{Alex}

  My wolf came together as Boss wrote others for my needed cores. It would take time for the cores to get here and longer for me to make my wolf. In my spare time, I started playing with names. Night Stalker? No. Fenrir? No. Last Shadow? Nope. Nightmare Fang. Too wordy. Nothing seemed to fit. I pictured a pack of black wolf mechs running through the woods to take out a Knight. I had to focus and get back to work.

  The frame of the tail only took a day to get ready, it was mainly just a counterbalance to the body. The head would only take a few days. The trick being running the vision plates to the cockpit. I even hooked up a speaker to the mouth with a programmed howl that Hunter was nice enough to get for me. Testing it inside may not be advisable but would have been funny. All tests would have to wait until winter or so I was reminded every day from everyone. Boss was now making me take two days off a week and I was starting to enjoy my days off if not get annoyed by them at the same time. Uta had not joined us again, but I was hopeful.

  The other caravan came in, left quickly and left behind my shiny cores. I was able to make and test the twin engine. I took the two cores to the engine and hooked them in place after Summoner confirmed them to be the right type. One male and one female dire wolf was ready for their first test. I took a deep breath, moved to the cockpit and let it out slowly as I sat in the makeshift seat. Moment of truth. I crossed my fingers and flicked the on switch. Please don’t blow up. The displays came on and a low thrum started through the wolf. It was heartbeat. I started screaming with joy as I flailed in the seat. Boss came out and smiled up at my wolf as the eyes started glowing a deep red. Meathead cheered and clapped as he slapped Boss on the shoulder.

  “Fucking hell, Runt.” Boss said in amazement.

  “Meathead, get your dumb ass up here now.” I yelled down to him. He quickly climbed the scaffolding up to me and moved to the seat when I got up. “Now, turn the head. I want to test it out now that we have some mana to play with. His hands fit the controls perfectly as he started going through his start up procedure.

  “I don’t see any useless systems.” He said leaning over the console.

  “Why would I put something useless in?” I asked in outrage. I wasn’t a fucking idiot. He turned the head, looking around and it moved smoothly. It worked like a dream. “So smooth. I can’t wait to test it.” He said, his hands were running over the controls.

  “I have a favor to ask.” I said, not sure who else to talk to. He looked over at me and beamed.

  “I’d be happy to be your best man.” He said, clapping me on the back. WHAT THE FUCK!! I inwardly screamed. I wasn’t going to marry Lily, Uta and Yen yet. What do I mean by yet? What do I mean by all three? “Relax, I was kidding.” He said laughing like a fool.

  “I was hoping you could train Gen to pilot one of these things. I suck at it and he needs to learn.” Much to my shock Meathead got excited and started bouncing in his cockpit. It looked weird and made me feel funny.

  “Sure. I’d love to have a squire.” He said beaming.

  “Thank you, now test the sled.” I said pushing the button for it. Much to my shock and joy the chair dropped to the ground sliding smoothly on the rail. I didn’t expect it to move so quickly through and Meathead went rolling across the bay. I laughed and went to the catwalk. The legs would only take a week or so and then I would have to wait until the last caravan had come and gone before we could start testing. My mind was still going in circles about the names and weapons.

  Gen came to work with me the next morning and sat at a training table that I had made for testing. The controls were more like the Knights had as it helped me work out what was useful or not. Gen looked around in amazement at everything. “So, Gen, what do you think of your big brother’s work?” I asked, beaming with pride. His mouth was open as he tried to look everywhere at once. I don’t even think he heard me. Gorloth was laughing as he watched the small boy. Meathead came up to us and looked down at Gen, a huge smile on the idiots face.

