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A Monster Life Ch. 04-06

*Sooner than expected but here's the next episode. ;-)

It's great to see this idea of mine getting read and commented on so much. :-)

In this episode Iphigenia and Ulric have to deal with an elf knight, wizards, and some frustration.

*

04 - Winter City

Iphigenia and Ulric breathed hard when she pulled her bloody sword out of the last slain goblin's stomach with a wet squelch. They had stumbled upon the group on their way to Winter City. She examined the chipped blade of her sword and frowned. 'I'm going to need this fixed or a new one soon.'

Ulric hummed and watched the dead bodies scattered around them while his deadly spines turned back to soft fur. 'In the games in my world killed persons and animals and so on would drop loot like magical weapons occasionally. Maybe there's something here?'

She chuckled. 'This isn't a game for kids, this is real life. The only thing goblins or other lower demon folk drop is junk.' she said wiping her sword with a rag. 'Weapons like that are few and expensive. And the skill of the one wielding it is more important in a fight. All the magic in the world won't help when you don't know how to fight.'

He nodded. 'Yeah, it always did sound too convenient to me.' he said and picked up a thin straight stick from the ground near his feet. It was dirty and worn from old age but it was lighter than he expected it to be. He examined it closer and it didn't look more than a battered piece of wood that probably had seen better days at the hand of the original owner as a cane, but the light weight was peculiar to him. It didn't budge as he tried to bend it.

She came up close to him. 'What's this?'

'It's a lot lighter and stronger than I thought it would be.' he said and handed it to her.

She weighted and tried to bend it. 'I don't know of any wood like this.'

'The goblin tried to hit me with it, maybe it's a special kind of club.'

She chuckled. 'I doubt it. I think it might have been a part of some construction and ended up like this.' she said.

He nodded. 'It might be useful in a fight though. Even though I have these spines it's not like I can keep them at a distance. Since this is very strong it might be useful to hit enemies with it.'

'I'll take it with me and you can try it next time.' she said and tied it to her belt with a piece of rope, then smiled at him. 'Right now I'm in need for some restoring of my tallies.'

He chuckled and smiled back at her. 'I'm thinking I received the best ability a man could have. Although I'm no man anymore.'

She cupped his cheek as she pressed her body against him. 'You might be again one day, but being a bloodwolf is exciting in its own way.' she said and kissed him.

He answered her kiss by holding her and accepting her invitation at embracing her tongue. Since that first time they realised Iphigenia received full health and a boost to her numbers after they had sex not a day went by they hadn't done it at least once.

Ulric pulled back. 'Lets find a place a little better suited than this.' he said and chuckled.

She grinned. 'Agreed.' she said, took his paw and walked with him for a while until they found a quiet place.

Iphigenia undressed and used a rag with water from her water skin to clean up dirty patches in Ulric's fur and he did the same to clean her skin and cuts. The touch of his strong but gentle paws along her back, her legs, and her front were enough to heat up her whole being from the inside and she ground her abdomen against him as she kissed him again. 'I want you deep in me.' she whispered in his mouth and stroked his hot erection.

He laid her down into the cool grass and his tongue slipped all over her breasts and hard nipples. She hummed in pleasure while stroking his head and large ears and moaned at the first hits of lightning inside her abdomen when he stroked the length of her slit and pressed her sensitive nub with his fingers.

'It feels so good when you do this.' she moaned. 'So much better than when I did it myself.'

He smiled and bit gently on her nipple to force a squeal out of her. 'It always feels better when someone else does it.' he said and squeezed her whole mound.

She panted and pulled up his face. 'I don't want to wait any longer. Take me right now.'

He grinned at her. 'With pleasure.' he said and sat up on his knees. 'Show me that pretty behind of yours.'

She giggled and rolled over on her hands and knees and held up her tight round buns to him. 'I'm all yours, my sweet wolf.' she breathed as she looked back at him. 'Fill me up as much as you want.'

He grabbed her hips and rubbed his tip through her slit. 'You're so hot I can't think of anything else to do.' he said and she moaned as he slid easily inside her tight but wet mound

She moaned more and grabbed the grass in her fists while waves of heat washed through her body with each of his deep thrusts. Her abdomen tightened to clamp his hard dick and experience the full sensation, and pushed her behind hard against his furry hips. 'Give it all to me.' she moaned. 'I can't get enough of you.'

Ulric's abdomen tightened more from the urge to flood her body with his seed and grunted with every thrust. 'I wish we could do this all day and night.' he said and pressed deep into her depths. The pressure between them couldn't be high enough to not want more and he ground hard against her mound and tight behind while she pushed herself hard against him.

Iphigenia sensed him tensing to fill her and his balls tightened to release their contents in a fiery explosion. She moaned hard and he growled hard in anticipation.

'DAMNED PIECE OF SHIT!' a female voice cried out and a knight burst out from the bushes near them.

Ulric barely evaded the sword the knight slashed at him by jumping back. He rolled away from a subsequent stab and righted himself up on all fours with his spines straight up to face the armoured female standing between him and Iphigenia. 'Who are you!?' he snarled.

