Coming of Age

By J.E. Bonneau

Smashwords Edition Copyright 2011 by J.E. Bonneau I dedicate this boo to !ee"y# $annen# and Bro"aidan who waited so patient"y for %addy to actua""y finish something& you are a"" my wor"d. I wou"d a"so "i e to than 'ico"a# I cou"dn(t ha)e done this without your eag"e eyes and artistic assistance.

*ro"ogue +Storyte""er, $he wor"d has a"ways been a con)o"uted p"ace# with the -and of .aerie# $he /nderwor"d# $ir('a('og# and a"" p"aces both magica" and mundane e0isting o)er# under# and around each other. -i e an origami rose# con)o"uted and intricate& o)er"apping and touching in p"aces. $he 1other is a forgi)ing sou" and $he .ather seems too indifferent to care. 2hat they did was not out of spite directed towards humans# so much as simp"y boredom with the current wor"d order. 3ne must remember that whi"e significant percentages of many popu"ations were contro""ed by obso"ete re"igious e0tremists& the a)erage citi4en was scientific and atheistic& disi""usioned and cynica" to the point of not be"ie)ing in anything. $herefore# $hey decided to ta e the origami rose and unfo"d it. Sudden"y one cou"d turn down a street and instead of the Burger !ing# find onese"f dri)ing through 3beron5s court. 3ne cou"d see 6ahweh5s +$he origina" name of the Christian 7od# from which Jeho)ah is trans"ated, seraphim and fa""en ange"s in the bac s of Christian churches arguing o)er penitents sou"s& or dicing for them# arm wrest"ing# or in fact any of the standard methods of sou" a""ocation. 2hen this was combined with the opportunity to spea to ange"s +who did not "ie# new how many other gods were out there# new how "itt"e 6ahweh actua""y cared# and thought that this was 8ust great as "ong as he cared about ange"s,# it created a sorrow that outweighed the 8oy of disco)ering that their god was definite"y# ob8ecti)e"y# rea". It was said $hey opened dimension gates# but $hey on"y opened perception. 1any thought $hey had brought magic bac . $hey on"y re"eased it from those poc ets in which it was trapped. Sudden"y a"" eyes were open. 2e ca""ed this the 9enaissance. .or the ne0t year# suicide was the most common cause of death and hysteria the most wide spread disease. 'ot on"y were humans faced with myth made f"esh# .aery was forced into contact with humanity for the first time in mi""ennia. $he :a"" of $he 1ountain !ing# where 'ordic fey went /nderhi"" to escape the touch of the %eath 1eta"# sudden"y opened into downtown Stoc ho"m. 2e ca""ed this period of hysterica" ad8ustment to the new wor"d order the 9eformation Chapter 3ne +-ady !a""isto,

I awo e when I hit the co"d hardwood f"oor. I sat up fast and saw :aw "oo ing up from the f"oor on the other side# and Story "aughing on the bed. $his happened e)ery time :aw s"ept with us. I began to wish I had 8oined A"i0 with Erin. :aw was snar"ing# ;.uc man e)ery time we5re in bed together I end up wa ing up on the fuc ing f"oor<= ;6eah<= I said# proud of that much after such a rude awa ening. ;-oo guys#= Story said# ;$here5s more to being in a band than fuc ing a"" the other members# you now. -ast night was incredib"e# than you both. 'ow we ha)e to get up and practice and I need both of you to he"p me untang"e A"i0 and Erin# or at "east operate the cameras. Besides# I "i e to see you 8ump.= 2e rose and pu""ed on robes to co)er our na edness. 3ut of respect for drafty ha""s not from modesty# we were not a modest bunch. By now no one had anything the others hadn5t seen. 2e wa" ed into Erin5s room. It was a"" done in b"ac # her co"or. $he wa""s were painted b"ac & a"" the furniture was b"ac "ac>uer or ebony. She had a huge ebony four?poster bed with b"ac si" canopy and curtains# current"y drawn aside. $hey had ic ed a"" the co)ers off& +yummsers<, they produced enough heat to eep each other warm. After the 9eformation# a"" of us fe"t freer to be ourse")es. A"i0 is -ionman# chief"y. $hat meant she had a go"den pe"t a"" o)er her body. 2hi"e Erin# for reasons of her own# had sha)ed her entire body on 3"d Earth# inc"uding head# and eyebrows. $his choice made her "oo a "itt"e a"ien but did not detract from her otherwor"d"y beauty. $he hair ne)er grew bac after the 9eformation so she did not e)en ha)e the stubb"e and fo""ic"e bumps she had whi"e sha)ing. :er smooth# hair"ess s in was a"abaster white and intertwined with A"i05s go"den fur it ga)e an image to ma e us a"" droo". I proud"y admit I stared 8ust as much as the boys. 2e decided to scrap Story5s schedu"e and wa e them in the best way< $hey were dead enough to the wor"d that we were ab"e to separate them without wa ing them. I tac "ed Erin and the boys too on A"i0. I "ay down ne0t to her# facing her thighs and began "ic ing "ight"y at her. Soon she awo e and ro""ed o)er on top of me. Erin5s breasts were bare"y on the A cup side of a t?shirt so it was easy for me to mo)e my head# abandoning what I was doing. I "oo ed up o)er her f"at stomach to her smooth chest with de"icious "itt"e breast buds. A sma"" go"d ring through her "eft nipp"e caught my eye. 1y ga4e continued down to her beautifu" ruddy pin tongue "owering down toward me. 2hen I fe"t it open me I c"enched my eyes c"osed# and went bac to what I was doing with a passion. $he three )oiced moans coming from the other side of the bed to"d me they were a"so ha)ing a good time o)er there# but I was too busy to "oo . Soon Erin turned around and mo)ed off me# so she was between my "egs# facing me. I missed the taste and the c"oseness# but now I had a good "oo at the smooth a"abaster head between my "egs# her tongue "apping at me# dri)ing me mad. 1y eyes c"enched shut as I came once again# and I fe"t my arms "ifted by what fe"t "i e :aw 5s hands. $hen he stradd"ed my face and entered my mouth. It was definite"y :aw . A"though# he had pic ed up some of Story and A"i05s taste and scent during whate)er they had been doing o)er there. :e stayed in that position for a few moments then he ro""ed me o)er and entered me# whi"e Erin continued "ic ing. I was happy to 8ust "ay there and fee". Boy did I fee"# I came so much Erin might not need brea fast. Chapter $wo +:aw , I was so hungry when we bro e for brea fast. .irst A"i0 and Story put me to wor # and then -ady !. drains me further. A"" that wor to p"ease them# I can bare"y wa" . $hen I get# ;C5mon :aw # it5s your turn to coo .= I to"d them to eat shit. But# I5m doing it. 'e)er cou"d say no# "east of a"" to $he .ami"y. Erin and Story both offered to he"p. Erin is he"ping# whi"e A"i0 and the -ady dragged off Story to the bath. I guess they hadn5t had enough. $his was fine by me. I "i ed spending time a"one with Erin. She5s >uiet and a "itt"e too phi"osophica" for her own good# especia""y at her age. She had something that 8ust made you fee" good. A"" those

things are probab"y tied up in her priestess gig. $his meant she wor ed for the 1other and .ather in whate)er capacity they saw fit. It was "i e many other 8obs# e0cept she was on twenty?four hour ca"" and she was paid in power. 3n top of that# her ste""ar charm had put her high up in the .athers fa)or. $his carried with it a specia" ind of cachet. Combined with her natura" resources# coming from a good "ine# she5d ended up one of the more powerfu" beings out there. 'one of that had anything to do with why I was staring. :er hard "itt"e titties on the other hand# had >uite a bit to do with it. 3ur recent get together "eft me re"a0ed enough to 8ust stare# for now. 3f course I cou"dn(t see them at the moment as she had her bac to me. She was standing at the big iron sin # pumping water with the big hand pump to rinse the potatoes she(d been scrubbing. 3ur house was bui"t o)er a hot spring so e)en as the spread of magic too the comforts of science we ne)er did without. $hings did become a bit more comp"icated with us ha)ing a red pump on one side of the basin for hot water and a b"ue pump on the other that tapped the we"". 2e were 8ust p"acing p"atters of food on our big# rough# wood farm tab"e as the others came down smi"ing and we"" scrubbed. 2e ate stea # wi"d mushroom ome"ets# fried potatoes# and brea fast ro""s. .inishing with strawberries and b"ueberries co)ered with fresh cream. It ta es a "ot of food to support our "ifesty"es. 2hen we finished# Story and the -ady too Erin off to bathe her. A"i0 tended to me. I new that it was magica" assistance in some way that meant we were ab"e to ha)e good water pressure in both of our bathrooms and that the pumps ne)er needed to be primed or any of that norma" pain in the ass stuff. But it wasn(t conscious spe"" magic. It was residua" atmosphere magic because we "i)ed there. Chapter $hree +Storyte""er, $he -ady and I g"oried in bathing Erin. 2hen a warm# soapy# f"at?chested and hair"ess gir" decides to get p"ayfu" and s>uirmy# it is a rea" cha""enge to find something to ho"d onto. $here were rings in her nipp"e# na)e"# c"it# nose# and se)era" in each ear# but I did not need to be ic ed in the head today. It made for >uite a wi"d# happy# "aughing# s>uea"ing time. I did not rush because a"" I had to do was ta e care of the anima"s before practice. 2e(d ta en the big bathroom# so we had to stand in the tub with Erin or there wou"d ha)e been no hope of ho"ding onto her. I(m sure A"i0 had 8umped in with :aw but there was a difference between two peop"e standing up to their waists bathing one person in a tub big enough for fi)e in our case# and A"i0 nee"ing behind :aw in a two person tub# not from necessity# but because she wanted to pamper him and "et him fee" the gift of her ser)ice. 1y chores that morning were rea""y on"y a matter of brushing the horses and "etting them out of the barn to gra4e. 2e had an inte""igent# te"epathic# magica" cat named *e""a4 up unti" a wee ago. :e too care of security magica""y# so we cou"d focus on the music. :e stored magica" energy as fat# so before a gig he wou"d become a wadd"ing ba"" of butter. After# he was a cat s e"eton in a s in suit ten si4es too big. -ast wee he was o)erwhe"med and i""ed by a group of wi"d humans at a gig. $he concert p"ayed but I didn(t rea""y pay attention# thoughts of touring. $here was >uite an unru"y e"ement# but *e""a4 seemed to be hand"ing it. I "et my mind wander. I didn(t notice how thin he(d gotten. I thought he had e)erything under contro" right up unti" a piano wire too his head off. $hen some wiseass punted it up on stage. $he music stopped. -ady !. scanned the room and then the bott"es behind the bar started e0p"oding into fireba""s. 2ith a thought# I was attended by si0# c"ass fifty?si0 demons. 'asty "itt"e miniature ogre "oo ing things with a big head dominated by a need"e fang fi""ed mouth and a bite that# if it doesn(t i"" outright# pac s to0ic sa"i)a that wi"" get the 8ob done s"ow"y o)er the ne0t few wee s. %emons are no more than anima"s made of magic not f"esh. $hey(re not e)i" by nature# but they are chaotic# and usua""y bruta". $ogether# we had the bar c"eared in a few minutes and an apparent death to"" in the doub"e digits. 'ot bad for such a sma"" bar.

2e pac ed up our stuff# inc"uding *e""a4(s remains. I tried to re)i)e him and put his head bac on. $he poor cat 8ust didn(t seem to ha)e the energy to "i)e. 'ot surprising when I "ifted him. E)en with the tab"e c"oth he was wrapped in he cou"dn(t possib"y ha)e been more than four or fi)e pounds. It was a somber ride bac # fi""ed with ta" of s"aying a"" humans. 2hen we got bac to the house :aw and A"i0 dug a ho"e# Erin and I bathed the body# and my -ady went upstairs to get the buria" it. Scented oi" and herba" gau4e that were basica""y worm bait# to assist in the body(s re?absorption into the earth. Chapter .our +Erin, $hat e)ening those of us with )ampiric tendencies@ Story# $he -ady# and I# decided it wou"d be fun to head into town for a hunt. 2e 8ust "eft the horses and ran. :unting brought out a "o)e of mo)ement and this enab"ed us to go straight to town instead of fo""owing the meanderings of the road. :aw and A"i0# being %ragonA2erebeast and "ionman respecti)e"y# hunted and fed as their bestia" natures directed. I now they came with us# but whether they hunted deer in the forest or preferred (the most dangerous game( I don(t now. Both were fair"y common for them. It was possib"e I "o)ed the run through mi"es of moist e)ergreen forest more than the actua" ta ing of "ife. A wor"d of )ibrant green# the "i)ing energy was pa"pab"e# especia""y in my hypersensiti)e hunt mania. 3ur hunt "asted about an hour and a ha"f# the feeding under twenty minutes and the run there and bac # maybe forty a"" to"d. 2e had gotten bac to our house about two?thirty. -ady !a""isto and I retired to my room. 2here we "ic ed spattered b"ood off each other then mo)ed to areas the b"ood had most definite"y missed. 2e fina""y fe"" as"eep around dawn. I was up around eight. .irst one up# which was strange for me. I pu""ed on my robe against the morning chi"". It might ha)e been the ear"iest I(d been up in years. *hysica""y# none of us needed more than three hours s"eep. 3ccasiona""y we(d be up as "ong as a wee # with no s"eep at a"". But I "o)ed to stay in bed the ma0imum my body wou"d a""ow. I went down to start a fire in the firep"ace# so the others cou"d wa e up in a more hospitab"e en)ironment. 2a" ing into the "i)ing room# I was met with a sight that a"most f"oored me. $here# sitting ca"m"y on the couch in front of an a"ready roaring fire# was *hi"ip %ucanten. *hi"ip was -ady !(s prodiga" mate. :e(d been off dimension hopping "i e Story# :aw # and A"i0(s partners sti"" were. $his wou"d be how our mot"ey bunch ended up together. *hi"ip was thin but "oo ed strong and wiry. :e ept his b"ac hair pu""ed into a ponytai". :is s in was the same mi" moon white that I wore# which wasn(t surprising. :is eyes were a hypnoti4ing smo y green# "i e mine. $his a"so was not too surprising# gi)en the circumstances. In our first "i)es# the ones that shaped us physica""y and set our p"ace in the .ami"y# we shared the same mother. $hough he was a few hundred years o"der so was more "i e an unc"e I ne)er saw. $hat(s nothing# Story(s my origina" father. But a few deaths and rebirths "ater that sort of thing ceases to matter. It has to# so as not to comp"icate things. In an immorta" fami"y# one ma es one5s own re"ationships. $imes change too >uic "y for things to be otherwise., Brother# unc"e# father# friend# it didn(t matter much. I was g"ad to ha)e *hi"ip there# but not near"y as g"ad as the -ady wou"d be. I "oo ed at him and decided to p"ay it off. B*hi"ip you(re up ear"y#B BErin you(re ba"d.B :e rep"ied. I opened my robe# B6es# a"" the way down.B BShow off. 6ou ne)er had body hair. Some of the piercings are new though. I guess it(s on"y one short step from the mohaw you had "ast time I saw you.= ;1ore than twenty?fi)e years and a death and rebirth cyc"e ago. $his fee"s more "i e me than anything I()e tried.B I to"d him# BI thin the fact I ha)en(t sha)ed since the 9enaissance means the 1other and .ather appro)e.B B3f course they wou"d. 6ou(re a goddess. Spea ing of goddesses how(s my immacu"ate -ady !.CB

B:ung "i e a dairy cow# and horny as a hedgehog# much "i e you remember her.B Chapter .i)e +*hi"ip, It was great to see Erin again. I(d nown >uite a few peop"e who(d sha)ed this or the other# but she was comp"ete"y hair"ess. 'o arm hair# no eye"ashes# no eyebrows tota""y hair"ess. +I figured she wou"d be in troub"e if not for magic. Because a"" those microfi"ament hairs missing around her eyes and in her nose acted as dust and partic"e fi"ters., $o "oo at# howe)er# it was a stunning effect. :er a"ready otherwor"d"y beauty made the smoothness "oo natura". -i e a new race. 2e ta" ed a"one for the better part of two hours. I caught her up on the "atest news from $he $emp"e and the other wor"ds where the .ami"y maintained a stronger presence than here. She was eager for news of $he Sisters# her incestuous "esbian >uad cum triang"e that she had not seen this incarnation. Sad"y# since she was the youngest by se)enty?fi)e years# it was not hard for them to go bac to their o"d patterns. E)eryone new Erin had a different destiny anyway. 'e)erthe"ess# I new it hurt her# no matter how gent"y I phrased it. Because being set aside to pursue ones destiny is "one"y# when said destiny has not happened yet. E)entua""y the others )entured down. -uc i"y# my -ady came "ast. $he others were considerate enough not to "et their surprise mo)e past their eyes. She came bouncing down a moment "ater# stopped co"d# 8ust staring at me for a moment. B*hi"ip<B She screamed# running o)er and 8umping on me. B!a""isto# gods it(s good to see you.B I said# ho"ding her to me. .rom the way she rubbed against me I thought she p"anned to conduct our reunion in fu"" )iew. I# on the other hand# whi"e en8oying an audience most times# fe"t certain things shou"d be pri)ate. I too her in my arms and carried her upstairs. I# "i e a"" my brothers +e)en the big ones, am far stronger than I "oo . .or the same reason I dec"ined an audience I shan5t go into detai"# but getting ready for the concert the fo""owing day was the ne0t time I saw the others. 2e soon arri)ed at the S"ippery Ee"# which sounded 8ust enough "i e a )enerea" disease to be appropriate for said ho)e". 'ot to mention the unwashed masses who patroni4ed it. I hoped they(d agree to tour again. But who new where in this 9oad 2arrior cum 9obin :ood wor"d. A few years of magic had done "itt"e to ma e this p"ace "i)eab"e. But at "east on the road its different groups fi"th instead of the same o"d faces that repu"sed you the first time. I ha"f suspected the on"y reason they chose to perform here at a"" was the inte""ectua" cha""enge of discouraging troub"e# when i""ing the "ot of them is not an option. A"" the o"d wor"d bui"dings stood drun en"y# with no attempt to c"ean up the detritus of decay. $he debris was 8ust stomped more deep"y into the ground. $he on"y new construction was the odd bit of scaffo"ding ho"ding up the crumb"ing o"d constructs. It(s a"ways been my opinion that when they decided to rid the wor"d of the wor s of humans# $hey shou"d ha)e arranged for the humans to go as we""# because it(s unfair for us to ha)e hatefu"# 8ea"ous# terrified# pu"ing humans soi"ing( our fresh new wor"d. And it was unfair to the humans to "ea)e them in a wor"d where they had no contro". 2hat happened was the human bigots 8ust added magic pre8udice to their "ist. 3ne wou"d thin they cou"d abandon o"d pre8udices for new# but the human capacity for hate# much "i e their capacity for wi"fu" ignorance seemed to be bound"ess. 2e ran into such a group on the road. $hey gra)itated to A"i0. B:ey pussy# here itty? itty. Come on itty# I ha)e some cream for you.B She smi"ed down from her horse. B-oo I(m )ery sorry that you suc # but don(t ta e it out on me.B $hey "aughed and the "eader said. B3oh boys# she(s going to use her magic on us. C(mon witchypoo# 4ap me.B A"i0(s smi"e softened but remained. BI was more thin ing about my toes.= She was wearing sanda"s# so she easi"y e0tended her c"aws and ic ed down# ta ing off ha"f of his face. :e fe"" to the ground screaming and his friends attac ed# on"y to find themse")es "ifted off the ground and thrown against the wa"" by Story(s wi"". It was apparent"y their standard practice to

minimi4e deaths that were direct"y traceab"e to us. 2hich# of course# they neg"ected to mention unti" I(d popped my boot nife through the s u"" of the one who bounced off the wa"" and "anded ne0t to me. $hen they bitched at meC As if i""ing humans isn(t their idea of fun. It was a"most enough to ma e me sic . Chapter Si0 +Aubi, I ne)er met *e""a4. I(m sure he was >uite a guy. But# when I decided to "in my "ife to Breach# I was not p"anning to rep"ace the cat. I didn(t >uite now the score when I headed up the "ong dri)eway to the house that day. I(m not of any officia" race. I am instead a 9oman bu""?god. 'ot by birth of course. I was born Au# a "ad unremar ab"e# e0cept in si4e# in Egypt maybe two hundred years before the beginning of the Common Era. :uge I was# si0 cubits# twenty stone# or si0 foot nine# about two hundred and eighty pounds. I was ser)ant to the pharaoh# a "i)ing con)ersation piece. At eighteen I was presented as a s"a)e to the 9oman Emperor. 1y si4e and pre)ious position made me a status symbo". 'ot "ong after my twenty?third birthday I attended the emperor on his deathbed. $he priests came to gi)e him the e"i0ir that wou"d i"" his withered body and bring his sou" to godhood. :e wou"d a"ign with 1ithras the most powerfu" god of his time# a bu"" god whose domain was sun and war# but had spread into a"" areas of his worshipers5 "i)es# +becoming a Christ figure that ri)a"ed Christianity for a"most a hundred years., I i""ed the priest and dran the draught myse"f. $he emperor died and it was said he was deified# when in fact I had imbibed the magic. I went through incredib"e hardship in the a"co)e where I(d craw"ed to die. But I was young and strong and I sur)i)ed the changes. I arose nine days "ater co)ered in a g"owing white pe"t# with "ong cur"ing hair of f"ame. 1y nai"s were thic and sp"it to resemb"e a tiny c"o)en hoof on each finger and toe. I was fi)e inches ta""er# fifty pounds hea)ier# and my eyes were g"owing bright orange "i e twin "anterns. -ast"y# I had a beautifu" pair of bu""(s horns. I cou"d not go out "i e this. 2ith a thought I changed. 1y wi"" enacted itse"f upon my body. 1y fur and hair turned g"ossy b"ac # and the horns were gone. 2hen I saw that# I thought of my o"d form and retrie)ed it. I chec ed my ref"ection in the wa"" p"ate& my eyes were no "onger g"owing# but remained bright orange. $hey go red when I(m angry# and go"d with an inf"u0 of power. But they are the windows to my sou" and are my on"y feature I ha)e no conscious contro" o)er. I went bac to my o"d "ife# saying to peop"e that my eyes changed when I saw the emperor achie)e godhood. I tried to pic up where I(d "eft off. $he e0istence of a s"a)e is unsatisfying to the a)atar of a god. So I mo)ed on# wrest"ing with my new spirit and trying to adapt. I aged myse"f e0terna""y as I "i)ed among the humans. I(d mo)e on before I was e0pected to die. After about one hundred and fifty years of this fringe e0istence I met the .ather# no stranger to the god gig. :e trained me# as an introduction to the .ami"y# which I was adopted into for $hey?on"y? now what reason. In the course of that training I disco)ered# that I was much stronger in the sun@ being capab"e# with training# of anything short of creating "ife. 1y abi"ities waned at night to that of a demigod& sti"" more than I had occasion to need most of the time. $hen the ca"" of humanity pu""ed me bac into the fray. I "i)ed my doub"e "ife as part human and part something different and undeniab"y more for two hundred and si0ty or se)enty years. $hen I returned with )isions of permanence to the bosom of my .ami"y. I tried se)era" di)erse "i)es in the ne0t thousand years. I was a storyte""er# warrior# bard# and wandering ad)enturer# but I remained unsatisfied. I sti"" had neither reconci"ed my human side nor e"iminated it. I did the one thing I new to do& I went bac . I had heard of certain steps by which a man cou"d become more than a man. I thought I might fi0 my prob"ems if I cou"d mo)e my human side toward en"ightenment. I became a Shao("in mon & I graduated to master status with si0 dots burned one by one into my forehead to mar my progress. I then studied yoga and $ai Chi unti" I(d mastered them as much as anyone e)er masters constant"y changing sub8ecti)e arts. $hey remain an integra" part of my dai"y routine e)en to this day.

I studied the cha ras# which "ed me to undah"ini# a study named for a race humans had forgotten. It taught that a"" power "ay coi"ed "i e a serpent at the base of the spine. And through concentration and breathing it cou"d be coa0ed up through the cha ras. $his was the strongest of human discip"ines by which one cou"d "earn to rip stee" "i e paper. Imperfect"y mastered# one cou"d end up a g"owing and powerfu" repti"ian beast. *erfect"y mastered# it cou"d ma e a man a god. $ime and determination I had in abundance with no "ac of patience. $he first time it happened# I was changed in a moment. $his time it too near"y two hundred years. I had time to get used to it. $he day I con)erted myse"f to pure energy and bac I new I was done and went home. $hat was two months ago. I(m bac in true form now. $he b"ac on b"ac form I too second# but that I saw as rea""y me. I sti"" ha)e orange eyes and c"o)en nai"s. I(m sti"" the biggest guy I now. 'ot to mention# I(m a god. But that particu"ar afternoon I was heading up the >uarter mi"e cobb"estone dri)eway to rep"ace the cat. I hitched my horse to a tree and pu""ed off his headgear so he cou"d gra4e. :e was an eighteen hand Shire sta""ion. %ar Auburn with cream mane# tai"# and fet"oc s on three "egs# the fourth matched his coat. I(d had him for two months and we shared an affection. :e was a )ery p"acid beast for a"" his inte""igence# which suited me fine. Being )ery "aid bac myse"f. I went up to the door and noc ed. Story answered# which was good as he was the on"y one who had seen and wou"d now me in my true form. BAubi# what(s going onCB I cou"dn(t answer right away as the others rea"i4ed who I was and crowded around me for hugs and comments of (this sure is different from your man form(. 3oh big surprise there. .ina""y they >uieted enough for me to spea # B2hat(s going onC I was ta" ing to the 1other and .ather# about how a coup"e hundred years spent "osing one5s humanity a"" a"one ma es one "ong for the comfort of a fami"y. But I sti"" wanted to tra)e". $hey said you guys cou"d use a roadie and security guy. And you ha)e been thin ing of touring#B I rep"ied $hey a"" bro e in then. B:ow cou"d $hey nowCB BBut I hadn(t discussed that with anyone.B B6ou now# touring# that sounds fun.B BI was 8ust thin ing about touring when A"i0 had that human prob"em in town.= I didn(t say anything. It seemed they a"" had touring hopes# which they(d ne)er mentioned to each other. Somehow $he 1other and .ather had 8ust nown. :mmm must ha)e been that direct mind to mind connection they shared with a"" their descendants. +As an adopted member I cou"d open the connection at wi""# but it is not a constant in my "ife "i e it is with them., *"ans were >uic "y made to hit the road after their "ast engagement in town# a"ready p"anned for that night. $his was where I first heard of *e""a4. B:e used to hand"e security for us magica""y# but it came time for him to start anew somep"ace e"se.B $he -ady said. BSo I was sent here to rep"ace the catCB I as ed. BBasica""y#B said *hi"ip# not one to mince words. B$hat(s horrib"e<= Erin ye""ed. BI "o)ed *e""a4# we a"" did# and to say he can be rep"aced bare"y a wee after his death. It(s 8ust... 8ust horrib"e.B :er fa e tears >uic "y became rea" "aughter. B:a ha# positi)e"y hi"arious you two. I(m sure you shou"d both be )ery proud of yourse")es.B I said. BC(mon# no hard fee"ings# AubiCB *hi"ip as ed# e0tending his hand. B'e)er# brother.B I too it smi"ing my best toothy grin# disp"aying 8aws that cou"d grind stone +I5)e been nown to snac on the dry feeder corn they gi)e to "i)estoc ., Chapter Se)en +A"i0, I was g"ad Aubi showed up. $ouring sounded fun and I was a "itt"e sic of being the on"y furry one. $hat night we "oaded a"" our instruments in the wagon. E)en after a ha"f do4en years# gi)e or ta e# we continued to use e"ectric instruments that were spe""ed to wor without e"ectricity. It was a necessity in Story(s case# as an e"ectric bass was much easier to dea" with then a huge acoustic

wou"d ha)e been. .or the rest of us it was more about habit. E0cept in Erin(s case. She a"ways used a custom drum set she de)e"oped. It incorporated a centra" stee" drum# two bongos# two sma"" wooden drums# and a fair few other incorporated percussi)e surfaces and instruments that were actua""y "arger and more unwie"dy than norma" roc drums. 3f course it was no troub"e though# as it was ab"e to be separated into indi)idua" drums for transport. 2hen the wagon was a"" "oaded up# we hitched it to our wagon horse# a draught horse# "i e Aubi(s# but a sma""er faster breed. Aubi(s Shire was an incredib"e nineteen hands high# Aubi says eighteen# but he has enormous hands# he was a beautifu" auburn and cream. 2ith a bac so broad I cou"d thin of few# none but Aubi in this wor"d# who cou"d sit astride comfortab"y. :e was a"so fast for a Shire# easi"y ab"e to eep pace with the others# e)en carrying Aubi. Aubi wore an undyed s"ee)e"ess tunic# "oose "inen pants and hea)y boots# with the toes cut off so his feet cou"d breathe. As we rode *hi"ip mentioned# B'ow I now the norma" taboo on wasting the popu"ace. But we are going on tour after this. And I for one don(t fee" tota""y )indicated for the death of our dear friend *e""a4.B B*e""a4 died before you e)en came here.= Storyte""er said# ;6ou 8ust want to i"" humans. But o ay# we deser)e it. $onight anything goes.B As we rode into town it "oo ed pretty non?confrontationa"# e0cepting stares and g"ares. Sudden"y out of an a""ey# sword raised# ran a human with puc ered e"oid scarring co)ering ha"f his face. $he unscarred ha"f showed him as my ic recipient of the other night. Apparent"y his friends got him to a hea"er. $he se)erity of the scarring seemed to say they cauteri4ed the wounds# so he wou"dn(t b"eed to death on the way. Aubi was riding beside me. :e goosed his horse forward and ic ed the human in the face. :is foot went right through the bastard(s head. 3ne of the most ama4ing# and disgusting# things I e)er saw. BSo"id tag Aubi.B I said "oo ing at the b"ood and oatmea"y s>uished brains. B6eah but where am I going to wash my footCB Aubi(s ic stunned them momentari"y. $hen we were swarmed with o)erconfident humans. $hey attac ed us with swords he"d high# arms coc ed and heads comp"ete"y open to us. 2e wou"d ha)e beaten their anemic pasty asses regard"ess# it was ine)itab"e. But :aw showed them 8ust how hope"ess the fight was and speeded things up a bit. 3ne who stayed bac from the fight had fired a crossbow at :aw (s head as he was turned the other way beating down a human who was trying to mount his horse. :e caught the bo"t from the air behind him without "oo ing and popped it through his opponent5s eye. Before "ong e)eryone was dead or run off. 2e rode on# and found the owner of the S"ippery Ee" waiting outside. :e was maybe forty# comp"ete"y ba"d with a )an dy e beard. :e was a"" scars and burn mar s. :e was the biggest fu"" b"ooded human I e)er saw. 9are"y did they e)er grow abo)e si0 foot two# which :oo passed by a good three inches. Before he went to fat# he5d been one he"" of a fighter. :e cou"d sti"" discourage any troub"e that started in his bar. :is rea" name was Jim 3(1a""oy# but had been ca""ed :oo since he had been forced to rep"ace his right hand. B:owdy :oo #B Story said# swinging down from his horse to noncha"ant"y sha e the man5s hoo . BStory# hi. 'ow you now I "i e you. I wou"d ne)er support the beha)ior of the townspeop"e. :e""# e)en some of my customers these "ast wee s. $he death of your cat friend demands retribution. But regard"ess of the reason# I ha)e to "i)e in this town. So can I impose on our friendship enough to as you to eep it outsideCB Story reached into a poc et coming out with a three ounce unstamped smooth go"d coin. B2e(re going on tour after this gig# :oo . As "i e"y as not# you("" ne)er see us again. $hat coin wi"" more than pay for any rea"istic damages. If it goes beyond that# e)en if the p"ace is "e)e"ed# you now we5re good for it# we("" rep"ace it comp"ete"y. But tonight I ca"" the shots.B B2ith no desire to cast a pa"" on our wor ing re"ationship# that has a"most become a friendship#= :oo began# ;but do you thin I5)e ne)er heard of .aery 7o"dC $hat I wou"dn(t at "east suspect itCB

B3dd"y no#= Story said "oo ing bemused. ;I wou"d thin the now"edge I cou"d turn you into a wi""ing s"a)e with a thought# "et a"one a word# wou"d comfort you that I wou"d ha)e no reason to cheat you. If you ha)e a >uestion# the touch of iron or stee" wi"" render .aery go"d into whate)er it started as& bar or "ea)es or a stone.B B$here(s no need for that. I trust you.B :e said# but we cou"d a"" see that he brushed the coin on his be"t nife on the way to his poc et. Chapter Eight +:aw , 'othing happened. 2e""# some assmunch 8umped up on stage and I ic ed him in the face hard enough to f"ip him bac ward into the audience# but that was business as usua" at the S"ippery Ee". 3ther than that I(d ha)e to ca"" the gig annoying"y stab"e. So stab"e in fact# there was a thought gi)en to ta e the coin bac from :oo . 2e ended up "etting him eep it to remember us by. 1aybe he5d thin of us when he "oo s at whate)er it is he5"" end up se""ing it for. It was outside the bar that the party started. I cou"dn(t say how many surrounded the garage turned stab"e. I a"most wanted to ta e dragon form and toast the "ot of them. I(d say a conser)ati)e estimate wou"d be si0ty. Aubi standing ne0t to me said# B:aw # I thin they want a rumb"e.B BI shou"d say so.B I rep"ied. $hey were a"" armed@ swords# daggers# staffs# itchen ni)es# bric bats# pipes# big roasting for s# anything they cou"d get their hands on it seemed. 3f course our entire armory was with the horses or at the house. But we had c"aws# fangs# and a barbarian strea . 'ot to mention superior strength and magic. I recogni4ed the hate mongers front man# -ucian Crow"ey# from past taunts. :e "oo ed at Aubi# B:ey Storyte""er# who(s the furba""C :i "i"( itty. -itt"e itty wanna get sha)edCB :e f"ic ed open a straight ra4or. Aubi spo e# BI fee" it(s on"y fair to show you something.B :e did a spinning crescent ic to the wa"" behind him# "ea)ing a "arge ho"e not on"y in the siding# but the cinderb"oc beneath. B'ow if you want to ris a ra4or against this body# you(re we"come to try.B B6eah itty# but we outnumber you a"most si0 to one.B -ucian said# as if it mattered. BBut you(re human.B Aubi rep"ied pointing out the ob)ious. $his got the mob going. :umans hated to be reminded of their misfortune of birth. I can(t say much about the others# but I had fun# and Aubi was c"ose enough I caught some of his mo)es. I was first attac ed by a good si4ed man ho"ding a three foot stee" pipe# "i e those used to anchor chain "in fences. I duc ed under his swing and came up "etting my %ragon b"ood gi)e me c"aws. I dug my right hand into his stomach# my "eft into his chest. I "ifted him o)er my head and s"ammed him on his bac in the street. I too the pipe from his ner)e"ess fingers and hit him in the head hard enough to bow the pipe. 'ot to mention his head. $hen I was 8umped by some great o"d thing# need"ess"y fema"e# I was surprised to see it had the necessary strength to mo)e at a""# much "ess bound onto my bac . It started stabbing at my eyes# a brass nitting need"e in each hand. I s"ammed my head bac into its face three times fast before it cou"d mo)e# and it fe"" off. $hen I used the pipe to fend off others as I too my time ic ing it to death with my stee"?toed motorcyc"e boots. I(m not usua""y particu"ar"y bruta"# but the fuc ing cow was hanging on me. 2ho new how "ong it wou"d ta e to get its sic "y sweet rot sweat and fou" human stench out of my c"othes. As I was a"" but unoccupied# ic ing the human too "itt"e concentration# I had a "oo around. Erin had ta en her robe off and tied her obi sash# into a nee "ength "oinc"oth and wore nothing e"se. She he"d a scimitar she(d gotten from somewhere and was bathed in b"ood. 2ith a"" her years as a warrior before her )ocation# I doubted any of it was hers.

She fought there# "oo ing "i e the se)enth incarnation of !a"i# the :indu goddess of death and destruction. An image aided by her pierced nose# and a ring sporting a tiny go"d capped fang in her nipp"e. Just as I(m getting into the show my human ic bag decides to distract me by feeb"y trying to )omit up its own intestines and die. 'e)er one to ic (em when their dead# I mo)ed on. I came up behind 1r. Crow"ey and c"ea)ed his s u"" with my pipe. B:ey#= Aubi said# B:e was mine.B BC(mon friend# there5s p"enty more.B I motioned to the ten or twe")e hanging bac # trying to decide whether to run or attac . 2e he"ped them out by doing our own attac ing. I ended up facing a hu" ing human with a broadsword and a scampering .rench Sa)ate master ic er with spurs. $he swordsman had a "onger reach with his sword than I had with my pipe. -uc i"y# that was a"" he had going for him. I dodged around his "ead thrust and struc across his e"bow with the pipe. $hen deft"y remo)ed his "aryn0 with two c"awed fingers. -uc i"y# he fe"" bac ward. :is friend posed more of a prob"em. Sa)ate had a"ways "oo ed to me "i e a cross between s ipping and 9ussian dance. In fact it was the on"y human# non?Asian match for arate. $he spurs 8ust made it more interesting. 3n the right was a standard rowe" +star, spur# I cou"d see the "ight g"ittering off the edge of each point. 3n the "eft was a coc spur# a spi e about fi)e inches "ong that came down near a need"e point at the end. I(d been thin ing that spurs wou"d be a good "oo for me. But it turned out hard to get >ua"ity ones. It wou"dn(t be "ong before I(d be set. 2e danced around. $he human ga)e a good fight. It was fun. Soon a"" others were dead and for the "ast coup"e of minutes the band stood around impatient"y. .ina""y# I stepped behind him onto the coc spur# momentari"y immobi"i4ing that foot. I ic ed into that nee with my inside "eg. :e fe"" to the ground then I stomped on his throat and crushed his windpipe. 2ith a twist I put my fu"" weight down to assure its comp"ete co""apse. $o the human(s credit he tried to ic at me with his good "eg. /nti" o0ygen panic set in and he 8ust writhed around on the ground c"awing at his throat. 2hen he was dead# I bent down to ta e the spurs off. 2hen I touched him his "eg snapped up into my face. %ying ner)es tend to react )io"ent"y when touched. It was sheer "uc that the fina" ic caught me s>uare in the nose. .uc did that hurt. I a"most passed out. I stood up rea" >uic when he ic ed me. 2ith the sudden "ight?headedness and pain grogginess# I fe"" down. 3n my face. $hat was when I passed out. I wo e up a moment "ater on my bac # with Erin ginger"y touching my nose# hea"ing it. B1y spurs.B I groaned# a"ways an0ious for new weaponry. B%on(t sweat it. Aubi(s getting (em for you.B B3 ay.B I was most"y hea"ed# but sti"" ached# when she stopped. BCan(t finish right now# too tired from the fight.B She apo"ogi4ed. B%on(t worry about it. I("" be fine by tomorrow. 2hy don(t you go crash in the wagonC I("" dri)e and -ady ! and *hi"ip can ride our horses.B B$han s.B She said# turning on her hee" and going to fo""ow my suggestion. 2e got home soon enough. I carried a s"eeping Erin upstairs. She wo e up when I was washing the b"ood off her# so she wou"dn(t stain the sheets. *robab"y wo e up because I was using my tongue. Chapter 'ine +Erin, Ear"y the ne0t afternoon as we headed out# I rode ne0t to Aubi. I wore my standard "ong b"ac robe. It seemed I was ne)er seen otherwise these days. I rode a b"ac Arabian I(d sto"en ear"ier whi"e the others were pac ing. Story dro)e the wagon# the others rode separate"y. I cou"d fee" the co"d sheath of the sti"etto I wore in an open bodice ho"ster between what I(""# for genera" purposes# ca"" my breasts. I had another

nife strapped to my thigh beneath a s"it hidden in the fo"ds of my robe. I had a do4en shi)a throwing darts in the bu""et "oops of a bando"ier s"ung around my horse(s nec and a b"owtube pee ing out of the top of my sadd"ebag# its darts in a pouch at my waist. .rom the sadd"ebag on the other side protruded the hi"t of my new scimitar. It had c"eaned up we""# showing itse"f to be a weapon of e0ceptiona" >ua"ity +probab"y sto"en from a museum or co""ectors store,. 7ood thing I "iberated it from that muc y mob. 'ot proper"y cared for# e)en the finest weapon can go to shit rather >uic "y. Beneath my robe I wore a wrapped "oinc"oth. I was usua""y na ed. :owe)er# on the road# I e0pected to ha)e to disrobe fre>uent"y to fight. 'ow whi"e I(m not so modest as to wrap breasts that don(t need it. I(m a"so not going into batt"e star ers regard"ess of the shoc )a"ue. I new whi"e f"aunting se0 organs might be usefu""y distracting# it wou"d a"so be the first thing aimed at if it(s bare. 'ow my chest wi"" be aimed at. Being my heart# my combat training was a"ready e0pecting that. As the co"d of night descended I pu""ed my hood up. 2hen we rode into a town near ten# I was "oo ed at with fear and disgust# a dar priestess tra)e"ing with her human ser)ants and furred demon guards. It was common conc"usion 8umped to by humans# sti"" fi""ed with fear dri)en paranoia. E)en years after the destructi)e contro" systems that inspired it were defeated. E)en if it hadn5t been so "ate# we wou"dn5t ha)e pursued a gig. Being none too interested in wor ing our first night out. 'or wor ing at a"" for a bunch that "oo ed "i e the group we saw when we entered. It was the nicest inn we cou"d find. 2e(d "eft our horses with the stab"e boy. Inside there was a semi? attracti)e# mi"d"y ta"ented woman p"aying hapha4ard guitar on a stage that dwarfed her. 2e were >uic "y met by the owner# a sma"" gray bird of a human in an anti>ue suit. B2e"come to She"ter Inn. I am the proprietor. -uciano *a)arotti# no re"ation of course.B B'o re"ation to whomCB A"i0 as ed. BAn opera singer of the same name from before the 9enaissance.B Story answered. $he word (9enaissance( seemed to pain our host when Story said it. But he suc ed it up in his own best interest and said# BDuite so. :ow may I assist you this e)eningCB B.our rooms.B Story said "oo ing serious. BCertain"y sir. And how wi"" you be payingCB BEmera"ds.B Storyte""er said# with a thin tight smi"e. B:mmm# may I see themCB $he human as ed# po"ite"y incredu"ous. Story remo)ed three stones between one and fi)e carats and handed them o)er. $he sma""est wou"d pay for better than this. But his position as younger brother to the creators of the uni)erse ga)e Story un"imited access to such things. So he cou"d afford to be generous. :e assumed this "argesse wou"d buy him peace and >uiet in the demesnes of the humans. Sometimes it was e)en true. *a)arotti e0amined the stones under a "amp with a 8ewe"er(s g"ass. :e nodded and came bac . BDuite in order. I must assume you understand there(s a s"ight surcharge for boarding the anim... 6our two friends.B :e "oo ed pointed"y at A"i0 and Aubi. Story hit *a)arotti(s hand from underneath# snatched the "argest stone from the air# and a""owed him to catch the remaining two. B$hese two stones wi"" co)er any surcharge# the rooms# the stab"es# and a"" we can eat and drin in your fine dining room. I(m sure you("" agree.B $he bric red of contained rage edged up *a)arotti( s nec to his chee s. But his stupidity did not go as far as )oicing that anger. B$hat wi"" be fine# sir. 7ino wi"" show you to your rooms. 7ino<B :e be""owed o)er his shou"der. :e was immediate"y attended by a young# buc toothed# bandy?"egged human. 7ino too the eys and "ed us to the third f"oor. :e showed us four ad8oining rooms# grunted# s"urped some droo"# and shuff"ed off.

