Warhamer40k & MonsterGirlQuest: A Double Traitor

"I would undoubtedly have ended up at the bottom if not for the higher being. It's hard to believe, but I was saved by the Fallen Goddess. She restored my consciousness and gave me the strength to surface, far from the battlefield.

In gratitude, I swore never to harm monsters. And not only that! Desiring to repay the goddess for her kindness, I vowed to assist her until she deems my debt paid."

The noble act of the Fallen Goddess and the selfless gratitude of the knight made a powerful impression on Alexandra.

'The Goddess is even better than I thought. And Amon! He could have left everything as it was and moved on. No, the knight just couldn't act otherwise!' the mercenary thought. What the warrior said contradicted her own experience, but she was ready to believe every word Amon said as if it were indisputable truth.

"Two days and two nights, I was tossed by the waves until I saw land. I thanked the heavens and swam towards the shores, landing not far from Al-Gorda. I was glad to have survived, glad that soon I could return home and continue the fight. But the wound from the wicked magic did not go without consequences.

The magic left a mark not only on my body. Like an illness, like an evil curse, it eats away at the mind, and only by constant willpower do I keep it at bay."

"Look at me, Alexandra," Amon said bitterly. "I'm disfigured by magic!"

The warrior unbuttoned his jacket, then his shirt. Before the astonished mercenary appeared a strange sight. Amon's chest was covered with small blue feathers, shimmering in the trembling light of the campfire like some exotic bird.

"The evil magic was supposed to turn me into an animal or something worse. But the enemy underestimated my will. I resist the spell, and it is powerless to finish what it started. Only at moments of intense agitation do I lose control, succumbing to madness. At these times, I can't tell past from present. Your words and the unjust torture of the mammon threw me off... The rest you saw yourself."

Amon sat next to the mercenary and took her hands.

"I am very ashamed to present myself to you like this. I'm sorry. I went to El-Farrah, having heard of its Mage Academy. I hope they can help me there. But even before that, fortune smiled on me. I met another helper. You."

The warrior looked at Alexandra with warmth. For a moment, it seemed to the girl that there was something more in Amon's gaze, as if he were looking not at a scarred fighter... but at a woman. Alexandra's breath caught. She swallowed thick saliva and, with an unfamiliar shyness, lowered her gaze.

"Thank you for accompanying me to the city. Thank you for protecting me from the monsters. I can't reproach you for your decision. I really am dangerous. And I don't want you to suffer. You're right – our paths must diverge."

Amon let go of the mercenary's hands and, turning away, tossed some dry twigs into the dying fire. Alexandra struggled to breathe. Her head was buzzing with the emotions she had experienced and the story the warrior had shared.

It was impossible, incredible, yet no less true! Amon spoke sincerely and presented irrefutable evidence. The girl had never seen people with feathers. How, if not by magic, could this be explained? From the first word to the last, Amon had spoken nothing but the truth! And the madness – the result of a momentary weakness, caused by...

Alexandra slapped her forehead.

"Then it's my fault!" she exclaimed simply. "I've been itching at your ear all this time. No wonder you lost control! Oh, what a fool I am! Sorry, I didn't know. If you'd told me right away... Although no, you're right. You couldn't trust just anyone. What a fool I am!" Alexandra said in disappointment. "I even inflated my own price, idiot!"

Amon was silent.

"I've changed my mind," the mercenary said decisively. "I'll go with you until the end. You'll heal, you'll definitely heal! Not here, but we'll figure something out. There are mages not just in El-Farrah. We'll find them!"

"It's not worth it," Amon said, poking the coals. "You've already done so much for me. Should you really risk yourself like this?"

"I'm not afraid," Alexandra replied quickly. "Everything will be fine. I'll make sure you don't worry. I'll do everything I can. You'll recover and return home. You'll overthrow those filthy empire people, and there will be peace! Maybe I'll even be with you. Together, we'll kick their asses, yeah! And I'll lower my price, it's embarrassing – even I'm ashamed. So, what do you say? Deal?"

"Have you really thought this through?" the warrior said doubtfully. "It's not too late to back out."

Alexandra cursed herself for her hasty and reckless suggestion to part ways. Now, when Amon had shown his true face, she was ready to go with him to the ends of the earth.

For the first time, she had met a person who cared not for money, fame, or honors, but who was full of the dignity of a knight, fighting for ideals. In Amon, nobility, compassion, and calm confidence blended together – a rare combination. No, she wouldn't let him go so easily.

"To hell with it!" the mercenary exclaimed simply. "What's there to think about? I'm with you! Be sure, I won't let you down! Agree – we've already made a team, and you won't find a better monster-slayer than me. Forget what I said! So, come on, let's shake on it – and peace!"

The mercenary extended her open hand to Amon. The warrior hesitated. For a moment, Alexandra thought he would refuse, and the thought nearly made her despair. But unexpectedly, Amon's lips curved into a kind and open smile. He took her hand and shook it warmly. The touch made Alexandra feel a sudden heat.

"Thank you," Amon simply said. "Thank you."

Alexandra blushed.

"What's the big deal," she mumbled and lowered her gaze.

The warrior turned away, and the mercenary didn't notice how Amon's mouth stretched into a wicked grin. The space marine was pleased with himself.

'Great tale,' the sorcerer thought contentedly. 'In the best traditions of my master. Truth and lies, mixed in the right proportions. And I didn't screw up the intonations – emotions are much more important than meaning. As for the mercenary... She's just a shell, armor of roughness, feigned impenetrability, masculine habits... And behind that – kindness, compassion, a sense of justice, principles. And a desperate thirst for attention.

I hit all the right strings in the correct sequence. Like music without a single false note! I must remember everything I said well so I don't make a mistake later.'

That last part was incredibly important. Tzinch had taught Amon many things, but one of the rules he had learned especially well.

A liar must have a good memory.