The knight grabbed her sword tighter. 'I'll kill you! Raping an innocent woman!' she said and charged at him.

He couldn't bring himself to hit a women, even if she attacked him, and ran away while she slashed at him. 'Wait! Don't aim that thing right there!' he yelped while protecting his crotch and tucking his tail in tight.

He stumbled over a hidden root and ended up on his back. The knight pointed her sword at his dick but tried not to look at it. 'I'll cut that disgusting thing off!'

'No!' cried Iphigenia and jumped the knight from behind.

The knight lost her footing. 'What are you doing!?' she said and stumbled onto the ground with Iphigenia holding onto her. Ulric didn't hesitate and pinned down her arms.

'What do you think you're doing!?' Iphigenia said.

'I tried to save you! Are you nuts!?'

Iphigenia laughed while the knight wondered if she was crazy. She took a deep breath. 'You didn't save me, idiot! But I do understand.'

The knight stared at the bloodwolf's glare. 'But he raped you!'

Iphigenia chuckled. 'No he didn't.' she said and smiled at him. 'He's my lover.'

The knight's heart stopped for a beat. 'But he's a bloodwolf!'

'Yes and no. If you won't attack us we'll explain.'

The knight nodded after a moment and sighed. 'All right, let's hear it.'

Ulric moved back and Iphigenia released her so they could sit back. Iphigenia ruffled her hair in frustration at the interruption. She was so close to her climax. 'Ulric's not really a bloodwolf. At least not inside. He was summoned by a wizard before I could stop him but his mind is that of a man who was summoned accidentally at the same time.'

The knight watched the big bloodwolf glaring at her. 'That's, quite extraordinary.'

'I know, I didn't believe it all at first but he proved he's no demon to me.'

The knight relaxed a little. 'All right. If it wasn't true you could have tried to kill me by now so I'll trust you for now.' the knight said, pulled off her helmet and Ulric stared at the blonde elf before him. He'd only seen the depiction in movies and series but it lacked the beauty of the real thing. This one was so much more real. 'I'm Elzbieta, knight of Winter City.'

Iphigenia gestured at Ulric. 'Ulric from a country far away, and I'm Iphigenia, adventurer.'

Elzbieta tried not to look at either Ulric and Iphigenia. 'So you weren't assaulted like it seemed.'

Iphigenia shook her head and blushed as she looked at Ulric. 'Things happened.'

Elzbieta sighed. 'I don't need to know but this is still unnatural, even if he has the mind of a man. I can't allow such immoral behaviour on Winter City's territory.' she said and backed off quickly at a snarl from Ulric.

Iphigenia put her hand on his paw. 'He said it's people like you who force their narrow morals on others who cause no harm are the ones that create so much suffering in his country. If you try that on us he will fight you.'

A cold shiver ran down Elzbieta's spine at his penetrating glare. 'But it's not normal!'

'Normal is letting nature take it's course, not being confined to small minds craving power over others.' Iphigenia said. 'And I think he's right.'

Elzbieta sighed. 'All right then. I won't get in your way but you should be more aware of your surroundings. There was a large group of goblins around here.'

Iphigenia nodded. 'We know, we took them down.

Elzbieta's eyes grew big. 'Wait, you killed them!?'

Iphigenia nodded. 'We did.'

'How!? Are you that strong!?'

Iphigenia shrugged. 'Thanks to Ulric.'

Elzbieta gazed at the large bloodwolf. 'I shouldn't be surprised actually. I'm not sure what to report back though.'

Iphigenia chuckled. 'He said just report you killed them yourself. He doesn't want to draw any attention.'

Elzbieta nodded after a moment. 'Then I will. It's why I was sent here in the first place.' she said. 'But I still need to know why you are here.'

Iphigenia nodded. 'We're going to Winter City to see if the council knows how to sent Ulric back to his own life.'

'I see. Then I won't get in your way, but I warn you, the current troubles with demons won't make it easy to get into the city.'

'We'll tackle that hurdle when we're there.'

Elzbieta stood up. 'Then I can only wish you good luck. I'll be on my way to check on another rumoured group of demons.'

Iphigenia nodded. 'Then good luck with that.' she said and she and Ulric watched her disappear into the forest. She sighed and snuggled up to him. 'The fire was squelched but I still want to enjoy a nap with you.'

He smiled and cuddled her. 'Of course.' he said and they crawled close together to rest.

***

Light snow fell when Iphigenia and Ulric came near Winter City and the view from a low hill revealed the white landscape surrounding it. The city itself was one tall heap of white roofs and towers inside a high wall and a variety of dwellings scattered around it. Ulric noticed few farms but he figured they couldn't grow much in this weather anyway.

'I think it might be best if I enter the city on my own first and speak to the council so they don't panic at the sight of you.' Iphigenia said.

Ulric nodded. 'Yeah, I agree.'

She pointed at a shed and trees to the side of the city. 'There's an abandoned place there where we can stay in the meantime.'