BCharming fe""ow#B Story said. It was "eft open who(d s"eep where. A"" the rooms "oo ed c"ean and we"" appointed. It was sti"" ear"y by our time# and not too "ate e)en by human rec oning. 2e went in search of food downstairs. $he first thing we too care of was chec ing on the horses. $hey were fine. 2hi"e we were there# Story put a shie"d on the wagon# so no one wou"d nic our stuff. It was pretty standard. Sort of a (don(t "oo at me# I do not e0ist( 8obber. 2e ad8ourned to the pub"ic room. $he inn had once been a 1arriott and the pub"ic room had been its ba""room. A"" done in sand co"ored stucco and wood. $he tab"es were big wagon whee"s with g"ass tops on tree stump bases. It was meant to "oo )ery cowboy. E2hite trash with pretensions of being country yuppie5 hit the mar much more c"ose"y. ;Aiming at mediocrityC 3h goody.= I mumb"ed "oo ing around. $he woman on stage was prettier and more ta"ented than I(d guessed at first g"ance. :er audience howe)er had the b"an open mouthed stares of the termina""y stupid. 2e found a tab"e and I went to order drin s. 2e did not want to face the cuisine "i e"y to be found here without some sort of a brace. I pu""ed off my hood to a few stares and pointing. I addressed the bartender# B3 ay# I(d "i e some sort of fi44y minera" water# if you ha)e it. $he thin guy with the dar red hair wants a white wine. $he s inny b"ac haired guy and the woman ne0t to him wou"d "i e a nice tawny port. %o you ha)e portCB B3f course# this is a >ua"ity inn= :e said with an offended sniff. B:ow fun for you. Anyway# the two furry ones and the big b"ond wi"" ha)e whate)er(s on tap.B B.ine# that("" be fine. But I ha)e to as you to put them outside or up in your rooms. I can(t ha)e anima"s where peop"e are eating# pub"ic hea"th and e)erythingF. I(m sure they(re c"ean#B :e said in a conci"iatory manner. BC"eaner than you.B I rep"ied# prepared to be offended but not rea""y caring. B1aybe so. But ne)erthe"ess# they can(t be in here.B B2hy notC Is there a "awCB I new fu"" we"" "aw had gone the way of ci)i"i4ation. BAs a matter of fact# there is.B :e smir ed. BI ha)en(t heard of anyp"ace ha)ing "aws in years.= I rep"ied. B2e"" we()e got them here in 3"son)i""e. 3ur mayor Char"es 3"son and his sheriff run a tight ship. $here can be no peace without "aw.B :e recited. B2hat power do they ha)e to bac this shit upCB I was getting annoyed yet sti"" per)erse"y interested. B$he sheriff and his deputies are enough. $hey(re rea" good at con)incing unwanted e"ements to mo)e a"ong.B B$hat e0p"ains why you5re a"" so homogenica""y du"".B I smi"ed# re8ecting the proper word (homogenous"y( because I fe"t their du""ness went a"" the way down to their genes. :e was getting a "itt"e throbby around the temp"es# if his ob)ious"y pu"sing )ein meant anything. B2hat we are here is happy. It(s your ind of anarchy that brought down the wor"d. 6our dar breed isn(t e)en usua""y a""owed in this town. It is on"y by the grace of $heir :onors# the 1ayor and Sheriff that you5re standing here. $hat you e)en continue to "i)e. If I sent for the sheriff you cou"d a"" be hanging by midnight.B BAnd if we winCB I "aughed ;If the impossib"e happened we wou"d be forced to find rep"acements. *robab"y from among the "ynch mob who wou"d immediate"y string you up. 2e wi"" not fa"" prey to the forces of anarchy and wic edness that grip the rest of the wor"d.B 1y curiosity assuaged and my disgust in)o ed I said# BI(m afraid you("" ha)e to send for the authorities then.B .or good measure# I threw a beer stein through the mirror behind the bar. :e motioned a youth o)er and sent him running. B6ou("" regret this.B B6eah# yeah# we("" see.B I grabbed a coup"e bott"es from behind the bar and went to sit down. I wondered how two men cou"d ho"d a town# en8oying a fascist state. 1y curiosity was not reso")ed when they appeared& two aging# ug"y# and uncharismatic po"iticians and ten deputies.

I suppose :it"er contro""ed se)era" countries with a core group not much "arger. :e was 8ust as wide"y supported as these two for a time. 2e rose as they entered. $he deputies made a human wa"" around their "eaders. Each he"d a ready crossbow. $he sheriff spo e first# B2e don(t want your ind here. $his is a peacefu" god?fearing town# a sma"" eye of freedom in your hurricane of chaos. 2e don(t need a bunch of hippie faggots and a :are !rishna bitch to come in here# in "eague with Satan. 9apin( our women and i""ing our men in their s"eep# "i e cowards.B Story smi"ed B'ow I understand how important raping your own women is to your cu"ture. And I want to assure you we respect that and fee" any woman who "i)es here by choice deser)es what she gets. And "et me persona""y assure you captain# I()e ne)er i""ed a human in my s"eep. 3 ay one# no two... 3 ay fi)e. .ine# there(s no way I can count the number of humans# not to mention huwomen I()e i""ed in my s"eep. But c(mon# gimme a brea # I was s"eeping. 6ou can(t e0pect me to remember a"" of them. 6ou(re right. I(m a hippie commie faggot de)i" worshiping rapist. S"ap the cuffs on me# sarge.B BAny more of your smart mouth and I("" do a great dea" more than put the cuffs on you.B $he sheriff grow"ed. B-oo pri)ate# I(m immorta". If a"" your men fired as one# point b"an into my heart. It wou"d on"y piss me off. $hen I(d come o)er there# pee" your s in off# and then hang you with your own intestines. 6ou fuc ing rednec .B $he mayor 8umped in# B2e were p"anning on "etting you "ea)e here# pretty much under your own power. A"i)e if not comp"ete"y intact. But you had to eep f"appin( your smart mouth. It(s your ind of bu""shit attitude that made our once great country into this horrib"e he"". 7od wou"dn(t need to punish us if we(d been a "itt"e more responsib"e in ma ing you frea s toe the "ine. $hat(s why you a"" ha)e dates with the rope this )ery day. 3ur chi"dren must be made to see what happens when peop"e turn their bac s on 7od and their parents.B B2e cou"dn(t turn our bac on the IS. $he IS is e)erywhere. If we turned our bac we wou"d sti"" be facing the IS. *"us# I saw the 1other and .ather not two wee s ago. I mentioned to them how much I was en8oying the changes $hey(d made to this wor"d.B $he IS is what we ca"" the sentient panentheist uni)ersa" energy force that created a"" things for something to do. Big 7 god. As I "i e to say# the uni)erse without 7od is nothing# 7od without the uni)erse is sti"" 7od. E0isting eterna""y a"one can get boring so the IS then sp"it into the 1other and .ather to be ab"e to interact with the mu"ti)erse on a more persona" "e)e". And yet the IS was sti"" the IS afterward# but that(s 8ust too deep for the "i es of me. Story(s word(s seemed to incense the sheriff. :e went from red to purp"e before screeching between c"enched teeth# B.ire<B $he deputies fired their crossbows into a"" of us. $his hurt "i e main"ining fire. But our sur)i)a" scared them enough it was a"" worth it. Story pu""ed one out of his chest. Bro e it# and dropped the pieces to the ground saying# B'ow I(m pissed. Attac <B Before anyone e"se cou"d mo)e :aw had become a dragon that fi""ed more than ha"f of the enormous ba""room. Showy# his natura" dragon form is fifteen feet "ong and maybe fi)e and a ha"f high. Big# but not that big. :aw >uic "y toasted the "ot of them. $heir s in b"istered& then dar ened and began to "i>uefy and boi" pasti"y# "i e thic gra)y. $hen it crisped and began to swir" the warm air currents# fa""ing to ash. $he tab"es near them caught fire. :aw f"ashed bac and Story doused the remaining f"ames with a wa)e of his hand. BBit of a hog# aren(t weCB Aubi as ed# as we gathered against the opposite wa"". BI am# I don(t now about you.B was :aw (s smug rep"y. BI 8ust wish we cou"d do something about the sme"".B A"i0 said# nose wrin "ing. BC"ose your "egs then.B :aw smi"ed# drun on the power rush. B$hat(s disgusting#B I said. B7uess we a"" now who(s gonna be shut out of bed tonight.B BI don(t care. 6ou("" ta e care of me.B :e smi"ed. BSorry sport# I()e gotta show so"idarity with my sister.B

$he inn eeper and the bartender had been ta" ing. After our discussion had wound down# the proprietor approached Story. :e ga)e a ind of sha y bow# and ha"f mumb"ed# B7ood e)ening# Sir. It wou"d appear the positions of 1ayor and Sheriff are open. 6our friends cou"d be deputies. I(d e)en be wi""ing to o)er"oo the irreparab"e damage your man caused to my estab"ishment.B Story rep"ied# B.irst I assume you on"y offered us this 8ob because you(re scared shit"ess this who"e town might go the way of those bastards. Second# we don(t eep pets# especia""y not fi"thy pre8udiced humans who are rude to us. $he smartest decision you can ma e is to bac away# before we i"" you too.B BAs you wish# Sir.B :e said bac ing away >uic "y. BSo#B Story said# "eading us out. BIt(s hours before we s"eep and there(s nothing to do here but retire to our rooms and discuss phi"osophy. I doubt anyone wants to do that. 2hich "ea)es...CB B$he :unt<B 2e chorused happi"y. B$hat(s what I was thin ing.B Story smi"ed. 2e snuc out of town to a)oid power mad townies "oo ing for fresh b"ood. I went a"one as did Aubi and A"i0. Story and :aw and *hi"ip and the -ady hunted in pairs. Circ"ing the town I saw no night "ife on which to prey so I mo)ed into the forest to the south. $he comp"e0 "ayered sme"" of the forest re"a0ed me. $he dar branches b"oc ed out most of the starry in b"ue s y. -ea)es and pine need"es crac "ed "oud"y as I wa" ed. But I made no attempt to mo)e more >uiet"y. I wasn(t spying# and what I hunt is too stupid to be warned by noises. $he scent of pine and oa was strong# and what was thatC Some hic ory# beech# crabapp"e# app"e# and cherry. I "o)e the forest. I s inned down "ea)ing my robe and "oinc"oth in a "ump and scramb"ed up a fine o"d oa . I shinnied up to the highest branches and "eapt from treetop to treetop crowing and ca""ing. $his was why a person puts up with the bu""shit. 2ith the 3"son)i""es of this wor"d. $o go "eaping and swinging and bouncing through a forest. -ouder and more carefree# wi"der e)en than a mon ey who has an actua" day to day "ife to "i)e. $o masturbate "ying on a stout branch moaning "ouder and "onger than e)en the orgasms on"y you can coa0 from your body can warrant# simp"y because fuc it# it(s fun and freeing and gods damn it you "i e it. $hen it(s on to 8umping through the trees and if you stop to piss on a s"eeping hunter# as if to say# E.uc you# this is my forest. And I5m moc ing you#5 so much the better. I was tired and sweaty and "aughing# breath"ess"y "aughing to myse"f when I came within earshot of a town. .rom the sound# a pretty noisy one. Crowded and noisy it was the antithesis of 3"son)i""e to the north. It actua""y "oo ed "i e there had been some new construction in addition to the patched ramshac "e pre?9enaissance architecture. And either they were ma ing use of historic gas"ights the town a"ready had or they had insta""ed them# which was the biggest urban renewa" pro8ect I had seen since the 9enaissance Just outside of town I sna ed a white tan top undershirt and gray cut off shorts from a c"othes"ine. I wa" ed into town# hungry& no one e)en ga)e me a second g"ance. It was strange@ one town it(s impossib"e to find anyone to eat# but there wou"d be micro minima" chance of witnesses shou"d one get "uc y. Just a few mi"es away there(s food for the ta ing# if one can find any p"ace to eat it. E)entua""y as I wandered# a woman approached. BBoy# e0cuse me# boy. Can you he"p meC 1y husband(s been stabbed.B I cou"d forgi)e the fa"se assumption I was ma"e. But I(d at "east hope for (sir( not (boy(. I(m si0 foot one. $hat shou"d mean something. But I was fee"ing happy and hungry. B:as he "ost much b"oodCB B'o but he has an icepic through his head so we don(t ha)e much time.B $he woman said. BI(m fair"y optimistic# ma(am# as "ong as he hasn(t "ost much b"ood.B I smi"ed. B2e"" I hope so.B She "ed me down a grey cinderb"oc a""ey# to a man sitting ne0t to a garbage can# babb"ing# with an ice pic through his eyesoc et. 'ot through the eye proper# but ne0t to it and up into the brain. BCan you he"p my husbandCB $he woman as ed.

B6ep. 6ou too.B Before she cou"d mo)e the pic was out of his eye and through her carotid artery. I pu""ed down and twisted to ma e a ho"e big enough to drin from comfortab"y. I "et her heart pump itse"f empty down my throat. :a"f of it came spi""ing out of my fu"" mouth onto her and down my front. 2hen she(d e0pired I finished off the husband. :e(d smi"ed b"ind"y and babb"ed to himse"f as I(d ta en his wife. :is f"ow was a "itt"e s"ower and he sighed with apparent re"ief as he died. A common occurrence# air is pushed out as the body re"a0es. Chapter $en +Aubi, I suspect I had my eye on A"i0 when I to"d Story I was staying out of :aw and A"i0(s "itt"e tiff# which had managed to di)ide our "itt"e team a"ong gender "ines. I didn(t p"an it so soon. But I didn(t promise not to. I(m not usua""y one to ma e "ight promises. I see my word as more )a"uab"e than that. /sua""y there are too many )ariab"es. -ady ! and *hi"ip made it c"ear they didn(t ta e their so"idarity promises serious"y when they went hunting together. It "oo ed "i e the on"y ones who did ta e it serious"y were Story and :aw . I guessed that was more of a happy coincidence# as they wou"d ha)e ended up together regard"ess. $he way they(d been "oo ing at each other and touching as if by chance a"" e)ening. $his became e)en more apparent in the hour after :aw (s attac on the "aw. As the .ami"y master of that ta"ent# Story found shapeshifting attracti)e. :aw pretty much found someone wanting him attracti)e. :e was not a hard nut to crac . 1y guess was pro)en correct when I doub"ed bac to hunt the other way# I passed the two of them ma ing out in the croo of a tree. If Story had ground against :aw any harder it wou"d ha)e set their pants on fire. I cou"dn(t he"p wondering if the 8obs of mayor and sheriff wou"d sti"" be open if the townspeop"e cou"d see them now. I()e wa" ed both sides of the street and ha)e a mu"tifaceted opinion in fa)or of not "imiting onese"f. Emotiona""y# what cou"d be more who"esome and natura" than "o)ing e)eryoneC *ractica""y# "i)es as "ong as ours open one5s mind to many new things. 1agica""y# se0 produces the most powerfu" magica" energy ne0t to death. And different inds of se0 magic ca"" for different inds of se0. 1ost important"y# it fee"s good and ma es one a we"" rounded indi)idua". In the words of -ady Sa""y Ca""ahan# BI don(t hate monose0ua"s# I 8ust don(t understand them.B :owe)er# I actua""y wasn(t rea""y thin ing about se0 at that point. Certain"y not in any way that inc"uded me. Being a god# I appreciate the occasiona" sacrifice# e)en when I ha)e to do it myse"f. $herefore I wasnEt hunting to eat# per se. A"though# certain"y to consume. -ife energy immediate"y becomes tangib"e to me when the anima"# or e)en person dies. I wou"d then bathe myse"f with their b"ood. 7aining the energy through my s in. 3ddity of the god gig. I cou"d sme"" wi"d sheep and deer not to mention se)era" predators# which gi)e a different bu44# that sometimes I en8oy. I chose a "one ram that had wandered away from his herd for reasons that were neither immediate"y c"ear nor important. I caught him and cut his throat ho"ding him abo)e me as the b"ood ran down my body hot and strong. I cou"d fee" my body drin ing in his "ife# ma ing me fee" a"ert and e0cited. I new the sme"" of his f"esh and b"ood wou"d draw predators so I "eft him where he "ay when my sacrifice ritua" was comp"ete. I was sated and c"ean# a"" b"ood absorbed# sitting under a tree contemp"ating my "ife# when A"i0 wa" ed up. B2ant some companyCB She as ed. B/nhC 3h yeah# sure.B I said# coming out of my re)erie. She sat down right ne0t to me hugging my arm. B'o one rea""y gets c"ose to you# do theyCB She as ed. BI wou"dn(t say that. It 8ust ta es a whi"e. At "east it(s possib"e now.B I said.

B6eah# I was surprised to hear about your "ife. I didn(t see you much# but there(s heaps of peop"e in the .ami"y I 8ust don(t see much. $here(s too many of us to be c"ose to e)eryone.B B3ne thing I can say about immorta"ity#B I said. B2hen you(re surrounded by morta"s# it(s hard. It gets "one"y. It ma es you intro)erted if you5re not carefu". I guess I wasn(t too carefu". I()e been anti?socia" for most of my "ife. It was necessary. 'ow I(m part of a team and it(s a "itt"e hard to change.B B$e"" me about your "ife.B A"i0 as ed. B'ot much to te"".= I said# ;I was born human. Became a god. 2e"" not rea""y Ebecame5 at that 8uncture. Became a"igned with a god# 1ithras. Bu"" god of war and the sun. :e was transformed into a Christ figure and a"most rep"aced Christianity in its ear"y years# a"most a hundred years of contention in fact. I was scared and confused for a "ot of years. I found the .ather. I was adopted into the .ami"y. I was o ay for a whi"e. I cou"dn(t get o)er being human. I groped b"ind"y for an answer for years. /nti" my search "ed me to !undah"ini thought. 1editation# yoga# and e0ercises that through concentration of chi cou"d ma e a man a god. 'ot "itera""y of course. But cou"d ma e a man an en"ightened being of pure energy# so it(s c"ose enough for casua" con)ersation. It(s named after the magica" race I e0pect# but on"y because it(d be pretty odd to ha)e two things named !undah"ini. Besides I(m not an e0pert on the racia" be"iefs of the !undah"ini. I now to the ine0perienced I read as one of them# but why I do escapes me. Anyway when I became the a)atar of 1ithras it was instantaneous. 2hen I wor ed up to where I cou"d actua""y be 1ithras it too about two hundred years of study and preparation. So I was tru"y ready to face and embrace who I was. $hen#B I "eaned in and inha"ed her scent# BI found you guys.B She turned her head and "eaned unti" her "ips were maybe an inch from mine. BSo you ha)e. 2hat nowCB B6ou wanna fuc CB I as ed. B$hat(s what I thought.B She said and opened the drawstring of my pants. 2e stripped down. I noticed she wasn(t wearing any sort of support garment. $hese big round doub"e?% breasts that 8ust sat there defying gra)ity. BImpressi)e.B I said touching them. B$han you# comes from swinging an eight pound broadsword for hours on end. 6ou(re >uite impressi)e and proportiona" yourse"f.= B$han you. Comes from masturbating for hours on end.B 2e mo)ed on from there with "ess amusing commentary. :er eyes bugged a bit when I entered her. 'ot as much as mine had ear"ier# when she deep throated me. :aw seemed rather )e0ed when he found out. BI thought you weren(t ready to fuc anyone. I thought we had a dea".B :e said the ne0t time I saw him. 2e were standing out in front of the inn the ne0t morning. I(d been up ear"y and gotten e)erything ready for us to go. BA dea"C :mmm who(d you spend the night with sonCB BStoryte""er.B 2as his o)er"y >uic abrupt rep"y. BAndCB I as ed. BErin.B :e mumb"ed to himse"f. BAnd Erin# fine. *hi"ip s"ept with the -ady. 'o one e"se paid mind to this (dea"(. 2hy the fuc shou"d ICB BBecause.B BBecause whyCB BBecause# I was thin ing I(d be the first.B Erin spo e up. BI was thin ing I(d be the first.B Said A"i0# who had been. $hey a"" made simi"ar dec"arations. E0cept Story who said# BI()e done you before. It was )ery nice# and nothing to i"" my friends o)er.B BSo ha)e they# e0cept Erin.B I said. B$hey didn(t want me for me# they 8ust wanted the stro es. (I5m so irresistib"e o"d stoic Aubi went cra4y for me.5 2hat am I supposed to be# some o"d hermitC She "oo ed so hot and sme""ed so good. I(m g"ad it was her# and I don(t want to ma e it more than it was.B

BI(m sorry babe.B :aw said# sounding genuine"y sorry# eyes downcast. B.or treating me "i e a pri4e to be wonCB I as ed# touched. :aw "aughed sarcastica""y# B6eah# when ha)e I e)er ca""ed you (babe(C 2henC 'e)er. 6ou can go screw. I was thin ing about how tru"y ama4ing and se0y A"i0 sme""s and I needed to apo"ogi4e for being rude and "ying "ast night and starting a"" this. So I(m sorry# babe. I now if Gat were here it wou"d be on"y by the grace of a >uic reanimation spe"" that I5d be a"i)e again. .orgi)e meCB B3f course.B She said. BBut you now if Bri were here she(d be te""ing me not to. And she wou"d ha)e ept to the (dea"(.B +Gatan and Bri(an were A"i0 and :aw (s mates respecti)e"y and each of their best friends., BI now. So "uc y for me they5re off ad)enturing somewhere e"se.B B2hat about me(CB I roared. BI guess it was "uc y for you we fought. 6ou got some and a"".B She smi"ed. B3ooh#B Seemed the genera" reaction. 2hich got "ouder as I grabbed her one handed by the front of her )est and threw her in a watering trough. B7ood toss Aubi.B Story said and A"i0 agreed# sitting up "aughing in the water. Chapter E"e)en +Story, Erin suggested we chec out a wi"d town she(d found. $hey a"" "oo ed to me for an answer. As usua" I was assumed to be the "eader. I said# BI guess we shou"d chec it out.B Best thing to do when you are assumed "eader and don(t want it# is 8ust agree with what e)eryone e"se wants to do anyway. 2ith that we hit the road. A town officia" came by to try to ta" us into staying. But a firm "oo con)inced him to stop mid?sentence and go inside. 2e rode a"ong the road about fi)e mi"es# to the town Erin had said she5d hunted in the night before. I stopped the first adu"t we saw in town. She was a matron"y "oo ing woman of about forty?fi)e. 2e"" dressed and ob)ious"y wea"thy. She was accompanied by two younger women. I wou"d guess they were ser)ants# both because their c"othes were nowhere near as nice and a"so because they 8ust ind of ho)ered around her si"ent"y not ma ing eye contact with anyone. I shoo her hand from where I sat in the wagon# and said# B:e""o my name is Storyte""er and this is my band. Cou"d you te"" us where we areCB BCertain"y# this is 3"son City.B She rep"ied. B$hat(s interesting. 2e 8ust "eft 3"son)i""e.B B$hat(s my brother?in?"aw(s p"ace.B She said. BI(m 9ebbecca 3"son. 1y husband# Adam# is the mayor here.B I said# B6our husband and his brother must be >uite different.B B'ot especia""y. ; She said# ;$hey ha)e a "itt"e bet about whether an abundance of "aw or "itt"e "aw# but ta0ing p"easures is a better way to go)ern. $he two towns sprang from that.B She smi"ed in her patroni4ing matron way. As soon as she started ta" ing my "efto)er rage from 3"son)i""e started to heat up. 1ore humans being sheep"e and gi)ing anyone who was wi""ing to command them immediate free reign to do anything. B2e"" :aw here#B I said# BIn dragon form# burned your brother?in?"aw to ash "ast night. I(d "i e to stay and ha)e him immo"ate the who"e fami"y. But we(re sic of dic ing in po"itics that don(t concern us.B I(m not sure why this nonsense# which was comp"ete"y in eeping with the abusi)e disregard humans seemed to e0pect from their "eaders# made me so angry. B6ou cou"d be hung.B She snar"ed# smi"e dying on her "ips. B$han you for your concern#= I smi"ed# getting into the groo)e of bantering with her. ;But I a"ready am.B B2hat#B She as ed. 9ea"i4ation dawned. B3h you are per)erse.B B6eah# yeah. *iss off before I gi)e you a reason to wa" "i e you ha)e a sword up your ass. 6ou arrogant cow.B $his "ast came from :aw . 2ho decided to 8ump into the con)ersation# a"ready drawing his b"ade. B2hy don(t you eep your disgusting comments to yourse"fCB She as ed# horrified and shoc ed.

B2hy don(t you shut up and get the fuc out of my faceC :ow wou"d that be# hmmmCB :aw smi"ed. B2e"" I ne)er.B She said offended. B$hat wou"d certain"y e0p"ain why you(re so tense. I don(t now. 2hat I do now is if you(re sti"" here when I count to fi)e. I(m going to s u"" fuc you with a boot nife. 3ne.B :aw was "o)ing this. BI don(t ha)e to stand for this.B She gasped. B$rue. 6ou cou"d "ea)e. $wo.B :e smi"ed. BI("" get my husband.B She was getting noticeab"y scared. BCoo". I("" i"" him too. $hree.B I thin he was hoping she wou"d. She "eft. B$hat(s what I "o)e about you :aw . A"ways the gent"eman.B A"i0 said# sha ing her head. B6ou a"" were thin ing the e0act same thing.B :aw said. :e had a tendency to not rea"i4e 8ust how specia" he was. B6ep. E0act"y the same.B *hi"ip said# ro""ing his eyes. 2e rode out of town figuring there was nothing for us there. I aimed us for Hion5s !eep. 2e used to "i)e near there before $he 9enaissance. After# it was ta en o)er by a corrupt "itt"e dictator# Hion. 2e had heard about a huge $udor mansion with an ocean )iew# so we mo)ed on. :e was "i e"y dead by now. If not# maybe we ought to remedy that. 2e rode a"ong the pac ed dirt road. $he riotous ear"y summer growth decorating the shou"ders. 2i"d rose bushes with sti"etto thorns and b"ossoms the si4e of a chi"d(s head. Behind them# there were ear"y f"owering app"e trees. .arther bac and further on# a cherry orchard had gone to seed. I cou"d sme"" the a"most appeti4ing a"most nauseous scent of the farm. -oads of cherries in different stages of ripeness and decay. 2e rode on through the day. *assing houses# abandoned and not. .arms fa""ow and wor ed. A"" separated by mi"e upon mi"e of chaotic wi"d growth. 2e stopped for a "o)e"y picnic in the ear"y afternoon before continuing on our way& and rode into town around sundown. $he streets were deserted. $he on"y c"ue we had that anyone was in residence was the occasiona" >uic furti)e g"ance out a hea)i"y curtained window. $his was a town that "i)ed in fear. But whyC 2e soon came into a fami"iar area. A pub"ic house. 2e(d p"ayed there often in the ear"y pre? 9enaissance years. It had been a whi"e. I wondered how Sonny# the proprietor was doing. I(d soon see. 2e fo""owed the stab"e boy into the stab"es. I ga)e him a ruby of no great )a"ue to ma e sure the horses were especia""y we"" ta en care of and nobody touched our stuff. 2e headed inside. Sonny# a midd"e aged wiry man# was at the bar. :e spotted me. BStoryte""er and the gang. 2hat(re you guys doing hereC 2here(s *e""a4 and who(s the big guyCB BSonny# it(s been about si0 years. *e""a4 is dead. $his is Aubi# our security chief and roadie.B BAre you staying "ongCB :e as ed. BA few days# I e0pect. %o you need a bandCB I as ed# nowing the answer BA"ways# when it(s you. But sad"y I can(t hire anyone not pre?appro)ed by his ma8esty# Hion.B B3"d frog boy sti"" aroundCB I "aughed# not ta ing it serious"y. BI(m afraid so. 1ore than 8ust around# he(s got more contro" than e)er. :e got himse"f a nice "itt"e army of disenfranchised sadists and dec"ared himse"f ing. $rying to set up a feuda" thing# with serfs and a"". And he(s started a regu"ar chamber of horrors up at his eep. A"" the pretty gir"s without connections and some of the more effete boys. :e uses them for beds"a)es and sadistic games. 'o fema"e fi)e to thirty is safe un"ess she has friends in high p"aces# re"ati)es who are powerfu" magic users# or is grotes>ue"y deformed. *arents ha)e ta en to scarring their chi"dren intentiona""y. $hey used to try dressing them as boys. $his has inspired random strip searches and se0 chec s in the street. $hen he started ta ing boys as we"". Some to en8oy intact# others to e0periment on. If they

weren(t born gir"s he(d ma e them gir"s. 1ost of those 8ust b"eed to death. I do# howe)er now of two fema"es you(d be interested in.B :e conc"uded. I ga)e him my fu"" attention. Sonny was human# but he was Sensiti)e# our name for a human who can recogni4e us for what we are and has a certain amount of fringe magic surrounding them. I figured I new why he thought we shou"d meet these two. B$he first ones name is $amarin#B he said. BA "itt"e go"den furry one about fourteen. She(s been up there since she was brought to town by his s"a)ers# maybe three years ago. She(s the on"y one e)er to escape a"i)e# and with her maidenhead intact. $oo bad the same can(t be said for her hide. She(s been "i)ing in the a""eys since she escaped two wee s ago. 2e5re doing a"" we can for her whi"e she tries to bui"d up enough strength to tra)e" the distance to ma e recapture impossib"e.= :e continued ;$he other one is a b"onde who came into town dusty and disoriented about two months ago. She shined "i e you do. I tried to protect her when they came for her. $hey 8ust whipped me away with a f"ai" and too her anyway.B :e turned and "ifted his shirt. :is sides and bac were co)ered with fresh"y hea"ed scars. $he raised pattern was in eeping with the deep cuts of a short whip with many stee" tipped strands. A b"onde of simi"ar energy to me put me in mind of my prodiga" mate# Spe""singer. She was off trans?dimensiona" ad)enturing right now. So she was ru"ed out# I presumed. I was rea" curious as to who it was though. BI guess we better go pay Hion a )isit.B I said. B'o need#B said Sonny. BAs soon as he(s to"d you5re here# which wi"" "i e"y be present"y as fear and go"d ha)e made most citi4ens his spies# he("" send so"diers a"ong to co""ect you.B B2hy wait and endanger you and your businessCB I rep"ied. BI(m a"ready sentenced to die for he"ping the b"onde. It(s on"y $amarin(s ept them too busy the "ast coup"e wee s.= Sonny said# ;I ha)en(t "eft this p"ace since the beating. 2ea ness in hea"ing p"ays a part. *"us# I want to die on my own ground. %oesn(t mean I wou"dn(t "i e to be surrounded with dead so"diers when I go.= B.air enough.B I agreed. $here was no reason to unpac the wagon. 2e sat there# drin ing# weapons c"ose at hand# and waited. 2asn(t a "ong wait. .orty?fi)e minutes# gi)e or ta e. $hen the so"diers busted in# noc ing o)er tab"es and customers a"i e. $hey were "ed by 7enera" /""man. :e and I go way bac . :e had been a corrupt cop who "i ed harassing us in the days of e"ectric roc and record sa"es. $hey circ"ed around. :a"f to surround us# ha"f to sta"" a fight they were not "oo ing forward to. /""man wa" ed up to me. BStoryte""er# I(m fran "y surprised you(re stupid enough to come bac .B B/nfinished business.B 2ith a twitch# my staff rose between his nees and with a twist he was f"oored. I thumped the iron shod end into his temp"e noc ing him out# maybe i""ing him. I wiped my feet on his c"oa of office and turned to continue. I hoped this wou"d go fast# I was ind of hungry. I guessed I might ha)e underestimated the thic ness of /""man(s s u"". :e rose behind me whi"e I was occupied with another. :e raised his sword unnoticed. It wou"d ha)e fa""en on me but 8ust then a sma"" figure in rags# dirt# and matted fur grabbed his crotch and messi"y emascu"ated him with a twist of inhuman adrena"ine?dri)en strength. -ea)ing a ragged ho"e and a twisted stump# both contributing to a burgeoning ri)er of b"ood. :e co""apsed bac ward and the creature dropped his torn scrotum and the end of his muti"ated penis on his chest and ran. I >uic "y i""ed my opponent and ga)e chase. $he mystery person turned out to be the $amarin gir" Sonny had ta" ed about# as I e0pected it wou"d be. I caught up with her in an a""ey. B:o"d up. I want to than you.= I ca""ed. She stopped. B'o need to than me. I had my own grudges against him. Anyway# I(m $amarin. $he streets say you are the mythica" Storyte""er# most renowned magica" e"itist and human butcher in the wor"d.B

Interesting description# BI(m Storyte""er. A magica" e"itistC $he .ami"y eeps its own counse" with good reason. $he human butcher part# I(d say my friends :aw and A"i0 both far surpass me on that front.B B$hen they wi"" ha)e to be my new ido"s.B She said. BSo# do something to impress me.B She continued impatient"y. B-i e magicC :mmm# any re>uestsCB I smi"ed. BSurprise me.B She rep"ied# seeming in a hurry. B1ay I touch youCB I as ed BI suppose. -ight"y# with an open hand. 2hyCB She was ob)ious"y s ittish# but game. BIt wou"d ma e the tric easier.B I said. B3 ay# 8ust get on with it.B She sighed. I soft"y# s"ow"y raised my hand and brushed the side of her head with my fingertips. I cou"d fee" her body tense. I opened myse"f to her# "et good fee"ings pour out of me. She re"a0ed and I hea"ed her in a f"ash. I preferred to do something "i e that s"ow"y. Because it(s both easier on me and "ess stressfu" to the hea"ing recipient. In the matter of a second her wounds were hea"ed# from scratches to a bad"y set brea that was two years o"d. :er fur and hair became unmatted and c"ean. 7rown bac where it had been ripped out# and o)er scars that disappeared. In an instant she was comp"ete"y renewed. E)en her c"othes were c"ean and new. 2hich shows how wide the definition of hea" cou"d get with enough power behind it. She fainted. I new she wou"d# when I poured so much energy through her. 2hen she wo e up she(d be fine# at "east physica""y. .or the first time in years# I(d wager. Carrying $amarin# I headed bac to the inn. $he fight was o)er and they were pi"ing bodies in the street. :aw had the horses and wagon pu""ed around front. I "aid $amarin in the wagon bed and went to ta" to Sonny. BIt(s your death if you don(t come with us.B I to"d the stubborn human. BI now but I can(t. I(m the on"y one in town who has owned his p"ace since before the 9enaissance. $he on"y one. I(m going down fighting.B Sonny rep"ied. BStupid human.B I said affectionate"y B$hat is certain"y me#B he smi"ed. BI("" a)enge you. 1aybe# hopefu""y# before there(s e)en anything to a)enge.B I swore. B1aybe I("" see you around.B :e said# e0tending his hand. I shoo it. B1aybe#B I was sad as I rode off. But e)eryone has a right to choose his own death. 2e went deep into the woods by the ri)er and I put a shie"d up so we cou"dn(t be seen. It was the strongest shie"d I(d made in a "ong time. It wou"d ta e a better man than Hion to e)en sense it was there# "et a"one brea it. I summoned the si" pa)i"ion I used when )isiting the .aery Court and other state affairs. $his meant I cou"d put $amarin in a proper bed. I sat with her whi"e the others set up camp. After that Aubi came to re"ie)e me# so I cou"d go down to the ri)er and c"ean up. :aw came with# so I was "ate getting bac . $amarin was up by then. BStoryte""er# I need to ta" to you.B She said. B6es#B I said when we had returned to the pa)i"ion and I5d sat on the bed ne0t to her. B$his is hard.B She was getting )ery ob)ious"y upset. BJust say it chi"d.B I was concerned for her# but not rea""y thin ing she cou"d ha)e anything rea""y important to say. B$he stories aren(t the on"y p"ace I()e heard of you. About two months ago Hion(s traw"ers brought in a b"onde "ady. $hey put her in my ce"". She seemed so confused when she came in. And they eep her so messed up she hasn(t a moment to compose herse"f.B 1y heart san . BShe used to ca"" your name in her s"eep. Aubi said she might be your mate.B I didn(t hear the "ast sentence. I was in b"ood fren4y and wou"d not ac now"edge the outside wor"d unti" Hion had died horrib"y at my hand.

Chapter $we")e +$amarin, 2hen I saw poor Storyte""er(s eyes go dead I had an idea what had happened. I a"most wished I(d said nothing. But the poor "ady# I had to he"p her# to stop her pain. $here was no getting away from it. I had to te"" him. I noticed I was hea"ed# c"eaned and combed out. But I(d been unconscious for hours and from the sme"" of things had been sweating urine the who"e time. I needed to go where)er Story had gone to wash up. As soon as I to"d the others what I(d done. $hey were surprising"y understanding. B3b)ious"y we must ca"" the 1other.B Aubi said. If my understanding of these peop"e was correct# (the 1other( was the actua" 1other 7oddess# co?creator of the wor"d. B%efinite"y#B Said Erin# B1other attend me.B Instead of the 1other# Spe""singer appeared. -ong pa"e b"onde hair perfect"y combed down her bac . *hysica""y she was perfect from mi" white s in# to aristocratic bearing# to white gown with an "e "ength b"ue )estAc"oa . But e)en from fifteen feet away I cou"d see her eyes fi"" with terror and confusion as she fainted and crump"ed to the ground. Erin caught her easi"y and "ifted her into a brida" carry. Surprising in one so thin and etherea". I new first hand that hea"ing didn(t fi0 the mind. I wasn(t worried& I a"so new a perfect"y hea"thy body put pain in the past "i e time. BIt seems "i e on"y yesterday I was being burned and beaten. 6et I ha)e no bruises and am tota""y pain free.= I new her road home was by no means done. Erin e0p"ained the prob"em. BHion is being softened up by the torture masters of Esca(rdu. She5"" dea" with him "ater# as wi"" you $amarin. But right now is a time for hea"ing. And torture no matter how artistic is not hea"ing. 9ight now we need to get e)erybody coherent. $hen we can start putting the pieces together.B She turned and entered the white si" pa)i"ion I(d wo en up in. .unny# it was awfu" big to cart around. Especia""y when it wasn(t used by e)eryone. Aubi fo""owed me to the ri)er. I stripped down and 8umped in. .irst time I(d been swimming since I was tiny# but you ne)er forget. $he ri)er was wide and deep enough in the midd"e# to my shou"ders. But it was gent"e# no danger at a"". I swam na ed unse"fconscious"y. 'ot concerned right then that I hadn(t been comp"ete"y na ed in about si0 years. And on"y specifica""y for baths before that. But it wasn(t that I counted this as bathing. $his was definite"y swimming. But I(d changed. I(d e)en bathed c"othed to discourage the guards. It did# but incomp"ete"y. 2hat probab"y did the most to get me out# cherry intact# was that I was a "ate b"oomer. .ourteen and I was in the buds and fu44 stage usua""y seen between ten and twe")e. 2hen I started to notice a growth spurt hitting me I too to the streets. It had been a coup"e wee s and I5d grown two inches# probab"y in e)ery direction. .ina""y "oo ing my age on"y now. $hey a"so feared my magic and my strength. So it was a serious fight for something they cou"d get somewhere e"se. $hese were "ac ey(s not con>uerors. Hion made serious efforts. But his cronies preferred instead to punish me# fre>uent"y from a distance# for ma ing it hard for them. And yet# immediate"y I trusted these peop"e. .or most of the few hours I(d nown them I was unconscious and without a "oo bac I chose them as my fami"y. Sudden"y there was no >uestion that I might mo)e on to Springfie"d "i e had been my thoughts upon escaping Hion5s !eep. .or the rest of my "ife I preferred nudity when I was safe with my fami"y. A not uncommon preference Erin shares. 9ight then I was "oo ing at Aubi. :e 8ust sat there watching me. 'ot "i e the guards watched me either. :e 8ust sat there with a bemused ha"f?smi"e and watched me. .ina""y I got out dripping and wa" ed o)er. B6ou don(t ha)e to 8ust watch# you cou"d come in if you wanted to. I promise what I did to /""man was not my norma" beha)ior.B B$amarin# I(m not scared of you. I 8ust ha)e an idea of what you()e been through. I neither own nor be"ie)e in swimming c"othes. But in this case I decided to err on the side of caution.B

B:uhCB BI thin me "ur ing around na ed wou"d frighten you.B :e c"arified. B3h# don(t worry about that. I trust you. Besides# the on"y man I e)er saw na ed was Hion and you don(t "oo a thing "i e him.B BIf you(re sure. I(d "i e a nice swim.= :e decided# s inning down. 2e had great times that day. I needed a protector who(d a"ways be there. :e needed a daughter who wou"dn(t die. I thin we sensed each other5s immorta"ity# or maybe we both didn(t fit in comp"ete"y with the rest of the group. 2e were in that poo" from mid?afternoon unti" fu"" dar . By the end I was di)ing off his shou"ders# and "etting him mo)e us into deeper waters# for my di)ing. Comp"ete"y a"ien to the a""ey rat who had maimed /""man "ess than a day ago. 2e used our c"othes to dry off a "itt"e. $hen carrying our damp c"othes wa" ed na ed bac to camp. 2e""# he wa" ed carrying me sidesadd"e on his shou"der. $he ground was too roc y for the soft new"y hea"ed so"es of my feet# and I didn(t ha)e shoes. 2hen we got to camp he got two big f"uffy towe"s from a huge oa wardrobe in a room in the pa)i"ion beside the one where Spe""singer was sti"" unconscious. :e used one to finish off the ha"f? assed 8ob I(d done with my c"othes. I e)en "et him dry my hair# face# and ears# possib"y the first man who I5d a""owed that near my head in years. In Hion(s cast"e it was the thing I guarded most carefu""y. $oo many senses seated in the head to ris its damage. 2hen I was towe"ed he dried himse"f# >uic "y brushed his hair# and then began to brush mine. .irst time it had been untang"ed enough to brush in years. Before Story(s hea"ing spe"" I was afraid I wou"d one day ha)e to sha)e my head to be rid of the nots. Spea ing of# Erin caught my attention the first time I saw her. :air"ess she "oo ed as far from human as I was. 'ot to mention she was sooo beautifu". Being friend"y wou"d ha)e to wait. I was too tired. I s"ept in Aubi(s bag. Either practica""y for warmth and protection. 3r because I(d hammered him into the ro"e of father I so desperate"y wanted. +I now for sure it was the "atter now. But at fourteen I didn(t inte""ectua"i4e much. 2hat norma" id doesC, I fe"" as"eep before Aubi came to bed. $hin ing that I hoped Storyte""er and Spe""singer were ab"e to he"p each other. Chapter $hirteen +Aubi, I new I wou"dn(t s"eep that night# so when $amarin was sett"ed I went hunting. Away from town. I found a wi"d ram which coo"ed my need for sacrifice nice"y. /sua""y it was more a once a month thing but this had been twice in one wee . A "ot of change in my "ife made me want to stay at ma0imum power# e)en at night# for the moment I cried when I saw $amarin in my s"eeping bag. She reminded me of a"" the chi"dren I(d been fond of that I(d seen from crad"e to gra)e. 2hose grandchi"dren I saw from crad"e to gra)e. Immorta"ity is a dominant gene now# I hear. So much so that one inherits it e)en if it had on"y been one parent that had it for fifty generations. I(m more fami"iar with "i)ing in a human poisoned wor"d where it was impossib"e to pass it on. I thought I sensed death"ess immorta"ity in her. But e)en a reincarnating immorta"# we sti"" cou"d be "oo ing out for each other for a "ong time. $he ne0t morning# when she as ed for one of my shirts unti" we cou"d get her c"othes of her own# being unwi""ing to wear her c"othes from before# I got a "itt"e misty. But she didn(t see as I was "oo ing down into my pac . $amarin "oo ed "i e she was going to grow up pretty substantia". But right now she cou"d pass for twe")e and my tunic was a dress that came midca"f on her. -uc i"y it was s"ee)e"ess as the armho"es came a"most to her e"bows. It was a"so her good fortune it "aced up at the nec # or she wou"d ha)e had troub"e eeping it on. :aw snorted when he saw us arri)e# $amarin on my shou"der. But the others smi"ed sentimenta""y. I sat down on the ground with $amarin seated in front of me.

