Herald of Shalia 3, page 16
“May I?” Frost asked while holding out his hand to the glistening lavender woman. She nervously placed her trembling hand in his. Her violet skin felt like it was covered in warm massage oil. “You said it’s safe?”
“Yes,” the woman whispered as Frost lifted the hand to his mouth. He gently licked it and although he didn’t find the taste particularly pleasant, he couldn’t say he disliked it either. The violet woman quickly changed color to an almost florescent pink and then magenta.
“Handsome,” Brynn growled while playfully swatting his abdomen. “Stop it. We still have half a line.”
“I’m just making sure she’s being honest,” Frost grinned while giving her soft oily hand a farewell peck. Following her and the other slime women in line were the genuine slimes. He looked down at the slime. “Hm…can you talk?”
The slime slowly bubbled up gradually getting taller until it was about the size of Brynn. A hole along with a long wind pipe and a tongue appeared.
“Yes,” the slime hissed while exhaling the wind it sucked in. The body continued to change shape and grow, although much more slowly than he imagined. He always thought slimes could quickly become what they wanted but it stood to reason that moving billions of tiny pieces of yourself probably took some time and quite a bit of practice. “I can.”
“Alright,” Frost gestured at the half-slime women that walked away. “Do you have any different needs from them?”
“Mostly the same,” the slime answered as its body took on a more feminine shape. Gradually it started to look more and more like Brynn except with a larger chest. “We prefer caves with lots of water if that’s possible.”
“Caves,” Frost glanced at the Arachne. Since they build their own underground village, they could probably make some homes for the slimes as well. “We might have a solution to that. The water might be tricky.”
“Check?” the slime said holding out its makeshift hand as the body finalized. The slime lacked the details of a human and its face was rather expressionless but the body was impressive. The color gradually shifted from blue to violet and finally the same bright pink as the previous slime woman. “You can make sure I’m not poisonous…”
“I see what you’re doing,” Brynn stepped toward the pink slime. “We can take your word for…seriously handsome?”
“What?” Frost asked while kissing the soft membrane of the hand causing the pink hue of the slime to deepen. While the slime woman’s oils covered the outside of her body the actual slime’s hand felt like a soft gelatin coated in latex and covered in lubricant. “She asked me to.”
“You don’t even know if it’s a she!” Brynn said while shooing away the slime women.
“Looks like a she,” Frost smirked as the magenta slime rushed off.
The fairy was surprisingly carnivorous and they weren’t really considered monsters as much as pests due to their magic draining. The gold winged woman easily fit in the palm of his hand and almost as soon as she landed, he felt his energy draining away.
None of the monsters really bothered him although most of them had some type of dangerous aspect that needed to be regulated. The slimes could poison those around them if they were frightened but all you had to do was not touch them when they turned yellow. The gorgon’s serpents would lash out at anything they felt posed a threat to their host so don’t get close to them if the snakes seem apprehensive. The Sporan was a similarly toxic plant monster that used living beings as hosts for its offspring but it wasn’t like it had to use humans as hosts.
It seemed the defining factor on whether something was a monster or a demihuman was the threat it posed to those around them, even if the threat was something easily regulated. Desdemona was a monster because she could potentially go on a killing spree when hungry and most of these monsters were dangerous people never realized they shouldn’t touch a yellow slime.
“I still don’t get it,” Frost said while pointing at the large blonde Oni. Her hips were basically at his eye level and he resisted the urge to tilt his head and see under her poorly made cloth skirt. Her toga-like top was similarly crafted and looked like it could fall off any moment. “Why would anybody consider you a monster?”
“I don’t understand the question,” the woman said while moving her unkempt blonde hair out of her face. She was apparently only a quarter giant which accounted for her larger stature than a typical Oni. “I am a monster.”
“I mean,” Frost looked her up and down. “What kind of threat do you pose? Do you lose control and eat people? Get angry and start things on fire like the elemental over there? Do you excrete poison?”
“No,” she answered while shaking her head. “I don’t do any of that.”
“Brynn,” Frost looked toward his petite wife. “Help me out here.”
“Wish I could,” Brynn shrugged. “I always thought they should have been classified as demihumans. I think it might have to do with how much they eat.”
“Oh,” Frost looked at the large horned woman as her face turned pink. “How much do you eat?”
“It depends on what I’m eating,” the Oni answered while shuffling. “If it’s boars I only eat five or six but…”
“Five or six,” Frost said while glancing at Desdemona who ate two a day. Given, Desdemona was less than half the Oni’s size, but it was still a large amount, especially if more Oni started showing up.
“I’m sorry,” the Oni answered as her stomach growled. “I’m really sorry.”
“Fuck,” Frost said while looking through his logbook. His village still had plenty of food assuming the hunts continued as normal. Meat was plentiful thanks to the way monsters respawned in the world but his concern was accounting for the increase in Arachne after the next brood of children were born combined with a growing population of monsters. If he became a safe haven for Oni, things could get really bad really fast. “Alright, I need to think about this.”
“I’m sorry,” the Oni said as the rest of the monsters looked on. “Are you going to send me away?”