They took a detour to avoid going near any of the dwellings and arrived at the wooden shed sheltered at the back and one side by pine trees. One of the large doors stood askew and the opening was large enough to enter. Inside was nothing more than a stray bush growing underneath the light shining through holes in the roof and a sand heap in one corner.

'Cosy.' Ulric said.

Iphigenia chuckled. 'At least it provides some shelter from the worst weather.'

He stared at a mouse to the side. 'And the occasional light snack.' he muttered and the mouse scurried off.

She kissed him after placing her pack on the sand heap. 'Be a good boy until I'm back.' she giggled.

He smacked her behind lightly. 'Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you return before I get the urge to come looking for you.'

Iphigenia walked along the wall to the large gates at the front of the city. The thick iron bars and heavy wooden doors had never been needed for defence though, no one had been foolish enough to attack a place which housed several of the strongest wizards in the world. She stopped at a guard to show her identification card but it was more a force of habit since she'd seen her more often.

'Hello there.' the woman in sturdy leather holding a halberd said. 'Long time no see.'

'Hello.' said Iphigenia. 'Had lots of work to the south but I came across something I need the council's advice on.'

The guard nodded. 'All right. They're open right now so go ahead.'

Iphigenia walked along the broad and bustling main street towards the council building. No matter how many times she'd been here, she was still amazed at how many vendors lined the street and all the wares they peddled. From food to weapons and toys to magical items, she could find anything here. She went through the talking and shouting crowd and the many smells and wondered how Ulric would experience it with his bloodwolf senses, until she reached the square in front of the council building adorned with a flock of gargoyles. The dark stone front wasn't very inviting and few people had actually sought out the council's help for fear of catching their wrath for what they might see as trivial matters. Iphigenia took a deep breath. She didn't come for a petty request, that she was sure of. She walked up the wide steps to the dark wooden doors and sensed other people glancing at her. It seemed the crowd became a little less noisy. The doors opened on their own to a dark hallway and after a brief hesitation she entered.

And blinked at the spacious and bright pillared hall with brilliant crystal chandeliers overhead and relaxing music in the background. A broad white front desk with green plants and colourful flowers at the side and a woman with an equally cheerful smile and outfit awaited her. 'Good day.' she chirped. 'Can I help you?'

Iphigenia moved closer. 'Ehm, yeah. It's about someone I met while subjugating a rogue mage. He had been summoned by accident and would like to return home.'

'Does he have trouble travelling?'

'He's not exactly from around here.'

'Oh? He'd have to go a long way then?'

Iphigenia shook her head. 'It's more that he's from another world.'

The receptionist's eyes flinched for a split second. 'Another world?'

Iphigenia nodded.

'That's new. Never heard of that before. But maybe I can make an appointment with one of the wizards who'd like to examine that possibility. The person in question can explain why he thinks he's from another world then.'

Iphigenia drummed with her fingertips on the desk. 'That's also a troublesome matter.'

'How so?'

'He's not human.'

'No problem, we help dwarves and elves as well. Or is he a halfling?'

'Actually,' Iphigenia said and glanced around. 'he was summoned into the body of a demon.'

'Demon?'

Iphigenia nodded. 'A bloodwolf to be precise.'

The woman's smile wavered just briefly. 'A, bloodwolf.'

Iphigenia nodded again.

The woman picked up a copper tube with a thin hose connected to a wooden box with symbols on buttons. 'Excuse me while I'll see who's available.'

Iphigenia eyes wandered around the hall while tapping one finger to the music and hearing the hushed conversation on the other side of the desk.

The woman smiled again as she put down the tube. 'Grand Wizard Vittorio can see you now. He suggests you go to the side entrance to the city where you can wait to be picked up.'

Iphigenia smiled back at her. 'Thank you.' she said and left. Outside she looked back as the doors closed but it still looked dark and menacing beyond them.

05 - The Wizards

Ulric had dug a shallow hollow into the sand heap and curled up to take a nap but was disturbed by growling, yelping, and grunts. He peeked through a broken board to see an older man carrying a little girl and swinging his sword at a pack of wild dogs. He kept them at a distance and wounded some but Ulric knew the man couldn't defeat them while he was burdened with the child. He sighed as he saw no other option and rushed outside.

The girl cried out when she saw the furious black beast storming at them. The man turned and cursed at his misfortune, and prepared to clash with the demon. It snarled and the dogs froze. The man gripped his sword tight and hoped the fatal moment would be quick but the beast turned on the dogs and took them out with several hard bites and crushing blows with its paws.

When the last surviving dog ran off yelping, the bloodwolf spat on the ground and turned its head towards him. He inhaled sharply and held up his sword. The wolf just stared at him for a moment, then casually walked away leaving him dumbfounded. The girl stared at the wolf and rubbed her eyes. 'Thank you!' she shouted.

Ulric looked back at her, gave her a nod and continued back to the shed glad he'd been able to save an innocent young life.

By the time Iphigenia returned he had barely slept but her news gave him hope. 'You think we can trust them not to lure me into a trap?'

She nodded. 'They've never betrayed the people so I'm sure we can trust them.'

He nodded. 'All right then, let's go meet this wizard.'