Story addressed the group. B2e were going to march on the eep today. $hat(s going to ha)e to go on ho"d. Singer is ha)ing some prob"ems.B :e started crying. BI guess he"ping me too a"" of what energy she(d managed to ac>uire with her freedom. She won(t see me or ta" to me. I need he"p. She needs he"p. *"ease.B :e stopped then. A"though it didn(t seem "i e he(d said a"" he wanted to. BI5"" he"p.B Both $amarin and Erin said in unison# then smi"ed at each other. I spo e up a"" o)erprotecti)e and scared. BErin# sure than s. *robab"y the best# certain"y the best fema"e hea"er we ha)e. But $amarin# no. She 8ust escaped Hion(s he"" herse"f. She doesn(t need to add Spe""singer(s e0perience to it.B B$hat(s 8ust it Aubi.B $amarin said. BI()e been there# I can re"ate. Some. At "east I now what we(re "oo ing at. I was there for a "ot of it. A"though I am sure that it got worse when I "eft. I(m sure a "ot of aggression against me was ta en out on her.B She turned to Erin. BI don(t now how you came by your hea"ing e0perience. But I(m guessing it(s combat hea"ing and a caring heart.B Erin nodded. B$his is nothing "i e that. I guarantee you ha)e ne)er seen nor heard about these ind of abominations perpetrated on a .ami"y member. I apo"ogi4e for my need to be fran # but I bet no one in the i)ory tower anna"s of .ami"y history has e)er been muti"ated and abused the way Spe""singer has been. She was a percei)ed and resented >ueen of the wor"d. .a""en by an obscene"y "ong string of coincidences into their hands. $hey new they wou"dn(t get a second chance to pay the uni)erse bac for them being "osers a"" their "i)es. $hey new to do this she must be in so much pain# so humi"iated# so offensi)e"y debased in her own eyes# that she wou"d hide from herse"f and ne)er e)en rea"i4e she was doing it.B She was crying hard now# but with iron contro" was sti"" spea ing c"ear"y. B%o you want to now a "itt"e piece of history# o"d manC= She addressed me. B%o you want to now why I(m he"ping her# e)en if I ha)e to go through you to do itC $here(s not time to ma e you understand# so I("" be >uic . I too a nife for her. In there. I fe"t e)en on top of my own dai"y abuse and muti"ation regimen it was the "east I cou"d do. $o a""e)iate some sma"" amount of her pain. Because I godsdamn sure as motherfuc ing he"" was not ta ing one of her fi)e hour rape sessions for her. Especia""y after she was too muti"ated for anyone but Hion to get it up. 3f course they sti"" had a schedu"e to meet& they(d 8ust use boot ni)es and bro en bott"e nec s. If you fuc in( want to now the fuc in( truth# Aubi. I thin I(m the on"y one here who is ab"e to "oo Spe""singer(s prob"ems in the face. So get the he"" out of my way.= She got up >uic "y and matter?of?fact"y spo e to the others. ;Erin# -ady !# you come with me. A"i0# guard the door. !eep Story out nice# he(s fragi"e. Anyone e"se e)en comes c"ose& ic him in the nuts unti" he "oses consciousness. .uc it. !i"" him.= $his "ast was addressed "oo ing direct"y at me with so much confusing and misp"aced hosti"ity I a"most cried. $hey entered the pa)i"ion# "ea)ing the men to stare in confusion at A"i0. 2ho "oo ed comp"ete"y ready to carry out $amarin(s instructions# shou"d any of them try to enter. I too a few minutes to get my ro""ing stomach and 8umping heart under contro". 'ot on"y did I ha)e the horror of what happened to Spe""singer# I a"so had made a foo" of myse"f and been rightfu""y s"apped down by $amarin. I don(t thin any human cou"d e)er understand our horror at Singer(s bad "uc . If this had happened to someone they new# they wou"d be scared. 'ot go out a"one for a whi"e. But they(d write it off as yet another horror )isited upon them by a wor"d they cou"d not >uite understand. But Spe""singer was created when the first woman who had sp"it from the 1other# Shi5"a# decided she wou"d "i e to ta e the form of a dragon. $anis# who through ha)ing .ami"y power in a dragon form had been >uic "y and unanimous"y ta en as their >ueen# sp"it comp"ete"y from her and too a human form. Choosing the name Spe""singer to comp"ement Storyte""er who she had a crush on and was pursuing. Spe""singer had a"" the power of a .irstborn as we"" as being the Dueen of the %ragons. She cou"d torture Hion in Esca(rdu# turn him into a newt# tra)e" bac in time to turn him fema"e at birth. :a)e him grow up in an abusi)e house# and end up a grown woman under the contro" of himse"f from this time"ine# undergoing what she went through. A"" at the same time. She cou"d do anything short of creating "ife. 2ith the 1other(s he"p cou"d e)en do that. Hion# a per)erted disgusting "itt"e f"eashit of a man# had been handed a string of coincidence so "ong that he

was ab"e to do this. It was mind bogg"ing. It was so offensi)e"y improbab"e that it a"most "itera""y made my brain b"eed to contemp"ate it. $hat night I heard Singer had not awa ened yet. She was in shoc and for now# was f"eeing consciousness. I waited in front of the pa)i"ion unti" $amarin too a brea . 2hen she e0ited she wa" ed >uic "y past me with on"y a perfunctory BE)ening# Aubi.B I was struc with such a fear of re8ected "o)e. I was shoc ed momentari"y speech"ess. She got a few yards past me and turned# BAubi# you now I had to do it.B B6es#B I did now that. BAnd you now whate)er may grow between us# I a"ready ha)e a "ot of respect for you and your wisdom. I fee" c"ose to you. I wou"dn(t go against your ad)ice norma""y without a pretty deep discussion of why. 'ot for anything "ess than an emergency situation regarding the we"" being of someone as important to me as Singer.B I hadn5t nown that. I had hard"y dared hope. I said# ;It was tota""y my fau"t# $am. At your age# 8ust short of saining and adu"thood. E)en your parents shou"d ha)e a"most comp"ete"y e"iminated commands from their re"ationship with you. And we bare"y now each other.B B2e now each other we"" enough.B She said. B2e"" enough for whatCB I as ed. B2e"" enough for me to forgi)e you treating me "i e your chi"d. If you can accept that in other situations IEm going to want you to do it again.B She whispered# cho ing up a bit. $his made me g"ow. BSo what ought we men doC 2ou"d you ad)ise#B She thought for a moment then said# BHion(s gone. But you can bet a"" his ser)ants are continuing to fo""ow the "ast orders they were gi)en. So this bu""shit isn(t o)er and it needs to be. $he staff of that p"ace need to be resworn to the new ing# who a"so must be found# or they must be banished or i""ed depending on 8ust how deep they were in.B Chapter .ourteen +:aw , 2e set off at dawn the ne0t morning. Aubi# me# A"i0 +since there(d be no men to guard against,# and *hi"ip. 2e wa" ed a"ong the road. It wou"d be hard to be si"ent"y snea y on horsebac . $he road was "itt"e more than a se"dom tra)e"ed path out here. 2e(d tramp"ed it down some when we rode through the other day# and it sti"" was. I cou"d sme"" a"" the new growth of the season in the pines# oa s and beech trees. E)en the "itt"e bit of euca"yptus somewhere around. A"" the po""en in the air made me horny. I 8ust wanted to grab A"i0 and fuc her ears off. 3r Erin# she was a hottie. I("" be honest. I wou"dn(t mind ma ing $amarin come (ti" her hair stood on end# but that5s best ept as a passing fancy. She(s not e)en reached saining yet# and her eye is on Erin. 3n"y a foo" wou"d thin I cou"d stand against Erin in matters of fuc ing. I(m dense# but there(s a difference. I cou"d see a"" around the trai" the woods were tramp"ed down and torn up by Hion(s shithee" so"diers. 1on eyfuc s came within a hundred yards of our shie"ds and ne)er approached them. E)entua""y the trai" widened and crossed the main road. 2e entered the town protected by fog and mi"itary incompetence. 2e approached Hion(s cast"e. It was a ta"" e0?hote". 2ith a recent addition of a fourteen foot "og wa"". $he bui"ding was a"most entire"y enc"osed in scaffo"ding# as they tried to turn it into a pa"ace whi"e being too "a4y to actua""y rebui"d it. $he mar>uee# sti"" intact. said# :o?i?ay I?? in huge "etters. /nderneath was& 'ow Appearing@ -ord Hion(s *a"ace. It seemed the sudden disappearance of their master had thrown e)erything into disarray. 3r perhaps stupidity was business as usua" here. 2e new there were maybe two hundred so"diers sp"it into those wor ing as guards# who weren5t much different than a po"ice forceAmi"itary presence and Hion5s snatching s>uads and rape batta"ions# who were better trained but a"so cra4y and or e)i". 6et with a"" those potentia" combatants we saw one s"eeping guard in the guard tower by the gate. 3n top of this ridicu"ous "ac of security# on"y the front and one and a ha"f sides had been finished so far on the wa"". So we 8ust went around bac and wa" ed right in.

$here was a "arge pipe "i e an industria" "aundry chute that came a"" the way to the ground. Abo)e and in front of the pipe was a ga""ows arranged with muti"ated bodies. 3b)ious"y Hion(s enemies. I saw none I immediate"y recogni4ed. -i e"y because so many were missing faces. $hen my eyes caught one and I soft"y ca""ed a ha"t. :anging s"ight"y to the "eft of center was Sonny. A three inch incision in his stomach. *u""ed through the ho"e was enough intestine to "oop three times around his nec and o)er the ga""ows post. $he operation was precise and professiona". $o ensure he "i)ed as "ong as possib"e. But not this "ong. :e was so dead. B.uc in5 Hion.B A"i0 said. B'ot Hion#B Aubi said# B:e(s being tortured in Esca5rdu. $his was done by his so"diers.B B.ine# we(re here to waste them too.B She rep"ied. B2e can(t waste them a"". 2e need to gather what "oya"ty we can. So we don(t ha)e to put this town together sing"e?handed"y.B *hi"ip said. B2hat do we careCB A"i0 as ed. B$hese peop"e ha)e suffered enough.B :e said. I don(t now if *hi"ip cared about the "oca" humans. 1y guess was he was here for the same reason I was. $amarin suggested it and I was too confused and angry to do anything but fo""ow instructions. 2e a"" managed to fit up the pipe hunched o)er# Aubi ended up craw"ing. It he"d# surprising"y. $he "aundry chute theory was pro)en. /pon entry we were in a huge window"ess room with row upon row of she")es. It was sti"" used for "inens. I was surprised they hadn(t boarded up the unused chute. I mentioned it. A"i0 said. B2ho(s to say it(s unused. See those handcarts with the dirty sheets and b"oody towe"s. $hey probab"y 8ust store it here unti" it pi"es up. %ump it down the chute and ta e it to the ri)er.B Chapter .ifteen +*hi"ip, 2e co""ected near the door. $he room was big enough that we were ab"e to gather at the doub"e doors so we(d be ab"e to e0it as a group rather than e0iting sing"e fi"e. B3 ay#B A"i0 as ed. B'ow what(s the p"anCB B2e go out there and ic their ass.B :aw said. B7reat p"an# brother. $he on"y prob"em I see is that we5re out numbered something "i e a hundred to one.B I answered. :aw thought a moment. B'o# the house staff won(t fight. 'or for that matter wi"" anyone not a warrior. 'ot to mention deserters. 1aybe twenty to one.B B3h that(s better.B I said. I wasn(t concerned about our chances. I 8ust fe"t that we wou"d be better off 8oining the fight in a rea"istic mindset of what we were facing. BBut they(re humans# for the most part. C(mon# whi"e some are sti"" as"eep.B As we e0ited# :aw # in the "ead# wa" ed right into a ta"" round so"dier. $he energy was sudden"y tight as a bowstring as the entire edifice waited for the other shoe to drop. :e had natura" ta"ent. /nusua" in this bac water. :e spun away and drew his sword before :aw (s cou"d decapitate him. $heir swords crossed with a c"ang. Easi"y dup"icated if one drops a pot out a window onto pa)ement. But :aw has an arm that can stri e through stone and hundreds of years of e0perience. So it was c"ang# c"ang# c"ang# fight# fight# whoops fat so"dier5s "ost his head. But first the bastard be""owed for his compatriots and the c"angs themse")es ca""ed their own. Soon we were surrounded. Some of them e)en "oo ed "i e they cou"d fight# some were e)en not human +s"ow and stupid tro""s and boggarts most"y,. 3n"y two were both s i""ed so"diers and non?human. E)i" on the hoof. James# once .ami"y# disowned when he stayed at Hion(s side after Hion betrayed us. %ecades ago# this betraya" was the "ast in a "ong "ine. Beside him fought 9i(an# a white -ionman# "ower eche"on re"ati)e of A"i0# sti"" officia""y .ami"y. :e had been granted c"emency because he(d been erased this incarnation. A"so he

had nothing persona""y to do with Hion(s betraya"s. James as the captain of Hion(s persona" guard was a "itt"e more responsib"e. I too my rapier to them. As a chi"d I used to ca"" it a (raper(. -et me say. I forced my way into some b"eeding orifices that night. Course most of which were of my own ma ing. E0cept for a "itt"e stee" sodomy in the name of re)enge of Singers tormentors. If I grabbed some b"eeding# shredded rims and ripped a coup"e of them inside out# who can b"ame me or say I was outside my bounds. I found myse"f facing Hion(s captain of the guard# James# "ate of the .ami"y. :e was good with a sword. $he best I(d seen outside our group in a whi"e. $oo good for me. I don(t "i e to go into my death# so "et(s say my ne0t memory was bac at camp with the .ather of a"" peop"e standing o)er me. B2e"" he(s bac with us again.B $he .ather said sitting bac with a sigh. 1y -ady came running out crying. B$han 6ou# .ather. 3h than 6ou.B B2hat(s so upsetting "itt"e "o)eC :e 8ust died.B $he .ather was f"abbergasted. B6ou(re acting "i e a human. 2e die sometimes. 3ften someone resurrects us. If they don(t# we(re reborn natura""y. I don(t understand why you(re being a"" dramatic.B BI now# but they come bac E*hi"ip(s dead# his head(s in a bag.5 1ost of us can(t bring him bac . Singer(s unconscious. Story(s in with her. Aubi cou"d probab"y do it in fu"" sun# but it(s midnight. I cou"d do it on my better days. But with a dead husband I(m distracted.B I spo e up# B2e"" I(m bac # and I bring no specia" messages from the other side. So "et(s mo)e on with our "i)es. !i"" that James upstart first I shou"d thin .B B3h Aubi did that.B :aw said. B6ou sat there with me decapitated whi"e Aubi due"ed the murdering assho"eCB B3f course not. I was right behind him with an a0e. Before your head hit the ground# his "egs had 8oined it. :e "i)ed. But they5re ne)er growing bac .B Aubi said. B:ow come he on"y "oses his "egsC I was i""ed.B B.or "ess than an hour.B $he .ather 8umped in. BAnd that was your own fau"t. 6ou new you were supposed to bring -ady !. bac to the 3therwor"d. 'ot stay here.B B3h shit. 6ou(re right. %amn trans?dimensiona" erasure.B B2ith Singer bac #B $he .ather said# BShe and our -ady wou"d be both doing the same 8ob. And what about 9oweC $he road is no p"ace for an infant.B ;Infant#= I said# B$he -ady(s not e)en pregnant.B B6eah# I(d now.B 1y -ady stated. B'ot pregnantC= $he .ather said# ;'ot pregnant. 6ou two are way behind schedu"e. I order you :ome and straight to bed.B B6es# .ather.B 2e said in unison# disappearing. Chapter Si0teen +Erin, I(d finished my shift with Spe""singer sti"" unconscious. I went for a swim to coo" off and get my mind off e)erything. $hen I sat on a roc by the ri)er s ipping a few f"at stones I(d pic ed up from the surrounding area. I was g"ad to see :im natura""y. $he .ather and I had a specia" re"ationship. I new I "oo ed good. $he moon"ight on my a"abaster s in. A matching set of go"d hoops each with a hematite bead. +$hey were a"" the same si4e but different widths for the gauges of my ho"es. I and 10 in my "eft ear# 10 in my right# 12 in each nipp"e# and J in my septum., 'ot part of the set# I a"so had a sma"" triang"e. Sma"" 1I gauge rings in my c"it hood and one in each "abia near the top. I wanted to "oo good for him. I new I was one of two women besides :is wife that he"d :is eterna" "o)e# but I didn(t "i e to rest on my "aure"s. :e sat down beside me# B:e""o chi"d. 'ice 8ewe""ery.= BE)ening .ather. 6ou shou"d "i e it# you ga)e me the set.B I smi"ed# "eaning against him. BErin# we need to ta" . Singer(s going to pu"" through this.B :e said. BI now. Hion cou"dn(t destroy her.B I rep"ied.

;9ight# I thin when she comes around you ought to te"" her your story# $amarin too.= :e said# ;I now it(s hard# and it won(t be a rea" dramatic he"p# but it(s a step. $hey need to see that they(re not the on"y ones to be fuc ed o)er.= B'ot a prob"em. ; I said# ;It(s been a"most twenty years. $hat(s "ong enough to mourn the "oss of my innocence.B B$han you chi"d. I "o)e you.B :e smi"ed. BAnd I you .ather.B I rep"ied. B%ar"ing one# we must a"so discuss $amarin. I now what you(re thin ing. I now that you5re counting the moments unti" she(s yours. 6ou sha"" ha)e her. It wi"" be e)ery bit as you hope. But she(s young and has had her own bu""shit. A "ot more recent"y than yours. I counse" patience.B B%on(t worry .ather. E)en I now that part of our re"ationship is going to need to wait. I can p"ay the games as "ong as I now I("" win in the end.B 2e "aughed a bit together. ;And Erin# you two ha)e a future. But you(re not mated.B :e said. B.urthest thing from my mind.B I rep"ied fran "y. BAnd both of you end up destined for the "ast thing you(d e0pect right now.B :e cautioned. B:onest"y .ather# I(m not thin ing that far in the future. %on(t gi)e it another thought.B :e smi"ed# BI won(t# that said "et(s mo)e on to better things.B :e too me in his arms and began issing me# as my hands began to b"ind"y ta e his c"othes off. B1mmmB 2as my rep"y. It was so good I wish I cou"d write a"" about it. Both to brag# and to educate. But the .ather wou"d not appro)e. Singer was awa e when I returned. BErin# yes. I was 8ust spea ing to the gir".B She said in her best (roya"ty to septic tan washer( )oice. B2hi"e I certain"y than you both for your he"p. I wish to be a"one now.B B2e(d prefer to stay.B I said# putting my hand on $amarin5s shou"der. B%on(t you understandC 6ou()e been dismissed. I(m sure I("" send for you if you(re re>uired.B She said. I heard a disturbance 8ust outside. A"i0 and Storyte""er were arguing. BI ha)e to get in there# she needs me.B BErin and $amarin now what she needs. She 8ust wo e up. 'o one is going in unti" they ha)e some idea if it wi"" be good for her.B A"i0 rep"ied. BIt(s not their decision# A"i0B :e said. Singer started crying hysterica""y. I heard her muttering to herse"f# B9un you foo"# run unti" you "ea)e my shame behind you. 7o# find someone worthy of you. 9un# run<B I got up to ta" to him. B$a e the gir"<B Singer roared. B'o need mi"ady. I("" be bac in a moment.B I said. ;:ow is sheCB Story as ed when I got out. BShe(s being an obno0ious bitch. But it(s on"y to hide the pain.B I said. B$hat(s why I need to see her.B :e said. B'o. I now what she needs.B I said# BShe needs for you not to see her "i e this. $he .ather as ed me to te"" her my story.B B2hat storyCB :e as ed bare"y interested. BJust my "ife before I got my memory bac # this "ife.B I was trying to p"ay it down a bit. B2hoa< I ha)en(t heard that.B :e was now tru"y interested# not much# but sti"". BAnd you won(t.= I rep"ied.= ;It has nothing to do with you. 1aybe after this you can see her. $he .ather says my story wi"" he"p. But I don(t now.B B3 ay# but soon. She needs me to finish hea"ing.B :e rep"ied sha ing with worry. BI now# soon as it(s safe.B I wa" ed bac in. BSo# I(m a bitch#B Singer said. B'o# you(re wonderfu". 3ne of my "ife(s ido"s. 6ou(re 8ust acting "i e a bitch. But# it(s not your fau"t. I(m going to te"" you a story.= I said. B7reat# teacher# sha"" we sit Indian sty"e on the story mat.B

;3h# p"ease shut up. I "o)e and respect you. And I(m spea ing to you at $he .ather(s behest.B BSo. If the .ather were anything specia" :e wou"d ha)e sa)ed me.B B6ou had been erased on dimensiona" transition. 2ithout your mind to focus on# no one cou"d find you.B I said. B3 ay# te"" your storyCB She su" ed B%on(t su" .B I said and started. BAs a chi"d I was so"d to a man "i e Hion#B It started# BBy my parents for fifteen thousand pounds. I was born in Eng"and# Stratford on A)on# 8ust "i e 2i"" Sha espeare. Anyway# I was on"y three. %ad "ost his 8ob# and they so"d me to eat. .at "ot that it mattered# he cou"d ha)e found a 8ob somewhere. But he cou"dn(t bear to be thought common. So he so"d me. $he buyer(s name was 1r. $om 2atson. $hey didn(t want to se"" me# per)ersion# you now. As if there was anyone e"se "oo ing to buy a "itt"e gir". But he seemed wea"thy and refined and paid cash. $hat decided them. :e was# of course# a chic en haw . Street s"ang for a pedophi"e. :e f"ew me to 'ew 6or City. $hat first night we had a )ery painfu" attempt at entry. 2hich we repeated about once a month unti" it wor ed. 2ith more pain and >uite a "ot of b"ood. -i e ragged chi"dbirth. $hat first night when it didn(t wor # he 8ust stuc it down my throat. Cho ing me as he did. I passed out& he 8ust pumped my head up and down ob"i)ious. I was "uc y not to die. $han $hem he was a >uic shot. $he ne0t three years was more of the same. I was gagged to unconsciousness at "east fourteen times. But e)entua""y I became proficient enough to remain conscious. Safer# but not fun. After he had been (successfu""y( fuc ing me for about three months# he got it into his head to fuc me up the ass. I hemorrhaged. $here was nothing he cou"d do to stop the b"eeding. I was de"i)ered anonymous"y to the hospita". I ended up in a foster home. 9un by a woman after 1r. 2atson(s heart. She so"d me to a %r. 2innon. .or a free "iposuction. *"astic surgeon. :e ne)er tried to enter me e0cept ora""y a coup"e times a month. I(d be re>uired to masturbate him about twice a wee . :e rare"y came# but I wasn(t comp"aining. 2hat I didn(t "i e was I was ept in a stout barred si0 foot s>uare stee" cage. And he en8oyed pissing on me. Shit on me too but "ess often. :e was a"so obsessed with watching me e"iminate. :a)e his per)ert cronies o)er. I(d be shitting in the corner# no faci"ities. $hey5d ta" about form and endurance "i e it was a sport. $hen I(d finish and they(d be reaching through with "ace hand erchiefs# ta ing sou)enirs. I was not a""owed c"othes# and was bathed with a hose as "ong as I "i)ed there. I was a""owed b"an ets on"y when I pretended to en8oy his petty denigrations. :e""# shit washes off. I swore I(d i"" him one day. I was so"d at twe")e to Jac :atchett. A midd"estreet pimp. :e figured with who he bought me from I understood denigration. So he 8ust beat me unti" I was his obedient dog. But from the day I "eft the $oi"et# unti" I arri)ed at the 1other and .ather(s house ho"ding Jac (s se)ered scrotum in one hand# a rusty pruning hoo in the other& I was ne)er comp"ete"y na ed in front of anyone. 'o matter what he did I was firm on that. 2hen I got out of the hospita" he put me in# it was ne)er brought up again. I fought some of my fuc s o)er that as we"". $he guy wou"d gi)e in# I(d "ea)e# or he(d cut me. But no one won. I se"dom e)en showered na ed. 3n"y if Jac was out# the house was "oc ed up tight# and I was fee"ing particu"ar"y scummy. 'ow I(m safe and I symbo"i4e that by prancing about na ed a"" the time. I see that in $amarin too. Anyway I(d ta e my bottoms off to fuc . .or a bit e0tra one cou"d buy a top"ess b"ow8ob. But not together. It was in a fight o)er nudity that I "eft the business for the first time. :e was some sort of big mi"itary officia". :e said yes# I said no. :e hits me& I ic him in the nuts. :e whips out a big ser)ice re)o")er and rapes me at gunpoint. I try to bite his dic off. :e shoots me fi)e times@ shou"der# chest# three times in the stomach. Apparent"y he wasn(t fu""y "oaded. -uc i"y he missed my )ita"s. 3r I suspect# got them and I hea"ed. But I wasn(t magic enough yet to spontaneous"y hea" non?morta" wounds. :e s ipped out before the ambu"ance arri)ed with po"ice. I ended up "aid up in the hospita" with my sma"" intestine shortened a good si0 feet. In my i""ness my memory began to return. I was fourteen#

"oo ed ten# and ne)er did ha)e pubic hair. 7uess it was 8ust me. Cause in a"" the years since my breasts ha)e ne)er progressed beyond buds. 1y first conscious act of magic was to ma e Jac forget to pic me up. Duite substantia" if you thin how he wou"d c"ing to his mea" tic et. I was the hottest thing going for the peds. I "oo ed a"" innocent with big b"ue tea saucer eyes and "ong b"ond pigtai"s. I wasn(t a"ways "i e this. :it my growth spurt "ate. A"" tiny and sweet. 2ith the s i"" of a professiona". *er)o(s dream. :e ne)er showed# so I "eft a"one. I "i)ed in Centra" *ar uncaught# communing with the trees and regaining my memory. I was there for two wee s and three days before I was caught. I was returned to Jac # my "ega" guardian. But now I was ready for him.B BSo# you thought our business was o)erCB :e screamed hitting me# as soon as we were behind c"osed doors. BIt(s o)er when I say it(s o)er. I(d gi)e you a "esson but you ha)e a date. $he genera" paid we"" for the right to punish you for this. :e paid enough to ma e up for a"" the time you("" "ose hea"ing from his fun. And you("" damn we"" be na ed. 7o shower and get dressed.B I went wi""ing"y. I had surprises of my own. BI went into the bathroom and "oc ed the door. I used Jac (s scissors to ta e my hair off# and then used his ra4or on the stubb"e and my eyebrows. $wee4ers too my eye"ashes. .ina""y I "oo ed in the mirror and saw myse"f as beautifu" for the first time. $he customers wou"d hate it. And Jac might i"" me. $hen I pic ed up a f"at c"oth wrapped bund"e that had been hidden beneath my c"othes. It was a rusty but sti"" usab"e pruning hoo I(d found in the deep bushes where I(d hidden in the par . I had sharpened it against the curb. 2rapped in rags I(d worn it in my waistband. :iding it behind my bac I went out to ta" to Jac . B:a)en(t you changed yetB :e as ed as he turned around to see the new me. ;6ou stupid "itt"e bitch# what ha)e you done to yourse"f(CB ;I sha)ed# so the peds won(t want me. I(m out of the business.= I said. B-i e he"" you are. I("" fuc in( superg"ue a wig on.B ;.uc you< It(s o)er<= $wo years of (yes Jac # I5m sorry Jac . 2hate)er you say Jac 5 burned "i e bi"e on the bac of my tongue. I buried the point in his eye. It was the on"y time I e)er hit an eye and didn(t pursue to the brain. :e screamed and 8umped bac . 7rabbing at the def"ating orb. :e screamed again when he touched it and fe"" to his nees. I hoo ed the hoo behind the bu"ge in his pants from abo)e and said# B3ne mo)e and you(re Jac i"yn.B :e 8er ed bac . B$hat(s the mo)e.B I said and pu""ed. %enim 8eans cou"d ha)e s"owed or stopped the hoo . But thin si" pants with no underwear. $hose cut "i e tissue. It was nary a second before a swath of si" f"oated down fo""owed by his ba""s and a good si4e chun of his dic with a wet f"op. Castration too the fight right out of him. I grabbed his ba""s as a trophy. $hen I dia"ed K11 and "et the recei)er hang. Someone wou"d in)estigate. I wanted him to "i)e and suffer. I cou"d finish him "ater. :e was twenty?si0 then. 1y sense of time is fuc ed to shit# but I don(t thin he cou"d be more than fifty# at most# today. I shou"d put the trace on him and steer the tour to cross paths with him. I ran before the pigs cou"d show# and headed to $he 1other and .ather(s house. By the time of the 9enaissance I(d i""ed my b"ood parents s"ow"y and )io"ent"y. $hen I got my first two owners and the genera". Actua""y# I thin he turned out to be an admira". 2hen they were dead I found I cou"d forgi)e them. After Jac (s gone to worm bait# I("" forgi)e him too. Chapter Se)enteen +Spe""singer, She sat bac then saying# BSo you aren(t the on"y one who was e)er erased. And ept so confused and fuc ed o)er that by the time your memory came bac you were irreparab"y defi"ed in your own eyes. I now it(s not the same. But I ha)e an idea and I "o)e you. I want to he"p.B I don(t now how she thought her depression wou"d he"p me. I wasn(t gi)en time to figure it out. Because sudden"y Storyte""er was in the room. B2hat the fuc do you thin you(re doingCB Erin as ed at the top of her "ungs. BShe needs me.B 1y mate rep"ied.

I wi""ed myse"f to a deserted is"and. Story fo""owed me. But# that ga)e us time to sort things out# a"one. 2hich was best for us. Chapter Eighteen +Aubi, 2hen Erin came out and reported that Story and Singer were gone I too charge& as the on"y other member of our group who cou"d be counted on to consistent"y beha)e "i e an adu"t. ;3 ay# whi"e we are waiting for Story and Singer to get bac "et(s try to put this p"ace bac together. Apparent"y James is s"ated to ta e o)er Hion(s 8ob# according to the .ather. But first he(s going to need some sensiti)ity and fairness training. I can ta e care of that.= I continued# ;I was thin ing we cou"d mo)e into Hion(s !eep# to ha)e a more centra" "ocation for our efforts. :aw and A"i0 cou"d ha)e a ta" with the guards. 1a e it c"ear to them that magic fo" are both permitted and encouraged and Hion(s way "eads to death as far as the new order is concerned. $e"" them women are both permitted and encouraged. $e"" them their 8ob is to protect the citi4enry and eep the peace. 'ot to threaten and dominate e)eryone. It(s bad enough human peasants seem to want to be peasants. $hey sti"" need to be treated with some ind of respect.= I turned to Erin# ;'ow Erin# I was hoping after how hard you()e wor ed with Singer# you(d fee" up to trac ing down the o"d ser)ants# or hiring new ones. $amarin cou"d he"p you. $his is sti"" a pa"ace and the more pride peop"e ta e in it the sooner Hion(s stain wi"" be scrubbed from it.B B$hat(s great Aubi#B $amarin said# BBut I can(t he"p. $here are hundreds of women# gir"s# and boys in shapes from bad to horrific. $hey()e got to be my first priority. 2hen I get done with them# I("" he"p Erin# if there(s time and a need. But# first things first.B I was immediate"y terrified. I said# B$amarin you are not trained for that. 6ou cou"d be serious"y damaged.B BI now. But there isn(t rea""y any other choice.B She said. BI forbid it# for your safety.B Just popped out of my mouth She "oo ed rea""y sad and said# B6ou need to be the boss of me to forbid me anything. And I thin it(s pretty shitty for you to try to abuse our c"oseness "i e that#B and she ran off. I wou"dn(t see her for fi)e days. I cou"d hard"y be"ie)e I ept doing this shit. Chapter 'ineteen +A"i0, :aw "eberry and I were up ear"y and p"anted in a recei)ing room# to sur)ey the guards. 2e(d mo)ed a"" our stuff into the cast"e. It made wor ing there easier# we(d e0pected to "i)e there unti" Story and Singer returned. 2e spent ha"f the night in the guard(s barrac s he"ping peop"e who had no interest in a better "ife. 'ow we were fresh as daisies# and our troops were poor"y rested and confused. $hese inter)iews shou"d go we"". .or the most part they were amusing "itt"e du""ards. 3ur p"an was to offer them a simp"e choice. $hey cou"d swear a""egiance or we chop off the thumb of their sword hand. $his is of course after the summary e0ecution of a"" those in)o")ed in the rape and torture s>uads. $wo too thumbing# ha)ing turned their sword be"ts around. $hey wished to appear right handed# "i e the ma8ority of the others. :aw and I are both "efties +It(s dominant in $he .ami"y,# so we saw through their ruse. $he outside of their sheaths were worn smooth at the top. $he way the inside wou"d norma""y wear down against your body. Both were beheaded immediate"y. 2e disco)ered a magic one& .ami"y?owned construct too# )ery "ower eche"on. But sti""# not something that shou"d ha)e escaped our notice this "ong. 1edium height. A "itt"e barre" torso on o)er"ong "egs and arms. :e "oo ed "i e a bug with a frog head. :aw e)en new him. B7hi"ian# I shou"d ha)e e0pected to find you here. I don(t now what boi" Hion burst you forth from# but this is not a friend"y p"ace for you anymore. 2ith your regenerati)e capabi"ities I wou"dn(t bother with thumbing. But it(s )ery painfu"# and I do hate you after a"".B B2hat# so fastC %on(t I e)en get a chance to swear fea"tyCB 7hi"ian as ed feigning hurt disappointment.

:aw smi"ed but it was not a friend"y smi"e. B2hy# do you ha)e a "itt"e time to i"" whi"e your "atest se0 toy is busy with her wetnurseCB 7hi"ian rep"ied# ;I "i e James. I thin he wi"" be a )ery interesting ing. And I thin his reign wi"" eep my appetite for pain 8ust as sated.B :aw smi"ed for rea"# BAubi is going to ta e him into the forest and teach him compassion and 8ustice.B 'ow 7hi"ian was unhappy. B$hat medd"ing bastard. 2hat the he"" is he doing that forCB BSad"y# we can(t a"" be conscience"ess shit eating monsters.B :aw said. B:ey# eating shit doesn(t ma e you a monster.B I said# 8umping in. B9ight# 7hi"ianCB :aw seemed to thin this was a "ot funnier than it was. BSo you want to stay# huhC And do whatCB ;$roop discip"inarian has a"ways appea"ed to me.= :e smi"ed. It was "i e a giant diseased frog with a mouthfu" of dice. B3f course it has. Any opportunity to span big strong warriors. But you("1 8ust be setting yourse"f up to be disappointed. 2hat(s the fun of a whipping if they won(t "et you "ic their woundsCB B6ou now that(s bu""shit# gay boy. $hat(s you.B B6eah but# I()e ne)er been turned down. 6ou rea""y 8ust want a chance to punish a wor"d you thin has wronged you.B I despised it when :aw tried to get reasonab"e and "ogica". :e was 8ust not >ua"ified. B2hat do you careC $hey(re most"y a"" human. And the few wea magica" peop"e are sure"y no friends of yours#B 7hi"ian said. B$he men don(t respect you. $hey now you(re a bitter# impotent "itt"e despot. So you("" spend your who"e day f"ogging e)eryone for insubordination. E)en the o"d James wou"dn(t ha)e stood for that. $he new James wi"" ride you out on a rai".B B7reat# one more do?gooder idea"ist in the wor"d. 2hy do you e)en ca"" yourse"f a barbarianCB 7hi"ian as ed incredu"ous"y. BBecause I(m honest. Society created your ind of bu""shit& a barbarian wou"dn(t stand for it.B I interrupted# B$he "ast thing I want to do is "isten to you fuc s argue phi"osophy. I(m sure James nows him we"" enough to decide where he wants him. %ismissed.B :aw turned to me when 7hi"ian "eft. B2hat you figure James is going to find for o"d frogbugCB BI ha)e a fee"ing that at his fairest James is going to be a"most Is"amic in his (cut off the hand for stea"ing( ind of 8ustice. :e("" want someone to carry it out. 7hi"ian wi"" ne)er ha)e friends anyway. So the disgust he("" be treated with won(t fa4e him.B B$hat(s true you don(t ha)e to respect him to fear him.B :e agreed Chapter $wenty +:aw , 1e and A"i0 went upstairs when we were done. Erin was sti"" wor ing# but she(d sent e)ery ser)ant she cou"d en"ist right to wor . 2e(d set ourse")es up in what was once one of the conference rooms but had been repurposed with p"ush furnishings and new"y made wa"" hangings. $he nicest space a)ai"ab"e e0cept Hion(s persona" >uarters# which wou"d need to be steamed with b"each or something before I# for one# wou"d spend any time there. 2e(d bare"y sat down when we were brought brandy and a ceramic hashpipe. I "ay bac on the corded si" chaise. BA"" the comforts of home.B B2hen ha)e you "i)ed this good# in this wor"dCB A"i0 said. B3 ay# a"" the comforts of :ome.B Erin said# wa" ing into the room. BErin# how(re thingsCB I as ed. B2ho wou"d ha)e thought there(d be such re)ersion in a few yearsC 2e on"y mo)ed away si0 years ago. 1y biggest cha""enge is to find anyone who can do the 8ob# who wasn(t scared off by the stories that this p"ace is cursed. 'o one(s happy that James is to be "ord. 'or do they want to be the ones to scrub the stench of death out of these wa""s. And the encouragement of magic fo" s won me no

fa)or. But the news no one cou"d stomach was the stories that Hion sti"" haunted the pa"ace and wou"d put a he0 on anyone who dared enter his home.B Erin said# sitting down# e0hausted. B2hat did you doCB A"i0 as ed. BSummoned up a few demons and put them through their paces. Con)inced e)eryone I cou"d contro" Hion(s ghost# shou"d it show up. I a"so mentioned that not on"y was Hion sti"" a"i)e in Esca(rdu but when he was finished# wou"d be destroyed not i""ed. 'o way his spirit wi"" continue past that. But they didn(t seem to understand.B She said. BSo what(d you doC Gis a )is there are ob)ious"y ser)ants here.B A"i0 pointed out. B*utting whoe)er I did manage to emp"oy on duty where we(re "i)ing. $he others wi"" ha)e to be hired from neighbors who see our current wor ers doing so we""# ob)ious"y not cursed. And there(s other towns when word gets out. I thin they("" ha)e no prob"ems. 2e("" be gone by then. -et James or his chamber"ain worry about that.B B9e"a0#= I said handing her the pipe. She too a "ong deep drag# BSmooth. 2hat is itCB BIt(s Arabian.B I said. B:ow come the best hash is Arabian# but not the best weedCB Erin as ed. A"i0 8umped in then# BI don(t now. I()e had some ic ass Canadian hash and their weed(s decent.B B3ne farm.B I said# nowing the p"ace. BAnd the best hash and weed both come out of India.B BI don(t now#B a new )oice spo e# BI()e had some stuff from Benga" that was roya".B $amarin wa" ed into the room. B2e"" Benga" is in India so I assume it(s pretty simi"ar.B I rep"ied. $amarin started "aughing# BI don(t now. I was 8ust screwing around. I ne)er e)en tried it.B B2e"" come here and ha)e some.B :aw said. B:aw do you thin that(s wise. She(s 8ust a id. She(s not e)en past saining.B A"i0 said. B'ot past saining defines id# A"i0. %on(t worry about it. $his stuff is baby hash. It(s not smooth it(s wea .B I rep"ied# fair"y confident. I handed $amarin the pipe. B'ow put your "ips around the mouthpiece# but not touching# you want to be ab"e to pu"" air with your smo e. 'ow 8ust inha"e# pause# e0ha"e. Gery gent"y.B I(m a good teacher. She didn(t e)en cough. B:ow are thingsCB I as ed after she had a coup"e drags in her. BI()e been wor ing hard# to say the "east. I don(t want to ta" about it. I don(t e)en want to thin about it right now.B She said as she f"opped ne0t to Erin. Erin spo e up# BSo you want some he"p(CB $amarin(s eyes teared as they f"ooded with re"ief. B$hat wou"d be great. I ha)en(t the faintest idea how to do this right. E)erything I "earned# a"one and possib"y wrong# these "ast few days with Singer# I mean I don(t thin anything I()e done cou"d ha)e caused any more damage then was a"ready done. But I don(t now. It(d be so great to ha)e he"p from someone e0perienced. Just to not be a"one wou"d be >uite a treat. 2rong words# right sentiment.B $hen she sat bac and puffed away at the pipe# so "ong and deep# soon her head was near"y impenetrab"y wreathed in smo e. Erin too her hand. $am re"eased the smo e in her "ungs. She "ifted Erin(s hand to her "ips. .ine# comforting# what I wou"d ha)e done. But apparent"y $amarin shares my tendency to get horny when she(s stoned. She s"ow"y ro""ed o)er to sit astride Erin(s nee. She began to ride her as she tried to iss Erin(s nec . BI "o)e you so much# Erin. C(mon no one5s watching.B Erin# ob)ious"y fighting her desires +a fight I(d ha)e "ost, said# BE)eryone is watching.B BSo# they don(t care.B $am moaned. BC(mon# $am. 6ou(re e0hausted. 6ou(re stoned# you(re not yourse"f.B Erin said e0asperated. B'ot tota""y# but if it was anyone e"se in the group you(d say a good fuc was 8ust what they needed to ground and center themse")es. 9ightCB 3f course this was said s"ow"y between nec issing and "ow moans re"eased as she rubbed up and down on Erin(s "eg. B2e"" "et(s iss for a whi"e and see what happens.B Erin said. Before $am answered Erin(s "ips found hers and he"d them.

