Asher's Futa Chronicles

***

Asher tries to make sense of her battle during her recovery afterwards.

Meanwhile, in the face of the approaching army, Remmi is getting acquainted with the new vamp in town and totally ignoring the "don't feed the animals" warning.

This is a big, long one, so grab a beverage.

Enjoy!

***

Chapter 31

ASHER

*Thump*

*Scratch scratch*

"Mmmrmm," I muttered.

*Thump thump*

*Scratch*

"Mmmmgoway," I grumbled.

*THUMP*

*Scratch scratch*

"5minsSinjin, 5more," I mumbled.

*THUMP THUMP*

*Giggle*

*Scratch scratch*

It was the giggle that did it. The thumping and scratching were minor annoyances, easily ignored when you wanted to sleep. But a child's giggling? That I wasn't used to. No, something was definitely up with that.

When my eyes finally obeyed me and opened, I found I was staring at a strangely smooth stone floor I didn't recognize.

I was lying on a table, one that had been hastily modified to allow me to lie face down without crushing my nose. I was just about to move when I heard the skittering of small feet, followed by the thump, scratch, and giggle I'd heard earlier. Only this time, the sounds were followed by more skittering feet.

It took me another minute and a couple more of these routines to realize it was someone running into the room, tapping and scratching my back, then running back out. The children doing this were having way too much fun from the sound of it.

It wasn't hurting me, so I let them have their fun while I tried to piece together what had happened.

The last thing I remembered, I was blindly fighting the Tempest B. I'd been hearing James's voice in my head, and somehow, he was helping me. But then someone else stepped in, pushing him aside in my mind. They helped me attack the creature before...before--there was a flash of something I didn't understand in my mind. Something I felt I probably wasn't supposed to see.

"What have I told you two about playing in the ward?" A stern voice scolded the children.

"Awww," the pair of small voices whined.

"Now get!" the stern voice said. "Or else I'll be tellin' your mum!"

This time, the skittering feet ran away.

"I swear, she lets those two run wild," the voice said as it came closer. "You awake?" the voice asked.

I started to turn my head and found I couldn't.

"Don't try to move now, you're still healing from your burns," the voice said.

"Where--" my voice broke down into coughing as my throat was dry.

"Hold on," the voice said.

A moment later, a small cup appeared below me with what looked like a reed sticking out of it.

"Sip slowly," the voice said.

I did as I was told and wrapped my lips around the make-shift straw and took a gentle sip. The liquid was slightly warm and soothed my parched throat. I took another sip before trying to speak again.

"Where am I?" I managed this time.

A small stool appeared below the drink, allowing the gloved hand to set the drink down. As long as I didn't bump it, the straw stayed within my lips' reach.

"The village infirmary," the voice said. "I'm Matron Sloane, and I've been tending to you since you came in."

"Asher," I said and coughed as a bit of fluid went down the wrong pipe. Drinking while lying down was hard.

"Careful," Sloane said before she began gently pressing on my back. "Does this hurt?"

"No," I said automatically. "I barely feel it."

"Huh," Sloane said, and her hands moved to another place on my back. "How about here?"

"No. Uh...can you tell me what happened?" I asked.

"Well, I can tell you what I was told. Here?" the woman pressed on one of my butt cheeks, startling me. "Was that painful?" she asked, pausing in her examination.

"No," I started slowly. "I was just surprised. Uh...am I naked?"

"Of course," she said. "How else am I to tend to your wounds?"

"Right," I said.

"They said they found you in what was left of a barn," she said as her fingers continued to probe my backside before moving down one leg, occasionally stopping to ask about pain. None of it hurt.

"What was left of one?" I asked.

"Yes," she said as she continued her examination. "They said the barn had been blown into pieces no larger than grains of wheat, and they found you smack dab in the middle of it."

"They?" I asked as I felt her fingers working up my other leg.

"Brooke and the Druid," she said. "As soon as the barrier dropped, they were off like a shot."

"The barrier is down?" I asked.

"Yes," she continued. "After the explosion, Rachel threatened to rip the Reeve to pieces if he didn't drop it so she could search for you. I was impressed with how long he held out. If Rachel had threatened me with that look in her eye, I would have surrendered immediately."

"He didn't do it?" I asked.

"No," she said. "It wasn't until Vern also recommended dropping the barrier that the Reeve did it. Everyone knows how terrified Vern was of the creature, so if he was saying to lower our defenses...well. Let's just say it was compelling."

She moved up my back again and to my neck.

"Anything?" she asked, sounding concerned.

"If I said yes, would that help?" I asked.

"At least I'd understand it," Sloane said.

"You said there was an explosion?" I asked.

"Yes," she continued. "Apparently, when you defeated the creature, it exploded with enough force to snap some of the surrounding trees in the forest. To be honest, I have no idea how you survived."

"Dumb luck," I muttered.

"I'll take dumb luck over no luck any day," she said.

"Wait, you said Brooke and Alistair found me, not Rachel?" I asked.

"She wanted to go, but Brooke convinced her to stay behind with her kids...just in case," she said.

"I'll have to thank Brooke later," I said. It was amazing what having kids could do to you, I chuckled to myself. Normally, nothing could persuade Rachel from something once her mind was set.

"OK, when I say, I want you to slowly raise your right leg. If you feel any discomfort at all, I want you to stop immediately. Understand? Good, I'm releasing the strap now. OK, go ahead."

I raised my leg as far back as I could and held it, drawing a gasp from Sloane.

"I...how?" Sloane said in shock.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, my leg still in the air. I didn't notice anything different. I had my full range of motion. My leg felt a little tight, but I had been in a pretty big dust-up.

"And you don't feel anything?" Sloane whispered.

"No, not really," I said.

"OK, that's enough, you can lower your leg. Can you...slowly this time, can you raise your other leg?" Sloane asked.

I repeated the process with the other leg with the same results.

Matron Sloane repeated the exercise with my arms and head, but the results were the same. There wasn't any pain.

"You Guardians must truly be built differently than the rest of us," Sloane eventually said.

"I think I've been patient enough," I started. "Will you tell me what's going on, please?"

"Your back, backside, and the backs of both legs are terribly burned," Matron Sloane said carefully.

"Huh, doesn't feel like it," I said.

"That's probably due to your protective skin," she said.

"My what now?" I asked.

"I don't want you to sit up just yet," Sloane began. "But, I'll set up a pair of mirrors for you to see for yourself."

It took a few minutes, but eventually I was staring at my back. Or, more precisely, the blue crystal that covered my back. Everything from the back of my neck to the backs of my feet was covered in a thin layer of crystal, the same color as the chips on my hands. It was just thin enough that you could see through it, mostly.

"What the hell is that?" I gasped when I eventually found my voice.

"I truly don't know," Matron Sloane said.

I had finally seen Sloane in the mirror. She was another dragon-like Fierce, like Patty, only with dark green coloring. It hadn't been gloves she'd been wearing earlier, but her own leathery skin.

"But, as far as I can tell, it's protecting you," Sloane said.

I returned to studying my back.

My warskin had been mostly burned away, as had most of the armor. What few pieces of armor remained had been sheared off by whatever the crystal was. The skin that was visible was charred, a horrifying black, and cracked with pink lines running through it. The crystal seemed to be flush against my skin or my warskin, depending on what was exposed.

The worst thing, though, was that a massive chunk of my hair on the back of my head had been burned away. I know it's petty, especially considering the state of my other wound, but I'd been coveting my hair since my futa change had made it so fabulous. As I looked now, I could probably save some of it, but it would be some time before I'd be comfortable being seen in public without a hat.

The sight of all this combined made my stomach churn. Only to have it settle down a moment later and start growling with hunger.

"How the hell am I hungry while looking at that?" I asked in disgust.

"The body needs what it needs," Sloane said with a sigh. "I'll bring you something if you promise not to move until I get back. Then we'll see about sitting you up."

"Sure," I said and went back to staring at my disfigured back.

Tim said the old monsters couldn't do much against our new gear. I'd thought the creature I was going after was the same one from 1,000 years ago. So, I figured it wouldn't be too much for me to handle. I'd just hunt it down, smack it around, and head home.

But if the Tempest B could destroy my gear like this, then it had to be a new version. But this hadn't been something Tim would have made for a dungeon. This was something else entirely. Regardless, had I known what I was up against, I probably wouldn't have gone out there by myself.

Home.

"Matron!" I yelled as I sat up. There was no pain, but the sensation of the crystal on my back flexing with my body like a second skin was weird.

I reached back and touched it. The crystal was smooth and warm, yet it had a steel-like strength. Even as it flowed with me as I moved, it didn't yield when I pressed on it. I scratched at it and instinctively knew not even my blade would leave a mark on the crystal's surface.

Meanwhile, the crystal acted like skin, letting me feel my fingers touching it. It was trippy.

"Now really!" Sloane said as she entered the room, carrying a small loaf of bread.

I greedily took it from her, tore off a large piece and stuffed it in my mouth. It was warm, buttery and delicious!

"How long have I been here?" I demanded as I chewed.

Sloane looked upset, but replied anyway.

"You slept for over a week," Sloane said as she moved around to look at my back.

"A WEEK!?!" I gasped, inhaling a piece of bread and began coughing.

Sloane patted me delicately on the back until I got myself under control.

"Where are my clothes? I have to go!" I said in a panic. I'd already been gone a month, and it would take me over two weeks to get back! There was no way I'd make it before the army arrived at The Roadhouse.

"What's all the commotion?" Rachel asked as she came into the room just in time to see me hop off the table and look around for my clothes. Both of her boys were with her. They'd probably run straight back to their mom after being shooed out of here.

"I have to get back, Rachel!" I said, panicking.

"Hey now," Rachel said as she moved in on me. She grabbed a folded sheet from the counter and draped it over my naked form. "Slow down."

"There's no time, Rachel. Remmi'll be in trouble!" I cried desperately.

"I understand," Rachel said slowly. "But, you're no good to her if you show up like this."

This gave me pause. Even if I could make it back in time, I was in no shape to fight...or was I? I glanced over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of my crystal backside in the mirror.

"Yeah, Asher, you're banged up pretty good," Rachel said, her hands rubbing both my arms gently. "Matron Sloane here is the best healer I've ever seen. She's gonna teach Patty a thing or two, if all goes to plan. Let her finish looking at you before you try running off."

"But...Remmi..." I tried again.

"She'll be there, Asher," Rachel said softly. "But if you get yourself killed on the way home because of an infection or some other nonsense, Remmi's gonna really be upset."

Her words finally managed to sink through the thick skull of mine.

"You're right," I said with a sigh. "You're right," I whispered.

"Good," Rachel said. "Now, why don't you sit back down for a minute. There we go," she said as she helped me back on the table. "Oops, dropped this," Rachel said as she picked up the bread I'd discarded.

My stomach growled, making me reach for the bread, regardless of where it had been.

Rachel turned to Sloane, "Well?"

"Let me get her the rest of her lunch. She can eat while I examine her," Sloane said and stepped back into the kitchen.

"What did you mean about Patty?" I asked, chewing in a slightly more subdued fashion. My stomach was screaming at me for food, acting like I was starving.

"Matron Sloane's family has been here since the village started," Rachel said. "Her entire family is healers."

"Cammot?" I asked between bites.

"Yup," Rachel said, pointing at the god's symbol above the door.

Now that I stopped and looked, the symbol of Cammot was everywhere.

"She's agreed to come and practice with Patty for a while," Rachel said. "I figure they'll be able to teach one another a lot."

"Makes sense," I said. "I'm sure Patty would love the help."

"As an added bonus, Sloane's grandson will come along as well," Rachel said.

"Right!" I said, shaking my head. "Sloane's had kids, she knows all about what's happening to Patty!"

"Exactly," Rachel said.

"My family helped set up this village back during the purges," Sloane said as she brought in a steaming bowl of something that smelled wonderful.

"Purges?" I asked.

"After the Daemons and Guardians withdrew, lawlessness exploded in all facets of society," Sloane said as she sat down with a heavy sigh on a nearby stool. "Take away consequences, and people tend to do whatever they like. The church took advantage of this power vacuum and rose up. They blamed Fierce for everything, and the people believed it."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because, in times of turmoil, people will believe anything they think will keep them safe," Sloane said. "The church offered this safety. Sadly, it worked. They actually did police the population, for a time.

"But, it wasn't just the withdrawal," Sloane continued. "Tensions had been growing for a while. Any little thing that went wrong, the church blamed the Fierce. We were different and didn't have numbers to defend ourselves. We were easy targets.

"So," Sloane went on. "We fled East and continued to go East until we were no longer being pursued. Now, here we are."

"But wait," I started. "I've seen Fierce in the city and even in Laghold. I didn't see any of this."

"Oh?" Sloane said. "And just what were they doing in the city and Laghold when you saw them?"

To be honest, I hadn't really noticed what they were doing at the time. I was too occupied with the fact that I was seeing such a different type of creature.

Sloane nodded slowly.

"Next time you see one of us, take a closer look at what's going on with them. You might be surprised by what you find," Sloane said.

"Wait," Rachel stepped in. "Jeremy was in Laghold all the time."

Sloane gave Rachel an apologetic look.

"Jeremy was a thief and a smuggler, dear," Sloane said. "I'm sorry, I thought you knew."

"I...had my suspicions," Rachel started. "But he never said anything." The expression on her face was difficult to read. I reached over, took her hand, and gave it a squeeze before going back to eating. My body had priorities.

"Jeremy had a lot of charisma," Sloane said. "And he had a good heart. He just had to grow up during a time where it didn't pay to put that heart on display very often."

I held my empty bowl out to Sloane for more.

"More?" Sloane asked. "Already? Slow down or else you'll give yourself a stomachache."

My stomach protested by growling loudly.

"OK, OK," Sloane said as she took the bowl and went back to the kitchen.

"Can I ask you something, Matron Sloane?" I asked.

"Ask away, dearie," Sloane called from the other room.

"You still worship Cammot, right?" I asked.

"Oh course," Sloane said, reappearing with a refilled bowl and handing it to me. "I get my healing blessings from him, as does your friend...Patty, apparently."

"What about the Administrator? Are there those in the village who still worship them?" I asked.

"I'm afraid the Administrator is another issue entirely," Sloane said.

"How so?" I asked.

"Well, take Cammot," Sloane said, gesturing towards the god's symbol on the wall. "I ask Cammot for help, and he provides more often than not. The Administrator, on the other hand, hasn't been heard from since the withdrawal."

"Is it true that the Administrator used to actually talk to people directly?" I asked, remembering the stories I'd heard.

"Oh yes," Sloane said, nodding. "The Administrator would have conversations with you about anything, even the weather, if you liked."

"Sounds like Alexa," Rachel said, grinning.

"But people stopped believing when the Administrator stopped talking to them?" I asked.

"At first, no," Sloane said. "The Administrator had been known to 'go away' for brief periods of time, but they always came back. Then one day they didn't. As time passed, people latched onto other things to believe in. Some of them were tangible, some just plain silly. Only a very devoted few kept the faith that the Administrator would return one day."

"I was told that Fierce still hold faith in the Administrator. Is that true of all Fierce?" I asked.

Sloane thought about it for a few moments.

"I would say that Fierce still respect the Administrator, but few are still worshipping," Sloane said. "We didn't have other organized churches that stepped in to take our faith, just the opposite. The churches either stripped us of our faith or pushed us that much deeper into it. Some of us have very long memories.

"But again," Sloane continued. "That's not all Fierce, just like it's not all humans. I'm sure there are still a handful of humans out there with faith in the Administrator despite the lack of interaction."

Twenty minutes later, I was eating my third helping and the last of Sloane's stew. She assured me they were making more as she was wrapping up her examination of me now that I was awake.

"I'm sorry that my magics haven't been very helpful," Sloane was saying. "I've tried everything I know, and it's only helped a bit. All the non-magical remedies I know don't seem to have any effect due to your blue skin."

According to Sloane, she'd succeeded in making my back look a little better, but it was barely noticeable.

"It's alright, Matron Sloane," I said. "I'm just grateful for what you were able to do."

I knew exactly why she hadn't been able to heal me. It was the same reason Patty hadn't been able to help Remmi or me after the Gremlin incident. The Tempest B was too powerful a creature, and its damage was only healable by something of equal power. Namely, Danu.

It seemed my little blue friend was saving my life once again. I glanced at the small blue crystals on my hands and took another look at the matching crystal on my back. They somehow worked together. I just hoped my whole body didn't end up covered with the stuff. That and I found someone who knew just what the hell this was.

"I was really out for over a week?" I asked Rachel for the umpteenth time.

"Still 10 days, Asher," Rachel said, her patience obviously wearing thin from my repeated question.

I sighed, my worried thoughts once more turning to Remmi and The Roadhouse.