Page 29 of Fresh Flesh

Joras

I didn’t wantto wait for Mlarx and Lurg to arrive before I started trying to find Maisie. Lurg seemed totally fine with the idea of me going off ahead.

Unfortunately, that proves easier said than done.

I report to the Overseer’s office and find the master of the farm sitting behind a table laden with roast human, fried human, and what’s probably a human stew. He stuffs his fat, scaled face with gusto. I adopt a position the humans call ‘parade rest,’ and wait for him to find a good stopping point before I speak.

“So,” he says, barely looking up at me from his food, “you are from the Southern Tribe, are you not?”

“I am indeed. I was troubled to hear that one of your slaves escaped you.”

His eyes narrow and an annoyed grunt escapes his mouth between spoonfuls of the stew.

“Yes, my guards have already been flogged for letting that one get away. A young human female, quite easy on the eyes. I want to get her back as soon as possible.”

“Then perhaps I can be of some assistance?”

His brow ridges raise high on his face.

“Indeed? I would be prepared to offer you a most generous reward for her safe return.”

He names a number, and I’m shocked because it’s more than what he paid for her in the first place.

“I can see from your expression you think that I am overpaying you,” the Overseer says with a grim chuckle. “Perhaps I am, but the truth is those fools would never have auctioned her off so cheap if they had known what I know.”

“And what is so special about this human?” I ask. Ironic, since I know exactly what makes her so special. It’s what makes me love her, but I don’t have time to unpack all of those feelings right now.

“She is young and fertile,” he says with a grin. “We can use her for a breeder. The winters are harsh here and many humans do not survive it, even with the generous shelters I have provided for them. I need slaves like her to shore up the numbers a little. Plus, I understand that it can be a lot of fun to watch the actual procreative act, though I am not the type who’s into bestiality. I would never actually deign to stick my cock in one of them.”

I tighten my hand into a fist at my side and try to smile at his jest.

“At any rate, I will send some of my finest hunters with you—”

“No,” I say. “They will only slow me down. I am something of a renowned hunter myself, and I guarantee I can find this woman.”

That’s true, though I carefully avoid saying I’m actually going to turn her over, because I have no intention.

“I see. Don’t wish to split the reward, do you?” He laughs unpleasantly. “Very well. I’ll give you twenty four hours to find her on your own. Then I send out more hunters, and whoever brings her back first will get the reward. Does that sound fair to you?”

“It does indeed,” I reply with a respectful bow of my head. “I will carry out my search at once.”

“That’s the spirit.”

I head back into the cold. No way am I going to give her back to him, especially not for breeding. I can’t stand the thought of some smelly little human male putting his grubby hands all over her naked perfection. I just can’t stand it. It makes me very angry indeed.

Besides, she already belongs to me and my friends. I’m not going to part with my property, and they aren’t either. I wonder if Mlarx and Lurg also have fallen in love with Maisie? I’m willing to be that they have.

Maisie has escaped into one of the most inhospitable environments this planet has to offer, short of under the ocean. I make sure to pack up warm clothing, and plenty of food and water. She will probably need it.

I head out into the woods, on foot, taking the same path I suspect she had taken. At first the fresh snowfall hides her tracks from me.

Then, I see faint depressions on the side of a humped snow hill. I kneel down in the snow and put my nose almost right on top of them, inhaling deeply.

A smile comes to my face. Maisie has come this way, and not that long ago.

I only pray she’s still alive when I find her.

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