Chapter 1: The Inn

M/B: Back for now, hope to continue but I make no promises. Hope you enjoy it.

Standing just in the middle of no-where was the only bustling sight for miles, a placed inn remained. Though in need of repair that its owner could ill afford it still brought about business as usual, the thatched roof was enough and the enclosed wood walls kept the cold night air out. So for the usual patrons inside it was a small getaway from the elements and their problems.

Eight humans were inside several all from a similar group. The local banditry the terrible trio as they were so dubbed although terrible not so much but a nuisance for the constabulary. Their impromptu hideout was this establishment having parched throats for the night and fresh coins to spend from their most recent raid of the local surrounding peasantry.

Their boasting reaching the ears of their fellow patrons who kept to themselves, no one would raise their hand here against them or alarm for that matter. Second the other guests two dwarfs with equal mentalities brandishing their reaver weaponry. Bounty hunters but with no contract on the bandits they had no intention of showing them off than just as decoration to their sides. The stocky dwarfs with full beards sat regaling of ages past before the arrival of as they put it 'so many damn humans'. The dwarves company a taller gentleman far slenderer with sharpened ears, for he as an elf was a follower of the group but merely a guide. His knowledge of the lands to serve the bounty hunters well but tonight he was merely a drinking mate although his tastes far differed from theirs.

Before this unruly mob was the dubbed Ox Queen, a renowned beauty for a peasant girl that brought in many a customer in happier times. She a woman was the runner of this beaten down establishment with a name once far too long to pronounce was known simply to those as Chi-Chi. Her long raven black hair hung in pony tail behind her head, with a bitter dirty and sullen clothes her facial features and white skin was a rare sight.

Though, some might mistake her for a pampered daughter of a merchant she fell far from it. She was born into the peasant caste but her father's hard worked efforts decades ago constructed this meager inn from his proceeds in the war as a farmer and with his late death two winters ago left it all to his sole heir. His little Ox Queen, who was just as hardy as her title demanded. Her legs capable like an ox to kick men out on their arses who dared touch her or in very foolish drunks group her frame.

Like a little legend from all around many heard the tales of the Ox Queen and her famed little inn brought in fair coin and she returned with a small profit before it would be taken most of it by the corrupt constabulary as it was every year. Though Chi-Chi had grown content with it for it was payment for the humiliation of the constable who had dared blackmail the Ox Queen into bed with him, his plan failed as he was beaten senseless by the famed inn owner with her fists and tossed into the mud of the street to the cheers of the locals who passed on the legend of the inn with its mighty but beautiful owner.

The night went on like any other, Chi-Chi walking from table to table her customary smile and charming features a nice selling point for any. Pressing her bosom closer to the table to entice another order was nothing out of the ordinary for her but her whiles were not impressing the men tonight. Oh well she muttered as she went back to the kitchen to fetch some cooked pickled cod that was ordered along with another flagon of beer and bottle of wine from her rare elf visitor.

Balancing almost all in one tray and on one hand she did her rounds to serve her customers as the door opened up from the outside and in walked a hooded individual. The occurrence to rare as not a soul in the inn paid the new arrival any notice or even a glance as he walked to a vacant table and sat down waiting to be served by the owner.

"Alright boys another round of pickled cod and don't you worry about the butter and bread it's still warming up." Chi-Chi said depositing nearly a dozen strips of cooked cod with a pickled seasoning. A local favorite but one improved upon by herself.

"Aye we hear yah Ox! Just don't be too long the nights still young and we are still craving more!" one the boys at the table laughed as he pulled up one of the cod and bit into it, the seasoning spreading over his lips as he chomped away without manners. The bits of fried pickle dripping off and onto his leather jerkin but was merely brushed away as those else still around him picked up eating with gusto.

Dropping the tray on the other table she set out the flagon and her sole remaining bottle of wine. She could rarely come across a good vintage wine and now she had to give up her own personal one to her customer. He of course had tipped well but it still did not make her a bit upset of giving up her own little prize to a stranger.

"You be a good lass Ox! If you were just a hair shorter and with a finer beard, I'd bring any numba of mah sons here to win you over. Though you be just fine here!" A dwarf laughed wiping his beard with fresh beer froth with his sleeve as the flagon was raised up and drunk.

Chi-Chi rolled her eyes, she never wished to be a dwarf woman. On the other hand… she watched the elvish gentleman sample her only wine to which he smiled approvingly. He plucked out a single gold coin and clinked it on the table for her.

"A fine choice, my lady I would not have expected a good wine here. But a fine vintage it is, you have my thanks." The elf dipped his head in a short bow to which Chi-Chi gave a small curtsey out of amusement.

"I always aim to please my customers, human or not." She said with a smile and walked over to her more recent arrival with the thought of being an elf, that she would not mind. Turning her attention back to her newest arrival she grabbed the large tray under her arm and walked to his table.

