatever commotion had caused the property damage had passed. The beastwomen, now unbound by the efficiency adhering mind control from Ven'thur, were all over the place.

Still, Li could see that there was some order to how they had scattered, grouping with members of their own kind.

Feli were perched atop tables, a few of them wonderingly contemplating the bar counter and its colorful array of drinks by pawing at them. Meanwhile, the bartender himself quite nervously shrank back in his chair, a hand holding his cleaning rag growing white with fright.

The Lupi were less agile and adventuresome, huddling tightly together in a corner of the room standing upright and tense. In this regard, the Serpi were similar, occupying another corner in similar guarded fashion.

There were also harpies that had taken advantage of their winged arms and talons to embed themselves on the walls and ceiling where space was freer.

And aside from the beastwomen, Li could see familiar faces. At a table in the center of the floor, a table uniquely untouched amidst the liberal furniture destruction, was Iona and the adventuring team Bulwark. It made sense for Bulwark to be there considering they were responsible for drumming up support and understanding from the adventurers.

Li made his way straight to the center table and took a seat.

”And greetings again,” said Launcelot with a smile and a wave. He was fully armored, bronze shield strapped to his arm.

”Guessing you had to show some force?” said Li with a raised brow, though, as he took a look at the rest of Launcelot's team and his brother, they were not particularly equipped for combat. Just Launcelot.

”This?” Launcelot looked down to his shield and laughed. ”Not at all, thankfully. Rather, this shield of mine has been quite useful. A few of the women seem to have taken a liking to it.”

Launcelot smiled and waved at a group of Feli, and they cocked their heads, their tails swishing. A few of them mimicked the waving gesture in an awkward way someone completely unfamiliar with what it meant would.

Li noted that the ones showing Launcelot any attention seemed positively disposed and all had reddish bronze hair that fell down from their heads in a rough cascade that gathered around their necks like manes, just like it did with the golden haired one that Azhar had talked with.

”What nonsense!” said the party member sitting next to Launcelot. It was Faye, the hero Li recalled having the power to generate fire. She had half-unseated herself in protest, her red locks swishing with the aggressive movement. ”You think we travel with this dense fool for his looks?”

Leon made an amused face before shrugging. The casual response seemed to annoy Faye further, but before she was about to double down on her protest, Iona spoke up.

”None of you are right,” said Iona. ”Observe. They are northern Bronzemane Feli from the Wildland Plains. Their fur is usually bronze, though it can grow a shade of dull red under certain circumstances. They are fixated primarily upon Launcelot's shield. They believe it divinely touched by the Six Tongued Warflame that they worship.”

Li nodded in understanding. He knew the four gods took many forms depending on who worshipped them, and it was evident that the bronzemanes worshipped Chi-You.

”But in a sense, perhaps there was some truth in your comments,” continued Iona, her voice like that of a lecturer. Calm and concise, meant to inform rather than to engage.

”The doctrine of the Warflame is that of respect for strong martial prowess and adherence to a code of warrior's honor. That doctrine extends to their mating behaviors, causing them to choose those they believe embody those ideals of strength and honor the best. To that end, they believe Launcelot quite compatible in their eyes. Some of them wish to take you back to their prides in the north.”

Leon whistled triumphantly. ”Hear that?”

”Strength? The man can only raise a shield,” said Faye defiantly. The two other members of Bulwark, softer spoken and quieter – evident even in their hooded garbs – shifted in their seats, blushing slightly at the talk at hand.

”Certainly, that is true,” said Launcelot as he laughed. ”I fear I may have spent far too much time with the shield than the sword. But a shield to raise for others is all I need,” said Launcelot. He looked back to his party, still smiling. ”And before that all, though I am far willing to help these northern ladies back home, I must say I cannot stay with them. I have others closer to me to protect right here by my side.”

”Atleast you have your priorities in order,” mumbled Faye as she sat back down, visibly growing meeker at the comment.

”A rational decision,” said Iona, oblivious to the mood around her. ”To stay in the north with the bronzemane pride, you would have had to enter a brutal gauntlet and battle several males to near death for the right to carve your spot within it. No weapons are allowed, so your bare hands would have fallen quickly to their teeth and claws. Your corpse would have been burnt to the Warflame.”

”I must say,” said Launcelot to Iona. ”You are marvelously knowledgeable. In the way of herbs, in the way of business, and even in the ways of the north. Are you certain you are not an eminent scholar? Perhaps one from the north?”

”No, I do not believe I have that qualification,” replied Iona, letting the compliment sail straight over her head.