Henry, the guard on duty at the side entrance of the city yawned. He leaned on the barrier of the doorway and stared into the boredom of the path leading away. Hardly anyone used this entrance and being a guard here was boring. Then again he didn't mind much because he was also lazy. No visitors meant no trouble. Which made what he saw coming down the path all the worse.

He shook his head and rubbed his eyes but he still wasn't sure he was dreaming. The only explanation he could think of on why a pretty young woman walked along a bloodwolf while stroking his neck and smiling was that it wasn't a real one.

But up close it look too real. 'Haa-' he squealed, then cleared his throat and squeezed the handle of his halberd to resist his trembling body. 'Halt! Who are you and what is your business here?' Pride welled up at his ability to still speak with some authority.

The young woman took out her card. 'Iphigenia, and this is my familiar Ulric. We have an appointment with Grand Wizard Vittorio.'

Her card was authentic and some adventurers did have familiars but he had to make sure it wasn't a ruse. 'I'll need to see your tallies.'

She nodded and with a press of her thumb on her card it would list her basic numbers and familiar bonds. His eyes went large. 'He really is a bloodwolf!?'

She grinned. 'Yep. Long story but he's friendly.' she said and smiled at the wolf while running her fingers through his neck fur. 'Very friendly.'

Ulric chuckled.

The exchange of looks between them reminded Henry of late night couples but he thought he might be imagining more things in this strange situation. 'And you say you have an appointment with Vittorio?'

Iphigenia nodded. 'The receptionist at the council said he'd pick us up here.'

It made sense to him, a bloodwolf walking down the main street would cause a panic. He nodded and gestured at a small building behind him. 'All right, you can wait in there.'

'Thank you.' she said and the wolf uttered a soft grunt when they passed.

He watched them enter the building and sighed deep in relief while his body sagged. "A bloodwolf for a familiar." he thought. "I think I've seen it all now." His subconscious made a U turn. "Hang on, didn't her card state she was his familiar?" He shook his head. "I'm going to bed early tonight, this event has been too taxing."

Not long after Iphigenia and Ulric sat down in the waiting room on one of the wooden benches and casually looked over pamphlets promoting local inns and shops and promised a great time in the white wonderland, the door opened and a panting fat man in a star studded robe and a wide, pointed hat came in. 'This city's grown too big.' he breathed and fanned himself with his hat. 'When I was young I didn't have to walk this far and get out of breath.'
Ulric suspected the city had been just as big back then, but not this guy.

The man sat down on a bench which creaked as it tried not to break. 'Anyway,' he said and held up his hand. 'I'm Grand Wizard Vittorio. I assume you're the one who came in earlier today?'

Iphigenia nodded. 'Yes. I'm Iphigenia, and this is Ulric, the one who was accidentally summoned.'

Vittorio took out a round piece of glass and peered through it at Ulric. 'And inside this wolf is the mind of a man who claims to be from another world?'

'Yes.'

He hummed and rubbed his cheek. 'We'll have to do some tests.' he said and pushed himself up from the groaning bench. 'Come with me and we'll get to work right away.'

He led Iphigenia and Ulric through winding small streets and back alleys until he entered a door with a sign saying Warning! Do Notte Entere! High Magicke! and a yellow sharp pointed star underneath. Iphigenia halted. 'Wait, is this safe?'

Vittorio looked back. 'Oh, we just put up that sign so no one would enter here. We don't want people going around here being nosy or using this way as a shortcut to the main square.'

Ulric snuffed. 'Like I suspect happens in my world with warning signs.'

Now they went up winding stairs and along small corridors with lots of doors until they ended up in a large stone chamber filled with beakers and steaming fluids, candles with more wax underneath their base than above, open books filled with magic runes and circles, and the mandatory owl. Ulric didn't want to get near it, the way it wheezed and coughed.

'Did you get rid of the crackpots, Vittorio?' another bloated moon sickle studded robe said and turned around to reveal more beard than face. He froze at the sight of Ulric and Vittorio cleared his throat.

'Crackpots?' Ulric said as growls.

The beard coughed at the raised eyebrow of Iphigenia. 'We've had an accident with a highly specific brew and the pots we used are dangerous to handle now. Since Vittorio was on his way he could safely dispose of them.' He waved his hand. 'Anyway, good to see you. A person summoned inside a beast and also from another world is very interesting. No known occurrence to us in our vast knowledge.' He picked up a short staff with various prongs and a blue coloured eyeglass. 'Let's have a closer look.'

Ulric tucked his tail tight between his legs. 'Don't even think about probing me with that like I'm some alien abductee!' he growled.

'Ulric wants to know what kind of tests you want to perform on him.' Iphigenia translated.'

Vittorio leafed through a heavy book. 'Without sounding complex, we'll measure his strengths and weaknesses, the magic foot- and fingerprints, current and residual from the summoning, his aura, take a few samples to study closer, etcetera, etcetera. It's all highly magical really. We need precise details to find out what happened.'

Iphigenia nodded and put her hand on Ulric's back. 'You'll have to put up with it for now.'

