Gianna's Harboured Horrors (Patreon)

It had been a few weeks since Gianna had last seen the Slinking Scavengers, watching them run away from the frigid prison she had been questioning Jamie in. She couldn't lie to herself, even with the time past the image of their escape was burned into her memory. While the squire was still determined to bring Melanie and her group to justice, it wasn't her job anymore. One too many failures had lost Avice’s confidence in her to bring in such slippery and powerful criminals. She found herself relegated to patrolling Horaki. A coastal town with a sizable population, which meant sizable crime. A law keeper was always busy in such a place. Unfortunately for Gianna she had been given a horrid case as her first. 

People had been going missing around the harbour. Sailors, travellers, store owners, and passers-by. Fifteen victims in all and that was only what had been reported. It was a dangerous game tracking someone so potentially dangerous. Gianna stood in the centre of the harbour looking over everything trying to take in all that she could. There was no evidence to go off when it came to the case, only a list of missing people. She needed to learn everything she could about the town as fast as possible, all the while her mind was putting details together.  It occurred to her, looking over the dock, that there were a dozen storefronts. two of which were bars that would be open to the late hours of the night. Foot traffic was high in the area most hours of the day. It made her think that whoever was taking people was doing so with little effort which meant one of two things. Magic or potions. The only effortless way to knock people out. 

There were no reports of anyone being dragged out of the dock area and given one of the large size of one of the sailors taken, she assumed that the kidnapper hadn't dragged them far. It was likely one of the store owners. She began to stroke down the line of them to help her think. The two bars where unlikely, it would be far easier to take people from within the bar however one of the missing people was a travelling priest who would not have been drinking, especially not in places like those.  No single store would have made customers of all of the missing people from what information she had, so she had fair confidence that they had been taken off the street. Given the bar was busy all night, the owners weren't likely to be the ones to be taking people. 

Of the shops that she ruled out, there was a bakery, a small general store and a tailor. None would have the means to knock someone out without any effort. This left only two stores which held the highest likelihood of being the culprit. This was a local potion makers shop and the library. The potion maker could easily use ingredients used to make common elixirs and twist them into sleeping potions which could easily be applied to a small dart. The library was an unlikely choice but one she knew to keep her eye on.  Gianna had heard from a few knights that some librarians are cloaks. Unlicensed, unknown magic users who teach themselves with magical text bought through black markets. It's easy for cloaks to hide as librarians, hiding their spell books amongst the large amount of other old, worn books they collect. 

Gianna knew she had to be careful either way. One spell, or one potion splashed at her feet, and she would be in a heap of trouble. Knowing that she could likely be in danger, Gianna snuck a small one-sided blade into her cheek, very cautious with it to not cut herself. If she got her wrists bound, she would have a way of cutting herself free. It was better than nothing. With her guard up she was ready to take on the dangers that could be before her. With how rare a cloak was, Gianna wanted to check the potion maker first and foremost. With her hand resting on the hilt, she walked into the store of her first suspect. While she wouldn't go off without certainty, she expected that the kidnapper could react violently if she got too close. 

Walking into the potion shop, it seemed the normal sort. Shelves of the typical cures for common ailments. Skinfrost, Sea viper venom, and peit paralysis all had cures readily available amongst a bunch of other anti-venoms for creatures found in the surrounding area. Mostly nautical, given the busy port. Sailors often needed to stock up on them for long voyages.  Gianna didn't waste time, moving over to the counter before hitting the bell to get the owner's attention. Out came from the back a tiny red panda, a lovely old woman with a grey streaking through her vibrant orange. Long silver hair was wrapped back into a neat bun. “Oh…hello there ma'am. How can I help you today?” She asked. While it wasn't a conventional criminal, Gianna didn't let that put her off. Especially as there were potions that can give quite the strength boost. Rare, but not out of the question. The cover of an old lady could have allowed her to get away with her acts. 

“I wanted to talk to you about some recent disappearances. I have reason to believe that potions may have been used.” Gianna spoke out, her tone at her usual stoniness.  The old woman’s eyes filled with a fear before she looked down. “Oh. That's… horrible. I’d hate to think of any of my work being used for something so cruel.” She stammered.

“Unfortunately, many common ingredients can be misused. I saw you stock peit paralysis cures. Do you also sell any roset vitalizer potions? These mixed together with a few common things can be used to make knock out potions.” Gianna asked. 

