36.4ᴘᴀᴛʀᴇᴏɴ.ᴄᴏᴍ/sᴛʀᴀᴛᴏᴛʜʀᴀx

"Oh, uh, about that, In the process of, uh, rescuing I might have been slightly captured myself."

"Slightly."

"Y-yes, and sadly the two mercenaries you sent with me refused to be restrained, they were killed in action. Very brave."

"...I see."

"Oh don't be a stick in the mud Wranvyre! She did wonderfully, it's all quite adventurous, being rescued, although admittedly a tad unnecessary."

The Lord frowned. "What do you mean... unnecessary?"

"It's not how we thought! I descended from high society to slither and adventure amongst the dungeon, oh what did I think of the tribal monsters, I expected mindless wordless creatures incapable of anything but barbarism. But no, they showed thought, reason, and an interest in learning. I would have eventually come to an understanding."

"I, uhm, tracked her down to a Half-goblin tribe, she had been there for some time I believe."

The Lord's eyes narrowed and he moved from his seat, his long tail uncoiling itself and lifting him up.

"You mean to tell me." He slithered closer. "That this pregnancy is the result of monsters?"

"Oh hush, it wouldn't be the first time I've lain a clutch with another, nor your self having lain with another and openly parented a few bastards, nobody cares, no Lamia anyway."

"With levelers, Glyrieth, not monsters. Never filthy monsters."

"I'm not sure that there is that much of a difference these days, at least with the tribal ones."

"Words I abhor to hear just came from your lips Glyrieth."

"Words that are true! Whether you like it or not things are going to change around here and I intend to see that is the case. My half Goblin children will be an excellent example to show society once I birth them. You'll see, their tribal memory is nothing to underestimate. I intend to form a movement, I have a cause!"

"A cause." Wranvyre's eyes glittered.

"Quite. My companions," she gestured at the two Humans who flinched. "Will also both birth-"

"Do feel well Glyrieth?" he interrupted. "Perhaps your pregnancy and ordeal has had an effect on you and you are not yourself." He slithered closer and took her hand.

"Hardly. I enjoyed the experience, it made so many things make sense and click into place. Plus, you know, monsters can be quite interesting lovers, I think you could learn a thing or two husband."

"You compare me to monsters?" The Lord's brow rose.

"In the art of pleasure there is always mo-"

A black knife appeared in Wranvyre's hand and punched into Glyrieth's throat. A wash of red ran down her chest as her eyes widened in shock. She tried to scream but only a wet gurgle was produced as more blood burbled from the wound.

The others froze, the attack had been so sudden and violent that it took more than a moment to process what had just happened.

The Lord spun as one of the Humans opened her mouth to scream and his hand shot out, the knife leapt forward like a bolt from a crossbow slamming into her eye socket. She slumped down dead.

As the blade hit and the woman died the Lord's tail snapped out at the same time. It slithered up the leg of the remaining woman who was turning to see her companion die, her face ashen. She tried to cry out but the tail reached her head and the tip wrapped tight around her throat preventing her from making a noise.

Glyrieth slowly sunk to the ground as the light went out of her eyes.

Lyra backed away wide eyed. She raised her hand to use her invisibility skill.

"Stop. Or the girl dies." Wranvyre raised his hand.

Lyra paused, the pregnant woman's desperate eyes begged for help as she clutched at the tail squeezing around her neck.

"I, I don't have anything to do with this you crazy bastard, nor does she!"

"You did not have anything to do with my wife's insanity. Her decision to try and suicide bomb my reputation and standing was hers alone."

"Then let us go!"

"Unfortunately Uxoricide is not looked well upon. Her family would seek to harm me for killing my wife."

"Well you shouldn't have done it damn you! She didn't deserve to die, you should be punished for what you did!"

"As far as they will know I did not kill her. You hold the knife that did the deed after all."

Lyra blinked at him then looked down at her hand. Her hand held the black blade that had formerly been embedded in the pregnant woman's eye socket. Somehow she now held it, her hand was even spattered with blood.