Swaying her hips just a bit as she strode past then turned around planting her hand on the wooden table and leaned forward. Exposing just the top of her ample chest to her new customer, a tried and true tactic she had developed to sway men to spend just a bit more for the off chance their coin would impress her to spend just a few more minutes admiring them. "So what will be your poison sir?" She asked her free hand tucking just a few hairs from her forehead behind her ear as she slowly drew it to her hip. Her little show however seemed to miss its mark as the man merely smiled at her.

"Poison my lady? I'm afraid no I do not partake in liquor but if you have fresh milk and water that I would be interested in." He said his eyes not drifting even the slightest towards Chi-Chi's chest as she watched for the telltale subtle shift in gaze.

"Of course I can manage that, if your fine with Goats milk?"

Nodding his head even covered with his hood she could see him smile approvingly. "It will."

"Will you be having anything to eat, I have my specia-"

"The chicken and beef roast you have will do me well." He said interrupting her and reaching inside his cloak to his hip he pulled free a purse of coin. His fingers plucking several golden coins from the top and stretched towards her. "If you can make it just as delicious as your other dish you presented to your other patrons I would be much obliged my lady."

Chi-Chi's hands quickly found themselves catching the three coins in her palm an excited smile jumping for a minute across her face as she spied the coin purse but quickly as it appeared she could not appear over eager or desperate. Though one thought danced through her mind. "May I ask how-"

"If you can hurry my lady I am quite hungry and am more than capable of making it worth your while if you can bring it to me with haste." He said smiling to Chi-Chi his coin purse disappearing into his cloak as his fingers folded themselves together atop the tabletop.

The bulging coin purse jingle had already roused several heads. A head from each of the two parties who were sitting at their respective tables turned at the noise and one of the local peasants who could only balk at such a notion of coin to be held. While clearly not a king's coffers it was a full merchant's wages for more than a year. Easily enough to buy a small cottage or spend a week drowning one's spirits and being surrounded by debauchery. A gentle nudge from one of the trio and a passed whisper and turning of heads quickly drew the rowdy bunch into a quiet discussion.

The dwarf who had been jubilant in his drinking coughed and hacked at the sizeable purse and muttered something about human waste beneath his breath before returning to his drink.

"Well… sir I can-"

"Please no sir's I despise that, call me Goku." The man said smiling broadly, betraying no emotions other than genuine before her.

While not the oddest name she had heard she couldn't place it to anyone she knew before or had heard of. She bowed her head and headed back to the kitchen, although she had hoped it would be her meal for the evening having given lodgings to a local trader in exchange for many fresh tasty morsels before she couldn't deny the allure of so much coin. If she could make another four it would cover her expenses for a week. A more than alluring prospect for her, if it meant eating cold porridge for a night she would take it. However, her eyes glancing back to the man called Goku who had folded his hands together sitting there with a simple smile on his face looking at her.

Turning back to her stone oven she pulled free her two roasts which had been slowly cooking for over an hour. Salted and cured with a curd and butter covering the aroma that now wafted out from her kitchen made many tilt their heads up and sniff. Setting down the cuts of meat onto the large platter she carried around she pulled free the warm goats milk she still had from earlier. The small mug filled just enough as she carried back around and set down upon Goku's table who glanced from her to the food eagerly.

"Well Goku, this is the best I have. It was originally meant to be my dinner so please my apologies about any taste if you don't find it appealing." she said as the man gave her a frown.

"My lady, never would I dream of taking one's dinner especially one that smells like this. I could not in good conscience eat this without your enjoying it. Please sit with me, I would feel much better if you partook in its enjoyment with me." He tapped a seat beside her but Chi-Chi shook her head, it was clearly a game.

"I cannot Goku, I still have customers and I do not sit next to unmarried men. A precaution no offense." Chi-Chi took a step back as Goku's frown returned but merely sighed and looked back to the meal.

"Very well, but if you will not sit next to me, perhaps across from me?" His hand gesturing to the bench seated on the other side. "As for your customers?" His eyes glanced back behind him to their glares. "I am sure I am worth your time." From his pocket he pulled out a small stone, though a stone he outstretched his hand to Chi-Chi who questioningly held her palm out to him.

She felt the small stone drop into her palm as her eyes looked down she bit back a gasp. A small ruby glistened, while no bigger than gravel the gem shined brightly in her midst as she held it up in awe in front of her face and to the surprise of others who noticed her gem. It was beautiful, certainly worthy of fine jewelry something she had never once seen before up close. "How? Why?" She stammered looking from the gem to the man sitting at the table.

"Come now questions come later, sit and eat with me my lady."

Chi-Chi kept glazing over the gem, "It feels…" She muttered beneath her breath as the gem seemed to shine almost like an invisible pull towards it.

Goku smiled his hand reaching up to grasp hers still holding the gem which snapped her slight trance. "Now now, don't fret over such a small bauble I'm sure you have a much more beautiful collection for yourself." His broad smile as he took her to a seat next to him.