Chapter $wenty?3ne +$amarin, I guess I passed out issing Erin. -uc i"y she didn(t ta e it persona""y. I thin it was her intention a"" a"ong. 2imp. She is so scared of me. It was inda funny. $he ne0t morning it was time to go bac to wor . 2e issed e)eryone goodbye and headed off. I don(t now how many there were to he"p. It wou"d ha)e been easy to find out# but I acti)e"y a)oided nowing# as it wou"d on"y upset me and discourage me this ear"y in the 8ob. It was a four day (wor (ti" you drop# pass out# get up# and eep wor ing( ind of painfest. 1ost"y# it was 8ust more of the same. *atch (em up# ho"d (em whi"e they cry# and send (em home where they("" be ta en care of. 2e can sa)e them by the hundreds# but we can(t fi0 (em at that )o"ume. A few# about twe")e a"" to"d# were different. $hey weren(t going home. $hey saw their o"d "i)es as the trai" that "ed them to this. $hey needed another road out. $hey came to a ragtag band of warriors& they wanted re)enge and were in for disappointment. Hion was ours& the others direct"y responsib"e were dead. And their 8ai"er was to be ing. $hey seemed to be "in ed. A mystery unti" we met the "eader. A Singer?type story on a much sma""er sca"e. :er name was $hanessy# she was a reincarnating warrior typeAwith a hint of pa"adin. !noc ed unconscious and so traumati4ed after the first rape that she was befudd"ed to the point of forgetting herse"f. 2e met when I too her head in my hands and entered her mind to eep her ca"m as Erin patched her up. She was ta""ish and thin. Bui"t "ess "i e a boy than Erin# but in that same type. She began hea)i"y scarred# her "imp red hair growing patchi"y in. She on"y had one eye# her "eft one. She didn(t ha)e the inner power for Erin to tap to regenerate it. So she 8ust hea"ed the s in smooth o)er the ragged ho"e. A moment "ater her good eye opened. Seeing Erin her heart was fu"" of emotion. Aff"icted with a standard crush on her hea"er# probab"y intensified by my own fee"ings for Erin# with me being in her mind. 2e spent four hours on her. 2hen she fina""y sat before us# e)erything physica" was hea"ed# e0cept the eye and a web of hair"ine scars. But her body was sound and her hair a"" grown in. Sti"" carrot orange# fri44y and ragged. 2e ca""ed A"i0 in to gi)e her recruitment pitch. B6ou o ayCB A"i0 as ed. BI(m conscious and sane. 1uch more wou"d be improbab"e at this time.B $hanessy ro""ed her eye# pretty good natured under the circumstances. B2e""# I don(t now if this is the best time# but the guard is hiring women now. Hion(s gone# permanent"y# and the guard is the on"y p"ace you can get your troop trained without endangering them.B A"i0 suggested. BI don(t now. I heard that shithead James was ta ing o)er from Hion.B $hanessy said. BBe"ie)e me it("" be a different James.= A"i0 said. ;But sti"" we("" need strong "eaders to ma e sure the fema"e guard are treated with respect. $here wi"" probab"y be c"ose to a hundred women 8oining the guard and they("" need a "eader.B BI("" thin on it. $a" to my women.B She "oo ed pointed"y at Erin. B3ne of you might "i e to come a"ong.B Erin said# B$han s but that won(t be necessary.B She got up and "eft ta ing my hand and "eading me away. 2e ran into Aubi in the ha"". Erin went ahead. B:ey Aubi.B I said. 2hen he came up ne0t to me I noticed I had grown maybe two or three inches in comparison to him in the fi)e days we(d been apart. I didn5t now how much was the rest of my growth spurt and how much was the fact that my magic was proper"y wa ing up within me and some reshaping often accompanies that. B:i. :ow are you doingCB :e rep"ied. B2or in( hard.B I said. BI suppose spending whate)er down time I ha)e wishing you didn(t ha)e this dri)ing need to contro" me. It rea""y interferes with us ha)ing a re"ationship.B

:e "oo ed about to say something and thought better of it. B-oo at yourse"f. $he fact that you ha)e grown noticeab"y since I saw you "ast on"y under"ines what a de"icate time in your "ife this is. I want to protect you not contro" you. 6ou()e been through a "ot.B :e said. B6eah I now. But if I need to do it# and it(s hard# don(t you thin that what I need is for you to support meCB I as ed. I rea""y wanted us to be o ay. But I a"so had to do what I had to do without interference. BBut I don(t see why. I don(t see what you gained by disobeying me and putting yourse"f in danger.B :e had the ner)e to pu"" that parenta" crap. I was a"most too frustrated to ta" . 2as too frustrated to thin c"ear"y# BIt(s not about what I()e gained# it(s about who I()e he"ped. I don(t now. I ha)e to get bac B and I trotted off. I found Erin waiting down the ha"" and we went bac to wor . 2e had another hundred to he"p before we were done. $he fina" night we finished up and went upstairs. 2e found :aw p"aying with his guitar# an opium hoo ah on one side# a we"" gnawed ham on the other. :e he"d the hoo ah(s mouthpiece out. B:owdy gang# want someCB BSure# gi)e me a puff.= I said# sitting on the f"oor ne0t to him. BIt(s ca""ed a hit or a drag.B :e said passing me the mouthpiece. B6our wiener is a drag# thatEs how I hear it anyway. $he song isn5t :it the 1agic %ragon# :aw "eberry.B I said ta ing a drag. A"i0# as another go"den fu44y one# was apparent"y rubbing off at a base "e)e". B:aw ness# I fear Aubi might tie you in a not for getting his "itt"e one toasted.B A"i0 said# a"ways the worrier. ;I am no one(s "itt"e one. I am comp"ete"y se"f?possessed and wi"" do as I damn we"" p"ease. I now Aubi(s opinion isn(t my first priority right now.B I said# asserting my independence. B$hat(s because you(re fi)e sheets to the wind a"ready.B A"i0 said# pushing :aw ha"f off the couch# and sitting down. I too another drag& the smo e was doing its wor . I fe"t good# B2hy don(t we do this a"" the time(CB I as ed. Erin answered# ;Because if you do it too much# pretty soon you don(t do anything e"se. And we ha)e responsibi"ities a scosch more important than sitting around smo ing out.B :aw spo e up# BBut we don(t ha)e anything e"se to do now. So "et(s ta e ad)antage of it.= Chapter $wenty?$wo +Erin, 2e ended up fa""ing as"eep on the f"oor of the recei)ing ha""# after a midnight snac with our warrior pair. $amarin and I s"ept intertwined with her in a si" chemise and me in si" bo0ers# but we did no more than the issing we(d done before. 2e were awa ened by twe")e warrior women in rags. 3ne of them tried to nudge $amarin with her toe. She found se)era" deep gashes on her ca"f from $amarin(s c"aws. BAwa en me with respect and at your peri" fi"thy human.= +-uc i"y for her pride# :aw and A"i0 were too groggy to "augh., I cou"d read her grimace and now that she new how si""y she sounded a"ready. $hannessy had sha)ed herse"f& put on a dead guard5s uniform and wore a b"ac "eather eyepatch and si")er nosestud. I ran my hand o)er my sca"p# and said# B:i gir"s# who(s the pirateCB BIt is I# $hanessy.B She said stri ing what I assume was meant to be a heroic pose. BSo it is.= I said# ;6ou "oo "i e he"". 2hat the fuc ga)e you the idea to go Captain B"yeCB BI did this in the honor of you# the -ady Erin.B She said. As I suspected. B2hy the fuc do you wish to honor meCB BBecause I "o)e you# my -ady.B She gushed B3h gods<B I said and "eft the room# pu""ing my robes o)er my head as I wa" ed.

I "et $hanessy catch me when we were a few rooms away. 2here there was no danger we(d be wa" ed in on. I didn(t need the teasing that wou"d accompany being compassionate to a non?.ami"y admirer in front of :aw and A"i0. I spun around to face her. B2here the he"" did you get the idea that you "o)e meCB B$he word "o)e on"y be"itt"es what I fee". I worship you# my -ady.B She said. B3h# you do not. 6ou don(t e)en now me.B I said# a"ready e0asperated with her si""iness. BI now enough to p"edge myse"f to your ser)ice.B She )owed B2e""# I won(t accept it.B I said. B$hen I sha"" fa"" upon my sword# a warrior in disgrace.B She rep"ied. B6ou don(t ha)e a sword.B I pointed out. B2e"" soon I sha"". And when I do I wi"" p"edge it to your ser)ice.B She said# sti"" way to serious. BShut up about that# or I("" smac you.= I rep"ied. B6es# I am your s"a)e. $he more you beat me the more I sha"" fawn upon you.B She said. B7ood. $hen I won(t beat you at a"". 6ou(re free to go.B I said# thin ing myse"f smart. She started to cry then. B*"ease# my -ady# my goddess. 2hate)er you wish sha"" be done for you. 6our any command "i e gospe" to my ears. But p"ease# I p"ead on your bene)o"ence# p"ease don(t send me away.B B$hen hush up. I don(t own anyone. I am not to be worshiped# it(s not my p"ace. If you wish a woman to worship try the 1other or any of a mu"titude of "esser goddesses. $he better ones prefer respect to worship# but they at "east ha)e the e0perience.B I e0p"ained. B%on(t you see how I honor youC I am "oya". I sha)ed my head# my arms# my "egs& I e)en sha)ed %own $here +does anyone actua""y say %own $hereC,. I pierced my nose. I neg"ected to pierce my nipp"es# as I was unaware yours were done. Can you forgi)e me# mistressCB $his chic was rea""y frea ing me out. B6ou5re not "istening< $his is not my idea of honor. It does not p"ease or f"atter me in any way. It on"y ma es me want to stri e you down and run away. If you need a teacher or a friend# I can do that# whi"e we(re in town. But I can(t be your "ady or your "o)er. 6ou(re not .ami"y.B I said. BI don(t understand. .ami"yC -i e incestCB She as ed. ;$here are three types of magic users@ .ami"y or Aspects# %arianic Indi)idua"s# and Indi)idua"s. $he .ami"y are a"" aspects that ha)e sp"it off or been birthed or adopted by $he 1other and .ather or other aspects. 2e are a"" magica""y and emotiona""y "in ed. %arian was the first indi)idua"# magic user not "in ed to the .ami"y. :e too sp"it into a sma""er fami"y of %arianic indi)idua"s. $hey are "in ed as we""# but not to the .ami"y# .ina""y there are indi)idua"s# who are not "in ed to anyone. An indi)idua" can fragment# but if they get more than four aspects they(re usua""y inducted into one of the two ma8or groups. Indi)idua"s are the most numerous& the .ami"y is the most powerfu". 6ou read %arianic to me which puts you in the midd"e.= ;But you said yourse"f# my -ady. Sometimes outsiders can get adopted into the .ami"y.B She said# near"y begging. B6es# but you(d sti"" be out of "uc . 6ou(re not my type. If I want to fuc me# I(d masturbate in front of a mirror.B I said. In fact she "oo ed pretty good with that natura" fright wig sha)ed off. A spot more cur)aceous than I# but sti"" too c"ose for my taste. A"so# I wou"d on"y go to bed with an obedient s"a)e if I new it was an act. $hat thought I )oiced to her. $o which she rep"ied# B$hen "et us be friends. If that(s what I can get.B B.ine# go get you(re troops and meet me downstairs.B I went upstairs sha ing my head# thin ing (what a weirdo.( I ad)ised e)eryone of my p"ans to he"p her and her troops. A"i0 suggested $hanessy and I inter)iew the new guard app"icants whi"e she and :aw ga)e her troupe a few fighting "essons. I agreed and went down to the o"d "obby. $hey had set up a tab"e a"ready. A moment "ater I was met by $hanessy. It was decided that the app"icants wou"d come in# in groups of fi)e. 2e(d spea to them# and either send them to >uarters or send them home depending on how they impressed us.

It was a p"easant "itt"e afternoon in he"". I don(t now how many groups we turned away that day. 7ood groups. But with each man $hanessy said# B'ot him# ne)er him.B B2hy the he"" notC= I said fina""y. ;:e(s a strapping "ad# and he(s had some e0perience.B BBut he(s ma"e.B B'o doubt# same as about ha"f the popu"ation. I(m sorry if you()e been hurt. But those men are dead and gone. And you ha)e to get o)er this pre8udice of yours. 6ou can(t be a guard# my friend# or coincidenta""y a"i)e in the morning if you don(t.= BI can(t drop a "oad of hate this big on a moment5s notice.B She said. B2e""# you better fuc in( try# and I better see you try. 2e("" start fresh in the morning. I gotta get out of here.B I snar"ed. B-oo # I(m sorry. Erin p"ease#B she begged. BIn the morning $hanessy.B I said# "ea)ing >uic "y. It too us o)er a wee to hire the hundred troops necessary to f"esh out the guard. E)en after sending :aw and A"i0 into town in the e)ening to in)ite a"" the good men $hanessy re8ected to 8oin behind her bac . A "ot of that was time spent 8ust waiting around. $here seemed to be a shortage of >ua"ified or trainab"e wi""ing peop"e. 2e had to wait for peop"e to tra)e" through. -oca"s new Hion or of him. It was a wide"y he"d be"ief that there wou"d be an incredib"e reta"iation of Hion(s past )ictims that wou"d stri e as soon as it was wide"y nown that he was dead. And they did not want to be between an angry mob and their )engeance. $hat wasn(t e)en counting $hanessy. She ruined our first day with her stupid pre8udices. And another day was ruined by her creepy toadying. BI had se0 with a man "ast night. %oes that p"ease youCB B%id it p"ease youCB I wasn5t sure what her point was. B'o# it repu"sed me.B She said tight"y# as if she were fighting not to gag. B$han it sure as he"" didn(t impress me.= I said# ;I want you to accept them as peop"e and e>ua"s. 'ot as "o)ers un"ess you want to. It(s not my way to ta e them as "o)ers most times. E0cept the boys in the band and that(s different.B 3f course she didn(t understand so we fought about that for most of the day. E)entua""y# we were done. I sent her off to her cadre with no sma"" measure of re"ief. I returned upstairs# to my own e0tended fami"y. I wa" ed in to find :aw and A"i0 tutoring $amarin on a mando"in they(d apparent"y ac>uired somewhere. She was doing great# as were they. Seeing as how I was the on"y one beside Singer who cou"d p"ay the "ute# which was c"ose. Singer a"one among us cou"d p"ay the mando"in. I dropped into a chair. B.ina""y# I(m through with that spoo y ass woman.= B3h# "o)er(s spatCB A"i0 cooed. B%on(t e)en. %on(t you dare. I(m not "i e??? that. I???= I started. B6ou(re not "i e me# that(s what you meant. 9ightCB .rom Aubi# who now stood in the doorway. I burst into tears and ran from the room. It had been a stressfu" day. I e0pected him to fo""ow me and was not disappointed. I stopped a few rooms away# where I(d "et $hanessy catch up to me the other day. 2hen he wa" ed in I ran into his arms. BI(m sorry Aubi. I didn(t mean for you to hear. I(d ne)er hurt you.= BI now that.= :e smi"ed# gent"y stro ing my bac . ;2hat you a"most said though# it te""s me we need to ha)e a ta" .B. BI(d "i e to understand.B I said. BI turned my bac on our .ami"y for too "ong.= :e said# ;I cou"dn(t dea" with the e0tent of my good fortune# being adopted in. And it too a "ong time for me to c"eanse myse"f of human shame. I didn(t 8ust try to pass. E)eryone on this wor"d before the 9enaissance did that more often than not# if on"y by omission. I tried desperate"y to be human. $o the point of ignoring my sou"# fuc ing humans# and a"most renouncing the .ami"y. Just >uic "y though# $hanessy isn(t human. She(s %arianic. I now it(s acceptab"e within the .ami"y to fuc them. :aw and A"i0 do it.B

BI now# but I don5t.B I rep"ied# ;Besides# I am honest"y not the "east interested in her. I 8ust fee" a "itt"e sorry for her# and wou"d "i e her to be happy# if itEs not incon)enient.= BI understand# that(s how I fee" about James now. Anyway# so I()e spent too much of my )ery "ong "ife running from who I was and didn(t fee" >ua"ified to be. So# there I sat# on the fence between the e>ua""y depressing areas of trying to return to humanity and uncomfortab"y bas ing in the g"ow of the .ami"y and fee"ing unworthy. $hose memories wi"" be with me for the rest of my "ife. 2hich I ha)e no reason to suspect wi"" e)er end. I()e dea"t with my gui"t and mo)ed past it. I am one day going to ha)e to 8ustify myse"f to $amarin and probab"y a few others. I can face that. I(m a big boy. But# to ha)e someone I "o)e and respect "i e you# "et s"ip that she sees me as spoi"ed. I 8ust can(t ta e that >uiet"y. %o you understandCB B6es I do.= I said# ;2ithout going into it# "et me say that I shou"d be the "ast person to ho"d the past against someone. But my past is pre?.ami"y and yours is post. I can(t he"p how I fee"# but I wi"" try to "ea)e the past where it "ays.B BI()e made a "ot of mista es#= :e said# disappointed. ;But you can(t change the past.B B3f course you can. ; I rep"ied# ;A simp"e statement with some determination and be"ief behind it. As a .ami"y that can trace its "ineage direct"y to when the IS sp"it itse"f into $he 1other and .ather so that it might interact with its own creation# the uni)erse considers our word abo)e >uestion.B I smi"ed. B3 ay# then it(s a"" hatefu" rumors started by peop"e who don(t appro)e of peop"e being in the .ami"y who were not born into it. Being both shoc ing"y "ong "i)ed and of a contemp"ati)e nature# I()e been nown to retreat with my thoughts for "ong periods of time. 2hen I did this# these peop"e wou"d say I was off with the humans.= Strange"y# as soon as I said that# my o"d memories got a "itt"e fu44y. BI guess you5re starting to forgi)e them.B I said. ;I for one wou"dn(t forgi)e those sorts of "ies unti" someone was dead. 6ou must be a gent"er sou" than I.= I paused thin ing# E2hy is he "oo ing at me a"" funny. So I be"ie)ed some rumors. 1aybe I shou"d ha)e nown better but it was an honest mista e.5 2e returned to the others. B:ow(d James turn outCB :aw as ed. B$we")e days cou"d ha)e been twe")e years for a"" he(s changed. :e(s in town seeing if he can pass for a comp"ete"y different person than Hion(s 8ai"er "ac ey.= :e said# ;:ow has e)erything beenC= 2e to"d him of $hanessy and the new guards. $hen $amarin p"ayed him a coup"e songs on the mando"in. James 8oined us soon afterward. :e(d ac>uired a dar tan and his stumps now were co)ered in a fine pe"t on the top ha"f with "ong cur"y soft "oo ing "oc s on the bottom ending in pastry p"ate si4ed hoo)es. A compromise between gi)ing him his "egs bac and ha)ing him 8ust hobb"e around on stumps. :e wore meta" shod gaunt"ets and ran "i e an anima". :e stood in the center of the room# f"e0ing his hands# after running on them for hours. It "oo ed "i e wooden spades ro""ing into ma""ets. Just "i e Aubi(s. Aubi noticed me "oo ing. BI had him pounding on trees to toughen himse"f. 9eminded me of my own chi"dhood. I a"so had him meditating four to si0 hours a day# trying to find a bene)o"ent ru"er in there. I(m not sure we were successfu". But we definite"y found a fair one.= 2e ate dinner# and brought James up to speed. 2e to"d him about $hanessy and her cadre. 2e to"d him that the new guards were s>uared away. And we warned him about 7hi"ian# too much crue"ty and ambition to be "eft unchec ed. :e a"ready new about him from the o"d days# and had an idea. :e was p"anning to ma e 7hi"ian %efender of the *eace. $o eep him under contro"# whi"e seeming to gi)e him free reign. James a"so thought this position# pretty much e0act"y what :aw suggested& !ing(s "eg brea er and officia" hand chopper of thie)es# wou"d be enough to ensure 7hi"ian5s "oya"ty through continued se"f interest.

2e were interested in hearing him go into detai" about some of his p"ans for the future# but there was a ruc us with the front door guards. $hey b"ew the emergency horn and we waited to see what wou"d happen. Chapter $wenty?$hree +Spe""singer, 2e heard the horn as we "anded in the courtyard of what had once been Hion(s !eep. I faded out of dragon form as soon as Story had dismounted& I soon reappeared in human form. As we approached the open door# we were cha""enged by two human guards. B:a"t< Stand forward and identify yourse")es.B 2e continued our ad)ance# ignoring their e0istence. B:a"t or we wi"" be forced to attac .B $his was not at a"" how we pictured our return. But sti"" it was nice of them to "ea)e a "itt"e snac at the door. $hen to my surprise my mate chose to spea to them "i e peop"e. ;1en# I suggest you a"ert our friends of the return of Storyte""er and his -ady.B I fe"t a gent"e wa)e of compu"sion f"ow out to con)ince them. 2e were >uic "y "ed to the :a"" where our friends ate# sitting around one end of a "ong tab"e. $hey were 8oined by a much changed James. BSinger# you(re bac .B $amarin s>uea"ed and ran into my arms. I "ifted her up and buried my face in her hair. :er sme"" was "i e a c"ean cat resting in the garden. +."owers and fur and warming sun,. It brought bac memories that shou"d ha)e been hard but weren(t. Seemed I associated her "ess with the e)ents of Hion# than the comfort afterwards. I was crying a bit by then# I(d missed them a"". Especia""y since I(d bare"y had the opportunity to see them before Story too me away. :ugs and isses were e0changed around. 'ot with James of course# he may ha)e changed but he was sti"" a "ong way from .ami"y forgi)eness. $hen we 8oined their dinner. Story to"d of our wee s on a sma"" tropica" is"and. :e "eft out the persona" detai"s# so it didn(t ta e "ong. 2hen our mea" was comp"ete we retired to the recei)ing room so they cou"d fi"" us in. Aubi spo e# B2e""# I too James into the woods and taught him responsibi"ity so he can be ing. :aw # A"i0# Erin# and a new guard# named $hanessy ha)e hired a new guard force.B B$wo of whom we near"y ate at the door.B B$hat(s fine. $hey wou"d ha)e been human. A"" the new guards are too new& they wou"dn(t be on door duty yet. And the on"y magic ones before are too important to be on that detai". $here(s $hanessy# who we mentioned. She(s a rehabi"itated )ictim. 2arrior# with a bit of magi y pa"adin )ibe# mind wiped preceding rebirth. Ended up here before her memory came bac so it ne)er did unti" she was rescued. She reads i0ionAghou"A"amia. She(s a"so got an obsessi)e crush on Erin# and a penchant for misandrony. She(s a %arianic Indi)idua". She(s the forerunner for the post of 1aster of the 7uard. 2e a"so ha)e a .ami"y owned construct named 7hi"ian. 2ho(s 8ust a "itt"e too comfortab"e with the ro"e of troop discip"inarian. James is ma ing him his %efender.= :e continued# ;$here(s a "ow "e)e" "ionman Aspect named 9ian I(m sure you now# who was going to be troop discip"inarian. But no one5s seen him in days. 2e don(t now if he sadd"ed up or if he(s 8ust ma ing himse"f scarce unti" we "ea)e.( :e conc"uded# BA"so $amarin# at great ris to herse"f# and comp"ete"y a"one# chose to mind"in one by one with the sur)i)ing )ictims and ca"m them bac into rea"ity. $hen she did the same thing in partnership with Erin# to assist in the hea"ing process. She did much of this against my direct orders. I ha)e pub"ica""y said and wi"" say again& I was tota""y wrong. It was strict"y my own fear ta" ing. She ma es us a"" proud.= Story as ed# BCan James and his new staff ta e it from hereCB B6es.= Aubi said# ;But it wou"dn(t matter. 2e()e done more than anyone cou"d as . I suggest we hit the road in the morning. I thin we wi"" a"" be happy to see the bac of this p"ace.B $he entire staff turned out in the morning to send us off. 7hi"ian stood to the side "oo ing snide. E)en I# not a )io"ent person# wanted to smac that smir off his face. *eop"e who thin it ma es them coo" to be unhappy and try to ma e others the same way# ma e my b"ood rise.

Erin issed $hanessy chaste"y on the chee and ga)e her a "arge teardrop moon stone on a "eather thong. Story ga)e James a sta""ion cut ruby signet ring of office. $he face was the si4e of a ha"f do""ar and a"most "oo ed ridicu"ous# norma" for signets. +2hich was why they are worn on a cord e0cept at state functions,. $hen we were off. 2e rode deep into the night. $amarin sitting cross?"egged on Aubi(s horses broad bac . 2e rode through two sma"" )i""ages# unti" we set up camp near a good si4ed town around dawn. 2hen we stopped I wi""ed myse"f to Esca5rdu# the torture dimension. 2here Hion had been sent. I had some unfinished business to attend to. I sent his attendant tormentors away when I arri)ed. :e was s inned comp"ete"y# e0cept his face# so he cou"d scream c"ear"y. :is "ower body was busted to he""# bare bones 8utting out in some p"aces where the f"esh had been stripped away# or others where the pointy bro en ends po ed through the f"esh. :is entrai"s hung from their attached moorings to a pi"e on the f"oor# and his heart was beating# e0posed. 1agic was certain"y a"" that ept him a"i)e. :e saw me. BBitch# you came. 7et me down so we can start training you again.B :e said. B.uc you# frog boy.B I hissed. BIf you free me now# and hea" me# and b"ow me rea" nice and s"ow "i e I "i e& I won(t beat you >uite to death.= :e actua""y "oo ed "i e he was getting angry. ;.ran "y Hion# I don(t see how you intend to beat me. 6ou ha)e no arms.B I pointed out. B3n your nees bitch<= :e screamed# ;6ou("" address me as 1aster or I("" noc your fuc in( head in.B B6ou ha)e no arms.B 3nce again I tried reasoning with him. B-ies< 7et me the fuc down now< %on(t e)en thin of disobeying me. 6ou(re a"ready in for the beating of your "ife when we get home.B :e was practica""y de"irious with rage. 6et had no concept of how ridicu"ous he "oo ed. BI(m not here to free you. I came to i"" you.B I said. B%on(t you dare e)er fuc in( threaten me< 2hat are you stupidC E)ery second you ma e it worse. 'ow get me down<B BHion# I forgi)e you# I wi"" end your pain.B I said. B*ainC 6ou don(t now pain. 6et. 2hen I(m through# this crap you(re pu""in( wi"" be "i e a fuc in( carni)a" ride. And bitch#B :e spat at me. B$hath fo( yo( fo(gi)net.B :e(d bitten off and spat a s"ug?si4ed piece of his own tongue. It hit my chee and stuc . I wiped it away# a bit sha y# and stabbed him in the heart. B1ay the 1other ha)e no mercy on your sou".B I hissed. E)en abnorma""y forgi)ing peop"e ha)e a brea ing point. $hen I heard# within my head. B.rom your "ips to my ears.B 2ith a high gobb"ing scream in the bac ground. I wi""ed myse"f bac to Story# and our bed in our pa)i"ion# and he he"d me as I cried. It wasn(t "ong before we had a )isitor. .i)e foot two# muscu"ar hearty bui"d. If A"i0 had been a dryad who ran a daycare center# she might "oo "i e this. As it was She on"y resemb"ed :erse"f. Chapter $wenty?.our +$amarin, I new who She was when I saw :er. It was pretty easy to sense it. And She(d gone around ta" ing to e)eryone@ starting with Erin when She "eft Story and Singer5s pa)i"ion# through A"i0 and :aw # finishing with Aubi# before coming to me. I was too angry to be respectfu" to anyone at that point. So She was greeted by me with# B%o you now what Singer didC She too it upon herse"f to 8udge Hion. As if she were the on"y one he(d hurt. 2hi"e her pain might ha)e been more intense# mine was something "i e nine times as "ong. 'ot e)en to mention peop"e "i e $hanessy who it was both more intense and "onger.B B$hat was insensiti)e I agree.= She said# ;I certain"y thin the two of you need to ta" about this. But first I(d "i e to spea to you.B BCertain"y 1o...1a(am#B 2hat was I supposed to ca"" :erC She wasn(t my 1other. B3ther than this Hion situation# how do you "i e the bandCB She as ed.

BI "o)e them. Story is so ama4ing# Singer is such a "ady# when she(s not being gross"y insensiti)e. :aw and A"i0 ha)e taught me more about "ife in four wee s than Gincent# the 2erebeast who trained me# did in the three years I "i)ed with him. Erin is entrancing. I thin she(s entrancing# rea""y. And Aubi# gods# Aubi# I wish he were my father. :e(s 8ust so??? ama4ing rea""y. :e(s so strong# and ind# and warm# and secure. :e(s 8ust e)erything to me.B B:mmm# that(s ind of what he said.B She announced# >uiet"y. B2hat do 6ou meanCB I wasn5t sure what she was saying# but I had hopes. BI mean he "o)es you# and he wishes you were his.B She gent"y said. B:is whatCB 1y )oice might ha)e s>uea ed a bit. B:is daughter.B She confirmed. I started to tear up a "itt"e# I was so happy. B%oes he e)en now who I amCB B:e(s tried to ho"d you through nights of terror# when he wasn5t being a foo". :e has a good idea. 6ou can te"" him the rest.B She assured me B%o 6ou thin he("" change his mindCB I thought maybe I5d change my mind in his shoes. B3)er whatC I now a"" about you. $here is nothing in your past that anyone is going to be concerned about.B She reassured me I thought for a moment# and then as ed the >uestion She seemed to be "eading me towards. BSo# as a goddess# 6ou(d be the one to ta" to about ma ing that wish come true.B BI can guide you through it# but it(s not that hard.B She said. B'ot hard for 6ou or for anyoneCB I as ed. B.ami"y adoption is a simp"e matter of c"aiming someone and meaning it.B 2as her answer. B2e 8ust need to say we(re father and daughterCB It sounded too easy. BCorrect.B She said. BSo he(s adopted me as of nowCB I as ed. BIf that(s what you want# but he said something about wanting to be your father by b"ood.B She smi"ed. B2e can do thatCB I was crying a "itt"e bit# but bare"y enough to notice. B$hat one wou"d probab"y re>uire a "itt"e he"p from me. But we can do anything the two of you decide. It wou"d ta e a few days for fu"" effect. 2e(re ta" ing a comp"ete restructuring of who you are. 6our current "ife wi"" be "i e a dream. $hat(s hard to do instantaneous"y if we don(t want you traumati4ed.B B$han that(s my choice#B I "oo ed into :er eyes. BI swear it is.B BI be"ie)e you.B She said and hugged me. 2hen She re"eased me She said# ;And my word is abo)e >uestion.= I was not sure what I was afraid of# but I new I wanted to be with Aubi right now# and I new I wanted to get my story out of the way. So I ran to where he was getting stuff together to ma e "unch. ;:ey there princess ange"#= :e said# ;2hat5s the hurryC= ;%addy#= I said# trying it out. ;$he 1other said you wanted to ha)e me. She said I can be adopted now. And she wou"d ta e care of you being my father by b"ood. But I wanted to te"" you my story before we do that.= :e too me up in his big thic arms and hugged me "ifting me we"" off the ground. 2hen he5d put me down he said# ;I want to now e)erything about you# but nothing is going to change how I fee". 2ithin fi)e minutes he had gathered up a"" his coo ing supp"ies and returned then to his ga""ey bo0. $hen "aid out sandwich supp"ies and fruit on a picnic b"an et. :e "ed me off to the side to gi)e me his fu"" attention. ;I was born into a )ery sma"" town in the northwest. It was centered around a sma"" but charismatic church. *ractica""y a "itt"e cu"t compound# a"though it hadn5t been intended to be that# 8ust happened organica""y. I was an on"y chi"d. At birth I was Christened E"sie 1ae .oster. 1y parent5s free"y admitted that I was named after the Borden %airy cow# because they thought it was such a pretty name. I was treated "i e a do"". %ressed e)ery day in perfect fashions# I had to eep perfect. I was o)erprotected and not a""owed to do anything# for fear I might soi" or brea myse"f. I ne)er owned pants# or e)en p"ay c"othes# which was fine because I wasn5t rea""y a""owed to p"ay. I was seen as a possession# but first and foremost as a

decoration. I hated it from the moment I had an opinion. And hated them for doing it not too "ong after. By fi)e or si0 I primari"y "i)ed in my head# to the degree that there were >uestions that I might be autistic. 3f course my opinion wou"dn(t matter. I was a chi"d. In my house# "i e so many others# it was assumed that not on"y was it not my prerogati)e to decide these things# but I wou"dn(t ha)e had an opinion if as ed. E:ow wou"d a chi"d now what she wanted un"ess her parents te"" herC5 So there I was@ wrapped in white "ace# cotton and crino"ines# patent "eather shoes# and cow name intact. A"" my time was spent either at church with hatefu" confusing adu"ts# or at schoo" or at hea)i"y super)ised tea parties with hatefu" confusing "itt"e gir"s. 'o "itt"e boys in my "ife# no sir. Cou"dn(t ha)e me acting "i e a "itt"e tro""op. 9enaissance happens# (Scream# scream# scream# magic# magic# magic# Satan# Satan# Satan# b"ah# b"ah# b"ah...( %idn5t rea""y touch me. $hen I came out in hi)es# my s in itching insane"y. I was nauseated and di44y for days# fe)erish# and ob)ious"y ha""ucinating. $hen I sprouted fur. 3f course# this was ta en as une>ui)oca" proof I was a demon. 6et somehow four e0orcisms in three days fai"ed to rea""y ta e. And the fur# c"aws# impro)ed senses# and enhanced speed and agi"ity did. 3b)ious"y# I had no a"ternati)e but to rip off my uniform of conformity# and c"aw my way past them and out of that house. A "itt"e go"den beast gir" in a white eye"et s"ip. I was ta en in by an o"d 2erebeast named Gincent. :e was wic ed and crue"# but not rea""y to me# too much. :e(d smac me around a bit. But he had fair"y consistent ru"es so I usua""y new when it was coming. :e ca""ed me $amarin# because he thought I "oo ed "i e a "itt"e mon ey. :e taught me to stea" and he taught me to fight# not the warrior c"ass I hope to one day "earn# but the down and dirty street stuff that has ser)ed me we"" enough thus far. I wor ed for him and he he"ped me. :e got the better dea"# but he wasn(t comp"ete"y use"ess. 2hen I was e"e)en he so"d me to one of Hion(s co""ectors for food and sma"" si")er ingots worth about fi)e hundred do""ars. 2hich suc s# but he ne)er c"aimed to care about me. :owe)er for my sanity# I ha)e to assume he didn(t now who Hion was. Because if he did# I(m going to ha)e to add a "itt"e e0tra to the death sentence honor re>uires if I e)er meet up with him again. $hen I was at Hion5s unti" I escaped and the "ess said about that the better.= %addy "istened intent"y# then he shared his story. I fe"t bad for him. B3h %addy# that must ha)e been so "one"y.B B-one"yC= :e said# ;6ou had no one# I()e had a succession of "itt"e?f fami"ies and the big?. .ami"y.B I was surprised he cou"dnEt see it. BI ne)er had anything to "ose whi"e you "ost fami"y after fami"y. And in the .ami"y near"y "ost yourse"f.B BSo we were each a"one and now we(re together.B :e said. B.ore)er.B I rep"ied# wanting it so desperate"y to be true# but not yet >uite tota""y trusting it to be. 2e heard Story ca""ing round up and went bac to camp. I sat on %addy(s shire# cross"egged. $hings were a"ready changing# the "ast time I(d done it I had an inch of space on each side# now my nees o)erhung by a"most the same. Chapter $wenty?.i)e +Aubi, 2e rode on for about an hour. $amarin 8umped down and ran on ahead# scramb"ing up behind Singer to sort out the "ast of her post?Hion anger. I cou"d hear that they were both crying. It bent my heart. But I new it wou"d b"ow o)er >uic "y. 'egati)e emotions can(t be maintained when the aggressor is hugging the defender from behind. 2e were hoping we cou"d find somep"ace a "itt"e more we"coming to get the sme"" of James(s nee Hion(s !eep off of us. Story cou"d sense a magica" p"ace from twenty mi"es and I wasn(t far behind. It was "ess than an hour before e)eryone cou"d fee" it. -i e static e"ectricity in the air.

Before "ong we arri)ed at a "og# stone# bric # and board town that appeared to be entire"y post? 9enaissance architecture. Instead of the 8erry?rigged ruins of synthetic bui"dings comprising most human sett"ements# as a way to ho"d onto the o"d times# these were new natura" bui"dings and the town appeared popu"ated with maybe si0ty percent magica" races. I saw Satyrs# Centaurs# -amia# an A"f# and a coup"e E"ysians. $here were too many for me to count. I fe"t )ery much at home. Story "ed us to a rough hewn "og inn with a stab"e and a pasture. Story# e)er dramatic# be""owed# BStab"e boy< 6ou ha)e custom here<B A boy >uic "y showed himse"f. :e had dar o"i)e s in and b"ue b"ac hair on a form more fami"iar in pa"er co"ors. A dar E"f. B6es# sir. 1ay I assistCB B2e need you to board our horses and store our tac .B Story rep"ied. ;Certain"y# Sir.= $he boy bowed. A graying 2erebeast wa" ed out from the primary bui"ding# B7reetings. I am Janeth# this is my p"ace. Bant wi"" ta e care of your mounts. Bant# I want premium ser)ice for these horses. I see you ha)e instruments. Are you musiciansCB BJust so# sir.= Storyte""er said# ;2e were hoping to e0change entertainment for a night5s "odging.B B$hat wou"d depend on if I was getting good )a"ue.B Janeth said. B7oodman Janeth#= Story smi"ed# ;2e(re Breach of the *eace. Sure"y you()e heard of us.B BI()e heard of Breach of the *eace. But you wou"d be the fourth Breach in two months. So whether you are in fact they remains to be seen.B Janeth smi"ed. B2e""# hmm# proofF sha"" I turn you into a newt(CB Story as ed. B'o# your power is not being >uestioned. I can fee" it. It(s your identity that remains to be seen. But I(m wi""ing to gi)e you the benefit of the doubt# for tonight. $here(s a"ways a "ot of dishes to be done for "odging if I(m not satisfied.B I was pretty sure he was idding. BI admire your faith in your fe""ow man.B Story rep"ied. BIt(s 8ust business.B :e said. I did my part to un"oad the cart# a"" the hea)y "ifting. I a"so wou"d be doing most of the setup. Earning my eep and whatnot# I "i ed to eep things neat and order"y. And ma e sure that the band didn(t ha)e anything to worry about before a performance. $he inn had a sma"" stage in a "arge common room that too up most of the first f"oor. 3ne wa"" was stone# centered with an enormous firep"ace. 3ne wa"" contained pane?"ess windows to the outdoor itchen. 3ne wa"" accommodated the bar. And the fourth wa"" was the entrance. $he f"oor was co)ered by a thic carpet of sawdust. $here were sma"" tab"es on stone pedesta"s# to bring the diminuti)e patrons of fairy and pi0ie races to where they cou"d easi"y see the stage and be safe from their neighbors5 feet. Around the perimeter were higher free standing tab"es where satyrs# centaurs# and others# who were not bui"t to sit in standard chairs cou"d stand and watch the show. $hese# of course# in addition to the standard tab"es set up for man shaped and si4ed )isitors. 2ord had gotten out that someone had recogni4ed us as the rea" Breach of the *eace. By the time we had eaten the p"ace was pac ed# and there were three or more deep outside the windows. About an hour after sunset the band was ready to go on. $amarin and I sat in the front row. As the first chords fi""ed the air the audience began to register awe and disbe"ief. I suspect on some "e)e" no one rea""y be"ie)ed that the most famous magica" band of a"" time was actua""y p"aying in their sma"" town. But when you heard them# there was no mista ing. Story and Singer5s magic combined to wea)e an i""usion purer than I()e e)er seen. $he first song they performed was (Come 2ith 1e(. A song about a person proposing marriage. A few chords in the band disappeared. 9ep"aced by the image of a g"ade. -yingAsitting center stage was a red?haired centaur maiden braiding f"owers in her hair and tai". A young ma"e# possib"y a suitor# approached. :e e0tended his hands to her. :is "ips mo)ed as Story sang# B$a e my hands and we("" go on a 8ourney. $hrough hea)en and he""# agony and ecstasy on a tre into eternity.B +$hen was something he cou"dn(t ha)e cast whi"e p"aying and singing without he"p., 3n the ne0t "ine# BIt wi"" ha)e its ups and downs assured"y.B Between the "ad5s outstretched hands was another# sma""er i""usion of the "ife he was promising her. In which the maiden was ho"ding the "ad(s hands then threw them down and sta" ed off. $hen ran bac ta ing them up and issing them on the "ine# BBut it wi"" be most"y up

p"easure wi"" far outweigh pain.B As the p"ay within the p"ay showed them wa" ing happi"y arm in arm# he sang B.or we wi"" be together# and together we("" find some 8oy in a"" things.= :e sang# B2e wi"" wa" together with the barbs of hate and 8ea"ousy of those a"one and un"o)ed f"ying toward us.B 2e saw them wa" # in miniature# past a group of )ery bitter "oo ing centaurs whose eyes ga)e off "itt"e dar darts of hate and sic "y green darts of 8ea"ousy. $he darts bounced away from them on the "ine# B$hese arrows wi"" def"ect (gainst the shie"d of our "o)e. 'othing can hurt us now. $ogether we are strong. $his isn(t about stand or fa"".B $he "itt"e p"ay faded as she too his hands in the "arger. B$ogether we "i)e# apart we naught but fade away.B $he i""usions ran hand in hand offstage and out the door. $he g"ade dar ened. $wo new i""usions# men# one mid?twenties# one "ate teens# appeared. $he music started. It was Story5s spo en word number (7raduation(. BCome brother. $he time has come. 6ou ha)e "earned. 6ou ha)e grown. $onight you Become. $onight we hunt together. 'ot as teacher and student. 'ot master and s"a)e. But as brothers and friends. $he chase is on. 2e sha"" triumph. $he hunt# the game# the sweet tang of b"ood. $onight we "ie together@ in the b"ood# the entrai"s# the tattered tooth?mar ed f"esh. I am we"" p"eased my chi"d# we"" p"eased. 6ou are worthy# we are one. .ore)er.B $hen they sang (:aw (s -o)e(. About :aw and his mate Bri(an. She was off dimension hopping. -i e A"i0(s mate Gatan and Singer had been unti" recent"y. $hey sang (2a" of a 2arrior( $hen $amarin went up and they did a few straight songs# without i""usion. She stayed up for (9unnin5 $hrough the 'ight( the Gampire theme song# with (-o)e and Se0( and (2a" of a 2arrior( it had been on the C% they put out before the 9enaissance. $he i""usions started again# on that one. Story introduced the band to deafening cheers. $hen they did the comi?erotic. ;-o)e and Se0.= $hey ended the set with# (2hat(s 2rong 2ith 6ouC( their first hit off their first C%. After they too their bows# they a""owed themse")es to be ca""ed bac for two encores. Chapter $wenty?Si0 +Aubi, $hat night I "earned one needed to be specific with the 1other and .ather. $hey were the ones whose "o)e of )ariety created man?headed dogs# dragon winged unicorns# and .ey mystics born without eyes so their )iew of the astra" p"ane wou"dn(t be distracted by mundane sight. I said I wanted to be $amarin(s father by b"ood. I didn(t thin to specify bio"ogica" father. $hat night I had a dream. It was fourteen years ago# I was wa" ing down a street on some undetermined wor"d# simi"ar to the wor"d of today# not pre?9enaissance earth of fourteen years ago# when my eye was caught by the most beautifu" baby# rosy pin with a f"uff of "ight b"onde hair. She was he"d by a Sy"ph woman# air e"ementa" .ey. $his creature was arguing with a *"ainsman# a cross between *"ains E"f and *"ains Barbarian that bred true. BIf you "ea)e me# who(s going to ta e care of our babyCB She whined. B6ou are.B :e said# indifferent. BI can(t# not a"one.B BI("" i"" it then.B :e reached for the baby with one hand and started to remo)e his be"t nife with his other# BItC 6our daughter< Can(t we 8ust "ea)e her in the forest for someone to findCB :e sneered. BStupid bitch< $his isn(t 7o"di"oc s "and< In the forest it dies s"ow"y of e0posure and anima"s eat it. 1y way# I "op off its head# we throw it in a dumpster and we(re done with it.B BI don(t now#B She started crying. I a"most grabbed her and ran# I he"d bac # indecisi)e. 2as I comfortab"e "ea)ing the birth parents a"i)eC $he man said# ;Just gi)e it here and I5"" i"" it. 'ow# before it draws any attention to us.= ;But it5s my baby.= She whined. ;If it5s dead#= :e crooned# ;'othing wi"" stand in the way of our being together. $he bitch eager"y he"d my daughter out to be s"aughtered. I too his hand a"ong with his nife# when I disarmed him. $hey were both beheaded before his stump had time to spurt. She was dead before she dropped my baby with shoc and fear. But her "oosening grip a""owed me to sweep my daughter out of her dead grasp. $a ing an empty sou" poo" stone I(d fortuitous"y found

that morning in a 8un shop who thought it was carni)a" g"ass# I trapped their departing spirits. I figured one day I cou"d gi)e it to her and she(d ha)e two "i)es worth of energy to p"ay with. Some magica" maneu)ering got me to $he $emp"e# where the 1other and .ather "i)e# before my daughter was hungry. BI need a wetnurse.B I to"d the 1other when I saw her. B2hyCB She as ed. I to"d her the story of the sy"ph and the p"ainsman. BI understand that# but why do you need a wetnurseCB $he 1other as ed BI(m p"anning to eep her and raise her as my daughter.B I rep"ied. B3b)ious"y. -et(s ta e a different tac . 2hat do Gatan and Jesse ha)e in commonCB She as ed# if she was not e0asperated# she was at "east ready for me to fina""y get it. B$hey can go a"" night and sti"" get up and ma e brea fast in the morning.B I smi"ed. B7osh you don(t now Gat at a""# do youC $hose in the now ho"d that he smithed a race of sentient meta" peop"e so he(d ne)er ha)e to get up and ma e brea fast. 'o no they# and many others you don(t now# were a"" nursed by ma"es.B B:ow# magicCB I as ed. B'o. 1en# magica""y# can breastfeed.= she said# ;Just as Jesse. But he and the others were fed on b"ood.B BAnd you thin that(s what I shou"d doCB B2e"" it is the on"y way to get your b"ood into her. $hen she wi"" genetica""y ha)e three parents.B She ad)ised. B*erfect# more than I can as . :ow do I do itCB I was e0cited and as ing si""y >uestions. BJust cut or bite a ho"e in your finger and stic it in her mouth. She("" now what to do.B She smi"ed# as if it were ob)ious. I had the opportunity to try this out "ess than an hour "ater. 1y gir" wo e up and immediate"y demanded food. She had a cry that ca""ed the attention of anything in the county with ears. I cut my inde0 fingertip with my be"t nife. She reacted so )oracious"y to the f"ow of my "ife I thought she might drain me past mo)ement. I don(t see how she cou"d ha)e ta en more than si0 ounces# more "i e"y four# but it seemed more at the time. After about two wee s her hair dar ened to a go"den hue and the fur she now bears first became apparent. She de)e"oped fangs and c"aws# which none of her parents had# but I understood this was a common side effect to being nursed on b"ood. 2hat disconcerted me was# about this time# I cut my tongue on my teeth. $hey were sti"" s>uare and f"at and cow "i e. But now they carried an edge "i e tiny ni)es. I went to the 1other about it. BIt(s because of a"" that b"ood going out. 6ou need to be ta ing some in to rep"ace it. $o top yourse"f up. I thought that was why you ept in contact with your worshippers and attended their sacrifices as often as you do.B B'o that(s 8ust energy wor .B I rep"ied. B2e"" I guess it won(t be anymore.B 3dd"y# it didn(t sound that nauseous anymore. I wo e up in camp and new my dream was my new rea"ity. And e)erything was cheerier# and $amarin and my re"ationship was better than e)er. And the memories ept coming. 'ow I remembered noc ing on the door to Breach :ouse thirteen years ago# an infant in my arms. :oo ing up with them in the beginning. 'ot "ong after they mo)ed past fami"y gatherings and into professiona" music with a record contract. $wo of which they made before the 9enaissance changed e)erything. I remembered "ea)ing her with 'isse# a :i"" %warf emp"oyed to c"ean the house. Breach had a coup"e out of town dates right before $amarin(s friend# 1aggie(s# birthday party. So she stayed behind. Breach :ouse and the surrounding ranch were raided by nomads. 'isse i""ed# the house ransac ed and burned# $amarin ta en. -ater I find she(s been so"d to Hion. Starting with the nomad tribe we "eft a trai" of b"ood that stretched to Hion(s !eep. :er capti)ity was now four months# rather than four years# but had the added aggra)ation of e)eryone nowing who she was. %aughter of