“No,” Frost said while checking over his notes. “But while you’re here you’re going to do your share of work. And don’t cause any trouble. I have enough to deal with without adding this to the list.”
“You mean we get to stay?” the Oni asked hopefully. “You’re really going to let us?”
“For now,” Frost said irritably. He wasn’t angry at the monsters as much as he was angry about the work involved. He hated dealing with the logistics of running things and would much rather spend his time relaxing or training. “I just need to do some math and figure out the logistics of everything. I could really use some help with all of this.”
“Really?” Desdemona said cheerfully. “Do you mean it?”
“Um,” Frost paused as he stared at the enthusiastic demoness. Her crimson eyes were practically glowing with excitement as she grinned at him. “Yes.”
“Finally,” Desdemona clasped her hands together and began hopping. “I can help with that!”
“Excuse me?” Brynn glanced at Desdemona. “Des, do you really think you can help with this?”
“Uh-huh!” Desdemona said happily. “I’m great at coordinating really complex operations! I always wanted to be useful to my brother and the army but he wouldn’t let me fight because I might eat the people that I killed so instead he had me help with the operational side of…”
“Let me get this straight,” Brynn said with a deadpan face. “I’ve been running this entire village while handsome is off fucking courtesans and you could have been helping the entire time?”
“You never asked for any help,” Desdemona said while pointing at Frost. “He just said he could use some help.”
“Handsome,” Brynn scowled at Frost as if it were entirely his fault. “Did you know this?”
“How would I?” Frost shrugged. “My interactions with Des normally take place in the bedroom. Although, Des, do you think you could figure out a way for me to spend time with all of the women in…”
“No,” Desdemona lied. It was clear she had an idea of how he could more efficiently spend his time. “No idea.”
“Des,” Frost smiled. “You shouldn’t lie to your husband.”
“MmMm!” Desdemona shook her head no while squeezing her lips shut.
“Come on,” Frost smirked as he ran his fingers through her long red hair. “I really need your help. Don’t you want to help me?”
“The bottleneck of your time is caused by the lack of rotation in Lysandra’s bedroom,” Desdemona blurted out. “If you really wanted to optimize, you’d use paired groupings and rotate two women out of the bedroom every night and…”
“Desdemona!” Brynn snapped. “Don’t you dare say another word!”
“But I love him so much and I want to be able to help him!” Desdemona whined. “You could also increase to a three pair grouping and…”
“Desdemona!” Lysandra chimed in. “I will not be sharing my room with more people than…”
“I also thought about that and your bedroom itself is part of the bottleneck since…”
“Desdemona!” Lysandra and Brynn shouted simultaneously, silencing the demoness.
“Don’t worry,” Frost laughed while kissing Des’ forehead. “It was only a quick test. I’d love it if you helped me make sure everybody here gets food, clothes, and a place to sleep.”
“And that’s all that you help with,” Brynn said authoritatively. “Understood?”
“Understood,” Desdemona pouted. “It’s not like I want him to rotate me out of the room…”
“I don’t plan on rotating anybody,” Frost chuckled. “Although, I should mention we may need to get Lishri…well…we’ll talk about that later. For now, let’s get some tents set up, blankets, and see if Lishri and Mira can’t help a bit with the clothes situations.”
“On it!” Desdemona said excitedly.
“You sure about this handsome?” Brynn said. “If you start accepting dangerous creatures into your territory it’s going to make Zira uncomfortable. And it wasn’t like King Asmund was thrilled about you giving refuge to the Arachne.”
“It may become an issue,” Frost said while nodding at the excited monsters. All of them seemed to be in a state of euphoria as they realized that Frost wasn’t going to kill them, lock them up, or kick them out of his territory. “But do you want to be the one to send them away?”
“You really are a big softy,” Brynn smirked.
“Nah,” Frost said. “It’s easy to do the right thing when there’s nothing to lose. I have more resources than I know what to do with so it’s fine. Anyway, I better talk to everybody and let them know what’s going on.”
CHAPTER 13
The elves didn’t even hesitate to offer up their homes which surprised the various newcomers. After being chased off everywhere they went, the last thing the monsters expected was for the elves to cram themselves into homes together in order to free up housing for them.
Although, Frost suspected the elves were just happy for an excuse to pile into beds together. Not that he could really judge them for it. There was something strangely addicting about being cuddled incessantly.
Some of the creatures were initially nervous to accept the rooms, especially those who’d never been permitted inside of a proper residence. They were mostly worried that they might cause damage to the homes in some way and get into trouble.
Lysandra and the elves reassured them that they were welcome to make themselves at home while practically forcing them into the cottages.
The slimes quickly found comfortable places in basements while the werewolves decided to stay outside for their own comfort. Other monsters like the gorgons reluctantly entered the homes and actively avoided touching anything.
As for the Oni, the only building with a large enough door to allow her entry was the barn so Rania and Sumina pulled piles of blankets in and made a makeshift bed on top of a large hay pile for her. It took most of the day but they’d managed to find places for all of the monsters to stay and Frost was finally able to sit down and think of a plan.