Chi-Chi's awestruck mindset did not register she was sitting next to this man until she looked at his face which was had been mostly hidden from where she had been standing now came more into view as she looked into an angled face. Almost like nobility as his chin came together his face missing any scars or imperfections and nicks that would betray him to be a simple commoner. He was quite a handsome face but her surprise came as his hands pulled free his hood and like magic his hair exploded out into shape. Numerous unkempt spikes of pure black hair jutted everywhere defying the normal appearance of human, elf or dwarf. "Sir… I mean.. Goku I am." She stumbled over her words as she had never seen such a face or head of hair before, his unexplained wealth not hurting his impression either but that was not let slip by Chi-Chi.

"Words, too many my lady. Simply enjoy yourself, please just eat with me and I shall entertain your questions that you most certainly have." He chuckled grabbing the roast chicken and with just the tip of his fingernail left a shallow cut through the meat. Sniffing the air Goku let out a pleased sigh, "ah yes simply wonderful truly your skills were not just a rumor." He took a rough bite and gave an approving grin as he chewed and swallowed the piece with gusto, with quick movements of his fingers Goku cut through the meat setting aside a third of the meat for her while he went about engulfing the food.

Chi-Chi still sitting in mute silence as she blinked several times, though she did not press for questions as her own stomach had decided to rumble just enough to draw her attention to eat. Her food as good as ever as she took small bites of the chicken and roast, happy about her investment for its taste but also for her current one as she rolled her fingers over the gem. Just how much was it worth? Her mind could only imagine what this shiny bauble could bring to her. Repairs for her inn, several new dresses and a fresh stock of the lard could be more than feasible.

"Hey Ox! We're getting thirsty another two pitchers!" Barked the trio raising up the already empty one.

Standing up Chi-Chi nodded towards them and walked to her station, rolling up the gem and depositing in the only pocket she had, between her breasts for now. Hauling up both large pitchers in her hands as she cleaned out another barrel of Kedwin stout. Noting she would have to order another barrel tomorrow when the merchant rolled through as he did every morning to the docks. Her hands quite full she walked past where Goku was finishing up his meal already.

"I shall be there in a minute, so do not be afraid." He told her in a soft voice not even glancing at her as he wiped his mouth with the hem of his cloak.

Chi-Chi only gave him a quizzical glance before shaking her head and heading over to the table. The three turning towards her with empty mugs ready for a fresh round as she stopped at the table, "Alright boys, this is the last I have for the evening unless you favor the Rye from the northern realms my stout is all gone." She said with a bow placing the pitcher down, her hands releasing their grasp from the wooden mugs before two hands snagged her wrists and slammed her down to the table. The ale spilling everywhere soaking the front of Chi-Chi's clothes as the third leapt up and grabbed a fistful of Chi-Chi's hair. Chi-Chi cried out in pain and surprise as she felt the three pin her down.

Two swords quickly were unsheathed and drew by Chi-Chi's now wide eyes. "Where is that little gem? We all saw it and were going to take it." The leader chuckled maliciously dragging the edge of his sword to the side of Chi-Chi's neck. "Now, don't be shy we'll leave you be but if you keep stallin-"He nodded to his fellow bandits who grabbed the back of Chi-Chi's dress and with a quick tear ripped her old worn clothes clean off. "We might get antsy, we know you got a reputation Ox but so do we. And if you want to be a part of it I suggest you talk now or we'll plow your body on this table until you scream." His smile a twisted one that gleamed sick thoughts into Chi-Chi's eyes who quickly tried to find some help but the local peasants had quickly gathered their things and left. Not so much as a tip left for their local inn keep who needed help. She wasn't worth help to them and she screamed in her mind at that notion to all the people she treated so well.

"No one's comin Ox, are you needing some-" He yanked on her hair tightly earning a cry of pain as he twisted his fingers in it making her body flail to the laughs of the group.

The Dwarf and elf paid little attention, they were not getting involved in human affairs unless there was a coin to be made.

"Alright skin lips you take her first, she'll be singing where it is soon enough!" the leader laughed as the ugliest of the group moved behind Chi-Chi fumbling with his trousers until a voice cleared itself behind him.

"Wha-" Skin lips never saw the attacker just a shine of metal that struck him in the face busting his two front teeth and crushing his nose which spurted blood freely. Crashing into a table he shattered the bench and into unconsciousness.

The other's released their grip on Chi-Chi who stumbled back falling at the side of Goku who looked down at her a look of unhappiness evident in his eyes before narrowing them back at the two men who now stood brandishing swords. "I do not condone the touching of women, but when one is a host is most inappropriate to force yourself upon them." Goku looked to his gauntlet covered hand in steel studs. A thin layer of chain mail wrapped with a layer of leather and metal studs made for quite the improvised weapon. His cloak vanished and standing in a bright orange leather tunic from his neck down save his arms which were exposed. Benath a blue doublet that showed just underneath his chin. "I would have let you leave-" Goku dodged to the side as the leader swung attempted to swing down and hack Goku in two but he dodged almost uncaringly. "However, one does not threaten rape especially in my presence." Goku said coldly his eyes looking at the man who eyed him back with utter contempt and swung again. Giving a half pirouette to the side Goku avoided his second swing.