Aubidacha ahamet# 7uardianed by Storyte""er and -ady !a""isto %ucanten. So hate against us was ta en out on her. In our new wor"d Singer had come bac and -ady ! "eft about two wee s before the fatefu" dates in 3ctober# when $amarin was "eft behind. 3f course -ady ! was bac and ready when her goddessdaughter was ta en. 'ow I was the one who i""ed Hion beating him into puree but no Esca5rdu. Afterwards e)erything was pretty much the same# e0cept Story and Singer were there to he"p. As I sat there re)e"ing in my new "ife when $amarin approached. B%addy# can I see it.B I didn(t need to as what. But I a"so wasn(t thri""ed to thin about those two. B2hyCB BBecause it wi"" ma e it more rea" to me.B I reached into my bag and grabbed a mu"tico"ored wood bo0 I(d car)ed for when I ga)e it to her after her saining. I opened it# my hand sti"" concea"ed& I didn(t want to spoi" the surprise. I pa"med the hea)i"y shie"ded ha"f sphere stone& I didn(t want anything "ea ing out before it was presented to her officia""y. I showed it to her& we cou"d see her birth parents sou"s in there. It was g"owing gent"y "i e a cand"e. Sun ye""ow and forest green predominated but there was a "ibera" measures of bric red# red and white swir"# and pa"e cha" orange. I was carefu" not to "et her touch it. I didn(t want the power to 8ump into her when she wasn(t ready. 2e sat and ta" ed about o"d times. $rying to# through the strength of speech# ma e new memories push out the o"d. Chapter $wenty?Se)en +Storyte""er, $hat night as we ta" ed# we decided that we wou"d stay a few days and en8oy the company of our own ind. A"so future concerts wou"d be gi)en outside# so more peop"e cou"d attend. A "arge grassy c"earing that had functioned in the past as a town common was right outside Janeth(s p"ace. So he cou"d sti"" pro)ide food and drin s and not "ose any business. 2e stayed with Janeth and Bant for near"y a wee # performing e)ery night. 2hen we "eft we were tired# and the more barbaric of us were spoi"ing for a fight. 2e found a human town by "unchtime. 2e cou"d te"" by the stares# snorts and derisi)e comments that we had found what we were "oo ing for. 2e tied off the horses in front of the sa"oon and entered. $he bartender immediate"y pointed at A"i0# Aubi# and $amarin and said# B2e don(t ser)e their ind.B I smi"ed# B$hat(s o ay# we don(t eat their ind.B I new :aw and A"i0 were ready to roc without the banter# but they "et me fo""ow my own script. B$his is a human on"y bar.B :e said in what seemed >uite a whiney tone. B$hat wou"d ru"e a"" of us out.= I said# warming up. ;'ow we need si0 beers and don(t gi)e me any shit.B +3dd"y when spea ing to humans Edon5t gi)e me any shit5 is usua""y interpreted as# Emay I p"ease ha)e some shitC5,. BBut that one "oo s "i e it(s on"y a chi"d.B :e said# as if it were his business. B3ur chi"d. Just shut up before someone gets hurt.B I ad)ised# >uite reasonab"y. B:eed your own ad)ice beast "o)er. 2e()e got a bar fu"" of men here# I thin you(d 8ust better "ea)e.B BAfter you pay the stranger(s ta0 and the disturbing the peace ta0.B Said a man dressed as an o"d west sheriff with ten men behind him. BShades of 3"son)i""e.B I said to the band# than turned my fu"" attention to the new enemy. B-oo # we(re in a hurry. I(m not going to dic er with you. I("" gi)e you my top offer right off the bat. I("" "et a"" of you# e)eryone# "ea)e here a"i)e.B A perfect"y reasonab"e offer. $hey shou"d ha)e ta en it. $he sheriff scow"ed at me s>uinti"y. B6ou 8ust bought yourse"f a mess of troub"e.B It was the Emess of troub"e5 "ine. I 8ust had to "augh. ;:ow (bout if I return the troub"e.= I suggested# ;And use my refund to pay the ta0es.B B$hat(s it. :it (em boys.B $he bartender said. I smi"ed# and grabbed a hea)y g"ass stein off the bar# then used it to ca)e in the bartender(s s u"" for starting this mess.

:aw cou"dn5t stop "aughing and was ob)ious"y ha)ing fun winding his way through this gang of nothing@ cheap ass deputies and a few drun en patrons. Sudden"y# one that $amarin had f"oored got up and charged. :aw stepped in front of his nife hand# catching it. $wisting unti" the shou"der came out of the soc et. $hen using the "imp arm to start stabbing him in a b"oody parody of a chi"dren(s tease. B2hy you stabbing yourse"f pa"# why you stabbing yourse"fCB .ina""y with a s"ash across the throat he dropped the human and too the ne0t# "ast one. :e was huge and thic . 3b)ious"y dumb as a stump. :e was sti"" there whi"e e)eryone e"se was f"oored# dead or out the door. BC(mon g"ass8aw#= :aw said# ;I used to fuc your ind in prison.B 3b)ious"y :aw "i ed his banter as much as I# but he preferred it during the fight. :e grabbed the guys arm when he punched at him and put it in a hammer"oc . B1atron may I he"p you across the street.B :e escorted the human to the door# and out. 2ith a sharp twist# eeping the arm. B3ops#B he said. 3ur fun o)er# we departed. 3n the edge of town# we saw a young "ad about $amarin5s age# or a bit o"der# hitching out of town. $his was certain"y a )ote in his fa)or. I sensed magic# but I had troub"e measuring it. :e was ob)ious"y trying hard to mas it in the presence of humans. :e wore a red and tan chec ed f"anne" shirt# 8eans# c"odhoppers# and a f"at brimmed "eather hat. 2hich ga)e me pause& I had no "o)e for hic s. :aw pu""ed him up to ride pi""ion. I rode up a"ongside. ;:e""o#= I said :e "oo ed o)er at me. ;:i.= ;6ou "oo "i e a rednec .= It was neither my habit nor my p"an to 8ust 8ump in. But there I was. ;'ati)e costume#B :e smi"ed# ;And the current generation prefers shit ic er.= ;6uc # whyC= $his from $amarin. She and Aubi had 8ust pu""ed in a "itt"e c"oser behind Singer on the other side. $he "ad answered# ;Bad press. 9ednec has come to mean bigoted# fat# o"d men. Shit ic ers ha)e simi"ar tastes in music# 8ust "ouder and faster. $hey5re fair"y open?minded# and they5re the on"y group s inheads are scared to fight.= ;And what5s a s inheadC= She as ed. ;3ne of the most )enomous of the human hate groups. $hey sha)e their heads so they a"" "oo a"i e# and then hate anyone who isn5t 8ust "i e them.= :e sounded a "itt"e persona""y pissed ;So what5s your nameC= I thin she might ha)e been f"irting with him. ;Shamus B"ac feather and yoursC= :e smi"ed bac . I was not at a"" sure I "i ed this de)e"opment. ;$amarin# this is my dad# Aubi. $hey are Story# Singer# A"i0# and that5s :aw behind you. Erin5s the saucy min0 in the b"ac . 2e5re Breach of the *eace.= $amarin said proud"y. ;:mmm. 'e)er heard of you.= :e smi"ed. ;9ea""y#= I as ed. ;7uess that5s because we don5t p"ay much country.= ;.uc ya ind"y Story.= :e smi"ed at me and tipped his hat. ;I was iddin5. 6ou are the most famous magica" band in the wor"d. And Janeth wrote a coup"e days ago and to"d me you were in town.= ;6ou now JanethC= I was surprised for some reason. ;I now e)eryone.= :e assured. ;:mmm#= I said# >uite unimpressed. ;:ow o"d are youC= $amarin new the important >uestions. ;*hysica""y or chrono"ogica""yC= :e turned to face the one he wou"d ob)ious"y prefer to ta" to. ;Both.= She gigg"ed. ;*hysica""y about se)enteen. Chrono"ogica""y say ten years past. And youC= :e as ed. ;Both physica""y and chrono"ogica""y I5"" be fifteen 1ay se)enth.= ;-ess than si0 wee s. I hope they ha)e something big p"anned for your saining.= :e said. ;SainingC=

;Coming of age. .ifteen is when you are a woman.= :e said it as a statement of fact. $he g"eam in his eyes said her womanhood was of persona" interest to him. :owe)er# if gir"ish gigg"ing meant interest# she was showing p"enty. :ic in the .ami"y# scary thought. ;I5m not too fond of hic s.= I said# I do not now why. :e sighed and turned to face me fu"" on. ;Story don5t yan my chain# I5m in no mood.= ;6ou are awfu" f"ippant for someone ha)ing his first meeting with someone many consider a god.= $hose were my actua" words# .ather he"p me. ;'e)er was one to fo""ow the crowd. Besides# you are being a "itt"e bitchy for someone renowned for a sunny disposition. Especia""y with a id he 8ust met.= ;6ou5re right# sorry& something5s 8ust putting my teeth on edge.= I was a "itt"e p"eased that whate)er was running off my mouth hadn5t "eft me comp"ete"y without manners. ;*robab"y me# I5m pretty stressed and I5m nown for broadcasting my emotions.= :e said. $amarin spo e up# ;If that5s true how come Story5s fee"ing it and I5m notC= I answered# ;'one of you are. 6ou see $amarin# it5s traditiona" for me not to ha)e any shie"ds. 6ou a"" b"oc outside energy. 1ost intentiona""y# you ha)e instincti)e ones as a gift from your )isit to Hion. A trademar of mine is to ne)er ha)e shie"ds. It says EI5"" hand"e anything that5s thrown at me.(= ;Sounds dangerous.= $am said. -oo ing sympathetica""y distraught# which I appreciated. :aw spo e# ;So# Shamus what are you stressing so hard aboutC= ;-et5s say my community has p"ans for me that I ha)e )ery mi0ed fee"ings about.= :e said# ob)ious"y not comp"ete"y happy ta" ing about it. ;2hat communityC= :aw as ed. ;$he 9ea"m.= :e sounded miserab"e ;9ea"mC= $amarin as ed. ;$he 9ea"m of .aerie# the coa"ition of .aerie races# tribes# and c"ans under the bene)o"ent ru"ership of 3beron the 7reat.= :e sounded more than a "itt"e bit sarcastic and bitter. ;2hat conf"ict do you ha)e with $he .o" C= I as ed# as they were my peop"e# or more precise"y we shared a mutua" fondness. ;I5d rather not say.= :e said uncomfortab"y. ;But it has something to do with why you5re running.= $amarin as ed. ;It is why I5m running.= .or a moment he "oo ed a "itt"e more sett"ed. $a" ing to her. ;6ou can5t run from the entire 9ea"m#= I said# ;$hey5re e)erywhere. Especia""y since $hey opened /nderhi"". ;I now# I5m hea)i"y shie"ded# and on"y want to buy enough time to thin # not run fore)er.= :e sounded e0hausted and for a moment about to cry. ;3 ay gang# we can badger Shamus "ater.= :aw said and goosed his horse and trotted away up ahead. 2e rode through the afternoon. I was apparent"y noticing Shamus5s discomfort and tried to eep the others off him. .ina""y I 8ust ga)e up because he was on"y pursued a bit by :aw who he was riding with and who cou"d ta e no for an answer. 1ore so by $amarin who it was ob)ious he did not want protection from. ;So where are you fromC= She as ed. ;:ere and there# South Eastern Canada origina""y. 1y mother was from the forest by Janeth5s p"ace origina""y. So we mo)ed here when I was a id.= Shamus said. ;3h# I don5t ha)e a mother.= ;2e"" with a father "i e Aubi# a mother wou"d on"y be redundant.= $amarin seemed to "i e that. I cou"d see Aubi was p"eased as we"". I rode ahead "ea)ing the boy in capab"e and ind hands. 2e decided we wanted to eep good memories of Janeth5s p"ace fresh and combined with no desire for a repeat of this afternoon# it wou"d be best to not e)en "oo for a gig tonight. 2e camped at dus # no towns in sight.

2e started a fire# ate# and sat around ta" ing. Shamus was sti"" re"uctant to ta" about himse"f. :e did untang"e a ban8o from the c"othes in his bag and began to tune it. ;Ba"dur5s sa e# a ban8oC= I said# ;I to"d you I hate shit ic er music.= ;:ush up Story. I now you now the ban8o is suited for e)erything from b"uegrass to roc to Irish traditiona". I want to show you I now it too.= Shamus said. ;3 ay if you must.= I might ha)e had to force it to sound "i e I was idding rather than the dead serious bu""shit opinions I(d )oiced a"" afternoon. :e sounded damn fine. 2hen he finished we app"auded and he smi"ed shy"y. ;1aybe I cou"d p"ay with you guys sometime.= ;I don5t now. A ban8oC= 1y gods# I was being an ass. Aubi spo e up# ;Shut up o"d man. Shamus may I.= Aubi too the ban8o and p"ayed some pro >ua"ity b"uegrass. ;'ow shut up before I go through e)ery shit ic er song I now which is c"ose to a"" there are.= I 8ust stared at him# e)eryone was f"oored. ;I didn5t rea"i4e you p"ayed anything.= I said. 1y day for being a foo". ;I5m o)er two thousand years o"d# of course in that time I pic ed up a "itt"e music.= Aubi said# ob)ious"y I shou"d ha)e thought of that. ;7reat# %addy# what e"se do you p"ayC= $amarin as ed. ;I cou"d probab"y ho"d my own with any instrument in the band. :owe)er# p"ay we""C ."ute# sitar# fidd"e# "ute# ban8o# bongos# bodrahn# wire strung harp# and hammered du"cimer.= ;2ow# %addy that5s good.= ;*retty good# I now both Story and Singer can beat it.= Aubi said. Aubi e0amined ShamusEs ban8o. ;$his is a sweet one# man. Cherry and stee" frame# stee" frets# "ambs in boards. $hese probab"y aren5t e)en made anymore.= :e began to p"ay. I recogni4ed .innegan5s 2a e and was reminded of the instrument(s )ersati"ity. 2e 8ammed through the night with Shamus on ban8o# Aubi on a f"ute that he had bro en down in his bag# and $amarin trying to eep up on her mando"in. Chapter $wenty?Eight +$amarin, $he ne0t morning I wo e up to find %addy and the boy stretching in front of the fire. I had thought he was cute from the first& but "oo ing at his frec "es# and his "ong dar red hair cur"ing down to his strong shou"ders# his "aughing green eyes# he a"most too my breath away. $here he was ne0t to %addy& his shirt off# the sun on his creamy s in. :e turned and I noticed how cute his tummy was. ;%roo" muchC= Erin said ma ing me 8ump. ;Buc ets. 'ow hush# you5re distracting me.= She >uieted and sat beside me. Soon her warmth and honey sweet scent were distractions enough. I turned and tried to iss her# she stopped me with an upraised pa"m. ;%on5t we want to watch ShamusC= ;-ater.= I pushed her bac on her e"bows and issed her thorough"y. I started wor ing on her buttons. She pushed me away. ;!issing# sure. *"aying in the water# 7ods yes. :owe)er# I cannot go any farther unti" after your saining at "east. 9ight now# you are a id regard"ess of how "ustfu" you may be. *"ease "et this wait unti" you5re a woman.= She was a"most p"eading# ob)ious"y not trusting herse"f if I pushed. 7ods that made me hot. ;But# won5t this ma e me a woman.= I said in my best f"irty )oice. ;'othing5s gonna ma e you a woman e0cept time.= She said with a smi"e. ;Corny p"atitude head.= I "aughed. ;Corny true p"atitude head.= She rep"ied ;2e5"" 8ust iss then.= I said with no intention of ma ing it easy on her. ;6ou do now how to ma e it hard on me.= But she was smi"ing. ;It5s the "east I can do.= I smi"ed bac .

$hat afternoon I cornered Shamus in the woods ne0t to the stream. :e said he was going for a wa" to thin . I approached him from behind as >uiet"y as I cou"d. ;:i $amarin.= :e said when I was sti"" fi)e feet away. ;:ow5d you now I was hereC= I as ed# shoc ed. ;A gir" your age sme""s "i e a hormone factory# in a de"iscious way# of course. A"so you breathe "i e your father# and the :amadryad in that oa bac there wants you rea""y bad and I can hear his thoughts.= :e rep"ied. ;6ou can hear peop"e5s thoughtsC= that sounded promising# ;2hat am I thin ing right nowC= ;I can on"y hear .ey thoughts.= ;.eyC= I as ed# 8ust to be sure. ;.aery races& .aoine# .airy# 9ammi in# Stone E"f and such. 6ou ha)e Sy"ph b"ood but it5s dormant.= :e said. ;2hy can you on"y hear .ey thoughtsC= I as ed. ;-ong story# I don5t wish to discuss it right now.= :e sounded tired. ;6ou5)e got tasty "oo ing "ips.= I said ;$han you.= :e smi"ed. ;!iss me#= I said# coming into his arms. ;!ay#= :e issed me hard and deep. 1y nees went to 8e""y. ;I5m sorry# I5m preoccupied. I5"" try to concentrate on you.= :e issed me again# sweeping up my spirit# centering me on him unti" he bro e contact. ;$han s# I needed that. -et5s go.= 1y "eg was burning where his erection was pressing on me. ;2e can iss more if you want to.= ;'o# that was about a"" I can hand"e. $hat one has me a"most ready to p"an our wedding. I 8ust ha)e a "ot going on right now. A "ot I ha)e to wor out. %istractions# no matter how de"icious# do not he"p. I need to sort myse"f out first.= ;$hat5s o ay. 2e5)e 8ust met. I ha)en5t e)en had my saining yet. $here is Erin# what wou"d she sayC 2e5re ind of in)o")ed.= I rep"ied. ;I guess neither of us can do this right now.= :e said. ;Agreed#= I agreed. :e pu""ed me c"ose# saying ;.uc it#= and issed me. I me"ted into him. 2e wou"d find some way to sort this out. 2e issed through the afternoon and into the e)ening. ;So# te"" me what you5re stressing about.= I as ed. ;Bac at camp. If I5m ta" ing# I5m on"y ta" ing once.= 2e wa" ed bac to camp and I got e)eryone together. ;So what5s upC= I as ed. ;2e""???= :e dropped his shie"ds when he began to spea . Sudden"y a group of .aoine Sidhe appeared# four towering warriors and a hea)y o"d 8udge "oo ing one in the midd"e. ;6ou ungratefu" "itt"e bastard.= $he o"d one spo e. ;After e)erything you5)e been gi)en.= ;.uc you o"d man.= Shamus said. ;Story# gang# this is 1odred# 3beron5s high chamber"ain.= ;And I was sent to ta e you bac . As you no doubt new# since you5)e been hiding.= 1odred dec"ared# ;I5m not at a"" sure I5m going bac .= Shamus said. ;6ou5"" do as you5re to"d# you "itt"e bastard.= $he chamber"ain demanded. ;I wou"d "i e to see you ma e me.= Shamus smi"ed. ;Just what5s going on hereC= Story as ed. ;3beron and his gang were staying at Janeth5s.= Shamus said. ;As is his habit# 3beron wanted to dice for the bi"". $herefore# Janeth stipu"ated that if he won the "ord had to ta e me into his ser)ice. 2e""# he won. 3beron disco)ered when he tried to "ea)e# I ha)e a specia" ta"ent. 'o one can brea a promise to me. 3f course# this time I was hoping it wou"dn5t ic in. 2hy cou"dn5t he 8ust "ea)eC Just pay his stupid bi"" and "ea)e. Course Janeth on"y wanted to embarrass him. :e is too honest to ha)e had reason to disco)er my ta"ent# curse it. So he e0pected 3beron to sheepish"y bac out.= ;-oo boy#= 1odred said# ;$housands wou"d i"" for the opportunity that5s been handed to you on a p"atter.=

;At the price of my freedom.= Shamus snar"ed# "oo ing ready to fight. Causing 1odred5s f"un ies to f"e0 threatening"y. ;2hat does he want you so bad forC= I as ed confused. ;I5d thin if he tried to ditch you# he wou"d be happy if you ran.= ;$he boy has become )ery important to his ma8esty.= ;2hyC I wou"dn5t ha)e thought 3beron the type to eep catamites.= :aw commented. ;Cata?whatsC= I as ed. ;Butt?boys.= :aw rep"ied. 2hich c"arified nothing. ;3f course he is#= Shamus rep"ied# ;$hat5s what that who"e Sha espeare p"ay is about. :e wanted $itania5s Indian boy so he cou"d bugger him. 7ods now she won5t "et the gnar"ed "itt"e dwarf near her beautifu" form.= I was starting to get an idea of what butt boys might be. ;'ow that5s none of your affair.= 1odred grow"ed. ;It most certain"y is. If his wife wou"d "et him fuc her# he5d ha)e no use for me.= Shamus said snide"y. ;$hat is not for you to say. 'ow come a"ong.= 1odred was purp"ing. Story spo e up# ;1odred# I wi"" not ha)e you forcing a boy who ob)ious"y wants nothing to do with you or your ing.= ;.or the "ast time# he is not the ing5s catamite. :e5s his heir.= .ina""y the chamber"ain "ost it# ye""ing. Si"ence reigned. ;3beron# -ord of a"" .ey# too a stab"e boy as his heir on a betC= Story didn5t now whether to "augh or ye"". ;:e didn5t e0pect to "ose. :e has "ost mayhap three times in his "ife. :e has ne)er had a prob"em getting out of a bad bet.= 1odred said. ;2e"" what happens nowC= I as ed. ;:e ta es o)er. :e5s better suited to the 8ob than many.= 1odred said. ;:ow soC= or some form of it was said by most of us# inc"uding Story and Shamus himse"f. ;2ho5s 3beronC= 1odred said# ;:e5s -ord of the .ey# specifica""y European fey. :e is a"so the :orned 3ne for many of the human witch groups. 1any more that do not worship him ca"" their high priests 3beron. $his cou"d ma e Shamus the high priest5s high priest. 1y master was ing because that is where his power "ay. :erne# Janicot# -"eu -"aw 7yffes a"" ha)e "ed from within# first among e>ua"s. Shamus is certain"y suited to that. 'ot to mention# he5s one of the "uc y few who pu""ed death"ess immorta"ity through "uc of the draw coming out of the sou" poo". $he fina" touch# Boy# show them your birth form.= Shamus# "oo ing unhappy# faded from focus and returned four inches ta""er# with tawny s in stretched o)er a muscu"ar torso# deep red mahogany hair hanging in cur"s past his shou"ders# cur"ed ram5s horns and a f"uffy goatee. :is c"othes were now reduced to a "oinc"oth and whi"e he had feet# he had )ery woo""y "egs and thic f"at toenai"s. ;Sorry son#= Story said. ;But the chambermaid or chamber"ain& chamber pot# whate)er. Scu""ion 1odred ma es a good point. %o not change who you are# 8ust change what you do with it. .irst# you ha)e to return to your mentor and "earn more about the shoes you5"" be fi""ing. 6ou5"" a"ways be we"come with us# but on"y after you5)e done your duty.= Shamus sighed# and resumed his norma" form. :e b"ew me a iss# and disappeared# hanging his head between 1odred and his entourage . ;%o you thin we5"" e)er see him againC= I as ed. ;Count on it.= %addy and Story said in unison# "oo ed at each other# then at me and smi"ed. Chapter $wenty?'ine +Erin, 2e rounded ourse")es up and set out on the road. $amarin(s heartbrea wou"dn(t be "essened by hanging around the "ast p"ace she saw him.

As night began to fa"" we saw a town. A >uic discussion decided a gig might be fun. A"so it cou"d be distracting for our gir"# si"ent"y weeping on her dad(s horse. $he town was ob)ious"y human# but the magica" customers of the ta)ern we entered seemed to be treated a"most re)erentia""y. Story went to spea to the proprietor# whi"e the rest of us found seats. ;$he Si")er Crescent#= A"i0 said# ;$his p"ace sounds ind of promising.= Story 8ustified that# ;2itch c"ub.= :e said sitting down. ;.a e b"ac or rea" 2iccanC= A"i0 as ed. ;2iccan# which is a "itt"e better but not much. :e wants to now if we do hymns to the goddess.= Story rep"ied# none too p"eased. ;$e"" him we do hyrs to the 7oddess.= I said. ;Smart ass.= I ha)e a soft spot for the poor parochia" 2iccans. ;It5"" be a "ar .= I said. ;2ou"d you a"" care to bac me upC= ;6ou5re gonna singC= 2as the genera" consensus. ;Sure# I figure I now the tunes and witches are cra4y about b"ac robes.= I said. ;$oo bad Shamus isn5t here.= $amarin said. ;.or them or for youC= She b"ushed pretti"y then "oo ed a "itt"e timid at me. ;%on5t worry 9andy? pants# I5m not the 8ea"ous type# e)en if I was I wou"dn5t ho"d a hot piece "i e him against you.= She per ed up and we started setting up. 1y drums center stage. Story and :aw on one side. A"i0 and Singer on the other. $hey fed us before we went on. It was a"so a tota""y )egan p"ace. 'o anima" products of any ind. 3r oi"s# for some reason. 2hich meant the food tasted funny. $he breads and sa"ads were >uite good. $he soup tasted funny and the pasta suc ed. *retty common for )egan restaurants. $his is odd because I had )egan friends that bui"t entire reputations on their pasta and soup. :owe)er# I suppose my friends did not see warm unsa"ted oi" free hummus as a pasta sauce. Anyway# after eating the fi)e of us mounted the stage and prepared to p"ay. 2e started with the fami"iar# (2e A"" Come from the 7oddess(. Segued into# (2e A"" 7o 2ith the :orned 3ne(. I then did a s"ight"y reworded )ersion of# (1ay the Circ"e be /nbro en.( 1o)ed on to ($han 6ou %ear 1other(. $he *an hymn# (In a Sunny 1eadow(. $he Circe hyr# (If :e Can5t $a e a Jo e(# +Circe had a tendency of turning men into farm anima"s., Continuing in a humorous"y re)erent )ein# ($he 7oddess in 1y Bodice.( About a figure carried for "uc . $hen sang the mi"d"y anti?Christian post? 9enaissance# (%ing %ong# the Church is %ead(# fo""owed by (In the -and of .aerie(# a ba""ad about how than fu" the singer is that most fey chic s put out. *erfect for a ma"e bard# or me. 1o)ed to# (1agic is?(. $hen capped with# (7imme that 3"d $ime 9e"igion(. 2e i""ed. $he crowd went wi"d. 2e got a standing o)ation# and were ca""ed bac for three encores before we refused. In each encore we did three songs. 2e doub"ed our set and that was enough for us. $hey offered us a p"ace at their night"y Circ"e. 2e dec"ined nowing our presence wou"d draw the 1other and .ather# who had better things to do. 2e s"ept abo)e the ta)ern and the ne0t day "eft against screams of anguish at the thought of our "ea)ing. 3 ay# against the sound of petu"ant whining we set off. Chapter $hirty +Aubi, 2atching my daughter ride a"ong so >uiet and sad# I got to thin ing how soon her birthday wou"d be upon me. I had about fi)e wee s. But I wasn(t so"id"y confidant in my party p"anning s i""s for a young "ady. *"us fifteen was a biggie. Se)en# which was first thresho"d# when one(s adu"t powers started to come in. .ifteen# which was saining# when one was an adu"t. $wenty?one# which was not officia""y anything# but unofficia""y was when one is supposed to actua""y ha)e a hand"e on being an adu"t and beha)e responsib"y# often the age one marries. .ifty# the ha"f century mar . $hen one# two# and three hundred# century mar s remain big ones no matter how o"d you get. /nti" you get as o"d as me when you ha)e a birthday sti"" but rare"y ce"ebrate it much and your age seems entire"y irre"e)ant.

$he fact this was her saining year 8ust made me more ner)ous. 'ot to mention her saining itse"f. As a ma"e I wou"d on"y be in)o")ed on the periphery. But as so"e parent I had to choose another fami"y member to ta e mother(s duties. I ru"ed out Erin for ob)ious reasons. A"i0# I 8udged too sing"eminded to mu"titas . Singer seemed the best choice. She was happy to do it when I brought it up to her. She said there wou"d be other gir"s at the 2omen(s Camp at the same time. She confirmed that my in)o")ement wou"d be "imited to the dance after her saining when the ma"es wou"d we"come a new woman. I can(t say I was happy about ha)ing so "itt"e to do with such an important part of my daughter(s "ife. But I new nothing about being a woman. So what cou"d I ad)ise her aboutC And "eading the ma"es in we"coming her is an important part. I wou"d 8ust focus on her birthday. But I cou"dn(t thin about parties and 8oy with $amarin so miserab"e. I waited unti" Erin too $amarin out. :oping a hi e and some )o"canic intensity issing wou"d cheer her up. I got A"i0 and Spe""singer together to brainstorm. B6ou()e both been separated from "o)ed ones and bore it we"". :owCB I as ed. A"i0 answered# BIt(s 8ust a prob"em of getting past that first rush of despair. I(d suggest a wi"ding. $hat(s what I(d do. $a e a coup"e wee s off from responsibi"ity. Just turn into an anima". 'ot "itera""y# don(t now if she cou"d. Just if she fee"s "i e wa" ing into an inn punching the eeper in the face and then throwing him down the outhouse ho"e# do it. $hrow a barrow of dead rats on the ing and his entourage# do it. In this case# e)en fuc Erin# 8ust do it. She can be a born again )irgin "ater.B BIn this case I agree.B Singer said. BIt(s not my sty"e. But $amarin is not "i e me. 'ot A"i0# I(d say# but more "i e her than me assured"y.B I didn(t now how to broach the sub8ect with my daughter. So I didn(t at first. I waited unti" our p"ans were somewhat so"id. $hat night# thirty mi"es outside our intended destination. B:oney# I()e been concerned about how upset you()e been.B ;$his isn(t some "itt"e schoo" gir" crush# %ad. And I resent you being so ca)a"ier about my fee"ings.B She cried. B$een angst rears its head.= I thought# but said# ;I(m not disregarding the deepness of your fee"ings for Shamus. It is ind of .ami"y tradition to marry your first true "o)e. As there are prob"ems in e)ery re"ationship and you a"ways carry a torch for your first "o)e# you might as we"" marry them. If you ha)e found your mate so young# you are "uc y and I respect that. But you do not now how "ong it wi"" ta e unti" his training is done. And you can(t sit around pining# you ha)e your own "ife to "i)e and your own destiny to persue..B I said. BI now %addy# but I 8ust miss him so muchB She cried. I paused a moment to get a ho"d of myse"f# the pain in her )oice was "i e a nife going through me. I got myse"f together and said# B6ou(re hurting. $hat(s what I care about. And A"i0 had an idea. $he rest of the gang agrees. 2e thin you need a )acation from a"" this.B B6ou(re sending me awayCB She screamed# sudden"y more angry than upset. BI new it. I shou"d ha)e guessed. 6ou rescue me from Hion 8ust to farm me out to re"ati)es. 2ho is itC -ady !. and *hi"ipCB She "oo ed so accusatory# it bro e my heart. BActua""y# I thin some time with them wou"d be good for you.B I said# BBut no. 2hat I(m suggesting is staying with us and 8ust going cra4y for a few wee s. %o whate)er you want# to anyone. 7et it a"" out# so you can ca"m down and "oo at a"" this with a c"ear head.B BSo I can 8ust do whate)er I want. *unch you# fuc Erin# denounce Story as a Bo"she)i . AnythingC= :er swing from b"ac est despair to e0citement spun my head around. B6es# we ha)e a "itt"e drama p"anned for your amusement.B I said. 1y daughter arched one eyebrow and eyes g"ittering with her o"d spar said. B%o weC %o te"".B B2e()e heard of a "ord not too far from here who is human# but interested in the occu"t. $his e)ening he wi"" be )isited by a )acationing "ord# his "ady# his "ady(s man?at?arms# the "ord(s sorceress# her domesticated demons# a ma"e and fema"e# and their fema"e chi"d. Comp"eting her chaotic chi"dhood# she now must be trained how to beha)e in pub"ic. :owe)er she is prone to fo""ow her s"ightest whim.B I "oo ed into her eyes and smi"ed. I cou"d see her mind bubb"ing. B$hat cou"d be fun. But I get to name e)eryone.B She s>uea"ed.

B2hatCB 'ot sure why that was so e0citing. BI get to name e)eryone. Story and Singer are -ord and -ady .etterbump& :aw wi"" be Sir 9egina"d Biscuit. Erin wi"" be Senora .iggy and must a"ways spea with an accent# but not a"ways the same accent. 6ou wi"" be 1a"obius and A"i0 wi"" be Je4abe". And I wi"" be :ep4ibah.B Apparent"y our ideas didn5t fu"fi" her )oracious appetite for si""iness. B2hat we go through for you# :ep4ibah.B :aw said upon hearing this# as he 8oined our discussion. BBuc up# Biscuit o"d chap.B Story said. B2e(re doing this for $amarin. But# it might e)en be fun.B B.or her.B :aw p"ayfu""y pouted BI don(t now#B $amarin said# fee"ing better. B%emon %ust. $hat comes from demons rightC And a pubescent demon wou"d probab"y be putting it out "i e a sa"t ce""ar. A )ery potent chaotic and ha""ucinogenic power enhancer. If you found yourse"f in the depths of chaos and confusion and were to wagg"e your weenie at the passing maidens# it cou"dn5t be your fau"t and yet might be fun enough to buy your participation in this tea partyCB She offered# e0tending her hand. B9ight you are# my sweet.B :e smi"ed and shoo . Chapter $hirty?3ne +Erin, At the inn where we stopped for "unch# I disregarded a pointy wi4ard hat I(d been thin ing of for something more modern. A shiny# stee"# s u"" cap that s inned c"ose to my entire sca"p# coming down to a widow(s pea in the front and down to another point at mid?nec in the bac . It was chamois "ined and )ery "ight so it was fair"y comfortab"e. I put on si")er sna e armbands. Aubi wi""ed his horns bac as he# A"i0# and $am s inned down and dressed in rags. Story and Singer ca""ed some country gentry finery from their )ast otherwor"d"y wardrobe. And :aw e0perimenta""y tried re"easing his dragon b"ood in the right mi0 facsimi"eing dragons in armor with bone p"ates. It "oo ed good. $oo good. B:aw #B I said with Aubi one beat behind saying the same thing. BI()e seen few emperors with guards so e"aborate"y dec ed out. Story and Singer are supposed to be "oca" "and barons. 3f abo)e a)erage but sti"" "imited means.B Aubi continued. BI thin you need to thin more in the boi"ed "eather and copper dis range.B B3 ay# I can do that. But I(m going to sme"" a "itt"e gamy.B :aw rep"ied. A"i0 smi"ed# B7oing to. :mmm# that(s interesting.B BI(m not e)en going to dignify that with a rep"y.B :aw said. BE0cept to say e)erything must sme"" strong with a nose that big. So big in fact it ma es your huge ass "oo sma"".B I saw him free4e. As A"i0(s eyes f"ashed with rage. :e stammered out# B2hatC 2hat(s your prob"emC 6ou said I stin .B A"i0 smi"ed. B.ine. 2e("" ha)e (It was a"" her fau"t( put on your tombstone.B B-oo gang#B $amarin said. B$his isn(t getting any fun had. 'ow how far from this p"ace are weCB B$he "ord(s manorC $en mi"es at a guess.B Story said. B7reat. I5"" see you guys when you get there.B She too off. 2e arri)ed c"ose to an hour "ater. $amarin was sitting up a tree surrounded by so"diers. Se)era" were b"eeding. She smi"ed down to us. BI carried your message 1aster.B She addressed Story. A bemeda"ed so"dier said. BShe "eft two fine men dead in her wa e to de"i)er the message that you wou"d be a"ong short"y.B B6ou commanded me# (-et nothing de"ay you.(B $amarin inter8ected. BI meant come straight to the manor without sidetrips into distraction. 'ot p"ow your way through the -ord(s 3wn.B Story said. BBut you said?B BAgreed. 'ow captain# if you can see your way c"ear to ca"" off your so"diers. I can co""ect my property.B Story said. $he captain reca""ed his men and Story signa"ed $amarin to descend. B2hat manner of demon ha)e ye there# goodmanCB A new man as ed# as he approached. BE0act"y so# my "ord# a demon.B Story answered. 3f course we a"" new our gir" "oo ed nothing "i e any of the eight hundred?odd types of demon which this man wou"d be un"i e"y to be fami"iar with anyway. EShe(s a C"ass L2.5 2ou"d 8ar his ears# that c"assification system being too practica".