“Oh. No, I never sold those. I'm deathly allergic to the roset oil used to make it. I've got a sign about it here.” The little old woman then pointed to a wooden sign with the message burnt in.  “No roset vitalizer is stocked.” 

Gianna scratched her chin, irritated with herself for missing such a thing. Her eyes had been so focused on the shopkeeper worried for any sign of malice; she must have overlooked it.  “I see. Well…if that's the fact, then there no way potions could be involved. My sincerest apologies for worrying you Ma'am.” Gianna said, dropping the cold was from her tone truly sad about upsetting an innocent old lady.  While she wouldn't trust being told, the sign was so old and prominent that it would make no sense as a cover. The old woman seemed to lighten up a little realizing she wasn't at fault but didn't seem overly chatty, so Gianna left without a further word. 

The antelope squire stood outside and took a deep breath, lungs filled with the horrid briny air. She hated the coast, not least of all because it felt like she failed at her goal of capturing the Slinking Scavengers. She sat on the cobbles ground for a second to get her mind right. She was better than this. Scaring old women by mistake because she missed a sign. Her mind was still chasing Melanie down across the country even as the rest of her sat in Horkia. With a little smack to her head, Gianna tried to shake off her funk. At least she had narrowed it down to one very likely suspect. The librarian. With a sigh, the squire stood herself back up. Her hand went to her sword as she walked down the street towards the library. 

The place was caked in dust, so much so that it made Gianna's nose twinge. It was entirely empty other than the squire. She checked every aisle of books to make sure that no one would sneak up behind her. She saw nothing so decided to move deeper down. The counter was empty, so she slipped behind it and pushed through the door into a hallway. It was narrow, too narrow for Gianna's sword, so she drew her dagger from her hip instead. Her suspicions were high. Especially given how empty the place was despite being on such a central location. All signs seemed to suggest that whoever ran the place was a cloak. 

The hall came down into a staircase which Gianna slowly descended. She couldn't hear much but made sure to stay quiet. After her experience with Alluff at the Yore Gala, she did not want to be at the mercy of a magic user. Especially a cloak. Their spells are more erratic and dangerous in most cases, learning from the scripture alone without a tutor was difficult. She had no idea what kind of thing she was expecting to find. What she thought was most likely is that the cloak was taking people to test new spells on, which would be a dire situation. She hoped she could save someone at least if that was the case. 

Gianna reached the basement after a few moments and like the previous rooms it was empty. However instead of shelves of books, there was jars. Gianna walked over and inspected one and it filled her with a horror to her gut. It was filled with slightly shiny scraps of hide. The victims. Gianna did her best to focus her own mana to check the jar. Thankfully, revival was possible. It seemed to be with all the jars she checked. She sighed in relief within her mind, daring not to make a noise in reality. If she could just take this monster down, she could save all this people. With a dagger drawn, the squire headed deeper into the basement looking for the cloak responsible. 

Her sense of justice fuelling a furious fire in her lungs, thankfully tempered into calm, collected action. Gianna had almost forgotten that she was an incredible squire after such humiliating recent defeats. While she’d never show it and barely recognised the feeling herself, it had been damning to her self confidence that she couldn't catch one group of foolhardy thieves. Subconsciously she was a little thankful that she wasn't worrying about melamine and Jamie for once. She could just do what she did best. That was until she opened a door to reveal Jamie on the ground, bound in place. Gianna's eyes widened, her brain scrambling on trying to make any sense out of anything before her. In the next moment, everything went dark.

It was a loud, decrepit laugh that snapped Gianna back. Looking around she quickly realized she was against the wall, wrists bound holding them out, tight enough that she couldn't move. Her armour and weapons were taken although her clothes underneath remained untouched. Her mouth was not gagged however when she tried to speak, she found that nothing pushed out. A mute spell. Looking forward, she saw the cloak. A rat, who looked surprisingly well put together. Small brass glasses sat on his snout and his attire was neat.  Yet his smile was all Gianna needed to see. One of possessive, cruel, sadistic pleasure. “My my, aren't you are a pretty one? Smart too. The local law hadn't a clue about me, but you? You can't have been here more than a few days. Your fur doesn't smell like salt yet.” He pointed out, making Gianna feel sick to her stomach. 

The cloak turned and picked up a book. “Well… I was going to pop this cute little otter over here, but I suppose she will have to wait. I've never had two toys at once…. I bet it will be fun to watch her realize what’s going to happen to her by seeing it through you. “He rattled off, his tone a little delirious. 