He grunted and nodded. 'I'll try.'

As the beard and Vittorio began poking with various instruments, dusting with magic powder, and taking hair samples, more wizards entered the room one by one as they heard about a live bloodwolf being experimented on and participated.

After a long time of instruments in his mouth and probing him, and wizards poking him and looking into his ears, he began to lose patience. Iphigenia nudged Vittorio. 'I think it's better to give it a rest now.'

He watched her through a pair of red and green eyeglasses. 'But we have so much more to try. We understand his hedgehog ability but we still don't understand this essence of healing.'

She hid her embarrassment at knowing exactly what it meant and glanced at the group discussing in loud and strange terms. 'He's tired.'

'But the testing.'

'It might be better not to agitate him. He does have the body of a bloodwolf, you know.'

Vittorio blinked, then the realisation dawned on him. 'Oh! Of course! I'll see to it that we end it for today.' he said and quickly had a word with the beard.

With a few commanding words the rest of the wizards ceased their work and a growl from Ulric stopped an over enthusiastic one that hadn't paid attention. 'Let's get to work on the data we have and give our friends some rest. We'll continue tomorrow.'

The wizards left the chambers with their belongings murmuring amongst themselves and Ulric let out a deep breath. Vittorio and the beard gathered their armful of notes. 'We'll be studying all night on these, so come back tomorrow and we'll tell you more.'

They left before Iphigenia remembered to ask for the way out and she sighed. Ulric nudged her. 'Let's just head one way. We'll be bound to meet someone who can tell us the way.'

She nodded and they went through the maze of corridors and stairs without seeing a single person and were about to give up when Ulric heard music. He followed the sound and they ended up in the bright reception hall. Iphigenia found a closed sign on the front desk. 'Looks like we have no choice but to go out the front.'

'Oh great, that'll be fun.' Ulric said and moved towards the front doors.

They stepped outside and stood overlooking the busy square. It only took moments for the first person to notice them and start the rippling effect of panic through the crowd. Ulric hadn't seen a crowd disperse as fast before, not even when someone tried to collect for charity. They went down the steps and went towards the main street. 'Oh yeah, I wanted to look up a weapon store.' Iphigenia said.

Ulric looked down the empty street. 'Something tells me they'll be closed for today.'

Iphigenia sighed. 'Yeah, I doubt they'd believe me if I said you're friendly.' she said, then noticed a little girl in the middle of the street. 'What's this?'

Ulric looked at the girl as she walked up to them. 'Ah, she might be the one I rescued earlier.'

'You what?'

'I forgot to tell you. A man and a little girl were attacked by wild dogs near the shed and I took care of it.'

The girl stood before them and Ulric picked up hushed voices of people peeking from their hiding place. They were afraid he'd do something to her but didn't dare to save her and he rolled his eyes. Iphigenia smiled at the little girl. 'Is that right? Did he save you?'

The little girl hugged him tight. 'Yes.'

Gasps could be heard everywhere and Ulric huffed. He stood upright holding the girl in one arm. 'Where's the man you were with?'

'Grandpa's at the back of the store.' she said and pointed back.

'Elise!?' the man shouted when he came outside of a weapon store. He noticed them and hurried towards them. 'Elise, you shouldn't go outside without telling me.'

The girl nodded. 'I'm sorry but I saw the big black puppy that saved us.' she said and wrapped her arms around Ulric's neck.

Iphigenia sniggered. 'Puppy?'

'Very funny.' he said.

Her grandpa smiled. 'You were gone so quickly I didn't get a chance to properly thank you.'

Ulric murmured and Iphigenia smiled. 'He says it was nothing.'

The man shook his head. 'My granddaughter means everything to me so it wasn't nothing to me.' he said and held out his hand. 'I'm Benedikt, this is Elise and I take care of her whenever her merchant parents are travelling.'

Ulric shook his hand, then Iphigenia did. 'This is Ulric and he's not what he seems, and I'm Iphigenia, an adventurer.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you. Is there anything I can do for you?'

'Well, I'm looking to get my sword fixed or replacing it.' she said and turned to show it hanging at her side.

Benedikt looked down for a moment, then inhaled deep. 'Where'd you get that?'

'The sword? From the local blacksmith where I grew up.'

He gestured at the cane tied to her belt. 'No, I mean that.'

She and Ulric looked at it. 'From a goblin we killed not far from here. It's a bit light and very strong so we took it with us to see what kind of material it is.'

Benedikt gestured at his shop. 'Come inside and let me have a closer look. I have a suspicion I know what it is.'

They followed him into his shop full of weapons small and large. Ulric needed a moment to take it all in. 'Damn. We don't have anything like this. Only specialised shops for hunting and you can only get something under strict conditions.'

Iphigenia looked at a selection of swords. 'How do you defend yourself from demons then?'

'We don't have demons. At least not like the ones you have here. Ours are human and there's no legal way to stop them from being greedy, so we just try to live our life as best we can.'

She frowned. 'That sounds unjust.'

Ulric shrugged and Benedikt returned from the back. 'Sit down.' he said gesturing at a bench. 'Can I have that cane?'