But Story# of anyone# new how to spin a yarn. B:er sire# 1a"obius here# is an archdemon of the fifth "e)e" of the underwor"d. :er dam# my minion Je4abe"# is a $ragedy of the 'inth *ower. -itt"e :ep4ibah has no officia" standing in the :ierarchy. Because such a mating wou"d be "ogistic impossibi"ity in a free en)ironment. I wou"d say she(s rough"y e>ui)a"ent to a se)enth "e)e" Sorrow.B BAnd who are you. 1y esteemed scho"ar#B the man as ed. B1ay I first introduce my companionsC .irst we ha)e Senora .iggy# my research assistant. 2ith her are my demon minions@ 1a"obius and Je4abe". %escending the tree is their get# "itt"e :ep4ibah. 2e are trying to assimi"ate her into a proper ser)antEs ro"e. Beside my sorceress you wi"" find Sir 9egina"d Biscuit# my -ady 2ife(s man?at?arms. Beside me you wi"" find my "o)e"y wife# -ady Bodicea .etterbump. I am -ord E"mer .etterbump. -andho"der# sorcerer# and a"chemist. I tra)e"ed here# -ord 'eighbor# as I hear you are interested in the forgotten arts.B B3h I am# -ord .etterbump# I am. I(m -ord 9ed Barnum. I()e been interested in magic since this a"" happened. $errib"e thing# a man(s wor"d changing comp"ete"y in a moment. 'ot so terrib"e for me I admit. 1y farm somehow shifted around the town. Sudden"y I(m gentry. !i"" a dragon with a catapu"t my son and I bui"t for a co""ege physics c"ass# sudden"y nobody(s arguing that an act of 7od# no matter how bi4arre# ma es a man a ing So to spea . Before their gratitude has a chance to coo"# I ha)e e)eryone sign an oath of "oya"ty in the e)ent of an attac . I "oo ed at it more as a way to cement my power. I(d "i e to be e)en more successfu". -i e you. $hree demon minions# that has got to be sweet.B BIt(s not a"" fun# 'eighbor.= Story said# ;$a e why we(re here. 2e need a p"ace around strangers to test :ep4ibah(s training. Anyone can get a demon to obey at home. But if it won(t obey in a crowd it(s no good to anybody. $hen# of course you(re "iab"e for any damage your demon does. Spea ing of# about those two guards. -et(s see two "i)es p"us training and in)estment. :ow does si0 ounces of go"d soundCB BEach# or for the pairCB Barnum as ed. B$he pair.B BI(d say twice that. -east twe")e ounces for the pair.B Barnum said. BSe)en.B B$en.= BEight.B B%one.B -ord Barnum said# sha ing Story(s hand. Story as ed# B%oes this set a standardCB B.or now# I(d say# it(s best "eft on a situationa" basis. Come to my manor# if you p"ease.B 3ne of the guards b"ew Assemb"y when we arri)ed# to ca"" the househo"d to order on the front "awn. $here# we were to be introduced to the entire staff and fami"y. $amarin immediate"y grabbed a particu"ar"y come"y "oo ing maiden in her mid?teens. She he"d the gir" c"ose# issing her. :er right hand cupped the gir"(s breast through her b"ouse# the "eft around the gir"(s bac ho"ding her c"ose. Sudden"y she too a firm grip on the bac of her dress and tore it co""ar to waist. :er right hand pu""ed the fabric off and away and the "eft hand mo)ed up to cup the maid(s other breast# thumb and finger teasing the p"um co"ored nipp"e. I brought a thin hide cord into action whip"i e. B:ep4ibah no. 'aughty# naughty demon.B 9emembering that assigned trait# I now spo e "i e an Eng"ish nanny. $amarin re"eased the maid# who ran into the manorhouse# and turned on me# snar"ing. B:ep4ibah# you ha)e been a naughty "itt"e demon. An( I wi"" naught permit it.B Starting out Eng"ish nanny# the sentence ended between Scottish and Jamaican. $amarin instant"y was on her nees# crying and b"otting her eyes with the hem of my robe between bouts of issing it. B3h 1istress Sorceress# forgi)e me. *"ease# I entreat you& I(m so e)i" and disobedient.B She(d been craw"ing bac wards# genuf"ecting and throwing dirt on her head. 'ow she reached bac and grabbed a "itt"e "i)eried pageboy and tossed him spinning through the air and into a bush. B.orgi)e me 1istress Sorceress# I can(t contro" it.B She grabbed one of the house *e ingese#

pampered and powdered. :o"ding it by the tai"# she hit the master of the house upside the head with the yapping dog. BSee# see 1istress# do you see thisC Signs of my wic edness.B Sudden"y I was affectionate and .rench?sounding. B3h you poor baby. She tries so hard# yesC I am touched.B B$ouched 1istressC :mmm...B $amarin c"umsi"y pu""ed me to her# pawing my breast# and trying to iss me. In her best tongue e0tended porno?sty"e. I met her with much tongue wrest"ing# groping and grinding. I turned aside with a southern draw"# BShe needs affection or she("" become despondent.B BAffection# missCB $he -ady Barnum as ed# "oo ing a "itt"e green. B3h certain"y#B Said my new"y Asian )oice# BIf she doesn(t fee" "o)ed and appreciated she("" become depressed.B $amarin spo e up# BIf I(m depressed# 1ommy and %addy get upset. And if 1ommy and %addy get upset# peop"e die.B BI see#B 1rs. Barnum said in a way that meant she certain"y didn(t# and "oo ed >uestioning"y at me. B3h yes# it(s ghast"y rea""y. But apparent"y demons are ferocious"y c"annish. 2ho wou"d ha)e thoughtCB Story chimed in# BSing"e greatest impediment to training them. I()e had se)era" that had to be therapeutica""y destroyed for that reason a"one.B B'ot the summer(s "ar I thought it was# demon training.B -ord Barnum pronounced. B3h no indeed# -ord 'eighbor. I()e been at it for the better part of my "ife and I sti"" need the he"p of the eminent "ady sorceress with an inso"ent fi""y "i e our :ep4ibah.B Story said I piped up in a Swedish sing?song# BSir Biscuit# I(m afraid I need assistance restraining this one.B :aw trotted o)er. $amarin ro""ed out of my embrace and sei4ed him. 3ne hand trying to fight his f"y open. BC(mon arms?man# "et(s see your pi e. Brea out the truncheon# it(s time for "uncheon.B :aw too a deep breath# as if scenting $amarin(s mus . $hen he twisted out of her embrace. Saying# BI(m tired of fuc ing demons. I want to fuc one of them.B :e indicated Barnum(s daughters and their friends. Eight gir"s between fourteen and twenty. :e proceeded to wagg"e a growing "ength of :aw coc at them. I wou"d say se)era" "oo ed recepti)e# but we("" ne)er now. Story# ca"m"y as if such things were common in a day said# BIt(s the demon powder they secrete. :arm"ess to them. $o us a powerfu" pornogenic and chaotic. Effects are "uc i"y transitory. See#B :aw stopped# sha ing his head s"ow"y to sett"e it. $hen he began to hit himse"f in the face with a war mace from his be"t. B.orgi)e my humi"iation.B BI forgi)e you Sir Biscuit.= Story said. ;$his happens e)ery time. Barnum# o"d sa"t# don(t be wic ed. .orgi)e the poor "ad before he sta)es his head in.B BGery we"". -ea)e off man# I forgi)e you.B Barnum rep"ied. 3f course he didn(t now :aw was in )ery "itt"e actua" pain. And e)en s"owing down his natura" hea"ing to appear more norma"# the damage wou"d be in)isib"e in a few days# gi)e or ta e. Chapter $hirty?$wo +:aw , $amarin was dri)ing me cra4y. I don(t now what she had in mind# I assume it wasn(t that specifica""y. But this wi"dness. $his raw anima" energy. 1y coc was hard enough to cut diamonds. 'ot an uncommon state but sti""# no "ess incon)enient for its fami"iarity. 'ow I was thin ing "i e Story. I needed to rut soon or I(d become an inte""ectua". 2hat cou"d I doC Cou"dn(t fuc her# too young. 1aybe I cou"d fuc her? no# that wou"dn(t wor . $here was a"ways fuc ing her# but howC 1y te"epathic abi"ities were not into the rea"m of words# but pictures cou"d be made to suffice. $here I was# so horny I was a "itt"e nauseated# and I hear Barnum say# BIn my e0perience so"diers are a"ways more comfortab"e with their own ind. So I was thin ing your man cou"d bun down in the barrac s.B

I sent Story a picture of me raping one of the guards# so sudden and intense he actua""y tried to dodge it "i e a b"ow. $hen had to pretend to stumb"e. BI thin it best if we stay together.B Story said. B:e"p with the demons and what not.B B1aybe your man and the demons wou"d be comfortab"e in the "oft abo)e the stab"e.B Barnum said ne0t# ob)ious"y not wanting us in the house. Story magica""y b"oc ed me as soon as the picture of me fuc ing a horse appeared in his head. :e(d nown me to go further to pro)e a point ;I thin it wou"d be best for :ep4ibah to remain with us# for her training.= Story said# ;2hich# I(m afraid# means her parents must attend her. And fina""y that means we wi"" re>uire the 6eoman Biscuit a"so remain.= ;As you wish# -ord 'eighbor. 2e ha)e p"enty of room for a"". I shan(t as your assurance that you can contro" those in your party better within my house than I ha)e seen e)idence of so far. As we are both gent"emen and I assume that this can be ta en as granted.= -ord Barnum said# smi"ing thin"y. 2hich widened s"ight"y as Story nodded# saying# ;3f course.= ;2e"" "et(s head in# Sir.= I said. ;I(m sure our host ser)es a "o)e"y daughter# I mean dinner# of course.= I meant daughter and Story new it. But $amarin threw herse"f on me. Crying and screaming# ;6ou meant daughter. But my 9eggie Biscuit# you(re supposed to be mine. 6ou said you(d marry meeeee< 3h the betraya"<= I patted her bac and gent"y disentang"ed her c"aws from my c"othes p"acing her gent"y on the ground. ;3f course I wi"" marry you# dar"ing. And we wi"" ha)e ten thousand babies.= She "oo ed at me# no "onger crying# a soft bemused smi"e on her face ;Si""y 9eggie# you don(t get babies from buttse0.= She "oo ed around at e)eryone now staring at her. 1y mouth had dropped open with the shoc . ;I mean# boys are so si""y. 9ight gir"sC= I swear to me# it was a"" I cou"d do not to bang her "i e a festi)a" drum right there in front of e)eryone. I rea"i4ed the %emon %ust escape I had been gi)en. I didn(t ha)e to contro" myse"f# and this was no time to act appropriate"y. ;:ep4ibaaahhh#= I wai"ed 8umping on her# pawing at the a"ready tattered rags she wore. Storyte""er and Erin both immediate"y grabbed me and tried to pu"" me off of her. I a""owed myse"f the freedom to toss them aside with a shrug and continue trying. I saw a moment of concern f"ash through $amarin(s eyes# then I win ed at her and she rea"i4ed that we didn(t need to be the responsib"e parties. She started issing me and trying to he"p me with the nots that he"d her rags on. Aubi grabbed me from behind and A"i0 grabbed $amarin. $hey wrenched us apart# but $amarin(s top came off in my hands. Seeing her "itt"e bron4e nipp"es fatten and grow hard in the bree4e right before my eyes# I a"most fought free of Aubi. :e "ifted me up and s"ammed me bac down. As my "egs buc "ed he put his fu"" weight on me and rode my bac down to the ground. I (reco)ered myse"f( and craw"ed from underneath Aubi# craw"ing o)er to where Story was standing where I(d thrown him. ;3h my "ord# my "ord# I ha)e dishonored you again. 3h# I am not worthy of your ser)ice.= By then A"i0# in the midst of comforting her# had at "east tied $amarin(s top bac on. $amarin craw"ed ne0t to me to beg forgi)eness of Singer. ;1y sweet "ady I ha)e done it again. I am a horrib"e# sinfu"# naughty gir". 3h I am wic ed.= I reached o)er and grabbed her pu""ing her to me. ;-oo my "ord# I(m doing it again.= I began to thorough"y "ic her face. ;:e(s doing it again# -ord.= she said. Again we were pried apart with much apo"ogy and carrying on on our part. I continued to "ic A"i0# who had ta en me this time. 2hi"e $amarin c"imbed up Aubi to sit on his shou"ders ho"ding his horns she started ic ing him with her hee"s# ye""ing ;:orsey ride %addy< %addy# horsey ride<= :e tried to ob"ige her but she was ic ing his chest hard enough to noc the wind out of him# and wrenching his horns from side to side with a force that >uic "y bu""dogged him to his nees. She

8ust rode him down and ept trying to ride him on his hands and nees. ;.aster %addy# faster.= She wai"ed. Aubi# who cou"d not continue# and wou"d not e)er hurt his baby gir"# did what thousands of fathers before him had done. :e f"ipped her off his bac catching her and tic "ing her ribs as he "aid her on the ground. She s>uea"ed# "aughing shri""y# and screaming# ;'o< Bad :orsey# Bad %addy :orsey<= Somehow in her gigg"y wigg"ies she positioned herse"f that when she p"ayfu""y ic ed out# she caught him under the chin and then in the nose with the same mo)ement. Aubi(s head snapped bac but when he brought it forward he was smi"ing. 'ot (woo hoo( smi"ing# more indu"gent (isn(t she cute( smi"ing. ;'ow now# sweetie. 2e mustn(t ic %addy in the face.= $amarin 8umped up. ;In the nuts. !ic %addy in the nuts.= she s>uea"ed ic ing him medium hard in the thigh. ;Sorry %addy#= She said in a tone that in no way sounded sorry# and then she ran into the manorhouse. ;I(m bored# bored# boorred.= She ca""ed running. A moment "ater she came running bac out. :er arms at fu"" e0tension ho"ding the same maiden she had pawed at ear"ier o)er her head. ;Boorrreed<= She ca""ed running around the courtyard. Aubi intercepted her# catching her soft"y# swinging both of them up in the croo of his arm# then ta ing the maiden away and setting the two gir"s down separate"y. ;'ow now my "itt"e he""cat& we must "earn to be ca"m around the materia" p"ane dwe""ers. 'ow breathe with %addy and say your mantra. 'ow in.= :e "ed her in ta ing a deep breath in. ;And out. 1mmm i""# mmmm i""# mmmm i"" i"" i"". After the first one she 8oined him in the (mantra( ;3 ay sweetie# do you fee" centered nowC= :e as ed. ;6es %addy.= She said. ;I(m so proud#= :e smi"ed. ;And when you said your mantra did you picture how we are going to tear our sorcerous oppressors to confetti if we e)er brea these spe""s that ho"d usC= ;6es %addy#= She said# ;And how we are going to comp"ete"y decimate e)ery human for mi"es in a fren4y of debauchery and sadistic games.= She said this "ast "oo ing direct"y at -ord Barnum and his -ady# her face was radiant with 8oy and peace. ;3h %addy(s "itt"e shadowbeast is so c"e)er.= :e ga)e her a big hug and iss. Chapter $hirty?$hree +Storyte""er, Barnum and his -ady had ac>uired a definite ye""owish green cast. I comforted them the on"y way I cou"d under the circumstances# ma ing "ight of the danger. ;*ay them no mind. $hey(re 8ust trying to scare us. In hopes we wi"" re"ease and banish them. %emons hate to be he"d in ser)ice. But I assure you demons are not a"ways e)i"# any more than any other creature can a"ways be e)i". But they are a"ways chaotic. 'ot precise"y true# but acceptab"e for our purposes. So if they did manage to escape it wou"d not be sadistic murder# as they 8o e. It wou"d 8ust be three demons acting e0act"y the same as our "itt"e :ep4ibah is now. $his wou"d be incon)enient but not irreparab"e. And besides# our ho"ding spe""s are unbrea ab"e.= -ord Barnum "oo ed sudden"y better as he breathed a sigh of re"ief and said# ;/nbrea ab"e.= I corrected him# ;2e"" no spe"" is unbrea ab"e ob)ious"y# but ours are so strong that they wi"" not be bro en. /n"ess they are. But there is no reason to thin about that. It wi"" on"y frighten you need"ess"y.= ;I don(t see how it(s need"ess"y if it(s our safety at ris .= :e said# sounding the sma""est bit hysterica". ;-oo -ord 'eighbor# I gi)e you my persona" guarantee that you# your "ady wife# and e)eryone in your fami"y wi"" "i)e through our entire )isit with you. And I must say it is a"so "i e"y you persona""y wi"" be gi)en a great dea" of fascinating and arcane now"edge. 6our safety wi"" be a damn sight more assured with us than if you tried to "earn these same things through your own e0perimentation.= -ady Barnum spo e up then# ;I don(t thin anyone wou"d e)en concei)e of cha""enging that. It(s not whether my husband and fami"y wou"d be safer with you here or if he undertoo the onus of demonic e0periments without you. But instead# if my fami"y wou"d be safer with you here or if my husband undertoo the sma"" e0periments he has actua""y been attempting up unti" this point.= -ord

Barnum "oo ed )ery disappointed# but I cou"d see him rea"i4ing she had a )a"id point by the e0pression on his face. But it was a point I had thought of. ;1y good -ady# that wou"d be a comp"ete"y )a"id point. E0cept# why am I hereC I ha)e come here because I heard through the grape)ine that your husband had a deep interest in occu"t now"edge. If I heard it# as uninterested in the word on the street as I am# I now that any magica" predator out there "oo ing for someone to mis"ead into danger is going to hear the same stories. And they wi"" come with arts that seem so safe and e0citing# and then who nows perhaps your entire fami"y ends up mind"ess 4ombies under their contro". Because the magica" arts are not safe# nor are they easy. $here are no bene)o"ent# itinerant magic teachers wandering the countryside offering en"ightenment. I can guarantee that no member of my party ho"ds any grudge against you or yours. 6ou wi"" find no true harm at our hands. :owe)er# you wi"" find e0periences and education with us beyond anything I see you being offered by anyone e"se.= I finished and my eyes searched the faces of our e0pected hosts. I focused on Barnum# he was the one who wanted us here and if we had him on our side I be"ie)ed he cou"d con)ince his wife for me. Barnum spo e# ;1y -ady# my "o)e# I fee" that the right thing to do is to offer hospita"ity to these peop"e. But of course I bow to your opinion.= ;-ord :usband# I(m fee"ing manipu"ated. 6ou now how important I fee" it is to be hospitab"e# especia""y to strangers. But this is not in)iting a farrier to "unch after he shoes our horses. $his is actua""y dangerous. 3n the other hand# I do now that this is )ery important to you. And so I wi"" grant it.= $amarin "eapt onto the -ady(s horse facing her# and began issing her passionate"y. ;3h than you good "ady. 'ow I can tru"y "earn to beha)e. I now with your he"p I("" succeed.= She said when she came up for breath. .rom what I cou"d see -ady Barnum seemed we"" into it. A"though when :aw and Erin pu""ed $am down she said. ;:ospita"ity is one thing# but p"ease Sir# endea)or to contro" your pets.= 1y opinion remained that her heart was more in $amarin(s mouth than in what she was saying. As we wa" ed past I heard her whisper# BAnd did you hear that s inny gir" ta" C 2hat(s up with thatCB :e 8ust shushed her and said# B%on(t# what if she hears youCB Chapter $hirty?.our +Erin, $hat e)ening at dinner I o)erheard Barnum say to Story# ;I can understand your cha""enges# -ord 'eighbor. I current"y ha)e a wi"d teen min0 of my own# trying to get my daughter Jessie Jo to gent"e down and marry the boy her mother and I ha)e chosen for her.= ;3h you don(t need to try to te"" me# Barnum# I now a"" about such things.= Story rep"ied. ;I ha)e e)ery intent to enter our :ep4ibah into se0ua" ser)itude as soon as I hear a worthy offer. $he difference# I suspect# is in such ser)itude there are ru"es that ensure her good treatment.= Barnum "oo ed confused and possib"y pained. ;3h# -ord 'eighbor# I dec"are I ne)er now if you are teasing me or being comp"ete"y serious.= Barnum(s daughter spo e up# coincidenta""y the one $am had issed and run around the courtyard carrying# ;Chris doesn(t want to marry me either. :e(s in "o)e with someone e"se# for -ord(s sa e.= ;In "o)e with a comforterC= Barnum said# ;:e(s as young and foo"ish as you are# and the sooner both of you accept that the way things are is the way things are and show yourse")es ready to do your duty by your fami"y# the sooner you can both get on with the business of being adu"ts.= $am had been (a""owed( to ser)e at dinner to show how we"" her training was going. ;E0cuse me -ord :uman#= She said# ;6ou are marrying this beautifu" f"ower of womanhood#= She "eaned o)er and "oud"y whispered# ;7ods damn it# I want to fuc you.= to the gir" before continuing. ;1arrying her off to a guy who is in "o)e with a b"an et# "i e -inus sty"eC= -ord Barnum "oo ed to Story# "i e he wasn(t sure if he ought to ta" to her. Story nodded and motioned him to go on. ;6ou see dear# in this area and the surrounding townships# we ha)e ta en a page from medie)a" history& as we a"" ha)e had to# ob)ious"y. In the winter months we emp"oy

maids who act as bedwarmers. 7oing from bed to bed in the e)ening warming the bed before its owner retires. In the cases of some# the e"der"y# the )ery young# the habitua""y co"d# a maid might be assigned to stay the night in their bed and eep them warm unti" morning. $hese maidens are ca""ed comforters# both because they eep one warm on winter nights but a"so they pro)ide comfort??? in the case of unp"easant dreams and the "i e.= ;'ow that#= $amarin said. ;Sounds "i e a tru"y fine idea. Course I(d fuc her.= A >uic g"ance around the tab"e showed me that A"i0# :aw # and certain"y myse"f agreed that the idea appea"ed. But I decided to co)er her (fau0 paus( ;So the betrothed is in "o)e with a peasant and you and his father want an a""iance between your fami"ies. 6ou are disco)ering the unp"easant truth# that marriage for "o)e is not on"y a fair"y new idea but po"itica""y impossib"e.= ;As you say# my "earned friend.= Barnum said. But $amarin was not about to "et herse"f not be the center of attention. ;3b)ious"y the so"ution is for them to get married anyway. $he boy wi"" eep his bit of b"an et on the side. And your daughter wi"" of course fuc me. 'ob"e coup"es ne)er share a room anyway.= ;I wou"dn(t say ne)er dear.= I rep"ied. ;She does ma e a good point though. $he traditiona" fi0 wou"d be for the wife to ha)e a fema"e "o)er# to assure that a"" heirs be"ong to her husband. 3f course there was a"ways f"e0ibi"ity if she fe"" in "o)e with another man# as "ong as they were unimpeachab"y discreet.= I wou"d ha)e continued but I noticed then that $amarin was hitting herse"f in the face with a ham that amounted to an entire pig(s "eg and repeating# ;I said ne)er when I meant rare"y.= I didn(t notice the first few times as I was facing the Barnums and she started out in more of a monotone before raising her )oice to a scream as the b"ows became harder. ;Stop that at once<= I shouted# wa" ing bris "y o)er to her and grabbing her wrist. ;$here is no reason to carry on "i e this# e)eryone ma es the occasiona" mista e.= I re"eased her wrist and she sniffed the ham and began to nibb"e at it absentminded"y as she "oo ed at me. ;She has had a busy and trying day# Sir.= I said to Story. ;I don(t thin we ought to put the pressure of ser)ing on her tonight. 9ea"istica""y if we don(t want to dea" with a mini?me"tdown the smart thing to do wou"d be to set her a p"ace ne0t to me and ha)e her practice the "ess physica""y stressfu" s i"" of eating at a tab"e.= Barnum and his wife did not "oo impressed with that idea and Barnum spo e. ;But with tab"e manners and such# wou"dn(t that be more emotiona""y and menta""y stressfu" on the poor gir"C= ;2e"" her tab"e manners aren(t that bad# comparati)e"y. And I wou"d ad)ise we not put too fine a point on them as that is not as much a socia" fau0 paus that so many of her actions are. $hat wi"" mean we ha)e to a"so set p"aces for her parents. She wi"" not eat whi"e they are ser)ing.= It was a testament to the efficiency of Barnum(s reign how >uic "y three new p"aces were set# and it was a testament to Story(s inf"uence that they didn(t >uestion my assurance that it was necessary. B$his is much nicer than the food we get at home.B $amarin said# digging in. BA"" -ord .etterbump "ets me eat is a bow" of aborted fetuses a day.B -ady Barnum "oo ed scanda"i4ed and sic . B2e feed her no such thing.B Story said. B3ne thing I do "i e is the ge"atinous gumminess of their unformed bones.B $amarin said. B2e feed you no such thing<B Story repeated raising his )oice. $amarin 8umped to her feet# brandishing her for at Story. BAre you ca""ing me a "iar# you fuc C .irst you feed me nothing but ha"f formed babies "i e boi"ed tomatoes fi""ed with 8e""y crunchy bones# and now you deny itC I wi"" not sit >uiet and "et you do that. I am not your s"a)e. I am not your woman to be to"d that my memories are made up stories. 'ow you admit what you()e done to me or I swear# I wi"" ta e your fuc in( eyes<B I "eaned o)er and put my hand gent"y on her wrist. B:eppi# sweetheart. Is that rea""y what he fed youCB B3f course not# goofy.B She said. :er attitude changed from eyero""ing rage to amused smir in a b"in . She was "aughing soft"y and put her for down# a"most sitting down again. B.etterbump ne)er

fed me. I sat at his tab"e ne0t to you and fed myse"f.B She >uic "y stood bac up. B2hat are you trying to imp"y .iggyCB B'othing my dear#B I said pushing my chair bac and motioning her into my "ap. BI 8ust don(t "i e to see you get so wor ed up# my precious.B I wrapped my arms around her# stro ing her and issed the side of her head "ight"y for a few moments. 2hen I re"eased her she stood up and too her seat. $he rest of the mea" surprising"y went without incident. $amarin was charming and witty. It too a few minutes of e)eryone sort of wa" ing on eggshe""s but her sheer adorabi"ity soon softened e)eryone into en8oying themse")es. 2hen dinner finished $amarin got up and e)eryone fro4e for a moment. $amarin "oo ed thri""ed# a huge smi"e stretched her "ips tight. She wandered o)er to the string >uartet that had p"ayed for our amusement throughout dinner. $hey started p"aying a s"ow me"ancho"y dance song. $am wa" ed o)er to Jessie Jo# the daughter she had been amusing herse"f with. B1ay I ha)e this danceCB $am as ed with a bow. BI don(t now.B $he gir" said# "oo ing innocent"y embarrassed and confused. BI("" he"p#B $am said# B6ou can ha)e a "o)e"y dance with a charming gir" who digs you or I can go $awanda the ama4on a"" o)er your ass and at the )ery "east you are going to be dry humped on this tab"e. I can go either way I 8ust want to spend some time being c"ose to you.B Jessie Jo smi"ed and b"in ed si"ent"y for a moment. BI(d "i e )ery much to dance# :ep4ibah.B She too $amarin(s hand and stood. As $amarin too her to the sma"" c"ear space in front of the musicians and too her in her arms and said# B6ou may ca"" me $amarin.B Jessie "aid her head on $amarin(s shou"der and he"d her tight as they swayed and danced s"ow"y to the music. BI don(t understand.B She said. B1y name is $amarin. I(m not a demon. I(m a magica" gir" about your age and my fami"y and I are here messing with e)eryone to ta e my mind off the fact that my boyfriend mo)ed away.B Jessie "oo ed at her surprised. B6ou(re idding.B She said. BI am a"most certain that I am not.B $amarin said. BI te"" you this for two reasons. .irst# there is something about the way you sme"" that ma es me want to "ic you a"" o)er.B She "oo ed her up and down# moan?grow"ing deep in her throat. BA"" o)er. .ocusing on certain areas.B She said s"ow and breathy. She shoo her head and continued at her norma" speed and )o"ume. BSecond"y# your father is trying to marry you off against your wi"". I hate fathers who thin they own their gir"s. So I thin a "itt"e %emon %ust e0posure might be the thing you need to ha)e some fun.B Jessie smi"ed at her# sma"" and confused for a moment. B$oday with you# when you issed me and after that when you "ifted me up and ran me around the s>uare# that was the first time I had an idea of what peop"e meant when they said (ha)ing fun(.B B$hat is a"" the more reason. %on(t you agreeCB $am as ed. BI do# 1iss $# I do.B B1istyCB $amarin "oo ed "i e she cou"dn(t be"ie)e e)en in a situation where her name was forgotten that she wou"d e)er be mista en for a 1isty. B1iss $. $amarin is your name and I wish to show respect# but I a"so wish to be casua" and show we are friends.B Jessie said. B6ou are a strange sad gir" JJ. Are you sure you e)en now how to en8oy thisCB B2e("" 8ust ha)e to see.B She said. Jessie ye"ped ho"ding $amarin tight# and then spun out of her arms B:e"p# she(s trying to rape me<B She screamed# sudden"y crying. B%addy# the demon(s trying to rape me<B She 8umped on :aw who had stood the moment she screamed. She wrapped her "egs around him ye""ing# BAnd she(s not supposed to rape me is she# Sir !nightC 6ou(re supposed to rape me. 'ow rape me.B She f"opped bac "imp in his arms. :e stood there ho"ding her and "oo ing confused. After a moment she "ifted her head up again. ;C(mon rape me# 8er .= :aw said# BShe must ha)e been e0posed to %emon *owder. 1mmm# I can sme"" it on her.B :e started to iss her nec and "ic her co""ar bone and chest.

She sat up abrupt"y# B$hat(s not rape# 8er .B And she punched him in the chest. B9ape me# pu"" my hair# hit me# ma e me cry.B She f"opped bac "imp against him. She sat up again immediate"y and punched him a second time. BJer .B $hen returned to her "imp ()ictim( pose. $amarin sid"ed up to him and reached both her arms up Jessie(s fu"" s irt and s"ipped her underwear off# "ifting her butt out of :aw (s arm for a second as they came down. ;I("" he"p.= She said# as she pu""ed Jessie(s s irt up. $he gir" sat up and screamed. ;%addy he"p< 2hat are they doing to meC= 3ne of her sisters# Bi""ie Jo# said# BShe(s fa ing it. I 8ust heard the demon gir" say that she wasn(t proper"y a demon and she was 8ust pretending and ta ing ad)antage of our hospita"ity for her wic ed amusement.B I smi"ed# B6es dear# a"" of us at this part of the tab"e heard her whisper that to your sister. But I must say that perhaps it is unwise to ta e the word of a demon at face )a"ue.B BBut she said she(s not a demon. And you can(t e)en eep your accent straight. %addy they are moc ing us.B Bi""ie Jo continued. B*"ease don(t te"" me I need to educate you on the honesty and trustworthiness of demons.B I said# ignoring her comment on my accent as I decided to pretend I didn(t notice I was doing it. BCome come#B :aw said# setting Jessie in her chair. She immediate"y came a"ert and sat up. B.irst"y I wi"" not e)en comment on your rudeness pointing out Senora .iggy(s speech impediment. 2e now -ord .etterbump and his g"orious -ady wou"d ne)er abuse the goodwi"" of friends "i e the Barnums for a "ow"y 8est. 3ur -ord is trying to train these creatures to ser)e humans# as is their p"ace in this wor"d. :e has as ed for assistance because that is necessary to their training. But he not on"y is paying for damages# he is a"so gi)ing now"edge# the greatest of a"" gifts# in e0change.B :e g"anced o)er to $amarin and bac . B/n"ess you wou"d "i e to ta e a moment in so"itude with our :ep4ibah to see if the e0istence of %emon *owder is rea" or not.B B3oh yes.= $amarin said e0cited"y bounding o)er. B$rust me human. 'othing bad wi"" happen. 3r at "east you("" "i e it at the time.B B'o than you# Sir !night.B She "oo ed past $amarin ignoring her. BShe(s not paying attention to me# %addy.B $amarin wai"ed. I fe"t Aubi cast as he said# BJust get up c"ose to her sweetie# I(m sure she wi"" become interested >uic "y. $am sid"ed up as what I too to be a "ust spe""# or possib"y some sort of chaotic too ho"d. Sudden"y the gir" was )ery wrigg"y and affectionate as she writhed passionate"y against $amarin begging her forgi)eness for >uestioning her demonhood. B2e"" it wou"dn(t be proper for you to be forgi)en without punishment.B $amarin draw"ed s"ow"y as if she was thin ing. $he gir" was bent o)er with her s irt f"ipped up o)er her bac and her nic ers down as soon as the words were out of $amarin(s mouth. :er fu"" white bottom shown to the room& 8ust the edge of her b"onde furred s"it )isib"e at the bottom. 2hich probab"y meant her hair was dyed# as pubes usua""y ran dar er than hair not significant"y "ighter. $amarin started in span ing her. Just warming her up rea""y# but her mother "oo ed scanda"i4ed. BBi""ie Jo# what are you thin ingCB She screeched. Aubi(s spe"" disintegrated "i e dust and Bi""ie Jo was sudden"y shoc ed and crying with shame. 'ot to mention the heat of her bottom. She dropped her s irt and ran to her mother. BCunt shou"dn(t ca"" my b"uff#B $amarin sub)oca"i4ed# "oo ing at me from the corner of her eye. Chapter $hirty?.i)e +Storyte""er, E)en though it was not the rea" reason we were there# our co)er story that I(d teach Barnum magic ob"igated me to gi)e it a shot. I started on demon summoning# which I norma""y wou"dn(t co)er unti" someone was much further a"ong in their training. But he was human# so I cou"dn(t teach him any magic that was powered by him. :e had nothing there to power it. :e cou"d on"y be taught ceremonia" magic where separate entities were ca""ed upon to do ones bidding. 3n top of that# they had to be ca""ed on in the name of deities and arch demons who must be appea"ed to and begged to assist. As demons# spirits# and the "i e won(t e)en ta e notice of a human without someone inter)ening on their beha"f.

I had to be carefu" to ma e him do e)erything# as my true status wou"d >ueer the resu"ts if gi)en the opportunity. 'ot to mention before I cou"d teach him anything I had to get him to focus. :e seemed eager as cou"d be when he was ta ing me to his c"andestine magic "aboratory behind a boo case. But before we can e)en discuss setting a circ"e he says# BI notice your assistant# Sorceress .iggy seems to ta" in a different )oice or at the "east a different accent near"y e)ery time she spea s.B B6es# 'eighbor# it(s a sad ta"e actua""y. She is a mistress of the forgotten arts# I definite"y cou"d not function at such an ad)anced "e)e" so consistent"y without her. But the stress of such power has dri)en her >uite mad. It is a testament to her strength of spirit and pure character that she is ab"e to ho"d it together as we"" as she can on a day to day basis.B $his 8ust came to me in the moment# and I was p"eased with it. :owe)er# I ac now"edged to myse"f that we shou"d ha)e discussed a bac story for why she did this before we came. 2e were on"y s"ight"y farther a"ong in preparing for the ritua" when he went off on yet another tangent. B%o you rea""y thin arranging Jessie Jo(s marriage with that boy is the e>ui)a"ent of pimping her outCB B'o.B I rep"ied# BI ha)e no way of understanding what you face. I ha)e no )assa"s# nor any wish to bui"d a ingdom# nor peasants to protect. 2hat you are doing is certain"y no different from what men in your position ha)e done for thousands of years. It(s nice to thin about how modern man shou"d be ab"e to impro)e on the way things ha)e a"ways been done. But you aren(t "i)ing in a modern wor"d. $here is no denying that democracy wou"d wor in a town this si4e. But you decided to ta e the feuda" route# and feuda"ism is not something you can do ha"fway. 6ou can(t cherry?pic through e)ery type of go)ernment& use what you "i e# disregard what you don(t. 'ot on"y wi"" that not wor # but the peop"e won(t stand for it. $hey insist on peop"e beha)ing as they e0pect them to. :umans do not "i e change as a species. 6our citi4ens ha)e a"ready had to dea" with a "ifetime(s worth with the 9enaissance a"one. 6ou need to gi)e them a go)ernment that they(re comfortab"e with. 2hich in this case is not 8ust feuda"ism# but feuda"ism as it(s understood by the twenty?first century mind. A mind that most"y understands history as )iewed through mo)ies. $he daughter being p"edged in marriage for a po"itica" a""iance is a dramatic story. $hey ha)e seen it in a "ot of shows and mo)ies. I actua""y thin you got "uc y that she is fighting you a bit. Because that(s what the peasants want to see to fee" "i e e)erything is norma". B.riend Barnum#B I started# when I fina""y got him bac on the point. BI recommend you begin with entreating -ord Ba(a"# a demon "ord# to send you a ser)ant. $his increases your protection because you are offering him a sacrifice. :e is commanding the demon. So if the circ"e brea s or you ma e any other mista es# he stands between you and any thought of retribution# and he is rea""y too high to bother with petty re)enge so he wi"" be forgi)ing of mista es. $he worse that can happen is he wi"" stop answering your ca""# which can a"most a"ways be o)ercome by offering a bigger sacrifice. BA sacrificeCB Barnum began worried"y# B-i e an anima"# or a personC $hat is not what I was e0pecting. I don(t now if I can do that.B B:ow cou"d that not be what you were e0pecting# -ord 'eighborC Sacrifice is a part of the standard understanding of demon magic. But no# sacrifice isn(t actua""y necessary# depending on how big of a boon you are as ing for. /sua""y some incense and ta" about how awesome he is wi"" be enough# especia""y at the beginning stages. 'ot to mention in the days when Ba(a" was worshipped the standard sacrifice was meat and it was burned up in a fire. So it was more cremation than dar act.B B$han you. I don(t now what I(d do without you.B :e said with a smi"e. B2e"" you wou"dn(t be doing this at a""# actua""y.B I reminded him. B$rue# and I don(t want to rush into anything# but I am eager to start if you thin we(re at a p"ace where I can "earn by doing rather than ta" ing.B :e said# his eagerness bare"y concea"ed. BIf you fee" ready to try# I am content with supporting you.B 1y intent was to ha)e him summon a c"ass M2. Simi"ar to an a""igator in the fact that it was about as smart as a dog whi"e being far more doci"e than its appearance suggested. It a"so "oo ed "i e a stereotypica" demon# which I new was important to him. But I had to thin of a way to wor the ca"" into the in)ocation whi"e not "etting him hear such fantasy destroying terms as (c"ass M2(. $his was actua""y done best by describing a

c"ass M2 in detai"# not gi)ing him a name and nowing Ba(a" wi"" p"uc the image from his mind and fi"" it. I "ed him through the in)ocation to Ba(a" and he got his demon# and then sorted out he didn(t now what to do with it when he had it. I had him banish it as soon as I had sorted out he was 8ust going to stand there "oo ing at it. I was actua""y p"eased in hindsight that I had gotten away with gi)ing him an e0perience he wou"d count as successfu"# but that he didn(t ha)e anything to show for. 'ot because I had anything against him# but there wasn(t rea""y a human a"i)e I trusted with a pet demon.

Chapter $hirty?Si0 +$amarin, 3nce I(d had some fun I fe"t a "ot better. 3nce I had ca"med down there was no denying that I hadn(t nown Shamus for "ong and I was abso"ute"y certain I(d be seeing him again before too "ong. So the on"y thing I rea""y needed to cope with day to day was the "esser (I wish Shamus cou"d see this( and I >uite fran "y was ept busy enough that I simp"y didn(t thin of it for hours at a time and when I did I wou"d distract myse"f as >uic "y as possib"e by doing the most outrageous thing I cou"d thin of. It turned out that Bi""ie Jo and the o"dest sister Bec y Jo were both married but they were staying with their parents whi"e their husbands went on a combination census and "ate ta0es co""ecting mission. Jessie Jo was 1J and she had fraterna" twin sisters# Sammi Jo and Bettie Jo# who were my age# and a"so a ten year o"d# %orothy 1ae# who was not in residence when we arri)ed# ha)ing gone to a friend5s house for the wee end. 2hen she came bac she was >uite )e0ed that she(d missed our first night. Especia""y seeing Bi""ie Jo(s humi"iation. I o)erheard her more than once ma ing her brother describe it and bemoaning not seeing it firsthand. $he youngest Barnum sib# by an hour or whate)er from his ne0t o"der sister# was Joseph# ca""ed -itt"e Joe# who was the "i)eried page boy I tossed. -ord and -ady Barnum had had two boys# o"dest and youngest "i e boo ends# and si0 gir"s. 9ed Junior was of course "eading the e0pedition the two husbands were off on. I was p"eased with how these things had gone so far# a wee in we had estab"ished ourse")es as a fi0ture for e0citement in the househo"d. 2e had a wi""ing accomp"ice in Jessie Jo# had scared her sister Bi""ie Jo sufficient"y that she wou"dn(t come near enough to me to be effected by my %emon *owder or %ust# we "i ed to change up what we ca""ed it as 8ust another way to hint sub"imina""y that we were fu"" of shit. :er sisters and their friends seemed to en8oy the p"acebo effect# or possib"y# they 8ust "i ed the e0cuse to run a "itt"e wi"d. It became common enough that they wou"d act out if anyone from our group was around and we had to say that they must sme"" residue on our c"othes. $his meant anyone who was e)en around me and to a "esser e0tent my (parents( had at "east the potentia" to ma e things a bit cra4y. I new Story was actua""y fu"fi""ing his bargain with Barnum. Both teaching him simp"e magics and demonstrating demon hand"ing in a safe en)ironment. I thought it wou"d be a "ong time unti" Barnum cou"d safe"y ca"" e)en a wea demon and e0pect to send it home without troub"e. But I didn(t rea""y now or care as demon wrang"ing wasn(t my thing. I figured it wou"d possib"y be done by the time we "eft# but I new none of us wou"d ma e it a priority. Jessie Jo and I became friends o)er the ne0t few wee s as I he"ped her brea "oose a bit and she he"ped me ha)e some innocent fun at her fami"y5s e0pense. By far the most interesting disco)ery I made about my new friend was that she didn5t rea""y ha)e a prob"em with the future as it was offered to her. :er betrothed was about her age and she was fond of him. :e was fit and attracti)e as were both his parents# so he had e)ery "i e"ihood of aging we"". :e was smart and funny# whi"e maintaining a good head for figures and so"id business acumen. 2hen a"" was said and done# she was a serious industrious gir" who had now disco)ered she "i ed to cut "oose occasiona""y but o)er a"" she wanted a so"id predictab"e "ife. I new she was en8oying her time with me# but it was no surprise when she confided that she wou"d be a "itt"e re"ie)ed when we "eft and her "ife cou"d go bac to norma".