  “Welcome Gen. Are you ready to train with me?” He asked, clapping the boy on the shoulder. Gen just nodded as Meathead escorted him to the table. I had to alter his controls so he could reach everything, and I started making notes. Maybe I could test cockpit designs at the training table. My mind went to fighter pilot simulators, and I wondered if I could mimic that and add the movement. It was a fun idea to play with, but could I make a camera small enough to fit in a Doll? Maybe if I made a 1/100 or 1/60 scale. The larger scale would even give me the ability to put in small, almost useless wands. My mind was racing as Meathead started speaking. Pulling a Doll off the rack, I started stretching it out. How small could I make it to put in a mana camera and allow the neck to move? At some point I had moved to one of the free consoles and a pile of metal and Manawire had been placed on the table in front of me. A sound came to me, and I looked around.

  Meathead was training Gen and the sound that had broken my concentration was Gen answering him. Much to my surprise Meathead was extremely professional and explained everything and what switch did what, how things worked and even started the lad off moving blocks like he did at home with pointers. Gen would just nod and stick his tongue out of the corner of his mouth. When this would happen, Meathead would laugh.

  “You are just like your big brother.” Meathead said with a laugh. I frowned at him.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, not liking the idea of doing something I didn’t know I was doing.

  “When you are really into working on small things, you stick your tongue out. That might be where the boy picked it up.” The big man said with his normal goofy grin.

  “I do not.” I looked around to see Gorloth and Battery nodding. When had Battery gotten here? I shook my head and went back to work on my newest idea only to find my tongue sliding to the counter of my mouth. I sucked it back in as the others laughed. Meathead shook his head and turned back to a smiling Gen.

  “Young Gen, you are going to be the best Knight Commander this world has ever seen if you listen to me.” Meathead said proudly, I blinked at him.

  “Knight Commander?” I asked. Meathead nodded looking over at me as I was taking notes and tinkering.

  “Commander. I know you say that pilot thing and I don’t know what that means, but Commander is the actual term for those of us who command Knights.” Interesting. “Gen what do Knight Commanders do?” Meathead asked, crossing his arms.

  “We chase off bad monsters, keep everyone safe.” Gen said, looking over at me.

  “That we do. You want to be one when you grow up?” Meathead asked as I nodded at the huge man. Gen just frowned and looked at his doll sadly.

  “I can’t. Beast people can’t be Knight Com-ders” Gen said sadly. FUCK THAT IN THE ASS!! This boy was going to be an ungodly weapon and I would make sure he had the best Knight this world would ever see. Meathead frowned and loomed over him.

  “Says who? Whoever said that to you is an idiot and should be flattened into the ground.” He took a breath as Gen looked into his eyes. “Look Gen, what do you think your big brother brought you here for?” Gen just looked between me and Meathead. “He wants to build you a Knight.” He said pointing at me. I just crossed my arms and smiled with pride. The idiot gets it. “Why would he make you one if he wasn’t going to let you command it?” Gen just looked at the two of us and started laughing, bouncing in his seat with joy. Worth it. Seeing Gen smile made dealing with Meathead all worth it.

  “I can Com-der?” Gen said, somehow mimicking an old meme I love. Yes Gen, you can has cheezburger. I thought with a laugh. Meathead ruffled his hair and smiled as the boy beamed up at him. Did Meathead have kids? It would explain how he was so good with Gen. I made a small note about it. How little I knew about the big man or Boss, Battery or Gorloth. I made a note to find out and went back to tinkering.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “You are already better than half the Commanders I know.” Meathead said, putting his hands on his hips.

  “That isn’t saying much. Half of them are complete idiots.” I said with a scoff. Meathead laughed and went back to training Gen. I just made notes, tinkered and watched them. Some of the controls were not just useless, but pointless. It could easily be done with sub switches and streamlining things. This did mean I’d have to remake some of the controls and if a pilot was going to be in the seat for hours, it might be a good idea to make a leather chair, cotton or wool padding, and springs to give support. I talked with Hunter about it, and he was able to get things worked up so I could make a prototype of it. Just on a whim I’d make Boss a nice office chair just so he could test it out. My prototype was coming together, but I would have to work out the idea with Boss to make sure it was something he could spare the room for. Gorloth had taken a seat at the table and was resting his head on his arms as he watched Gen.