Iphigenia untied it from her belt, handed it to him, and sat next to Ulric with Elise on his lap. She chuckled at the sight of the innocent girl and the fearsome beast. Benedikt dropped a rag in a sour smelling liquid and rubbed it along the cane.

After a while all the dirt was washed off and he held a perfect straight and smooth wooden cane with two thin parallel grooves along the length near one end. He smiled at it. 'I never thought I'd get to see one of these.' he said and looked at his guests. 'They're pretty much a myth now.'

Iphigenia gazed at the cane. 'What is it?'

'It's a weapon made by the unknown but legendary dwarf smith Volundrus.'

'That cane's a weapon? It's even too light and thin to be a club.'

He chuckled. 'That's because it's not a club.' he said, took the cane in both hands and pulled it apart. Iphigenia and Ulric stared at the shiny thin blade in Benedikt's hand. 'It's one of the best swords you could own in the world.'

Iphigenia examined it while Benedikt explained. 'Volundrus was someone who loved simplicity in everything. He was brilliant in his work but disliked making the fancy weapons that were ordered by the nobles and used mainly for show. To prove he could make perfect weapons he poured all his skill into producing different ones of his own design. And they were the best. But nobody wanted these plain things so they went unsold and were auctioned off after his death. Nobody knows where they ended up and by the time he was recognised in our branch it was too late. No smith could ever recreate what he did.' He leaned forward. 'What you have there won't ever break or grow dull. I have no idea if it's magic or not, but it's an eternal object.'

She held it up and watched the reflections from the perfectly smooth blade. Ulric chuckled. 'Looks like this world does resemble a game somewhat and you won't need to look for a new sword anymore.'

She looked at him. 'But you found it. It's yours really.'

He shook his head. 'I'm no good with swords. Besides, I have my spines. This one's meant for you and I think the whole disguise as a cane fits you.'

She smiled softly. 'Thank you.'

Benedikt couldn't understand Ulric but he understood what went on. 'Now that this problem is solved, how about a drink to celebrate?'

'We don't want to bother you.' said Iphigenia but he held up his hand to silence her. 'I also want to offer you a place for the night since I guess you planned to stay a bit longer, and I doubt there's an inn that would dare to let you inside right now.'

Iphigenia and Ulric noticed people had reappeared on the street but out front at the shop it was still clear. She sighed. 'Yeah, we'd be very grateful to have a place to sleep.'

Benedikt stood up and rubbed his hands. 'It's settled then. Elise, come help prepare the spare room and our meals. Tonight we'll have a little party.'

Elise jumped off of Ulric's lap. 'Yay! Puppy's going to stay tonight!' she said and hurried to the back while Iphigenia sniggered at the embarrassed Ulric.

***

Iphigenia and Ulric enjoyed breakfast with Elise and Benedikt the next day and would come back after visiting the council again. The street was busy again but as soon as Ulric set a foot outside a clear space formed around him like fish around an obstacle in their path. 'You know, I'm tempted to growl loud.'

Iphigenia chuckled and stroked his neck. 'Come on, leave these simple folk in peace.'

He sighed. 'Right. But those wizards had better come up with something after all they did yesterday.'

The receptionist at the council smiled just as bright as before but her eyes kept glancing at the black beast leaning on the front desk. 'I'll take you to the Grand Wizards.' she said and stood up. 'Follow me, please.'

Iphigenia thought her hips swayed a little too much in her tight and short skirt and that she checked back a lot to make sure they were following her. She glanced at Ulric and couldn't blame her for what she might imagine about him. She smiled a little at knowing exactly how good it really is.

The receptionist halted at a door, opened it, and stood aside. 'Please go inside.' she said and winked quickly at Ulric when he passed her.

He felt embarrassed and Iphigenia tapped his hip when they stepped inside the large chamber. 'Someone else wants some of this as well.' she chuckled softly.

He growled low. 'Finally women are attracted to me, and I'm not in my own body.'

She stroked his ear. 'It's your striking personality.'

'Oh har-har.' he said and sat down on a large cushion on the ground.

A door opened on the other end of the chamber and Vittorio came in followed by the beard and other wizards. They formed a half circle around Iphigenia and Ulric and Vittorio stepped forward. 'We've been searching the books and experimenting all night and we have good news, you can return home.'

Iphigenia smiled, then frowned. 'He'd like to know the bad news.'

Vittorio glanced at the beard who nodded once. 'Well, it'll take a lot of magical energy.'

'How much?'

Vittorio cleared his throat. 'At the level of the demon lord.'

Iphigenia's jaw dropped. 'Is there no other source!?'

Vittorio shook his head. 'Not with the correct kind of magic. It has to be his.'

'What does this mean?' asked Ulric.

Iphigenia turned to him. 'It means we'd have to defeat the most powerful demon in the world.'

'Not just defeat, kill him.' Vittorio said and pulled a disgusted face. 'We'd need his heart to perform the ritual to return you to your true self.'

'But how come it was easier for that mage to summon Ulric here!?'