"I come from Zerrikainia, I am well versed in fighting." He said bored driving his knee upward into the man's face sprawling him backwards as Goku using his momentum tucked into a roll and swung with his entire body weight connecting with the man's jaw with an audible crack with his gauntlet. He turned his head back to the third man who looked fairly apprehensively at him. Goku merely shrugged his shoulders and looked back, "Are you ready?" Goku asked not even changing his stance.

"I'll… I'll sho-" A smash of iron came against the back of his head as a angered female growl came next like a bull.

"You bastards!" Roared Chi-Chi her hands holding one thick heavily charred iron pan, the shreds of her dress held in one hand the other one holding a death grip upon a giant frying pan nearly twice the size of a regular one. "You dare do something like that to me I'll kill you with my own hands!" She roared her hands shaking in anger as she pulled her hand back with the frying pan but a blur came to her side and caught her hand.

"Now, now you are alright my lady your dress and a little scare is all. No need to kill these miserable vagrants over it." He said to a growling Chi-Chi who snapped her arm back from him.

"No… I will not be humiliated! I will never be taken advantage of again!" She screamed her lips trembling as her body was shaking.

Goku blinked several times as his gentle expression changed to a more serious one, "One evil does not justify another. Your words and anger will not change what happened." He saw her eyes filling with tears but they narrowed and he spun to the side dodging the swing of her weapon. "You will not strike me, please calm down."

"No, I refuse! I will not be talked down like a little girl. I am the Ox Queen here and my reputation demands it! My very soul needs it!" She cried out swinging again, Goku danced to the side in a half pirouette but swung himself back as the frying pan shifted and batted at him just in front of his nose. He could smell the black soot and see its fine details as Chi-Chi recoiled giving up her dress as her anger boiled over towards him and swung her foot upwards. Her quickness catching Goku by surprise but he brought his leg up and blocked her strike and let Chi-Chi's attack carry her further and then he struck.

Chi-Chi's eyes slowly opened as she found herself under her blankets, a compress against her head. A shallow groan escaped her lips as her head felt like it was pounding, just what happened?

"I am sorry; I didn't mean to knock you out for so long. But your strength and speed is impressive if I were not as strong as I was you most certainly would have struck me." Goku said cross legged next to her, his arms crossed as well.

"Why…Why did you stop?" She moved to sit up but still felt weak.

"I detest killing even if the ones deserve it."

Chi-Chi groaned as she ran her hand over her head.

"Do not worry my lady, I have taken care of everything in your stead. You were quite indisposed so I thought it best I brought you to your loft to let you rest while your remaining customers paid and left." Goku rubbed the side of his cheek as he looked down at the rumored Ox Queen. So far she had surpassed his expectations, just how much more could she surprise him?

"Please stop calling me, my lady. My name is Chi-Chi to you, my full name is far too long to pronounce. Second what gave you the right to stop me last night, those bastards-" She tried to sit up but a vertigo caught hold of her and she slipped back down. Goku's face quickly appeared over hers.

"I am sorry Miss Chi-Chi, but it seems my blow did far more than I wanted it too. I merely wished to incapacitate you not cause you this much discomfort." He had struck her correctly but with far greater force than was necessary apparently. He rarely had opportunities to use such attacks but it made him feel bitter inside knowing he had caused her harm. She was a victim and he had only further caused her pain.

"Just…" Chi-Chi rubbed her temple trying her best to figure out what to do.

Goku hushed her with a smile, replacing her compress with a fresh one. "I have a debt to repay Chi-Chi so have no fear. Everything will be alright."

Chi-Chi felt herself grow weary as Goku waved his hand over her face stroking her cheek with a subtle touch which drew her to sleep as simple as that.

Goku nodded to himself, quite the girl. It had only taken a slight spell to send her back to sleep but the fact she had awakened so soon was most impressive. It had been quite a travel to find someone like her, but he wasn't entirely convinced that she might be anything more than just lucky. He had seen such strength in other women but she was by far the most obvious and straightforward, the most intriguing aspect that she was a human. In truth he had seen strength in females but human women had never truly surprised him, the few that were proper sorceresses and enchantresses were strong but that had been a developed trait. She was nothing like those snobbish upstarts he had seen, their manipulated and aged bodies that kept them beautiful and eternally young were truly some of the cruelest of women. Their overinflated egos and desire to be seen as powerful and independent at great cost.