He decided to have a meeting in the evening with Lysandra, Brynn, Desdemona, and Lishri. He also invited Slakka and Chasa up from Linna village since whatever he decided was likely to impact them as well.
“You want payment?” Frost said in disbelief as Slakka and Chasa stared him down. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Slakka answered courteously. “We are very grateful to everything you have provided us but we do an enormous amount of work and receive little to no payment.”
“Food, safety, allowing you to build your canopy village, educating your children,” Brynn said while counting on her fingers. “That’s not enough?”
“Herald Frost provides all of those same things for the elves,” Chasa said defensively.
“We won’t be treated like second class citizens of your territory,” Slakka turned to Lishri. “Even Lishri has mentioned it.”
“Lishri?” Brynn turned to the anxious redhead.
“That was before Herald Frost gave me the Ayoyous!” Lishri said while timidly glancing around the room. The redheaded Arachne looked like she would have crawled under the table if she could fit. “I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant I don’t get to spend as much time with him!”
“What’s an Ayoyou?” Chasa asked while looking around the table. “Is it valuable?”
“Extremely!” Lishri said eagerly pulling out a metal box from one of her pockets. She opened it up and produced the three small slips of paper Frost had given her. “This one says that my darling husband will take me on a date! This one says that my darling husband will make love to me! And this one says he’ll spend the night!”
“Lishri,” Frost chuckled. “We’re supposed to be discussing the monster situation.”
“One moment,” Lysandra stared at the papers. “So, if somebody has one of those papers, you’ll do what the paper says?”
“Assuming I can,” Frost clarified. “Obviously I can’t take Lishri on a date right now if she used that paper.”
“But what if she gave it to you now for a date tomorrow?” Desdemona asked while staring at the papers. “Or if she used the lovemaking one?”
“Well,” Frost shrugged. “If it’s reasonably within my power at the time. I’m a man of my word, kind of. At least when it benefits me.”
“Interesting,” Slakka said staring at the papers. “Fine. We will construct your village in exchange for ten Ayoyous.”
“What?” Lishri frowned. “No! He’s my darling consort! You have your own consorts!”
“I want your consort,” Slakka narrowed her eyes. “But since I can’t take him by force, I will utilize the methods available to me.”
“Hold on just a second,” Frost chuckled. “You want me to give you ten Ayoyous to build homes for all of the monsters?”
“Slakka,” Chasa tapped her sister’s shoulder. “This wasn’t part of the plan. We promised…”
“I don’t care about your plan anymore,” Slakka said while staring at the papers in Lishri’s hand. “I want Ayoyous.”
“You can’t have any!” Lishri said defensively.
“We are not after the Ayoyous,” Chasa said angrily. “We promised to get wine!”
“Wine?” Frost asked. “Really?”
“Oh!” Lishri looked at Frost as if it were obvious. “The elves make very good wine since they know all the best fruits to use. Most of ours never turns out right.”
“I want Ayoyous,” Slakka hissed at Chasa. “We can get the wine later!”
“Herald Frost is Lishri’s consort,” Chasa growled back. “Stop trying to take him.”
“I want him,” Slakka said firmly. “He is a good caregiver, protector, and lover.”
“How do you know I’m a good lover?” Frost smirked at Lishri. “Have you been talking about me?”
“It’s obvious from your garments,” Slakka answered. “Lishri could only create thread like that if she were completely satisfied. I’ve never seen thread so saturated in pleasure.”
“It doesn’t matter how good a lover he is because you can’t have him!” Lishri attempted to sound threatening but her naturally timid demeanor left her falling flat.
“We need the wine,” Chasa continued while stepping toward Slakka. “Not to mention what might happen if Herald Frost takes you as well as Lishri. I already have to listen to my children whine and cry about how Lishri only wants her human and you don’t want more consorts. If you have her human as well…”
“Right,” Frost slapped the table causing all of the Arachne to jump. He leaned back in his chair and grinned while staring at the three crimson-haired women ready to fight over some love coupons. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Is there a reason the males are only permitted to sleep with you? Is it some control thing or something?”
“Control thing?” Slakka and Chasa looked at each other, both clearly confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Frost paused to think about his words. “Do you use the right to mate with you as a way to control the Arachne males?”
“What?” Chasa made a face suggesting what he said might have been the dumbest thing she’d ever heard. “Why would that control them?”
“I believe he’s asking if we use mating as an incentive for obedience,” Slakka said pensively. “Which I suppose we do. Only the best men are chosen as consorts.”
“But we don’t,” Chasa argued. “If we had more queens then all of the men would be selected regardless.”
“That’s true,” Slakka said. “It would be preferable to have enough queens to satisfy the needs of all of the males.”
“Okay,” Frost nodded while following along. “Is there a reason the Arachne women don’t simply mate with the males?”
All three Arachne women froze and looked at each other as if Frost just asked them to solve a complicated math problem. Lishri seemed to be the first one to realize what Frost was suggesting since their own relationship wasn’t about producing offspring.