'The alignment between our worlds was better and his death released extra energy to reach far enough into Ulric's world. To reverse it we need at least twice the power to reverse the process. The same goes for the strange familiar bond you have. We can't break it without that power.'

Ulric sighed. 'I really need to get back my old, quiet life. Being this demon isn't for me.'

Iphigenia nodded, put her hand on his shoulder and looked at Vittorio. 'So how do we defeat the demon lord?'

06 - Elzbieta's Secret

Benedikt whistled after he heard the whole thing during the midday meal. 'That's a mighty task you have ahead of you and I wish I could help in any way. All I can offer is my advice to retrieve as much of Volundrus forged weapons as you can, now that I know they're no myths. Those will give you an extra advantage when it comes to a fight.'

Iphigenia smiled at him. 'You've been a great help so far and we'll keep an eye out for those weapons as we search for the demon lord. Seems no one knows where he is.'

He nodded and held up a piece of chicken. 'At least I can fill your stomachs and packs before you leave so eat up.'

After the meal Iphigenia and Ulric said their goodbyes and Elise hugged him long and tight. 'Will you come back?'

He stroked her back. 'I certainly hope so, but I can't say when that'll be. So be patient.'

She nodded, kissed his muzzle, and moved back to grab her grandfather's hand. Iphigenia chuckled as they walked down the main street and waved back at Elise and Benedikt one last time. 'Looks like you attract them both young as well, and now I wonder why I ever thought you were dangerous.'

'Good judgement?' he chuckled and wondered if the people around them would smoothly swerve out of their way as well if he ran.

She ran her fingers through his fur. 'Yeah, I'm in danger of an overdose of frustration if we don't finish what we began after the goblin fight.'

He growled playfully at her. 'Let's hurry and get out of here then.'

She stroked him harder. 'My thoughts exactly.'

***

As soon as they were out of sight and far away from the city, Iphigenia pulled Ulric underneath a large tree with snow free ground at the thick trunk. She dropped her pack, laid back, and pulled him with her while kissing him. 'I want you so much now.' she breathed and ran her hands along his back.

'I'll satisfy your desire with mine then.' he said and unbuttoned her breeches. She lifted her behind and he pulled off her shoes and breeches while she took off her tunic. He watched her lying naked on the soft ground, her slit glistening with moist and her nipples rock hard. 'Damn, you're hot.'

She smiled and reached out to stroke his hot erection. 'Make me even hotter, Wolfie.'

He moved over her and she guided him between her legs and into her slit, then gasped as his heat filled her gently all the way. He moved slow but firm, relishing her tightness around him while she moaned and held him tight. Their mouths closed on each other's again and their tongues danced in passion.

'Deeper.' she moaned and clamped her legs around his back, grinding her hot mound harder against his furry hips. He pushed harder against her and the increased pressure inside her sent a strong wave of hot tingles through her body. She threw her head back and moaned long in ecstasy.

Ulric growled and clamped his jaws gently on her throat and a surge of electricity rushed through her and sent her heart in overdrive. She uttered thrilled groans while he thrust hard and deep inside her, driven by the urge in his lower body to flood her with his seed.

The sensations forced through her core pushed her to the edge and her mind drifted into darkness. Her instincts took over and her abdomen tightened hard around him. It heightened the burning itch rushing through his dick and balls and the hot stream of his seed shot through them into her craving depths.

The explosion of heat inside her with his loud and low growl finished her off. The rush of heat and lightning through her sent her mind into a star filled dream which faded slowly while her body quivered.

She inhaled deep to get air into her lungs and panted hard. Her vision returned and she gripped his thick neck fur between her fingers. He licked her throat and neck and moved slowly inside her while his last seed squirted out with the throbbing of his dick.

'Wolfie..' Iphigenia breathed and smiled. 'I really needed that.'

He grinned a little and stroked her head. 'So did I.'

She stretched and shivered in pleasure. 'I can go for a nice hot bath with you now, and luckily I know of a secluded hot spring in the direction we're taking.' she said and stroked his cheek and ear. 'I discovered it by accident since it's nowhere near any road or path.'

He smiled. 'Sounds good. I'll clean your ever nook and cranny.'

She grinned. 'Then you'll do that at least twice since your touch will make me want more again.'

He smiled deviously. 'I know.' he said and she giggled before kissing him deep and long.

Iphigenia led Ulric through a forest with spiked rock formations jutting up out of the ground here and there as if something had hit the ground hard from below. Some were as high as the tree tops, some were about twice as high. Ulric couldn't remember ever having seen something like this on Earth but he was sure these would be a hit with those who climbed for sport.

'I wonder who they'll send.' he said.

'Who?'

'The extra help the wizards said they'd send us.'

'Oh, right. I have no idea but I hope it's a really strong person.'
He nodded and she pointed at a wide group of rocks ahead. 'There it is.' she said and smiled.

She gestured at a wide crack in the rock face when they reached it. 'Go ahead and have a look. I'll undress and store our gear behind a bush, then join you to continue our fun.' she said and stroked him quickly to full strength while kissing him.