He had sought out a strong female and while one would be equal as a wielder of the art of magic and its force but the great cost for their power came as their bodies were warped by magics. The price was their ability to conceive, they could no longer have children. So despite all their sought after power they would never be able to bear a successor a terrible price, however as in nature it swung both ways as their male wizard counterparts were marred by similar aspects, they would never be able to have sons to pass on their legacies, so no mage could ever hope to build a kingdom when it would be impossible to sire an heir. Forever doomed to sit behind the curtain, smirking though he was only slightly different to those fools. He had never given up everything to become something more, he was born with great power and strength and for so long he had wandered the massive gaps in humanity to find something in it for him. So far it was a less than stellar experience in that he had traveled so far and so long without so much as achieving little more than scraps for all his ventured efforts. From across the sea to the distant lands of Zerrikania to the shores of the empire and traveling through to the northern realms border he had ended up her after many long years and so far he had nothing to show for any of it.

Nothing except the battering of his own tolerance for other humans and even the elder races. Having spent time with the elves of the north he had expected their civility to be paramount but alas that was a dashed hope when he was held up at their borders, expected to strip and leave. Such an impudent thought of course he knew better just like earlier with the three little children he had dispatched earlier, he had read their thoughts of course but he didn't know to what extent their acts would take them. Much like the elves of the north he had broken their bows and weapons leaving several of them incapacitated as a warning to never threaten a lone wanderer who introduces himself in peaceful terms.

Then of course he had traveled to the mountains and spent times with the dwarves and Halflings finding their company little better, they tried to swindle and out haggle him for his precious goods and coin. Their treachery got them little better than the elves as he had decided to 're-negotiate' his deal that night stealing back all his work and many precious stones from their vaults without as them being any the wiser until it had been days after his departure when riders from the village had caught up to him. Of course they demanded their goods returned to which Goku only smiled and took off on horseback. Their already winded mounts were no match for Goku's prized steed the fastest of horses and an absolute treasure of his which he had found in his youth. A smile crept across Goku lips how he enjoyed his trusty companion however, she was doing fine as she roamed the landscape without her for a while. Letting the spirit ride free for a while and could call her back to him when needed.

Ultimately he traveled where his mount had desired, the two were equals and so while he road he let his horse guide him. Traveling all across the empire he had witnessed civilized society in all its glory until he had come to the border of the northern realms which had been one very long winded mess of a journey. So many bandits, thieves, and cons littered the roads it made his stomach turn in his chest, it almost made him wish he had visited the legendary forests of Brokolin where the Dryads ruled, while a very tempting thought, but Goku would not truly be welcome there. The dryads had grown angry at humans and their forays into the protected forests and drawn much fury from the dryads sparking numerous clashes. It was a shame, Goku would like to see the temple of Brokolin where the dryads lived it would be a marvelous sight. Alas he could not hope to have such an adventure, there were still many more stops he would have to make. More importantly he had to visit the Duke of westershire. The cries for a skilled mage and speaker of the foreign tongues was requested so Goku believed it to be a worthwhile guess to see just what would be yielded upon his arrival.

Goku leaned back his heads falling behind his head as he pondered his thoughts, so many things to do and yet he had so little time to do everything he wanted. "Ah well" his eyes dipping to Chi-Chi who slept peacefully. "Rest well I hope to leave you in good spirits tomorrow." With that Goku let his eyes drift off and he fell asleep, his dreams danced with images of food and the free air. He could not help the grin that crept across his face as he did so, nor would he stop it.

Chi-Chi later awoke to the comfort of her blankets, her eyes fluttering fully awake quickly looking to where her guest Goku had once sat but found the spot vacant. Where he once sat lay a pile of clothes… that were not hers. Sitting up she clenched the blanket tight to herself looking around for Goku but saw no sight of him. "Just what is going on?" She asked aloud but got no answer.

Looking over the clothes they were not for Goku, rather a woman's apparel clearly as she pulled it up. A strange dress one that flowed from the neck all the way down to her legs. A dark blue hue with white thread, she blinked at it for a moment but finding no other reason to not put it on, she did as such. Noting that from her shoulders her arms were completely exposed, and the dress split down around her hips leaving her legs free to walk unhindered. Chi-Chi donned the rest of her clothing a dark undergarment that covered her womanly figure and white pants that slid up her legs. Looking further she spied her door where a pair of white foot coverings and strange one piece shoes set. Who was she kidding she had never seen anything like this before in her life and it felt fantastic. Having been used to her clothing from around here she had never felt such a soft set of clothes and well fitting. She had been expecting this to be some kind of noble dress but it seemed nothing like it as she slipped on the shoes that were completely functional and lacked anything of nobility. Though as she stopped she did remember one thing, the man had said he was from Zerrikania. Perhaps this was one of their female styles of dress?

Opening the door to her room she descended down the one set of steps where Goku sat on his knees his hands resting calmly on his knees, except one was covered in his studded gauntlet. His head not facing her she walked down the steps slowly. "Excuse me?" She asked stopping at the bottom of the steps. Goku did not stir or flinch at all, she cleared her throat again but still Goku remained motionless as she walked to his side she noticed his eyes were closed. "Strange…" She muttered, she had never met anyone from across the sea before but this man was a complete mystery just who or what was he?