She and I p"anned a .esti)a" of .oo"5s for our "ast day with the Barnums# which wou"d be a month to the day before her wedding. :er fami"y didn5t ta e to our disruptions the way she had# but e)en they agreed one day a year of pandemonium and irresponsibi"ity wou"d be a we"come change. In addition to the other c"assica" traditions they had re)i)ed they wou"d add an annua" .esti)a" of .oo"s. Chi"dren cou"d discip"ine their parents# peop"e wou"d ha)e to approach beggars and p"ead for the opportunity to gi)e them money# and masters wou"d "abor for the p"easure of ser)ants. E)eryone wou"d "i e"y be into0icated and eat a feast composed on"y of deserts. .or one day no one5s actions wou"d ha)e conse>uences. Jessie Jo had a "ot of fun issing and p"aying around with me# but I new I was not the member of our party she was interested in. E)en so# she was so sensiti)e about not hurting my fee"ings that she waited unti" the second time we were discussing the bacchana"ian aspects of the day before she e)en mentioned that it was too bad Sir Biscuit wou"dn5t be interested in arranging a rende4)ous with her. I was pretty sure that if she were to say# ;Sir Biscuit# you now what might be fun?C= :aw wou"d be na ed before she finished# 8ust in case she might suggest something that cou"d in)o")e na edness. I assured her that Sir Biscuit might )ery we"" be interested in such a rende4)ous. $his brought up the >uestion of if we were a"" magic in our group. 2e had a"ready discussed this at "ength# but I assured her once again that we were. $hen she broached the sub8ect that it was too bad that if Sir Biscuit impregnated her the baby wou"d be born too soon after her marriage to be be"ie)ab"y her husband5s. She >uite "i ed the idea of raising a ha"f magica" baby. And she new her father wou"d be o)er8oyed with a grandchi"d who cou"d ta e his magica" e0periments to the ne0t "e)e". I new there was no way that a baby with .ami"y status wou"d be a""owed to be mothered by this gir"# no matter how nice she was. But I was a"so pretty sure that it wou"dn5t ta e much more than :aw 5s conscious wi"" to impregnate her with seed that was on"y of his body. $he ha"f 2erebeast# ha"f %ragon in human form he appeared to the uneducated but magica""y conscious# rather than the .ami"y member who cou"d manifest any race at wi"" that he actua""y was. $he ne0t day# after consu"ting the others# I to"d her that not on"y was there magic a)ai"ab"e that wou"d s"ow the de)e"opmenta" progress so her pregnancy cou"d ta e II wee s rather than the traditiona" I0# so")ing the timing issue. A"so# in the new wor"d order# magic cou"d be a se0ua""y transmitted condition. 2here her first# by :aw if she sti"" wanted that# wou"d be of his heritage& but 8ust ha)ing intercourse with him cou"d pass magic on to her# so a"" her chi"dren wou"d be ha"f magic# or fu"" magic depending on whom their bio"ogica" father was. /n"ess she practiced# the dose of magic she caught wou"d be "ess de)e"oped and wou"d 8ust ma e her a "itt"e "uc ier than she wou"d ha)e been otherwise. $he >uestion of if she wou"d then gi)e se0ua""y transmitted magic to her husband was answered& it depends on how strong"y she wished to. Chapter $hirty?Se)en +Singer, I new what $amarin had in mind with her "itt"e human friend# or soon to be no "onger human friend. I appro)ed of it. I appro)ed of messing about with the humans "i)es for $amarin5s amusement and I appro)ed of introducing magic into the gir"5s "ine. $o a degree it was e0act"y what her father was doing with his foo"ish arcane e0periments# and his "ady wife supported him in doing it. So that was parenta" permission right there. 'ot to say that I fe"t we needed it. 'ot to mention our introduction wou"d bring a much more natura" strain of power into her "ife than her father5s traffic ing in chaos might bring. 2ith his b"ind f"opping around# the best possibi"ity was it entering the "ine by turning someone dando or hamademon. I considered adding a "itt"e postscript to their story# as it was being written by the gir"s and :aw # to a""ow that her magic infection might spread through her fami"y "i e the f"u. A"ready# with a thought# I had inserted the spar that wou"d awa en magic in any in her "ine who tru"y wanted it and was wi""ing to wor for it. :owe)er# I was sti"" uncertain if I thought it wou"d be positi)e to ha)e it coming into the "ine random"y# e)en within members who ne)er e)en considered the >uestion "ong enough to ha)e an opinion on whether or not

they wanted the power. I had inherited the 1other5s fondness for e0periments# but maybe not as strong"y. 1y stand on the sub8ect was@ humans were once magic and had become human when they re8ected their gifts. 2hy gi)e them a second chanceC I thin my fina" decision wou"d be ma ing it a symptom that when she got a co"d she ga)e magic to e)eryone she ga)e the co"d to but the magic wou"d go away when the co"d did# un"ess the person 8umped on the opportunity and treasured and c"ung to it. $rying to wor and become one with it whi"e it was in her. 1agic tends to fo""ow the path of "east resistance# un"ess forced into a particu"ar pattern by its creator. I new that this Espe""5 for "ac of a better term# wou"d create a magica" strain of e)ery co"d she had that wou"d spread through humans gi)ing temporary power. I cou"d ha)e twea ed things so there had to be a direct "ine of infection from her but my "o)e of e0periments was cropping up rather more strong"y than I origina""y thought. $hroughout this )isit on an a)erage day# Story wou"d be educating -ord Barnum. $amarin wou"d be p"aying with JJ supposed"y "earning from her ste""ar e0amp"e how to beha)e "i e a proper young "ady of the age. Aubi# A"i0# and Erin sp"it their time between assisting Story and chaperoning $amarin. A"so nown as he"ping Barnum or fuc ing with his fami"y. I was "eft with -ady Barnum# both of us trying to entertain the other out of po"iteness and a scramb"ed idea of whose responsibi"ity it was. It was her home# but it was my troop who had ta en o)er. I was a"so the on"y fema"e besides A"i0 who remembered the midd"e ages c"ear"y and the socia" mores of the time didn5t stic in my throat the way it did hers. E)ery few days I wou"d ma e her 8oin us for an afternoon to show how we"" trained she was. :aw as my man at arms was honor bound to be with me# but I was safe with the -ady of the house# so e0cept for escorting us anytime we "eft the grounds he busied himse"f he"ping train Barnum5s troops. :e a"so was eeping his promise to be comp"ete"y >uiet and discreet as he wor ed his way through any number of members of the house or "oca" )i""age that caught his eye. A coup"e of centuries bac I had spent decades and more with far more boring women than -ady Barnum and her daughters and handmaidens. I 8ust had to ma e my own fun. 1ore than anything (my own fun( ended up being e0changing other sensations for se0ua" gratification. -i e the afternoon we spent tasting wedding ca es for JJ5s ceremony when I tied their abi"ity to taste sweet with the sensation of se0ua" p"easure& the sweeter the ca e the deeper the sensation. It was a "itt"e party fa)or I5d de)e"oped in the sa"ons of the Archbishop *hi"ip %ucanten. So far to my now"edge no one has e)er figured out what I was doing who I didn5t te"" myse"f. $he night before the .esti)a" I sat with $amarin and JJ and discussed their p"ans as I decided what I might contribute to the fun. ;2hat if I were to enchant a p"atter of Nc"airs so that if you ate one# the ne0t time you snee4ed you wou"d turn into the "ast anima" you saw. $hat way it won5t be instantaneous so no one wi"" now it5s enchanted Nc"airs and I cou"d do it so that they a"" turn into the same anima" but that5s boring.= ;Can you do thatC= JJ as ed. ;2i"" I be ab"e to do that if I become magicC= ;If you "earned how.= I said# as $amarin said# ;Course she can do that.= $am continued# ;3ooh Singer# I want this to be an ongoing thing. 2e are starting a tradition with the .esti)a". 2hat if we were to present the Barnums with a huge beautifu" p"atter# a p"atter on"y to be used on this day each year# and you ma e any food ser)ed from that p"atter contain the spe"". And if it5s big then way more peop"e can en8oy.= ;But what if somebody eats twoC= JJ as ed. ;I can ma e it transferab"e.= I said. ;So if someone has two# one of the spe""s comes off with the first person they iss and if the first person they iss had one as we""# they 8ust carry it unti" the ne0t person they iss# and so on unti" it finds an empty person to "atch onto and if they snee4e in the interim ma ing a space# then the second one stic s into the new"y )acated s"ot.= I said# p"eased with the idea. ;But#= JJ said# sudden"y ner)ous. ;If that happens it won5t be too "ong unti" e)erybody in the )i""age is an anima".=

;I5"" ma e the effects on"y "ast twenty?four hours. Just enough time to gi)e a change of perspecti)e# but not rea""y e)en too much time away from their wor .= 2e a"" agreed that was enough premeditation and now it was time to mo)e on. I found I rea""y needed to mo)e around a bit. I cou"d bite my tongue and admit that it wasn5t a hardship for me to p"ay the "ady of breeding with the nou)eu0 nob"e# but when I had a few moments to myse"f I cou"dn5t spend it a"" pratt"ing with teenagers# no matter how charming they were. Sometimes I 8ust needed something different. I passed my husband as I went out the front door for a breath of fresh air. 3n the spur of the moment I grabbed him saying# ;Are you free for a "itt"e whi"e my "o)eC Because I rea""y need the nastiest# cra4iest# fuc ing se0 you ha)e in you. I mean the ind of thing that wou"d ma e :aw and A"i0 b"ush and stammering"y as if that sort of thing is "ega". I want to fee" dirty. I ha)e been (proper?"ady?of?breeding(ed unti" it5s bubb"ing "i e a brainpan fu"" of ba ing soda. 2hite and bitter and nothing rea""y you5d want. And I need you to remind me that I5m not that )apid decoration. I need you to remind me of who I am. I5d ha)e you ta e me here but I5m horny and bored# I am not an ado"escent "i e $am or an eterna" ado"escent "i e :aw . So ta e me somep"ace pri)ate and defi"e me.= ;Actua""y dear?= :e started to say# but I cou"d te"" he was 8ust teasing# going to pretend to beg off# but e)en that wou"d ha)e been too much for me. I stopped him with a iss and then "ed him off myse"f. I ga)e myse"f an hour of passion# another hour of screaming and "aughing maniaca""y and then a deep breath and I was ab"e to meet the "adies for afternoon tea with a demure smi"e and patience for the boring pratt"e of women of pri)i"ege who were not )apid decorations# but aspired to be. I wanted to educate them and raise them up# but that wasn5t what we were there for and there fran "y wasn5t time. In the end I "imited myse"f to a few comments about great fema"e "eaders of the midd"e ages# there weren5t many but they e0isted& as we"" as strong wi)es who ru"ed e>ua""y with their husbands# in fact if not in name. $hey seemed to be impressed with me and wi""ing to do anything I suggested# whi"e not actua""y be"ie)ing me. $his was cra4y. $he 9enaissance wasn5t e)en ten years ago# and the time 8ust before had pub"ic schoo"s that were so anti?patriarchy# history c"asses were ma ing things up to down p"ay there e)er being time when men were tru"y in power. 6et the first generation without pub"ic high schoo"s and women not on"y are 8udged by 12th century standards# as baby ma ers and fodder for fami"y a""iances# but no one >uestions it# 8ust accepting it as the natura" order. If there is one thing this tour has taught me# it5s that the "east you thin of humans# they wi"" surprise you by being e)en "ess. Chapter $hirty?Eight +:aw , Gacationing with the Barnums had been an e0citing "ar and 8ust what $amarin needed we a"" agreed. After a few wee s of it I was beginning to get a bit bored. I didn5t want to say anything but being a wi"d out of contro" horndog was on"y fun beyond a wee if either the audience ept changing or the audience had enough peop"e you were interested in that you honest"y en8oyed sto"en gropes day in day out. I was not as anti?human as say Erin but I was not some sort of per)erted humanphi"e. $here were enough women in the 1anor and the nearby )i""age that e)en with one or two night da""iances I cou"d be ept busy. And the fa e %emon %ust and 8umping on the gir"s in the band tearing at their c"othing wou"d ha)e been fun e)ery day for a hundred years. I can guarantee that. But ba"ancing the two wears on a guy and can get boring. E)en when you(re en8oying no strings attached with a human gir"# she doesn5t want to see you 8umping on other gir"s. 2hether they are human or magic. I had to watch how I touched other gir"s in front of anyone I intended to spend the night with and an amusing but i"" timed fau0 %emon %ust romp cou"d ruin two days of wor if seen by the wrong gir". A"i0 was 8ust as horny as I and Erin was comp"ete"y anti?human so there was ne)er a night I had to do without.

2hen you are trying to ma e an impression >uantity does matter. It is annoying any time wor is ruined by a mista e. And when the same thing eeps happening it can get a "itt"e boring. I "i ed JJ and wanted to ha)e se0 with her. $he "ast time I5d impregnated a human woman on a "ar # the chi"d became president o)er America5s greatest period of economic growth of the modern age# so I new my babies had "eadership potentia". But it was a fact that I wou"d ha)e rather ha)e done it a wee or ten days before. I wo e up on the day of the feast fee"ing a "itt"e b"ah about the who"e e0perience. $hen I got to thin ing about it. JJ was a nice gir" who a"" of us in the band wou"dn5t mind fuc ing& e0cept Aubi. :e and $amarin seemed to ha)e a father daughter agreement not to "i e the same gir"s this "ife to e"iminate the ic factor. It wasn5t anything they5d e)er needed to discuss as far as I new. Both of them seemed to ha)e a )ery broad taste yet it ne)er o)er"apped. E)en in the band $am chased Erin# a"though as yet they5d not done much. And Aubi too A"i0 up on her propositions the most of any of us# a"though he was not in a rea" high se0 cyc"e of his "ife. Anyway# she was an adorab"e human gir"# who e)en Erin "oo ed twice at since she wou"dn5t be human much "onger# and she wanted to ha)e my baby. It may ha)e been boredom# it may ha)e been that the other side of my homicida" temper is a )ery soft heart. Sudden"y# I wanted to ma e it specia" for her. 'ot to imp"y getting impregnated by a magica" stranger wasn5t specia" enough. I as ed her to accompany me into the woods. 2e had to snea out# e)ading the humans who fe"t they had a sta e in her )irtue. -uc i"y the band happi"y assisted me. $hey were curious# but they new I5d te"" them when I was done. *"us the defau"t position was a .ami"y member was incapab"e of doing wrong& because our wi"" was our definition of right. 2hen we were far enough away I new there wou"d be no nosy )oyeurs# I found a c"earing big enough. ;JJ#= I said# ;I thin you are a )ery nice gir"# and I5m "oo ing forward to stea"ing some time with you "ater# in a comfortab"e p"ace suited to getting to now you better.= ;Sir 9egina"d# I thought the reason you were so eager to snea me off 8ust now was you were interested in a rende4)ous in the forest.= She smi"ed. ;'o dear#= I said# ;A"though it wi"" ta e "itt"e con)incing if you choose to "ead it that way after we5re done. But I in)ited you out here to show you a bit of the wor"d you5)e re>uested entrance to. 'ow go stand o)er there across the c"earing.= I indicated a space straight across from me. ;6ou must remember& I am sti"" me no matter what I "oo "i e# you are comp"ete"y safe at a"" times# and do not "oo direct"y at me when I5m changing or you wi"" get a wic ed case of )ertigoAmotion sic ness. I thought you might "i e to go on a "itt"e ride.= She "oo ed confused but obeyed. 2hen she was across the c"earing and "oo ing at me# but not direct"y at me# I phased out. I new she saw a man si4ed )orte0 of space and time that grew and became amorphous before concentrating# and c"earing as I stood there a twenty foot dragon. I was in shades of brown and green# probab"y I5d b"end better into sage brush than forest# but I wasn5t hunting so I saw no reason to change. JJ "oo ed a "itt"e ner)ous so I motioned her o)er ob)ious"y with one c"aw. She wa" ed c"ose enough that I cou"d grab her around the waist with my tai" and "ifted her onto my bac . She s>uea ed out a "itt"e scream when I pic ed her up& then said ;yes p"ease#= a"oud. 3nce I fe"t her sett"e on my shou"ders# her "ower "eg "oc ed o)er my wing8oint. I too a few steps in a 8umping run# f"apping my wings and too to the air# a bit 8er i"y# but that was norma" ta eoff. 3nce we were airborne things were better# she seemed to not be ha)ing an easy time eeping her ba"ance as my wings f"apped. But the f"ight was smooth. She was 8ust too stiff. I reached my tai" up and patted her gent"y on the shou"der. She 8umped a bit with surprise but when she saw it was me she too the end of my tai" in her hand and patted it bac . I began a spe"" in my head that wou"d stabi"i4e my f"ight so the fact that I was mo)ing my tai" around "i e an arm wou"dn5t mess with us "i e a mad rudder. After a few minutes f"ying o)er the forest ho"ding hands with her with my tai" I gent"y started to "ift it. She tried to "et go and I he"d her tight. After a moment she seemed to get the idea that I wanted her to rise. In the end I p"aced part of my tai" right up against her and he"d it firm as I tried to pu""

her up with the tip. .ina""y I got my point across and she rose s"ow"y and ner)ous"y and I supported her with my tai" as she stood )ery ob)ious"y ner)ous but e>ua""y ob)ious"y e0cited. I made a "ong s"ow turn and headed bac toward the 1anor as she wa" ed a"ong my spine. She c"apped when she saw where we were going# ta ing a heroic stand she wa)ed to the peop"e be"ow and we circ"ed a few times to ma e sure e)eryone who wanted a pee got one. By the end she was showing off for her friends and fami"y. :er mother and sisters screeched beneath us as she ran a"ong my spine# I wrapped my tai" around her waist and he"ped her mo)e through a cartwhee" straight a"ong my bac bone. I reached bac ta ing her hand and wrist in my c"aw I eased her off my bac to sai" in the wind a"" by herse"f. I had her hand# subsidi4ed by magic to secure her. She "oo ed e0cited but a"so terrified and was screaming# ;'o Sir 9egina"d< It5s too much<= I mo)ed her under me and brought my other forec"aw down. /nti" I he"d her under my be""y# both c"aws ho"ding her torso secure"y. She "et out a whoop# then ye""ed# ;$han you Sir#= $a ing that to be the c"osest to f"ying a"one she was comfortab"e enough doing I f"ew her "ow o)er her fami"y# ta ing care to not f"y so "ow someone might reach out to touch either of us. ."ying "oo ed smooth and magica"# as it was& but touching either of us wou"d be "i e high?fi)ing someone as they dro)e past in a car. I turned from the 1anor as I gent"y began to e0periment more with ha)ing her f"y on her own. It seemed to me that it was important that she ha)e the fu"" e0perience. It was a fact that it wou"d ma e it e0ponentia""y easier for her to one day f"y on her own# but I tru"y did not be"ie)e that was her destiny. In the end I 8ust assumed it was one of those whims that gets c"aws into your brain and won5t "et go. I began to s"ow"y pass her from c"aw to c"aw. $hen from c"aw to tai" then bac to c"aw. 2e were o)er a "a e when she said# ;I remember what you said about eeping me safe no matter what. I trust you to do whate)er you want.= So apparent"y it was ob)ious I had something on my mind. I started c"imbing# through the c"ouds and beyond. 2hen it seemed "i e we were as high as we ought to go# air >ua"ity wise. I "et go of her and stopped f"apping so we both dropped "i e stones. She screamed in terror# but ha)ing me c"ose enough I cou"d sa)e her at any time comforted her and she ner)ous"y watched me# but stopped screaming a"most immediate"y. I ept my wings fo"ded tight and e0tended a"" four "egs in a mime of how she was supposed to "ay so she didn5t spin out. I5d done this a do4en times and new we had a fair few minutes of fa""ing before we5d hit the ground. 2e e)en had a few unti" we were c"ose enough the eye cou"d trac the ground so the body new it was fa""ing. /nti" then it wou"d fee" e0act"y the same as f"ying. I mimed how to mo)e her arms and "egs to change direction and di)e. .ina""y her screams were of "aughter and freedom rather than fear. I caught her gent"y and f"ew bac up to the top to do it again two more times before f"ying bac to the manor. I "anded us right in front of the house# "ifted her off my bac with my tai" and set her down# then phased out and bac to myse"f. !nowing Singer5s p"an# I spo e "oud"y addressing to anyone within hearing distance# ;I don5t now what happened 1iss Jessie. I snee4ed and a"" of a sudden I was a dragon# $han you for coming miss# to ma e sure I didn5t faint and p"ummet to my death.= ;6ou now me Sir 9egina"d# a born hero.= She "aughed. $hen "eaned o)er and said# ;After that I5m surprised you can5t impregnate me with a touch# Sir.= ;I can#= I said at norma" )o"ume. ;But where5s the fun in thatC 2hyC Are you ha)ing second thoughtsC= ;$he on"y thoughts I5m ha)ing Sir# is if we can get away for a pre)iew after ha)ing 8ust been away f"ying.= She said. I too her hand and went to turn down a narrow ha""way. ;3n"y one way to find out.= I said. 2e had 8ust reached the arch opening when $am stopped us. ;I5m not stopping you guys.= She said# ;I5m 8ust saying# JJ your mom is "oo ing for you. And Biscuit# o"d chap# your -ady is "oo ing for you. She has some ideas for the .east party. I didn5t te"" you this but if you are going to ma e an educated decision to be found or not found??. 3ur dear Jessie Jo5s fiancNe thought our p"ans for a

party sounded so interesting that he 8ust had to see it. Since the wedding is something "i e a month to the day from today# he and his entourage decided to come ear"y and he"p with both sets of festi)ities. $hey are due within the hour. ;I5m sorry to say#= I said# thin ing the answer was ob)ious# ;It seems that the decision is tru"y made for us.= ;I5d ha)e to agree# Sir. $here is so much to do# and it wou"d defeat the purpose of the day to e0pect the ser)ants to get it. Because today their on"y responsibi"ities is to ma e sure the wor we do is to their satisfaction and do whate)er "itt"e bit they want to.= I issed her on the chee and said# ;%on5t worry dear# when this is a"" o)er you wi"" be so g"ad you did it# a"" of it.= ;$han you# Sir.= She said# trotting off to find her mother. ;So what5s on the "ist $amC= I as ed as we wa" ed bac the other way. ;I suggested to Singer and them that we get some rea" %emon %ust and substitute it for the g"itter that we sprin "e down on the party.= $am said with a smi"e. ;:mmm# that sounds orgy ma ing.= I rep"ied. I he"ped with a"" the set up for the ne0t few hours# finishing by stopping by the itchen to ma e a coup"e of sandwiches. E)eryone had p"ans for tonight# and none of those p"ans were disrupting dinner specifica""y# p"us they a"" wanted fu"" tummies and "ots of energy for whate)er their persona" p"an was. So we decided that the actua" feast itse"f wou"d be a pran free 4one. $hat# combined with a "ast minute p"an of my own# meant wo"fing down a coup"e of sandwiches and s ipping the feast itse"f. I dragoned as soon as I was outdoors and headed to the south. $he sun was a"most set and I wanted to get this done. I was going to ca"" a thunderstorm# seed it with %emon %ust and gi)e the )i""agers a simi"ar e0perience to what we wou"d ha)e up at the manor# but since it wou"d be disso")ed in water# it wou"dn5t ha)e the te""ta"e g"ittery f"a es. 9ea" %emon %ust was a potent chaotic and pornogenic# as we5d said# but it was more than that. It was a magica" chaotic first"y# so yes it did cause peop"e to beha)e erratica""y. But it a"so caused rea"ity to beha)e chaotica""y. It was a power enhancer# so anyone with magic b"ood# e)en dormant cou"d count on it wa ing up as "ong as they were under the inf"uence. Any spe""s done under the inf"uence cou"d be counted on to wor # probab"y o)er wor and >uite possib"y bac fire# but there was "itt"e chance of anything 8ust "aying there power"ess when %emon %ust was in the air. It was secreted by demons as a byproduct of their power# which meant it was not uncommon to gi)e peop"e demonic powers and sometimes appearance. $here was a fey race# %emon *rinces# who "oo ed demonic but weren5t. $hey were basica""y %emon %ust infected e")es and faeries who had bred true. So there was a )ery rea" chance that anything cou"d happen. I was thin ing of 8er ing off into my supp"y of %emon %ust# to introduce a bit of myse"f into the proceedings and "i e"y ha)e an effect on any pregnant woman or woman who becomes pregnant in the Bacchana"ia of tonight. But then I decided the dust a"one wou"d ha)e an effect and I didn5t fee" "i e ta ing the time. 'ot to mention I wanted to be e0tra concentrated for JJ "ater. I ran into JJ on the way bac into the manor when I was done. ;:e""o dear#= I said# ;:ow5d the feast goC= ;I wou"dn5t now Sir 9egina"d. Chris and his comforter showed up and we too a coup"e of p"atters of food we had pur"oined up to the attic.= She said with a sweaty smi"e. ;So they warmed you up for meC= I as ed. ;$hat was nice of them. %id you te"" him of our p"anC= She "oo ed surprised for a moment. ;I "i e Chris. I thin he wi"" be a good partner. And his comforter# Emi"y# is )ery nice and )ery accommodating. But I do not fee" tempted to share my innermost thoughts and desires with either of them.= She was a )ery pragmatic gir". 1ore "i e Singer. I "i ed my women more in the A"i0 and $amarin mo"d& passionate# a "itt"e cra4y# and open boo s when it came to their p"ans or desires.

She "eaned against my chest# ;2e"" my good night. I fee" warm and "oose in my 8oints and my core fee"s satisfied but in that# E*"ease Sir# may I ha)e some moreC5 ind of way. %o you thin there is anything you might "i e to do about that. *erhaps something that wou"d ma e my body fee" "i e it had been bent and pret4"ed "i e a crump"ed tissue and I5m wa" ing a "itt"e ginger"y and bow "egged tomorrow. Any thoughts in that ba""iwic # SirC= I "ifted her into my arms and began to c"imb the stairs in answer. A"most no one was sti"" awa e as the band too our "ea)e# chatting about our "itt"e ad)enture. As we rode away Erin said to $am. ;'ow we need to start p"anning your birthday.= But I new Aubi was a"ready ta ing care of e)erything. Chapter $hirty?'ine +Aubi, I new she new I wou"d ne)er forget. So a surprise party was out. $his meant I had to bui"d some surprises into it. I got Story and Singer to he"p with the guest "ist# finding fo" s more than suggesting. I was so busy p"anning the day was upon us before I new it. Erin and A"i0 cou"d not eep her in town a"" day# so we had to eep busy. Each guest as they arri)ed began to he"p# e)en an immense"y pregnant -ady !. 2e hung ba""oons# ribbons and a si")er ;:appy Birthday<= banner with rainbow print. A huge ban>uet tab"e was brought in# and its center stac ed with presents. $he guests inc"uded a"" of us# -ady !. O *hi"ip# 3beron and his entourage +3n beha"f of Shamus who was "eft behind to study# to his inca"cu"ab"e rage,# Janeth and Bant# and at the "ast second $ansy and her Ama4on p"atoon. +$hanessy had changed her name when she disco)ered that in f"ower symbo"ism# sending a wi"d tansy was a dec"aration of war., Apparent"y# James5 pa"ace he"d too many bad memories of Hion. $hey were now wandering wage b"ades. 2e had the g"ade decorated and the food s>uared away. 2e had 8ust sat down to chat when we heard the -ady5s high tri""ing whist"e. $he "anterns went out as one. $he tight growth of trees put us in fu"" dar when the gir"5s eyes were ad8usted to ear"y dus . $hey wa" ed into our c"earing and the "anterns immediate"y re"it. ;:appy Birthday<= we ye""ed. 2hen hugs had been e0changed around# we set to getting the food on. :aw and I a"ong with $ansy and two of her cadre set to digging up the roasting pit. 2e had buried a pig wrapped in c"ay# some potatoes the si4e of bread "oa)es# a croc of cheese# and some coconuts. Story was car)ing a )enison haunch that was roasting o)er the fire. -ady !. was pu""ing bread out of a stone cairn she had made. Singer was churning butter. $he rest of $ansy5s p"atoon was setting the tab"e e0cepting the few who had not yet returned from pic ing berries. Janeth and Bant were wrest"ing the a"e eg off their wagon. Erin was shuc ing corn carefu""y as A"i0 pu""ed it from the coa"s on the edges of the fire. *hi"ip was decanting the wine. $amarin was wa" ing throughout mar)e"ing. :er usua" idea of dinner was eating in ta)erns or I wou"d whip something up out of my portab"e ho"e in a foot "oc er. I heard A"i0 and the -ady discussing pregnancy to the de"ight of a )ery attenti)e $amarin. I do not thin $amarin rea"i4ed A"i0 had ids. 2hen someone "oo ed in her ear"y twenties# it was hard to imagine she had ids who probab"y "oo ed the same age. E)en harder to grasp was the fact that our dar"ing barbarian& the youngest in the band# e0cepting $amarin and this incarnation of Erin# had been ic ing around the ad)enture circuit for se)era" hundred years. She was married and had at "east si0 ids. $hen again# simi"ar cou"d be said of :aw . It was hard to consistent"y remember our "itt"e fami"y was a short?term association. In a group that measures such things in centuries. It too us about twenty minutes from $amarin5s return to ha)ing the food on the tab"e. 2e sat with $amarin at the head of the tab"e and Story at the foot. $ansy and her two "ieutenants ate at the tab"e# whi"e the rest of her army sat in a circ"e around the fire. 2hen the food was gone# Singer and the -ady brought the ca e out. A huge eight "ayer ca e a"ternating choco"ate and )ani""a "ayers I5d ba ed. 2ith choco"ate icing# tart cherries# and wa"nuts. 2hen e)eryone cou"d mo)e again# Singer disappeared the dishes and it was present time.

Chapter .orty +$amarin, $his had to be the biggest and best surprise of my "ife& the food# $he .ami"y# and 3beron# $ansy# and them. $hat beautifu" ca e %addy made. It was decided that it was present time. E)eryone pu""ed the benches around in a circ"e with me at the top. $hey each too their present from those pi"ed on the ban>uet tab"e to the side and sat ho"ding it and waiting their turn. $ansy5s "ieutenants 8umped up and approached. $iana was short and thic "y muscu"ar# showing dwarf b"ood. Ja"ani was b"onde and )ery cute for a b"ac smithAwood crafter. She was not e)en a year o"der than I was. Apparent"y# her position was in deference to her crafting of weapons and her ear"y a""egiance in Hion5s cast"e. $ansy rose# "etting the crafter present and the other accompany to a)oid fa)oritism. $iana carried a gnar"ed b"ac hawthorn staff# tied with a red )e")et ribbon. Ja"ani carrying a bo0 that yie"ded a dar wood compound bow that had sma"" tension whee"s on each side to further impro)e its ic . $ansy spo e up# ;$his is what I start my warriors on# use it as if you were worthy and soon you wi"" be. :appy Birthday.= :aw and A"i0 both ga)e her thin contemptuous smi"es intended to say E$he standard pena"ty for using the word Eworthy5 in a derogatory manner with a .ami"y member is death.5 $ansy "oo ed >uite f"ushed and sat down >uic "y. I caressed its si" en smoothness# .e"t its weight and ba"ance. 'o matter how I he"d it# the gnar"ed wood fit my hands. I stood up and hugged them both# and issed $iana "ight"y on the chee . She smi"ed and wa" ed bac . Ja"ani# I grabbed and issed on the "ips# mo)ing a wee bit deeper before retreating. She b"ushed and ran bac to her troop# which I found immense"y f"attering. 3beron and 1odred wanted to go ne0t. I thought it was a good idea to get non?.ami"y fo" s through first. 3beron cou"d on"y be described as an ug"y "itt"e man. :e was a hunchbac ed dwarf who "oo ed o)er a hundred# though he "oo ed strong and had a magica" aura that was a"most )isib"e. :e wa)ed his hand noncha"ant"y at 1odred who rose and approached. :e presented me with a s>uare bo0 wrapped in green paper. ;.rom the 9ea"m# by order of -ord"ing B"ac feather.= :e said with a s"ight undertone that made me fee" "i e he on"y said it to ma e it c"ear that this was not from him or his be"o)ed ing. Inside was a si" pouch# which in turn contained a crysta" sphere# the si4e of a sma"" app"e. It was sunshine ye""ow and practica""y radiated energy. B($is sprite g"ass.= :is ma8esty said. I ga)e him my best E:uhC5 "oo and said# ;1mmmm#= ;1ade of me"ted fairy dust. 1agnifies magic.= :e c"arified. I cast into it one of the few tric s I ha)e "earned# a tiny g"ow that Erin ca""s a finger f"ame and I ca"" a night "ight. Sudden"y we were a"" b"inded when the g"obe became a tiny sun. I put it out immediate"y but it was a few moments before we cou"d see c"ear"y again. I to"d 3beron it was beautifu"# the awe e)ident in my )oice. 2hen the co"ored "ight spots had subsided# Janeth and Bant came forward. $heir bo0 yie"ded a pair of warrior wrist"ets in stee" with si")er and copper accents and suede "ining. $hey "oc ed on with pins 2hich wou"d be affi0ed with the tiny inc"uded hammer and tongs. Since one needed specia" too"s to remo)e them# it was e0pected they wou"d ne)er come off in batt"e. $hey were the Ein5 thing with warriors who chose to fight without shie"ds. I issed them both on the chee and than ed them. :aw came first of the .ami"y and handed me his gift. $he bo0 was "ong and thin. Inside was what "oo ed "i e a miniature samurai sword with a ten?inch b"ade. $he sheath was b"ac "ac>uer and the hi"t wrapped in shar s in. ;It5s a tonta# Japanese dagger. $his one5s %amascus stee"# the on"y thing better than traditiona" Japanese.= ;It5s perfect. $han you.= It "oo ed "i e I wou"d be e>uipped for warrior training soon. A"i0 went ne0t. :er bo0 was 8ust under three feet "ong# thin but hea)y. Inside was an iron c"ub. It was about three feet "ong with a he0agona" circumference of about fi)e inches. It was pointed at one end with a sma"" iron fist at the other. It was wrapped in chamois# bare at the ends& it had feathers#

beads# and an eag"e5s c"aw at the top. I(d say it "oo ed "i e a cross between a shaman5s stic and the scepter of a homicida" 8ester. ;Eight pounds of co"d iron# his name is E")es5 Bane. *erfect c"ub and proof against the fey. Sorry# your 1a8esty.= She nodded at 3beron. ;Be at ease.= 3beron was unworried being so powerfu". :owe)er# he ob)ious"y thought it an inappropriate gift for the unofficia" gir"friend of the -ord"ing of the .ey. 1odred howe)er turned green and white in turns. *hi"ip chose to come ne0t handing me two bo0es# one "ong and thin# one s>uare and f"at. $he first he"d a nife napped in the ancient sty"e from b"ac obsidian# the hi"t si")er wire wrapped. ;It5s an athame# enchanted ritua" dagger. 7ood for focusing and directing power. And pretty good as a dagger as we""# especia""y against Bane Sidhe and the possessed.= $he second bo0 he"d an obsidian dis the si4e of a sa"ad p"ate. 3n one side it had a pentagram made of si")er wire. ;*entac"e on one side for contro""ing summoned spirits. Scrying mirror on the other for future ga4ing.= I was surprised by how far I fe"t I had to go before I e)en rea""y new what to do with many of my gifts. But I than ed him and issed his chee . :aw he"ped the gra)id -ady up. She wadd"ed happi"y o)er dragging a sma"" wooden trun . Inside the trun were se)era" bund"es wrapped in tissue paper. $he first was a pair of grey si" panta"oons with a pair of s"its up each side. 3n c"oser inspection I saw that the entire side pane"s an "e to hip were remo)ab"e. In case I didnEt want to be comp"ete"y na ed# but c"ose. 'e0t was a hea)y green si" brocade "ace up 8er in. $hen a medium weight grey raw si" )est# a pair of short hee"ed pi0ie boots. A medium hea)y c"oa of raw grey si" . $high high "ace up mistress boots# two tunic dresses# se)era" sets of "acey# se0y but )ery soft undies# and a white baby do"" dress of eye"et "ace that wou"d ma e me "oo "i e a "o""ytot. Duite a hau". ;I needed something to do with my hands whi"e *hi"ip was fussing o)er me "i e an o"d hen. ; I issed her and said# ;6ouEre we"come to be pregnant for a"" my birthdays. ; She smi"ed and returned to her seat. Story approached. :e carried his gift as if it were made of g"ass. It was a guitar case# as I5d suspected from the shape. 2hen I opened it# the band gasped. ;5JM Stratocaster# in )irgin white. .irst guitar I e)er used professiona""y.= E)en not nowing the materia" )a"ue# which I wou"d "ater "earn was incredib"e# I new the sentimenta" )a"ue. .or a moment I a"most refused to ta e anything that meant so much to him. But "uc i"y I pushed that thought right aside. ;$each me to p"ay#= I as ed. ;2e a"" wi"".= :e said. ;$han you so much<= I said throwing my arms around him and issing him. ;6ou are >uite we"come.= :e said# re"easing me and returning to his chair. Singer approached saying# ;I figured it was about time someone ga)e you so"id proof to dispe" the confusion your mind seems to ha)e committed itse"f to. I too it upon myse"f to contact the Archi)e and en this up.= I new the Archi)e was the magica" .ami"y history boo . And I was pretty sure en was another name for wi""ing something into being. I cou"d te"" it was a boo e)en through the wrapping# but I was surprised to find it a photo a"bum. I hadn5t seen one in years and had ne)er seen one that "oo ed this new. Each page he"d one eight by ten photo. As I paged through my "ast threads of confusing pseudo memories were swept away. $he first was Aubi showing up on $he 1other and .ather5s doorstep with a tiny baby. $he ne0t one had him in a roc ing chair his inde0 finger p"aced between my tiny b"oodstained "ips. $here were pictures of me with 'isse# the hi"" dwarf nanny and house eeper Breach emp"oyed. 1e at two or three na ed co)ered in b"ood o)er an e)iscerated "amb# my first i"". 3ne of me# no more than fi)e# dancing on stage with Breach before the 9enaissance. +Apparent"y e)eryone was wi""ing to change their past to impro)e mine., $here were se)era" of us around the o"d Gictorian manse we shared. $here was one of me and 'isse wa)ing goodbye to the band as they rode off for an away concert. I remembered there was a friend5s birthday party I didn5t want to miss. If I new 'isse wou"d be i""ed and I wou"d be abducted and so"d to Hion# I wou"d ha)e happi"y missed it. $he rest of the pictures were recent# starting with one of me di)ing off %addy5s shou"ders as we p"ayed in the water on that first day after my rescue. *hi"ip and the -ady5s departure# Janeth and

Bant# my beautifu" Shame"ess in both his e)eryday and true form. ;E)en though I was a boneheaded warrior# I was a member of the .ami"y# so when it came to magic I had a"" the power and information I cou"d want# where the hardest anything cou"d be wou"d be opening a connection with another more powerfu" or smarter .ami"y member and as ing for their he"p. .or what I was doing I didn5t need that. $hat shou"d grow as you do# both as you remember more of your past and as you "i)e into your future. It wi"" sp"it as it gets too big. 3ne day you wi"" need a photo wing in the "ibrary at your house# my death"ess dar"ing.= I was stunned speech"ess. I issed her and he"d her tight crying. 2hen I fina""y re"eased her she stepped bac # sitting ne0t to Story# smi"ing misti"y. $hen into the c"earing wandered a brown and white pinto pony. :e was fitted with a 1e0ican b"an et# a "eather sadd"e and a bit"ess brid"e. $here was a note pinned to the brid"e. It said simp"y# ;with "o)e.= I new it was from Shamus# both in my gut and because 1odred and 3beron seemed surprised and bothered. But they said nothing. Chapter .orty?3ne +$amarin, In the morning I issed %addy and the boys goodbye and rode my pony with the gir"s to the women5s camp. I was to be gone a month being trained and prepared for womanhood in the .ami"y. A"i0 and Bronwyn# Erin5s sister and the .ami"y Arms 1aster# taught me combat. -ady ! and Bri5an# :aw 5s mate# taught me magic as we"" as how to be a "ady as the fami"y defined it. Shi5"a and %idi5mao taught me carna" s i""s from tai5 chi to the courtesan arts# as they were the ac now"edged authorities in the .ami"y on the sub8ect. Shi5"a was one of the .irstborn# and Story5s origina" mate. %idi was an adoption "i e %addy. She was a Gietnamese E"fA%ragon ha"fbreed. Erin stayed with me throughout as my tutor and companion. She started "etting the hair on her head grow bac . It was white b"onde and spi y. I "i ed it. 2hen my $ria" 'ight came# e)en Erin cou"dn5t he"p. 3n the e)e before my saining day I was put a"one in a sma"" thatch hut shrouded in b"ac si" . Singer too me there acting in the mother ro"e. ;$amarin# tonight you "ea)e your chi"dhood behind. 9e?enter the dar # re?enter the womb. $omorrow you are reborn a woman. As you are a"one in the dar try not to s"eep. $his is your )ision >uest. $ry to ponder your "ife so far. See a )ision of your future. Enter chi"d# there5s no way out but through.= She wound the shroud o)er the door. I sat bac against the wa"". I new I wou"dn5t be s"eeping# so I had se)en or eight hours to use up. I thought bac on my past. $he memories in the a"bum had now ta en o)er# but there was sti"" time with Hion. $his got me thin ing about my capti)ity. It was shorter now# but more horrib"e. I sti"" had managed to e0it intact# but I had entered a "ot more trusting. 2hich meant it too "ess )io"ation to brea my trust and my heart.. 1y mind cringed away. I tried to see my future. I saw Shamus# no surprise but gratifying. 2e were together# maybe our wedding night. But when he approached me# I a"most screamed. Sudden"y I was o)erwhe"med with the memory of a near gang rape# I had bare"y escaped. $he guards surrounded me# the hunger in their eyes so "i e the innocent hunger I saw in Shamus. I cou"d not bear to ha)e someone# anyone# "oo at me "i e that. I cou"d hand"e Erin with on"y a sma"" amount of ner)ous nausea I cou"d te"" myse"f was e0citement. But ma"e "ust# ne)er. A prob"em with restructuring the past was# un"ess one rebui"t one5s "ife e)ent by e)ent# there was a"ways the possibi"ity that chance wou"d throw a cur)e. :ow cou"d I end up mated to a being who was racia""y# for a"" intents and purposes# a symbo" of "ust# when the )ery thought threw me into a panicC %amn it# I cou"d not redo my who"e "ife again. $hat cou"d >uic "y become a )ery addicti)e way to a)oid ones prob"ems. I refused to "et one e)ent from my past run my "ife or ruin my "ife. But any idea of how I might stop it escaped me. I got an image of me fuc ing Shamus# but I wasn5t being se0y aggressi)e# it "oo ed "i e a contest. And not a contest between friends. I wanted it to be happy and p"ayfu". -i e# >uite honest"y# it had been before my "ife was Efi0ed5. I saw a who"e "ife based on an angry desire to pro)e I cou"d beat

anything by rage and wi"" power a"one. *erhaps I had to "et it change my "ife# but I wou"dn5t "et it change my "ife comp"ete"y. I5d wor up to it. I saw Shamus and I in our timid# serious marriage bed. :im trying not to seem too eager# me trying not to seem too scared. It f"ashed forward to ten years "ater and we were sti"" doing the same thing. I needed to beat this once and for a""# in a way that wou"d gi)e me bac my freedom. I fe"" as"eep thin ing about it# and I did not dream we"". I awo e as they were unwinding the shroud. I was brought before $he 1other. ;Are you ready to "ea)e your chi"dhood behind and 8oin the Sisterhood of 2omenC= I didn5t e)en ta e a moment to thin about it. ;'o. I ha)e seen my )ision. I am not ready.= I to"d her of my )ision of how my past might fore)er haunt me. She considered and spo e. ;It is traditiona" to ha)e an ordea" by which a chi"d pro)es her readiness to become a woman. $he standard ordea" is hunting and s"aying a standard green.= I thought of the most common dragon# and thought that sounded pretty fun. ;But I suppose you ha)e your own dragons to s"ay.= A group of armed men appeared in an energy bubb"e. ;Are these the )ermin you spea ofC= I spit on the ground and said# ;6es.= ;I wi"" set them free in the forest to the west.= She said. ;:unt them each in turn. As one fa""s another wi"" ta e his p"ace# unti" you ha)e con>uered a"".= ;'o.= I rep"ied# nowing instant"y# that wou"dn5t be enough. ;I first faced them as a group and as a group I must defeat them.= She thought a moment and said# ;I appro)e.= $he guards disappeared. ;I ha)e gathered them in a g"ade fi)e hundred yards to the south. :appy :unting.= I rode my pony to the south# spear raised# eeping to as much of a straight "ine as I cou"d through the trees. I rode into their c"earing and had speared two of them# one through the eye and one through the "aryn0 +tearing his throat out in the process,# before the other fi)e cou"d scatter. I fo""owed one and ran him down beneath my pony5s hoo)es. I re"eased my pony bac to camp& I wou"d need a much more hands on e0perience if I was going to beat this. I ran bac to the c"earing and found a set of prints I cou"d fo""ow. I fo""owed them unti" he re8oined with the others one by one. I bided my time unti" I new I was behind the remaining four. I sped up# ready for this to continue. I needn5t ha)e hurried& I found them hudd"ed in a circ"e. $heir "eader was saying# ;I say we fuc in5 i"" her. It5s four trained men against one gir". She surprised us and she got "uc y. 2e can5t "et a coincidence "i e that demora"i4e us.= ;But Boss#= 3ne of them said# ;She5s not human.= ;I don5t care#= $he "eader bar ed# ;She5s sti"" a id# and hence no rea" threat to us.= Another of them spo e up# ;I counse" retreat. And I ca"" for a )ote of no confidence in you as our "eader.= ;A )oteC I5"" gi)e you your )ote. A"" for i""ing her.= :e was the on"y yea )ote. ;And for retreatC= $he other three chose that option. :owe)er# I had no intention of gi)ing them an option# I 8umped into the midd"e of their group# scratching and ic ing. I5d he"d my own against them si0 or se)en inches and forty pounds ago# a writhing cra4y chi"d. I was now a graduate warrior with what I guesstimated as one and a ha"f times the strength and two to three times the speed and agi"ity of an a)erage adu"t human ma"e. And I did not e0pect they were much abo)e a)erage. If it wasn5t for their "eather armor and the fact that they were armed and I was not# I doubt they wou"d e)en be a cha""enge. As it was I had to be carefu". I got "ong sha""ow cuts a"ong both forearms a"" o)er my hands and one across my stomach. But e)en together they were not incapacitating. It seemed the ca"" for a )ote of no confidence had destroyed the "eader5s sense of "oya"ty# if he had e)er had one. As the other three ept me busy# he snuc off and escaped. 2hen I had the other three down I s"iced off a"" their heads >uic "y to ma e sure they were not fa ing their incapacitation# before trac ing the "eader. I found his trac s easi"y. :e was in a hurry and none too interested in stea"th at the e0pense of speed. I had much more energy than he# and was not running in armor. So when I found him he was

considerab"y worse for wear than I# a"though I was the one b"eeding. I had him cornered against the tang"ed o)ergrowth of a "arge windfa"" tree. :e had doub"ed bac past the first two I5d i""ed. I saw he had ta en another dagger from his fa""en comrade and was ho"ding it and his own in a two handed fighting sty"e that "oo ed we"" practiced. ;So you thin I5m sti"" a idC 6ou sti"" thin you can ta e meC= She taunted him. ;I("" chance it.= :e said. ;$hen you are a foo".= I said. I did a foot feint# and then roc ed myse"f forward snatched one of the daggers from his hand and threw it into the brush. ;So nowhere to run now. .acing a woman a"one# not a "itt"e gir" with si0 friends to ho"d her for you. %o you want to rape me nowC C5mon I dare you.= ;Jesus Christ# bitch. I was 8ust fo""owing orders.= :e gasped# tiring. ;Bu""shit<= I ye""ed# ;E)en if that5s true# it5s sti"" the attempted rape of a chi"d. *unishab"e by death in any ci)i"i4ed society.= 2ith that I ic ed his other nife away. I swept his "egs and di)ed on him as he fe"". I "anded with both nees on his stomach# dri)ing his breath from him. ;So# so"dier# getting scared yetC 'ot enough# I5d wager. *erhaps when you rea"i4e the best you can hope for is "osing your nuts.= :e stopped mo)ing beneath me# pa"ed significant"y# and began to sweat. ;3r maybe you("" be scared when you see I5m considering ramming my b"ade up your ass in an ana"ogy of rape.= :e began to buc and strugg"e. It was hard# but I was stronger and had my own adrena"ine f"owing. :e started to s"ip "oose a bit so I need him in the nuts four times in rapid succession. :e stopped resisting and "ay there gasping and roc ing gent"y side to side in the tiny amount of space I a""owed him. 2hen he had his wind bac he whispered# ;*"ease 8ust i"" me. I beg you.= ;I begged you.= I reminded him. 'ot that he i"" me of course# that he "ea)e me a"one. ;Be better than me# p"ease.= I saw the star raw panic in his eyes. 3b)ious"y# it went without saying that I was better than him regard"ess. A >uic death was too easy# and too good for him. I did find myse"f fee"ing a twinge of pity and compassion& I 8ust wanted him to fee" what I fe"t. Sudden"y I fe"t inspired# as ing the 1other5s assistance I entered his mind. I was reminded of he"ping the other )ictims of Hion# and the other )ictims of this guy for that matter. $his time I was he"ping myse"f. 2hen I finished I fe"t free and c"ean and new. $a ing the e0?so"dier5s hand I "ed the shi)ering frightened figure to the saining circ"e. Chapter .orty?$wo +Spe""singer, I new $amarin had drawn on the 1other5s strength# I fe"t the pu"" myse"f. I a"so was >uite aware of what she was fighting. :owe)er# I found myse"f confused then f"oored as she entered the 2omen5s Camp "eading a furry gir" who# e0cepting being brown with b"ue eyes# cou"d ha)e been her when we first rescued her. As they approached I noticed a mu"titude of "itt"e differences that amounted to two gir"s of simi"ar racia" heritage and too "itt"e "ight. ;6ou ga)e me a new "ife.= She said presenting the gir" to $he 1other. ;So I ga)e the so"dier my o"d one. $his is E"sie. She5s been through a "ot. Sub8ecti)e"y# she 8ust escaped from Hion5s cast"e. I was hoping she cou"d "i)e at the 2omen5s Camp unti" her own saining in a few months.= $he 1other smi"ed# ne)er missing a beat. She# being :erse"f# natura""y new what $amarin had done when she did it. She said# ;Certain"y she may. But she wi"" ha)e to "ea)e this circ"e. $he actua" saining ritua" cannot be seen by the unsained. *"us# I suspect she wou"d be more comfortab"e away from .ami"y areas# as that is not her p"ace.= $wo beautifu" and ind "oo ing fu"" time Camp attendants were summoned to care for E"sie and they >uic "y "ed her away. I wou"d ha)e "i ed some time to discuss this with $amarin# but I had to hurry to get things ready as she was bathed in preparation for the ceremony. 2hen a"" was prepared I met $amarin at the baths. I ta" ed to her about what it meant to be a woman and a goddess# one and the same thing in the eyes of the uni)erse. As I ta" ed I painted her.

