Chapter 62: Troll Fortress
The second level of the fortress was a drastic change from the one they had just left. Gone were the cold metal floors and patrolling guards, they were instead replaced with what could only be described as a woodland fantasy. Grass and river beds covered every inch of the place, trees rose high in the air their branches heavy with fruit, and animals darted in and out of various hiding places. Bast immediately became starry eyed and was soon surrounded by cute creatures, Ra appreciated the scenery as they walked, "The girls?" asked Ra, stepping over a row of large silver mushrooms and prodding the Troll for information.
"Ah yes, I suppose I should explain that, never felt the need before, yes- here'll do," he said as he stopped in the shade of a large white tree by a river with low hanging branches, and sat gratefully beneath the thick white cords covered in blue leaves that resembled curtains...like a weeping willow. Ra carefully evaluated the creature in front of him, his skin was etiolated, thin, with long ears covering tufts of bluish-white hair. Eyes sharp and piercing that nurtured a sense of intelligence that ran quite deep. His arms were thin near the shoulder but thick near the forearm, and large hands and root-like fingers were clasped around a strange white fruit. Most importantly, he appeared friendly, and Ra felt no sense of danger from him, "The girls?" he reminded, "Yes, yes, well- they're here. aren't they?" and he gestured in the general direction of one of them. Ra looked and he didn't see what the Troll could be referring to, when from out of the trees a little girls head popped out from within the blue leaves, a wreath of flowers in her hair. Seeing her, Ra was surprised, he turned his gaze back to the Troll, who seemed to understand what he wanted to know, "Contrary to the popular belief of the Humans, we do not breed with their young," he said sneering his disgust at the thought, "we train them," he said very matter-of factly, "We Trolls are innovators, however it is a known fact that there are limits to what we are capable of magically, we require assistance in these areas," he took another bite of fruit, "we have never kidnapped these children, always, always have we offered something of equivalent or greater value in exchange and they have always accepted our terms. It is only when it comes due payment that problems seem to arise, they are quite happy to receive their benefits otherwise." he said sadly. Ra was beginning to grasp the picture and was quite pleased that he hadn't jumped to any conclusions, "once again, human greed," he sighed. "However, I must warn you," said Ra, now that he had a firm grasp of the situation he had to do the right thing, "Slavery is illegal in the Empire," The Troll looked shocked, "S-S-Slavery!" he sputtered, "I nev- Why! Never! Slavery? what do you mean?!"
Ra responded calmly, "Slavery is the buying, selling, or exchange of sentient beings without the existence of a contract stating that said people would be paid for services rendered." he recited. Upon hearing this the Trolls large eyes grew larger, "We didn't know, the humans- they never mentioned it..." Ra shut his eyes, "We nev- but surely," he sighed, "I suppose it can't be helped..." A trace of pity formed in Ra's heart, "You can ask them to stay, and if they are willing, provided you pay them a fair wage, they can remain, the others however, I will have to take with me." Ra said.
The Troll nodded in understanding, "Master Usfur, you are perhaps- the kindest and most understanding that Troll kind has ever had the fortune to meet. I am the Troll King, Atenhai Pluwen, in the future; if there is anything you need, call, we will answer. He extended a thick three fingered paw towards Ra and Ra shook it. Apart from 3 girls who sorely wished to return home, the remaining 29 chose to stay, it seems the Trolls took care of them quite well and most of them came from far worse situations. Ra opened a spatial gate, and the girls walkes through, "In the future," he said over his shoulder, "just hire them outright, it can only serve to strengthen the ties between our races," he smiled, and disappeared inside the portal. Ra accompanied the girls to each of their homes and after ensuring their safety he and Bast opened a gate leading to the throne room and they walked through chatting animatedly. Back inside the throne room, Gwyn and Morrigan had taken over, they were perched on the throne mewling at Xiara. The King on the other hand as well as his guards were absent. When Ra appeared he barely had time to register his surroundings before an additional weight found itself ...surprisingly hanging from his neck, when his eyes managed to adjust, he looked down at a tearful Xiara weeping into his chest. Confused, he tapped her and she looked up at him with watery eyes and before he had the chance to react she pulled herself up on her toes- and kissed him. Ra felt his knees grow weak momentarily and he stumbled backward, Xiara released her hold around his neck, she was staring at the floor and attempting to rub away a spot of tears with the tip of her shoe. However, Ra's eyes were on Bast, currently frozen in place, her fury was slow in coming, gradually building like a rising tide, her features were dark and her aura was fluctuating between green and black. No longer able to control herself Basts' arm shot out like a whip, devastating energy crackled in the air, the berserk force wrapped itself around Xiara's neck like a toxic vine and raised her into the air. Bast approached Xiara with slow measured steps, her voice modulating between sweet and evil. "Who told you to touch him, what gives you the RIGHT!" she screamed this last word her voice pitched with fury and the surrounding energy became more violent, brutal, blood fell to the floor beneath Xiara's feet. Ra could no longer watch, he approached Bast quickly and wrapped her in his arms. He gazed into her eyes as his tongue entwined with hers. behind his back he cut off the connection between Basts' power and Xiara's neck and gently lowered her to the floor where she collapsed.
The minutes passed and Basts' anger had yet to dissipate, Ra doubled his efforts and holding her tightly; opened a spatial gate beneath their feet, "Gwyn, Morrigan," he called and they flew after him, he healed Xiara before they disappeared.
Xiara sat up and her eyes flashed the color of fresh blood, "You win this time," she snarled softly, "but next time I see you he will be mine." she fainted
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone