March
Monster Girl Encyclopedia belongs to Kenkou Cross...
One
In Silence
Koriel Ventris closed his eyes before whispering a prayer to...someone. He didn't exactly believe in the Chief Goddess anymore and briefly he wondered if there were other gods out there. Koriel had only joined the Company two years. Since then he and his squad had been taking down mamono and Order soldiers alike. They were a Ranger squad, they tended to favor ambush tactics and long distance fighting. Three men carried crossbows, the leader and one other were the ones who kept them covered at close range.
He went back to his squad, each man dressed in a mixture of light metal armor, dark leather and hooded cloaks. Koriel was an average looking young man, with dark hair and even darker eyes. It was all to easy to underestimate him because of his average looks because beneath the seemingly listless expression was a clever soldier who had no qualms of getting the job done. When he was younger he had never expected to take up the sword and wield it with such finesse. All he knew in his past life was numbers and how to count them for the Order. He would never do so again. Not after what he had seen in Lescatie. Not after joining the Company.
Sergeant Caleb Nasher was a veteran in the Company. That meant his word was law, and he expected such respect from his squad of unruly Rangers. A brutish middle aged man with a shaved head, a blak haired beard and fierce eyes he held the squad together by sheer force of will and his insurmountable courage was unquestionable. Leaning against his body was a two handed claymore. Versatile and deadly in his hands Koriel had seen more than one enemy fall beneath that blade's edges.
Sitting on the snowy ground poking the fire was Sven Biers, his light crossbow was slung over his shoulder. He had an innocent veneer towards fighting and had no problems with the blood he had spilled. Koriel didn't ask how he did it as he was afraid of shattering the mask Sven had probably donned. He was a kid only seventeen at best, but most didn't mind. Poor child had nowhere else to go other than the Company when his village was raided by Mamono.
Next to him was his best friend Samuel Croates. Like Sven he was a kid as well but both worked well together and Caleb Nasher appreciated their skills as marksmen. Samuel was a farmer's boy who had run off seeking adventure, it was the timely intervention of Nasher's squad that kept him from becoming the wife of some Lamia who had the boy in her sights. Unlike the leaner Sven, Samuel was a bit broader and stocky with short cut red hair framing a round freckled face and green eyes.
The last member was resting his eyes. Koriel honestly had no idea what to expect from Jacob Arryn but the man was a steady marksman. He carried an Arbalest, a heavy crossbow that could punch through plate mail at a longer distance. This made him invaluable. Arryn was a mercenary who had joined the Company. Rumor had it that his wife left him not because of another man but because she had been turned. Koriel didn't ask either as it seemed a sour topic with the dour looking man. His curly brown hair and beard were groomed, his dark grey eyes were closed as he sat down next to the fire with his pavise shield on his left side.
Currently they were staying with a caravan of folks who were forced to take a longer route to the Eastern ports that would allow them access to Zipangu. This caravan was led by a trader named Gregor, an old cantankerous man who was nevertheless thankful for the presence of armed guards. The other mercs he had with him were a loose, undisciplined lot. Koriel looked even now as some of those men were around their own fires, drinking, laughing or sleeping.
"Look at them," Caleb muttered as he tore into a strip of salted pork. "Bloody thieves pretending to be mercenaries. Pah! Heldane would have a field day with those twerps." He swallowed his food and took a long draught from his favored wineskin.
"They're not part of the company, Sergeant." Koriel commented as he sharpened his knife with a whetstone. "It's to be expected." The sound of a blade being sharpened was dimmed out by loud raucous voices.
"Hmm, makes me think this Gregor fellow has a lot of money." Sven said cheerfully. "I wonder, if this lot dies do we get their share?"
"We die if they do Sven." Samuel chided his friend. "They've got more guys than we do. It's simple numbers really."
"Numbers don't mean much if we're up against a Wurm or a Dragon." Sven countered cheekily. "But hey, if there's a wall of men between me and some horny Earth Dragon..."
"Shut up and stop trying to jinx us Sven." Koriel muttered annoyed. "Remember the last time you didn't shut your mouth about these things?"
"Oh come on!" Sven waved his arms looking offended. "That was only one time!!"
"One time." Koriel shook his head. "It was five of us against a boatload of goblins. I swear, how did we get out of that alive and unharmed again?"
"Tenacity." Jacob said, his eyes still closed. "And that Hobgoblin leader of theirs wasn't very...smart."
Koriel smiled. Yeah, he had to admit those were some good times.
/
"We're moving out! Take your positions!"
The call went out and the caravan was moving once again. Consisting of five full wagons, at least two dozen mercenaries and a five man squad of Company Rangers the caravan seemed well defended. Koriel kept his sword drawn as he and Caleb stayed by the third wagon. The squad was spread out except for Jacob who sat near the wagon driver with his Arbalest in hand. Sven and Samuel were in the back with their own crossbows.
They were careful even if the assignment was boring. It was a cold winter day, snow littered the ground. The going was a little slow but at least they were moving. They'd all be in trouble if there was a snowstorm. Or if a Wurm showed up like Sven said but it was pretty cold out. If he was right about those giant reptiles, they won't be out much due to the cold. Preacher said so, they'd be trying to warm up in a cave or something. Koriel looked to the south. They were going to avoid that area, because above the clouds had changed to a constant grey.
Lescatie...the Fallen City. it had been a few years since he had left that city and joined up with the Company. Avoiding it was the smart idea, even if it was on the fastest route there. Lescatie had once been the jewel of the Order, but no longer. Its walls were ruled now by the Fourth Princess of the Demon Realm herself. There was nothing human there anymore.
Koriel gripped the talisman around his neck. It wasn't just to show that he owed his allegiance to the Company, the talisman had a magical enhancement that kept mamono from approaching. It was a revolutionary idea thanks to Preacher Finley. Unfortunately it had a spotty reputation against some Mamono. It worked with weaker mamono like goblins or honeybees, it worked somewhat against Hornets... if you had more people with numbers. Ogres didn't care. And against the higher level mamono like Succubi or Baphomets? You might as well be trying to fight them bare handed.
Still the talisman is better than nothing. But the fortress-town of the Company had hundreds of such warding spells woven into its foundations. Koriel missed the grey walls and the contingents of soldiers that patrolled it daily. He shook his head. Now was not the time to daydream.
"Hey isn't a Centaur village around here somewhere?" Sven asked. "Shouldn't we be avoiding them too?"
"They're reasonable. So long as they leave us alone I have no problems." Caleb said. It was an attitude a lot of the Company shared with him. While they were all obviously ready to kill humans and mamono rushing in with force tended to make things harder. In addition to humans the Company could deal, albeit distantly, with reasonable mamono like Centaurs, Holstaurus, Kikimora or even Lamia. Caleb's squad had at one time helped a young, if naive, Unicorn escape from a band of slavers. Unfortunately she had latched onto the Sergeant who was already happily married. Caleb simply told her the truth when they parted ways. It was sad to watch but the Company was a bit biased on such relations with the mamono.
"Sergeant!" Jacob called. Caleb turned and looked at where the Ranger's finger was pointing. Caleb knew that silhouette instantly form the bestiary. He turned to the front and back of the convoy.
"Centaurs!! We got Centaurs coming in fast!!"
/
The lead Centaur watched the caravan carefully as the two humans dismounted from their wagon. One had the bearing of a merchant.The other human however...she narrowed her eyes as she recognized the talisman around the man's neck. He was a member of the infamous Company. It was getting harder to keep still as the pair approached. Still they were enroaching on Centaur lands and it was imperative that she knew what was going on.
"You trespass on our lands strangers! Speak now, what are you doing in such force?" She declared sternly.
"A thousand pardons milady." The merchant answered just as loud. "I am just a humble merchant seeking another route. Times are dangerous as of late and I have need of guardsmen to protect my cargo."
"I confirm his claims," Caleb's voice was stern. "And we have no quarrel with your kind. We mean no tresspass on you lands and are simply using this route to avoid the city to the south. It is quite unfriendly to humans I have heard."
/
Jacob kept his eye on the lead Centaur. It was a tense atmosphere and despite the cold Koriel found his hands sweaty underneath his gauntlets. He waited while Gregor explained the situation to the Centaurs. Despite this the squad was geared for combat. The other mercs were scared or nervous. One shot and everything would go to hell. He rolled his shoulders as the lead Centaur finally nodded, turned to her cohorts and said something. Soon enough they were off, their powerful legs taking them briskly away.
Gregor and Caleb returned to the caravan. Caleb gave Koriel a relieved smile. Koriel just nodded. No one had died or was taken away. Another day passed without incident.
Part 2
Port Town Troubles
A week had passed but they finally made it to the Port Town of Lowenbrau, one of the more influential ports that was often a destination for traders and visitors from the region of Zipangu. It was also one of the more mamono friendly towns had nothing to do with the Order. The Company was rarely seen here but the looks grated on Koriel's nerves sometimes. He had only been here once or twice and already some of the mamono and their human husbands were giving him cautious looks. Yes he was armed, that didn't mean he was one of those idiots who swaggered about claiming they were the hottest thing on the market. Koriel just waited with the rest of the squad while Gregor and Caleb worked out the price for the guard duty. They were all cold, tired but nonetheless happy that they had made it back alive.
It had started snowing again so that meant they were going to have to stay for a while. Koriel was looking forward to some hot food, an ale and an actual bed for once. While he did miss the amenities at the Company's fortress town any inn was fine.
Lowenbrau had been established in order to easier reach the far lands of Zipangu. Ships came and went and the markets were always stocked with Western goods and also had a number of Zipangu goods for sale. The Gyoubu Danuki that populated the Eastern markets were shrewd though and had a tendency to "accidentally" sell food that monsterized women. One had to be careful in that part of town. Regardless, it was a cheerful port town and the ale was good. Lowenbrau Salted Pork and Roasted Beef was also a local favorite. For cuisine that belonged to the East a Zipangu drink known as Sake was also quite popular among the native sailors and travellers alike alongside the famous noodle dish called "ramen." Because of this crossing of cultures, Lowenbrau is often considered the first taste of the East for Western travellers and vice versa for Zipangu natives heading into the West.
/
The inn, aptly named The Blessed Barrel, was loud and boisterous but the squad of Company Rangers were suitably left alone. Caleb raised his ale, "To another successful assignment," he said before downing the mug of ale. Koriel and the others raised their mugs in agreement. Koriel immediately went to tuck into the food. The fish and the beef was great but he also made sure to savor the carrots and the potatoes as well. All he had eaten was game alongside salted meats and it would be good to have some vegetables. He chowed down while the others watched with mild fascination.
"What?"
Sven just looked away while Samuel sniggered into his shirtsleeve. Jacob asked for a refill from one of the servant girls, a Kikimora judging from the feathers on her wrists. Caleb kept an eye out. While the sergeant liked to drink like any other mercenary worth his salt, he was still an Order soldier at heart. Koriel finished his food and was just about to call for more ale when something interesting happened.
A woman that surely must be a Troll mamono and her husband were arguing about something but from the way their eyes kept glancing in their direction something must be up. They decided and walked up together. The Troll looked rather scared as she gripped her husband's arm tightly and hid her face behind his shoulders. The man looked like a former soldier but it was clear that he was a farmer.
"Excuse me sirs, could I have a moment of your time?" The man asked looking nervous. "I know you're Company men."
"Aye, we are." Sven answered with a friendly smile. "What can we do for you and your fair lady there?"
"Ashur, I don't think this is a good idea..." The Troll whispered in her husband's ear.
"I know Mary, but it's the only way." Ashur whispered back. He faced Caleb and cleared his throat. "I have need of your services."
"How much?" Caleb asked taking a draught of ale. "The Company's services always require a price. Be it gold or steel, so make it reasonable."
"I have the gold." Ashur the farmer said looking impatient. "It's about our daughter. She went missing."
/
Caleb turned to all of them. Koriel just shrugged his shoulders. Jacob nodded his head. Sven and Samuel gave their assents silently. Sven's grin didn't exactly reach his eyes. The Sergeant turned back to Ashur and Mary. "Do you have any information on your daughter?"
"She's...well like Mary and she is a bit headstrong sometimes." Ashur answered. "There are bandits that roam around this area. Incidents are rare but they happen." The look on the farmer's face said a lot. He didn't want this to happen to anyone at all. Koriel thought about what he said though.
Bandits...With roving mamono the roads are quite dangerous and mercenary work often consisted of guarding merchant caravans from hostile raiders and wild mamono. It was surprising to say the least. "Where was your daughter last seen?" Koriel asked.
"Last week..." Mary answered looking very distressed as she wrung her large hands. She looked very troubled. "She- She said she went to go get some herbs in the forest a few miles north of here. She never came back..." Ashur crushed her to his side with his arm.
"Gear up." Caleb said as he stood finishing his ale. Ashur and Mary moved to the side, their eyes wide. "We're moving out boys."
/
The guards said nothing as the Company Rangers moved out of the gate and headed into the forest. All five of them wore their hoods over their heads to ward off the cold. They pushed on through the snow, Koriel was in the lead. He was sharp and quick on his feet. Caleb was next. Samuel and Sven took the middle, Jacob was the rearguard, his arbalest in hand.
Koriel eventually found something: A crown that was made of flowers. It was enough to fit on a small girl's head. This must have belonged to Ashur's daughter. It was going to be difficult to search, especially since the snow covered the grass. Koriel scanned the area again. It was quiet, the clouds above were making it darker and well...he didn't like it.
Far too creepy for his liking. "We need torches Sergeant." Koriel said to Caleb who nodded. Sven got to work.
"Any clues?" Caleb asked.
"Apart from the flower crown? No." Koriel answered his breath misting in the air. "It's going to be a long search, Sergeant."
"Damn." Caleb swore. "Let's head in, we might as well try and find her." The Rangers headed in deeper into the forest.
None of them noticed the small eyeball following them from the side.
/
Mansion on the borders of Lescatie, the Fallen City
"Ah...That's him..." The Succubus sitting on her throne watched her magic crystal eagerly as it focused on the average looking young man that led his companions into the forest. "And to think, lover...You would run from me in Lescatie."
The mamono was a tall, statuesque beauty with pale skin. Her red eyes gleamed cruelly in the dimness of the old mansion. She was clothed in simple robes but in the light it would briefly show she had almost nothing on. Her tail swished eagerly.
"Ah...dearest Koriel..." She whispered huskily. "I will have you...whether you want it or not..."
/
"Sergeant, patrol." Koriel whispered. "Two men..."
"Take positions around them. Sven make sure the one on the left doesn't get away. Samuel, Koriel flank. Jacob on my signal kill the one on the right." Jacob readied his Arbalest as the rest of the squad took their position.
Caleb watched his men get into position secretly flanking the two man patrol he gave Jacob the signal. The Ranger raised his arbalest, leaning it on his pavise shield. He took aim and let the oversized bolt fly. The bandit on the right simply flew backwards from the force of the heavy bolt punching into his body. His buddy looked around as he drew his weapon only for Koriel to bash him in the back of the head with the hilt of his sword.
"Truss him up," Koriel said to Samuel. "We've got a lot to talk about..."
Part 3
The Long Walk
Lescatie, five years ago...
"Koriel..." The mamono was smiling. But he recognized her. Oh Gods...was that who he thought it was? That one noblewoman in Lescatie who usually lived alone? He never did get her name. She was lonely and the routes Koriel took to get to the market usually ended up passing by her mansion.
The youth gulped as he began to back away. She smiled softly. "Don't run...It's okay...I won't hurt you." She tried to assure him. It was hard because the bodies of the two guards Father had with him were on the floor of their small hosue. Koriel just held his only weapon, a carving knife, in front of him.
She just laughed. It was understandable. She was a mamono, he was just a boy with a six inch carving knife. The succubus walked over, her gait was slow and Koriel did not miss the gentle sway of her hips.
"Master Koriel!!" A guard burst in and stared. The succubus smiled at him. That was more than enough for Koriel to cut all his losses and just run the hell away. The youth burst into a fast run, surprising even the powerful mamono. He rammed the guard aside, leaving him to his eventual fate. Koriel didn't care anymore. He wanted to live, stay human. He heard the stories about the Succubi from the Order soldiers, the Order who did nothing to protect the Ventris Caravans and his father who had died in the now burning market. Well, screw them too.
"Halt!!" An Order Soldier held up his hand. "Citizens-" Koriel's knife bit deep into his side as the fear-crazed youth lashed out at the second guard with a kick to the groin. The Order guard gasped for breath while his buddy went down holding his groin. Koriel's dark eyes blazed with desperation as he continued fleeing. He would get out of this city, anyone who stood in his way was dead...
/
Caliban, Fortress of the Company, present time.
Koriel's eyes opened. He had not thought about Lescatie for a while now. Yawning, Koriel stood up and walked outside of his quarters in the Ranger's Tower of Caliban, the home of the Company. Situated on a great hill the Fortress of Caliban was built overand around the old ruins of a village that had been abandoned long ago. It started out as an armed camp but within the span of about five years it has grown into a formidable fortress and, for some, the only home that members of the Company has ever known. With over five hundred musketeers plus supporting infantrymen, Caliban was well defended. In addition to its physical defenses, Caliban was also surrounded by hundreds of magical wards that kept Mamono away. It worked for a lot of Mamono but Logan Preacher and his cohort of wizards grimly joked that "they would at least give the Demon Lord and her daugters the sniffles before they flattened the entire fortress."
The Ranger's Tower was a solemn addition to Caliban. It was here that those who aspired to be part of the Rangers would start their training. Unlike the regular troops of the Company who were the Hammer and Anvil the Rangers were the daggers in the dark. A dark humored lot, the Rangers knew they could be dead within a day or worse taken by the monster girls that prowled the lands so it was understandable.
Koriel ended up in the mess hall, looking for his squad. There they were in the corner eating breakfast. He went to grab himself several biscuits and a large bowl of hot stew. He sat down and began to devour his breakfast.
"Having fun there?" Sven's comment was humorous. Koriel didn't care, so he liked eating. Caleb offered him his wineskin.
"Where are we headed next?" Koriel asked after taking a swig of wine.
"On patrol, we're headed into the West this time." Caleb said waving a letter in the air. "Looks like some noblewoman's husband has disappeared. We're going to go get him."
Next Edit will continue part three...