Gianna looked over to Jamie but was immediately surprised. The person before him, while an otter, was a sea otter. Not a river otter like him. On closer inspection she realized it was the most recent person to go missing, the dockmaster Chelsie. Gianna was furious with herself for getting tripped up by the mere presence of an otter. She shook her head to try and clear it. They were both prisoners of a madman and it was down to Gianna to get them out.  She had planned for this. While the cloak rambled as he searched through his book, Gianna carefully used her tongue to move the blade to her lips. With one quick careful movement she tossed it from her lips into her awaiting hand. It was small but sharp. She immediately began to use it to slice the rope holding her. It was slow, her movement was so restricted and the rope so thick. But little by little she got herself more and more free. 

Unfortunately, before she was fully through the rope, the cloak turned around. An old yet dust-free spell book in hand, it looked unnervingly well used. His hand raised, aimed at Gianna. She had to stop her escape, as if he took her small blade she would be truly trapped. She knew what was about to happen just kept a cool head. She had been blown up before, she knew how fast she had to act. She acted a little scared to try hide her confidence, and the mad rat didn't suspect a thing. His hand filled with a glow as he excitedly exclaimed “I can't wait to watch you pop!” With that, the glow darted from his hand, hitting Gianna in her stomach.

Immediately she felt the pressure within her welling. It was more intense than anything she felt before making her silently whimper. Looking down she saw that her stomach was already pressing against her fitted green undershirt. Looking from it to the cloak, Gianna saw that his eyes were fixated on her growing stomach. So much so she felt confident to start cutting the rope more. She had to get free before she lost the ability to move otherwise, she'd be trading one type of immobility for another. Her fingers worked fast, even has her soft brown fur slowly began peeking through a growing crack between her top and her pants. The pressure was such an intense feeling, demanding her attention. To her shame, it was partially because of her growing infatuation with the feeling. She wanted to rub her belly and revel in the feeling of blowing up however she knew the situation was far too dire. She couldn't let the cloak go and do it to more people. 

Gianna worked quickly but subtly until she felt her rope get close. Knowing she had to do something to stop him simply casting more spells at her, she used her head to point to her (still entirely bound) hand with which she mimicked a rubbing motion before pointing to her stomach, who h by this point looked as if she was fully pregnant. The magic was starting to effect nearby areas, her ass, hips, and thighs began filling her pants, which were thankfully fairly loose. Her chest too began to puff up a little too. The cloak looked at her gestures and his face turned to surprise. “You want …me to rub your belly?” He asked. Never had he seen someone enjoying his acts. He walked over tentatively and moved his hand up to her belly. 

Before his hand could even make contact with her, Gianna used all of her strength to rip her hand through the left-over bind to strike him. Her punch landed with such strength that the rat fell back, out cold. Gianna knew time was short so quickly began to untie her arm. Chelsie looked up at her with a desperate excitement and the squire was determined to free her. To free them all. Her upper arms were starting to puff up, but Gianna didn't let it stop her undoing the knot. The second she freed herself; she moved as fast as her inflating body would allow over to the otter. She quickly worked at the binds; this time able to use both hands to steadily use her small blade to cut Cheslie free. The captive wasted no time sprinting for the doorway. As she did however, the cloak awoke. Seeing his victim escaped he quickly tried to cast another spell to stop the otter, however Gianna dove in the way. It hit her, allowing Chelsie to run.

Gianna felt her body groan as the rate of her inflation doubled the intense feeling doing so alongside it. Her belly rushed forward, desperately taking up more and more of her vision. Her limbs all began to get large and stiff to move. The squire knew she had little time with mobility left in her so acted fast. She quickly got herself up to her feet to make sure the cloak couldn't try anything. He was stunned for a moment, seeing someone so full fighting so hard to move. Gianna didn't waste an opportunity and tackled him down to the ground, hoping her swelling body would keep him pinned. She grabbed his wrists on the ground and pushed them to the ground to stop him casting any more spells at her.  Her only hope was that her body could hold out until help came. 

With the rat firmly trapped under Gianna, all she could do at this point was swell. She felt as her back and belly started merging into one curve. Feeling her arms and legs get pulled out straight as they got puffier and puffier before disappearing completely. Her cheeks dominated her face, pushing against her snout. She filled more and more of the room, feeling the cold stone floor pressing against the expanding orb that was her body. She was the biggest she had ever been and was still growing. Something about the cloak's spell must have made her stretchier, just so he could revel in his acts for longer.  Yet, even with that, Gianna could feel the tightness in her hide. She could feel It stretch and hear as she began creaking, so incredibly full.