Steeling herself she reached out and touched bare shoulder. "No-" Goku yelled out as Chi-Chi touched him as she felt hard leather for just a moment as Goku's eyes shifted towards hers and flashed a deep yellow from their black obsidian as she recoiled back. Goku catching her hands tightly as he stood up in a flash. "I'm sorry I-" she stopped speaking as Goku's intense look pierced into her eyes.

Goku was breathing slightly heavier as he looked at her. His chest slowed as he righted himself and took one final breath out and closed his eyes and opened them. "My apologies, you roused me from my meditation. I should have not done that." He said releasing her hands and took a step back bowing before her. "I take it you are doing well." He said looking back up at her, "As well as enjoying your new clothes. I had been carrying them around for a while to trade but since I did rest at your inn last night that these would be a fair deal."

Chi-Chi's face reddened just a bit, the feelings this man could invoke upon her were just almost maddening. "I do enjoy them yes, are they from your home country? Zerrikania?" She watched as Goku's face turned into a smile and he nodded. "They are fantastic I have never felt this much comfort before… They must be worth a lot though."

"Worth is depending on the person who holds onto them. They are 'worth' maybe hundred crowns but really to their owner they serve far more than their gold so I do not feel they are as valuable." Goku said as Chi-Chi bawlked looking down at the dress.

"A hundred? I-What." Chi-Chi would be lucky to make that in a month and at most two months. "I can't accept these." She said looking away, "I couldn't take such a thing. One night at my raggedy little inn is not worth a hundred crowns. A border house maybe…" Chi-Chi sighed, true these were amazing clothes but she couldn't take a hundred crowns from this man in addition to all the other things he had given her.

"I will change and return them."

Goku snorted, "I will not permit it. They are yours now, but if you feel obligated to pay me back for them. How about a full breakfast of your pantry and we'll call it a fair trade?" Goku crossed his arms to which Chi-Chi sighed in defeat. "Good, I am well starved enough to eat a whole cow and the chickens in a full coup now please make haste."

Chi-Chi made her way to her small kitchen and set about making breakfast but of course typing an apron around herself. Never would she now dream of soiling these beautiful clothes. Especially now knowing their worth, if she could ever trade away them she would have a small treasure to work with… Speaking of treasure, her mind wandered as she stuffed her hand down her blouse and pulled out the red stone. Having forgotten about the smooth stone between her breasts until now. She looked to Goku who sat drifting off in loose thought to her. He could have easily taken it back while she was unconscious but didn't, surprising was all she could think of.

It took nearly twenty minutes but Chi-Chi made good on her time and work and in no time had whipped up a dozen eggs, two loaves of lightly toasted curd bread. Two pieces of fruit and several flat wafers with just two strips of dried out bacon and laid it out before Goku. "Fantastic!" Goku shouted excitedly as he smelled the aroma. "Ah so glad I am to have made my way here. Your ability to cook is second to none Chi-Chi I must commend you." He said feverishly devouring everything.

"I always aim to please; I would never have been able to maintain this establishment without my prowess for cooking. It is a required law that a man owns the property, I doubt if I couldn't cook that the local lord would allow me to hold onto it." Chi-Chi sat back chewing on a few bits of bread she had saved for herself knowing that the merchant would come this morning and allow her to restock her pantry. She would buy him out with the nearly thirty coins she had made this week.

Goku merely grunted as he continued to eat like a man possessed and far beyond normal human capacity as he ate and ate never stopping even as half the food disappeared he made no attempt at slowing down.

"My you have quite the appetite." Chi-Chi giggled as Goku wiped his mouth with his forearm grinning.

"I am always hungry, but when it is good food I find myself to over indulge a bit. A bad habit I know but of course I find sampling local culinary skills to be a hobby that one can't deny its benefits." Goku laughed finishing off the second loaf of bread in five bites. "Mmh" He said swallowing it down. "If I should come to own my own castle I shall ask you to be its cook. Would you like that offer?" he said chuckling to which Chi-Chi smiled resting her head atop her fingers as she propped them up on her elbows.

"If you pay as good as this of course, I would most certainly but I would prefer being its ruler's wife! Cooking and cleaning are forever a peasant's job!" She said tilting up her nose as she laughed and Goku joined her.

"I will hold you to that should that day come. A rich man always needs a beautiful woman to keep him in check." To which Chi-Chi flushed.

"Oh please I'm not royalty, I'm sure there's much finer princesses and enchantresses out there that are fairer than me." Chi-Chi said waving off his compliment as her expression softened.

"I am one for spirit my dear, looks are of secondary importance. A proud fighter should always be at a man's side, I've seen your skills with your kitchen ware I am certain any would be assassin's would meet their fate with your frying pan." Goku continued joking as Chi-Chi laughed and they carried on their little game for several more minutes just laughing going on as Goku wrapped up his breakfast.