  As I stood there sketching and muttering under my breath, Gen started stacking blocks around the table. He had a knack for it. I sighed not really sure what was going on with me. I felt a strange feeling in my chest. I knew I wasn’t attracted to Gen, but a deep feeling in my chest started. It was love, but not the same love I had for Lily, Uta and Yen. This was a deep love that told me I would break this world if anyone threatened him. He had become my child, my responsibility and joy. It was something new and wonderful and having him learn here was a joy I never knew I needed.

  When we were done for the day Lily and Uta came to pick us up. They both smiled at the boundless energy and excitement that Gen seemed to have. I couldn’t help myself and picked the boy up to ride on my shoulders. At first, he was scared, but soon was giving out playful screams as we walked. Lily hooked an arm under my right side, and I turned to kiss the top of her head. Uta got jealous and did the same on the left and got the same kiss. Tailor waved at us with a sweet smile as we passed. Gen waved back and she giggled at him. This place may have been named properly after all. Yes, the people were harsh, but it was a happy valley to me now. I thought with a smile.

  {Mayor Tonance Fos De Gorloala}

  He was walking home when Honseter Fes Vontonre stormed up to him. It was the end of the day for the love of the gods and now he had to deal with her. “Mayor Gorloala. We have a major issue in this town. The men of this town are spending too much time at the inn and today I saw that beast Alex walking around with those animals clinging to him. They were acting like his lovers. It was inappropriate and something needs to be done.” She said in a huff of indignation. Tonance sighed and tried to walk around her.

  “If you feel strongly about this, bring it up at the town meeting next spring.” He said. She had reached his last nerve as he liked what was going on in his town. She huffed and sputtered as he kept walking. He was tired and really wanted to have a hot bath with his hotter wife. The thought made him smile and she ran off muttering under his breath. Tonance kept walking, enjoying the cooler weather. She was mildly right. A lot of his people were spending their time in the inn, but it actually seemed to be helping his town. People were working harder to earn the coins needed to play and drink. This allowed Innkeeper to buy more things to make his establishment nicer and provide more drinks and food. He looked around his town and saw all the shops were a little cleaner, the streets seemed a little nicer and everyone, well almost everyone, seemed happier. When had this happened? When had his town become so lively?

  On entering his house, he hung up his coat and smiled as his wife danced up to him. She was only a few years younger, but seemed to have more energy lately. He doubted it was just the bath they enjoyed, but more that the town was filled with a new hope that had been missing. “How was your day, my love?” She asked, kissing his cheek. He pulled her close and showed her how much he cared for her mild greeting. When they pulled apart, she was blushing and giggling like when they had first met.

  “My day was nice. How was your day my love?” He asked giving her ass a playful slap before she could pull away.

  “Mine was good, Tailor told me that she was able to get more fabric and Baker is testing new recipes.” She said as she pulled away and he followed the amazing woman into the dining room. “The bath is ready unless you’d rather have dinner or maybe you’d like me first?” He shook at her words and chased her to the bedroom.

  He lay in bed that night next to his woman, tucked under his arm. Yep, Alex was a nice addition to this town, and he would have to take steps to make sure the young man stayed with them for as long as he could. If this is what he could do in a few months, what would it be like after a year?

  {Gorloth Uthontho, Blood Blade son of Redacted}

  Blood Blade woke in his bed, Wildflower tucked under his arm and he felt satisfied. She was badly scarred, tortured by the humans who owned her before. He didn’t see the scars. All he saw was a loving woman, who had a good heart, amazing cooking skills and a playful nature that warmed his heart. She was a thing of true beauty and he loved her with all of his heart.

  He kissed her head and got up. It was cold being this far north and he wished he was back home, but he was needed here. Maybe someday he could see his family again. Maybe on that day he and Wildflower would be free. For now, he would just work with Runt. A slight smile lit his face as he thought of the strange man. Both a genius and an idiot all at the same time. Both friendly and cold, he was a walking contradiction and Blood Blade was happy to call him friend.