He grinned as she pulled back. 'Hurry then.' he said and followed the path inside the rock. The scent of warm water vapour and stone reached his nose but there was something else as well carried by the light mist. He turned a corner and stared right at a naked Elzbieta.

Iphigenia had barely undressed and tucked away everything when she heard the female scream and rushed towards the source with her cane in her hand. Elvish curses and splashing came from the spring and she found Ulric pressed against a wall hiding his crotch while Elzbieta threw clumps of mud at him while she sat in the water. 'What the..'

Elzbieta looked at Iphigenia. 'You again!? I knew I recognised that pervert!'

Ulric looked helpless at Iphigenia with his tail tucked between his legs and his ears flat against his head and she laughed. Elzbieta glared at her and she took a few deep breaths. 'I'm sorry, but it just reminded me of when he first walked in on me bathing.'

Elzbieta glared at him. 'So he's known to assault ladies in private.'

Iphigenia stared at Elzbieta, and she looked away holding her left elbow with her hand. 'You're missing an arm!?'

'She also has no left leg. Just a stump.' Ulric said.

'Leg too!? But you had all your limbs when we saw you first!'

Elzbieta turned away. 'Those are fake.'

Iphigenia sat down. 'But you moved naturally. You attacked Wolfie so easily.'

'Training.'

Elzbieta noticed Ulric glancing at her and quickly looking away. 'Yes, I know! I'm an ugly elf!' she said and gripped her elbow tighter while her lower lip trembled. 'I know I'm a freak.'

Ulric muttered a few growls and Iphigenia chuckled. Elzbieta glared sideways at her but Iphigenia gave her a gentle smile. 'He said those limbs don't matter. You're still too sexy to look at without him embarrassing himself further.'

Elzbieta glared at Ulric. 'What emba-' she said and realised what he meant. She threw more mud at him. 'Pervert! Lecher! Dog!'

Iphigenia washed the mud out of Ulric's fur while he sat with his back to the girls, after Elzbieta had calmed down. 'So, what happened?'

Elzbieta sighed and drew circles in the water with her finger. 'I was a young but talented knight at the elven court some years ago and had a perfect life. I was bound to climb up in rang as I'd get older and I caught the eye of a promising young nobleman. He was handsome and he held my heart. People expected I'd live a happy life and have a great family of my own.' She squeezed the water in her fist. 'And then the demon army came in an attempt to invade our country. They killed and destroyed anything in their path and we set out at once to meet them head on. The fight was fierce but we took the upper hand and were decimating them. The unit I was in moved towards the flank to take out mages who cast defensive spells for the front in a surprise attack.' She stared at the ripples in the water for a while. 'We succeeded, but I was hit with a desperate suicidal explosion on my left side. When I came to I lay in a clinic for recovery, without my lower arm and most of my left leg. No healing could have restored them.'

Iphigenia and Ulric watched her while tears dripped into the spring water and echoed softly against the rock.

She glared at them. 'But you know what was worse!? I could still live a happy life like that and he said it didn't matter to him what had happened to me, but he visited me less or paid attention to me over time! And when I was desperate for a drink I caught him being all over another woman! He said it didn't matter! That we would still be together!' She hit the water with her fist and watched the ripples once more. 'I broke his nose, went back home, and the court's weapon master who had been a dear friend gave me my new armour with my fake arm and leg when he heard about it. He told me they needed good fighters at Winter City and hoped I could start again there.' She took a deep breath and exhaled. 'And I did while hiding what I really am. I have a new life now and I'll live it out until the end. Even if I'll be a lone freak.'

She splashed her face and tensed when Iphigenia embraced her. Ulric growled and Iphigenia smiled gently. 'He said the guy's a blithering idiot and trash and would gladly tear his nose completely off.' Elzbieta chuckled and tears ran down her cheeks again.

Elzbieta leaned back against the warm rock after she relaxed. 'I thought I was the only one who knew about this place.'

Iphigenia chuckled. 'I found out about it when I was searching for rare herbs at one time. I thought I was the only one too and since it was on our way I wanted to fully enjoy it with Wolfie.'

Elzbieta glanced at him floating on his back. 'Where are you going?'

Iphigenia told her the whole story and the quest to kill the demon lord. 'That's madness!' Elzbieta said. 'And they said they'd even send someone to help you!?' She chuckled. 'The poor sucker!'

Iphigenia nodded as she had to agree and looked up when she heard the fluttering of wings. A little blue bird with yellow breast came down.

'What's that?' asked Ulric when the bird hovered in front of Elzbieta.

'It's a tat. It's used to send short messages to people who enabled the tatter ability to use them. We call it tatting.'

Elzbieta's eyes grew big and she groaned while the bird chirped at her.

'Bad news?'

Elzbieta sighed deep. 'I'm the sucker.'

&&&

I hope you had as much fun as I had writing it, I had a Terry Pratchett moment while writing it. :-p

Now I'm looking forward to see how Elzbieta will cope with her new assignment and the pervert. ;-)

See my bio to keep up with news on new releases and drop a comment.
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