Giving a long stretch Goku leaned back feeling his muscles relax as he felt his stomach grumble approvingly. "Ah as with all good stories Chi-Chi they must end." Goku said with a look of disappointment which Chi-Chi matched with a frown. "Do not worry though, I have a journey to take I will return here. I shall assure you of that." He said which gave Chi-Chi a sad smile to see him go. "I shall be sure to spread stories of you, I will make sure those from all around come to visit the great Ox queen, do not fear about lack of business." Goku made his way to the door as Chi-Chi followed him wanting to see him off. This strange man called Goku who was the only real man she could say she liked to spend any sort of time with.

As Goku opened the door his pleasant mood shifted completely. The dwarven bounty hunters from the night before were back, and apparently brought company seven dwarfs and the elf stood outside. Their attitudes clearly not one of business as they were holding their weapons in their hands. "Shit, be about time. You just haf quite the time be makin us wait." The senior of the group said his graying appearance and more dented apparel screamed veteran a well-aged one. Perhaps two or three hundred years, "Now ya bee wondering what fine dwarves be standing here ah waitin on? Well That be not hard to figure out… Mutant!"

Goku stiffened at the comment but did not change his expression. "I'm afraid I am not sure what you mean, I am merely a human merchant traveling from across the seas. I am not a mutant and I take an affront of being called so." Goku retorted lowering his arms to his sides.

Chi-Chi took a step back eyeing Goku a bit more. He was a mutant? No that couldn't be he looked human enough.

"Vael turdo bin asheesh." The elf spoke in his common tongue as Goku bit back a scowl. "Yet you know my tongue I saw your reaction shift slightly. So which lie do you still claim to hold? For one across the seas knows not only my tongue but the common as well? Strange as it were we had a bounty run to us last night after we left. Though I normally guide you are the one without a doubt, a thousand crowns for you alive, five hundred for just your head. For that price I find it agreeable that I step in." The elf un-cuffed his sleeves revealing his hands which danced figures in his hands.

The dwarf shifted his gaze to Chi-Chi. "Be gone Ox Queen, you are not involved in this. However, if we end up damaging your property we will compensate ye. Twould be rude after your service last night and the local baron made sure to keep you in business his travelers always enjoy a good drink here."

"Goku are you a mutant truly?" Chi-Chi asked stepping back from him, she had heard the stories of mutants. Their beguiling stature of manipulation, their freakish powers and tastes in everything. Everything she had heard had warned her that a mutant would do its best to lure one to be so close then strike and take a person for all their worth and disappear into the wilds off to find their next prize. From the fabled Witchers, to the crazed creatures that walked around masquerading as humans. Which one was Goku? She shook her head, of course now it was making sense. She turned away from him and walked back to the door.

"Please Miss Chi-Chi. I am not what they say, I am just a foreign traveler I assure you of that please believe-"

"Enuf! I'm tired of your gauding now just surrender like a good freak and we'll promise we won't be doing anything to hurtful when we drop ye off at the Baron's estate." He shifted his posture his long reaver weapon which resembled a pike with a large axe head on another side dropped low towards the ground. "If not… I'll take what be making yah tick."

The other dwarves immediately dropped their weapons down all similar forming a quick semi-circle around Goku. The elf holding back but his fingers finished their signs creating two small orbs, a sorcerer…

Goku grit his teeth looking back at Chi-Chi who gave him a look of utter distaste. "While I am one who hates violence and even killing. You come here to insult me, ruin my morning breakfast with a lovely woman then threaten me." He clenched his gauntlet fist tightly as his eyes narrowed. "I will teach you a lesson you will never forget." Goku exploded towards one dwarf his reaction not even close to fast enough as he darted past the first weapon tip rounding his side and with his covered fist caught the dwarf right in the temple knocking him to the ground.

A second swung his weapon slicing across the wind towards him, Goku swept his body back dodging the blow and knocking the weapon's shaft with his other hand causing its handler to spin further and unable to draw back as Goku lunged unleashing a short combo to his face and gut dropping him.

"Bloody Freak! As one!" The senior roared as three dwarfs swung at one. The blow to strike across vertically and straight through as one forcing the attacker to either dodge or retreat as a forth came in to block Goku's retreat but Goku did neither of the two options. He jumped up enough dodging the slice just beneath his boots and swung his foot up knocking the piercing attack straight up as his covered hand parried the attacking coming down.

While an effective weapon at range and giving most dwarfs a powerful edge against taller opponents they were not prepared against someone like Goku. Who drew forth his palm on his free hand and hit the ground, a shockwave erupted in a short radius shattering the hafts of their weapons and knocking them to the ground for a moment stunning them.

While disarming his armed opponents his deadlier foe struck as Goku shot backwards from a telekinetic force that sent him into the Inn breaking through the wood with ease. "While I see you are somewhat skilled. I am an expert." The elf's arrogant tone as he rolled his wrist making another sign.

"Hey enough! You're going to destroy my inn!" Chi-Chi yelled moving in front of the hole. "Do this somewhere else!"

"Va feal" The elf said shaking his head.