Spira"s for the eterna" cyc"e# crescent moons for her aspect as 1aiden# tris e"ions# f"ames on her thighs and be""y# sty"i4ed water "ines on her breasts. $hen I "ed her to the saining circ"e. Bronwyn and Erin barred the path. ;2hy do you come to this 2omen5s Circ"e# chi"dC= Bronwyn said. ;I am a woman now.= $amarin said# 8ust a "itt"e confused. 'o chi"d was e)er to"d what to e0pect from the ceremony. ;2hat ma es you fee" ready# chi"dC= Bronwyn as ed. Appropriate"y confrontationa"# but open to being con)inced. ;1y body g"ows with the energy of new "ife. 1y breasts fi"" and pro8ect# the 8uices of womanhood f"ow from me.= $am rep"ied. ;2hat woman seconds the petition of this chi"dC= Bronwyn said# the "ast "ine of her cha""enge comp"ete. ;I second her.= I said. ;I ha)e watched her grow# body and spirit. She is ready.= ;I second her.= Erin said. ;I ha)e fe"t the power in the touch of her hands and of her "ips. She g"ows with "ife. She is ready.= ;I second her.= Shi5"a said. ;I ha)e seen her "earn. I ha)e touched her spirit. She is ready. S"ow"y each woman there came forward and )ouched for $amarin5s readiness. .ina""y Bronwyn herse"f stepped aside saying. ;I ha)e taught you# I ha)e watched you "earn and grow. 6ou are ready. Enter.= *reser)ing the sacred trust of women I wi"" 8ump ahead to when *hi"ip appeared# $he -ady was on her side as I ground the hee"s of my hands into the sma"" of her bac . $amarin was in a corner of the pa)i"ion being pierced and tattooed by a )ery aroused Erin. %ecorated young gir"s and new mother5s seemed to be her fa)orites. 2hat I saw were three daughters of the .ami"y going through "ife transitions in one room. $amarin became a woman# -ady ! became a mother# and her daughter# 9owe# became a person. *iercing and tattooing had "ong been saining traditions. $amarin was ha)ing both ears done twice# both nostri"s done once# and her be""y button. Erin was a"so tattooing a sma"" sty"i4ed f"ame on her be""y to symbo"i4e the fire of passion ind"ed within her. -ady ! as ed me# BIs "abor a"ways "i e thisC I want to wa" around and "ie down and 8ump around in cra4y pent up frustration.= ;6eah# that5s pretty norma".= I said. *hi"ip sat on the bed behind his -ady ho"ding and supporting her as she s>uatted ha"f on ha"f off the bed# and breathed through a contraction. ;:ow are you doin5 babeC= :e as ed. ;7oing cra4y#= She said# ;But it5s good. Singer says I(m a"most done. ;$hen I5m g"ad I made it in time.= $amarin and Erin went into the bac to get her dressed for the we"coming dance. I was busy with the birth# so I "eft them to it. $he baby had 8ust crowned when $amarin and Erin returned. $amarin wore a ruff"ed raw si" dress with seed pear" accents. 1ore pear"s were braided into her hair# which she wore up. I said# ;-ady ! has decided she5s happiest with *hi"ip ho"ding her# so wou"d you "i e to catch the babyC= She was at my side before she e)en had her mouth open to answer. ;'eed you e)en as C= She got into position as -ady ! shifted her hips a "itt"e further off the bed. I e0p"ained how to guide the head and shou"ders as they emerged and to"d her to wrap 9owe in a towe" and p"ace her immediate"y on her mother5s tummy. $he ne0t contraction brought an a"ert if confused "oo ing infant into the wor"d. $amarin caught her beautifu""y and had her wrapped and de"i)ered to her mother in a simp"e mo)ement. $amarin and Erin and I cooed and ra)ed o)er the "itt"e ange" for a few minutes before "ea)ing her and her parents to get better ac>uainted. As we "eft $amarin "eaned o)er to me and whispered# ;Singer# does baby goo come out of si" C= Chapter .orty?$hree +Aubi,

I was to"d to ma e sure the boys and I were a "itt"e "ate& when it became c"ear the -ady was dropping 9owe. It was we"" after dar when I "ed the men drumming and ca""ing for entrance at the dance pa)i"ion. 3b)ious"y *hi"ip and his -ady were no "onger e0pected. Bronwyn and Erin barred the door. ;:a"t< 1en ha)e no p"ace in the woman(s camp# e0cept as in)ited guests. 'o one in)ited you.= I spo e for us# ;2e beg the sufferance of the new maiden.= Bronwyn went within# whi"e Erin "oo ed menacing. She "oo ed e)ery inch the warrior she(d been for se)era" score years before ta ing up the priestess gig. A"" the more because she was now re?growing the hair she had a"ways had as a warrior and ne)er before as a priest. Bronwyn returned# ;%o you bring tributeC= I "oo ed at our gifts and assented. ;$hen you may enter.= 2e entered $amarin(s recei)ing room& around the perimeter of the pa)i"ion each new maiden en8oyed a pri)ate recei)ing room to accept tribute of the men of her c"an# before a"" women and men 8oined in the huge dance pa)i"ion for one enormous ce"ebration. Besides the boys in the band# we were a"so 8oined by Gatan# A"i0(s mate# and Jesse# $he .ather(s fa)orite son# who decided to show up# for reasons of his own. 2e were a"" drumming# gifts in bags o)er our shou"ders. 2e sang songs in honor of $amarin(s beauty. $hen we a"" bowed before her and "aid our gifts at her feet. She en8oyed our re)erence# but ga)e us "ea)e to rise. ;%addy#= She said to me# ;6ou "oo beautifu".= I wore new hea)i"y embroidered pants and tunic# with a )est cape. But they were sti"" cream on cream with "ight co"ored beading. 2hat I wore to a"" occasions and in a much p"ainer unembroidered )ersion on more norma" days than not. ;I "oo beautifu"C= I as ed# ;2hat am I wearing my mirror mas .= ;6ou 8ust ha)e a g"ow about you.= She said. :a"f hypnoti4ed with 8oy it seemed. ;It(s ca""ed pride my "itt"e "o)e.= I said# ;And I(m sure it(s not e)en a cand"e compared to your g"ow.= ;I caught the -ady(s baby.= $am said. ;%id youC $hat(s a p"easure I()e ne)er had. 3n the day you became a woman# ma8or good arma.= I rep"ied with a smi"e. She came and hugged me. ;I missed you %addy.= ;And I you# my sweet. But you()e got a "ot of time away from me in your future. 9ight now you ha)e to meet your admirers.= I turned# ;'ow of course you now Storyte""er#= :e bowed issing her hand. ;Charmed. 1i"ady#= ;3h Story#= She said b"ushing. ;And# of course# :aw #= I introduced the ne0t ma"e in our party. ;$amarin#= :e said# ;6ou(re "oo ing... hot.= :is )oice changed on the "ast word# to a sort of groan. 1y daughter too him in her arms and ga)e him a )ery unchi"d"i e iss. ;3h :aw "eberry# you say such things.= B"ood rushed to :aw (s chee s# but I wou"dn(t ca"" it a b"ush. ;'ow $amarin#= I said. ;$his is Gatan. A"i0(s mate.= Gatan is a si0 foot four "ionman with a mane of "ong wa)y go"den hair. :e(s the strongest ma"e in the .ami"y# the best warrior# and in the top ten most beautifu" peop"e I ha)e e)er met. An opinion I assumed $am shared as there was an (1mmm( purr in the bac of her throat that I don(t thin she new she made when I introduced him. I cou"d te"" he wou"d ha)e we"comed a greeting "i e :aw had recei)ed# but he 8ust bowed o)er her hand and issed it. $he tip of his pointed rough cat tongue s"ipping out to "ic the crease between her midd"e and ring fingers. .or a moment my father"y arm around her bac supported her fu"" weight as her nees ga)e out. She got her feet bac under her and said# ;*"eased to meet you# sir. I()e heard so much about you.= I introduced the fina" member of our party. ;-ast"y this is Jesse. $he .ami"y(s fa)orite son and answer to Jesus.= She "oo ed at Jesse# about twenty?three physica""y# "ong dar b"onde hair# ange"ic

features# fu"" "ips# and green eyes that me"t your heart. !ind of a "ost puppyAca"endar mode"AAdonis effect. ;*agan ChristC= She said. ;I(d worship at your a"tar anytime.= Being a few years younger physica""y and a more approachab"e beauty than Gat made Jesse easier for her to tease with. 3dd# as once you get to now them# you see Gatan is the socia" butterf"y of the uni)erse. Jesse too her hand# pressed it "ight"y to his "ips then he"d it to his chest. :e smi"ed as he said# ;I thin they can fit you in at the $emp"e of Jessic on .riday at M@M0# don(t be "ate. $hey supp"y the neepads and f"a)ored "o)e 8e""ies.= She "oo ed a "itt"e shoc ed# but the months with :aw and A"i0 ser)ed her we""# ;I was ind of hoping you wou"d supp"y the "o)e 8e""y.= ;Sorry# I might be ab"e to pro)ide a sma"" amount of "o)e pudding but it on"y comes in one f"a)or.= :e said. ;-o)e puddingC $hat(s the nast.= Gatan said. ($he nast( of course meaning the nastiest thing he(d heard. ;2e"" "o)e "a)a wou"dn(t ha)e fit the metaphor.= Jess apo"ogi4ed. ;3oh semantics. $hey ma e me so hot.= $amarin said# ;'ot. Anyway# "o)e"y to see you boys# but I ha)e to open my presents# so we can get to the dance.= 2e a"" commiserated with her about the burden of fabu"ous gifts. ;'ow Erin a"ready ga)e me her gift by decorating me so beautifu""y.= She indicated her se)en new ho"es. $wice in each ear# each nostri"# and her be""y button. ;'ow "et(s see what our new mother has made for me.= She opened up the -ady(s gift to find a "ace up "eather bodice# an o)er the shou"der sword be"t with a crescent moon buc "e and a pair of suede pants that "aced up each side. She ooohed and aaahed and mo)ed on. ;$his is from Singer.= $he bo0 contained a moon crown. A si")er circ"et with a phases of the moon symbo" on its front# and a twisted si")er armband. ;'e0t is A"i0(s.= It was a %amascus stee" atana# to match her tonta# in a boi"ed "eather o)er the shou"der sheath. $hen she opened the gifts brought by the boys but I decided to gi)e her mine pri)ate"y "ater as I didn(t now what tapping the sou" poo" might do to her. 2e danced into the night. .ina""y I wa" ed her outside# to get some air and fina""y gi)e her her present. ;I(m so proud.= I said. ;I now#= $amarin said shy"y# trying to be casua". ;$his is "i e the twe"fth time you()e mentioned it.= ;1y "itt"e gir"# a woman.= I said# with bittersweet sentimenta"ity. ;6es %addy# but I(m sti"" your gir".= She said. ;I now my sweet# but you(re not 8ust mine anymore. 6ou()e got Erin and soon you("" ha)e Shamus. 3ur fami"y(s getting bigger. And Erin wi"" e)entua""y mate and then there("" be another. $hen grand ids# and whate)er the chi"dren of your daughter(s "o)er with someone other than your daughter are ca""ed# they(re sti"" in of a sort I(m certain. I(m e0cited# I swear# but it(s bittersweet.= I said smi"ing# my hand resting on her shou"der. ;2e"" %addy#= She began# ;I am grown up# maybe you ought to thin about starting to date. I noticed p"enty of women chec ing you out at the dance. E)eryone from my sister maidens to women who are o"d "i e you. 6ou cou"d ha)e your choice. In addition to being the handsomest man at the dance you were a"so the ta""est. I now a "ot of women "i e that. It ma es them fee" safe.= ;I don(t now baby# it(s been a "ong time.= I must admit the idea intrigued me. ;'ot so "ong to you o"d man.= She rep"ied. ;'o matter how "ong I "i)e# sub8ecti)e time doesn(t rea""y change. *atience comes. *riorities change. But how "ong a year seems is pretty much the same at two thousand as it was at a hundred.= I hoped I(d e0p"ained it we"". ;3f course it is. $ime is f"uid# but it(s tangib"e# once you gain an adu"t(s sense of it a year is a year is a year.= It turned out I didn(t need to e0p"ain it. ;6ou ha)e to now this gig is winding down. I(m getting a "ife. :aw and A"i0 both ha)e mates they rea""y miss. $his was a "ar . A "ar that was so perfect and awesome it wi"" go down in history as we"" as "i)ing on in the occasiona" reunion

concert. But this tour is our "ast. In between those reunion concerts at .ami"y parties we are going to be "i)ing our own "i)es. 6ou had two thousand years on and off of iso"ation# fo""owed by fifteen years in intense"y intimate circumstances with the band. 'ow it(s time to start thin ing about a ci)i"ian "ife. I need a father. 1y ids wi"" need a grandfather. But being my dad and my ids5 grandpa is not a fu"" time 8ob. 6ou need a "ife of your own. And I thin your tendency to s"ip into intro)ersion means you need someone to share that "ife with.= ;$am# my "o)e"y. $his is not my saining day& we can ta" about my "ife another time.= I said. ;I now %addy#= She said. ;I()e 8ust had a "ot of time to thin about the past and the future and e)erything "ast night.= ;3 ay# but enough about me. -et(s ta" about you. :ow are you young womanC= I as ed probing her face with my eyes for any sign of troub"e. ;I(m pretty darn we""# father= She to"d me the story about "itt"e E"sie. ;$hat(s pretty big 8u8u for a no)ice.= I said# a "itt"e worried. ;I now %addy#= She said in her "ong suffering (%addy is such a worry wort( )oice# ;It was easy at the time# it(s on"y afterwards... 1y nees are sti"" wea .= ;6eah I noticed when we were dancing I seemed to be supporting a bit more of your weight than I e0pected.= I mentioned ;2e"" it(s good for my reach to e0ceed my grasp.= She said. B9ightCB I agreed and continued# ;I suppose you now I brought you out here to ta" a "itt"e bit about your birthparents.= ;I now he was ha"f p"ains barbarian and ha"f p"ains e"f. I now she was some sort of air fey that "oo s ind of "i e a s inny Sidhe. I now that you i""ed them because they were going to i"" me. $hat(s a"" I rea""y fee" I need to now about them.= I too out the bo0 and prepared to hand it to her. ;I caught their sou"s for you. As you now. I fe"t this was the "east they cou"d offer you.= I opened the bo0# presenting a brace"et to her. It was a wide thic si")er cuff with a sou" poo" the si4e and shape of ha"f of a mandarin mounted in its center. $he stone swir"ed with co"ored energy. Bright ye""ow and deep green predominated but there were swir"s of dar red# fire red and white swir"# and pa"e dusty orange. ;:ow do I tap itC= $amarin as ed. ;It shou"d be no different than tapping stored energy out of a crysta" or any piece of 8ewe"ry.= As she went to ta e the brace"et its energy pro)ed to be more accessib"e to her than I e0pected. -i e e"ectricity in that it was faint"y "uminescent and faint"y mu"tico"ored and most )isib"e in its distortion of the air. $amarin(s hand was noc ed away as it rushed into her. She stood for a moment c"enching and unc"enching her shoc ed hand and sha ing her head s"ow"y to c"ear it. As I watched# she became a "itt"e fu44y around the edges as two "i)es worth of energy f"owed into her. She grew two inches in a moment& her hair faded three shades from honey amber to a sunny b"onde. :er fur was now shorter and finer# a "ight downy fu44 on"y )isib"e in "ight or "oo ing )ery c"ose. She f"e0ed her fingers& her c"aws were wider# f"atter# and thinner but sti"" "oo ed sharp and strong. 2hen her form stabi"i4ed she was sti"" ob)ious"y the same gir". She hadn(t changed forms& she(d refined the one she had. I as ed her if she wanted to go bac in and try out her new form on the boys. She said right now her bones ached a "itt"e and she wou"d rather 8ust sit and ta" for a "itt"e whi"e "onger. Chapter .orty?.our +Shamus, I was throwing roc s at bott"es when $amarin rode past. I was trying to hit them hard enough to punch c"ean ho"es in them without shattering the g"ass. She "oo ed different somehow. I noticed she had her ears# nose# and na)a" pierced# with a chain around her waist connecting on both sides to her be""y ring and two more connecting her ears to her nostri"s 2hich I assumed was specifica""y because she was trying to "oo "i e a barbarian raider and not a new regu"ar "oo . :er hair was "ighter and pu""ed bac from her face in a thic .rench braid as she stood in the sadd"e ho"ding her

atana abo)e her head# E")es( Bane in a fringed suede sheath on her bac . She "oo ed more mature and e)en more stunning"y beautifu". But I thin the most noticeab"e change was that her fur was gone and she was strea ed with warpaint. $he "ac of fur wou"d e0p"ain her "oo ing more mature# as fur can hide some physica" signs of age. She was a"so wearing -ady !(s gifts# which put whate)er nubi"e femininities she had on disp"ay. Behind her# a"" dressed in warrior gear and painted were Erin# spi y white hair grown out& A"i0# hair braided and scimitar raised& and Singer standing in her sadd"e# bow drawn. Apparent"y $amarin wanted to ma e an entrance. I cou"d accommodate# I was in true form and cou"d outrace their horses at "east in the short term. I hit the camp shouting ;Incoming<= 8ust in front of the "adies. $he boys hit the dirt when the "adies arri)ed. I shifted into my norma" form and stood in front of $amarin(s ga""oping pony# commanding# ;So"dier< *resent# gir"<= Sudden"y her brown and white pinto pony was a we"" musc"ed warrior# gent"y ho"ding her out to me. A sweaty# fun "itt"e moc batt"e had engaged around us. $amarin shouted# ;1uffin# who(s side are you onC= I disregarded that she had named a .aery steed 1uffin and too my -ady into my arms. 2hen she saw me the warpaint and decorati)e chains )anished in a thought. She )isib"y pu""ed herse"f together# a"though her eyes remained moist. ;Shamus. 3r are you 3beron nowC= ;'o# 3beron was his rea" first name. I am B"ac feather to my minions. %iscounting human witches who dis"i e change and sti"" wi"" refer to me as 3beron# which wi"" effect how often I answer their ca""s. $o you# I wi"" a"ways be Shamus.= I set her on the ground and bowed s"ight"y. ;So you(re doneC= She as ed. ;6es.= I rep"ied. ;And your bac C= She sounded a "itt"e afraid of the answer. ;6es# my "o)e.= I reassured her. ;$o stayC= She sti"" didn(t want to get her hopes up. ;6es# my "o)e.= I rep"ied again. She 8umped on me in a crushing hug. C"inging to me she said# ;I()e missed you.= ;And I you#= I said. ;So what happenedC= She as ed# re"easing me partia""y to ho"d me at arm5s "ength and "oo at me. ;C(mon wa" with me and we("" ta" .= I too her hand as she re"eased me with the other arm and we wa" ed a few steps to Aubi. $he moc batt"e had ended fair"y >uic "y when they saw we weren(t p"aying. ;3 ay#= She said# ;%o you mind if I go for a wa" with Shamus# %addyC= Aubi rep"ied# ;'o# I had my (woman we"coming time( at the party "ast night.= ;ErinC= She as ed turning to her "o)er. ;'ot at a""# I()e had two months with no competition.= Erin smi"ed. I 8umped in# ;I 8ust want to ta" and catch up.= $amarin rep"ied# ;And we wi"". $hen we("" discuss what I want. ;1mmm#= I purred# ;I "i e the sound of that.= She smi"ed a smi"e that was e>ua" parts mischief# affection# and "ust and said# ;I(m betting you wi"" prefer the fee".= 2e wa" ed into the forest and I started ta" ing. ;2e"" I went bac when Story sent me# as you saw. 3beron was getting o"d# tired of the game. :e wanted to get my training o)er with and retire. I may ha)e been forced on him# but he(d warmed to the idea. Anyway# a "ot was "eft to 1odred# *uc # and past "ords@ $ane# 'ua""# and .io""# who had a"" ru"ed as 3beron had# as ings. I "earned much more from a few nature gods who had ru"ed the fey before there was a court. %ionysus# :erne# Janicot. $hese days they ha)e fewer minions and more worshipers# but they were )ery he"pfu". I a"so fought for and won# on"y ha)ing to be in my true form for state functions# I usua""y prefer to be "ower ey.= ;I can understand that. $hat(s why I "ost the fur.= $amarin said. ;'o# I can sti"" see it. 6ou 8ust shortened and softened the fur to a go"den down. I "i e it.= I rep"ied. ;1e too.= She said. I brought my "ips within an inch of hers. ;I rea""y "i e it.=

She ha")ed the distance# ;And I rea""y "i e you.= I issed her. :er warm sweet "ips parted and her hot# s"ight"y rough tongue entered my mouth. $he tip soft"y and eager"y e0p"ored me. 2e bro e mouth contact for a moment# but our bodies remained pressed tight. ;I want you.= She said# ;I need you. I need you so bad"y.= ;I("" not ha)e your sweet fresh body on the ground.= I said# ;1odred<= I shouted for my chamber"ain. :e appeared and I commanded# ;.etch my pa)i"ion.= :e "oo ed at us a bit contemptuous"y# but that was his norma" "oo . $hen he said# ;2hyC= I rep"ied# ;I wi"" not insu"t a "ady(s modesty.= ;I wou"d not as you to# mi"ord. $his howe)er is a commoner. Beneath you.= :e said# far too confident"y to be thin ing c"ear"y. ;She(s the daughter of a god.= I said. 'ot sure why I bothered arguing. ;Adopted daughter.= :e sneered. I new that wasn(t true. And I new it didn(t matter# adoption wou"d ha)e carried the same status. I was done with his nonsense. ;9obin<= I summoned my foo". *uc appeared with a sardonic bow. ;If you i"" 1odred and summon my pa)i"ion within ten seconds# I("" ma e you -ord(s :igh Chamber"ain.= :e "oo ed at me and "aughed# ;'o than s.= I immediate"y rea"i4ed my mista e. ;If you summon my pa)i"ion within ten seconds# I("" "et you i"" 1odred.= ;6es sir# than you sir.= In a moment my pa)i"ion stood in the c"earing# made of si" in browns and greens co)ered in beautifu""y sewn si" "ea)es it "oo ed perfect"y rega" and fey. *uc disappeared in the act of garrotting my e0?ad)isor. ;1y -ady#= I said# ;*"ease forgi)e the offensi)e actions of my e0?chamber"ain.= She smi"ed# ;.orgotten# and they wi"" be forgi)en if you ta e me in and "et me get comfortab"e.= ;Ah# grace as we"" as beauty.= I pu""ed aside the doorf"ap to re)ea" an opu"ent chamber worthy of the -ord of the .aery. As I c"osed the pa)i"ion# she grabbed me and issed me hard# saying# ;6ou()e shown me you can be chi)a"rous and ga""ant. $his is beautifu". But what I rea""y want to now is can you fuc me "i e a rutting beast.= I "aid her down on a mattress fi""ed with fairy dust and began to un"ace her c"othing. -ight"y "ic ing her f"esh as it became e0posed. Beginning with her nec # around her co""arbones# down her sternum# up o)er her ribs. I issed her breasts and "ic ed at her nipp"es# up to one shou"der# down her arm# ta ing each finger one by one into my mouth. I issed and "ic ed across her stomach# around her be""y button. I too her ring into my mouth and tugged on it gent"y with my teeth. She moaned and ground her hips against my shou"ders. I mo)ed to her other hand# "ight"y "ic ing her pa"m and suc ing each finger# nibb"ing on the inside of her wrist then the soft croo of her e"bow# then mo)ing up to that shou"der. $hen I made a >uic tongue trip down the midd"e of her body. I began to un"ace her pants. I issed down her be""y to the p"ace where her go"den down began to thic en and "engthen into her pubes# shorter and softer than norma" but a good match to her body f"uff. I eased her pants down. 1o)ing up to her hip# I issed a"ong the outside of her thigh# o)er her nee# a"ong her ca"f# o)er the top of her foot# I "ic ed her toes and the so"e of her foot. $hen I mo)ed up the inside of her "eg& ca"f to nee to thigh. I tasted her with one deep passing "ic of her fu44y c"eft before mo)ing to her other "eg teasing"y. $his time I mo)ed my hand o)er her# petting her itty gent"y as I issed and "ic ed her "eg. 1y petting hand was soon rep"aced by my issing mouth. I remembered our issing in the woods through an afternoon. I made out simi"ar"y with these demanding "ips before I fina""y sett"ed in to issing and "ic ing her deep and hard trying to "ap up her cum as fast as she produced it. I pu""ed bac and opened her. I admired her shiny fo"ds# the peta"?"i e appearance of her. I noticed something une0pected a thin membrane of tissue coming from the wa""s in a ring. ;$amarin# honey am I the firstC= I had to as a few times before I recaptured her attention.

;3b)ious"y. $hey norma""y ta e it artificia""y in saining training# so your first time is better. But I wanted to ma e you wor for it. 'ow fuc me.= She said. ;But what if I hurt youC= I as ed. ;If you hurt me# you("" ha)e to ma e it up to me.= She smi"ed. 2hen I sti"" hesitated she sat up with a start. ;-oo either you fuc me now or you fuc me "ater. 1y )irginity isn(t gonna disappear 8ust cause you(re scared.= She said. ;$he difference is if you "ea)e me hanging now# I wi"" not on"y put out the word that you are a tease# I wi"" a"so show you new meanings of that word. I("" ma e you so horny you wi"" cry with need and sti"" I won(t gi)e in. 'ow shut up and fuc me.= /nder the pressure of threats "i e that I had no choice but to gi)e in. I began to >uic "y remo)e the rest of my c"othes. She roared in the bac of her throat that was ha"f moan ha"f grow" of frustration. She f"ipped me onto my bac # with her astride me and physica""y tore my c"othes off. -itera""y. I wou"d not be ab"e to put them bac together without magic. She went down on me# ine0pert"y but with a ferocious eagerness that was on"y s"ight"y hotter than it was scary. After a few moments she threw herse"f bac with her "egs open and said# ;'ow fuc me.= I opened her "egs a bit farther# "ic ed her for one more >uic taste# then "ined the head of my coc up to 8oin her. I rammed myse"f in to tear her >uic "y. $hen began to gent"y but thorough"y try to p"ease her. After the initia" hiss of pain she >uic "y fe"" into the hea)y rhythmic breathing I too to be the beginnings of en8oyment. 2hen her >uiet moans began to bui"d in intensity and I cou"d fee" the muscu"ar sheath of her begin to spasm tight"y around me I decided I had made her first time worth the troub"e. I "ost myse"f in her and in the moment. As I began ha)ing "itt"e bui"ding orgasms# I noticed we seemed in synch. 2hen I fe"t my fina" big one bui"ding# I noticed her moans were getting "ouder and speed up. I 8oined her with abandon# a"though a"one I(m usua""y a >uiet comer. She dug her nai"s into my bac in her abandon. $he pain a"most stopped my orgasm midstream# but I made it. $hen as we "ay together and I gent"y washed her with a c"oth and warm water "eft out for that purpose she noncha"ant"y said# ;I wou"d say that was a success.= $hen she saw my bac . ;3h baby# I(m sorry. 7ods rea""y# I(m sorry.= ;%on(t worry#= I said# ;If you cou"d "ose yourse"f in your first time enough to mar me "i e this# I("" wear them proud"y.= ;6ou are way too nice.= She said. ;3r at the )ery "east way too infatuated with you.= I said. ;9ight bac at you.= She smi"ed. I "ay down ne0t to her and pu""ed the si" comforter o)er us. ;I need a -ady.= I said snugg"ing against her. ;2hat about $itaniaC= She as ed. .or a moment I was 8ust a "itt"e hurt& as if she was trying to pawn me off# or refuse my hand. $hen I rea"i4ed it was an honest in>uiry as to the fate of one of the p"ayers in this drama who had not been addressed. ;$itania was the goddess %iana ha)ing a few centuries "ar . She too 3beron(s "ea)ing as a cue to depart herse"f. As "ong as they ha)e one there is no need for both -ord and -ady# but it won(t be "ong before they are "eaning on me to mate up and sett"e down. $hey("" probab"y start dropping hints about 3beron and $itania. :e didn(t choose a -ady# so the 8ob was contracted out independent"y to a woman who found him repugnant. Course %iana is a ()irgin( goddess. Anytime you hear ()irgin( goddess# thin dy e goddess.= ;'eat. I "o)e dy es.= She said# as if that was a state secret. ;6eah# I new that.= I said# ;But "i)ing with $itania as a persona was turning %iana co"d and capricious# so she mo)ed on.= ;But don(t you ha)e to be fey to be $he -adyC= She as ed. ;Some# I(m sure. But you ha)e sy"ph b"ood.= I thought she 8ust didn(t want to thin about her birth parents. ;'ot me# %iana#= She c"arified.

;3h# goddesses can fa e it.= I rep"ied. ;.ey is c"assified as races so magica" they cou"d not sur)i)e in the absence of magic. $hat a"so describes the ma8ority of deities. 6our father is an a)atar. I am a demigod# now. But a pure god is so o"d and changed they are practica""y in their chaotic pure energy state# on"y ho"ding on to corporea" form through force of wi"". So I guess they can s"ip the "oopho"e of officia" fey.= ;And what about meC= She as ed. ;2e"" with god b"ood on your father(s side I(d say you fit the demigod "abe" as we"". But what ma es you the "ogica" choice for -ady is the fact that you a"so ha)e fey b"ood and are mated to the -ord.= I said. ;3 # I("" stipu"ate that you are correct in that. But how many 1odreds are there in the 9ea"mC= She as ed. ;'ot many. $hat is why I was needed to come in. 1odred and 3beron were turning the fey into Sidhe.= I "oo ed at her confusion# and c"arified. ;$he %aoine Sidhe were once the most powerfu" fey race. $here are sti"" a few .aoine Sidhe. 2i"d Sidhe who sp"it from the rest of their race when they decided they were the :igh .ey# and too the race name .aerie to pro)e this. $hin ing they were not on"y stronger but better than the other races. $hey created the See"eigh Court and tried to estab"ish it as fey nobi"ity. /nti" they were comp"ete"y warped. $hey consider themse")es to be the gods( own chosen race. 6et in that time they became s"a)es to order# where fey had a"ways drawn their power from the chaotic power of nature. $hey can no "onger change at a"". E)en in the face of necessity. $hey ha)e warred with both the .ami"y and the 9ea"m in their attempt to estab"ish themse")es as the ru"ers of the rea"ms of magic.= ;So they are the magica" )ersion of 4ea"otsC= She as ed. I paused a moment as her succinct summary san in. $hen I started "aughing. $hen I remembered that this rift happened when they a""owed ear"y Catho"ics to teach that Sidhe were ange"s who refused to ta e sides in the war between 7od and -ucifer and were damned to earth rather than he"". I "aughed a"" the harder# ho"ding the woman I "o)ed. ;$hat is it e0act"y# "o)e.= I paused a moment# then as ed. ;So how was your sainingC= She smi"ed so big and her eyes got a "itt"e misty at the thought. ;It was great. I fee" so different. But not in the ways I e0pected.= ;2e"" adu"thood is "i e that.= I said. ;$he more you change the more you stay the same.= ;2hat do you meanC= She as ed "oo ing a "itt"e confused a "itt"e "i e she might be getting ready to "augh if I showed myse"f to be the empty headed c"ichN I was mouthing. ;I mean you(re a"ways the same person. 6our opinions or thoughts might change with your point of )iew# but the core is a"ways the same.= I e0p"ained. ;Ah and you pic ed up this wisdom in the# what si0 years# since your own sainingC= She "aughed. ;As I said when we met I am "i e ten years past my physica" age. So it(s been twe")e years since my saining. .our fifths of your "ife. But no# I got most of this particu"ar opinion inter)iewing e0?-ords of the .ey and -ords of the 2i"d. $a" ing to fabu"ous"y o"d men about their "i)es. I(m sure your dad wou"d say the same.= I answered her# smi"ing and tic "ing her ribs a "itt"e bit. ;I suppose#= she said. ;I thin he actua""y did say something pretty simi"ar "ast night at the dance. Anyway# my saining was a b"ast.= ;:ow was your hau"C= I as ed ;:uhC= She "oo ed at me b"an "y. ;*resents. %id you get anything coo"C 3r was it 8ust underwearC= I 8o ed. ;:ey# don(t you be dissing underwear. $he underwear I got for my birthday are some of the nicest c"othes I()e e)er owned. And they do more to ma e me fee" pretty than a wee 5s worth of "ustfu" g"ances from a certain horny ram I cou"d name.= I apo"ogi4ed and she continued. ;I got my piercings and tattoo from Erin# the "ady ga)e me a "ace?up "eather bodice# suede pants# and a be"t with a moon phases buc "e. Singer ga)e me a moon crown and a fai"ge armband. A"i0 ga)e me the atana I was using in our "itt"e (batt"e(. :aw (s mate Bri(an ga)e me a wand that she said was regu"ation fairy godmother. It has fi)e forms from sma"" unadorned si")er "i e a conductor(s baton to a rune car)ed wi""ow wi4ard(s staff. Shi("a# one of my carna" tutors# ga)e me a b"ac si" robe#

camiso"e# g?string# and garter be"t with stoc ings# and %idi(mao my other tutor ga)e me the same in white. So I did get underwear# and I(m gratefu" for it. Bronwyn# Erin(s sister and the .ami"y warmistress ga)e me a "abrys a0e. %addy ga)e me this sou" poo" brace"et with my birth parents in it. A"" their energy "eapt into me# but I put it bac # but now it has some of me mi0ed in it. %addy said that was good because my bit wi"" tune the other power to be easier to use. Anyway# :aw ga)e me a set of throwing ni)es. And Story ga)e me a 8ade grasshopper# that(s my totem# and he taught me how to bring it to "ife and send it out spying for me. Both with me riding it astra""y and a"so independent.= ;I ha)e a "itt"e something for you# myse"f.= I said. ;6ou are so nice. 6ou didn(t ha)e to do that.= She smi"ed. ;I don(t ha)e to do anything. E0cept "o)e you of course. I wanted to.= I said. ;3 ay# than s. And than s for the pony.= she said. ;7"ad you "i e him.= I said# ;:a)e you e0p"ored his repertoireC= ;2hat do you meanC= She as ed# comp"ete"y ob"i)ious to what she had. ;:e(s a .aery steed.= I said# ;:e(s not one with a car form# you5)e seen his man form# and he(s got a pretty good unicorn and a passab"e dragon.= ;9ea""yC= She s>uea"ed# ;1uffin# get in here.= $he pony nosed the f"ap open and came in. ;1uffinC= I as ed. ;Abso"ute"y.= She answered. $hen she turned to the pony. ;1uffs# show me your unicorn.= Sudden"y the Indian war pony was a stoc y shaggy beige and brown unicorn pony. ;'ow show me dragon.= She said. Sudden"y 1uffin was a bright emera"d green dragon# shaped "i e a rabbit with "ong fore"egs and thic powerfu" hind "egs# with a potbe""y and a truncated a""igator snout. ;:e(s on"y so "imited# because he(s so young.= I said. ;But you can instruct him to change. ;1uffin# "engthen your bac "egs to match the front.= he stretched and the rabbit dragon became more of a stag. ;'ow ma e your "egs thic er and more muscu"ar.= In a moment he was a pretty impressi)e "itt"e dragon. Sma"" for a dragon but bigger than the pony. ;3 ay# natura" form.= I said and he became a snowy white pony?"i e creature with mane tai" and fet"oc s of shiny si" en cur"s. Simi"ar to his unicorn with shorter pe"t# "onger hair# and bigger ears# shaped and situated "i e a deer(s. $amarin chimed in with# ;3 ay try your body one shade "ight of sorre" and your hair mahogany.B $he changes were >uic "y made. ;3 ay a touch of cream to the body.= She "oo ed at him critica""y. ;3 ay from now on this is your true form& the other is your origina" form.= She turned to me# ;:ad to reset the defau"ts.= ;6ou rea"i4e he(s inte""igent# .aery steeds are 8ust another fey race# re"ated to phou as.= I said. ;$he on"y reason he(s so comp"iant is because he(s too young to ta" .= ;$hat(s fine#= She said# ;$hat(s why I ha)e to mo"d him now. So when he grows up# he won(t gi)e me troub"e.= As we fine tuned 1uffin a bit more# it occurred to me that I wou"d bet she wou"d# upon ref"ection thin I ne)er ga)e her the saining gift I offered.

About the Author J.E. Bonneau is an American current"y "i)ing in Auc "and# 'ew Hea"and. Born in the %etroit area# J.E. mo)ed to Ca"ifornia as a chi"d. :e "i)ed most of his "ife in the 'orth County area of San %iego. :e began writing when he was nine and has considered himse"f a writer e)er since. :e finished his first boo at 1P. 1arrying young and ha)ing three ids meant he needed to wor in the corporate wor"d for security and he has on"y been writing fu"" time for a short time. :e b"ogs on B"ogger and $witters under the name wordofbonneau.