  After cleaning up in the bathroom, he looked in the mirror at his cracked tusk. It was a mark of shame, but also something that would mean all the more with what he had planned. This was going to hurt, but it needed to be done. He grabbed a stolen pair of pliers he had gotten from work and wrapped it around his tusk. Taking a deep breath, he pulled, ripping the tooth from his jaw. At his howl of pain, Wildflower ran to his side, a worried look in her eye. “You fool, what did you do?” She screamed in orc. Blood Blade spit out a mouthful of blood and held a cloth to the bleeding hole. He growled in pain as he looked at his love.

  “Runt is a war chief.” he said, holding up the broken tooth. “Will you help me make it?” She frowned at him and touched his cheek in a way that made him smile. That was a mistake, but worth it to see the look in her eye.

  “I will. He earned it, but you should have talked to me first. What name are you going to give him?” She asked taking the tusk from him. Blood Blade smiled through the pain as he pulled his woman into a hug.

  “Redeemer. Weird one.” He grunted. She laughed lightly as she slapped his chest.

  “Seems fitting.” She said over her shoulder as she went to the kitchen using a knife to begin to grind the hole. “When you are done doing foolish things, let me know what you want for lunch.” She said looking back at him as he walked up behind her to hold her around the middle. She giggled as he kissed her neck just under the collar. She lifted one scarred hand to scratch his chin. “If you keep it up, we may be late again.” She scolded with a playful smile. He laughed into her neck taking her scent into his nose and mouth.

  “I will have to make it up to you tonight for making you worry.” He had a cloth tucked into his lip, slightly muffling his words, but she got the idea. She kissed his cheek and hummed happily. She held his hands and rocked slightly, holding his arms. When the time was right, they got dressed and headed to Runt’s house.

  “What do you think of Gen?” She asked slyly. He never knew where her mind was going, it was one of the many things he loved about her.

  “I like the child. Runt is raising him to be strong and smart. He will be a strong warrior and maybe even his own war chief one day.” Blood blade said looking up at the cloudy sky. It was starting to snow and he was grateful Runt insisted he buy them winter clothing. Gorloth was enjoying the heavy linen shirt and pants. Some of the people were wearing coats, but the winds weren't bad today. Maybe it would get colder. He didn't like the idea. Maybe Runt would know. He was always thinking of others over his own needs just like a War Chief should.

  “Do you like children?” She asked, looking at him sideways. He puffed watching the steam rise from his mouth. The snow was sticking to Wildflower’s hair, and it somehow made her look even more beautiful. His heart began to pick up as she talked. It was clear where her mind was and he had always wanted a family, but until now had never met a woman he thought was strong enough to build one with.

  “I love children. They are the future and a blessing on the world.” He said as he pulled her closer to him. She bumped his hip and laughed nervously.

  “So, you would want one of your own?” She asked as she started to shake. He stopped, turning to her blinking.

  “Are you saying what I think you are saying?” he asked, his heart fluttering with excitement. Surely, she wasn’t. She just looked at his feet, nodded once and blushed madly. He roared and lifted her into a huge hug, kissing her hard, reopening the hole where his tooth had been. It hurt badly, he tasted blood, but didn’t care at all. He was going to be a dad. This was the best day of his life. She just laughed and slapped his chest.

  “Get off me you troll. We have things to do today.” She said always being the voice of reason. He beamed and held her close.

  “Thank you for giving me this gift.” He said, his mind already going through what he needed to do to bind their souls. He would do it in a few days and would ask Runt for permission as soon as he could. He just hugged her, feeling a deep love for her and their growing child. Runt would make sure their child would be free even if they couldn’t. Runt was a war chief, and he would protect them. That is what war chiefs do or at least that is what orc war chiefs do. Runt should have been born with tusks and green skin as he acted more orc. The fact that he was human and acted like he did was just wrong.