Chi-Chi gave him a confused look.

"It means-"

Chi-Chi didn't feel it until she contacted with the wood and her head bounced off and hit the ground. "I'm sorry." The dwarf said gritting his teeth, he wasn't happy about hurting the lass but business was business. "Bring the hol fuckin thing down on him!" He yelled as the elf waved his fingers. The side of the inn contracted and exploded in a shower of wood, "well tha be a good sight. A fine work master long ear." The senior dwarf said helping up his partners who were still a bit dazed.

Chi-Chi groaned as she felt her head pounding. "I hate headaches…" She whined clutching the back of her skull as the throbbing still continued.

Approaching to the small wreck the dwarfs lifted up a few boards looking for the body that surely lay underneath. Each now holding small clubs ready to give a few extra lumps to their bounty for the aggravating problems he had already caused them. Until a furious scream came from behind.

"My Inn! My inn no!" Chi-Chi yelled out as her eyes widened to her home, her business, her very livelihood was all a pile of timber. Her eyes infuriated as she got up looking daggers at the dwarf who just stroked his beard and shrugged. "You destroyed my home for some pointless bounty? What is-"

"Shut your fuckin trap Ox. Else I'll gut you and said the freak did it. You'll be compensated now sit there like a good lil bitch and let us finish." His hand shifted to his dagger at his side to which Chi-Chi could only clench her fists and bite her tongue.

A log exploded upwards like a bolt knocking one dwarf into the air and careening down. Goku now standing there his once pristine orange leather jerkin now punctured and dirtied with bits of wood and dust. "You have seen the last of my patience…" Goku growled as he straightened up his posture. "Tsudom, Al shea" Goku spat towards the elf. To which the elf snarled as he had just told the elf to go fuck himself.

"You little!" The elf yelled as his fingers danced forming another spell but his fingers soon froze. As he found himself paralyzed.

"The bloody hell!" The graying dwarf looked shocked as the elf's eyes were the only thing that could shift position. "He's a damn mage too! Ah this is some deep shite-"He couldn't finish as Goku drew his palm up and struck the ground again, his force blasting up the bits of the inn into wooden battering rams that knocked all except the graying dwarf into the air battering their bodies and crashing them back down as he swung his fist up and clenched it tight.

Goku walked forward his gauntlet covered fist in a tight fist, the few cuts and scrapes across his face evident. Stopping for a second as he looked to the side at Chi-Chi took a step back from him. "It's alright. I shall take care of everything…" His voice fading off as he looked to the dwarf. "I am quite very reserved about killing, in fact I loathe it. Trying to balance myself with nature but there is a problem you see, if I leave you alive you will merely return, so I feel I send a message here to you and your fellow bounty hunters."

The dwarf cursed and rushed Goku headlong not expecting to really defeat him but he would not run either.

Chi-Chi watched as the dwarf rushed Goku who drew his hand to his mouth, "Fu-" The dwarf was quickly bathed in flames as Chi-Chi watched them erupt outwards, as soon as they came they vanished as Goku's hands stopped and dropped from his face. The dwarf who once charged him stood with his body very singed but still alive.

Goku walked past him towards the elf who was sweating as his body was trembling attempting to break a paralyzing spell Goku had caught him with. Unbeknownst to the mage Goku had drawn the spell with his foot underneath the rubble towards the mage and completed it when he swore at him.

Seizing him by the throat Goku looked at him in the eyes. "You know don't you?" He asked as the elf coughed up nothing but a gurgle. Looking back towards Chi-Chi then back to the elf his expression hardening. "You are lucky."

"Can't…. be… You…" The elf managed as he was shaking clearly doing his best to break the spell placed on him. "Imposs"

Chi-Chi missed the words spoken by Goku as he said it in elven causing his already pale skinned opponent to go even more white, with that Goku brought finger to the elfs temple and tapped it, his foe crumpled to ground.

Turning back around Goku let out a breath, "Are you okay I do hope you weren't injured?" Walking up to her she shook her head but took a step back from him. "Please do not pay what they said any notion, yes I am a sorcerer but that is all. I am not a mutant."

Chi-Chi shook her head. "How can I be sure, you could just be manipulating me with your magic to make me think that! To just change my thoughts to whatever you want to be!?" Her voice becoming slightly hysterical as she took another step back. "You think a bunch of men come charging out here in the middle of nowhere, destroy my home all because you're just a simple… simple mage?" She threw her hands into the air as Goku looked away disappointed.

"I know, it's all much. Please listen to me, in the short few hours you've known me before did the thought ever cross your mind?" his gaze shifting to look at her eyes almost snaring them.

"No… but"

"If I were to ask you right now, to come with me. What would you say?" The question caused Chi-Chi to stop and gawk.

"What did you say?" Her voice stammered as watched Goku hold up his hand to her.

"You know what I said, travel with me. Besides-" Goku turned his head to what used to remain of her inns. "Well I do owe you for the inn." He laughed sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.

R&R MB