 It was odd however as there was no discomfort in her body. It felt oddly nice. Maybe part of it was just the knowledge she had done something right in her job, saving at least one person from the creep and with any luck freeing the rest from his captivity. She hadn't let the criminal get away and he would experience the full extent of justice. On the other hand, it could be… the feeling. Whatever was filling her was heavy yet gaseous. It felt lit every part of her was being pressed with intense force in the best way. Especially as it did so on all of her most sensitive areas, sending little pulses of pleasure through Gianna's mind with every little surge of growth. 

As Gianna’s horns began to dig into the wooden frame of the basements roof, she heard dozens of hurried footsteps coming from above. Doors slammed open and a chorus of people coming down the stairs. In the next moments Gianna saw light bathe the room around her as the door behind her was flung open. Her cheeks reddened a little being seen like this. “We got here just in time. Quick, get a counter spell on her immediately.” Announced one voice, one Gianna recognized as the leader of the local law. Just as her hide felt as if it couldn't take any more, the inflation was stopped by a new spell. The squire let out the deepest, if silent, sigh of relief. 

-

The mess the cloak had made took some time to fix. All fifteen reported victims were found within the monster's collection and were revived. Chelsie was de-muted, and she gave a full list of everything she had seen the cloak do while she was there, including his illegal magic use. The rat was taken to a specialty jail made to contain magic welding threats. It was the bust of the year. Between that and her risky sacrifice, Gianna was showered in praise by every lawman in the town. She got time to relax as she slowly and safely deflated within hospital bed over the following week. Her recovery was restful until she received an unexpected visitor. The antelope sat in her bed recovering until she heard a familiar, powerful voice. 

“Well, well Gianna. Proved yourself quite the hero in such a short time here hmm?” asked Avice as she walked through the door. Her large strong body making the room look so much smaller. 

“Paladin Vale, I didn't expect you…” Gianna stammered, standing up at attention as fast as she could. 

“At ease squire, you have earned rest. I heard word of your save here and I must say I am impressed. You solved a case in a day which none of the knights here figured out within weeks of examination. They thought it was a cold case.” Avice complimented. Gianna sat back down, her body still having some aches however the Paladin remained stood. 

“Thank you, Ma’am. I had some strong suspicions.  Guess I got lucky.” Gianna replied, not wanting to seem too boastful to her commander. 

“Nonsense. If you were lucky, it wouldn't have been one of those accursed magic users. No. You are skilled. Far more skilled than your station would suggest.” 

“What are you saying Ma’am?” Gianna asked her heart pounding in her chest. 

“What I am saying, Gianna, is that I have personally informed Queen Annabelle that you are, by all my metrics, fully qualified to be knighted, alongside a strong recommendation from the knight captain of Horaki.” Avice informed her, having a rare smile on her face.

Gianna felt a shiver through her whole body as her usually unemotional constitution tried to content with an extremely heavy dose of excitement. Such an honour was something she wanted for so long. Avice smirked before handing Gianna a letter gilded with silver and the royal seal from the queen herself. “Here is the ticket to your knighthood,” Avice stopped for a moment with her pleasant attitude and turned serious. “I do have but one caveat. I need you…”

Before she could finish, Gianna spoke. 

“I need to capture the slinking scavengers. The only reason I blew up to that cloak is because I was caught off guard by an otter. I will not be able to work effectively until I've put it to rest.” She spoke confidently. As much as talking in such a manor was a risk to her job, she needed it. She couldn't spend any more time thinking about her failures. She had to bring justice. 

Avice looked to her and smiled once more. “Exactly what I wanted you to do. I need someone intimately familiar. Sending you off the case was good, I think it let you breathe. However now I need you back on them. The lead knight in charge of getting the whole gang put in their rightful place. You can begin after your knighting; we will be leaving for the capital tomorrow morning. I brought a carriage with a bed big enough for you to get the last of your rest on during the journey.” Avice told her before turning back to the door. 

“Thank you, Paladin Vale. This…means more to me than I can say.” Gianna stammered out softly. 

“Of course. It is my honour and duty to promote such promising squires. Now…get what rest you can today. Big things are coming up for you, knight Gianna.” Avice told her before heading out of the door. She repeated it to herself as she disappeared down the hallway. 

“Big things…”.

commission for my good friend Lotta-Otter featuring his characters and world.
he can be found on DA and FA under the same name or on Twitter as @otterly_horny